thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Fed statement Sunday announcing emergency action for economy

WASHINGTON - Here is a statement the Federal Reserve issued Sunday announcing emergency action to aid the economy in the face of the coronavirus outbreak : The coronavirus outbreak has harmed communities and disrupted economic activity in many countries , including the United States .
Global financial conditions have also been significantly affected .
Available economic data show that the U.S. economy came into this challenging period on a strong footing .
Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in January indicates that the labour market remained strong through February and economic activity rose at a moderate rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on average , in recent months , and the unemployment rate has remained low .
Although household spending rose at a moderate pace , business fixed investment and exports remained weak .
More recently , the energy sector has come under stress .
On a 12-month basis , overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy are running below 2 per cent .
Market-based measures of inflation compensation have declined ; survey-based measures of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed .
Consistent with its statutory mandate , the Committee seeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The effects of the coronavirus will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook .
In light of these developments , the Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 0 to 1/4 per cent .
The Committee expects to maintain this target range until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals .
This action will help support economic activity , strong labour market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee ’ s symmetric 2 per cent objective .
The Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook , including information related to public health , as well as global developments and muted inflation pressures , and will use its tools and act as appropriate to support the economy .
In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the stance of monetary policy , the Committee will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its maximum employment objective and its symmetric 2 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into account a wide range of information , including measures of labour market conditions , indicators of inflation pressures and inflation expectations , and readings on financial and international developments .
The Federal Reserve is prepared to use its full range of tools to support the flow of credit to households and businesses and thereby promote its maximum employment and price stability goals .
To support the smooth functioning of markets for Treasury securities and agency mortgage-backed securities that are central to the flow of credit to households and businesses , over coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Treasury securities by at least $ 500 billion and its holdings of agency mortgage-backed securities by at least $ 200 billion .
The Committee will also reinvest all principal payments from the Federal Reserve ’ s holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities .
In addition , the Open Market Desk has recently expanded its overnight and term repurchase agreement operations .
The Committee will continue to closely monitor market conditions and is prepared to adjust its plans as appropriate .
Voting for the monetary policy action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John C. Williams , Vice Chair ; Michelle W. Bowman ; Lael Brainard ; Richard H. Clarida ; Patrick Harker ; Robert S. Kaplan ; Neel Kashkari ; and Randal K. Quarles .
Voting against this action was Loretta J. Mester , who was fully supportive of all of the actions taken to promote the smooth functioning of markets and the flow of credit to households and businesses but preferred to reduce the target range for the federal funds rate to 1/2 to 3/4 per cent at this meeting .
In a related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs of households and businesses , the Federal Reserve announced measures related to the discount window , intraday credit , bank capital and liquidity buffers , reserve requirements , and—in co-ordination with other central banks—the U.S. dollar liquidity swap line arrangements .
More information can be found on the Federal Reserve Board ’ s website .


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Hospitals fear any surge of virus cases, supply shortages

TOLEDO , Ohio - Government and hospital leaders are increasingly sounding the alarm about the health care system in the U.S. and its readiness to absorb waves of patients in the worst-case scenario involving the new coronavirus outbreak .
Authorities nationwide already are taking major steps to expand capacity with each passing day , building tents and outfitting unused spaces to house patients .
They also are urging people to postpone elective surgeries , dental work and even veterinarian care .
New York ’ s governor called for using military bases or college dorms as makeshift care centres .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be enough beds , equipment and staff to handle several large outbreaks simultaneously in multiple cities .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the National Institutes of Health ’ s infectious diseases chief , said it ’ s critical that steps be taken now to prevent the virus from spreading quickly .
“ The job is to put a full-court press on not allowing the worst-case scenario to occur , ” said Fauci , who appeared Sunday on several network news shows .
While he does not expect massive outbreaks in the U.S. like those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possibility if it reaches that point that an overwhelming influx of patients could lead to a lack of supplies , including ventilators .
“ And that ’ s when you ’ re going to have to make some very tough decisions , ” Fauci said .
In Washington state , which leads the nation in the number of positive COVID-19 cases with more than 600 illnesses and 40 deaths , the increase in people visiting clinics with respiratory symptoms is straining the state ’ s supply of personal protective gear worn by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has sent the state tens of thousands of respirators , gowns , gloves and other protective gear for health care providers .
But those shipments aren ’ t enough , said Clark Halvorson , Assistant Secretary of Health for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response .
The disease has infected over 162,000 people worldwide , and more than 6,000 people have died so far .
Most people who have tested positive for the virus experience only mild or moderate symptoms .
Yet there ’ s a greater danger and longer recovery period for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems .
The nation ’ s hospitals collectively have about a million beds , with 100,000 for critical care patients , but often those beds for the sickest patients are mostly filled , Scott Gottlieb , a former FDA commissioner , told CBS ’ “ Face the Nation.
” “ If we do have multiple epidemics in multiple large U.S. cities , the system will become overwhelmed , ” he said .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has suggested mobilizing the Army Corps of Engineers to turn facilities such as military bases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ States can not build more hospitals , acquire ventilators or modify facilities quickly enough , ” Cuomo wrote in an opinion piece published Sunday in The New York Times .
Officials in the Seattle area have been setting up temporary housing — and even bought a motel and leased another — to add space for patients who might be homeless or whose living conditions might not allow for self-isolation , such as students in college dorms .
King County also is setting up modular housing and is using the arrivals hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce overcrowding — and meet social-distancing requirements — in existing homeless shelters .
Hospital executives say they ’ re always planning for disasters and have been concentrating on coronavirus preparations for the past two months .
“ If you go past our emergency department now , you ’ ll see tents erected in the parking lot that allow us to increase emergency department capacity , ” Johnese Spisso , president of UCLA Health , said Sunday on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press.
” The system ’ s network of clinics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional capacity and doctor ’ s are encouraging telemedicine , he said .
Dr. Peter Slavin , the president of Massachusetts General Hospital , said the next two weeks will be critical as the medical community expects a dramatic increase in the number of cases .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine recommended on Saturday that elective surgeries be postponed , including dental and veterinary procedures , so that health care workers won ’ t be stretched thin and surgical masks can be saved for health care workers dealing with the virus .
ProMedica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Michigan , is ready to call in help from staffing agencies if needed and is looking at ways to provide child care for employees whose children are off school , said Deana Sievert , chief nursing .
Doctors also have voluntarily cancelled their vacations .
The community “ can flatten off the curve of this , ” by avoiding large events , staying at home , washing their hands and practicing social distancing to help U.S. hospitals avoid an onslaught of cases , said Dr. Penny Wheeler , CEO of Minneapolis-based Allina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 90 clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin .
Allina also has been cancelling conferences , meetings and anything else that does not directly impact patient care .
Associated Press writers Martha Bellisle and Gene Johnson in Seattle and Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis contributed to this report The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : @ @

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thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Iran reports more than 100 new virus deaths as fears mount

TEHRAN , Iran - The official leading Iran ’ s response to the new coronavirus acknowledged Sunday that the pandemic could overwhelm health facilities in his country , which is battling the worst outbreak in the Middle East while under heavy U.S. sanctions .
Elsewhere in the region , Lebanon ordered residents not to leave their homes except for urgent necessities and even closed down Beirut ’ s famous Mediterranean boardwalk .
Muslim authorities indefinitely closed the Al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem , the third holiest site in Islam , with prayers continuing to be held on the sprawling esplanade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday reported another 113 deaths , the biggest single-day jump in fatalities .
That brings the country ’ s total death toll to 724 , with nearly 14,000 confirmed cases , one of the worst outbreaks outside China .
“ If the trend continues , there will not be enough capacity , ” Ali Reza Zali , who is leading the campaign against the outbreak , was quoted as saying by the state-run IRNA news agency .
Iran is believed to have around 110,000 hospital beds , including 30,000 in the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up mobile clinics as needed .
Zali acknowledged that “ many ” who died from the COVID-19 illness caused by the virus were otherwise healthy , a rare admission by local authorities that the virus does not only prey on the sick and elderly .
Health Ministry figures show that while 55 % of fatalities were in their 60s , some 15 % were younger than 40 .
For most people , the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
Most people recover in a matter of weeks .
The virus has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide and killed more than 5,800 .
More than 70,000 people worldwide have recovered after being infected .
Dalia Samhouri , a senior regional official with the World Health Organization , said both Iran and Egypt , two of the most populous countries in the Middle East , were likely underreporting cases because of the nature of the virus , which can be spread by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Egypt ’ s health ministry on Sunday added 16 more cases of the new coronavirus , bringing the total of confirmed cases to 126 , including two fatalities : a German tourist and an Egyptian women , both in their 60s .
The ministry said in a statement the new cases include eight Egyptians and eight foreigners .
It said that as of Sunday a total of 26 recovered and were discharged from the quarantine .
Iran has struggled to respond in part because of crippling sanctions imposed by the Trump administration after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal .
The U.S. says it has offered humanitarian aid but that Iran has rejected it .
Across the Middle East , Lebanon , Iraq , Oman and Qatar imposed new restrictions on movement Sunday .
Many countries have already enacted sweeping limits on travel , public events and non-essential businesses .
Some have temporarily closed schools and universities .
Lebanon ’ s effective lockdown was put in place after a Cabinet meeting , and appeared to only allow buying food and other essentials .
But the announcement said that by late Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ports and borders would close and that Lebanese citizens abroad had until then to return home .
Private businesses and Lebanese governmental institutions were shuttered , except those related to making or selling food , bakeries , banks , exchange shops and the central bank .
The small country has reported 99 cases and three deaths .
Police used loudspeakers to order people off the Beirut boardwalk earlier Sunday afternoon .
Iraq also announced that it would impose a week-long curfew in Baghdad starting Tuesday at 11 p.m. , including all flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All governmental institutions would close except those providing health and security services .
Iraq ’ s Health Ministry had confirmed 124 coronavirus cases and nine deaths as of Sunday .
Both Iraq and Lebanon have been largely in disarray since anti-government protests broke out last year , and Lebanon was already experiencing its worst financial crisis in years before the coronavirus pandemic began .
In the Gulf , Oman state television on Sunday announced a ban on almost all foreigners entering the country .
It said only Omanis and citizens of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Meanwhile , Qatar announced late Sunday it would stop all passenger flights into the small , energy-rich country beginning Wednesday .
Cargo and “ transit flights ” would be exempt , according to the state-run Qatar News Agency .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how that would affect the long-haul carrier Qatar Airways .
Qatar now has over 400 confirmed cases of the virus , its Health Ministry said .
Qatari and Omani citizens would now be quarantine after returning home .
Qatar separately announced a $ 20.5 billion stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
Two people were killed in a prison riot in the Jordanian city of Irbid , after officials banned visits to the facility for two weeks as a precaution .
The prison service said security forces were still working to gain control of the situation .
The corruption trial for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was postponed for two months due to restrictions on public gatherings .
Tests on Netanyahu and those in “ close proximity ” to him for the virus came back negative .
Israel ’ s confirmed cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jerusalem ’ s Al-Aqsa mosque was the latest in a series of closures or limits at religious sites .
Saudi Arabia has suspended the umrah pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina and could be forced to limit or cancel the much larger hajj later this year .
On Sunday , it announced the temporary closure of all mosques and called off Friday prayers .
Sheikh Omar Kiswani , the director of the Al-Aqsa mosque , said the iconic golden Dome of the Rock was closed as well .
Outdoor prayers in Jerusalem would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiest place where Jews can pray .
The Palestinian Authority has reported 38 coronavirus cases in the Israeli-occupied West Bank , nearly all connected to an outbreak in the town of Bethlehem , where Jesus is believed to have been born .
Israel and the Palestinians have largely sealed the town off .
Krauss reported from Jerusalem .
Associated Press writers Aron Heller and Josef Federman in Jerusalem , Jon Gambrell and Fay Abuelgasim in Dubai , United Arab Emirates ; Samya Kullab in Baghdad ; Omar Akour in Amman , Jordan ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Nasser Karimi And Joseph Krauss - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Ski operations suspended at WVa’s Snowshoe Mountain resort

SNOWSHOE , W.Va. - The operator of West Virginia ’ s Snowshoe Mountain ski resort announced Sunday it is suspending operations until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Alterra Mountain Co. announced the suspensions in a news release at Snowshoe and its 14 other North American ski resorts .
CEO Rusty Gregory said the announcement includes all lift operations , food and beverage , and retail and rental services .
He said each resort will work directly with affected guests and provide refunds .
“ We anticipate heavy call volume over the next several days and appreciate guests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to all inquiries , ” Gregory said .
“ We look forward to welcoming you back to the mountains as circumstances improve.
” West Virginia is the only U.S. state that has not reported a positive coronavirus case .
Alterra Mountain Co. also operates resorts in Colorado , California , Utah , Vermont , Washington , and in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia , Ontario and Quebec .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , and the vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause severe illness , including pneumonia .
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 .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Minor league players sent scrambling by closed spring camps

PHOENIX - For most , the news was delivered via text message or email .
“ All minor league players and staff will be sent home over the next 24-48 hours .
This is not to be repeated , but for your information to start preparing , ” the Colorado Rockies told players in an email .
“ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , we are closing our facility and suspending spring training , ” the Milwaukee Brewers wrote to their minor leaguers .
“ Players that are currently rehabbing should remain in Phoenix .
All others should make plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Saturday 3/14.
” “ We encourage everyone to go home until further notice , ” the Chicago White Sox told players .
“ If it is unsafe for you to travel , or there may be challenges in a return to the US , you may remain here , but this must be discussed and cleared by the organization.
” Those communications , sent Friday and obtained by The Associated Press , left minor leaguers at spring training camps in Florida and Arizona scrambling .
Most were told to go home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic and other countries , despite concerns they may have trouble returning to the U.S .
Baseball players are only paid in-season — which does not include spring training — and the minimum yearly salary at Class A was only $ 5,800 last season .
In lieu of paychecks , many minor leaguers depend on team complexes for housing , meals and workout facilities during spring camp .
Most also get a per diem of $ 100-200 per week .
For most players , that all disappeared when Major League Baseball suspended spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretending this is just the off-season , “ one player recalled being told by a team official in a meeting Friday , when he was informed he must leave .
All minor leaguers who spoke to The Associated Press for this story did so on condition of anonymity due to concerns that teams might punish them for speaking publicly .
That player had been at a camp in Florida and spoke to the AP on Sunday while driving to a friend ’ s place in Texas — he ’ s from the West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take his car across the entire country .
He has about $ 800 in his bank account , no second job lined up and no idea how he ’ ll make ends meet until spring camps re-open — and he has no idea when that will be .
“ How are you supposed to get a job when you don ’ t know when you ’ re coming back ?
“ he said .
” And that ’ s without this whole outbreak situation .
Because of the COVID-19 deal , most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not hiring , they ’ re cutting hours.
” That player said he followed the lead of Oakland minor league pitcher Peter Bayer and signed up for a food-delivery job , but he was unsure how much work that would provide .
Bayer tweeted Thursday night about his new part-time gig .
“ Who knows what ’ s going to happen with the MILB/pay , ” he wrote .
“ So I decided to start driving with Door Dash tonight .
$ 62 in 3 hours ... not too bad.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option either , since players are under contract by major league teams and are thus ineligible for those benefits .
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 within a few weeks .
Major League Baseball left it up to individual teams to determine how best to handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Friday the team planned to let minor leaguers stay in camp , although that was before learning Sunday that a player had tested positive for the virus .
It ’ s unclear if New York will continue to let players stay at the facility .
Brewers executive David Stearns said Sunday the club sent nearly all minor league players home but made exceptions for a few who didn ’ t feel safe returning to their home countries .
He said those “ players will remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the next couple of weeks will look like for them.
” The Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox also said they hoped to let minor leaguers stay in camp if they preferred .
“ This may be the best option for them , “ Red Sox executive Chaim Bloom said .
“ And we want to make sure that is a good option.
” Phoenix Sky Harbor airport was teeming with minor league players Friday night .
Around 8:30 p.m. , the check-in line at the American Airlines counter included players from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire South African baseball team and even Hall of Famer Iván Rodríguez .
One player at a spring complex in Florida was told Friday he must leave , even though he was hesitant to return home because his father works in a nursing home and he has family members who are at-risk for the virus .
He is staying at a teammate ’ s house in Florida hoping the delay is only a few weeks .
The team said it would continue to provide per diem through March 25 , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to stretch much longer than that .
“ The past couple days haven ’ t really felt like anything , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a numb experience that I can ’ t really put the words to.
“ Teams are telling players to be prepared to return to spring training and ramp up for the regular season at a date to be determined .
That means the athletes need to find somewhere to train — a tricky scenario with many gyms and batting cages closing amid the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camp out of shape and getting injured or cut .
Even for the teams permitting players to train at team complexes , it ’ s unclear if that arrangement will last .
MLB is expected to update teams on its policy Monday .
Players who spoke to the AP for this story said there are other ways MLB teams can help , most notably by continuing to provide meal money and the salaries players would have made beginning opening day April 9 .
Until then , many are seeking aid elsewhere .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for minor leaguers , has been operating an online fundraiser , and some players have signed up with the @ adoptmilbplayer Twitter account to find individual fan sponsors .
It ’ s more than the player driving to Texas is expecting from his major league club .
“ The way they ’ ve handled this has been really upsetting , “ he said .
” You have a national emergency and you ’ re not going above and beyond for your players , and that ’ s just awful to me.
” AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wagner contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Spanish King renounces inheritance from father amid scandal

MADRID - Spain ’ s King Felipe VI has renounced any future personal inheritance he could receive from his father , King Emerit Juan Carlos I , over the alleged financial irregularities involving the former monarch , the country ’ s royal house announced Sunday .
The royal house said in a statement that in addition to renouncing his inheritance , Felipe is stripping Juan Carlos of his annual stipend .
In 2018 , the former monarch received 194,232 euros ( $ 216,000 ) .
The decision comes amid an ongoing investigation by Swiss prosecutors into an offshore account allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly received 88 million euros ( $ 100 million ) from Saudi Arabia ’ s late King Abdullah in 2008 , which prosecutors believe could be kickback payments , according to the Swiss newspaper Tribune de Geneve .
On Saturday , the British newspaper The Telegraph reported that Felipe was named as a beneficiary of an offshore fund that controls the Swiss account with an alleged 65 million euro gift ( $ 72 million ) from Saudi Arabia given to his father when he was on the throne .
Juan Carlos , 82 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reigned until his abdication in June 2014 .
Felipe , 52 , denied any knowledge of the fund in Sunday ’ s statement .
The name of the Swiss paper is Tribune de Geneve , not de Geneva .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-15--Worshippers go online, those at services keep a distance

ATLANTA - Pastors across the United States delivered sermons to empty pews Sunday as houses of worship adjusted to the reality of the coronavirus pandemic , with the Vatican indicating that the holiest week on its calendar will look vastly different next month .
While many religious institutions around the country took to the internet to stream their services this week – including one megachurch that President Donald Trump tweeted he was tuning in to – some tried to take extra precautions while maintaining a semblance of their Sunday routine amid mounting public anxiety over the outbreak .
Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day of prayer , said he would watch a livestreamed service by Jentezen Franklin , a Georgia-based pastor and long-standing evangelical ally of the president .
The annual National Day of Prayer is May 7 .
During his sermon , Franklin urged prayers for China and Iran , areas hit particularly hard by the virus .
Franklin also sought to acknowledge the fatal toll that coronavirus is already exacting worldwide while encouraging worshippers not to “ let the fear flu get you ” by falling prey to panic .
More than 5,800 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , with U.S. deaths topping 60 .
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 .
Trump , who tested negative for the coronavirus according to a statement from his personal physician , tweeted that Franklin ’ s service was “ great and beautiful.
” Franklin held his Sunday services exclusively online , as public health experts urge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kinds to curtail the spread of coronavirus , but others did not .
A hardy few came to mostly empty churches as pastors faced hard decisions about continuing to hold services , and how to maintain the bonds of a congregation when large gatherings could transmit the coronavirus .
At St. Philip African Methodist Episcopal Church in Atlanta , about 100 people dotted a sanctuary built for thousands .
The Rev .
William Watley told members that he would follow official directives on whether to have church after Sunday .
Georgia Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling off in-person services last week , a concern underlined by the fact that some of Georgia ’ s 99 confirmed cases were spread at a church in Cartersville , northwest of Atlanta , where dozens of people were exposed .
Watley told people attending the 11 a.m. service that more than 500 people had viewed an earlier one online , even pointing out how people could submit their offering online .
“ Our goal is not to frighten anyone , but reduce public gatherings where there is an increased risk of exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were notes of defiance .
Watley , warming to his text from II Chronicles about how the people of Judah won a battle thanks to prayer and faith , preached that he wasn ’ t about to shut his church ’ s doors .
“ Some of the younger preachers said , ‘ You going to have church ?
’ When you think about some of the mess that all of us have been through , the possibility of coronavirus .
...
It ’ s going to take a more than this to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His steadfast love endures !
” Watley preached .
Although he quickly added : “ You do your part .
You wash your hands like you got sense.
” Archie James , a member of the church board at St. Philip , said more people were at church Sunday than he had expected .
“ We want to squash this thing and get it over with , ” said James , a Conyers resident .
Vanessa Parson , another St. Philip member , said the church can help ease fears : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , believing they ’ re going to be safe , that they don ’ t have to be afraid.
” The sanctuary was mostly empty at Cross Lanes United Methodist Church in Cross Lanes , West Virginia , the only state without a confirmed case .
Senior pastor , the Rev .
Krysta Rexrode Wolfe , said people should “ give thanks that good news still abounds ” and use their unique talents during the coronavirus scare , including offering to share stockpiles of groceries or household supplies with disadvantaged neighbours , reconnecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking extra help .
At St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Glen Allen , Virginia , just outside Richmond , about 150 parishioners attended the 9:15 a.m. Mass , a service that usually draws 600 to 700 people .
Deacon Andrew Ferguson urged parishioners to “ honour that distance , ” the recommendation to stay at least 6 feet away from each other .
Brook Schurman , a private school teacher , said he wasn ’ t disappointed by the Mass , but noticed how different it felt with the smaller crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people — not just here , but throughout the county and state — are pulling back , isolating more , ” he said .
“ It ’ s what ’ s recommended , but the fear behind it is sad.
” Across the United States , religious leaders have taken unprecedented steps to shield their congregations from the coronavirus .
Measures have included cancelling services and banning large funerals and weddings .
A number of Roman Catholic bishops cancelled all public worship services for at least two weeks .
Other steps , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with gestures rather than physical contact , have been in place several weeks .
Comparably strong measures are being taken by leaders of their faiths , ranging from rabbis in New Jersey to Episcopal and Methodist bishops in North Carolina .
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints halted all worship services and church activities for its 16 million members worldwide .
Episcopal churches in the Washington , D.C. , area , including the Washington National Cathedral , suspended services .
Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Brentwood , Tennessee broadcast services on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of congregation members , staff and the pastor , Kip Rush , at the church .
Initially the discussion was about communion but as members talked it was clear there other concerns .
“ We also thought about the whole idea that if we can begin to social distance and slow the growth down then maybe we can slow the progression down , ” Rush said .
He added that while the congregation is small and could have spread out , he did not want to chance it .
” We have some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are very faithful , and if one of them had gotten sick , the guilt and the reasoning behind that , we would not have been able to deal with it.
” The coronavirus forced international religious institutions to alter their behaviour as well .
In Italy , where the public is severely restricted from leaving their homes , the Vatican announced that Holy Week liturgical celebrations will not be open to the public .
Some churches in Italy are being allowed to stay open for individual prayer , but all public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowding .
Although Easter , April 12 , wasn ’ t specified in the Vatican statements , it appeared likely that restrictions on large gatherings might well continue in Italy .
The Italian government has said it would decide whether measures , now in effect through April 3 , would need an extension or tightening .
Later Sunday , Pope Francis left the Vatican to visit St. Mary Major Basilica near Rome ’ s central train station .
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis went there to pray to the Virgin Mary for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown mode with churches there adopting measures akin to those begun in Italy a few weeks ago .
The Orthodox Church of Cyprus joined others and called on believers to refrain from attending services for three weeks .
Despite an earlier decision not to discourage the faithful from coming to churches , it said in a statement that “ it can not remain indifferent ” in light of the virus ’ rapid spread and growing number of deaths .
Amy reported from Atlanta , Schor from New York and Lavoie from Glen Allen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D ’ Emilio in Rome , Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia , Cyprus , John Raby in Cross Lanes , West Virginia and Mark Humphrey in Brentwood , Tennessee contributed .

Jeff Amy, Elana Schor, And Denise Lavoie - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--U.S. offered ‘large sum’ to German company for access to coronavirus vaccine research, German offici

U.S. offered ‘large sum’ to German company for access to coronavirus vaccine research, German officials say

BERLIN—The Trump administration attempted to persuade a German firm developing a possible vaccine for coronavirus to move its research work to the United States , German officials said , raising fears in Berlin that U.S. President Donald Trump was trying to assure that any inoculation would be available first , and perhaps exclusively , in the United States .
The offer arose from a March 2 meeting at the White House that included the chief executive of German firm CureVac , Daniel Menichella .
Trump briefly attended the meeting , and Vice-President Mike Pence , who heads the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are very confident that we will be able to develop a potent vaccine candidate within a few months , ” Menichella said in a statement on the day of the meeting .
But four days ago , CureVac announced that Menichella , an American , was leaving the biotechnology company , which he had headed for two years .
White House officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
But two senior U.S. officials said that some of the German news accounts first reporting the story were overblown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to secure exclusive access to a vaccine .
The Trump administration has spoken with more than 25 companies that say they can help with a vaccine , one of the U.S. officials said , and is open to speaking with others .
Any solution , he said , would be shared with the world .
Nevertheless , Germany ’ s interior minister , Horst Seehofer , said that Chancellor Angela Merkel , who has a famously testy relationship with Trump , will lead a crisis meeting with ministers Monday that will include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the firm .
The coronavirus is no longer merely a health crisis but “ a question of national security , ” Seehofer said Sunday .
Asked by a reporter to confirm that the U.S. administration had tried to take over a German company researching vaccines , Seehofer responded that he had heard about the effort “ from several members of the government and it will be discussed tomorrow in the crisis team.
” Another official , who asked not to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large sum ” of money .

Katrin Bennhold - The New York Times,David E. Sanger


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--AP Explains: What did the Federal Reserve do Sunday and why?

WASHINGTON - Brandishing an array of financial weapons , the Federal Reserve announced extraordinary action Sunday to try to blunt the heavy damage the coronavirus outbreak has begun to inflict on the U.S. economy .
It ’ s slashing its benchmark interest rate to near zero .
It ’ s buying $ 700 billion in bonds .
It ’ s moving aggressively to smooth disruptions in the Treasury market .
And it ’ s prepared to do more .
The surprise intervention was an acknowledgement by the Fed that the economy seems suddenly on the brink of recession and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can to minimize the blow to households , companies and the economy .
Collectively , its actions are intended to keep markets functioning and lending flowing to businesses and consumers .
Otherwise , as revenue dries up for countless small businesses that have suddenly lost customers , these employers could be forced to lay off workers or even seek bankruptcy protection .
By slashing its benchmark short-term rate and pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the financial system , the Fed ’ s moves recalled the emergency action it took at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2008 , the Fed cut its key rate to near zero and kept it there for seven years .
The central bank has now returned that rate — which influences many consumer and business loans — to its record-low level .
And yet Chairman Jerome Powell acknowledged in a conference call with reporters that the Fed ’ s action isn ’ t likely to prevent the recession .
The main reason : The economy is coming to a standstill because of the necessary behavioural changes being made across the country to stem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel , shopping and mass gatherings .
Rather , the economic outlook , the Fed recognizes , depends mainly on how quickly the United States can arrest the spread of the virus .
So what , exactly , did the Fed announce Sunday ?
And why ?
THE FED SLASHED ITS BENCHMARK RATE TO NEARLY ZERO : The Fed cut its short-term rate by a full percentage point , its steepest cut since the financial crisis in 2008 , to a range of zero to 0.25 % .
That is the lowest level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised rates for the first time after leaving them at nearly zero for seven years .
Over time , this move should lower a broad range of borrowing costs for things like homes , credit cards and autos .
Powell said that while the move is intended to lower borrowing costs now , it would become even more important once the outbreak passes and consumers and businesses are confident enough to ramp up spending again .
President Donald Trump has urged the Fed to consider cutting rates below zero , but Powell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
“ We do not see negative rates as an appropriate policy in the United States , ” he said on the conference call Sunday .
IT WILL BUY AT LEAST $ 700 BILLION IN BONDS On Monday , the Fed will start buying at least $ 500 billion in Treasury securities and at least $ 200 billion of mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac .
Those purchases are intended to smooth the functioning of the Treasury bond market and mortgage lending and to keep long-term borrowing rates down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and most important such market in the world , because yields on Treasuries influence interest rates on many other loans and are used to price other global financial assets .
Last week , banks and other large investors were unable to sell all the 10-year Treasuries they wanted to unload — pressure that inflated rates in that market .
The Fed ’ s buying is intended to plug that gap and keep rates low .
“ When stresses arise in the Treasury market , they can reverberate throughout financial markets and the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WILL RELAX BANKS ’ RESERVE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS The Fed said it has dropped its requirement that banks hold cash equal to 10 % of their customers ’ deposits , thereby allowing banks to lend that money instead .
It also said that banks can use additional cash buffers that were imposed after the 2008 financial crisis for lending .
This move addresses complaints from many banks that regulatory limits were inhibiting their ability to lend when credit is in high demand .
THE FED AND 5 OTHER CENTRAL BANKS CUT RATES ON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a co-ordinated global action , with the Bank of Canada , the Bank of England , the Bank of Japan , the European Central Bank and the Swiss National Bank , to provide cheap dollar credit to banks overseas .
The swap lines offer credit for a longer period of 84 days , instead of the standing offer of one week .
This move is intended to ensure that foreign banks continue to have access to dollars that they lend to overseas companies .
IT WILL PROVIDE SHORT-TERM LOANS TO BANKS Fed policymakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , known as the “ discount window , ” that enables banks to borrow at very low interest rates from the Fed .
It cut the interest rate for those loans by 1.5 percentage points , to just 0.25 % , to encourage more banks to take advantage of the window , which carries a stigma because it ’ s typically used by banks only when they ’ re in trouble .
It also said banks could borrow for 90 days .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--US, Europe lock down; Asia urges virus vigilance

BERLIN - As millions of people in Europe , the United States and beyond began holing up at home , stocking up on supplies and keeping a wary eye on how close they get to friends and neighbours , the coronavirus outbreak marked a distinct shift in focus Monday , with reported infections in the rest of the world overtaking those in China .
But while the outbreak appears to be moving away from its original epicenter , many in Asia , where the virus has been a brutal fact of life for months , continue to urge vigilance against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If we loosen our grip on the quarantine , it could be a matter of time for the embers of small-scale cluster infections to be revived , ” the South Korean mass-circulation Dong-a Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial Monday .
Around the globe , societies inched toward a shutdown of much of public life — bars , restaurants , school , work .
Resorts closed on the Las Vegas strip .
Many restaurants offered only takeout , if they were open at all .
Schools , concerts , sporting events — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties — were cancelled .
China , where the virus was first detected in December , now accounts for less than half of the world ’ s 169,000 cases , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
A shutdown of public gatherings and a quarantine of the hardest-hit central region has steadied China ’ s caseload as the virus spreads rapidly elsewhere .
Most of the world ’ s 77,000 recovered patients are in China .
Traffic has begun returning to Beijing .
Office buildings , however , are enforcing strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants only offer takeout .
Children who would usually be snowed under with classes and homework remained glued to screens , shopping , chatting and watching video clips .
China was relaxing travel restrictions in the hardest-hit virus province of Hubei , sending thousands of workers back to jobs at factories desperate to get production going again .
The official Xinhua News Agency reported Monday that cities just outside the epicenter of Wuhan were chartering buses to send back to work residents who had returned home for the Lunar New Year in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said the outbreak that spread from Wuhan starting in December had mostly run its course domestically , while they remained vigilant against imported cases .
A number of Asian cities have become increasingly worried about importing cases of the virus from abroad after making inroads in containing its spread at home .
Starting Monday , travellers arriving in Beijing from overseas will be quarantined for 14 days in designated facilities at their own expense .
Previously , people without symptoms could self-quarantine at home .
In the latest tally , China ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the coronavirus in the previous 24 hours .
Twelve of them were imported from overseas .
China now has 80,860 confirmed cases .
The health commission said that 67,749 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals .
Fourteen more deaths were reported in the last 24 hours , raising the toll to 3,213 .
Though China still has the most infections , a dozen other countries have more than 1,000 cases , mostly in Europe , where numerous countries have been imposing border controls in what not long ago was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Finland .
Religious leaders gave sermons to empty pews or to the faithful watching online Sunday after public worship was curtailed in many places .
The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem ’ s Old City was being closed indefinitely , and the Vatican closed off next month ’ s Holy Week services to the public .
Still , 83-year-old Pope Francis ventured out of the Vatican to visit two churches in Rome to pray for the sick .
In the United States , health officials recommended a limit to groups of 50 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 14-day national shutdown may be needed .
Americans returning from abroad encountered chaotic airport health screenings and closed-down communities .
There are signs that the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea is slowing down , but officials are still scrambling to prevent infections from exploding again .
South Korea on Monday reported 74 more cases over the past 24 hours , a day after it announced 76 new cases .
The figures are the lowest daily increase in new infections in about 25 days .
That ’ s a stark contrast with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day in late February .
There are still worries that infections might surge again from those returning from Europe or from local people who are reportedly resuming attending gatherings like church services .
There have been calls for authorities to further postpone the new school year , which was to begin on March 23 after two rounds of delays .
South Korean Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun said the country ’ s decline in cases is a “ hopeful sign ” but urged caution over widening outbreaks across Europe and the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never loosen its guard.
” On the first day of Spain ’ s quarantine , long lines formed for food as police patrolled .
Soldiers and police sealed off the Philippines ’ densely populated capital , Manila , from most domestic travellers .
Austria planned to limit people ’ s movement , and Lebanon was put on lockdown , closing down Beirut ’ s famed seaside corniche .
As the public curtailed their daily lives , governments also adjusted , such as by moving official meetings with their counterparts in other countries online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health emergencies that create punishments for failing to comply with self-isolation orders .
Australia ’ s most populous state , New South Wales , has suspended new jury trials because of the virus .
In Tokyo , Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ’ s government secured a law allowing him to declare a state of emergency in case things worsen , though he says it still hasn ’ t reached that point .
For most people , the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about two weeks .
But severe illness including pneumonia can occur , especially in the elderly and people with existing health problems , and recovery could take six weeks in such cases .
Efforts to stop the virus from spreading to the most vulnerable and to not overwhelm health care systems with sick patients are pushing calls for people to avoid public crowds or just stay home .
“ I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Institutes of Health told NBC ’ s ” Meet the Press.
’ ’ Ireland ordered all pubs and bars to close for two weeks — including on Tuesday , St. Patrick ’ s Day — and urged people not to hold house parties .
Two pub industry groups had warned of the “ real difficulty ” in keeping people apart in the country ’ s famous watering holes .
A senior government medical adviser in Germany , which recorded more than 1,000 new infections over the past day , urged people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed doors amid a shutdown of bars and clubs .
“ There are apparently already so-called corona parties when the clubs are closed , ” Lars Schaade of the Robert Koch Institute , the German government ’ s disease control institute , said Monday .
Italy on Sunday reported its biggest day-to-day increase in infections — 3,590 more cases in a 24-hour period — for a total of almost 24,747 .
And 368 more deaths brought its toll to 1,809 , more than a quarter of the global death toll .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a tsunami , ” said Dr. Roberto Rona , who is in charge of intensive care at Italy ’ s Monza hospital .
Governors in California , Illinois and Ohio told all bars and restaurants to close or reduce their number of customers .
New York City will shutter the nation ’ s largest public school system as early as Tuesday , sending over 1.1 million children home .
With fears increasing that the pandemic will depress U.S. economic growth , the Federal Reserve took emergency action by slashing its benchmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buy $ 700 billion in Treasury and mortgage bonds .
Spain was under lockdown amid a two-week state of emergency .
Spain ’ s Health Ministry said the country has recorded 288 deaths , up from 136 on Saturday .
The number of infections rose to 7,753 from 5,700 .
“ From now , we enter into a new phase , ” said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez , whose wife tested positive .
“ We won ’ t hesitate in doing what we need to beat the virus .
We are putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokyo .
Associated Press writers Ken Moritsugu in Beijing , Kim Tong-hyung and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul , South Korea , Rod McGuirk in Canberra , Australia , and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report .
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Foster Klug And Frank Jordans - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Virus toll in Iran climbs as lockdowns deepen across Mideast

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran reported another 129 fatalities from the new coronavirus on Monday , the largest one-day rise in deaths since it began battling the Middle East ’ s worst outbreak , which has claimed more than 850 lives and infected a number of senior officials in the country .
Businesses in Iran ’ s capital remained open , however , even as other countries in the region moved toward full lockdowns , with Lebanon largely shutting down and Iraqis racing to prepare for a curfew set to begin later this week .
The divergent approaches adopted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slow the spread of a virus that has infected around 170,000 people worldwide and caused more than 6,500 deaths .
Some have opted for an even more aggressive response , with Israel authorizing the use of phone-snooping technology long used against Palestinian militants to track coronavirus patients .
Such practices will spark renewed debate over privacy issues as countries around the world confront the pandemic .
Most people experience only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , and recover within weeks .
But the virus is highly contagious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no visible symptoms .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
Panic broke out in Iraq after authorities announced a weeklong curfew late on Sunday .
People raced to supermarkets and swiftly emptied shelves , while others stocked up on kerosene and cooking gas .
The curfew , which is set to begin late Tuesday , includes the suspension of all flights from Baghdad ’ s international airport .
Iraq ’ s Health Ministry has reported 124 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Lebanon , where the government ordered a lockdown , traffic was thin and some streets were completely empty on Monday , the start of the working week .
Restaurants , cafes and bars have been closed since last week and most private businesses were shuttered Monday .
Police asked shop owners to close in line with the government orders and moved to clear the few remaining people from Beirut ’ s seaside corniche .
Pharmacies , bakeries and other businesses related to making or selling food were allowed to stay open .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and three deaths from the new coronavirus .
Both Iraq and Lebanon have been largely in disarray since anti-government protests broke out last year , and Lebanon was mired in its worst financial crisis in years even before the pandemic began .
One of the worst outbreaks in the world has unfolded in Iran , which has close ties to both Iraq and Lebanon .
Authorities there have reported 14,991 confirmed cases and 853 deaths .
Monday ’ s jump in fatalities was the largest one-day rise since the epidemic began .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as some have questioned the government ’ s reporting .
Many Iranians have dismissed fears about the virus and advice from public health officials to avoid social contact .
Restaurants and cafes have remained open , though business has diminished .
A member of the Assembly of Experts , which has the power to appoint or dismiss the country ’ s supreme leader , died from the COVID-19 illness caused by the virus , the semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported Monday .
Ayatollah Hashem Bathaei , 78 , is the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been infected .
Cabinet ministers , members of parliament , Revolutionary Guard members and Health Ministry officials have caught the virus , compounding fears about Iran ’ s response to the global pandemic .
A member of a another clerical body that advises Iran ’ s supreme leader died earlier this month .
Several other officials have also died .
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , who is 80 years old and has been in power since 1989 , wore disposable gloves at a recent public event , apparently as a precaution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the virus on Sunday expressed concerns that health facilities could be overwhelmed if the rate of new cases continues to climb .
But on Monday , despite the mounting toll , President Hassan Rouhani said he believed Iran had moved past the “ peak ” of the virus , even as he advised people to stay at home , according to the official Mizan news agency .
Elsewhere in the region , the number of infections has continued to climb even as authorities have imposed strict travel and quarantine measures .
Mideast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dubai Financial Market closing down 6.14 % and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange down 7.83 % .
Both have closed their trading floors over fears about the virus .
Israel on Monday said its total number of infections had climbed to 250 , more than double what it was just a few days ago .
Authorities have closed all malls , restaurants , cinemas , gyms and day care centres , and have urged anyone who can work from home to do so .
Israel ’ s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceremony would be held this year without an audience .
The ceremony typically draws the country ’ s top leadership , foreign dignitaries and elderly Holocaust survivors .
This year ’ s ceremony was scheduled to take place on April 20 .
Later on Monday , Israel will swear in its new Knesset , or parliament , after elections earlier this month .
The 120 members will take the oath of office in groups of three , in keeping with bans on large gatherings .
Authorities at Jerusalem ’ s Western Wall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , asked visitors to refrain from kissing the stones of the wall .
The sprawling plaza has remained open for prayers , but officials have curbed access to enclosed areas .
In Dubai , authorities announced that all bars and pubs would be closed through the end of the month .
Community pools were also locked down , and the public was ordered not to hold weddings or other parties at their homes .
The Persian Gulf island nation of Bahrain , meanwhile , reported its first death from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kullab reported from Baghdad .
Associated Press writers Joseph Krauss and Aron Heller in Jerusalem ; Zeina Karam in Beirut , Iran ; Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad 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 .

Amir Vahdat And Samya Kullab - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--5 dead, including officer and gunman, in Missouri shooting

SPRINGFIELD , Mo .
- Five people including a police officer and a gunman have died in a shooting at a Missouri gas station after the gunman went inside and began shooting , police said Monday .
The dead also include three citizens , Springfield police Chief Paul Williams announced Monday , and an officer was injured along with another citizen .
Williams said police received reports of a gunman firing shots from a car at several locations in Springfield late Sunday .
The vehicle crashed into the Kum & Go .
gas station and convenience store and the gunman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The first two officers who arrived were shot .
Other officers pulled the injured officers from the store and then went inside , finding three citizens dead .
The gunman also was found dead , apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot , Williams said .
Police are still working to determine a motive for the shooting , Williams said .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Japan nuke reactor taken offline due to delayed safety steps

TOKYO - The operator of a nuclear power plant in southern Japan was forced to shut down one of its reactors Monday because of a failure to meet the deadline for adding anti-terror safety facility made mandatory after the Fukushima disaster .
Kyushu Electric Power Co. shut down the No .
1 reactor at its Sendai nuclear power station in the Kagoshima prefecture in southern Japan , becoming the first to go offline due to a delay in meeting the new regulations .
The company started its earlier than scheduled regular inspection Monday to work on the requirement , among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shut down another reactor at the Sendai plant in May also for failing to meet the requirement , meaning half of nine reactors will be taken offline because of the delinquency .
Kyushu Electric is not the only plant with the delay .
Kansai Electric Power Co. is expected to have to shut down two reactors at its Takahama plant in western Japan in August and October .
The anti-terror safety requirement was adopted in 2013 after the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdowns that exposed a significant lack of safety culture and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight by nuclear regulators , prompting a major overhaul and reforms .
The post-Fukushima regulation requires plant operators to build facilities for emergencies such as possible terror attacks and aircraft crashes within five years of an approval of construction plans by the Nuclear Regulation Authority .
Kyushu Electric aims to fulfil the requirement and complete other necessary safety measures and restart the reactor by the end of this year .
In addition to the setbacks on safety measures , Kansai Electric has also come under fire over its compliance problems after an exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Takahama , home to one of its nuclear power plants .
On Monday , Takashi Morimoto , new president of Kansai Electric , Japan ’ s second-largest power company , was reprimanded by the Ministry of Economy , Trade and Industry and ordered to make organizational reforms to improve governance and report back to the ministry by June .
Morimoto replaced his predecessor , Shigeki Iwane , who resigned Saturday .
The measure followed Saturday ’ s report by an independent committee that investigated the bribery scandal that said 75 officials at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had received cash and gifts worth 360 million yen ( $ 3.4 million ) from a former deputy mayor of Takahama for three decades until his death last year .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Olympic flame handover ceremony in Athens to be closed

ATHENS , Greece - The Olympic flame handover ceremony for the Tokyo Games will take place without spectators in an effort to contain the coronavirus outbreak , the Greek Olympic committee said Monday .
The committee said the accreditation cards that had been issued for Thursday ’ s ceremony at the stadium in Athens where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896 would not be valid .
The body ’ s headquarters will also remain closed from Monday until further notice .
The committee cancelled the remainder of the Olympic torch relay last week after crowds gathered in southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relay in Sparta , where the torch was carried by actor Gerard Butler .
Greek health authorities have warned people to stay home , and have shut down everything from restaurants , bars and cafes to public organized beaches , ski resorts , hair salons and movie theatres , in an effort to curb the spread of the virus .
Greece currently has 331 confirmed cases and four deaths .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Israel to swear in new parliament under coronavirus shadow

JERUSALEM - Israel was to swear in its newly elected parliament on Monday under stringent restrictions because of the coronavirus outbreak in what was expected to be a surreal ceremony reflecting the country ’ s unprecedented dual crisis in politics and public health .
Instead of the typical festive gathering of parliament ’ s 120 members , the new lawmakers will be staggered into the plenum in 40 rounds of three each so as to abide by the health ministry ’ s guidelines of limiting public gatherings to 10 people at a time .
Israel ’ s largely ceremonial president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event after the Israeli Knesset , or parliament , was thoroughly sprayed with disinfectant .
The event , coming two weeks after national elections , will give the country a new legislature .
But Israel still seems a long way from establishing a stable government .
Rivlin on Monday formally designated opposition leader Benny Gantz the task of forming a coalition after the retired military chief secured a slim majority of recommendations from incoming lawmakers .
Gantz promised to “ do whatever it takes to form within as few days as possible a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But beyond a joint desire to oust longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Gantz ’ s bloc of supporters has very little in common .
It is deeply divided along ideological lines and appears unlikely to band together for an alternative government that could replace Netanyahu ’ s .
Netanyahu ’ s Likud emerged as the largest party in the March 2 election , Israel ’ s third in under a year , but along with his smaller religious and nationalist allies only has the support of 58 lawmakers — leaving his right-wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority in parliament .
He also faces serious legal troubles as he prepares to go on trial to face corruption charges .
With the country ’ s continued deadlock likely , and the prospect of yet another election seeming preposterous under the circumstances , Rivlin summoned both Netanyahu and Gantz late Sunday to an emergency meeting in hopes of cajoling them into a unity government .
Both men have expressed openness to the concept amid a national sense of emergency surrounding the spread of the new virus .
But there is deep distrust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they differ on who should lead such a government .
Netanyahu has been shepherding the country as it confronts a growing coronavirus threat , with some 250 people diagnosed and the number quickly rising .
He ’ s imposed a series of sweeping travel and quarantine measures that have thus far helped prevent any virus-related fatalities , but experts still predict many more difficult weeks ahead and the prospect of a more far-reaching clampdown on daily life .
The virus has spread to more than 100 countries , infected more than 170,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Netanyahu ’ s aggressive response , showcased in near-daily prime-time television addresses , seems to have boosted his standing .
His criminal trial has been postponed because of the restrictions on public gatherings and the pandemic eruption has offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skills and project a narrative that his legal woes pale in comparison .
A poll published Sunday night on Channel 12 news showed 62 % of the public saying he was handling the crisis in a responsible manner , with 70 % supporting his decision-making .
The Direct Polls Ltd. survey polled 821 adult Israelis and had a margin of error of 4.1 % .
Still , some of his measures have drawn stiff criticism from civil liberties groups , in particular his authorization of the Shin Bet internal security agency to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronovirus patients .
Opponents also bemoaned how his hand-picked interim justice minister swiftly declared a state of emergency in the court system , forcing the postponement of Netanyahu ’ s trial for more than two months .
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud , breach of trust and accepting bribes in connection to a series of scandals .
He is accused of receiving expensive gifts from wealthy friends and offering to exchange favours with powerful media moguls .
The long-ruling Israeli leader denies any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow former military chief Moshe Yaalon has compared Netanyahu ’ s conduct to that of Turkey ’ s Recep Tayyip Erdogan , saying it was “ cynical exploitation of the corona crisis for the political needs of a man standing before trial.
“ Such protestations have swiftly drawn rebukes from Netanyahu ’ s Likud party as petty politics at a time when the prime minister is “ managing a national and global crisis in a measured and responsible fashion.
” Netanyahu , in his caretaker role , has invited Gantz to join him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rotate as prime minister — with Netanyahu going first .
Gantz has left the door open but also dismissed Netanyahu ’ s outreach as insincere .
Although Gantz ’ s chances of forming a new government appear slim , receiving the “ mandate ” from Rivlin could strengthen his position in unity talks with Netanyahu .
During the transition period , his Blue and White party is expected to name one of its members as speaker of the parliament and to pass legislation that would prevent an indicted politician from forming a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s chances of victory if the country is forced into a fourth election and push him toward compromise .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--5-year sentence for French priest who abused boy scouts

LYON , France - A French priest who acknowledged sexually abusing at least 75 boys over decades was sentenced Monday to five years in prison , in France ’ s worst case of clergy abuse to reach trial .
The court in Lyon issued the verdict against 74-year-old Bernard Preynat behind closed doors because of the spreading coronavirus that has shuttered most activity in France .
Preynat ’ s case forced the first serious reckoning with sex abuse within the Catholic Church in France .
Preynat testified that multiple cardinals and other senior church officials were aware of his misconduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wasn ’ t removed from the priesthood until last year .
Victims of Preynat ’ s abuse , primarily boy scouts , welcomed his conviction for sexually abusing minors .
Preynat was a scout leader .
“ It ’ s really a relief , ” said Pierre Emmanuel Germain-Thill , who testified that Preynat ’ s abuse upturned his life .
“ Since he ’ s someone of a certain age , it seems like a correct verdict to me .
The victims want to turn the page.
“ Preynat could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the prosecution had asked for at least eight years .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear whether either side would appeal .
Preynat was present for the verdict , but didn ’ t speak to any victims .
“ He reacted as a man who has recognized his guilt , ” his lawyer Frederic Doyer told reporters outside the courthouse .
During the trial , Preynat said he became interested in young boys when he was 14 or 15 , and he discussed it with his bishop of the time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priest .
Preynat testified that while working as their scout chaplain , he abused up to two boys “ almost every weekend ” from 1970 to 1990 and as many as four or five a week when he led one-week scout camps .
He said that successive Lyon cardinals told him to stop , but didn ’ t report him to police .
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Nicolas Vaux-Montagny - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Monsignor in landmark church abuse case goes back on trial

PHILADELPHIA - Nearly two decades after the Roman Catholic priest-abuse scandal exploded in the U.S. in 2002 , only one church official has ever gone to prison over it : Monsignor William Lynn , the longtime secretary for clergy in the Philadelphia archdiocese .
After an appeals court found his sweeping 2012 trial flawed and his conviction was twice overturned , Lynn , 69 , is set to be retried Monday on a single child endangerment count .
Prosecutors contend he endangered children by transferring a known predator priest , after a year of inpatient therapy , to their parish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , now trimmed to its core , will look nothing like the gut-wrenching , four-month trial that unearthed the church ’ s “ secret archives , ” drew more than 20 haunted victims to the witness stand and led the judge to conclude that Lynn allowed “ monsters in clerical garb … to destroy the souls of children.
” This time , a new judge plans to steer clear of the broader priest-abuse crisis that has cost the church an estimated $ 3 billion or more , and plunged dioceses around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is one defendant , one count of endangering the welfare of children , with one group of children , ” Judge Gwendolyn Bright said at a final pretrial hearing Wednesday .
“ We ’ re not bringing in the so-called or alleged ‘ sins of the Catholic Church.
’ ” It ’ s not even clear the jury will hear from a single victim this time .
That ’ s because the only accuser whose allegation falls within the statute of limitations — a policeman ’ s son dubbed “ Billy Doe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertain witness at best , whose credibility has long been challenged .
Prosecutors do not plan to call him , although Bright said she may force their hand .
Instead , Assistant District Attorney Patrick Blessington plans to argue that Lynn endangered children simply by “ placing a bomb ” in their parish , whether or not it went off .
Zach Hiner , the executive director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests , said it was stunning that only Lynn and former Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn have faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the playbook ” long used by dioceses around the country : hiding complaints in locked files , shuffling problem priests , paying victims confidential settlements and stonewalling police .
Finn received probation for a misdemeanour plea of failing to report a priest engaged in child pornography to authorities .
“ It ’ s not about getting vengeance and a long prison sentence .
It ’ s affirming that this is a crime and it did put children at risk , ” Hiner said Thursday .
“ And it can ’ t happen again.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ court by himself these days , served 33 months in state prison , of an initial three- to six-year sentence .
Neither of the Philadelphia cardinals he served — including the powerful Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua , who aggressively fought two grand jury investigations and died just before Lynn ’ s first trial — were charged .
Nor were the bishops above him in the local hierarchy .
It was Lynn ’ s job at the archdiocese to recommend priest assignments from 1992 to 2004 , and to review decades of complaints when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said he compiled a list of 35 active priests who were likely “ predators , ” including one named Edward Avery , in hopes Bevilacqua would act .
Instead , he testified , the cardinal ordered the list destroyed , though a copy survived .
Bevilacqua , overruling Lynn ’ s suggestion of a different parish , placed Avery at St. Jerome ’ s in northeast Philadelphia in 1993 .
The policeman ’ s son would later say he was molested there in about 1999 , by Avery , another priest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not intend any harm to come to ( Avery ’ s victim ) .
The fact is , my best was not good enough to stop that harm , ” Lynn testified in 2012 .
Avery , who took a plea offer before trial , later conceded that he had engaged in “ horseplay ” with young boys , but insisted that he never abused “ Billy Doe.
” And a city detective on the case later signed an affidavit saying the evidence did not support the former altar boy ’ s accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that victim ?
That ’ s the elephant in the room , ” Lynn ’ s defence lawyer , Thomas Bergstrom , argued last week , saying there ’ s no case without a victim .
“ I suspect they ’ re not calling him because they don ’ t believe he has any credibility.
” Testimony from the young man , who had a long history of drug abuse and petty crime , sent two other men from St. Jerome ’ s to prison in 2013 : the Rev .
Charles Engelhardt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sexual assault accusations .
Engelhardt died in prison before his appeal played out , and Shero was released in 2017 after his conviction was overturned and he pleaded no contest to lesser charges in exchange for time served .
“ Doe , ” who now lives in Florida , received a civil settlement from the Philadelphia archdiocese , which recently installed a new leader , former Cleveland Bishop Nelson Perez , a moderate cleric known for his focus on pastoral work .
“ The Archdiocese looks forward to a final resolution in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an email Sunday .


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Tuesday’s primaries offer chance for Biden to reach Latinos

PHOENIX - In Joe Biden ’ s pursuit of the Democratic presidential nomination , he ’ s run repeatedly into a wall in the West , where Bernie Sanders ’ strength among Latinos propelled his campaign even as he struggled with other groups .
Tuesday ’ s primaries in Arizona and Florida offer Biden a chance to show he can make up ground with Latinos , a crucial group of voters he ’ ll need in his corner to defeat President Donald Trump .
Biden is playing catch-up when it comes to engaging Latino voters and is weighed down by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Obama administration , which left scars for many immigrants and their families .
“ We need more .
And we need commitments as we move into the general , ” said Regina Romero , a Democrat who recently took office as Tucson ’ s first Latina mayor .
Biden can win over reluctant Latinos with a bold and progressive stance on immigration , she said .
“ I hope that he doesn ’ t eat up the lie that he has to be more conservative on the immigration issue , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsed Biden or Sanders since her favoured candidate , Elizabeth Warren , dropped out .
“ We shouldn ’ t be afraid of an issue that is so important for Latino voters , water it down and not have policies that Latinos can get excited about.
“ Arizona and Florida are both likely to be battlegrounds in November .
In Arizona , 1 in 3 residents is Latino ; in Florida , it ’ s 1 in 4 .
Sanders ’ strength with Latinos helped him to an overwhelming victory in the Nevada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins in California and Colorado on a night when Biden built a formidable lead in delegates .
But Biden ’ s success is a recent phenomenon .
His slow start amid a crowded Democratic field left him with a shoestring budget and virtually no campaign infrastructure beyond the early states , which limited his ability to reach out to Latinos on the ground or air Spanish-language television ads .
That ’ s changed now that his burst of success since South Carolina made him the overwhelming favourite for the nomination and helped his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work it , and he needs to up his game and engage with Latino voters , ” said Janet Murguía , president and CEO of UnidosUS , the Latino advocacy group formerly known as National Council of La Raza .
Tuesday could make for “ a big reset ” for Biden , she said .
Biden has had to answer for the big spike in deportations during Barack Obama ’ s presidency , when Biden served as vice-president .
Early in his administration , Obama aggressively increased efforts to deport immigrants living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped to convince members of Congress and the public that he was serious about border security in order to secure a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would extend legal status to millions of people living in the U.S. without authorization .
The reform bill never passed , but the deportations disrupted families , drove fear in immigrant communities and left deep wounds .
Any Democrat ’ s immigration policies would be superior to Trump ’ s , but that won ’ t be enough to excite Latinos , said Tomás Robles , co-director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or LUCHA , a Latino organizing group that has endorsed Sanders .
“ You can not depend on people ’ s hatred or fear of Trump to inspire them to turn out in droves for Vice-President Biden , ” Robles said .
“ Bernie has worked hard to motivate Latinos as a base .
But the entire establishment part has failed at doing the same.
” Lucha ’ s other co-director , Alejandra Gomez , said Biden could make big strides by choosing a progressive running mate .
The Obama administration deported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight-year tenure , especially in the early years before Obama gave up on Congress and changed course , using executive orders to extend temporary legal protections to young immigrants and their parents through programs known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals , or DACA , and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents , or DAPA .
“ We took far too long to get it right , ” Biden said in an interview last month with Univision anchor Jorge Ramos , for the first time characterizing the administration ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former vice-president later added : “ I think it was a big mistake .
Took too long to get it right.
” Biden and his allies focus on the later years of the Obama administration .
U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego , who represents largely Latino areas of Phoenix and endorsed Biden this month , predicted that Latino voters will come around .
But he said Biden could help himself by talking up his own progressive proposals , such as a $ 15 minimum wage and a public option for health insurance .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care law that extended coverage to millions of Americans , including a disproportionate number of Latinos , Gallego said .
While Arizona Latinos are frustrated with the Obama-era deportations , Gallego said , they also remember that the administration sued to block the state ’ s anti-illegal immigration bill known as SB1070 , sued Sheriff Joe Arpaio for racial profiling and enacted DACA .
“ Even those voters who aren ’ t supporting Vice-President Biden right now , I think they still have positive feelings toward him and at the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general , ” Gallego said .
Biden ’ s defenders also point to Sanders ’ work to help kill a 2007 immigration bill , which Sanders warned would drive down wages .
“ No one ’ s perfect , but let ’ s not forget that he made a fatal mistake by doing that , ” Gallego said .
Latinos in the West , where Sanders has done so well , are mainly of Mexican and Central American descent .
It ’ s a different story in Florida , where Cubans and Puerto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential bright spot for Biden .
Sanders ’ self-identity as a democratic socialist and his recent defence of certain aspects of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro ’ s regime are a liability with Cuban voters .
“ Miami is a melting pot for people from all over , ” said José Javier Rodríguez , a Democratic state senator from Miami who was an early Biden supporter .
“ Biden ’ s appeal hits a cross-section in ways that Sen. Sanders does not.
” Biden ’ s campaign is upping its Latino organizing in Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ Everyone with Biden ” program , including Spanish-language phone banks and door-to-door outreach .
In Florida , Biden ’ s Spanish-language ads use a Cuban narrator in Miami , a Puerto Rican in Orlando and a Mexican in Fort Myers to reflect the backgrounds of Latinos in each area .
Biden will need that outreach in a matchup against Trump .
In Arizona , the growth of Latinos combined with Trump ’ s weaknesses in the suburbs have turned a solidly red state into a battleground .
And for the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reelection without winning Florida and its trove of electoral votes .
Sanders put to rest the old adage that Latinos don ’ t vote , said Chuck Rocha , a senior strategist for Sanders .
The Latino vote , he said , “ is no longer the sleeping giant .
It just needed a little attention and a little love and it will show up.
” Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Jonathan J. Cooper - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--Analysis: Biden’s pragmatism shines in virus-centred debate

NEW YORK - As he campaigns for president , Joe Biden ’ s moderate approach to governing often fails to excite his party ’ s most passionate voters .
But on the debate stage , as the nation wrestled with the consequences of a frightening pandemic , Biden ’ s pragmatism broke through in ways that affirmed why he has become the front-runner for the Democratic nomination .
The former two-term vice-president and longtime senator , who has spent the last four decades as a Washington insider , faced off Sunday night against Sen. Bernie Sanders and his burn-it-down progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic Party ’ s 2020 primary season .
It was Biden ’ s first chance to show how he might be seen in a face-off with President Donald Trump .
He was crisper in his answers than he had been in forums with multiple candidates and he was more focused when framing his differences with Sanders , who used the evening as perhaps a last , best shot at slowing Biden ’ s march .
But in the midst of an escalating global health threat , it was much more than that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak rather than traditions like Selection Sunday for the NCAA basketball tournament , the debate provided a national moment for Americans to more closely consider the final two men who want to be the alternative to Trump in November .
They offered dramatically different visions of leadership to an anxious nation suddenly held captive by crisis , giving Democratic primary voters , and the broader electorate , a chance to take an up-close measure .
Biden and Sanders faced each other from lecterns strategically placed 6 feet ( 1.83 metres ) apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts .
A live audience was barred from attending .
They did not shake hands .
The dynamic was far different from the forums of six or more candidates , narrowcasting the choices .
It was a moment seemingly made for someone with extensive governing experience .
And if nothing else , Biden has that .
He leaned hard on his experience as vice-president , and how he worked in other times of national crisis , something that Sanders simply could not do .
Demonstrating a command of the tools available to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would mobilize the military to strengthen the health care system ’ s capacity in the short term .
He repeatedly cited his experience in the White House situation room , where he and the Obama administration contained an Ebola threat and helped avoid a global economic collapse .
“ People are looking for results , not a revolution , ” Biden charged , repeating a familiar attack against Sanders that seemed to carry new weight as millions of home-bound Americans watched .
He added : “ We have problems we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been higher for Sanders , who is undoubtedly on the path to losing the presidential nomination for a second consecutive campaign .
The Vermont senator has fallen behind Biden in the delegate hunt , and he ’ s bracing for another bad primary night Tuesday when Arizona , Florida , Illinois and Ohio weigh in .
Already , he ’ s under pressure from the Democratic establishment to drop out .
Sanders , an experienced debater by now , outlined his own plan for combating coronavirus , which included a call to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ units at hospitals .
But he also did what he has done for his long political career : He pivoted to his broader concerns about the nation ’ s health care and economic systems and tried to frame the current crisis as further proof of the need for his signature Medicare for All plan .
His consistency is often his strength , yet in an election transformed by an unexpected pandemic , that consistency has its limits .
Discussing the ongoing health threat at one point , Sanders declared : “ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power is in America .
Who owns the media ?
Who owns the economy ?
“ Yet many voters are focused on the immediate health and safety of their loved ones .
And they ’ re looking for political leaders for reassurance and decisive action .
Polls do suggest that Sanders ’ plans to transform health care and income inequality are popular .
Yet , they are not necessarily seen as realistic .
For his part , Biden showed flashes of the fighting spirit that first signalled his presidential mettle when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than 30 years ago .
He put Sanders on the defensive repeatedly , including for favourable comments the senator had made about authoritarian regimes in Cuba and other Latin American countries .
And he defiantly beat back attacks against his own record on the 2008 economic bailout , his support for the Iraq War , and his past willingness to cut Social Security as part of a deficit-reduction package .
Yet the night will be most likely remembered for a virus that has suddenly turned American politics , and American life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process , may have driven voters even closer to the candidate who represented far more experience and far less risk .
“ This is a crisis , ” Biden said .
“ We ’ re at war with a virus.
” EDITOR ’ S NOTE — National Political Writer Steve Peoples has been covering national politics for The Associated Press since 2011 .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-16--‘Bigger than any one of us’: Biden, Sanders tackle pandemic

WASHINGTON - Former Vice-President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders sought in the Democratic debate to cast themselves as best-positioned to lead the nation through a global pandemic , uniting in their criticism of President Donald Trump ’ s response to the fast-moving coronavirus but diverging in how they would confront the spiraling public health and economic crisis .
Biden pledged Sunday to deploy the United States military to help with recovery efforts and warned that a federal financial bailout may be necessary to stabilize the economy .
Sanders leaned into the same domestic policy proposals that have dominated his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance system he has long championed would allow the U.S. to respond faster to a health crisis .
The coronavirus outbreak has rapidly reshaped nearly all aspects of American life , shuttering schools across the country and significantly curtailing travel .
Virus fears have also halted campaign rallies and prompted some states to delay upcoming primaries because of warnings from public health officials against large gatherings .
“ This is bigger than any one of us — this calls for a national rallying for one another , “ Biden said .
Indeed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic presidential nomination have shifted dramatically since Biden and Sanders last debated less than three weeks ago — as have the contours of the contest .
After a sluggish start to the primary season , Biden has surged to the front of the field , drawing overwhelming support from black voters and consolidating the backing of several more moderate rivals who have dropped out of the race .
He ’ s also actively courting the endorsement of Sen. Elizabeth Warren , a liberal ally of Sanders who dropped out without throwing her support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined throughout Sunday ’ s contest to keep his focus on the general election , making direct overtures to Sanders ’ loyal supporters and committing for the first time to select a woman as his running mate if he becomes the Democratic nominee .
After Biden ’ s announcement , Sanders said he would “ in all likelihood ” do the same .
For Sanders , the reality is that his path to the nomination is rapidly shrinking , and he faces the prospect of more stinging defeats in the four states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared determined to draw sharp contrasts with Biden throughout the debate , challenging him aggressively on the Iraq War and free trade deals .
He argued that “ I have taken on every special interest that ’ s out there , “ adding , ” That ’ s a very different record than Joe ’ s. ” Though Sunday ’ s debate was the first one-on-one contest of the Democratic primary , Biden and Sanders have been the leaders of their party ’ s ideological poles throughout the yearlong campaign .
Their prescriptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrasting approaches they are pledging to bring to the White House .
Biden , a centrist who backed the 2008 bailout of the financial industry during the recession , warned that another government-backed rescue plan may be needed in the coming months to shore up the economy .
Sanders , a fierce liberal critic of Wall Street , opposed the earlier bailout and said it would be a mistake to take a similar approach now ; instead , he suggested a tax on the wealthiest Americans .
The Vermont senator also repeatedly pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate between him and Biden over health care .
Sanders argued that the troublesome shortages in coronavirus tests and anxiety over the preparedness of the nation ’ s health care system to deal with an impending increase in patients highlight why the U.S. should move to the government-run , “ Medicare For All ” system he has long championed .
“ One of the reasons that we are unprepared , and have been unprepared , is we don ’ t have a system .
We ’ ve got thousands of private insurance plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a system that is prepared to provide health care to all people in a good year , without the epidemic.
” Biden , who supports adding a public insurance option to the current system , argued that a pandemic was not a moment to attempt to push through an overhaul of the American health insurance system , a politically arduous endeavour .
“ This is a crisis , ” Biden said .
“ We ’ re at war with a virus .
It has nothing to do with copays or anything.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Sanders skipped a handshake , greeting each other instead with an elbow bump .
They took their positions at podiums spaced 6 feet apart in keeping with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for limiting the spread of the novel coronavirus .
They addressed the nation , and each other , from a television studio in Washington without an in-person audience .
The pandemic has upended the campaign for days , prompting Biden and Sanders to cancel rallies and instead hold virtual events with voters around the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the candidates — both in their late 70s — said they were taking personal precautions to guard against a virus that is a greater risk to the elderly .
“ I ’ m using a lot of soap and hand sanitizer , “ Sanders said .
The senator found himself on the defensive at several points in the night , including about favourable comments he ’ s made about authoritarian regimes in Cuba and other Latin American countries — remarks that could hurt Sanders in Tuesday ’ s key primary in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population of residents from those nations .
Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist , said that while he condemns authoritarianism in Cuba and elsewhere , it ’ s possible to recognize positive changes made by their governments .
“ To simply say that nothing ever done by any of those administrations had a positive impact on their people would , I think , be incorrect , ” Sanders said .
Sanders also responded to criticism about his inability to draw support from black voters by raising questions about whether Biden can rally young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has doubts about whether Biden can generate “ energy and excitement and voter turnout.
” Still , he vowed to mobilize behind Biden if he becomes the party ’ s nominee .
“ If I lose this thing , Joe wins , Joe , I will be there for you , ” Sanders said .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Julie Pace And Alexandra Jaffe - The Associated Press