thetorontostar--2020-03-24--‘Cacophony of coughing’: Inside NYC’s virus-besieged ERs

NEW YORK - A “ cacophony of coughing ” in packed emergency rooms .
Beds squeezed in wherever there is space .
Overworked , sleep-deprived doctors and nurses rationed to one face mask a day and wracked by worry about a dwindling number of available ventilators .
Such is the reality inside New York City ’ s hospitals , which have become the war-zone-like epicenter of the nation ’ s coronavirus crisis .
Faced with an infection rate that is five times that of the rest of the country , health workers are putting themselves at risk to fight a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse by the day amid a shortage of needed supplies and promises of help from the federal government that have yet to fully materialize .
“ You ’ re on 100 % of the time — no matter what , ” said Dr. Jolion McGreevy , medical director of The Mount Sinai Hospital emergency department .
“ It ’ s been a month of full force , and that ’ s certainly very stressful.
” Patients initially showed up with fairly mild symptoms , ranging from a runny nose to a mild fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifted over the past week , McGreevy said , and now hospitals are receiving far sicker patients in need of life-saving intervention .
“ These are people in severe respiratory distress , needing to be intubated and needing the intensive care unit , “ he said .
” We knew it was coming .
We saw it in Italy and other places so we were prepared for it , and now we ’ re seeing it.
” Columbia University chief surgeon Dr. Craig Smith wrote in a note to colleagues : “ To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week ago .
Not today.
“ Nearly 14,800 people in New York City have been diagnosed with coronavirus as of Tuesday , accounting for more than half the cases in the hardest-hit state in the nation .
More than 2,200 people in the city were hospitalized because of the virus — double the figure from three days earlier — and more than 500 were being treated in intensive care .
The death toll rose to 131 , and officials from the governor on down warned it will get worse before it gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
And it is accelerating on its own , ” said Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , predicting the state could be as close as two weeks away from a crisis that sees 40,000 people in intensive care .
Such a surge would overwhelm hospitals , which now have just 3,000 intensive care unit beds statewide .
“ One of the forecasters said we were looking at a freight train coming across the country .
We ’ re now looking at a bullet train , “ he said .
Bristling at President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be prepared to go back to work in weeks for the sake of the economy , Cuomo said that would essentially sacrifice the lives of the elderly and the most frail among us .
“ That ’ s not the American way , “ he said .
“ That ’ s not the New York way.
” And Cuomo appeared to mock the federal government for congratulating itself for sending the city 400 desperately needed ventilators from the national stockpile .
“ What am I going to do with 400 ventilators when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” You pick the 26,000 people who are going to die because you only sent 400 ventilators.
” Khalid Amin , a doctor at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn , treated seven COVID-19 patients on Tuesday , ranging from 25 to 72 , and he is struck by the way the disease has laid each low in the same way — the fatigue , the way they grasp for air with the slightest movement .
One patient in his 50s , moving from the bathroom to his bed , a space of less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one point , his chest rising and falling rapidly .
“ You seem short of breath ?
” Amin asked .
Then came the reply , so low , Amin could barely hear him though he was inches away .
“ Yes.
” Moments later , a stethoscope on the patient ’ s back , Amin heard the same telltale sound he had been hearing in other patients that day : “ It ’ s a crackle , like crumpling paper.
” Dr. Craig Spencer , who survived a bout of Ebola in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health in emergency medicine at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center , tweeted Tuesday of a “ cacophony of coughing ” in the ER , saying nearly every patient he encounters has the same symptoms , regardless of age : a persistent hack , shortness of breath and fever .
“ You ’ re afraid to take off the mask , “ he wrote .
“ It ’ s the only thing that protects you.
” Smith said hospitals in the New York-Presbyterian system are burning through about 40,000 masks a day amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount — and have begun issuing staff members just one each day .
Mayor Bill De Blasio said about 2.2 million masks were delivered to hospitals Monday , with additional supplies en route from the state and federal governments .
But he said there would have to be a lot more where that came from .
“ If we run out of it , it ’ s like sending a soldier into war where everyone else has armour and we don ’ t have armour , “ said Dr. Joseph Habboushe , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center .
The city ’ s health department last week advised health professionals to continue working after exposure — rather than self-quarantining — unless they show symptoms .
“ The more we hear about doctors and nurses getting sick , the more we get nervous , ” said Dr. Eric Cioe-Pena , director of global health at Northwell Health .
“ It ’ s definitely on the mind of every health care worker in America .
We don ’ t want to be in a position where we ’ re making decisions based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of patients.
” Cioe-Pena has been following what he calls a “ decontamination routine ” after every shift , in which he wipes down his phone and washes both his scrubs and street clothes .
“ We ’ ve ventured into a battle , ” he said .
Across the city , health care workers , hospital administrators and public officials were scrambling to preserve precious gear and find more treatment space before they were overwhelmed .
The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center was being converted into a 1,000-bed hospital , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the USNS Comfort , was expected to arrive within two weeks to provide another 1,000 beds , not for coronavirus patients but to provide relief to hospitals dealing with them .
NYU Langone ’ s Habboushe said that while ER physicians deal with potential danger all the time , there ’ s concern about what ’ s to come with the coronavirus .
While the vast majority recover from the illness , older adults and people with existing health problems are particularly vulnerable and could suffer more severe illness or even death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think all of us in society are feeling right now — we are feeling it all the more so in the hospital , ” he said .
“ How can we deal with the idea that this is going to be worse and worse before it gets better ?
” Among the biggest looming concerns , Habboushe said , is the prospect of medical professionals having to decide which patients get the potentially life-saving machines such as ventilators and which do not .
“ It ’ s one of those things you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to imagine you actually would face that , ” he said .
“ And now we ’ re all realizing there ’ s a really high chance we ’ ll be facing that , and that breaks my heart.
” AP reporters Bernard Condon and Candice Choi 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 @ @ @ @ @ @

Michael R. Sisak, Jim Mustian And Jennifer Peltz - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--‘Imaginary clock’: Governors reject Trump’s virus timeline

AUSTIN , Texas - Governors across the nation on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump ’ s new accelerated timeline for reopening the U.S. economy , as they continued to impose more restrictions on travel and public life in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
The dismissal of Trump ’ s mid-April timeframe for a national reopening came from Republicans and Democrats , from leaders struggling to manage hot spots of the outbreak and those still bracing for the worst .
Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , the head of the National Governors Association and a Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders are still focused on enforcing the restrictions , not easing them .
He accused the White House of running on a schedule made of some “ imaginary clock.
” The pushback suggests Trump ’ s talk of an early reboot is unlikely to gain traction .
In most cases , it ’ s state leaders — not the federal government — who are responsible for both imposing and lifting the stay-at-home orders and other restrictions intended to stop the contagion .
But the governors ’ reaction also revealed the striking disconnect and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders closer to the front lines of a crisis that threatens to overwhelm U.S. hospitals and claim thousands of lives .
The president is eager to get the U.S. back to work as the crisis takes a political toll and the economy , which had been the cornerstone of his re-election bid , begins to wobble .
The economic damage could be worse than the death toll from the virus , he has said .
As soon as next week , Trump wants to take another look at recommendations about business closures and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could reopen by Easter Sunday — less than a month away .
“ Our people want to return to work , “ he said .
But governors suggested that view had little connection to the reality they ’ re facing .
California Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom said he and Trump are “ clearly operating under a different set of assumptions.
“ California , home to 40 million people and the world ’ s fifth-largest economy , reported hundreds of new known cases of COVID 19 and now has more than 2,200 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University .
In New York , Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday said the infection rate was doubling every three days and pleaded for more federal help as the number of cases in the state surpassed 20,000 .
“ If you ask the American people to choose between public health and the economy , then it ’ s no contest .
No American is going to say accelerate the economy at the cost of human life , “ Cuomo told reporters Tuesday .
” Job one has to be save lives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even some of Trump ’ s usual allies are continuing to move ahead with tighter controls on travel , commerce and mobility , despite the president ’ s words .
In Texas , Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott has endorsed stay-at-home orders that continued to spread through the biggest cities .
Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey said public health needed to come first , and South Dakota Gov .
Krisiti Noem is stressing limiting business activity , not relaxing them .
“ This situation is not going to be over in a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more than two dozen cases .
“ We have another eight weeks until we see our peak infection rate.
” The U.S. is now more than a week into an unprecedented effort to encourage all Americans to drastically scale back their public activities .
The orders closing schools , restaurants and businesses have largely come from a patchwork of local and state governments — with areas hit hardest imposing the most restrictions , while other communities are still weighing tighter rules .
That means the White House is eyeing ways to ease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ramping up their responses — a mixed message that some governors worried would lead Americans to ignore the orders of local officials .
Michigan ’ s Gretchen Whitmer , a Democrat , told WWMT-TV/Sinclair Broadcast Group that Trump ’ s “ off-the-cuff statements are really going to undermine our ability to protect people.
” Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Trump was “ not taking into account the true damage that this will do to our country if we see truly millions of people die.
“ Trump has defended his handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing all it can to help governors .
“ They shouldn ’ t be hitting us , “ he said on Fox News .
“ The fact is we ’ ve done a lot.
” Among the few statehouse leaders to publicly endorse Trump ’ s view was Texas ’ lieutenant governor , Dan Patrick , 69 , who on Monday suggested that people his age and older can “ take care of ourselves “ as the nation gets back to work .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
Friction between Trump and the governors has been steady throughout the crisis .
The president said last week that states should be doing more to obtain their own critically needed supplies while insisting that the federal government was not a shipping clerk .
States , meanwhile , have been pressing the government to help procure necessary protective and breathing equipment .
On Tuesday , Trump suggested any shortage of ventilators was on the states .
“ All they had to do was order them two years ago , but they decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t blame us for that , ” he said on Fox News .
“ Some of the messaging coming out of the administration doesn ’ t match , ” Hogan , the Maryland governor , told CNN .
“ We don ’ t think that we ’ re going to be in any way ready to be out of this in five or six days or so , or whenever this 15 days is up from the time that they started this imaginary clock.
” For most people , the coronavirus causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
Worldwide , more than 375,000 cases have been reported , and while most people recover in weeks , more than 16,000 have died from the virus .
Cooper reported from Phoenix .
Associated Press writer Stephen Groves in Sioux Falls , South Dakota ; Nancy Benac in Washington ; John O ’ Connor in Springfield , Illinois ; and David Eggert in Lansing , Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheO

Paul J. Weber And Jonathan J. Cooper - The Associated Press

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--Virus briefings are the new campaign rallies for Trump

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


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--Parks officials answer crowding with closures to fight virus

CHEYENNE , Wyo .
- Three of America ’ s best-known national parks — Yellowstone , Grand Teton and Great Smoky Mountains — closed their gates Tuesday as parks struggle to keep popular recreation areas open while heeding warnings from officials urging them to prevent spreading the coronavirus at congested sites .
Social distancing wasn ’ t working at Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee , where about 30,000 people lured by good weather , wildflowers and spring break visited each day last week , park officials said .
The visitation that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year led to congestion at popular sites like Laurel Falls , Newfound Gap and Cades Cove prompted calls by local government leaders to close .
The decision to close Yellowstone , the world ’ s first national park , and neighbouring Grand Teton came after pressure from state and local officials .
Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock and Wyoming Gov .
Mark Gordon were especially vocal about the need to close Yellowstone .
“ The National Park Service listened to the concerns from our local partners and , based on current health guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly and Grand Teton acting Superintendent Gopaul Noojibail said in a statement .
The parks join a growing list of national park sites from New York to California that have closed , including the Statue of Liberty and Alcatraz .
Rocky Mountain National Park closed indefinitely on Friday after a local mayor asked Bernhardt to do so to protect Estes Park , a gateway town where park visitors in pursuit of ice cream and souvenirs crowd the sidewalks during nice weather .
Yosemite , whose striking features like Half-Dome draws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed indefinitely on Friday at the request of local health officials to all people except park employees , concessionaires and residents with homes inside the park ’ s boundaries .
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt had promised last week that at parks still open , entrance fees would be temporarily waived to make it easier for people to get outdoors and “ implement some social distancing.
“ He gave individual park superintendents the power to close or modify operations to adhere to health safety recommendations from the White House and Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed shuttles , campgrounds , visitor centres and some trails to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Zion National Park in Utah announced Monday it is closing its campgrounds and part of a popular trail called Angel ’ s Landing that remained crowded with people over the weekend .
The park tweeted on Sunday with a picture of the trail taken on Saturday and the caption , “ Practice # SocialDistancing !
CDC says to avoid groups larger than 10 and stay 6 feet apart .
You can help slow the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busy narrow trails ( like Angels Landing ) .
” The top part of the hike that is being closed is bordered by steep drops and ascends some 1,500 feet ( 457 metres ) above the southern Utah park ’ s red-rock cliffs , offering sweeping views .
Park officials had previously closed shuttles used to take people through a narrow canyon .
Grand Canyon National Park stopped its popular river trips Tuesday , in line with the suspension of river trips at other national parks such as Big Bend and Canyonlands .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual permits for the private trips down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon through a lottery system .
Commercial trips also are suspended .
Will and Michele Beemer were scheduled to be on the last private river trip to launch in the Grand Canyon on Monday after flying to Arizona from the East Coast but chose to postpone .
“ Basically our whole trip went from close friends to people we barely knew , ” Will Beemer , 71 , said Tuesday .
“ We probably would have been the ones potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trip.
“ The only other time Yellowstone has closed to all visitors aside from seasonal shutdowns was when wildfires burned over one-third of the park in 1988 , Yellowstone historian Tamsen Emerson Hert said Tuesday .
Tourism even continued during World War I and World War II , though the park ’ s hotels closed , she said .
The Yellowstone closure came at a quiet time for the park .
Winter season — when roads are groomed for snowmobiles , snow coaches and cross-country skiers — ended March 15 .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t immediately affect three other Yellowstone gateway communities — Cody and Jackson , Wyoming , and West Yellowstone , Montana — where the park ’ s east , south and west entrances don ’ t normally open until late April or early May .
An annual program underway to reduce the Yellowstone region ’ s bison population by rounding up and sending some of the animals to slaughter and herd others back into the park would continue as planned , park officials said .
Associated Press writers Travis Loller in Nashville , Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Felicia Fonseca in Flagstaff , Arizona , contributed to this report .
McCombs reported from Salt Lake City .

Mead Gruver And Brady McCombs - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--Stay at home order issued for Aspen, visitors told to leave

DENVER - Health officials are ordering residents in an around the exclusive resort community of Aspen to stay at home as much as possible and telling visitors to leave .
Under the order issued Monday night , Pitkin County residents can only leave home for essential tasks such as grocery shopping , getting medical treatment and outdoor exercise .
Liquor stores and marijuana shops will remain open but non-essential retail stores and construction sites must close .
Officials said they are trying to slow the spread of the virus in a region that has been hit hard and prevent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado health officials warned last week that the coronvirus has spread extensively in mountain resort communities and urged anyone who lives in or recently visited Eagle , Summit , Pitkin or Gunnison counties to limit contact with other people to reduce the spread of the virus .
As of Tuesday , Colorado had more than 900 cases of the virus and 11 people have died , according to the state health department .
The Pitkin County order directs visitors to return home immediately by “ the fastest and safest available means.
“ Vacation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged to leave .
County manager Jon Peacock told The Aspen Times that those leaving have been asked to self-quarantine after they arrive home .
The county hopes to soon begin community-wide testing using a new virus test developed by a Colorado-based company , Aytu Bioscience Inc .
The test requires a finger-prick blood samples which can be analyzed at testing sites and does not require health care workers to wear as much protective equipment or use swabs as are required with other tests , Peacock said .
The company said Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 100,000 tests in the United States this week .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our free newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--Chicago woman gets prison for beating death of son in Iowa

DAVENPORT , Iowa - A woman from Chicago has been sentenced to up to 50 years in prison on charges stemming from the beating death of her 5-year-old son in Iowa .
Jacqueline Rambert , 26 , was sentenced Friday in Davenport , court records said .
She pleaded guilty to child endangerment resulting in death and child endangerment-multiple acts .
Prosecutors agreed to drop a murder charge in return for her pleas .
She was sentenced to 50 years on each count , with those sentences to be served at the same time .
Under state law , Rambert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 20 years , of the sentence .
As part of her plea deal , Rambert testified against her co-defendant and former boyfriend , Tre Henderson .
He was convicted Feb. 13 of first-degree murder and other crimes .
The 28-year-old is scheduled to be sentenced April 1 to life in prison without the possibility of parole .
Henderson and Rambert were charged with child endangerment for failing to seek prompt medical attention for the boy , authorities have said .
Ja ’ Shawn Bussell had 17 broken ribs , damage to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top of his head to his ankles after Henderson beat him on April 22 , 2018 , prosecutors said .
Ja ’ Shawn vomited several times over the next four days before being taken to a hospital , court records say .
He was taken off life support and died May 1 , 2018 , the records said .
Henderson and Rambert are both from Chicago and were living in a Davenport apartment when the boy was beaten , authorities said .
Davenport is about 160 miles ( 260 kilometres ) west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our free newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--Biden’s challenge: Breaking through with virus response

WASHINGTON - Joe Biden is working to reassert himself in national politics three weeks after taking command of the Democratic presidential primary .
Like most Americans , Biden has stayed close to home recently to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
That — and a slow shift to the new online-only reality of the campaign — has left him with a lower profile as much of the nation has focused on the pandemic and President Donald Trump ’ s response to it .
But from a newly constructed television studio in his Wilmington , Delaware , home , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
The appearances were a preview of a more public role he ’ s hoping to assume in the coming weeks as he emerges as the Democratic counter to Trump .
In an interview with CNN , Biden took an increasingly aggressive stance against the president ’ s coronavirus response , urging him to “ stop talking and start listening to the medical experts.
” He sounded similar themes in an afternoon interview on MSNBC , and during an earlier appearance on ABC ’ s “ The View , ” where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance his critiques of Trump against anything that would seem to undermine the president during a crisis .
“ I ’ ve not been criticizing the president , but I ’ ve been pointing out where there ’ s disagreements on how to proceed , ” Biden said .
“ When the president says things that aren ’ t accurate , we should not say , ‘ You ’ re lying.
’ We should say , ‘ Those aren ’ t the facts.
’ ” Biden has faced growing pressure from allies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In two fundraisers this past week , supporters asked how they could see more of Biden as Trump blankets the airwaves with daily , freewheeling briefings that drive each day ’ s news cycle .
Trump , for his part Tuesday , summoned his favourite nickname for his likely fall opponent , dismissing any critiques from “ Sleepy Joe Biden.
” The former vice-president laughed on CNN when shown clips of Trump ’ s barbs .
“ What a piece of work , ” Biden said .
Guy Cecil , chairman of Priorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said he ’ s glad to see a commitment from Biden to take on a more robust schedule of public and media appearances .
“ We need to be holding this administration accountable , and there ’ s no way to do that if you ’ re not speaking out , ” he said .
But with the major networks focused daily on crisis and controversy , Biden ’ s more measured tone has sometimes struggled to break through .
On Monday , Biden broadcast an address on the outbreak , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time as a briefing by New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , weren ’ t picked up live by any of the major networks .
On Tuesday , when Biden appeared on “ The View , ” some stations cut away to briefings from local leaders on the virus .
Cecil acknowledged the difficulty Biden and the broader Democratic Party face getting coverage for their message and said it ’ s one of the reasons his group recently launched a multimillion-dollar advertising blitz around Trump ’ s coronavirus response .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to really hold the president accountable , sometimes the best way you can do that is simply by making sure you ’ re on people ’ s TV screens , and paying for it , ” he said .
Further complicating Biden ’ s effort to mount a response is the fact that his virtual campaign remains a work in progress .
While he was delivering remarks Monday for the first time from his new at-home television studio , his telestrator appeared to malfunction or he otherwise lost his place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gestured to staff standing out of the frame before getting back on track with his list of suggested policy ideas to combat the pandemic .
The town halls , meanwhile , can not fully replicate the campaign trail even when the technology goes off without a hitch .
Aides tout Biden ’ s affinity for retail politics and his personal connections in one-on-ones , and they say they ’ re trying to find ways to bring that out .
But they also agree that a call-in session is not the same as asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or standing on the rope line and sharing a personal moment after an event .
Another challenge for Biden : remaining relevant and engaged in the conversation and response from a notably peripheral position as the likely-but-not-quite-official nominee of the Democratic Party , and one who is no longer serving in public office .
While Bernie Sanders ’ path to the Democratic presidential nomination is increasingly mathematically improbable , the Vermont senator isn ’ t exiting the race and has done his own online events and media appearances emphasizing his efforts in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ’ campaign announced that millions watched a series of virtual town halls he ’ s held in recent days with musical acts and high-profile supporters , including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
The senator also urged his army of online donors nationwide to forgo giving to his campaign and instead donate to five charities he said were on the front lines of the response to the virus .
He later announced the effort had raised more than $ 2 million for the groups , which included Meals on Wheels .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying in Vermont on Sunday night to make an online appearance with Ocasio-Cortez rather than being in the Senate for key procedural votes on the virus response package .
He was in the Senate on Monday , and , rather than addressing supporters online , he appeared on MSNBC , conceding that a 2020 race upended by the coronavirus meant “ we are in a bizarre moment.
” He has another online town hall on coronavirus later Tuesday .
The Democratic National Committee had planned to hold a debate next month but has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Casca said Tuesday of his candidate , “ If there is a debate in April , he plans to be there.
” Biden , meanwhile , has mentioned that he ’ s in contact with Democratic elected officials , including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee , whose state is a coronavirus hotspot .
But Biden has not tipped his hand on whether he ’ s tried to shape the Democratic response or negotiations on Capitol Hill or whether he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to speed on how his party is trying to wield power .
He also said Tuesday that he receives daily briefings from public health experts and his economic team , offering a sort of model for what a Biden presidency might look like in a crisis such as this one .
On balance , Biden aides say , the pandemic and grounded campaign don ’ t change Biden ’ s core message — that Trump isn ’ t up to the job and that Biden ’ s experience proves he is .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s foreign policy speech last summer : “ The world ’ s democracies look to America to stand for the values that unite us .
… Donald Trump seems to be on the other team.
” It was his message again Monday in talking about Trump ’ s response to COVID-19 : “ Donald Trump is not to blame for the coronavirus .
But he does bear responsibility for our response.
” For the campaign , it ’ s simply a matter of how to get that message to voters — and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign doesn ’ t have to pay for .
As for the candidate , he seems content to project confidence that political considerations will work themselves out .
“ My whole focus has basically been how we deal with this crisis , ” Biden said Friday .
“ Quite frankly , thus far it ’ s been less about how we campaign or make stark differences between the president and I. I think some are just self-evident.
” Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report .
Catch up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Alexandra Jaffe And Bill Barrow - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--Juneau issues ‘hunker down’ order over virus concerns

JUNEAU , Alaska - Alaska ’ s capital city has issued a “ hunker down ” order for residents in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus , with businesses considered nonessential also ordered to close to the public .
The order was to take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday and last for two weeks .
It orders Juneau residents to stay at home as much as possible , except to work in critical jobs , get health care , groceries or other goods deemed critical and get fresh air without contacting others .
People , when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least six feet from others outside their household when possible .
An extensive list of businesses deemed critical include hospitals , those engaged with critical infrastructure , such as utilities , public transportation and barge services ; grocery stores ; gas stations ; banks ; hardware stores ; hotels ; mailing or shipping services and laundromats .
Marijuana retailers also are on the list .
Industry officials have expressed concern that temporarily shuttering shops could lead people to buy cannabis on the black market .
Other communities in Alaska have issued similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our free newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--Oil industry cites virus in seeking broad pollution waivers

WASHINGTON - The Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that it ’ s reviewing a request from the oil and gas industry to ease enforcement of hazardous air and water pollution and other regulatory issues during the coronavirus pandemic .
The proposal is drawing objections from public health and environmental advocates .
A former Obama-era EPA enforcement official , Cynthia Giles , says the request amounts to seeking a nationwide pass for the industry on almost all environmental rules .
The American Petroleum Institute made the request in a letter to President Donald Trump last week and to the EPA on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group is citing potential staffing issues during the outbreak , saying worker shortages could make compliance with a range of regulations difficult , such as monitoring , reporting and immediately fixing hazardous air emissions .
Bethany Aronhalt , a spokeswoman for the American Petroleum Institute , compared the request to businesses asking for flexibility on tax deadlines during the outbreak .
“ In no way would this jeopardize safety , health or the environment , ” Aronhalt said .
EPA spokesman Corry Schiermeyer said the agency was evaluating the request .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many challenges to our partners and appreciates all they are doing to plan and prepare , ” Schiermeyer said .
Giles , a former assistant administrator for the EPA enforcement office from 2009 to 2017 , said EPA policy explicitly prohibits the agency from promising waiving of enforcement of environmental and public health laws .
She called the trade group ’ s request “ alarming ” and “ wildly overbroad.
” Trump has sought to soften regulation for the oil , gas and coal industries throughout his administration .
He also stresses his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the wide economic shutdown accompanying the coronavirus outbreak , which has millions sheltering in their homes to slow the spread .
The oil and gas group ’ s request also comes as Saudi Arabia and Russia wage a crude-oil price war threatening the market share for U.S. producers , sinking crude prices well below $ 30 a barrel .
The oil and gas industry already is a major contributor of hazardous pollutants through air and water emissions , especially for Houston and other cities clustered among oil installations on the U.S. Gulf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our free newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty review likely postponed

TANZANIA , Tanzania - A major U.N. conference to review the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty , considered the cornerstone of global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons , is “ likely to be postponed ” because of the coronavirus pandemic , a U.N. official said Tuesday .
U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said that was the assessment from conference president-designate , Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen of Argentina , and key organizers of the conference that has been scheduled for April 27-May 22 at U.N. headquarters in New York .
The organizers are continuing consultations with all governments “ to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work when conditions permit , ” Haq said .
“ A decision is expected to be taken in the coming week , following further consultations with regional groups , ” he said .
Zlauvenin initially wrote to treaty political groups on March 13 proposing a postponement “ after a short , procedural meeting on April 27 , for New York-based delegates only and conditions permitting , ” Haq said .
But “ in light of the rapidly evolving situation surrounding the spread of COVID-19 , ” all options about the April 27 meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treaty , which reached its 50th anniversary March 5 , is credited with preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to dozens of nations .
It has succeeded in doing this via a grand global bargain : Nations without nuclear weapons committed not to acquire them ; those with them committed to move toward their elimination ; and all endorsed everyone ’ s right to develop peaceful nuclear energy .
Treaty members gather every five years to review how it is working That includes every nation except India , Pakistan and North Korea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is believed to be a nuclear power but has never acknowledged it .
Members try to agree on new approaches to problems , not by updating the treaty which is difficult , but by trying to adopt a consensus final document calling for steps outside the treaty to advance its goals .
That has also proven difficult at recent review conferences , U.N. disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu warned earlier this month that the spectre of an unbridled nuclear arms race is threatening the world for the first time since the 1970s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the United States and the former Soviet Union .
She didn ’ t name any countries but she was clearly referring to the United States and Russia , and possibly China , when she told the U.N. Security Council that “ relationships between states — especially nuclear-weapon states — are fractured.
” “ So-called great power competition is the order of the day.
” Nakamitsu said .
Russia-U.S. relations have been at post-Cold War lows since Moscow ’ s 2014 annexation of Ukraine ’ s Crimea .
Russia and the U.S. clashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke but they joined in supporting a statement saying the treaty “ remains the cornerstone of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and the foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
” The council resolved to advance the treaty ’ s goals and underlined its essential role “ in the preservation of international peace , security and stability as well as the ultimate objective of a world without nuclear weapons .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--Nature reserve activist shot to death in central Mexico

MEXICO CITY - Unidentified gunmen shot to death a lawyer and activist who defended a rural tract against development near the Mexican city of Cuernavaca , Mexico ’ s National Human Rights Commission said Tuesday .
The governmental commission issued a statement condemning the killing of Isaac Medardo Herrera on Monday night .
His neighbourhood activist group in Jiutepec , Morelos posted a statement saying the killers knocked on the door of Herrera ’ s home and shot him , before fleeing .
Herrera had led a fight over at least four years to stop plans to build a housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an environmentally sensitive woodland area in Jiutepec , just south of Cuernavaca .
The development was halted and the area was supposed to be used as a nature reserve .
The commission said at least one other activist has been killed in Mexico so far in 2020 .
The Mexican Center for Environmental Rights reported that 15 land defenders were killed in Mexico in 2019 .
Morelos , the state where Jiutepec is located , was the third most dangerous for environmental activists in 2019 .
The state ’ s semi-tropical climate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proximity to Mexico City , have made it the subject of heavy pressure from developers eager to build homes and vacation properties there .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our free newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-24--Avenatti asks judge to nix Nike jury verdict or OK new trial

NEW YORK - The once high-flying California attorney Michael Avenatti wants a judge to reject a jury verdict that found he tried to extort Nike .
Lawyers for Avenatti asked a Manhattan judge late Monday to overturn the verdict or grant a new trial for the 49-year-old man who rose to fame representing porn star Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against President Donald Trump .
They said in court papers that U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe should take the rare step of overturning the jury verdict that convicted him of trying to extort up to $ 25 million from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not yet ruled on their pre-trial request to toss out the indictment on the grounds that the charges were too vague to give him fair notice that his negotiating tactics with Nike would be considered illegal .
Normally , such a request to overturn a verdict would have virtually no chance .
But Gardephe several years ago rejected a jury ’ s conviction of a New York City police officer who was branded by tabloids as the “ Cannibal Cop ” after he was charged with plotting to kidnap and abuse women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal online sexual fantasy explorations .
In their court papers , Avenatti ’ s lawyers insisted that their client acted legally as he aggressively negotiated with Nike on behalf of a California amateur basketball coach who believed he ’ d been coerced by Nike employees to help pay off the families of elite college basketball prospects .
Avenatti insisted Nike pay him over $ 20 million to conduct an internal investigation of the apparel giant even if it agreed to pay the coach $ 1.5 million .
Nike lawyers testified that Avenatti ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a holdup .
The coach testified he didn ’ t know Avenatti would demand money for himself .
They said Gardephe should conclude the evidence did not support the verdict or should order a new trial on the grounds that jurors were deprived of a chance to see all the evidence .
Avenatti is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17 .
He also faces a trial in New York later this year on charges that he cheated porn star Stormy Daniels of the proceeds of a book deal and a trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ripped off clients and others .
Prosecutors and defence lawyers in the case involving Daniels have asked that the trial be postponed from April to mid-July .
In Los Angeles , U.S. District Court Judge James V. Selna on Saturday rejected Avenatti ’ s request to be released on bail , saying there was no basis to reconsider his decision that Avenatti was a danger to the community .
Selna said there was no basis to release Avenatti on medical ground , although he accepted Avenatti ’ s claim that he had pneumonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coronavirus .
But he said there was no proof that a cellmate removed from his cell with flu-like symptoms had coronavirus and there were no reports of inmates with the virus at the Metropolitan Correctional Center , where Avenatti is held in lower Manhattan .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Tripoli officials say clashes escalating over Libyan capital

CAIRO - Clashes between rival Libyan forces for control of Tripoli escalated on Wednesday as militias allied with the U.N.-supported government based in the country ’ s capital launched an offensive on a military base held by their rivals , officials said .
The renewed fighting comes despite increased international pressure on both sides to halt the violence over concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus .
Libya reported its first case of the virus on Tuesday .
The fighting has been raging for nearly a year between military commander Khalifa Hifter ’ s forces , allied with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an array of militia loosely linked to Tripoli authorities in the west .
Ossama Gowelii , who heads the so-called joint operation room of the Tripoli militias , said they attacked the al-Waitya airbase on the city ’ s southern reaches , clashing with Hifter ’ s forces who have been holding the base .
Gowelii claimed the militias took the base and arrested a “ number ” of Hifter ’ s fighters , including foreign mercenaries .
He did not provide evidence .
However , their adversaries denied this , claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a “ foolish attempt.
“ Overnight artillery shelling rocked several areas of Tripoli , Gowelii said , adding that their offensive came in response to the shelling .
The attack on the airbase would likely give Hifter ’ s forces an excuse to push back against international pressure to stop the fighting and focus on efforts against the coronavirus .
A week ago , the warring sides has expressed commitment to a humanitarian pause in fighting so that authorities could focus on preventing the spread of the coronavirus .
There are fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libya , where a decade-long conflict has ravaged key infrastructure and created dire medical shortages .
So far the only confirmed coronavirus case in Libya is that of a 73-year-old man who crossed into Libya from neighbouring Tunisia on March 5 , according to the National Center for Disease Control in Tripoli .
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Libya on Wednesday voiced deep concern , warning that a possible outbreak would overwhelm the already stretched aid response in Libya .
“ The health and safety of all people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most vulnerable , is at risk , ” OCHA said .
Hifter forces launched his offensive on Tripoli last April .
The chaos in the oil-rich country has worsened in recent months as foreign backers increasingly intervene , despite pledges to the contrary at a high-profile peace summit in Berlin earlier this year .
Turkey has sent armoured drones , air defences and more recently Syrian militants with links to extremist groups to prop up the embattled U.N.-backed Tripoli government .
Russia , meanwhile , has deployed hundreds of mercenaries to boost Hifter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emirates and Egypt also back Hifter with fighter jets , drones and mine-resistant vehicles .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Spain’s coronavirus deaths leap; Prince Charles now infected

MADRID - The death toll in Spain from the coronavirus shot up by more than 700 on Wednesday , surpassing China and is now second only to Italy as the pandemic spread rapidly in Europe , with even Britain ’ s Prince Charles testing positive for the virus .
In India , the world ’ s largest democracy , the government put its 1.3 billion people on lockdown , while U.S. lawmakers finally agreed on a massive $ 2 trillion domestic aid package , which buoyed stock markets around the world .
Spain recorded a record daily increase of 738 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and past China ’ s 3,285 , the Ministry of Health said .
The country ’ s infections rose by 20 % to 47,610 , and more than 5,000 have recovered .
In usually bustling Barcelona , people walking around with blankets , mattresses or tents punctuated the eerie emptiness .
Spain ’ s homeless told The Associated Press they feel more abandoned than ever as everyone else hunkers down at home .
“ It is as if there has been a nuclear explosion and ( people ) are all sheltering in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are left outside , “ said 36-year-old Gana , who uses only one name .
Spain ’ s health system is overwhelmed , and with hotels being converted into hospitals and a Madrid ice rink being used as a temporary morgue .
Lawmakers were set to extend the country ’ s lockdown for two more weeks , to April 12 .
Charles , the 71-year-old heir to the British throne , is showing mild symptoms of COVID-19 and is self-isolating at a royal estate in Scotland , his office said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative .
Charles “ has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual , ” it said .
India , where the massive lockdown is underway , has only about 450 cases due to limited testing , but Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that if he didn ’ t act now , it could set the country back decades .
His unprecedented move is aimed at keeping the virus from overwhelming its fragile health care system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe and threatens to do in U.S. hotspots like New York .
Everything but essential services like supermarkets were closed .
Normally busy railway stations in New Delhi were deserted and streets were eerily silent .
“ Delhi looks like a ghost town , ” said Nishank Gupta , a lawyer .
“ I have never seen the city so quiet before.
” Italy has been the hardest-hit nation in Europe with more than 69,000 infections and 6,800 deaths .
Authorities are investigating if a hotly contested Champions League soccer game in Milan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis that is overwhelming Italian hospitals .
Italian doctors are being forced to choose who will receive desperately needed ventilators and who won ’ t .
Germany ’ s parliament was set to approve later in the day a series of measures that will allow the government to offer aid totalling more than 1 trillion euros ( $ 1.1 trillion ) for the country of 83 million people .
In the United States , infections were climbing rapidly and had passed the 55,000 mark , with deaths at more than 800 .
Top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive economic agreement in a Capitol hallway shortly after midnight after days of haggling .
Relief that U.S. politicians have reached a deal on economic support pushed world stock markets up on Wednesday .
Indexes in Europe and Asia rose a day after the Dow Jones Industrial Average had its best day since 1933 .
With Americans ’ lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance , President Donald Trump said he “ would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter , ” on April 12 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ calls for stricter restrictions on public interactions .
Scientists and other politicians in the U.S. have warned that the worst is yet to come .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said his state ’ s infections are doubling every three days , threatening to swamp the city ’ s intensive care units much quicker than experts had expected .
The state has 26,000 infections and more than 200 deaths .
“ One of the forecasters said to me : ‘ We were looking at a freight train coming across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re now looking at a bullet train.
” More than 428,000 people worldwide have been infected by the virus and more than 19,000 have died , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Overall , more than 109,000 have recovered .
There are signs , however , that drastic measures to keep people away from one another can push back the spread of the illness and flatten the infection curve .
In China ’ s Hubei province , where the outbreak was first spotted late last year , started lifting its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services reopened in Hubei and people who passed a health check were allowed to travel for the first time since January .
A similar easing in the hard-hit epicenter of Wuhan is planned for April 8 .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
It is the latter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care — that threaten to overwhelm hospitals .
Several countries are already running short of the critical equipment needed to treat patients and keep doctors and nurses safe .
Doctors are dying in Italy and Spain says 14 % of its infections are health care workers .
Cases edged up in countries with fragile health care systems .
Virus cases in South Africa rose to 709 as the country got ready to go on lockdown Friday and Russia reporting 163 new cases overnight for 658 total .
Russia ’ s prime minister ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready hospital beds for patients as the outbreak spreads across the vast country .
In New Zealand , the government declared an emergency before an unprecedented lockdown began .
“ I have one simple message for New Zealanders today as we head into the next four weeks : Stay at home , ” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said .
“ It will break the chain of transmission and it will save lives.
” Rising reported from Berlin .
Associated Press reporters around the world contributed .

Aritz Parra And David Rising - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Coronavirus strands Florida woman in Peru

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. - March has not always boded well for Jessica Brar .
It ’ s the month her father died , the month that she divorced .
The days are a seasonal reminder of life ’ s regrets .
This March brought coronavirus .
And new woes for Brar .
Monday was her seventh day stranded in Peru after the government there enforced a mandatory country-wide quarantine to help stave the spread of the COVID-19 virus .
Peruvians are only allowed to leave their homes for essentials like food , medicine and doctor visits .
Curfew begins every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shuttered and Brar feels abandoned by her country .
American officials , she said , failed to come through in her hour of need .
“ All of our lives we are told if you are in trouble , contact the U.S. Embassy , ” she said .
“ Yet truthfully , they left us stranded with no information.
” Brar ’ s life is now relegated to a room on the 13th floor of the Selina Miraflores hostel in Lima .
It has two beds .
One she sleeps in .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ She does her laundry in the bathtub .
The hostel closed all its public places so she uses an electric kettle to boil gluten-free pasta and keeps other food items in a mini fridge .
To keep calm , she bought a glass mason jar cup decorated with animals and topped with a bright green lid and straw .
She picked up a patterned mug for tea and sometimes wine , too .
“ I learned this a long time ago from travelling – when you ’ re in a place and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re stuck like I am now , it ’ s important to have a few things that make you just feel better , , ” she said .
Brar , a 34-year-old Gainesville yoga instructor , flew to Buenos Aires , Argentina , on March 9 , when the United States was still just waking up to the seriousness of COVID-19 .
It was supposed to be another adventure for Brar , who loves to travel and keeps track of her adventures on a map of the world at her home .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already visited .
This trip was going to help her inch closer to her goal of 100 .
Everything seemed fine on her first day in Argentina .
But by March 12 , when drinking with friends , the State Department had raised its warning to Level 3 : reconsider travelling abroad .
“ I fly to Argentina , ” Brar said .
“ A day or two later , Argentina starts shutting down everything.
” In retrospect , she said , “ I probably should have acted sooner on that.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have possibly done .
She was already abroad .
She travelled to the famed Iguazu Falls on March 14 .
That ’ s where the seriousness of the situation began to set in .
After several attempts at leaving , she booked a ticket to Miami that went through Lima .
But the flight to Miami never took off .
It was cancelled .
Armored police descended on the Lima airport to guard every check-in line .
Crowds pushed .
Chaos ensued .
Brar isn ’ t concerned , she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about now is : When will she be able to get out ?
On the second day of her quarantine , Brar met other international travellers in the hostel who told her they had heard from their governments about relief .
But she never did .
“ The hardest part of the whole ordeal is remaining in the dark , ” Brar said .
And that has compounded the uncertainty of the outbreak for Brar .
“ I have no problem with leaving us here , ” she said .
“ Just inform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She began asking friends to contact lawmakers – Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , Sens .
Rock Scott and Marco Rubio and Ted Yoho , her congressman .
She hoped for power in numbers .
When , she wondered , would America come for her ?
She was “ stuck in a bureaucratic loop ” as she called one number and then the next , ending with her being directed to contact the U.S. Embassy in Lima .
“ I still have no information on when a plane is coming for me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I come back to my room and half pack my bag .
My signal to the universe .
I ’ m ready to go home.
” On Saturday , Brar finally received an alert from the U.S. Embassy in Lima : : 264 Americans had been able to fly to Washington .
The embassy said it was working to get others out .
“ Mark the calendar .
Our first helpful notification from the U.S. Embassy , a historic day indeed , ” Brar posted on Facebook .
The next day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embassy : 500 Americans had been able to leave over the weekend .
The embassy , it said , was working on “ all options.
” As of Sunday , Peru was reporting 318 cases of COVID-19 and the Peruvian defence minister announced Peru was closing its borders .
No flights would be let in or out .
Brar prepared herself .
She knew her wait could be long .
She has her yoga mat , her books and her friend ’ s Netflix password .
She had planned to add Argentina to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Inadvertently , she will now also add Peru .
She ’ s glad to be closer to her goal of 100 countries .
But for now , she just wants to get home .
This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida , a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications .
The reporter can be reached at admichele @ freshtakeflorida.com .

Angela Dimichele Of Fresh Take Florida News Service - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Israel parliament speaker resigns in facing high court order

JERUSALEM - Israel ’ s parliament speaker resigned Wednesday after seven years on the job rather than comply with a Supreme Court order to convene a vote on his replacement , dealing a blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he tries to remain in power amid an outbreak of the coronavirus .
Yuli Edelstein had suspended parliamentary activities last week , citing procedural issues and restrictions on large gatherings due to the spread of the coronavirus .
But opponents accused him of blocking a vote after his right-wing bloc failed to win a majority in March 2 elections in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would limit his lengthy rule .
Edelstein dismissed a Supreme Court call to explain his delay in convening the Israeli Knesset , or parliament , and that sparked an unprecedented judicial rebuttal , with the Supreme Court chief justice ordering him to hold a vote and accsuing him of “ undermining the foundations of the democratic process.
” With other top members of Netanyahu ’ s Likud party urging him to defy the order , he responded that he would “ not agree to an ultimatum ” and resigned instead .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Knesset .
The Supreme Court decision marks a harsh and arrogant intervention of the judicial branch in the affairs of the elected legislative branch , “ Edelstein charged in his last appearance as speaker .
He said he would step down so as not to allow Israel to “ descend into anarchy ” and devolve into civil war .
But in his last act he also said parliament would only reconvene next week , in apparent subversion of the Supreme Court order that a vote be held by Wednesday .
The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court and opposition figures indicated they would file another petition against him to force his hand .
“ This is a black day for democracy , ” said Eliad Shraga , the chairman of the non-profit Movement for Quality Government in Israel .
The showdown marked the height of an ever-deepening standoff between Netanyahu ’ s opponents and supporters in the wake of the country ’ s third inconclusive election in less than a year and against the backdrop of a series of emergency executive measures the caretaker government has enacted to quell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netanyahu ’ s Likud emerged as the largest party in the election earlier this month , but along with his smaller religious and nationalist allies , won only the support of 58 lawmakers — leaving his right-wing bloc three seats short of the required majority in parliament .
Opposition leader Benny Gantz is backed by a slim majority in the newly elected Knesset and has been pushing for the country ’ s legislature to continue functioning at such a critical time , even without a permanent government in place .
His majority bloc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely to band together to form an alternative government .
But they are determined to oppose the criminally indicted Netanyahu and seem willing to co-operate in parliament , accusing Edelstein of shuttering the halls of the legislature in order to keep his job and shield his beleaguered party leader .
They bloc is expected to win a vote to nominate Meir Cohen of Gantz ’ s centrist Blue and White party as Edelstein ’ s replacement .
They convened several decision-making committees to oversee government activity , including one devoted to the corona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through legislation that could prevent Netanyahu from serving as prime minister in the future .
Edelstein ’ s resignation marked the first time in Israeli history that a Knesset speaker had stepped down .
“ The Israeli parliament belongs to Israel ’ s citizens , and their elected representatives will follow the laws of the state of Israel and the rulings of its courts .
No one is above the law , ” Gantz tweeted .
Netanyahu has called on Gantz to join him in an emergency government devoted to handling the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political deadlock that would likely force yet another election — one that likely won ’ t even be possible to carry out given the current state of lock down and contagion .
But with Edelstein ’ s resignation , the option of unity appeared off the table .
The country have been nearly entirely shut down , with tens of thousands put out of work and all but essential movement from the home barred .
New restrictions approved Wednesday limit all those besides personnel deemed essential from venturing more that 100 metres ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all places of worship shuttered .
In a recent surge , more than 2,000 Israelis have been infected , with 37 in serious condition .
Five elderly Israelis with pre-existing medical conditions have died .
Gantz has pledged to support the government in its effort to combat the virus .
But he and his allies have been skeptical about Netanyahu ’ s power-sharing overtures , concerned that he will not follow through on his promises to cede power in 18 months .
The party accuses Netanyahu and his caretaker government of carrying out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using it as cover to cling to power .
Netanyahu has already managed to postpone his own pending criminal trial on serious corruption charges and authorize unprecedented electronic surveillance of Israeli citizens .
Even amid the health scare , Israelis have taken to the streets and waved black flags to protest what they consider an assault on Israeli democracy .
Netanyahu supporters have held small counter rallies as well .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Somalia suicide bomber detonates in tea shop, killing 2

MOGADISHU , Somalia - A Somali police officer says a suicide bomber has walked into a tea shop in Somalia @ @ @ @ @ , killing at least two people .
Capt .
Mohamed Hussein says the bomber , @ @ @ @ @ entered the shop and detonated his vest among the crowd .
Wednesday ’ s blast @ @ @ @ @ since the country confirmed its lone case of the coronavirus on March 16 .
The @ @ @ @ @ targets the capital .
The blast shattered a period of calm amid a large security @ @ @ @ @ had said prevented al-Shabab from smuggling explosives-rigged vehicles into the city .
Get more of @ @ @ @ @ Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our free newsletters @ @ @ @ @ stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Police struggle to enforce India’s sweeping virus lockdown

NEW DELHI - Indians struggled to comply with the world ’ s largest coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday as the government began the gargantuan task of keeping 1.3 billion people indoors .
Official assurances that essentials wouldn ’ t run out clashed with people ’ s fears that the disease toll could soon worsen , gutting food and other critical supplies .
In five days , the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , has jumped from about 200 to 519 , and experts say the real toll is likely to be much higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a three-week countrywide lockdown covering nearly one-fifth of the world ’ s population “ to save India and Indians.
” He said the lockdown would be “ total , ” but officials after his speech released advisories explaining that medical , law enforcement , media and other sectors were exempted and that stores selling food and other essentials would remain open .
Television images from many cities and towns on Wednesday showed shuttered markets and offices .
Normally bustling railway stations stood empty .
Joggers awkwardly avoided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , Modi ’ s speech triggered panic buying as online retailers Amazon and Big Basket , an Indian grocery delivery service , began cancelling previously placed orders and said they had no delivery slots available .
That spurred people to risk fines and other penalties for violating the lockdown by going out to shop at local stores .
Social distancing was forgotten at a grocery store in the Nizamuddin neighbourhood of New Delhi as panicked residents swarmed inside and jostled with each other to get fast-disappearing supplies .
An elderly couple who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 minutes eventually returned home empty-handed .
Although the lockdown made provisions for people to leave their homes to buy food , TV news and social media showed police striking would-be shoppers in the streets with batons in the southern state of Kerala , the financial hub of Mumbai and New Delhi .
Alok Barman , a servant who works in several well-to-do south Delhi households , said he was beaten up by police when he ventured outside his home in the city ’ s outskirts .
“ Some homes that I work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought it was best to get some food in the house .
But the police attacked us with sticks and beat us , “ he said .
” Now we have nothing to eat.
” Tarique Anwar , a former banker , said he went out to buy milk and vegetables at a grocery store in Delhi ’ s Jamia Nagar neighbourhood when he was confronted by a group of policemen who ordered him to go back .
He only managed to get vegetables .
A video shot by a passerby showed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interior of a meat shop in the capital ’ s Zakir Nagar neighbourhood .
The shop ’ s owner said police also beat him up and told him he shouldn ’ t have opened his shop .
“ They charged inside and started abusing and beating me , ” said Parvez , who uses only one name .
New Delhi police spokesman Anil Mittal denied that police were beating people .
Similar scenes occurred in India ’ s northeast , an eight-state region where only two of the country ’ s COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutdown order not to shop but to pray .
Wednesday was the start of the Hindu new year according to an ancient lunar calendar and the beginning of a nine-day holiday in which Hindus normally perform daily rituals at temples .
The lockdown order , however , bans religious gatherings and instructs places of worship to close .
Modi acknowledged in a tweet that “ The celebrations will not be like they are usually but they will strengthen our resolve to overcome our circumstances.
” “ May we all come together to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against COVID-19 , ” he said .
Some Indians , including a member of Modi ’ s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party , defied the lockdown order , which also bans public gatherings of five or more , and attended temple ceremonies .
Yogi Adityanath , the chief minister of India ’ s most populous state , Uttar Pradesh , prayed to a statue of Lord Ram at a makeshift temple in Ayodhya with about 100 other people .
Even as Adityanath ventured outside , Awanish Awasthi , an Uttar Pradesh government spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown was being strictly enforced in the state .
He said cases had brought against 5,590 people for violating orders to stay at home , but denied allegations of police excesses .
In recent days , India had gradually expanded stay-at-home orders , banned international and domestic flights and suspended passenger service on its extensive rail system until March 31 .
Meanwhile , medical personnel and airline crews complained that they faced discrimination from landlords and neighbours afraid they might transmit the virus .
State-run carrier Air India issued a statement appealing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies to ensure that Air India crew are treated with respect and freedom that every citizen deserves , especially those who have been discharging their duties in selfless manner for return of fellow Indians.
” A health ministry statement on Tuesday said multiple complaints had been received from doctors , paramedics and other health workers in New Delhi that their landlords were forcing them to leave their houses or apartments .
The ministry asked police and municipal authorities to take strict action against the landlords .
Associated Press writers Rishabh R. Jain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wasbir Hussain in Gauhati , India and Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar contributed to this report .

Ashok Sharma And Sheikh Saaliq - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Britain’s Prince Charles tests positive for new coronavirus

LONDON - Prince Charles , the heir to the British throne , has tested positive for the new coronavirus , his office said Wednesday .
The 71-year-old is showing mild symptoms of COVID-19 and is self-isolating at a royal estate in Scotland , his Clarence House office said .
It says his wife Camilla , 72 , has tested negative .
“ The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus , ’ ’ Clarence House said .
“ He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Press Association , citing a source , said the prince and the duchess remained in good spirits , and that Charles was not bedridden .
The tests were carried out by the National Health Service in Scotland .
“ It is not possible to ascertain from whom the prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks.
“ Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth II remains at her home in Windsor .
“ Her Majesty the queen remains in good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The queen last saw the Prince of Wales briefly after the investiture on the morning of 12th March and is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare.
” Charles ’ last public engagement was March 12 .
He has had a number of private meetings , and participants at those sessions have been made aware of his condition .

Jill Lawless And Danica Kirka - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--WStocks rise on US stimulus deal, rally fades before US open

BANGKOK - Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 surged 8 % and most world markets were up on Wednesday after Congress and the White House reached a deal to inject nearly $ 2 trillion of aid into an economy ravaged by the coronavirus .
Wall Street was expected to dip on the open , a day after the Dow had its best day since 1933 .
Tokyo logged its biggest daily gain since 2008 .
Share prices there were lifted also by the decision to postpone the 2020 Olympics to July 2021 in view of the coronavirus pandemic , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is leaving many millions of people ordered to stay home to help contain the outbreaks .
The postponement alleviated fears the event might be cancelled altogether .
European markets rallied at the open but were losing their shine by midday , with the CAC 40 in Paris picked up 0.6 % to 4,266 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 added 1 % to 5,500 .
Germany ’ s DAX shed 0.9 % to 9,612 .
U.S. futures were subdued after a banner day on Tuesday as U.S. lawmakers said they had bridged their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future for the Dow was up 0.3 % and the contract for the S & P 500 shed 0.7 % .
The gains this week have been a respite from a brutal month of nearly nonstop selling .
But with cases of the virus still climbing , investors are leery of saying markets have hit bottom .
Rallies nearly as big as this have punctuated the last few weeks , none lasting more than a day .
The breakthrough on the sweeping $ 2 trillion measure to aid American workers , businesses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak was an expected but welcome boost to sentiment .
The deal was announced shortly after midnight and follows days of often intense haggling and mounting pressure .
It still needs to be finalized in detailed legislative language , but would give direct payments to most Americans , expand unemployment benefits and provide a $ 367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home .
“ Given the enormity of the package , it will most certainly be well initially well-received as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Main Street ’ from falling into worst-case , depression type scenarios , especially with the Fed prepared to monetize all the US government ’ s debt , “ Stephen Innes of AxiCorp .
said in a commentary .
Pressure was on Congress to act after the Federal Reserve has done nearly all it can to sustain markets .
Overnight , the Dow closed with an 11.4 % gain at 20,704.91 , while the more closely followed S & P 500 index , which is vital for most 401 ( k ) accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Nasdaq composite jumped 8.1 % , to 7,417.86 .
Ultimately , investors say they need to see the number of new infections peak before markets can find a floor .
The increasing spread is forcing companies to park airplanes , shut hotels and close restaurants to dine-in customers .
Earlier share rebounds have quickly evaporated .
Since stocks began selling off on Feb. 20 , the S & P 500 has had six days where it ’ s risen , and all but one of them were big gains of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of 5 % the next day .
And stimulus packages can be addictive , said Ipek Ozkardeskaya , a senior analyst at Swissquote Bank .
“ Is this package an economic vaccine to the virus ?
It is too early to tell , but the kneejerk market reaction is rather cheery , “ she said in a commentary .
“ The bigger the stimuli , the more investors demand.
” The VIX index , a proxy for equity market volatility , remains relatively high , “ suggesting that underlying risk sentiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the pace of the infection spread , with total confirmed Covid-19 cases exceeding 400,000 globally , “ Mizuho Bank said in a commentary .
On Wednesday , the momentum was all upward in Asia .
Tokyo ’ s Nikkei closed at 19,546.63 , while the Hang Seng rose 3.8 % to 23,527.19 .
South Korea ’ s Kospi gained 5.9 % to 1,704.76 and the S & P/ASX 200 gained 5.5 % to 4,998.10 .
The Shanghai Composite index rose 2.2 % to 2,781.59 .
Taiwan ’ s benchmark jumped 3.8 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asia .
India ’ s Sensex jumped 6.8 % after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the world ’ s largest democracy into the world ’ s biggest lockdown Wednesday .
India ’ s 1.3 billion people were ordered to stay home in a bid to stop the coronavirus pandemic from spreading and overwhelming its fragile health care system as it has done elsewhere .
Governments elsewhere have also tightened restrictions on business activity and movement as the toll from the virus has surged higher .
For most people , the coronavirus causes only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fever and cough .
Those with mild illness recover in about two weeks .
Severe illness including pneumonia can occur , especially in the elderly and people with existing health problems .
Recovery could take six weeks in such cases .
Its unclear how long-lasting the damage from the outbreak will be on economies .
Governments and central banks in other countries around the world are unveiling unprecedented levels of support for their economies in an attempt to limit the scale of the upcoming virus-related slump .
Measures of the shock to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , economists expect a report to show the number of Americans applying for jobless claims easily set a record last week .
Some say the number could be way beyond 1 million , amid a wave of layoffs , topping the prior record of 695,000 set in 1982 .
In other trading , U.S. crude oil shed 37 cents to $ 23.64 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
Brent crude , the international pricing standard , dropped 91 cents to $ 28.83 per barrel .
In currency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japanese yen from 111.22 yen late Tuesday .
The euro gained to $ 1.0826 from $ 1.0790 .

Elaine Kurtenbach - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Zimbabwe public doctors strike over lack of virus protection

HARARE , Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe ’ s public hospital doctors went on strike Wednesday over what they called a lack of adequate protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed .
The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association president , Tawanda Zvakada , said doctors were at “ high risk ” of contracting the virus : “ We will return to work only after the government has put adequate measures , including suitable clothing .
Right now we are exposed and no one seems to care.
” He said doctors have inadequate stocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The hundreds of doctors had returned to work in January after a four-month strike demanding better salaries and improved working conditions .
Zimbabwe has reported three cases of COVID-19 and recorded its first death this week .
Neighbouring South Africa ’ s coronavirus cases jumped again to 709 , its health minister said , as the country with the most cases in Africa prepared to go into lockdown first thing Friday .
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on state television pointed out “ intense local spread ” in Free State province among attendees of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first reported .
All five people recently travelled abroad .
Now almost 30 cases have been recorded .
Cases across Africa are now well above 2,400 .
With Mali , Libya and Guinea-Bissau announcing their first , 46 of the continent ’ s 54 countries now have the virus .
The Portuguese news agency Lusa reported the Guinea-Bissau cases , citing the presidency .
Some African leaders have scolded citizens for not adhering to prevention measures .
“ Countrymen and women , I have gone ‘ round the city and I have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not taking this COVID-19 seriously , ” Zambian President Edgar Lungu said Wednesday in Lusaka .
“ I have seen multitudes patronizing bars or freely hugging and shaking hands at funerals , contrary to health advice.
” The country has 12 cases .
African countries that have not recorded cases are Sierra Leone , South Sudan , Burundi , Malawi , Botswana , Comoros , Lesotho and Sao Tome and Principe , according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Some have the most fragile health systems on the continent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its borders while reporting its third death .
The sprawling nation has one of Africa ’ s weakest health systems and has been battling another global health emergency , a deadly Ebola virus outbreak in the east .
While that outbreak now appears to be within days of being declared over , Congo also faces a large measles outbreak .
As more countries across Africa impose restrictions on gatherings and travel , many informal workers are suffering .
Ethiopia ’ s government in a proposal to the Group of 20 major industrialized nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion emergency financing package because “ COVID-19 poses an existential threat to the economies of African countries.
” South Africa already has an unemployment rate of 29 % and the lockdown will hit workers hard .
But authorities fear what will happen if the virus sweeps through crowded low-income communities and public transport .
Teeming prisons are another worry across Africa .
Ethiopia ’ s state broadcaster EBC cited the attorney general as saying more than 4,000 prisoners will be released to help stop the coronavirus ’ spread .
Those include people behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Baba Ahmed in Bamako , Mali ; Elias Meseret in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia and Noel Sichalwe in Lusaka , Zambia contributed .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Aid group says Mideast lockdowns hinder humanitarian efforts

CAIRO - An international aid group said Wednesday that closures aimed at containing the coronavirus pandemic are preventing it from reaching 300,000 people in conflict zones across the Middle East , after authorities in Libya ’ s capital reported the first case in the war-torn country .
The Norwegian Refugee Council said it was unable to reach people in Syria , Yemen and the Gaza Strip , where authorities have imposed strict measures to halt the spread of the virus .
All have fragile health care systems that could be overwhelmed by an outbreak , and only Yemen has yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said virus lockdowns have also limited access to parts of Africa and Asia .
“ While governments are taking tough and much-needed measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus , millions of refugees and displaced people still depend on humanitarian assistance , ” said Jan Egeland , head of the aid group .
“ If supermarkets and pharmacies can remain operational during this crisis , then so should the delivery of humanitarian aid , ” he added .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those showing no symptoms .
Countries across the Middle East have imposed sweeping measures to prevent its spread , including closing their borders , cancelling flights and in some cases imposing round-the-clock curfews that confine people to their homes .
The Israeli government on Wednesday approved new restrictions , including the closure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already shuttered major holy sites sacred to Christians , Muslims and Jews .
Many in Israel ’ s insular ultra-Orthodox communities have defied restrictions on public gatherings , despite the pleas of rabbis and local authorities .
That has led to tension with authorities and in at least one case , scuffles with police .
The order to close the synagogues , which goes into effect later Wednesday , reportedly came over the objection of Israel ’ s health minister , himself an ultra-Orthodox Jew .
Twenty-nine per cent of those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a synagogue or a yeshiva , according to an analysis by the National Information and Knowledge Center for the Fight Against the Coronavirus , which has been advising the Health Ministry .
The new restrictions in Israel will bar most people from venturing more that 100 metres ( yards ) from their homes .
More than 2,100 Israelis have been infected , with 37 in serious condition .
Five elderly Israelis with pre-existing medical conditions have died .
The Palestinian Authority , which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between cities , towns and villages .
Sixty cases have been reported in the West Bank and another two in Gaza .
Late Tuesday , hundreds of people in the northern West Bank town of Jenin , including dozens of armed men , defied the restrictions when they held a rally to celebrate the release of a Palestinian prisoner from an Israeli jail .
Also late Tuesday , the Palestinian Authority ordered all Palestinian workers to return to the West Bank from Israel , which had allowed around 65,000 to stay and work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in construction , agriculture and manufacturing in Israel .
Wages in Israel are much higher than in the Palestinian territories , where decades of Israeli military rule has hindered economic development .
In Libya , officials say a 73-year-old man who entered from neighbouring Tunisia on March 5 tested positive .
The Libyan patient had recently travelled to Saudi Arabia , according to Libya ’ s National Center for Disease Control , and was receiving medical treatment for his fever and cough in isolation at a Tripoli hospital .
Libya has been mired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overthrew and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi .
It is governed by rival authorities based in Tripoli and eastern Libya whose forces have been battling over the capital for nearly a year .
Each is supported by a patchwork of armed groups .
On Tuesday , Tripoli ’ s suburbs came under heavy fire even as the United Nations appealed for a truce so authorities could focus on preventing the spread of the coronavirus .
In neighbouring Egypt , Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said a nationwide curfew from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has confirmed 402 cases and 22 fatalities , including two senior military officers who were involved in efforts to disinfect public places .
Iran is battling the worst outbreak in the region , with over 27,000 confirmed cases and a death toll of at least 2,077 , Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said Wednesday .
Afghanistan imposed a lockdown on its western Herat province , which borders Iran and where the largest number of cases has been detected .
Afghan authorities have reported 76 cases and two deaths .
The NATO-led coalition in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who recently arrived in Kabul .
Afghanistan has been at war for decades , and more than half of its population lives in poverty .
Saudi Arabia , meanwhile , expanded its curfew hours in the cities of Mecca and Medina , home to Islam ’ s holiest sites , as well as the capital , Riyadh .
Residents now must remain inside their homes from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m .
The kingdom also banned travel in or out of the three governorates .
Saudi Arabia has reported 676 cases .
Pakistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after reporting nearly 1,000 total cases , including seven deaths and 19 who recovered .
It had previously suspended train service and international flights .
The outbreak in Pakistan was initially confined to people who had recently travelled to Iran but now appears to be circulating among those with no recent travel history .
Krauss reported from Jerusalem .
Associated Press writers Aron Heller in Jerusalem ; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad ; Jon Gambrell and Aya Batrawy in Dubai , United Arab Emirates ; Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen , Denmark ; Mohammed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nasser Karimi in Tehran , Iran , and Tameem Akhgar in Kabul , Afghanistan contributed to this report .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Samy Magdy And Joseph Krauss - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Police: Man points gun at women in masks, feared coronavirus

ATLANTA - A Georgia man who feared getting the coronavirus pointed a gun at two women wearing medical masks and gloves in a post office , authorities said .
The suspect confronted a woman and her adult granddaughter in an office north of Atlanta on Sunday , the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety said in a Facebook post .
He was identified by news outlets as 75-year-old Harvey Joel Taratoot .
Taratoot pulled out his handgun and yelled at the women to get back after they entered the U.S. Post Office , the victims told police .
As Taratoot left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims was able to get his license plate number , which led to his arrest .
Once officers arrived at his house , Taratoot peacefully surrendered while armed with a holstered gun , police added .
He was arrested on a charge of pointing a pistol at another .
“ This was such an overreaction on the part of the suspect , ” police said .
“ Please do not allow fear to overcome your logic while we ’ re going through this.
” Police did not go into detail about what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was afraid of catching the coronavirus while confronting the women .
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported he was released from Fulton County Jail on a $ 1,500 bond .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our free newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-25--Afghan officials say 25 killed in Kabul attack on Sikhs

KABUL - A lone Islamic State gunman rampaged through a Sikh house of worship in the heart of the Afghan capital , Kabul , on Wednesday , killing 25 worshippers and wounding eight , Afghanistan ’ s Interior Ministry said .
The gunman held many of the worshippers hostage for several hours as Afghan special forces , helped by international troops , tried to clear the building .
At least one of the dead was a child .
Within hours , the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack .
As the siege ended , the Afghan special forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been trapped inside the Sikh house of worship , known as Gurdwara , as the gunman lobbed grenades and fired his automatic rifle into the crowd , the ministry said .
Earlier , Afghan lawmaker Narindra Singh Khalsa said he rushed over to help after receiving a call from a worshipper inside the Gurdwara telling him of the attack .
There were about 150 worshippers inside the Gurdwara at the time , he added .
The SITE Intelligence Group , which tracks militant postings and groups , said IS had claimed responsibility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aamaq media arm .
At a Kabul hospital , Mohan Singh , who was in the Gurdwara when the attack began , said he first heard the sound of gunshots and ducked for cover under a table .
Later he heard the sounds of explosions , adding that he believes they were hand grenades .
He was injured when parts of the ceiling fell on him .
In photographs shared by the Interior Ministry , about a dozen children were seen being rushed out of the Gurdwara by Afghan special forces , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the news of the attack first broke on Wednesday , Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed tweeted that the Taliban were not involved .
Earlier this month , Afghanistan ’ s IS affiliate struck a gathering of minority Shiite Muslims in Kabul , killing 32 people .
Afghanistan ’ s National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib condemned the attack in a tweet while neighbouring Pakistan and India both issued statements of condemnation .
Pakistan described the attack as “ heinous.
” “ Such despicable acts have no political , religious or moral justification and must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry statement said .
India said the attack was particularly egregious coming as Afghanistan sought to deal with the growing coronavirus pandemic .
“ Such cowardly attacks on the places of religious worship of the minority community , “ India said , reflect the “ diabolical mindset of the perpetrators and their backers.
” Sikhs have suffered widespread discrimination in the conservative Muslim country and have also been targeted by Islamic extremists .
Under Taliban rule in the late 1990s , they were asked to identify themselves by wearing yellow armbands , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years , large numbers of Sikhs and Hindus have sought asylum in India , which has a Hindu majority and a large Sikh population .
In July 2018 , a convoy of Sikhs and Hindus was attacked by an Islamic State suicide bomber as they were on their way to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the eastern city of Jalalabad , the capital of Nangarhar province .
Nineteen people were killed in that attack .

Tameem Akhgar And Rahim Faiez - The Associated Press