thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Philippine police: News conference helped end hostage crisis

MANILA , Philippines - Philippine officials said Tuesday they allowed an armed man who took dozens of people hostage in a mall to hold a news conference to encourage him to free his captives and give police a chance to grab him as he talked with a throng of journalists .
Reporters said they were unaware that the hostage taker , a recently dismissed security guard at the mall who was identified by police as Alchie Paray , had a pistol with him when he faced the media as the crisis came to an end Monday night .
But Manila @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Debold Sinas , said snipers were under orders to shoot Paray in the head if he drew his gun or made any hostile moves while speaking to journalists .
The 10-hour hostage crisis ended peacefully when Paray walked out of the V-Mall in Manila ’ s upscale Greenhills district and freed his captives .
Afterward , he faced TV cameras and journalists for several minutes and angrily voiced his grievances against his former superiors before police swarmed in and subdued him .
Criminal complaints will be filed against Paray , including illegal detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mall security officer at the start of the crisis , officials said .
The victim was recovering in a hospital .
During a news conference Tuesday , journalists said they were unaware that Paray still had a pistol concealed on his waist when police allowed him to talk to the media the night before .
Sinas suggested it was deliberate .
“ That ’ s why your questioning was spontaneous , “ he said .
“ If I had told you , nobody would have stayed in front .
Then it defeats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no intention of putting any journalists at risk during the crisis and even tried to push them away from the scene but some insisted on getting close .
Still , he apologized to reporters who he said may have felt “ violated.
” Some of the gunman ’ s demands , including being allowed to speak before the media after releasing his hostages , were granted because authorities believed it would calm him down and bring the crisis to a peaceful end , said Mayor Francis Zamora of San Juan city , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis occurred .
“ It was all part of the strategy and in the end , it worked , ” Zamora said .
“ Nobody died and all the hostages were freed.
” “ He wanted his grievances heard .
It was very simple so we gave it to him , ” Zamora added .
Paray ’ s former security agency offered 1 million pesos ( $ 20,000 ) for him to end the hostage taking but the gunman declined the offer , underscoring his desire to bring his grievances to the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the standoff , even with the mall surrounded by SWAT commandos and police , Zamora said he and other officials were concerned that fatigue and the gunman ’ s unstable disposition may drive him to detonate a grenade that he had with him in the second-floor office of the mall where he held his captives .
Unaware of the police plan , many people , including journalists , wondered why Paray was given a microphone after freeing his captives and allowed to deliver a rambling speech with the police watching nearby .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ including about 40 mall employees who walked out of the mall with Paray and were secured by policemen after he decided to end the standoff .
Some of the hostages managed to sneak out while the hostage taking was in progress and told police that Paray had a gun and a grenade , police said .
Paray was dismissed as a mall guard after abandoning his job without notifying management but complained that he was maltreated , Zamora said .
At one point during the crisis , Paray was allowed to use his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guards and the media , expressing his anger over a change in his work schedule when he was still a guard and accusing some of his superiors of corruption .
Granting another demand by Paray , six officers in charge of overseeing the mall ’ s security were asked to apologize to the suspect at a news conference and tendered their resignations .
The shopping complex , popular for its restaurants , shops , bars and a bazaar , lies near an upscale residential enclave , a golf club and the police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 12 million people , where law and order have long been a concern .
Associated Press photojournalist Aaron Favila contributed to this report .

Jim Gomez And Joeal Calupitan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Virus alarms sound worldwide, but China sees crisis ebbing

BEIJING - Iranians hoarded medical supplies , Italians urged doctors out of retirement and South Koreans prepared to pump billions into relief efforts Tuesday as the virus epidemic firmed its hold around the globe .
Mushrooming outbreaks in the Mideast , Europe and South Korea contrasted with optimism in China , where thousands of recovered patients were going home .
A growing outbreak in the United States led schools and subways to sanitize , quickened a search for a vaccine , and spread fears of vulnerability for nursing home residents .
“ We are in unchartered territory , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
South Korea saw its largest daily increase in new cases Tuesday , with 851 new infections reported , largely in and around the southeastern city of Daegu .
In all , 5,186 in South Korea have tested positive for the virus .
In the capital of Seoul , drive-through virus testing centres began operating , with workers dressed head-to-toe in white protective suits leaning into cars with mouth swabs , a move meant to limit contact with possible carriers of the illness .
Troops were also dispatched across the city to spray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s death toll rose to 31 and President Moon Jae-in , calling the outbreak “ a grave situation , ” said his government would push to inject more than 30 trillion won ( $ 25 billion ) to fund clinics , aid for small businesses and other measures related to the virus .
It requires parliamentary approval .
“ The entire country has entered a war against an infectious disease , ” he said .
Most Asian and European stock indexes rose , following the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finance ministers and central bank leaders from the Group of Seven major industrial countries were to convene by phone Tuesday to discuss their response to the virus outbreak .
“ The fear factor is still very high , ” said Kirk Hartman , president of Wells Fargo Asset Management .
Worldwide , more than 90,000 people have been sickened and 3,100 have died from the virus .
A constantly expanding list of at least 70 countries have been affected , with Ukraine the latest to report a first case .
In China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again Tuesday , with just 125 new cases after a six-week low of 202 a day earlier .
It ’ s still by far the hardest-hit country , with 80,151 cases and 2,943 deaths .
China ’ s ambassador to the United Nations said the country was winning its battle against COVID-19 .
“ We are not far from the coming of the victory , ” said Zhang Jun .
In Iran , after authorities downplayed the coronavirus as recently as last week , Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the Islamic Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Ministry in combatting the spread of the illness .
Concern over the outbreak now stretches to Iran ’ s top leadership — some of whom have fallen ill from the virus .
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei even wore disposable plastic gloves while planting a tree to mark Iran ’ s upcoming arbour day .
“ Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin , ” Khamenei said Tuesday .
Iran ’ s judiciary chief , Ebrahim Raisi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for profit , and urged prosecutors to show no mercy .
“ Hoarding sanitizing items is playing with people ’ s lives and it is not ignorable , ” Raisi said .
In Italy , the count of infected people continued rising to 2,036 and officials said it could take up to two weeks to know whether measures including quarantines in 11 northern towns were working .
The U.S. count of COVID-19 cases surpassed 100 in at least 11 states .
There have been six deaths in Washington state .
On Capitol Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an emergency funding bill to fund a vaccine development and offer disaster loans to businesses hurt by the crisis .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams , a leading public health official in the U.S. , urged calm .
“ Caution , preparedness , but not panic , ” he said .
In Japan , questions continued to build about how the virus might affect the Olympics .
The country ’ s Olympic minister , Seiko Hashimoto , said Tuesday the country was “ making the utmost effort ” to proceed with the games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokyo .
But she told parliament the country ’ s contract with the International Olympic Committee only specifies that the games be held during the year 2020 , and that they could be delayed to later in the year if necessary .
An Irish bookmaker has been taking bets : 4/6 the opening ceremony will not go ahead in Tokyo or 11/10 that it will .
The games ’ CEO , Toshiro Muto , was planning a Wednesday teleconference with IOC ’ s executive board .
Sedensky reported from Bangkok .
Contributing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Kim Tong-Hyung and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul , South Korea ; Stephen Wade in Tokyo ; Nasser Karimi in Tehran , Iran ; and Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates .

Ken Moritsugu And Matt Sedensky - 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--2020-03-03--Australian Associated Press to shut down after 85 years

CANBERRA , Australia - The national news agency Australian Associated Press said Tuesday it will close in late June , its 85 years in business vanquished by a decline in subscribers and free distribution of news content on digital platforms .
“ The saddest day : AAP closes after 85 years of excellence in journalism .
The AAP family will be sorely missed , ” AAP Editor-in-Chief Tony Gillies said in a tweet .
Sydney-based AAP was started in 1935 by newspaper publisher Keith Murdoch , father of News Corp. founder Rupert Murdoch .
It is owned by Australian news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Co. , Seven West Media and Australian Community Media .
The agency is renowned for its fair and impartial reporting and its extraordinary reach across rural and urban Australia .
The surprise decision by its owners to close the agency comes amid a brutal consolidation in the industry and raised an outcry both from its staff and from many Australians who view it as a pillar of a free and fair press .
“ When you have such an important institution such as AAP coming to an end , ... that is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Scott Morrison told Parliament .
Anthony Albanese , the opposition leader , concurred , saying , “ Today is a tragedy for our democracy.
” Australian media organizations face mounting financial pressure , with global digital giants Google and Facebook taking a growing chunk of advertising revenue .
The company said it had reached the point where it was “ no longer viable to continue.
” “ The unprecedented impact of the digital platforms that take other people ’ s content and distribute it for free has led to too many companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s professional service , ” AAP said in a statement .
AAP ’ s more than 170 journalists will cease operations by June 26 .
Its Pagemasters editorial production service will close at the end of August , the company said .
The first inkling that most AAP staff had that their jobs were in danger came on Monday with a Nine newspapers ’ report that noted the weakest advertising market since the global financial crisis in 2008 .
AAP management told staff about the closure on Tuesday afternoon .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AAP Canberra Bureau Chief Paul Osborne said .
The company made a modest 929,000 Australian dollar ( $ 608,000 ) profit last year on AU $ 65,674,000 ( $ 43 million ) revenue .
Its Australian news coverage is nationwide , with bureaus in every state and territory , that is complemented by alliances with major international news agencies including The Associated Press .
The AP licenses its news text and photo services to AAP for redistribution in the Australian media market and its customers .
The AP is also contracted to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Arts Alliance , Australia ’ s journalists ’ union , described the decision to close AAP as a “ gross abandonment of responsibility by its shareholders -- Australia ’ s major media outlets.
” “ Bean-counters at the top of media organizations might think they can soldier on without AAP , but the reality is it will leave a huge hole in news coverage , ” the union ’ s federal president , Marcus Strom , said in a statement .
“ Filling those holes will fall to already overburdened newsroom journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occur , ” he said .
There was no indication of any hope of reversing the decision to close the agency .
But AAP Melbourne reporter Benita Kolovos described as “ heartwarming ” the sight of # saveAAP trending on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon .
“ I work with the best women and men and hope I will continue to be able to , ” Kolovos tweeted .
“ Impartial journalism is vital to our democracy .
Without it , the public will be worse off.
” Her Melbourne colleague Karen Sweeney noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories on Monday were published 1,595 times and top 10 news stories were published 2,514 times .
“ That ’ s 4109 blank spaces on websites and newspapers , dead air on radio that would need to be filled without us , ” Sweeney tweeted .
Broadcasters , online media and other news organizations still depend heavily on content from news agencies and other print media .
But the decline in print media ’ s share of advertising spending has squeezed AAP and other news organizations , with dozens of newspapers closing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO of Nine Entertainment Co. , recently announced the company planned to slash costs by AU $ 100 million ( $ 65.4 million ) in annual costs over three years , focusing on more profitable parts of its business , after its net profit dropped 9 % in the first half of the last fiscal year .
While television and radio broadcasters receive some government support , print and online news media businesses generally do not , the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission noted in a report in late 2018 .
For generations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first responder , “ said its chairman , Campbell Reid .
“ It is a great loss that professional and researched information provided by AAP is being substituted with the unresearched and often inaccurate information that masquerades as real news on the digital platforms , ” said Reid , a 20-year AAP veteran .
“ But we are proud of AAP ’ s achievements over 85 years and know that everyone who worked on the wire gave it their all , in the name of fair , balanced and accurate reporting @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--The Latest: France shuts about 120 schools over virus

BEIJING - The Latest on the virus outbreak ( all times local ) : France ’ s education minister says the country has closed about 120 schools and may shut more .
For now , around 35,000 students are affected , primarily in Brittany and a region north of Paris with clusters of the new virus .
Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer told LCI television on Tuesday it was probable that more schools will close and confirmed that he had ordered a freeze on all school trips .
France has reported 191 cases of the virus , including three on French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Outgoing Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has warned that the economic impact of the new virus “ could prove large but will ultimately be temporary.
” Addressing lawmakers in Parliament , Carney said the central bank will take “ all necessary steps “ to help businesses and households manage the economic shock from the outbreak .
A number of forecasters have slashed their projections for global growth this year as a result of the virus .
Carney said the bank is “ monitoring the situation closely ” and that he is close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succeed him as governor on March 16 .
Carney is to join central bankers and finance ministers from the Group of Seven industrial nations in a conference call Tuesday .
Expectations that the G-7 will announce a co-ordinated package of stimulus measures have helped stock markets rebound strongly this week .
European stock markets surged Tuesday following a bumper session on Wall Street , where the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 5.1 % .
The Middle East ’ s largest airline , Emirates , says it has reduced or grounded flights due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has asked employees to take paid and even unpaid leave for up to a month at a time .
Emirates operates out of Dubai , the world ’ s busiest airport for international transit .
Chief Operating Officer Adel Al-Redha said Emirates has adjusted its schedules and capacity to meet the change in passenger demand .
The airline has cancelled flights to all cities in China except Beijing .
The virus began in China and has infected tens of thousands there .
Emirates also has suspended all flights to Iran , where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens .
“ While we have seen some slowdown in certain markets there has been high demand in other areas , ” Al-Redha said .
“ We have been tested before and Emirates will come out stronger.
” The world ’ s largest airline trade association , IATA , says Mideast carriers have already lost around $ 100 million in revenue due to a drop in ticket sales because of the virus .
South Korea is reporting 851 new cases , its largest daily increase in new infections , largely in and around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many cases are clustered around a local church .
The country ’ s death toll rose to 28 .
In all , 5,186 in South Korea have tested positive for the virus .
Drive-through virus testing centres have began operating in Seoul , with workers dressed head-to-toe in white protective suits leaning into cars with mouth swabs , a move meant to limit contact with possible carriers of the illness .
Troops were also dispatched across the city to spray streets with disinfectants .
President Moon Jae-in called the outbreak “ a grave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push to inject more than 30 trillion won ( $ 25 billion ) to fund clinics , aid for small businesses and other measures related to the virus .
It requires parliamentary approval .
“ The entire country has entered a war against an infectious disease , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Israeli exit polls: Netanyahu ahead, but short of majority

JERUSALEM - Israel ’ s embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced an uncertain path to staying in office on Tuesday , even as preliminary results showed his Likud party pulling ahead of its opponents in the country ’ s third election in less than a year .
Exit polls on Israeli TV stations showed Likud and its allies capturing 59 seats out of the 120 in parliament .
That would still put Likud and its ultra-religious and nationalist bloc short of the parliamentary majority required to form a government .
With roughly 90 % of votes already counted , Netanyhau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its lead .
Final results are expected to be announced later Tuesday and could swing Netanyahu over the top — two weeks before he goes on trial to face corruption charges .
But if the official results match the exit polls , and Netanyahu ’ s camp is unable to draw in defectors from the opposing camp , Israel ’ s prolonged political gridlock could continue with the prospect of a fourth election .
The uncertainty didn ’ t stop Netanyahu from declaring victory early Tuesday in front of a raucous crowd of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against all the odds , because we stood against powerful forces , ” he said .
“ They already eulogized us .
Our opponents said the Netanyahu era is over.
” He vowed to immediately begin work to form a new coalition and press forward with a hard-line agenda that includes annexing large parts of the West Bank — a step that would undermine any remaining hopes of establishing a Palestinian state .
Netanyahu aide Jonathan Urich said efforts were already underway to recruit defecting lawmakers from the other bloc .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the missing votes , “ he told Israel ’ s Army Radio .
Regardless of the final outcome , the election seemed to mark a devastating setback for Benny Gantz ’ s Blue and White party and its allies on the centre-left , who had grand ambitions to topple Netanyahu after more than a decade in power .
But with Blue and White party trailing Likud by several seats that option appears off the table .
Infighting has already begun among the fragmented opposition , with various figures pointing the blame at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even with his path to the premiership seemingly blocked , Gantz refused to concede defeat .
“ We won ’ t let anyone destroy the country .
We won ’ t let anyone separate between us .
We won ’ t let anyone dismantle Israeli society and crush democracy , “ he told supporters .
“ Even if it is difficult , we will win at its end.
” Netanyahu ’ s Likud looked set already to secure 36 seats to Gantz ’ s Blue and White ’ s 32 , with Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 59-54 to Gantz ’ s centre-left bloc .
Maverick politician Avigdor Lieberman , whose party is projected to win seven seats , once again looms as a key player .
Speaking Tuesday , he repeated his campaign pledge that there will not be a fourth election but wouldn ’ t indicate how he would act in case of further deadlock .
After the last election in September , both Netanyahu and Gantz , a former military chief , were given opportunities to form coalitions and failed .
With Likud projected to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a first crack at assembling a coalition this time around .
“ It ’ s clear that Gantz and his bloc lost , but it is not clear that Netanyahu has a clear victory , ” explained Gideon Rahat , a Hebrew University professor and senior fellow at the non-partisan Israel Democracy Institute .
“ It ’ s either a unity government or he will find some defectors from the centre- left that will go with him.
” The easiest way out of the impasse would be a unity government between Likud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ command a solid parliamentary majority .
They don ’ t have major ideological differences , though Blue and White has staked its claim as the moral alternative to Netanyahu amid his corruption charges .
Gantz has ruled out a partnership as long as Netanyahu remains in charge .
After an ugly campaign marked by vicious and unfounded smears against him , Gantz doesn ’ t appear likely to fold now .
Anti-Netanyahu forces in Israel could still eke out a narrow “ blocking majority ” and force yet another vote .
But a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Legal analysts also warn of a constitutional crisis amid a string of inconclusive elections , meaning that the option of a unity government may again be on the cards .
“ After such a debased , lowdown , divisive campaign , replete with accusations and mud-slinging , we must mend our fences , heal the wounds , unify Israeli society , ” former Likud minister and Netanyahu critic Limor Livnat wrote in the Yediot Ahronot daily .
“ This is the only answer.
“ Netanyahu was indicted in November on charges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bribes , making him the first sitting prime minister to be charged with a crime .
He denies any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a witch hunt by police , prosecutors and a hostile media .
During the campaign , Netanyahu failed in a bid to secure immunity from prosecution .
As prime minister , he could still rally public opposition against prosecutors and judges in the case .
He also could seek other avenues to delay or derail the proceedings against him .
A unity government between Likud and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drop these plans .
It would also make Ayman Odeh , leader of the Joint List , the formal leader of the opposition .
His umbrella group of Arab-led parties scored its most impressive showing ever , becoming the third largest faction in parliament .


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Turkey downs Syrian fighter jet in northwest Idlib

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkey shot down a Syrian fighter jet in Syria ’ s Idlib province Tuesday , marking the third such incident in as many days , as steady clashes between the two national armies appeared to signal a new stage in the nine-year old war .
The Turkish Defence Ministry announced on Twitter that the Turkish military downed a L-39 warplane belonging to Syrian government forces .
Syrian state-run television reported that Turkish forces targeted a warplane as it was carrying out operations against “ terrorist groups ” in the rebel-held Idlib region .
It was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s crew .
Turkey has sent thousands of troops into Idlib to support the opposition fighters holed up there , but hasn ’ t been able to roll back the government ’ s advance .
Erdogan has said he hopes to broker a cease-fire in Syria later this week when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow .
But the Russian-backed offensive into the country ’ s last rebel-held area has led to more and more frequent clashes between the Syrian and Turkish armies that have killed dozens on both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapse in Turkish co-operation with Moscow , a key backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad .
A Turkish soldier was killed and another wounded Monday night , Turkey ’ s Defence Ministry said , raising to 55 the number of Turkish losses this month in clashes with Russian-backed Syrian forces .
The death toll includes 33 Turkish soldiers killed Thursday in a single airstrike .
The government ’ s offensive has also sparked one of the Syrian war ’ s worst humanitarian crises .
Almost one million Syrian civilians have fled north toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already crowded above capacity .
Tensions in Idlib rose following the Syrian strike that killed the 33 Turkish soldiers in Idlib .
Turkey responded with drone attacks and shelling that killed more than 90 Syrian troops and allied gunmen .
The Turkish air force also shot down two Syrian warplanes after Syria ’ s air defences shot down one of its drones .
The Syrian pilots ejected safely .
Outraged by the assault against its forces in Syria , Turkey has opened its western borders for thousands of migrants and refugees wanting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s latest bid to pressure the European Union to help handle the fallout from the disastrous Syrian war .
Thousands of migrants have since tried to cross into Greece by land and sea .
Greek authorities have made clear their side of the border is shut and have turned to arresting dozens of those who managed to find a way through the frontier .


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--UK, so far mildly affected, prepares for severe virus spread

LONDON - Retired doctors may be called back to work , police could stop investigating minor crimes and local authorities may struggle to deal with the burden of extra deaths if a new coronavirus spreads widely across Britain , the government said Tuesday .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s government unveiled a 25-page “ action plan ” laying out measures it may have to take in a worst-case scenario , when millions of people could be infected and thousands might die .
“ It ’ s quite unusual for a government to publish a plan with things in it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do , ” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC .
Johnson ’ s government has been accused of being slow to respond to the illness , which was first identified late last year in China .
So far , Britain has fewer cases of the disease than some other European countries such as Italy and France , with only 40 confirmed infections .
But officials say a much wider spread of the disease is likely .
“ It may be that widespread exposure in the U.K , is inevitable , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beneficial , ” the government document says .
Scientists are still racing to learn about the new virus , and Britain says it is prepared for a range of severities — from the equivalent of a mild winter flu outbreak causing a few hundred deaths , to something like the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic that killed an estimated 200,000 people in Britain and tens of millions worldwide .
British experts have previously said a worst-case scenario could see 80 % of the U.K ’ s 66 million people become infected , with 500,000 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think that is the most likely outcome .
For now , experts say they best thing people can do to stop the disease spreading is the simplest : wash hands frequently with warm , soapy water .
U.K. authorities say they may have to close schools , cancel mass-attendance events and tell large numbers of people to work from home as part of “ social distancing strategies ” designed to delay the spread of the disease until summer , when flu season is over and pressure on the health service lessens .
Retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work to ease medical staff shortages , and school class sizes could be increased if teachers fall ill .
The U.K. government says more drastic measures if it spreads widely could include rationing of medicines and a stripping back by emergency services to their “ critical functions.
” “ For example , with a significant loss of officers and staff , the police would concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order , ” the document says .
The government says its strategy aims to protect those most vulnerable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with underlying health conditions .
It also raises the prospect of many extra deaths , and says the government “ will provide advice to local authorities on dealing with this challenge.
” The action plan notes that in the event of a widespread outbreak , “ pressures on services and wider society may start to become significant and clearly noticeable.
” It says actions will only be taken on the advice of the government ’ s medical experts .
The government also plans new legislation to ensure it has “ all the necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
It has not revealed details .
British media report that the legislation is likely to give border officials the power to deny entry to anyone suspected of carrying the virus , while the government may also get the power to close schools and prevent mass public gatherings .

By Jill Lawless And Danica Kirka - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--700 police bust Vietnamese trafficking ring in Germany

BERLIN - More than 700 police officers searched 30 homes and businesses across Germany on Tuesday in a crackdown on @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
The raids focused on 13 suspects , all Vietnamese , who were @ @ @ @ @ at least 155 of their fellow country people into Germany .
Six arrests were made @ @ @ @ @ and Berlin and four other German states , federal police spokesman Axel Bernhardt said .
@ @ @ @ @ people between 5,000-20,000 dollars ( 4,500-18,000 euros ) to smuggle them in to Germany , @ @ @ @ @ undocumented immigrants end up having to work in nail parlours , restaurants or sweat shops @ @ @ @ @ .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from @ @ @ @ @ for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots @ @ @ @ @ .
Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--German police raid homes of far-right suspects

BERLIN - German police on Tuesday raided the homes of 12 people who are suspected of having formed a far-right @ @ @ @ @ immigrants and foreigners .
The suspects are aged between 19 and 57 years and their @ @ @ @ @ and elsewhere in Germany , police in the northern state said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ the group “ Aryan Circle Germany ” with others in July in the town of @ @ @ @ @ .
All suspects are known to have far-right views .
The suspects openly showed their @ @ @ @ @ by posing with the symbols and slogans of the group for photos .
The raids @ @ @ @ @ to find further evidence , the statement said .
Get more of the Star in @ @ @ @ @ latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's @ @ @ @ @ columnists and lots more in your email inbox .
Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Super Tuesday test: Biden looks to blunt Bernie’s rise

LOS ANGELES - The dizzying fight for the Democratic presidential nomination reaches a critical juncture on Tuesday as millions of voters from Maine to California head to the polls .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , who has energized liberals and young voters , is seeking to pull away from the rest of the field , while Joe Biden hopes to ride a wave of momentum and establish himself as the standard-bearer for the party ’ s moderate wing .
The Super Tuesday contests in 14 states are also the first test of billionaire Mike Bloomberg ’ s massive spending in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four states , banking on more than half a billion dollars in advertising and ground operations to establish him as a front-runner for the nomination .
The Democratic race has shifted dramatically over the past three days as Biden capitalized on his commanding South Carolina victory to persuade anxious establishment allies to rally behind his campaign .
Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg abruptly ended their campaigns and endorsed Biden .
Another former competitor , former Texas Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke , publicly backed Biden while a new wave of mayors , lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former vice-president .
Sanders and his closest advisers pushed back against the shift of party establishment and donor class toward Biden .
Campaigning in Minnesota , Sanders sought to beat back Biden ’ s momentum with a welcoming message to Klobuchar and Buttigieg supporters .
“ To all of Amy and Pete ’ s millions of supporters , the door is open .
Come on in , “ Sanders said .
“ We all share the understanding that together we are going to beat Donald Trump.
” The dramatic developments came at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season as the party struggles to unify behind a clear message or messenger in its urgent quest to defeat the president .
Yet as a field that once featured more than two dozen candidates shrinks to just five , the choice for primary voters is becoming clearer .
On one side stands Biden , a 77-year-old lifelong politician who was relishing his newfound momentum in a campaign that has struggled at times to excite voters with a message emphasizing a pragmatic approach to governing and modest change .
On the other stands Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scored four consecutive first- or second-place finishes relying on an energized coalition drawn to his promise to transform the nation ’ s political and economic systems .
Yet the primary isn ’ t just a two-man race .
Bloomberg , in particular , could create problems for Biden ’ s establishment appeal .
The former New York mayor , who will appear on a 2020 ballot for the first time on Tuesday , has invested an unprecedented amount in his presidential bid and wracked up many high-profile endorsements of his own .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggled for delegates and momentum over the last month , has vowed to stay in the race until the party ’ s national convention in July .
During an outdoor rally Monday night in East Los Angeles , Warren criticized Biden as she told supporters that nominating a “ Washington insider will not meet this moment , ” nor will nominating a man “ who says we do not need any fundamental change in this country.
” For Biden , the wave of new support could not have come at a better time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss in South Carolina would have effectively killed his candidacy .
But 48 hours after a blowout victory , the former vice-president stood on stage in the heart of one of Super Tuesday ’ s crown jewels backed by three former rivals and a growing collection of donors , activists and elected officials .
Biden enters Super Tuesday confident in his ability to win states that resemble South Carolina ’ s demographic makeup : those with large African-American and white moderate populations .
That makes Alabama , North Carolina , Arkansas , Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a splintered field .
Yet some of Super Tuesday ’ s more valuable terrain is less forgiving .
Sanders has predicted victory in California , the day ’ s largest delegate prize .
The state , like delegate-rich Texas , plays to his strengths given their significant factions of liberal whites , large urban areas with younger voters and strong Latino populations .
Sanders also enjoys obvious advantages in his home state of Vermont , and in neighbouring Massachusetts , where he ’ s eyeing a knockout blow against progressive rival Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s stock is at risk of fading as Biden gains ground .
But the billionaire will still be a major factor on Tuesday .
He spent much of last week campaigning in a handful of Southern and Western states where his aides say they believe he could notch a win , largely because he ’ s the only candidate who ’ s visited multiple times and pounded the local airwaves with ads .
He focused on Alabama , Arkansas , North Carolina , Virginia , Tennessee and Texas .
Bloomberg ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats — those well-educated , upper middle-class voters who may be more moderate on financial issues and may be aware of his advocacy on gun control and climate change .
And Biden ’ s strategy for the coming days , which relies on media coverage and dispatching his new collection of surrogates , reflects a stark reality : Compared to Sanders and Bloomberg , he is understaffed , underfunded and almost out of time as he fights to transform his sole South Carolina victory into a national movement .
Biden raised $ 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye-popping $ 46.5 million for Sanders and $ 29 million for Warren .
Sanders has struggled to win over his colleagues in Congress but earned a high-profile endorsement of his own on the eve of Super Tuesday from Democracy for America , a national grassroots organization that boasts thousands of members across the county .
“ The overwhelming support for Bernie we saw in our member vote should be a wake-up call to the broken , visionless , corporate Democratic establishment , “ said the organization ’ s chair , Charles Chamberlain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not a return to the status quo.
” While Tuesday ’ s outcome is uncertain , Biden ’ s team was confident that the fast-moving trajectory of the race was moving their way .
“ The vice-president has momentum , ” said Cedric Richmond , a Louisiana congressman and Biden ’ s national co-chairman .
“ You ’ ll see that in the Super Tuesday states that look more like South Carolina.
” And , he added in a stroke of confidence , “ We ’ re going to win Texas.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes were cast in the days and weeks leading up to Tuesday ’ s elections when Buttigieg , Klobuchar and Tom Steyer were still in the race .
At least 1.4 million people have already voted in California ’ s Democratic primary , for example , according to data collected by The Associated Press .
In Texas , more than 1 million early Democratic votes have been cast .
And in Virginia , nearly 28,000 people voted early , twice as many as in 2016 .
Through four primary contests , the AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Biden and eight to Warren .
The first four states were always more about momentum than math .
Super Tuesday states offer a trove of 1,344 new delegates based on how candidates finish .
Just 155 delegates have been awarded so far .
Peoples reported from Washington .
Associated Press writer Kathleen Ronayne in Los Angeles contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Steve Peoples And Bill Barrow - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Japan Olympic Minister: Games could be held any time in 2020

TOKYO - Japan ’ s Olympic minister said Tuesday the contract to hold the games only specifies the event has to be held during 2020 .
Seiko Hashimoto ’ s response to a question in the upper house of parliament implies the Olympics could be held later in the year and would not have to start on July 24 as planned .
The Tokyo Olympics are being threatened by a fast-spreading virus that has been blamed for 12 deaths in Japan and has shut down most sports competitions and Olympic-related events in the country .
“ The IOC has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are not held during 2020 , ” Hashimoto told parliament .
“ This can be interpreted to mean the games can be postponed as long as they are held during the calendar year.
” IOC officials and Tokyo organizers have repeatedly said they expect the Olympics to open on schedule .
Others have suggested the spreading virus could force cancellation , postponement or moving events to other cities .
Asked if she believed the Olympics should be still held even if the coronavirus outbreak is worse than it is now , Hashimoto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utmost effort so that we don ’ t have to face that situation.
” Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox .
Sign Up Now

Yuri Kageyama And Mari Yamaguchi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--China denounces US cap on reporter numbers as prejudicial

BEIJING - China on Tuesday denounced a move by the Trump administration to cap the number of Chinese state-run media journalists who can work in the United States as “ based on the Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice.
“ The State Department announced Monday that a total of 100 journalists from five outlets would be given visas , citing in part China ’ s increasingly harsh surveillance , harassment and intimidation of American and other foreign journalists in China for the move .
The decision “ severely interrupted Chinese media ’ s normal reporting tasks in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s reputation , “ foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Tuesday .
“ Based on the Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice , the U.S. State Department suppressed Chinese media agencies with political means in the United States for unexplained reasons , “ Zhao said at a daily briefing .
China reserves the right to take further measures in response , he said .
The U.S. announcement followed the expulsion last month by China of three Wall Street Journal reporters over an opinion column headline that the foreign ministry called racist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Foreign Correspondents ’ Club of China showing a continuing deterioration in working conditions for overseas media in China .
The FCCC report found that Chinese authorities have “ weaponized visas “ for foreign media by issuing press credentials with shortened terms of validity to a dozen journalists in 2019 , in addition to expelling four since August .
It called that ” one of the most brazen attempts in the post-Mao Zedong era to influence foreign news organizations and to punish those whose work the Chinese government deems unacceptable.
” The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any restrictions on the content of Chinese media but that it is seeking “ reciprocity ” and a “ level playing field.
“ The five Chinese outlets , including the Xinhua News Agency and China Global Television Network , currently employ about 160 Chinese citizens in the U.S .
There are about 75 Americans and other foreigners authorized to work for U.S. news outlets inside China , according to the White House .
Last month , the administration designated Xinhua , CGTN and three others as foreign missions , requiring them to register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The State Department said that was in recognition of the fact that “ they are effectively controlled ” by the Chinese government .
Chinese citizens working for other media organizations in the United States are unaffected by the cap , the State Department said .
China ’ s ruling Communist Party and state outlets now dominate Chinese-language media in the U.S. and have made inroads into the struggling mainstream English-language press through vast ad purchases and the placement of newspaper inserts .


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Thousands of migrants look for way around shut Greek border

KASTANIES , Greece - Thousands of migrants searched for ways to cross Greece ’ s land border on Tuesday , days after Turkey made good on a longtime threat to open its borders for those seeking to cross illegally into Europe .
Many of those hoping to enter Greece were trying their luck by wading or rowing across the Evros River that runs along most of the length of the Turkish frontier .
Greek authorities said the main pressure on the border Tuesday had moved from the official crossing to points farther south along the river .
Authorities said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overnight to make their way across the Evros wetland area , at the southern end of the border .
Top EU officials were accompanying Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Tuesday on a tour of the area around the land border to assess the situation that Greece has described as an asymmetric threat against its national security .
Turkey announced Thursday it was easing restrictions on those wishing to cross into Europe , leading a wave of thousands of people to mass along its western frontier .
The movement appeared well organized , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Istanbul to ferry people to the border , a roughly three to four hour drive away .
The vast majority appeared to be Afghans , along with people from a wide variety of countries , including Iran , Iraq , Bangladesh and Syria .
Turkey ’ s announcement upended its previous policy of containing refugees and other migrants under an agreement with the European Union , in which the EU would provide billions in funding for the care of refugees within Turkey .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , whose country hosts more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long maintained the EU has not lived up to its side of the deal , and has demanded more support from Europe .
He says his country is facing an imminent and dramatic new influx of refugees from the war in Syria , where growing clashes between Turkish and Syrian troops has raised alarm .
However , Turkey ’ s border with Syria remains shut and there has been no indication he might open it .
Greek authorities said that in the 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday morning , they had prevented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greece , and arrested 45 people , mostly from Afghanistan , Pakistan , Morocco and Bangladesh .
Greece has made clear its borders are shut .
It has sent military and police reinforcements to the area , which have used tear gas and water cannon to repel mass attempts by migrants to cross into the country .
Authorities have also set up cordons of police and army checks on and near the border , arresting those who managed to make it through .
On Tuesday morning , two men — one from Mali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being arrested by Greek authorities shortly after crossing the border , and being loaded into a van with about 20 more people , from Somalia , Afghanistan , Bangladesh and Iraq .
Migrants have also been trying to reach Greece by making the short but often perilous sea crossing to islands from the nearby Turkish coast .
A young boy died on Monday after the dinghy he was in capsized off the coast of the island of Lesbos .
The other 47 people in the boat were rescued .
On Monday night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 24,000 attempted illegal crossings at the land border with Turkey since early Saturday , and arrested 183 people — very few of whom were Syrians .
European countries have largely backed Greece .
On Monday , Erdogan said Western leaders were calling him and urging him to reverse the border opening .
“ It ’ s done , the gates are open now .
You will have your share of this burden now , “ he said he told them .
Soon “ the number of people going to the border will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Top EU officials , including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , were to join Mitsotakis , the Greek prime minister who was visiting the border area Tuesday .
During his visit , Mitsotakis was briefed that Turkish authorities were busing migrants to specific areas of the border “ in order to increase the pressure on the Greek border , ” a government official said .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record .
Greek authorities have also said Turkish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greek border and Greek forces guarding it , and have provided video footage of tear gas being fired into Greece .

Costas Kantouris And Elena Becatoros - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--AP explains: The new migration crisis at Europe’s borders

ANKARA , Turkey - Facing a wave of nearly a million people fleeing fighting in northern Syria , Turkey has thrown open its borders with Greece to thousands of refugees and other migrants trying to enter Europe , and has threatened to send “ millions ” more .
Greece responded by closing the land border , rushing in military and police reinforcements , and tried to stop migrant boats attempting the short but perilous crossing from the Turkish coast to its eastern islands .
Human rights organizations have called for urgent action to stop the situation from deteriorating further , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here is a look at the situation at the border , and at whether this the beginning of another migration crisis for Europe .
WHO ARE THE MIGRANTS GATHERED AT THE GREEK BORDER ?
Turkey hosts 4 million refugees , some 3.6 million of them from Syria .
Previously , their movement inside Turkey was strictly regulated and under a 2016 deal with the European Union , Turkey tightened border controls .
Since Ankara announced last week that it would not impede those seeking to enter Europe , thousands of Afghans , Iranians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa and Asia have rushed to try their luck .
Although the push ostensibly stems from the conflict to Turkey ’ s south , Greek officials say very few of the recent arrivals are Syrians .
Most of those arrested Monday were Afghans , Pakistanis and Moroccans .
Figures from January , before the intensified fighting in Syria , show 35 per cent of those who entered Greece from Turkey were Afghans .
Syrians accounted for 14 per cent .
HOW MANY HAVE CROSSED INTO GREECE ?
By late Monday , Greek authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal entry after crossing the land border with Turkey .
Some 24,000 attempts to pass have been thwarted since Saturday .
Nearly 1,000 arrived on the Greek islands in the 24 hours up to Monday morning .
According to the U.N. ’ s International Organization of Migration , 13,000 had gathered at the 212-kilometre ( 132-mile ) border by Saturday evening .
Turkey , meanwhile , says that more than 100,000 refugees have left its territory but there is no evidence to support this claim .
Uneasy NATO allies Greece and Turkey are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war three times in the past half-century , and even before this crisis relations were tense over undersea exploration rights .
WHY HAS ERDOGAN OPENED THE GATES ?
Turkey has long complained about the lack of support it receives for shouldering the burden of caring for the world ’ s largest refugee population .
Despite the promise of 6 billion euros to pay for services for Syrians , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to renegotiate the deal with the EU .
He says Turkey has spent $ 40 billion to date on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its policy in Syria , where it opposes Syrian President Bashar Assad and Kurdish fighters linked to the PKK , which has fought a 35-year insurgency inside Turkey .
Erdogan wants to use some territory seized from the Kurds in October to resettle refugees from Turkey but the plan has met with little international support .
COULD THIS BE 2015 ALL OVER AGAIN ?
In 2015 a million refugees reached Europe , crossing mainly from Turkey to Greece , and to a lesser degree from countries such as Libya to Italy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” would soon be waiting to cross the Greek border , EU border states such as Greece and Bulgaria have quickly mobilized police , border guards and the military to deal with the scenario and seem better prepared to halt large-scale land crossings than in 2015 .
Sea crossings , however , are much harder to stop .
With the Turkish coast guard doing nothing to halt migrant boats heading for the Greek islands , once the flimsy , overcrowded vessels are inside Greek waters they can ’ t be turned back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be rescued from sinking or crippled boats .
Late last year arrivals in Greece were at their highest level since 2016 , even before Turkey removed its border controls , and the EU fears a repeat of the crisis that triggered divisions among member states .
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR GREECE ?
Even before the current crisis , Greece was struggling to cope with tens of thousands of migrants who had entered from Turkey .
Most want to continue to more prosperous EU countries such as Germany , but are stuck in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along their route .
Island migrant camps are many times above capacity – more than 20,000 people are on Lesbos alone – and living conditions there are dire .
Under the EU-Turkey deal , new arrivals must stay on the islands until their asylum bids are processed , but the lengthy asylum process has led to a big backlog .
Island residents are running out of patience after five years of bearing the brunt of Europe ’ s migrant influx , and Greek government efforts last week to build new detention camps on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ islands .

Andrew Wilks And Nicholas Paphitis - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Democrats: Judge extends Tennessee voting in storm-hit area

MEMPHIS , Tenn. - A judge has extended voting hours in a Nashville-area county after four Democratic presidential candidates sued to keep Super Tuesday polls open after tornado damage there , a Democratic party spokeswoman said Tuesday .
A Davidson County Chancery Court judge ruled that polling locations in the county whose seat is Nashville must remain open until 8 p.m. CST.Two so-called megasites , where anyone in the tornado-hit county can go to vote , will be open until 10 p.m. local time under the judge ’ s ruling , Tennessee Democratic Party spokeswoman Emily Cupples said .
Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Bloomberg , Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren had sued to extend the hours .
Voting locations in Davidson County had opened an hour later — at 8 a.m. local time — after an early morning tornado damaged more than a dozen polling places and voters were advised to go to other locations to cast ballots .
Cupples said some voters showed up at 7 a.m. , but their polling locations were not open and they had to leave without being able to vote .
Also , some locations opened after 8 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters were not able to cast ballots either .
Lines were long at some locations that were unprepared for additional voters and people left without casting their ballots , Cupples added .
“ This is a victory for all voters and this decision will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in this historic election , “ said Mary Mancini , chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party , in a statement .
The extension of voting hours means election results may not be reported until early Wednesday morning , Davidson County Administrator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the extended hours , some 1,500 poll workers who had been counting on going home after polls closed at 7 p.m. will be working much later .
Roberts said the average age of poll workers in the county is 66 years old .
“ Some of those folks are going to feel a little uncomfortable being out in unfamiliar neighbourhoods at that late hour , but we recognize it ’ s important to make sure everyone has an opportunity to vote , ” Roberts said .
Poll officers taking voting totals from individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes will be counted are going to have to use caution as they navigate closed streets , Roberts said .
Tornadoes ripped across downtown Nashville and other parts of Tennessee as families slept early Tuesday , shredding more than 140 buildings and burying people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements .
More than 20 people were killed , some in their beds , authorities said .


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--UN: World’s biggest humanitarian crisis in Syria northwest

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The top U.N. humanitarian official for Syria said Tuesday the crisis in northwest Idlib where nearly one million people have fled to avoid escalating hostilities is “ probably the biggest crisis we have in the world today.
” Kevin Kennedy said that despite a massive relief operation , the needs are overwhelming and “ we have a long , long way to go.
” He said in a video briefing from the region that he got a first-hand look at the situation on Monday along with representatives from six U.N. agencies who visited a camp about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they saw the massive needs and “ the trauma that these people are living in — the newly displaced or ( those ) there for some time.
” Although the camp was established three years ago and was fairly well supported by several non-governmental organizations and the Turkish Red Crescent , Kennedy said , “ conditions there were very , very difficult — the sanitation , the shelter , the health facilities were not available.
” He said about 30 per cent of the nearly 8,000 people there were new arrivals .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand there and look out at the hills surrounding this camp and there were thousands of people clustered — not in camps , ( but ) with individual tents , or many without tents , living under trees or just out in the open — and it gives you a real feel for the full dimensions of this crisis and the enormous human need , ” Kennedy said .
He said the other striking thing is that over half the nearly one million displaced people — probably 600,000 — are children , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in austere conditions , with little to do and very little education available , “ and are just sitting there hoping something will happen.
” Kennedy , the U.N. regional humanitarian co-ordinator for the Syria crisis , said women colleagues on Monday ’ s mission spent time talking to displaced women , many of them widows .
He said they told him “ some people were so desolate , in despair , they couldn ’ t say a word.
” “ They just sat in these individual tents , and just were speechless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it wasn ’ t a question of language , it was just a question of giving up , ” he said .
Kennedy said he thought the U.N. mission “ gave at least a small signal of hope to people that amidst this crisis the UN is there.
” The U.N. representatives also visited Bab al-Hawa hospital , one of the three major hospitals in Idlib , he said .
Kennedy said doctors told him that in the first 10 days of February “ they received the number of trauma cases that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , and most of those were people — many women and children , who had been struck by high explosive things.
” He praised Turkey for also treating many of the victims .
Last week , the U.N. appealed for $ 500 million for the humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria .
On Tuesday , U.S .
Ambassador Kelly Craft , who was visiting one of the two Turkish crossing points for aid deliveries into Syria , announced that the Trump administration was giving an additional $ 108 million in humanitarian aid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kingdom ’ s announcement Tuesday of an additional 89 million pounds .
U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said in a statement from near the Turkish border that an estimated 2.8 million people in northwest Syria need humanitarian aid and with $ 500 million “ we will be able to reach 1.1 million of the most vulnerable.
” So far , he said , more than $ 300 million has been received or pledged by donors .


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Trump meets with GOP lawmakers amid surveillance rift

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is getting more deeply involved in the dispute among Republicans over what to do about expiring surveillance powers used by the FBI , meeting with Attorney General William Barr and GOP lawmakers Tuesday evening to discuss the path forward .
Barr has urged Congress to quickly renew the provisions , which are used by the Justice Department to fight terrorism .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , are supportive , but each side has lawmakers who are critical of the surveillance tools and want to make changes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unclear if lawmakers can agree on an overhaul before the provisions expire March 15 .
One of the central questions is where Trump will fall .
Some Republicans are privately pushing the president — long suspicious of the nation ’ s intelligence community — to demand immediate reforms .
But Barr has made a public case for a quick renewal and letting the Justice Department work on changes that wouldn ’ t require congressional approval .
The group meeting at the White House included Trump , Barr , McConnell , House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan and Republican Sens .
Rand Paul and Lindsey Graham .
Paul , Meadows and Jordan have advocated an overhaul of the surveillance laws and have been pressing Trump to go along .
McConnell appears to have aligned with Barr , suggesting Tuesday that they extend the tools now and discuss reforms later .
The Republicans who want an overhaul are somewhat aligned with liberal Democrats who are also unhappy with the surveillance safeguards .
Both groups want to overhaul the surveillance powers to preserve civil liberties and ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private citizens .
But Republicans are also angry over the FBI ’ s investigation into Trump ’ s presidential campaign and Russia , and they want to use the looming deadline to force their own changes .
At issue are three surveillance provisions , including one that permits the FBI to obtain court orders to collect business records on subjects in national security investigations .
Another , known as the “ roving wiretap ” provision , permits surveillance on subjects even after they ’ ve changed phones .
The third allows agents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties to international terrorism organizations .
The FBI calls the provisions vital in the fight against terrorism and stresses that none are tied to the surveillance problems identified by the Justice Department inspector general during its investigation into the Russia probe .
The inspector general said in a report last year that the FBI made serious mistakes and omissions during four applications to eavesdrop on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page , including omitting information that did not support their suspicions that Page was an asset of a foreign government .
House Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler , D-N.Y. , have introduced their own legislation that would make some reforms to the law , but it has stalled because it does not go as far as many Democrats would like .
Schiff said Tuesday that he is negotiating with the Democrats who want more reform and with Republicans , but it ’ s unclear if they will find agreement .
Some Senate Republicans have suggested adding an extension to legislation to provide dollars to the coronavirus outbreak , but Schiff , McCarthy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want it to move separately .
Schiff said that in negotiations they have “ incorporated a lot of the proposals in terms of privacy protections , and I think narrowed significantly the differences on any remaining issues.
” “ I hope we can get to yes , and then we ’ ll have to see where the Republicans are , ” Schiff said .
“ What I ’ m focused on doing is coming up with a bill that ’ s good policy , that has good reforms in it that preserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to protect the country .
”

Mary Clare Jalonick And Lisa Mascaro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--US deports former Guatemalan soldier wanted in 1982 massacre

MIAMI - A former Guatemalan sergeant who acknowledged participating in a massacre in 1982 during the country ’ s civil war was deported Tuesday by U.S. authorities .
Gilberto Jordan , 64 , is the third former Guatemalan soldier to be deported to face war crime charges for that massacre , said the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a statement .
In the U.S. , Jordan pleaded guilty to making false statements on his U.S. naturalization forms , hiding his service in the military and involvement in the killings .
His U.S. citizenship was revoked , and he served 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the Guatemalan government accuses Jordan of being among some 20 members of an elite Guatemalan force known as the “ kaibiles ” who murdered 200 men , women and children in the hamlet of Dos Erres in 1982 .
The slaughter was part of an effort to eliminate communities supporting insurgent groups at the height of Guatemala ’ s 36-year civil war .
They were searching for missing rifles believed stolen by guerrillas , then decided to kill the villagers after some of the soldiers began raping the women .
Jordan acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a young child down a well .
He testified against a fellow former soldier in a California trial in 2013 .
Jordan went to the U.S. illegally in 1985 and eventually settled in Boca Raton , Florida , where he worked at a country club as a cook before his arrest in 2010 .
The 1982 slaughter went unpunished for years — even after Guatemalan authorities issued 17 arrest warrants .
Prosecutors say six former soldiers have now been convicted in the deaths .
The civil war from 1960 to 1996 left 200,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Nations report says .
The document says that army and paramilitary groups were responsible for at least 97 % of the deaths , while the rest is attributed to the insurgent groups .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox .
Sign Up Now

Adriana Gomez Licon - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--AP VoteCast: Health care top issue in Texas

WASHINGTON - Voters in Texas ’ Democratic primary ranked health care as the most important issue facing the country , well above climate change , the economy , race relations , foreign policy and many other social issues .
Nearly 4 in 10 named health care , an issue that has intensely divided the field of Democratic candidates .
Close to 2 in 10 each had climate change and the economy on their minds , according to a wide-ranging AP VoteCast survey of the Democratic primary electorate in Texas .
Here ’ s a snapshot of Democratic voters in Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them — based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast , a survey of 2,982 voters , conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago .
DO THEY WANT A BIG CHANGE ?
More voters in Texas ’ Democratic primary said they wanted a candidate who would bring fundamental change to Washington , rather than one who would restore the political system to how it was before Donald Trump was elected in 2016 .
But change in Washington doesn ’ t look the same to everyone .
About 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will pursue practical , centrist policies to one pursuing bold liberal policies .
WHAT ELSE VOTERS WANT Close to 9 in 10 said it was very important that a nominee is a strong leader .
Roughly 8 in 10 said they considered beating Trump and caring about people like them highly important .
Nearly 7 in 10 said it was very important that a candidate has the best policy ideas and has “ the right experience.
” Being willing to work across the aisle was considered very significant for a Democratic nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A wide majority say they will definitely vote for the Democratic candidate against Trump in the general election .
Still , more than 2 in 10 say their decision will depend on which Democrat is on the ballot in November .
Voters are skeptical that the Democratic Party ’ s nomination process is fair .
Just about 2 in 10 say they are very confident that the process for selecting a presidential nominee is fair .
Roughly 3 in 10 have little to no confidence , while about half say they are somewhat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ featured a contentious debate among candidates over the best way to tackle health care , an issue seen as the most important facing the country by roughly 4 in 10 voters .
There is majority support for a government-run health care system for all Americans , with about two-thirds saying they are in favour .
Roughly a third are opposed .
But support for a public option , where every American could buy into a government-run insurance plan if they wanted to , is even higher .
About 9 in 10 are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in favour of either proposal , while more than a quarter say they favour a public option but oppose a single-payer system .
CLIMATE CHANGE , THE ECONOMY AND OTHER ISSUES Roughly 2 in 10 voters said climate change is the most important issue facing the nation .
A wide majority — about three-quarters — expressed support for a tax on the use of carbon-based fuels , such as coal , oil and natural gas .
Close to 2 in 10 called the economy the top issue .
But a significant majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as unfair .
That includes nearly one-third who said it ’ s very unfair .
Small shares of voters considered race relations , immigration , gun policy or abortion most important .
AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News .
The survey of 2,982 voters in Texas was conducted for seven days , concluding as polls closed .
Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish .
The survey combines a random sample of registered voters drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered voters selected from nonprobability online panels .
The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 4.3 percentage points .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Hope Yen And Hannah Fingerhut - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Tornadoes devastate Tennessee, killing at least 25 people

NASHVILLE - Rescuers searched through shattered Tennessee neighbourhoods for bodies Tuesday , less than a day after tornadoes ripped across Nashville and other parts of the state as families slept .
At least 25 people were killed , some in their beds , authorities said .
The twisters that struck in the hours after midnight shredded more than 140 buildings and buried people in piles of rubble and wrecked basements .
The storms moved so quickly that many people in their path could not flee to safer areas .
“ It hit so fast , a lot of folks didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said .
“ Many of these folks were sleeping.
” The governor declared an emergency and sent the National Guard to help with search-and-rescue efforts .
An unspecified number of people were missing .
Early findings by National Weather Service survey teams indicated that the damage in Nashville and Wilson County to the east was inflicted by a tornado of at least EF-3 intensity , the agency said .
One twister wrecked homes and businesses across a 10-mile ( 16 kilometre ) stretch of Nashville that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than three dozen buildings , including destroying the tower and stained glass of a historic church .
Another tornado damaged more than 100 structures along a 2-mile ( 3.2-kilometre ) path of destruction in Putnam County , wiping some homes from their foundations and depositing the wreckage far away .
Daybreak revealed landscapes littered with blown-down walls and roofs , snapped power lines and huge broken trees , making many city streets and rural roads impassable .
More than a dozen polling stations were also damaged , forcing Super Tuesday voters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Putnam County , 80 miles ( 128 kilometres ) east of Nashville , houses and businesses were completely flattened .
In one neighbourhood , volunteers found five bodies .
Neighbors and sheriff ’ s officers were still looking for two more .
Nashville residents walked around on streets and sidewalks littered with debris , in neighbourhoods where missing walls and roofs left living rooms and kitchens exposed .
Mangled power lines and broken trees came to rest on cars , streets and piles of rubble .
“ We are resilient and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Nashville Mayor John Cooper said .
During Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s tour of Putnam County , homeowners dug through debris , trying to salvage any items not destroyed .
One young woman held up a clean green blouse while standing on a second floor of a home that had no roof .
President Donald Trump spoke with the governor by phone and pledged federal assistance , the White House said .
Trump also announced plans to visit the disaster area on Friday .
In Nashville , the twister ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heart of downtown , sparing many of the city ’ s biggest tourism draws — the honky tonks of Broadway , the Grand Ole Opry House , the storied Ryman Auditorium and the convention centre .
Instead the storm tore through the largely African American areas of Bordeaux and North Nashville as well as neighbourhoods transformed by a recent building boom .
Germantown and East Nashville are two of the city ’ s trendiest hotspots , with restaurants , music venues , high-end apartment complexes and rising home prices threatening to drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started barking before the sirens went off .
They knew what was coming , “ said Paula Wade , of East Nashville .
” Then we heard the roar ... Something made me just sit straight up in bed , and something came through the window right above my head .
If I hadn ’ t moved , I would ’ ve gotten a face full of glass.
” The roof came crashing down on Ronald Baldwin and Harry Nahay in the bedroom of their one-story brick home in East Nashville .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Baldwin said .
“ And so I just kept kicking and kicking until we finally made a hole.
“ The roaring wind woke Evan and Carlie Peters , also in East Nashville , but they had no time to reach the relative safety of an interior bathroom .
“ Within about 10 seconds , the house started shaking , “ Carlie Peters said .
“ I jumped on top of the ground .
He jumped on top of me .
The ceiling landed on top of him .
... we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a dozen Super Tuesday polling places in Nashville ’ s Davidson County damaged , voters were sent to other locations , some of them with long lines .
Election officials in Putnam County advised voters in eight precincts with damaged polling locations to vote at the main election office in Cookeville .
“ None of us are yelling at each other , so that ’ s good , ” said Ryan Rayburn of Nashville , who waited about 90 minutes to vote at the Cleveland Park Community Center , where people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to storm damage .
There were abundant examples of strangers helping people whose homes or communities had been hit .
A van of longtime customers at a Putnam County eatery — who proudly stated they ate there every morning — arrived to help clear debris just as the governor stopped by to tour the devastation .
In the small town of Baxter , Mike Stephens was awakened when a big tree crashed through the roof of his house .
He started cleaning up as soon as the sun rose .
He cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a neighbour with a backhoe and a man who stopped by with a chainsaw .
“ I ’ ve only met him once , and he just happened to show up while we ’ re out here , ” Stephens said of his neighbour .
“ And then this other guy he just happened to stop by .
I don ’ t know him.
” Wayne Stephens , a technician at a local car dealership , had Tuesday off from his job .
With no damage to his home , he got in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not related to Mike Stephens and had never met him .
He said he only wanted to help “ as much as I can.
” Associated Press writers Kristin Hall , Jonathan Mattise and Mark Humphrey in Nashville ; Adrian Sainz in Memphis ; Teresa Walker and Wade Payne in Cookeville ; Rebecca Reynolds Yonker in Louisville , Kentucky ; and Jay Reeves in Birmingham , Alabama , contributed to this report .

Travis Loller And Kimberlee Kruesi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--AP VoteCast: Health care top issue in Virginia

WASHINGTON - Voters in Virginia ’ s Democratic primary ranked health care as the most important issue facing the country , well above climate change , the economy , race relations , foreign policy and many other social issues .
About a third named health care , an issue that has intensely divided the field of Democratic candidates .
Roughly 2 in 10 each had climate change and the economy on their minds , according to a wide-ranging AP VoteCast survey of the Democratic primary electorate in Virginia .
Here ’ s a snapshot of Democratic voters in Virginia — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them — based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast , a survey of 2,472 voters , conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago .
DO THEY WANT A BIG CHANGE ?
Somewhat more voters in Virginia ’ s Democratic primary said they wanted a candidate who would bring fundamental change to Washington , rather than one who would restore the political system to how it was before Donald Trump was elected in 2016 .
But change in Washington doesn ’ t look the same to everyone .
About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate who would pursue practical , centrist policies to one pursuing bold liberal policies .
WHAT ELSE VOTERS WANT Roughly 8 in 10 said it was very important that a nominee can beat Trump and is a strong leader .
About 7 in 10 said it was very important that a candidate cares about people like them , while about 6 in 10 said the same of one who has the best policy ideas .
Having “ the right experience ” and being willing to work across the aisle were considered very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 in 10 voters .
A wide majority say they will definitely vote for the Democratic candidate against Trump in the general election .
Still , about a quarter say their decision will depend on which Democrat is on the ballot in November .
Voters are skeptical that the Democratic Party ’ s nomination process is fair .
Just about 2 in 10 say they are very confident that the process for selecting a presidential nominee is fair .
Roughly a third have little to no confidence , while nearly half say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ featured a contentious debate among candidates over the best way to tackle health care , an issue seen as the most important facing the country by roughly a third of voters .
There is majority support for a government-run health care system for all Americans , with nearly 6 in 10 voters saying they are in favour .
Roughly 4 in 10 are opposed .
But support for a public option , where every American could buy into a government-run insurance plan if they wanted to , is even higher .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About half of voters are in favour of either proposal , while about a third say they favour a public option but oppose a single-payer system .
CLIMATE CHANGE , THE ECONOMY AND OTHER ISSUES Roughly 2 in 10 said climate change is the most important issue facing the nation .
A wide majority — about 7 in 10 — expressed support for a tax on the use of carbon-based fuels , such as coal , oil and natural gas .
About 2 in 10 also called the economy the top issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ system in this country as unfair .
That includes one-quarter who said it ’ s very unfair .
Small shares of voters considered race relations , immigration , gun policy or abortion most important .
AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News .
The survey of 2,472 voters in Virginia was conducted for seven days , concluding as polls closed .
Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish .
The survey combines a random sample of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ file and self-identified registered voters selected from nonprobability online panels .
The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 3.4 percentage points .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--AP VoteCast: Many Democratic voters made last-minute picks

WASHINGTON - Many Democratic voters in Super Tuesday ’ s presidential primaries made up their minds just before casting a ballot — a sign of fluidity in a race recently upended by Joe Biden ’ s blowout in South Carolina .
The share of late deciders ranged from about a quarter of voters in Texas to roughly half in Minnesota , according to AP VoteCast surveys of voters in several Super Tuesday contests .
Moderate and conservative voters in each state were slightly more likely than their liberal counterparts to delay a decision to the last minute .
The indecision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a race that is changing quickly .
Biden ’ s big win in South Carolina on Saturday revived his struggling campaign and helped push three of his rivals toward the exit .
Biden is now trying to consolidate moderate voters , block Sen. Bernie Sanders , box out Sen. Elizabeth Warren and overcome the hundreds of millions spent by billionaire Mike Bloomberg — who is on the ballot for the first time Tuesday .
Further complicating the possible outcomes on Tuesday was that many people voted early .
Here ’ s a snapshot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Massachusetts , Minnesota , North Carolina , Texas and Virginia — who they are and what matters to them — based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast surveys , conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago .
Additional polling results will be added throughout the night .
Moderates and conservative accounted for the majority of Democratic voters in most of the seven states , just as they have in previous contests in Iowa , New Hampshire and South Carolina .
Those primary voters also generally preferred a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies rather than one who would champion bold liberal policies .
Still , roughly half of voters , or more , in each state indicated they wanted to see a candidate who would fundamentally change how the political system works in Washington over one who would return the political system to the way it was before President Donald Trump was elected .
The Democratic contests do appear to be drawing some potential swing voters .
About 20 % of voters said Democrats haven ’ t locked in their vote and are waiting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how they ’ ll vote in November .
That was true in six of the seven states AP survey .
The share was smaller — about 1 in 10 — in Minnesota , a state Trump is trying to flip .
Most of this group identified as moderates or conservatives , a sign that they might be open to Trump or consider not voting for any candidate in November .
Democratic candidates have been tasked with proving they can bring together a multiracial and multi-ethnic coalition in order to compete in November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alabama , Texas , California and Virginia , offer a chance to test their appeal .
More than half of Alabama ’ s Democratic primary voters were African American , and all voters in this state gave an edge to Biden over Sanders and other candidates on who could best handle race-related issues as president .
Biden also enjoys an advantage on racial issues over Sanders from voters in North Carolina and Virginia .
In Texas , over half of Democratic primary voters were non-white , including about 30 % who were Latino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be best able to handle immigration .
NOT QUITE HAPPY WITH BLOOMBERG The former mayor of New York City — worth an estimated $ 60 billion — deployed his fortune on TV spots , social media memes and a whirlwind tour of the country .
But a large share of Democratic voters seems unhappy with the possibility of him being the presidential nominee .
About 60 % of voters in Minnesota , Colorado and Massachusetts — his birthplace — said they would be dissatisfied if Bloomberg was the Democratic candidate .
Roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be displeased .
Only in Alabama and Texas would a majority be satisfied by Bloomberg .
These results suggest that Bloomberg is among the more divisive candidates still seeking the nomination .
Across all seven states , the other three major candidates — Biden , Sanders and Warren — all see more positive than negative ratings from voters .
Majorities said they would be satisfied if any of the three were the nominee .
AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The surveys were conducted for seven days , concluding as polls closed .

Josh Boak And Hannah Fingerhut - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Super Tuesday primaries test competing visions for America

LOS ANGELES - Millions of voters from Maine to California were casting ballots in a series of high-stakes Super Tuesday primary contests that tested the strength of starkly different visions for America ’ s future as Democrats hurtled toward a November rematch with President Donald Trump .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders began the day as the Democrats ’ undisputed presidential front-runner , backed by a coalition of energized liberals , young voters and Latinos .
The progressive was fighting to beat back the sudden rise of former Vice-President Joe Biden , who seized a wave of new support from some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours before polls opened in his quest to lead the party ’ s moderate wing .
The clash between the two men , each leading coalitions of disparate demographics and political beliefs , peaked on a day that could determine whether the Democrats ’ 2020 nomination fight will stretch all the way to the party ’ s July convention or be decided much sooner .
Yet with voting underway across 14 states and one U.S. territory , the political world was bracing for a long night almost certain to provide new drama .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ California , continues voting until 11 p.m .
ET , with final results not expected until early Wednesday or even later .
The day was also testing the strength of another Democratic heavyweight , New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg , who was appearing on a presidential ballot for the first time after skipping all four contests last month .
Bloomberg banked on more than half a billion dollars in advertising and ground operations in an unorthodox and untested strategy that relied on Biden ’ s perceived weaknesses earlier in the year .
Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential spoilers as the candidates jockeyed to cross the voting threshold to secure delegates , a move that could prolong the nominating battle .
The Democratic race has shifted dramatically over the past three days as Biden capitalized on his commanding South Carolina victory to persuade anxious establishment allies to rally behind his campaign .
Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg abruptly ended their campaigns and endorsed Biden , though their late departures meant their names will still appear on ballots .
Biden ’ s new supporters fanned out on morning television shows to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers pushed back against the sudden shift of the party ’ s establishment and donor class toward Biden .
In a Tuesday fundraising message , campaign manager Faiz Shakir declared , “ The political establishment has made their choice : Anybody but Bernie Sanders.
” “ The truth is , we ’ ve always known we were taking on the entire damn 1 per cent of this country , “ he added .
“ But we have something they do not have : people .
Lots and lots of people.
” Tuesday was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ’ turbulent primary season as the party struggles to unify behind a clear message or messenger in its urgent quest to defeat Trump .
Bloomberg suggested that the primary fight will go on for months regardless of what happens on Tuesday .
The former New York City mayor acknowledged that he may not win any of Tuesday ’ s contests and said his only chance was at a contested convention this July in Milwaukee : “ I don ’ t think I can win any other way.
“ The strongest candidates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be Sanders and Biden .
Sanders , a 78-year-old democratic socialist who has scored four consecutive first- or second-place finishes , was relying on an energized coalition drawn to his promise to transform the nation ’ s political and economic systems .
Biden , a 77-year-old lifelong politician , has struggled to excite voters at times with a message emphasizing a pragmatic approach to governing and modest change .
Yet a new wave of support appeared to buoy his campaign at a critical moment .
Just three days earlier , a blowout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidacy .
And while he is not as well-staffed or well-funded as his rivals , Biden entered Super Tuesday confident in his ability to win states that resemble South Carolina ’ s demographic makeup : those with large African American and white moderate populations .
That makes Alabama , North Carolina , Arkansas , Tennessee and Virginia potential Biden victories , even in a splintered field .
Some of Super Tuesday ’ s more valuable terrain is less forgiving .
Sanders has predicted victory in California , the day ’ s largest delegate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas , plays to his strengths given their significant factions of liberal whites , large urban areas with younger voters and strong Latino populations .
Sanders also enjoys obvious advantages in his home state of Vermont and in neighbouring Massachusetts , where he ’ s eyeing a knockout blow against progressive rival Warren in her home state .
While Tuesday ’ s outcome is uncertain , Biden ’ s team was confident that the fast-moving trajectory of the race was moving its way .
One complication : A significant number of votes were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to Tuesday ’ s elections when Buttigieg , Klobuchar and Tom Steyer were still in the race .
At least 1.4 million people have already voted in California ’ s Democratic primary , for example , according to data collected by The Associated Press .
In Texas , more than 1 million early Democratic votes have been cast .
And in Virginia , nearly 28,000 people voted early , twice as many as in 2016 .
Through four primary contests , the AP allocated 60 delegates to Sanders , 54 to Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four states were always more about momentum than math .
Super Tuesday states offer a trove of 1,344 new delegates based on how candidates finish .
Just 155 delegates have been awarded so far .
Lemire and Peoples reported from Washington .
Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe in Miami and Kathleen Ronayne in Los Angeles contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Steve Peoples, Bill Barrow And Kathleen Ronayne - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Virus crisis ebbs in China, spreads fear across the West

PARIS - The coronavirus crisis shifted increasingly westward toward the Mideast , Europe and the United States on Tuesday , with governments taking emergency steps to ease shortages of face masks and other supplies for front-line doctors and nurses .
“ We are concerned that countries ’ abilities to respond are being compromised by the severe and increasing disruption to the global supply of personal protective equipment , caused by rising demand , hoarding and misuse , ” said the World Health Organization ’ s director-general , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
“ We can ’ t stop COVID-19 without protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deaths in Italy surged to 79 , making it the deadliest reported outbreak outside China .
Twenty-three members of Iran ’ s Parliament and the head of the country ’ s emergency services were reported infected .
South Korea started drive-thru testing .
And in Spain ’ s Basque region , at least five doctors and nurses were infected and nearly 100 health care workers were being held in isolation .
The mushrooming outbreaks contrasted with optimism in China , where thousands of recovered patients were going home and the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in several weeks .
Worldwide , more than 92,000 people have been sickened and over 3,100 have died , the vast majority of them in China .
The number of countries hit by the virus reached at least 70 , with Ukraine and Morocco reporting their first cases .
Virus clusters in the United States led schools and subways to sanitize , quickened the search for a vaccine and spread fears among nursing home residents , who are especially vulnerable .
The number of the infections in the U.S. topped 100 and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the deaths were in Washington state , and most of them were residents of a Seattle-area nursing home .
The U.S. Federal Reserve announced the biggest interest-rate cut in over a decade to try to counter the expected damage to the economy , and stocks rose briefly on Wall Street in reaction before slumping again .
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the virus “ will surely weigh on economic activity both here and abroad for some time.
” Other Group of Seven countries appeared reluctant to follow suit with their own cuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates are already near or below zero .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave health care workers the OK to use an industrial type of respirator mask often used to protect construction workers from dust and debris .
Iran ’ s supreme leader ordered the military to assist health officials in fighting the virus , which authorities said has killed 77 people .
Among the dead are a confidant of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , Iran ’ s former ambassador to the Vatican and a recently elected member of Parliament .
Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said some people are stockpiling medical supplies for profit and urged prosecutors to show no mercy .
“ Hoarding sanitizing items is playing with people ’ s lives , and it is not ignorable , ” he said .
France ’ s president announced the government will take control of current and future stocks of face masks to ensure they could go to health workers and coronavirus patients , and the finance minister warned that binge-shopping for household essentials could trigger shortages .
The country reported a total of more than 200 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period we ’ re going through — we have entered a phase that will last weeks and , undoubtedly , months -– it is indispensable to have clarity , resilience , sang-froid and determination to stop the epidemic ” French President Emmanuel Macron said during a visit to the government ’ s virus crisis centre .
South Korea saw its largest daily increase in new cases Tuesday , with 851 more infections reported , largely in and around the southeastern city of Daegu .
In all , about 5,200 people in South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the capital of Seoul , drive-thru virus testing centres began operating , with workers dressed head-to-toe in white protective suits leaning into cars with mouth swabs , a move meant to limit contact with possible carriers of the illness .
Troops were also dispatched across the city to spray streets and alleys with disinfectant .
In China , the count of new cases dropped again Tuesday , with just 125 reported .
It is still by far the hardest-hit country , with over 80,000 infections and about 95 % of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this data and we believe this decline is real , ” said WHO outbreak expert Maria Van Kerkhove , who travelled to China as part of a team from the U.N. agency .
She said the extraordinary measures taken there , including the lockdown of more than 60 million people , had a significant effect on the direction of the outbreak .
“ We believe that a reduction of cases in other countries , including Italy , Korea , Iran , everywhere , that this is possible , ” she said .
China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the country is winning its battle against COVID-19 .
“ We are not far from the coming of the victory , ” Zhang Jun said .
In Japan , questions continued to build about the fate of the Olympics .
The country ’ s Olympic minister , Seiko Hashimoto , said Japan is “ making the utmost effort ” to proceed with the games ’ opening on July 24 in Tokyo .
But she told parliament that the country ’ s contract with the International Olympic Committee specifies only that the games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be postponed to later in the year if necessary .
Hinnant reported in Paris .
Contributors include Martin Crutsinger and Christopher Rugaber in Washington ; Jamey Keaten in Geneva ; Maria Cheng in London ; Matt Sedensky in Bangkok ; Nicole Winfield and Frances D ’ Emilio in Rome ; Aritz Parra in Madrid ; Chris Grygiel in Seattle ; Kim Tong-Hyung and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul , South Korea ; Stephen Wade in Tokyo ; Nasser Karimi in Tehran , Iran ; and Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Lori Hinnant And Ken Moritsugu - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-03--Trump campaign sues Washington Post, claims defamation

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s campaign on Tuesday sued the The Washington Post , alleging defamation in two opinion articles published last year that it said falsely claimed the campaign conspired with Russia .
The lawsuit cites a June 13 opinion piece by Greg Sargent that said Trump “ tried to conspire with ” a “ sweeping and systematic ” attack by Russia against the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
It also cites a June 20 opinion piece by Paul Waldman that asked “ who knows what sort of aid Russia and North Korea will give to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invited them to offer their assistance ?
” “ The statements were and are 100 per cent false and defamatory , ” Jenna Ellis , a senior legal adviser to the Trump campaign , said in a statement .
Kristine Coratti Kelly , vice-president of communications at the Post , said it was “ disappointing to see the president ’ s campaign committee resorting to these types of tactics and we will vigorously defend this case.
” Trump has chafed at media scrutiny and repeatedly lashed out against the newspaper and its owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit , filed U.S. District in Washington , came a week after the campaign sued The New York Times for defamation over an op-ed that claimed a quid pro quo between Trump and Russia .
“ Anyone who cares about the First Amendment should be troubled by the Trump campaign ’ s repeated attempts to punish and intimidate the president ’ s critics , ” said Brian Hauss , staff attorney for the ACLU ’ s Speech , Privacy , and Technology Project .
He spoke in response to the libel suit against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for our newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox .
Sign Up Now