Tag: travel

Trump urges Americans, businesses to heed coronavirus restrictions | President endorses help for quarantined workers, small business lending, tax deferrals, new travel ban from Europe

Kimden: The Hill [[email protected]]
Tarih: Thursday, March 12, 2020

President Trump, seeking to slow the spread of the coronavirus and help millions of at-risk Americans, suspended most travel to the United States from Europe beginning on Friday, backed federal help for those who are quarantined and said small businesses will get billions of dollars in federally backed loans to help them ride out the economic downturn.

In a somber, 10-minute address to the nation from the Oval Office, the president shed much of his recent finger-pointing and stubborn skepticism about the severity of COVID-19 and rallied Americans to heed warnings from physicians and public health experts and to work together.

“Smart action today will prevent the spread of the virus tomorrow,” Trump said. “This is just a temporary moment of time that we will overcome as a nation and as a world.”

The president — conceding the country faces a prolonged period of extraordinary aversions to crowds, indoor living, teleworking and forfeiture of travel, entertainment and sports — outlined actions aimed at blocking the escalating spread of the respiratory virus and assisting Americans and businesses harmed medically and economically.

Using his executive authority, Trump said he ordered a 30-day freeze on travel by foreigners from Europe to the United States beginning midnight on Friday, with the exception of travelers from the United Kingdom (The Hill). Italy is the epicenter of the crisis in Europe and cases of COVID-19 have been reported everywhere in the EU. But Trump also added a rhetorical flourish about halting cargo and shipments from Europe, which he was forced to correct on Twitter soon after his televised remarks. By then, however, international financial markets had already reacted negatively.

Politico: Trump’s new travel ban sidesteps his own European resorts.

The State Department on Wednesday issued a Global Level 3 health advisory urging all U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad because of the virus.

Trump said he will “soon” take emergency action to help workers who are forced to remain home because of illness, quarantine or to help others during the coronavirus crisis and urged Congress to do the same. While he did not specify what type of “relief” he has in mind, he appeared to support paid sick leave, which is expected to come to a vote in the House this week.

The president added that recommendations and guidance about school closures and other restrictions and warnings to affected communities will be forthcoming from the administration.

Trump said the Small Business Administration, which says it has $18 billion to lend, will provide capital to businesses in affected states and territories to ride out the battering the virus is causing. He asked Congress to appropriate an additional $50 billion for SBA’s lending program.

Trump said he would order tax deferrals for “certain individuals” and industry sectors to inject $200 billion into the economy. The president also reiterated his support for a payroll tax holiday, a proposal that has not won broad support on Capitol Hill this week.

Trump’s tone about the dire medical consequences faced by America’s elderly, infirm and medically challenged signaled to the public, including in the rest of the world, that the contagion is likely to worsen and remain a frightening experience for many.

Earlier in the day, the administration’s leading expert in coronaviruses and public health crises told lawmakers that America is in the early days of an emergency for which there are no known cures.

“I can say we will see more cases, and things will get worse than they are right now,” Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Wednesday. Facing questions from lawmakers, the immunologist explained, “It is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu” (The Hill).

While Fauci was speaking, the virus became a new reality in the Capitol Hill office of Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), whose aide tested positive for the virus, went into isolation and forced the closure this week and cleaning of the senator’s office. The senator’s staff said Cantwell and other lawmakers had no direct contact with the aide but staff members are being tested. Washington state is experiencing an outbreak of the deadly pathogen, resulting in 30 deaths (The Hill).

In the United States, the virus has killed 38 people among 1,312 known cases of infection, as of this morning. The actual tally of who has contracted the virus is likely much higher, but without widespread testing, data is limited.

The Hill: Hospitals are bracing for an onslaught of COVID-19 patients and worry about shortages of masks and other protective gear for their employees.

“Unfortunately, at present, public health experts anticipate shortages in the supply of personal respiratory devices available for use by healthcare workers in mitigating further transmission,” Trump said on Wednesday, ordering Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to “take all appropriate and necessary steps” to increase emergency availability (McClatchy News).

The New York Times: What does coronavirus do to the human body?

The Associated Press: Tests show the new virus can live on some

surfaces for up to three days and lives airborne for hours.

The Hill: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been faulted for a slow response to the U.S. coronavirus outbreaks, specifically mistakes in constructing strict protocols for who initially received testing, flawed test kits distributed by CDC and muddled messaging from top officials. Public health experts insist the United States lost valuable time because of limited testing of sick patients, which allowed COVID-19 to spread for weeks in the country without intervention.

The New York Times podcast The Daily, also explored CDC’s decisions and explains some of the research innovations that briefly filled a testing void in Washington state.

Reuters: The White House ordered federal health officials to treat top-level coronavirus meetings as classified, an unusual step that is hampering the U.S. response to the contagion, according to four Trump administration officials.

The New York Times: An 11-year bull market in the United States came to a screeching halt because of a microscopic pathogen that emerged from China in December.

> CORONAVIRUS & CONGRESS: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) released an economic assistance package late on Wednesday estimated to cost in the billions of dollars, with a vote expected today (The Wall Street Journal).

The Democrats’ measure includes “free coronavirus testing, paid emergency leave for workers, food security assistance, help to states overburdened by Medicaid costs, and strengthened unemployment insurance,” Pelosi said.

Democrats’ especially want to approve paid sick pay to help Americans who are self-quarantining or missing work because of the coronavirus (The Hill).

Pelosi’s goal is to pass a more narrowly drawn measure before lawmakers leave town for a previously scheduled weeklong recess, and revisit potential stimulus measures later on, according to The Associated Press.

“We don’t think they should just throw money out of an airplane and hope some of it lands on the people who are affected,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who proposed additional measures including cash infusions for small businesses and student loan forbearance.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters that the time needed to clear legislation through the House and Senate means a bill probably won’t reach Trump’s desk before both chambers return to Washington the week of March 22.

The Hill: House Democrats’ measure to help Americans cope with the coronavirus pandemic is poised for a vote this week. What’s not in the measure? Tax cuts.

> CORONAVIRUS & INTERNATIONAL: On Wednesday, the World Health Organization officially declared a coronavirus pandemic, a designation that identifies the global spread of COVID-19 and adds urgency to aggressive, intense calls in every country for preparedness and action (The Hill).

The Associated Press: What does “pandemic” mean and what does the designation do?

Italy continues to be crushed by the virus, unable to halt the spread and agonized by the country’s dramatically rising death toll. Close to 200 people died from COVID-19 infections over 24 hours, officials reported on Wednesday. It’s the highest daily increase in mortality in absolute terms registered anywhere in the world since the respiratory illness emerged in China at the end of last year. Italy’s total deaths from the virus this morning number 827 and confirmed cases of infection have exploded by the day. The available tally is 12,462 in Italy.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Wednesday announced an allocation of 25 billion euros, or $28.3 billion, to prop up the Italian economy. Just a week ago, the government thought it would need less than a third of that fiscal lifeline (NBC News).

On Monday, Italy imposed new restrictions on its entire population of 60 million people. The government on Wednesday ordered all stores, with the exception of pharmacies and food markets, to close in a draconian effort to limit transmission of the infection. Coffee bars, cafes and restaurants must close, although restaurants can make home deliveries. Conte urged Italians not to hoard food. There are no new restrictions on gas stations or public transportation (The Associated Press).

The stats: As of this morning, COVID-19 is blamed for 4,641 deaths worldwide and at least 126,431 confirmed cases in at least 116 countries, according to the latest information.

The Wall Street Journal: How China slowed coronavirus: lockdowns, surveillance, enforcers.

> AMERICAN LIFE: Public health officials across the country continued to advise cities against holding mass-gathering events in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19 from escalating even further.

The administration on Wednesday night recommended a 30-day quarantine period for the residents of New Rochelle, N.Y. who have been exposed to the virus and are being helped by the National Guard while restricting their movements.

Headlining those announcements on Wednesday were San Francisco and Washington D.C. San Francisco Mayor London Breed issued a city directive on Wednesday, canceling all public gatherings of more than 1,000 people. The directive goes into effect today and will continue for at least two weeks (San Francisco Chronicle).

In the nation’s capital, Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency across the district and revealed that six more individuals have tested positive for the virus. Bowser’s announcement came hours after city public health officials echoed Breed and called for the cancellation of all mass gatherings for the remainder of the month. Over the next 20 days, the Capital One Arena is slated to host seven home games for the hometown Capitals, along with two concerts.

“We have person-to-person transmission occurring in the District of Columbia as well as at least two individuals whose reasons for covid-19 have yet to be identified,” said D.C. Health director LaQuandra Nesbitt.

On Capitol Hill, the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms are expected to announce that tours of the Capitol will be canceled for the remainder of March (The Hill). The news came after top lawmakers recommended suspending the visitor access for the time being. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said continuation would put the “health and safety of these tourists at risk” (The Hill).

The tours also presented a potential issue as a large number of lawmakers are in the age range where they could be seriously sickened by the virus. Nearly half of all senators and one-third of all House members are 65 or older. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the oldest member of the Senate, made that case on Wednesday.

“I’m just now coming to the conclusion that I think this place ought to be shut down,” Feinstein said. “It’s serious and it’s increasing.”

Across the country, annual St. Patrick’s Day parades are falling victim to the coronavirus. Fearing transmission at mass public events, parades in New York, Chicago and Philadelphia have been canceled (The Hill).

In the world of travel, Amtrak is expected to experience revenue losses in the “several hundred million dollars” as cancellations are up 300 percent and riders have decided against booking travel in the near future due to the virus. In order to reduce spending, Amtrak is looking to cut services and have workers take “voluntary unpaid leave” (The Washington Post).

The Hollywood Reporter: Tom Hanks says he and Rita Wilson, who are in Australia making a movie, tested positive for coronavirus.

> CORONAVIRUS & SPORTS: The NBA announced late Wednesday night that it is suspending the season until further notice after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday.

“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use the hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic,” the league said.

The announcement came after Wednesday’s game between Utah and the Oklahoma City Thunder was delayed and eventually postponed. Gobert was not in the arena for the game, according to the NBA. Five other games took place on the night.

The Golden State Warriors had announced initial plans early on Wednesday to play today versus the Brooklyn Nets in an empty Chase Center after San Francisco’s decision to ban mass gatherings.

© Getty Images

Earlier in the day, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) made the unprecedented decision to play the annual men’s and women’s basketball tournaments without fans in empty arenas due to COVID-19.

NCAA President Mark Emmert announced that the decision was made “in the best interest of public health,” and will continue to monitor the situation in the coming weeks. Selection Sunday for the men’s tournament, better known as “March Madness,” is set for this weekend.

“The decision was based on a combination of the information provided by national and state officials, by the advisory team that we put together of medical experts from across the country, and looking at what was going to be in the best interest of our student-athletes, of course,” Emmert told The Associated Press. “But also the public health implications of all of this. We recognize our tournaments bring people from all around the country together. They’re not just regional events. They’re big national events. It’s a very, very hard decision for all the obvious reasons.”

The Associated Press: Big events banned, NCAA tells fans to stay home over virus.

NASCAR announced that while it will still hold its Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Cup Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway as scheduled this weekend, it is making changes to pre-race events. Headlining those changes are that driver meetings will now take place in open-air locales with select personnel rather than in garages. Drivers are also being encouraged to carry their own sharpie markers to sign autographs, with those signings taking place in open-air spots (Yahoo!).

Across the Atlantic, Juventus defender Daniele Rugani tested positive for COVID-19, the Italian soccer giant announced on Wednesday night.

“Juventus Football Club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him,” the club said in a statement.

POLITICS: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) maintained on Wednesday that he will remain in the race for the Democratic nomination despite struggling heavily in Tuesday’s elections, winning only one of the six contests and falling further behind in the delegate count to former Vice President Joe Biden.

Sanders told reporters in Burlington, Vt., that he intends to carry on and debate Biden on Sunday in Phoenix in what could be his final attempt to make gains in the field. However, the Vermont Independent seemed to admit that his path to the requisite 1,991 delegates is too steep for him to climb after his losses since the South Carolina primary (The Hill).

“I strongly disagree with that assertion but that’s what millions of Democrats and independents are saying,” Sanders said.

Sanders also toned down the rhetoric during the appearance, declining to attack Biden on myriad issues as he has in the past week, especially on Social Security. Instead, as Jonathan Easley writes, he pointed to a series of policy questions he hopes the former VP answers at the debate, including on health care, immigration, income inequality and criminal justice reform.

The Washington Post: Biden turns his focus from Sanders to Trump — and rebooting his own campaign.

Another problem Sanders is incurring is COVID-19 as it continues to grip the country. He has no rallies or events scheduled as of Thursday morning after Tuesday night’s rally in Cleveland got canceled at the behest of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R), making it difficult for him to reach his supporters as he usually does. Sanders and Biden will compete in four more primaries on Tuesday: Florida, Ohio, Illinois and Arizona.

Biden announced on Wednesday that his campaign will hold “virtual” events in the coming days in Florida and Illinois because of the virus. The former vice president also rolled out a “Public Health Advisory Committee” to provide guidance on how to reduce the threat of the disease (The Hill).

One thing Sanders should not expect: an endorsement from Sen. Elizabeth Warren following her exit from the race last week. According to The New York Times, the Massachusetts Democrat is not expected to endorse either Sanders or Biden, and is likely to “let the primary play out rather than seek to change its course,” according to several sources familiar with Warren’s thinking.

The Washington Post: Sanders doesn’t drop out — but it’s not full speed ahead, either.

The Hill: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) says Sanders should continue primary fight.

The Hill: Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) urges Biden to pick a black woman as running mate: “African American women need to be rewarded” for loyalty.

The Wall Street Journal: Bernie Sanders faces tough contests ahead, including the Florida primary.

© Getty Images

OPINION

Biden now has a route to the Oval Office — if he navigates the challenges, by Albert Hunt, opinion contributor, The Hill.

12 Steps to Tackle the Coronavirus, by Nicholos Kristof, columnist, The New York Times.

WHERE AND WHEN

The House meets at 9 a.m.

The Senate convenes at 9:30 a.m. and continues its consideration of the nomination of James Danly to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and will hold a vote to invoke cloture.

The president welcomes Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland to the White House for meetings that are expected to include a discussion of Ireland’s undocumented immigrants in the United States (The Journal). Trump and first lady Melania Trump join the traditional presentation of the Shamrock Bowl by the prime minister.

Catch The Hill’s Campaign Report newsletter, with the latest from The Hill’s politics team. Sign up to receive evening updates, polling data and insights about the 2020 elections.

📺 Hill.TV’s “Rising” program features news and interviews at or on YouTube at 10:30 a.m. ET at Rising on YouTube.

ELSEWHERE
➔ Harvey Weinstein: A New York judge on Wednesday sentenced the former Hollywood producer to 23 years in prison following his conviction on charges of sexual assault and rape. Weinstein, 67, who claimed all his sexual activities with accusers going back decades were consensual, said he was “confused” because he thought the women involved were his friends (Reuters).

“I feel remorse for all of the men who are going through this fight,” he added.

➔ Supreme Court: Justices said Wednesday that the Trump administration can continue its practice of returning asylum-seekers to Mexico along the entire southern border while immigration authorities process their claims. The court said enforcement can go on while the justices decide whether to hear an appeal of lower court rulings that declared the program illegal. Only Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she would have denied the permission. The policy, known as the Migration Protection Protocols, or “Remain in Mexico,” was launched last year. During the 13 months it was fully implemented, the Department of Homeland Security returned more than 60,000 immigrants to Mexico while they awaited an outcome in their deportation proceedings (NBC News).

➔ More in Congress: The House voted on Wednesday to tighten oversight of federal surveillance (The Associated Press). And Attorney General William Barr backed the changes (The Hill). … The House voted on Wednesday to constrain the president’s power to use military action against Iran (The Associated Press). … House Democrats won a round in court to gain access to secret grand jury testimony that was part of former special counsel Robert Mueller’s report about the Russia probe (USA Today). … Senate Republicans joined Democratic colleagues in voting 53-42 on Wednesday to reverse an Education Department student loan rule imposed by Secretary Betsy DeVos that senators said hurt borrowers (The Hill).

➔ D.C. Environmental Film Festival: Tonight through March 22 marks the 28th annual celebration and screening of more than 160 films showcasing wildlife, the environment and planet Earth, all in the nation’s capital. Opening the festival at 7 p.m. at the National Geographic will be the lush and award winning “Okavango: River of Dreams,” filmed primarily in Botswana. It’s the creation of famed wildlife documentarians Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

© Getty Images

March 12, 2020
Trump suspends all travel from Europe to U.S. over ‘horrible’ coronavirus pandemic
By Chris Sommerfeldt

New York Daily News

Mar 11, 2020 10:37 PM

President Trump speaks from the Oval Office on Wednesday.(Doug Mills/AP)

President Trump took the extraordinary step Wednesday of announcing a suspension of travel from much of Europe to the U.S. in an effort to contain the coronavirus, calling the fast-spreading respiratory illness a “horrible” pandemic that requires an “aggressive” response.

After downplaying the virus for days, Trump struck a sober tone as he said in a nationally-televised address from the Oval Office that the travel ban will take effect Friday and last for the next 30 days.

“To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe,” Trump said — though officials later said the ban would be limited.

The extremely unusual announcement came hours after the World Health Organization officially designated the virus as a global pandemic, a rare label that has only been used for a handful of diseases over the course of history.

The U.S. death toll from the virus, meanwhile, climbed to 37 and the number of Americans infected surpassed 1,100, with more than 200 in New York alone. Globally, some 110,000 people have been infected and more than 4,000 have died.

Trump said in his address the new travel restrictions will apply to the “tremendous amount of trade and cargo” coming from Europe, in addition to individuals, sparking concerns across the globe about a devastating economic hit.

But the White House walked back Trump’s statement afterward and said the ban does not apply to trade and cargo, effectively admitting the president misspoke.

Despite Trump’s claim that all travel from Europe would be restricted, Homeland Security officials later clarified the new ban would apply mostly to foreign nationals traveling from the continent’s “Schengen Area.”

[More Politics] NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade postponed; Cuomo cites coronavirus concerns

The United Kingdom will be exempt from the ban entirely.

American citizens, permanent U.S. residents and their families will be allowed to return from Europe as long as they undergo “appropriate screenings,” Trump said.

Additionally, Trump said he will take executive action in short order to provide economic relief for Americans whose lives have been disrupted by the virus.

[More Politics] National Grid’s plans are ‘onerously expensive and environmentally detrimental:’ NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer

“To ensure that working Americans impacted by the virus can stay home without fear of financial hardship, I will soon be taking emergency action, which is unprecedented, to provide financial relief,” Trump said. “This will be targeted for workers who are ill, quarantined or caring for others due to coronavirus.”

The president did not elaborate on the economic relief measures.

Administration officials were in talks earlier in the day with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) about an emergency aid package that would guarantee paid sick leave, food assistance, free medical tests and unemployment assistance, as thousands of Americans are forced to stay home from work as the virus continues to spread.

[More Politics] Bernie Sanders vows to stay in race and debate even after crushing primary loss to Joe Biden

A vote on such a measure is expected in the House as early as Thursday.

In another nearly unheard of development, the NBA announced late Wednesday it was suspending the rest of its season after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus.

Adding to the anxiety, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) announced an aide in her office had tested positive for the virus, raising the prospect that the pandemic may have been spreading on Capitol Hill.

[More Politics] Rush Limbaugh says reports on coronavirus concerns, like climate change, are all about making Trump look bad

Beyond economic relief for individuals, Trump said he would ask Congress to provide a $50 billion boost to a program providing loans for small businesses suffering from economic disruptions.

He said he would also ask lawmakers to “very strongly” consider implementing a payroll tax break, even though leaders from both parties rejected the request earlier this week.

The president’s announcement — while drastic — fell short of the national disaster declaration that some congressional Democrats had asked for.

[More Politics] Disappointing results leave Sanders campaign at crossroads

Mayor de Blasio also blasted Trump for failing to make good on providing an update on “the most important thing: rapid, expansive testing.”

“Our ‘leader’ is more preoccupied with who to blame than how to protect people now that it’s in our communities,” de Blasio said in a statement. “New Yorkers don’t care where the virus came from. They just want every level of Government to do the utmost to halt the spread.”

Trump’s bid for reelection is centered on the relatively strong state of the U.S. economy and a payroll tax break would likely help soothe growing fear over the virus on Wall Street.

[More Politics] Trump trashes Vanity Fair for critical coronavirus story — and ‘third rate’ magazine hits right back

After the WHO’s pandemic announcement Wednesday afternoon, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 6%, bringing it 20% below last month’s high and officially putting the index into what traders call a “bear market” for the first time in 11 years.

Trump already pitched Senate Republicans on a payroll tax measure Tuesday.

However, he offered few specifics and Republicans appeared unlikely to support the costly proposal.

[More Politics] AOC admits there’s ‘no sugarcoating’ Bernie Sanders’ crushing defeat

Democrats say they won’t consider it, either, as they are more interested in providing immediate relief for workers instead of easing the stock market, which has suffered historic losses in the past few days.

“Right now we’re trying to deal with the direct impact of the virus on individual citizens,” House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) said earlier Wednesday.

After Trump’s address, the White House announced he would not travel to Nevada and Colorado later this week “out of an abundance of caution.”

Related Gallery
(DOUG MILLS / POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Donald Trump

Donald Trump in the White House
The travel announcement is expected to deliver yet another blow to an airline industry already reeling from a drop in bookings and a surge in people canceling reservations for fear of getting sick with the coronavirus. The disruption is also certain to ripple through economies, causing widespread damage to hotels, car rental companies, museums and restaurants.

Airlines have been slashing their flight schedules, especially on international routes, to cope with a sharp decline in travel demand among fearful customers. Business travel is slowing as companies impose restrictions on employee travel and major conferences are canceled.

An industry trade group warned that airlines worldwide could lose up to $113 billion in revenue from the virus — several times the damage caused by the 2001 terror attacks in the U.S. Since mid-February, shares of American Airlines have dropped by nearly half, United Airlines by more than one-third, and Delta Air Lines more than one-fourth.

[More Politics] Bernie Sanders captures win in North Dakota caucuses

It isn’t just U.S. airlines feeling the pain. Germany’s Lufthansa plans to cut up to half its flights because of a “drastic” drop in bookings. In Asia, travel restrictions are taking a toll on that region’s airlines. Cathay Pacific Airways warned Wednesday it faces a “substantial loss” in the first half of this year. The Hong Kong-based airline canceled 90% of its flight capacity to the mainland at the start of February after Beijing told the public to avoid travel as part of efforts to contain the outbreak centered on the city of Wuhan.

On Wednesday, Boeing’s stock fell 18% — its biggest one-day percentage drop since 1974 — and the iconic airplane manufacturer announced a hiring freeze.

The president’s drastic travel announcement sharply contrasted his response to the virus so far.

[More Politics] Joe Biden wins Michigan primary, at least three more contests in major blow to Bernie Sanders on Super Tuesday II

He has consistently sought to downplay the severity of the virus, including falsely claiming last month that the number of U.S. cases would be “close to zero” within days. Instead of recommending that people to take precautions, Trump has repeatedly pleaded for “calm” and inaccurately said the illness is no worse than seasonal flu.

Contrastingly, Trump said in his Oval Office address that people should wash their hands, clean used surfaces, cover their mouths while sneezing and not go to work if they feel sick. He urged older people, in particular, to follow the advice.

“This is not a financial crisis,” Trump said. “This is just a temporary moment of time that we will overcome together as a nation and as a world.”

[More Politics] Andrew Yang endorses Joe Biden in 2020 race, warns him against ‘business as usual’ policies

Earlier in the day, Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of Trump’s coronavirus task force and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, offered dire warnings about the virus during an appearance before the House Oversight Committee.

“I can say we will see more cases and things will get worse than they are right now,” Fauci said, adding that the virus could impact “many, many millions” of people if “we are complacent.”

Health experts have warned that upward of 60% of the American population could be infected by the virus.

[More Politics] Rosario Dawson says she voted for Bernie Sanders after Cory Booker’s endorsement of Joe Biden

Fauci also affirmed that the coronavirus is 10 times more deadly than the seasonal flu, directly contradicting Trump’s previously rosy assessments.

Most people recover from the virus within a few weeks and only experience mild symptoms, such as fever and a cough. However, older people and individuals with underlying health problems can experience more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.

With News Wires

Chris Sommerfeldt

Contact

Chris Sommerfeldt is a reporter covering national politics and the Trump administration. He started working for the Daily News in May 2015 as a city desk reporter.
March 12, 2020
7 Incredibly Beautiful Ancient Ruins Everyone Should See

Edited By: Natalia Jones

Great Mosque of Djenné

The enigmatic and yet simultaneously humbling sight of ancient architecture is something that is bound to attract anyone’s attention. Surely, it’s fascinating to witness these remnants of the history of humanity and see how our ancestors used to live. This exactly why such ancient ruins as the Colosseum, Machu Picchu, Stonehenge, and the Egyptian Pyramids are all incredibly popular. And while all of these ancient monuments certainly deserve recognition, in this article we feature 7 other, probably somewhat less well known, but equally beautiful and well preserved ancient ruins from all corners of the world.

1. Fatehpur Sikri, India

Location: Uttar Pradesh

It’s astonishing how this 16th-century city stayed almost flawlessly intact! Though Fatehpur Sikri is definitely not the oldest ancient relic on this list, its unique, nearly perfectly intact architecture is definitely worth a mention, especially since it’s situated in close proximity to other major tourist destinations, such as the Taj Mahal.

Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) is a fortified city created by Emperor Akbar in 1571. Akbar was the third Mughal emperor, who initiated the construction of this beautiful terracotta city to serve as a capital for the empire. During Akbar’s rule, the Mughal Empire was thriving and he managed to enlarge its borders to include nearly all of the Indian subcontinent, so the emperor had plenty of funds to spend on extraordinary architectural projects, with Fatehpur Sikri definitely being a prime example.

Unfortunately, after just 14 years, the water supply to the city diminished dramatically and it was completely abandoned, standing uninhabited for centuries. Today, the city is a prime example of Mughal architecture, and tourists from all over the world visit the city to admire the multitude of royal palaces and pavilions the city contains.

You can see pristinely preserved courtyards, gardens, towers, a mosque, ornamental pools, and royal quarters, including a harem, all covered with intricate decorations and unbelievably detailed carvings. It is the best-preserved collection of Mughal architecture in India. Today, the city also houses an archeological museum containing cultural artifacts from the Mughal and pre-Mughal period.

2. Pula Arena, Croatia

Location: Pula

Image Source: Diego Delso/ Wikimedia Commons

A true gem, the Pula Arena in Croatia is among the largest and best preserved Roman arenas in the world, and the only one to retain four side towers and all three Roman architectural orders. Though admittedly somewhat smaller than the Roman Colosseum, the intricate Pula Arena can seat 26.000 spectators. To this day, events such as concerts, festivals and gladiator fight re-enactments are organized at the amphitheater on a regular basis.

Image Source: Orlovic/ Wikimedia Commons

Apart from being one of the largest Roman arenas, the amphitheater is also the best-preserved Roman monument in Croatia. Located in close proximity to the seashore, the Pula Arena was built during 27 BC – 68 AD. The stone version was completed during the reign of emperor Claudius to hold gladiator fights and was in use until the 5th century when gladiator battles were banned.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the building was abandoned and stones from the arena were plundered by local folk until the 13th century, with even the local Pula Cathedral containing stone from the amphitheater.

3. Longmen Grottoes, China

Location: Luoyang

Image Source: Kevin Poh/ Flickr

The Longmen Grottoes, one of the most recognized historical landmarks in China, are situated merely 12 km (7.5 miles) south of the city of Luoyang, one of the oldest cities in the world. The grottoes incorporate 2,345 caves and niches scattered with 2,800 inscriptions, 43 pagodas, and more than 100,000 Buddhist carvings. The earliest images on the site date back to 493 AD, but, according to archeological assessments, the carvings continued to be added until 1127 AD.

The Longmen Grottoes are a magnificent sight. The myriad of small carvings and images of the Buddha and bodhisattvas scatter the rocky exterior of the mountain, leaving every observer speechless.

Certainly, the gem of the Longmen Grottoes is Fengxiansi (672-675 AD), the most enormous, extravagant cave, pictured above. The carvings at Fengxiansi feature the impressive 17.14 meter (56 feet) tall Vairocana Buddha and many bodhisattvas. It is considered the pinnacle of Chinese Buddhist art, and rightfully so.

May also interest you:

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Admire Nara, the Heart of Traditional Japanese Culture

4. Bagan Temples, Myanmar

Location: Central Burma

Bagan is another sacred Buddhist site. It’s an entire architectural zone scattered with an exceptional range of art and monuments, such as temples, stupas, places of pilgrimage, frescoes and sculptures. The temples of Bagan were built during the 11th and 13th centuries, with every ruler of the Bagan civilization contributing to the unbelievably beautiful landscape of the area.

Related article: A Collection of Wonderful Photographs of Myanmar

Image Source: KX Studio/ Flickr

Overall, there are more than 3,595 monuments in the area executed in various architectural styles, and the whole zone is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Needless to say, the Bagan Temples are also the largest tourist attraction in Myanmar, leading the way for the developing tourist industry in the country.

5. Tikal, Guatemala

Location: Tikal National Park

Image Source: Mike Vondran/ Flickr

Tikal is another UNESCO treasure, as it is likely the most impressive monument complex of the Maya civilization. The ancient city ruins are located deep in the rainforest of Guatemala, and historians suggest the Mayan name of this magnificent city was Yax Mutal.

The earliest archeological findings in the area date back to 1,000 BC, but major construction didn’t begin until 400-300 BC when both the pyramids and platforms were built.

Related article: 14 of the World’s Most Impressive Step Pyramids

The jewel of the ancient city were the twin step pyramids facing one another, but the city also contains palaces and public squares, suggesting that it was the ceremonial center in the area. Certainly, Tikal is among the most valuable remnants of Pre Columbian civilizations in the Americas.

6. Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali

Location: Djenné, Mopti

Another architectural wonder few people know about is the Great Mosque of Djenné. Many experts believe the mosque is the greatest achievement of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style, and we can certainly agree that the Great Mosque of Djenné is one the most unique-looking and interesting structures we’ve ever seen!

Related article: 7 Wonders of the World That Nobody Talks About

A former meeting place for traders from Sudan and Guinea since 800 AD, the mosque and the surrounding city are sometimes collectively referred to as the City of Mud, as all the structures here are built from a mixture of straw, clay, and oil. Although the current mosque was built only in 1906 and significantly enlarged, the basis of the monument most likely dates back to 1,200 AD.

7. Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia

Location: Siem Reap

Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC-BY-SA-3.0

The Ta Prohm Temple in Cambodia looks like a place straight out of a fairy tale! The stone temple is part of the ancient Khmer city of Angkor and it’s completely overpowered by powerful tree roots and branches, submitting to the power of nature. Once a Buddhist monastery hidden deep in the jungle, Ta Prohm was mostly abandoned by the 15th century.

Image Source: Chuck Moravec/ Flickr

However, during its heyday during the 12th century, the temple was a center of learning that accommodated over 12,500 people. The original name of the monastery was Rajavihara, or ‘The King’s Ministry’, and it was one of the most prominent and richest monasteries in the deeply religious Khmer Empire until its very fall.

November 7, 2019
World EXPO 2025: what are the chances of Russia’s Ekaterinburg

With another milestone of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2018 yet to be passed, Russia is heading towards the next major international event: EXPO 2025. Ekaterinburg, a Russian city that lies on the East of the Ural mountains is about to compete along with Osaka (Japan) and Baku (Azerbaijan) for hosting the prestigious exhibition. But what can a 2-million city located just on the border of Europe and Asia offer a toffee-nosed tourist?

Indeed, Ekaterinburg is not a mass tourist destination like, say, Dubai or Bangkok. However, this modern and dynamically growing city still keeps inherent constraints in its development. Its compact structure and accurate infrastructure has made the city a top destination for modern construction and architectural projects.

The winning of the contest for best architecture and urban planning concept for the EXPO Park in Ekaterinburg by the architectural firm Bechu & Associés known for designing the EXPO parks in Milan and Shanghai is just the perfect proof of that. A permanent host of the annual INNOPROM fair and Russia-China EXPO, Ekaterinburg offers an ultimate balance of culture and modernity, mainly due to the city’s history that goes deep back to the beginning of the 18^th century from the time of the first Russian industrialists, the Demidov dynasty, who set up the iron factories and literally determined the fate of the Urals, as being the central core of Russia’s industrial might. Yet, Ekaterinburg is considered a relatively young city. Founded in 1723, it offers a mix of Russian industrial production and hi-technologies, alongside a historical element from Russia’s 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Perhaps, this unique mix of the past and the future, history and high technologies win over the hearts of city visitors and international guests and residents. U.S. Consul General in Ekaterinburg, Dr. Paul M. Carter said he would be glad to see Ekaterinburg the winner of the EXPO 2025 despite the official disapproval of this idea by the U.S. government. His words were echoed by French Consul General in Ekaterinburg Eric Millet.

While many in the world consider Dubai, Singapore or even Istanbul models for “out of the box” progress, Ekaterinburg stands as a shining star in the center of the Ural mountains, dividing the continents by its Europe-Asia border. It is here that the crossroads of an ambitious new world is emerging.

April 3, 2018
Turkey warns against travel to Lebanon after threats

In this August 2012 photo, Sheikh Abbas Zogheib, center, talks to reporters during a sit-in held by the Lebanese hostages’ families outside the Turkish embassy in Rabieh, north of Beirut. (The Daily Star/Hasan Shaaban)

BEIRUT: The Turkish Embassy has asked its citizens to refrain from traveling to Lebanon, Turkish media reported Monday, a day after the relatives of nine Lebanese pilgrims who were kidnapped in Syria warned Ankara to do more to secure the release of their loved ones.

Also Monday, Lebanese ministers worked to allay the fears of the relatives and urged Turkey to do more to help ensure the hostages’ release.

According to the Anadolu News Agency Monday, the Turkish Embassy urged Turkish nationals not to travel to Lebanon and for those in the Arab country to take precautionary steps.

The travel advisory comes after the families of the nine remaining Lebanese pilgrims held in Syria protested Sunday outside the embassy’s headquarters in Rabieh, saying they would exert “incremental pressure on Turkish interests in Lebanon starting next year.”

Eleven Lebanese men were kidnapped in Syria’s Aleppo district on May 22, shortly after crossing into Syria from Turkey. They were on their way back to Lebanon after a pilgrimage to Shiite holy sites in Iran.

Only two of the 11, Hussein Omar and Awad Ibrahim, have been released so far.

Turkey says it is continuing to work toward the release of the remaining hostages.

The families also asked President Michel Sleiman to contact former Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Future Movement MP Oqab Saqr to follow up on negotiations with regard to the kidnapped.

Saqr has said that he was negotiating with the kidnappers for the release the captives and claimed that the Syrian rebels want to exchange the Lebanese with Syrian “prisoners of conscience.”

During a news conference at the Interior Ministry’s headquarter in Beirut Monday, four ministers of the government’s follow-up committee on the case of the missing pilgrims met with the relatives, who voiced frustration over the delay in the release of their loved ones.

During the televised conference, Labor Minister Salim Jreissati asked Turkey to exert more efforts and help end the case of the nine pilgrims.

“The committee asks the Turkish authorities to use all available means to secure the release of our kidnapped relatives given that this is out of the control of the Syrian state,” Jreissati said.

He added that the Lebanese government would only negotiate with its Turkish counterpart without mediators.

“Just like we worked with the Turkish authorities to release the two Turks in Lebanon, what is required is for Turkey to do the same as a state,” the minister said.

Two Turkish nationals were kidnapped in August over the abduction of a Lebanese man in Syria and the case of the 11 pilgrims. The Army was able to release one of the abductees while the other was released without ransom.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi, one of the four government officials, voiced assurances that Lebanon has no Syrian prisoners of conscience.

“There are no prisoners of conscience and that kind of talk is unacceptable and should not be disseminated in the media,” he said, adding that Syrian detainees in Lebanon were held for judicial reasons.

“Every person is free to give their opinion and have a certain belief in Lebanon,” Qortbawi added.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, for his part, said Turkish officials have attributed the delay in the release of the nine men to political reasons.

“The issue has been delayed and we don’t know the reason behind that. They [Turkish officials] say it is for political reasons or some complications,” he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour emphasized the strong ties between Lebanon and Turkey, saying the latter could influence the Syrian opposition to release the Lebanese hostages.

“Regardless of the reasons that have prevented the release of the hostages, we still rely heavily on Turkey in this matter due to its ties with the Syrian opposition on the ground,” he said.

“Turkey can influence them and it is continuing with its efforts,” Mansour added.

via Turkey warns against travel to Lebanon after threats | News , Politics | THE DAILY STAR.

December 26, 2012
Number of Armenian tourists leaving for Turkey rapidly increased in March

Compared to last year, the number of Armenian tourists leaving for Turkey increased by 13 percent in March 2012. According to information received by Armenian News-NEWS.am from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in March, 3,909 Armenians went to Turkey. In February, 2011, 3,469 Armenians went to Turkey. To note, in 2011 72,393 Armenians went to Turkey which is by 4.5 percent more compared to 2010.

via Number of Armenian tourists leaving for Turkey rapidly increased in March | Armenia News – NEWS.am.

May 2, 2012