China extends Lunar New Year holiday as new virus toll rises

BEIJING (AP) — China extended its Lunar New Year holiday three more days to discourage people from traveling as it tries to contain the spread of a viral illness that has caused 80 deaths, the government said Monday. There were 2,744 confirmed cases by midnight Sunday, the National Health Commission...

Virus death toll in China rises as US prepares evacuation

BEIJING (AP) — A new viral illness being watched with a wary eye around the globe accelerated its spread in China with 80 deaths so far, while the U.S. Consulate in the city at the epicenter announced it will evacuate its personnel and some other Americans aboard a charter flight. China's health minister...

China extends Lunar New Year holiday by 3 days to next Sunday in effort to contain virus spread

Chinese government reports number of virus deaths rises to 80, confirmed cases 2,744

China temporarily bans wildlife trade in wake of outbreak

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese authorities temporarily banned the trade of wild animals Sunday following a viral outbreak in Wuhan, saying they will “severely investigate and punish” violators. Local authorities will “strengthen inspections and severely investigate and punish those who are...

France to repatriate citizens from Wuhan as virus spreads

PARIS (AP) — France's government announced Sunday it will repatriate up to hundreds of French citizens from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of a deadly new virus. Those French citizens who want to leave Wuhan will be taken on a direct flight to France in the middle of the week, and then held in...

Arizona, California cases push US tally of new virus to 5

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. has five confirmed cases of the new virus from China, all among people who traveled to the city at the center of the outbreak, health officials said Sunday. Two new cases were reported Sunday — one in Los Angeles County in California and the other in Maricopa County,...

Model UN event ended early after student falls ill

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — The Yale Model United Nations conference that draws high school students from around the world was shut down a day early over concerns about the coronavirus after a student from China fell ill with what is apparently the flu, a Yale spokeswoman said Sunday. The four-day conference...

What's new in the China virus outbreak

Almost 2,000 cases of a new viral respiratory illness have been confirmed since an outbreak began last month in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Scientists have identified the illness as a new kind of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which cause the common cold. Others have evolved into...

NHL players in favor of 'international flavor' All-Star idea

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon enjoyed when the NHL All-Star Game featured North America against the World in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Something similar could be coming back next year, but with a twist. The league is in talks with players to bring what Commissioner Gary Bettman called a "distinct...