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BEIJING (AP) — China’s U.N. ambassador says the government “is confident that it is capable of winning the fight” against the new virus, saying its efforts “are achieving positive results.” Zhang Jun told a U.N. meeting in New York that China’s confidence has been further boosted by the decline of new confirmed cases in regions beyond the epicenter in Hubei province for eight consecutive days, and the significant rise in cured cases to more than 5,000. He called on the international community to maintain solidarity, increase sharing of information, experience and technology, “and work with the Chinese government and people to jointly meet the challenges.”
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s health ministry says 44 more people on a quarantined cruise ship have tested positive for the virus that causes the new disease known as COVID-19. The ship has 218 people infected with the virus out of 713 people tested since the ship returned to the Yokohama Port on Feb. 3. Health Minister Katsunobu Kato says five patients now in hospitals have severe symptoms and are on artificial respirators or under intensive care. Japan's government has decided to allow passengers older than 80 to get off the ship if they wish to do so after testing negative for the virus. Those with chronic health problems or in cabins without windows will be given priority.
SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (AP) — A cruise ship that was turned away elsewhere over virus fears has anchored off Cambodia, which is checking the health of its 2,200 passengers and crew. A Cambodian health official says some 20 passengers have fever or stomachaches but they are thought to be normal illnesses. Holland America Line says no known cases of the virus have been confirmed on the ship. U.S. Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy said the embassy will work with the ship's representatives and Cambodian officials to help Americans reach their destinations. Murphy said the U.S. was coordinating with other foreign embassies as well.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The four lawyers who prosecuted Roger Stone have quit the case after the Justice Department overruled them and said it would lower the amount of prison time it would seek for President Donald Trump’s longtime ally. The resignations raise questions over whether Trump had at least indirectly exerted his will on a Justice Department he often views as an arm of the White House. Trump and the Justice Department say there was no communication. The Republican president blasted the original sentencing recommendation as “horrible and unfair." On Wednesday he tweeted congratulations to Attorney General William Barr “for taking charge" of the case. Stone has denied wrongdoing and called the case politically motivated.
RENO, Nev. (AP) — California billionaire Tom Steyer says he's poised to “shock the world” with a good showing next week in Nevada's presidential caucuses. Steyer says his campaign is doing fine despite failing to gain traction in Iowa or New Hampshire. But he admits he has to do “very well” in Nevada and carry that momentum into South Carolina's primary the following week if he's going to emerge as the Democratic nominee. He said in Reno Wednesday he's optimistic about his chances because of his broad support in the next two contests with vastly more diverse electorates than the mostly white voters in the previous two.
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