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2 WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump falsely declared in a weekend rally that public health authorities are denying the COVID-19 vaccine to white people because of their race. The former president seeded racial resentments in remarks that twisted the facts on public-health policy and exaggerated the effects of racially conscious antiviral treatment guidelines in New York. From his speech Saturday night in Florence, Arizona: TRUMP: “The left is now rationing lifesaving therapeutics based on race, discriminating against and denigrating ... white people to determine who lives and who dies. If you’re white you don’t get the vaccine or if you’re white you don’t get therapeutics. ... In New York state, if you’re white, you have to go to the back of the line to get medical health.” THE FACTS: No, white people are not being excluded from vaccines, of which there is a plentiful supply. And there is no evidence they being sent to the “back of the line” for COVID-19 … [Read more...] about AP FACT CHECK: Trump seeds race animus with COVID falsehood

BERLIN (AP) — The World Health Organization said Sunday that a U.N.-backed program shipping coronavirus vaccines to many poor countries has now delivered 1 billion doses, but that milestone “is only a reminder of the work that remains” after hoarding and stockpiling in rich countries. A shipment of 1.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Rwanda on Saturday included the billionth dose supplied via the COVAX program, the U.N. health agency said. WHO has long criticized unequal distribution of vaccines and called for manufacturers and other countries to prioritize COVAX. It said that, as of Thursday, 36 of its 194 member countries had vaccinated less than 10% of their population and 88 had vaccinated less than 40%. The program has made deliveries to 144 countries so far, “but the work that has gone into this milestone is only a reminder of the work that remains,” WHO said in a statement. “COVAX’s ambition was compromised by hoarding/stockpiling in rich countries, catastrophic … [Read more...] about COVID program delivers 1 billion doses to poorer countries

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is negotiating a plea deal in his corruption case, a person involved in the talks said Sunday. The deal, which could be signed as early as this week, could usher Netanyahu off the Israeli political stage for years, paving the way for a leadership race in his Likud party and shaking up Israeli politics. Any deal could spare Netanyahu an embarrassing and protracted trial over an issue that has gripped the nation and risks tarnishing his legacy. Reports of a deal angered critics who said a it would undermine the rule of law. “The man who worked to destroy the public’s trust in the foundations of democracy for personal reasons is not eligible for deals,” Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz tweeted. He was referring to Netanyahu’s attempts after he was indicted to cast doubt on Israel’s justice system, saying it was biased and pursuing a witch hunt against him. Demonstrators gathered against the developing … [Read more...] about Netanyahu negotiating plea deal in corruption trial

BEIRUT (AP) — Internet services were disrupted in Lebanon on Sunday because of diesel shortages, according to the state provider, adding another essential service to the list of casualties of the country’s snowballing economic crisis. Imad Kreidieh, the head of state internet provider Ogero, tweeted that starting early Sunday a major station in west Beirut, al-Mazraa, would run out of diesel and go offline. The outage affected over 26,000 subscribers, including the country’s Internal Security operation rooms, he told Al-Jadeed TV. By midday Sunday, a resident donated diesel, allowing the station to get back online, he said. Meanwhile, another neighborhood in east Beirut, Achrafieh, was out of diesel and briefly operated on batteries. “The situation is unbearable,” Kreidieh told the TV station. Lebanese live with only few hours of state electricity a day and rely on a network of private generators that also depend on diesel fuel. This often leaves neighborhoods in total … [Read more...] about Lebanon faces internet service interruption amid fuel crisis

9 BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia held a referendum Sunday on constitutional amendments that the populist government says are needed for the Balkan country to advance in a bid to join the European Union. The ballot focuses on the changes in the election of judges and prosecutors that authorities say are aimed at boosting their independence in the country where the judiciary is widely seen as corrupt and politically controlled. The referendum has been hailed by the United States, the European Union and some Western countries as a step in the right direction. But critics at home say the changes are insufficient. Some opposition parties and independent experts also have argued that the referendum was organized in a generally non-democratic atmosphere, too hastily and too soon before an election that is due in early April. President Aleksandar Vucic's government has faced accusations of curbing democratic … [Read more...] about Serbia votes in referendum on constitutional changes

8 BERLIN (AP) — The Austrian government on Sunday presented revised plans for its proposed COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which it said will now apply to all residents age 18 and over, rather than 14 as originally intended. Officials said that a phased introduction will give people plenty of opportunity to comply. The government announced nearly two months ago that it would implement a general vaccine mandate early this year, becoming the first European country to do so. In early December, it produced a first draft, calling for the measure to be introduced in February and foreseeing fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,100) for people who flout it. Key aspects of the plan remain in the final version, which the government aims to have parliament approve on Thursday, but officials said consultations with two opposition parties and others showed the need for significant changes to details. Chancellor Karl Nehammer said there had been … [Read more...] about Austria tweaks vaccine mandate plan, to come in next month

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The current surge in virus cases in Missouri driven by the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant is straining hospital capacity and making it difficult to transfer patients to larger hospitals. Kellie Meehan told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that she can hear the desperation in doctors' and nurses' voices when they call the Mercy transfer center that she oversees. But increasingly she has to turn down their transfer requests. “What is happening now, unfortunately, is these patients are not getting the care they need, and they are not surviving in some cases,” Meehan said. Virus hospitalizations have risen sharply across Missouri in recent weeks to hit 3,526 on Thursday, which is the most recent data available. That's more than 700 higher than last year's peak. That often means that patients are often waiting for a bed in emergency rooms for extended periods of time. CEO Michael Calhoun said his Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri, has had … [Read more...] about Surge in virus hospitalizations makes transfers difficult

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys are off on the wrong foot before their playoff opener against the San Francisco 49ers. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch's name was misspelled on the back of his No. 55 jersey during pregame warmups. The “c” and “s” were transposed in his last name. The fourth-year player is in the final year of his rookie contract after the Cowboys didn't exercise the fifth-year option in their first-round pick from 2018. Vander Esch was the 19th overall choice. While his future with the Cowboys remains a question, Vander Esch has had a solid season playing in the shadow of linebacker Micah Parsons, who shattered the club rookie record with 13 sacks. Parsons is a favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Cowboys and 49ers are renewing a playoff rivalry that's been dormant for 27 years since they played in three consecutive NFC championship games. ___ More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://apnews.com/hub/pro-32 and … [Read more...] about Excuse the typo: Cowboys botch Vander Esch’s name on jersey

15 Crime & Safety Officials say suspect in hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue may be motivated by case of prisoner linked to terrorism. Megan VerHelst and Beth Dalbey , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Replies ​Authorities said the suspected Congregation Beth Israel synagogue hostage-taker could be heard ranting in a livestream and demanding the release of a Pakistani neuroscientist convicted of trying to kill U.S. Army officers in Afghanistan. A Texas state trooper blocks traffic on a road leading to a Colleyville, Texas, synagogue where a man apparently took hostages Saturday. Updated at 10:40 p.m. CST COLLEYVILLE, TX — All hostages have been freed unharmed after a hostage rescue teamed rushed the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, and the suspect who held them for more than 12 hours Saturday is dead, authorities said at a news … [Read more...] about TX Synagogue Hostages Freed; Suspect Is Dead, Investigators Say

0 Crime & Safety The Allegheny County Medical Examiner said 11 victims each suffered multiple wounds. Their deaths have been ruled homicide. Eric Heyl , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply PITTSBURGH, PA - Brothers Cecil and David Rosenthal seldom missed services at Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. From the nearby ACHIEVA group home where they lived with others with intellectual disabilities, they faithfully made their way to the synagogue each Saturday. "Cecil's laugh was infectious. David was so kind and had such a gentle spirit," said Chris Schopf, ACHIEVA vice president of residential supports." Together, they looked out for one another. They were inseparable. Most of all, they were kind, good people with a strong faith and respect for everyone around." Cecil Rosenthal, 59, and David Rosenthal, 54, were among the 11 victims of Saturday's massacre at the synagogue. A coroner's report … [Read more...] about Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre: Victims Suffered Multiple Wounds