Your Wednesday Briefing

Xi Jinping visits Wuhan

President Xi Jinping of China traveled to Wuhan on Tuesday for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak began, in an effort to indicate his authorities’s success in opposition to the virus.

Carrying a blue masks, Mr. Xi stopped in need of declaring victory, however his go to clearly supposed to ship a robust sign that the federal government believed the worst of the nationwide emergency might quickly be over in China — simply as different international locations have been being struck by their very own outbreaks.

Reminder: A whole lot of hundreds of thousands of Chinese language persons are nonetheless dwelling below quarantine-like restrictions. Large factories are barely operational, and small companies have been crushed.

By the numbers: The Nationwide Well being Fee of China on Tuesday reported solely 19 new coronavirus infections within the earlier 24 hours, and 17 deaths. All however two of the brand new infections occurred in Wuhan.

U.S. takes on its rising outbreak

Internationally from Wuhan, the battle in opposition to the coronavirus was underway in New York State. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a one-mile containment zone in New Rochelle, a suburb of New York Metropolis that has been on the heart of the area’s outbreaks.

The containment zone, which might restrict main gathering areas to curb the unfold of the virus and shut faculties for 2 weeks, was a part of a rising variety of makes an attempt by American cities to carry the epidemic below management. There are actually greater than 800 instances within the U.S.

Universities like Harvard, M.I.T. and Ohio State both despatched college students packing or moved courses on-line; nursing properties have been instructed to halt most visits; Ivy League basketball tournaments were canceled; and the organizers of the Coachella music competition have been in talks to postpone it.

Vladimir Putin opens door to staying in workplace for all times

On the urging of the Russian president, the decrease home of Parliament handed laws that would allow him to run for a fifth term as president in 2024, becoming a member of a bunch of authoritarian leaders who’ve sought to increase their reigns.

The proposal was floated unexpectedly by a lawmaker within the State Duma, triggering a fast cascade of developments that appeared to be fastidiously deliberate to look spontaneous.

After lawmakers voiced their assist for the concept, Mr. Putin arrived in particular person to a standing ovation, in what he claimed was an unscheduled go to.

“I’m certain the time will come when the best, presidential authority in Russia won’t be, as they are saying, so personified — not so sure up in a single particular person,” he mentioned. “However that’s how all of our previous historical past got here collectively and we can’t, in fact, disregard this.”

Context: If he serves two extra phrases, Mr. Putin may have held the nation’s highest workplace for 32 years — longer than Joseph Stalin however nonetheless in need of Peter the Nice, who reigned for 43 years.

You probably have eight minutes, that is value it

‘They have been a unprecedented group’

It has been a year since a malfunctioning Boeing 737 Max crashed in Ethiopia, killing 157 folks.

Since then, victims’ households have known as for extra scrutiny of the airplane, pressed for an overhaul of aviation legal guidelines and confronted Boeing executives. A lot of them will collect at present at a memorial service in Ethiopia.

On Monday, Ethiopian investigators mentioned design flaws in the plane caused the crash. A Boeing spokesman mentioned the corporate continued “to increase our heartfelt sympathies to the households and family members of Ethiopian Airways Flight 302.”

Right here’s what else is going on

U.S. presidential race: The primary outcomes of six Democratic nominating contests will arrive in a number of hours, with Michigan awarding essentially the most delegates, adopted by Washington State, Missouri, Mississippi, Idaho and North Dakota. Right here’s what to expect.

Saudi Arabia: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared to be dwelling down his fame for harmful aggression. However current occasions, together with an oil value conflict with Russia, are reviving debates in Western capitals about whether or not he’s too rash to trust as a partner.

Snapshot: Above, goats being led to pasture within the village of Langar in Tajikistan, on what was the Silk Highway. Our author spent 12 days following the ancient trade route through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. There have been “frequent incidents of abject, usually hilarious, transactional chaos,” however on the identical time, she wrote: “We hoped it will by no means finish.”

What we’re studying: This Tampa Bay Times investigation of GardaWorld, an organization that took shortcuts whereas constructing an armored truck empire. It “reveals, with one jaw-dropping and horrifying element after one other, the wreckage and carnage left behind,” says Matt Apuzzo, our investigative correspondent in Brussels. “Good investigative journalism.”

Now, a break from the information

Smarter Residing: Sweat on the health club can’t transmit the coronavirus, however there are nonetheless some dangers, like high-touch surfaces. Right here’s what experts say.

And now for the Again Story on …

Stocking your pantry

Melissa Clark, a Meals columnist, wrote final week about stocking up on food in a time of uncertainty and concern. We talked to her about how meal planning and cooking might be calming in irritating occasions.

The U.S. authorities recommends storing a two-week supply of water and food. How ought to folks be fascinated about shopping for meals proper now?

It’s at all times a good suggestion to have a stocked pantry, whether or not you’re feeling nervousness in regards to the world or simply in regards to the fridge being empty. There’s an additional layer of safety and management — no matter occurs, you’ll eat effectively.

What needs to be first on the listing?

Begin together with your favourite starch — it could possibly be pasta, or rice. Subsequent: protein. Beans are nice — for those who’re going to be residence for a very long time, you may as effectively simmer up some dried beans, which have the very best taste, although canned beans are amongst my favourite comfort meals. That’s the form of skeleton of the meal, then you definitely want taste: so refill on aromatics like garlic and onions, and spices. Should you prefer to bake, purchase butter, yeast, sugar, salt.

Ought to we take into consideration meals as extra than simply energy and vitamin at a time like this? Your boss, Sam Sifton, famous that a well-stocked pantry is about sustaining a very good and smart life, no matter viral pathogens. Subsequent time it is perhaps a storm. Or perhaps you simply wanna keep residence!

Folks stress eat, that’s an actual factor. So that you may as effectively eat very well. However feeding your self, your loved ones and your neighbors goes to present you an amazing sense of calmness and pleasure. That’s how we get by arduous occasions.

That’s it for this briefing. See you subsequent time.

— Melina

Thanks
To Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the information. Adam Pasick, on the Briefings staff, wrote at present’s Again Story. You possibly can attain the staff at briefing@nytimes.com.

P.S.
• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our newest episode is about what occurred to Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential marketing campaign.
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