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The US is expanding travel restrictions from Iran and heightening a travel advisory for certain regions of South Korea and Italy, Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday. Meantime, President Trump in a tweet on Sunday announced new screening procedures for people traveling from “high-risk countries.”New screening methodsThere was already a ban on travel related to Iran, but the administration said Saturday that it is being expanded “to include any foreign national who has visited Iran within the last 14 days.” As of Monday morning, there have been 978 cases of coronavirus in Iran and 54 deaths.The US is also increasing the travel advisory for Italy and South Korea to Level 4 — the highest level — advising Americans not to travel to specific regions in those countries hit hardest by the virus, Pence announced through the State Department.”Additionally we are currently working on exit screening from South Korea, Italy, and other European Nations as needed,” Katie Miller, a spokeswoman for Pence, told CNN Sunday when asked to clarify what Trump meant by “high risk.”Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the goal is to lower the travel to and from the most impacted areas in an attempt to control the spread of the virus. Screening is already in place for those traveling from China. Anyone who has been in China within the last 14 days requires screening.Trump on Saturday warned Americans that although more cases are “likely,” most healthy people who contract the illness will recover and the risk to the average American remains low. And Pence told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union” that while the administration knows there will be more cases and that it’s possible Americans could die from the disease, “the American people should know the risk for the average American remains low.”Additional restrictive measures were announced in January and are scheduled to take effect starting at 5 p.m. ET on Monday. Those include that US citizens and permanent residents returning to the United States who have traveled to Iran within the previous 14 days must enter trough an approved airport. Foreign nationals who have traveled to Iran within the last 14 days will be denied permission to travel to the US.Airlines suspend some operationsIn response to growing concerns over the spread of the virus through international travel and dwindling demand for international flights between certain locations, some airlines have suspended operations to certain airports.American Airlines announced Saturday that it was suspending operations to and from Milan, Italy, from New York’s JFK Airport and Miami International Airport. The suspension was a result of a reduction in demand, an alert from the airline said.Change fees have been waived for anyone who purchases travel between March 1 and March 16, the airline announced Sunday.Delta Air Lines has also temporarily suspended daily flights between JFK and Milan’s Malpensa Airport. That suspension will be effective March 2 on east bound flights and March 3 on west bound flights. Service will resume starting on May 1 and May 2, a statement from the airline said. Delta announced reductions to service between the US and Seoul, South Korea, last week. Flights between the US and Shanghai and Beijing also remain suspended until April 30 following travel restrictions from US Health and Human Services.United Airlines has suspended operations between the US and Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong and Shanghai until April 30 due to concerns over coronavirus, a notice from the airline said. Some service to Tokyo Narita, Osaka, Singapore, and Seoul, South Korea, has also been suspended, according to the notice. Change fees have been waived and refunds are available for travel booked to or from select cities, which includes nine airports in Italy. CNN’s Sarah Westwood contributed to this report.

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The museum — which was founded in 1976 and is a Smithsonian affiliate — announced it will continue operating while undergoing reorganization, according to a news release issued Monday.”The future is only likely to get better and brighter,” interim CEO Misha Galperin told CNN on Monday. “It’s a very important, historic place where the nation was born and we’re here to tell the nation what American Jews are grateful for, what was done for us in America and what we in turn contributed to the United States.”Galperin said most of the museum’s $30 million in debt stems from loans the museum took out to fund the construction of its new building on Independence Mall between 2008 — at the height of the economic recession — and 2010, when the building was completed. Outside funding levels declined sharply due to the recession, necessitating the loans, officials said.”[Funding] didn’t return until the levels of pre-2008 until about a year ago,” Galperin said. “In order to finish construction, the museum had to borrow money and we were hopeful we could repay the money. We never could.”Amid a sea of changes, sticking to basic successesDespite the museum’s reorganization, there will be no layoffs or changes in staffing, Galperin said. He said the museum believes it can continue thriving largely on outside contributions, whether from corporations or philanthropic donors.The museum’s permanent gallery is free to the public, but the museum charges for its special exhibitions that only last a limited time. Its newest special exhibit, the “Evidence Room” — which will display artifacts and the architectural layout of Auschwitz to show its impact on Jewish genocide — is still on schedule to open on April 17. One of its more recent exhibits centered on Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It charged $9 per visitor in honor of her famous quote, in which she said the number of women on the Supreme Court should be nine.”We’ve had wonderful success both in terms of visitorship and economically,” Galperin said. “[We have] even more programming and outreach online and plan to keep on going. We’re not anticipating any fundamental change to the nature of what we do.”Attendance, while not audited yet in the museum’s 2019 fiscal year, rose from 76,700 to 82,950 from 2018, according to director of communications and public engagement Emily August. The museum has already welcomed 69,436 visitors in the first six months of the 2020 fiscal year, according to August.With attendance back on the rise and interest increasing, Galperin said, the bankruptcy protection will only help the museum in the long run.”It’s a good first step for us and we’re open for business,” he said.

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(CNN) — With a population of 602,000, Luxembourg is one of Europe’s smallest countries — yet it suffers from major traffic jams. But that could be about to change. As of March 1, 2020 all public transport — trains, trams and buses — in the country is now free.The government hopes the move will alleviate heavy congestion and bring environmental benefits, according to Dany Frank, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works. Tiny country, big trafficLandlocked Luxembourg is one of the richest countries in Europe, with the highest per capita GDP in the European Union.”Luxembourg is a very attractive place for jobs,” explains Geoffrey Caruso, a professor at the University of Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research specializing in land use and transportation.But its “booming economy” and high concentration of jobs have led to congestion issues, he says.That year, drivers in Luxembourg City spent an average of 33 hours in traffic jams. It fared worse than European cities Copenhagen and Helsinki, which have comparable population sizes to all of Luxembourg — yet drivers in both only spent an average of 24 hours in traffic. Luxembourg City has more foreign residents than locals.AFP Contributor/AFP/AFP/Getty ImagesPark and rides around Luxembourg’s borders in the three neighboring countries, however, will encourage commuters to use free mass transit, according to Frank. Free transport for allLuxembourg’s public transport system covers the whole country and costs $562 million (€508 million) per year to run. Each year, it generates around $46 million in ticket sales, according to the ministry.The government is putting up the cost of making it free, Frank says. “The country at this very moment is in really good shape. We, the government, want the people to benefit from the good economy.”Luxembourg’s comprehensive public transport system runs through the whole country. A cycling race in the Moselle region is pictured.Joern Pollex/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for IRONMANCaruso is concerned that making transport free may unintentionally deter people who would normally walk or cycle in urban areas. “Rather than walking 500 meters, you see a bus coming and you say, ‘I (can) get on and travel 500 meters because it’s free,'” he says.He adds, however, that the new scheme can signal important changes ahead when it comes to Luxembourg’s reliance on driving. “(The government) might say, ‘It’s important that you ditch your car, and look, we made public transport free’ — and maybe this is helpful given the immense cultural shift we need.”Originally published in 2019, updated March 2, 2020.

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Taipei, Taiwan (CNN) — Hidden away in a dead-end alley, a skeleton perches on a bar stool with a wine glass and a cigarette. Grinning vacantly, he leans against a wall emblazoned with a quote from Franz Kafka: “There is an infinite amount of hope in the universe … but not for us.” This is your welcome to “The Misanthrope Society,” a bar that offers drinkers and diners a respite from other people.The quirky addition to Taipei’s bar scene serves up creative cocktails, black humor and a dislike of humankind. Its cocktails sound bleak: “Ghost Island Tea” has Taiwanese Spring Vodka and Kavalan Whisky, plus dashes of tequila, kahlua, vermouth and lemon juice; “Kafkaesque” blends together “Kaffe und Wodka” and other spirits with root beer. A mix of Midori, sake-based Mikanshu, cherry brandy and Absolut Vodka comes up with “No Longer Human.”The cocktails have names like “Ghost Island Tea” and “Last Words.”courtesy The Misanthrope SocietyIf you order the gin-based “Last Words,” you are politely asked to write down what you will say on your deathbed to add to a pile of cards in the bar. “Stay ridiculous,” reads one. The bar itself is characterized by dark humor and dark décor: black walls, a black menu, black plates — even the fried chicken is black, after being marinated in traditional Taiwanese fermented bean curd, splashed with alcohol and set alight. Diners are left to watch flames shooting out of what looks like black remains, a fried chicken dish that evokes the image of hell. As if you didn’t get the message, “Hell is other people,” the famous quote from Jean-Paul Sartre, is painted on a wall. “You can hate this world as much as you want”The anti-social theme of the bar belies its inclusiveness; the owner, who has suffered from severe depression, wanted to provide a space that was welcoming to others in need. “We call it ‘The Misanthrope Society,’ which literally means you can hate this world as much as you want here,” says Chen Xiaoguai. “I want to attract people with the dark side,” so they can then help each other and experience “the warmth from different people,” he adds.”The Misanthrope Society” is located in one of Taipei’s most happening districts, bang in the middle of a bustling night market selling clothes and snacks, and less than a minute’s walk from the Gongguan metro station. But owner Chen has managed to find a space that is perfect for a bar that professes to hate human society, in a dark corner of a road that leads nowhere, where no sunshine reaches. Inside, though, is some hidden human warmth. Chen was inspired to open the bar after spending a month in a mental health hospital. There he received specialist care from psychologists and other health professionals, but felt like the system stopped providing support after he was discharged. “I think the most important thing in my case in stepping out from the dark side is the help from people, the friends I met in hospital,” says Chen, who used to be an engineer. “I want to replicate this peer support group.”However, many people with depression choose not to drink alcohol because it makes their symptoms worse or mixes badly with their medication. At The Misanthrope Society, you can get that sense of community without the booze, as the bar is also a coffee shop and bookstore, offering psychology books, autobiographies and novels about dark episodes in people’s lives. Books lined up on a coffee bar include “The Museum of Broken Relationships” and “Poetry About How Much I Hate My Life.”Since opening the space in February last year, Chen says people “came here to cry, to talk to me, to just stay, read my books.”More than a dozen regulars who experience similar mental health issues have got to know each other and formed their own support network. In Taiwan, mental health is not talked about much and is often still misunderstood and stigmatized. “Before, these people probably can only talk to their family, their friends, who can’t really understand them, especially our parents, the older generations, who have no idea or knowledge of mental health problems,” says Chen, 28. Older generations might suggest problems can be solved by talking to a temple official, or through superstition. The bar’s black fried chicken is set aflame, giving it a hellish appearance.courtesy The Misanthrope Society”The Misanthrope Society” offers an outlet for all drinkers and diners to express their mood, and that starts with what you order. The “furiously stewed” duck may appeal to those feeling angry, while the Scotch egg’s Chinese name translates as “withdraw into one’s shell.” Chen was once asked to create a cocktail for “the feeling of being enslaved by society.” He created one “opaque in color, strong in flavor.” It would be wrong, perhaps, to call this an anti-bar, as many lone drinkers have sought out solace from other people in bars the world over. But by humorously playing up the dark side, “The Misanthrope Society” draws in people wanting a drink with a difference, as well as those hoping for a bit of understanding.”Are you sure you want to go back to real life?” a sign on the door asks on your way out. The Misanthrope Society, Roosevelt Road, Section 4, Lane 40, No. 1-2, Taipei; Open Sunday to Thursday, 2 p.m.-1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m.-2 a.m.

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(CNN) — Lucy the Elephant, a Margate, New Jersey-based attraction whose claim to fame is being the world’s largest elephant and the oldest roadside attraction in the United States, will soon open its doors to overnight guests for the first time in over 100 years.Save Lucy Committee, the nonprofit responsible for Lucy’s continued existence, has partnered with Airbnb to provide three couples the chance to book one-night stays inside the wooden and metal structure in mid-March.The experience will strive to provide as authentic an opportunity as possible to take guests back in time to the early 20th century, when Lucy last served as a vacation home. Airbnb has both purchased and rented antique Victorian-era furniture to make Lucy — which currently provides daily tours as a National Historic Landmark — come back to life as a beachside rental.”The only way to describe this is a meeting of the minds,” said Liz Fusco, the senior communications manager for the US East division of Airbnb. “They were looking to get in touch with us just as quickly as we were with them. We wanted to work together to bring Lucy together on the platform.”However, Lucy’s future isn’t to become a vacation haven. It’ll only be available for three days – March 17, 18 and 19 – and each couple will get to stay for $138, in honor of Lucy’s age in years.Richard Helfant, the executive director and CEO of the Save Lucy Committee, said the goal of the proposal is both to raise awareness and funding for necessary renovations.”Right now, we’re faced with a major renovation project, starting this spring,” he said. “Lucy’s been painted so many times that her skin is at a point where it bubbles off. We’re at a time where we have to strip her down to the bare metal, prime and repaint. It’s a massive undertaking.” Any money Lucy raises through tours is already slated for spending on that project, which could cost $500,000 and take two years to complete, Helfant said. Airbnb is also making a substantial donation to the project.By Fusco’s admission, Lucy is Airbnb’s first elephant and first animal available to renters. According to the official Lucy the Elephant website, it’ll also be the first – and, so far, only – National Historic Landmark to host Airbnb rentals.The experienceThe three couples – who will be decided on a first-come, first-serve basis once the portal opens for rental bookings on March 5 at noon – will receive an experience including a private, personally guided tour by Helfant and the mayor of Margate, Michael Becker.Guests will also receive a private dinner at a local restaurant and then be taken to Lucy for their stay. A tour guide will be on hand in the gift shop the entire night, whether to answer questions or to preside over any possible problems. The couples will conclude their stay with breakfast provided to them inside Lucy before checking out.Inside Lucy the Elephant. AirbnbThe stay will provide visitors with access to all parts of Lucy, including the riding carriage rooftop that looks over the beach more than six stories above the ground, weather permitting.Inside, the elephantine structure will be outfitted with bedrooms on the bottom floor and a kitchen and dining area on the top floor, just as it was in 1902. Vintage editions of Victorian-era games, such as checkers and chess, will be available to guests to play, along with a cart filled with snacks specifically from Margate and the surrounding area.Mayor Becker said he was “pleasantly surprised” when approached with the news of Lucy’s opening as a short-term rental.”Lucy gives us the opportunity to expand our marketing,” he said. “I would bet there’s thousands of people who never heard of Margate and Lucy. Hopefully, they will after this. Some of them, we’ll pique their interest and (they’ll) come down and visit with us.”Furthering Lucy’s legacyHelfant explained Lucy’s role as a prominent figure during Prohibition, a host to President Woodrow Wilson and as a tavern before becoming a tourist attraction. Lucy’s opportunity to host guests serves as a mutual aid to adding to her legacy.”There’s a uniqueness to Lucy,” Helfant said. “She’s a 138-year-old building that’s a National Historical Landmark and oldest roadside attraction in the United States. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime unforgettable experience for three lucky couples.”For those who don’t get the chance to spend the night inside Lucy the Elephant, they still have the chance to get to know her – and Margate.”We’re here, five minutes from Atlantic City, two hours from New York and the (Airbnb) exhibit is on display now,” Helfant said. “People who aren’t able to book or are unavailable and want to see what she looked like, come on down. Atlantic City’s open, we’re open and we welcome everybody.”Fusco said Airbnb’s goal, just like Lucy’s, is to serve the public.”We’re happy to provide this access and create this new chapter in Lucy’s history,” she said.

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Josephine Baker in Paris, circa 1926 (Photo by Gaston Paris/Roger Viollet via Getty Images)Paris (CNN) — Writer James Baldwin was 24 when he arrived in Paris in 1948, with only $40 in his pocket. Entertainer and civil rights activist Josephine Baker was just 19 when she left the United States and began dazzling Parisian crowds in 1925 draped in just a pink flamingo feather.Despite their humble beginnings, these iconic figures escaped the permeating and oppressive racism of America and blossomed in the City of Light to become trailblazers of literary and artistic expression lasting for decades to come. With roots stretching to the Harlem Renaissance and well beyond, black American artists arriving in Paris during this period experienced a freedom to pursue and express themselves through literature, music, stage performance and art. The ingenuity and creative brilliance of black Americans was always present, but in the United States, black artists and entertainers were obstructed psychologically and physically. Regardless of their fame and success African Americans were still restricted to back door entryways and segregated audiences and treated as second-class citizens. It was in Paris, a European cultural capital, where they were embraced for their talent and intellectual prowess and celebrated for their genius. While Paris certainly was not free of racism, the city was still a place of freedom from the repressive Jim Crow laws black Americans faced in the US. Author and activist James Baldwin gives a talk in Paris in 1963.AP From cafes to smoky jazz clubs, these artistic giants sought refuge in a city whose light promised not to dim theirs. The result? A groundbreaking cultural exchange that has enriched French culture and allowed African Americans to leave a lasting imprint on the country.Their paths can be retraced in cafes and hangouts made famous by African American scholars, artists and musicians — places that are still thriving today. Visitors can explore this history with a guided group tour or through self-guided stops at spots significant to the African American experience in Paris, or some combination of the two.Ricki Stevenson’s Black Paris Tours delve into the African diaspora’s influence and heritage. The walking tours explore neighborhoods and figures that helped shape Paris, including sites that chronicle the story of African American history in the city. The Brian Scott Bagley Company offers visitors a historic and artistic point of view retracing the life of the unparalleled Josephine Baker throughout Paris as well as other custom tours. More interested in curating a solo itinerary? Just mark the places you’re most interested in visiting, start your morning with a croissant and embark on your own adventure. Here are some fascinating spots to get you started on a journey into the dazzling legacy of black Americans in Paris. La Palette Nestled in the vibrant and artsy 6th arrondissement of Paris, La Palette is a well-known cafe created as a haven for artists and writers.The celebrated contemporary artist Beauford Delaney, originally from Tennessee, was so enraptured with Paris on his first visit in 1953 he decided to settle there. He lived in Paris for the remainder of his life. It was at La Palette where you could walk in and see regulars like Delaney or James Baldwin having lunch surrounded by dozens of original artwork hanging from the deep mahogany walls. Today, the cafe, with its sunny and flowery terrace, easily attracts visitors taking a step away from the array of eclectic galleries lining the street.Café de FloreJames Baldwin worked on his first novel at Café de Flore.Jarry/Tripelon/Gamma-Rapho/Getty ImagesSituated in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Près, this landmark cafe dating back to the 1880s is where James Baldwin worked on his first novel, “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” The cafe has a rich history of being a home to artists and authors, tourists and locals alike.Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre were regulars. Stop in today, and you’ll find waiters, immaculately dressed in their white shirts and aprons, whisking espressos or aperitifs or French onion soup to tables, before leaving patrons in peace to converse and people-watch to their heart’s content.Les Deux MagotsLes Deux Magots is one of Paris’ landmark cafes.Jarry/Tripelon/Gamma-Rapho/Getty ImagesAnother magnet for the creative set, Les Deux Magots is located directly across from Café de Flore. This classic Parisian cafe was the backdrop for the passionate debate between two legendary African American writers, James Baldwin and Richard Wright. The renowned authors both detailed and wrote about the plight of being black in America but notably never agreed with the other’s perspective. Today, the cafe is a hotspot for tourists, and a common debate is whether to order red or white wine. Le TournonFor decades this traditional Parisian cafe located in the posh 6th arrondissement was a literary hangout bustling with brilliant black minds, including novelist and journalist William Gardner Smith and writer Ralph Ellison. It was at Le Tournon where legendary novelist Richard Wright, who protested the treatment of black Americans in works including “Native Son” and autobiography “Black Boy,” could always be assured of a debate alongside his coffee. Today, the cafe is a popular spot for neighborhood residents. It’s also steps away from the French senate so you might even spot the occasional government official. Inside, photos of the many famous African American artists who regularly visited the cafe for the classic bistro fare and spirited discourse are proudly displayed . Le Tournon, 18 Rue de Tournon, 75006 Paris, FranceThéâtre des Champs Élysées”I have two loves,” Josephine Baker once stated, “My country and Paris.” As jazz crossed the Atlantic, it brought its distinctive improvisation and addictive sounds — and so did one of the world’s most iconic entertainers. It was at the Théâtre des Champs Élysées in 1925 where a 19-year-old Josephine Baker opened “La Revue Negre,” the captivating cabaret show that would entice Parisian audiences for decades. The show was an overnight sensation and Baker became the biggest black female star in the world known for her “danse sauvage,” performed in her now iconic banana skirt. Baker’s bold looks have been recreated by the biggest names in entertainment, including Beyoncé and Rihanna, and inspired collections in fashion from Prada to Marc Jacobs. Today, the theater, which opened in 1913, is dedicated to classical music and dance including concert recitals, symphonic orchestras, chamber music, classical ballets and choreographic creations.MankoJust steps away from Théâtre des Champs is Manko, a plush Peruvian restaurant, cocktail bar and club. Decades ago, this building housed a sultry jazz club and this spirit of nightlife is still alive today. Channel the cabaret girls of the past and nightclub powerhouses like Ada “Bricktop” Smith and Josephine Baker, whether you go for the ceviche or the trendy club atmosphere.African American entertainers, following performances at Théâtre des Champs Élysées, hung out at the after-hours club to party and indulge until the sun lit their steps home. Manko, 15 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, FranceLa CoupoleLa Couple opened in 1927 and was a favorite of Josephine Baker.Alain Benainous/Gamm-Rapho/Getty ImagesBrasserie La Coupole, a true Art Deco gem, located in the 14th arrondissement, opened in 1927. La Coupole is a piece of Montparnasse’s history where the who’s who of Paris dined and came to be seen. Known as Josephine Baker’s favorite restaurant, it was here that Baker, the Black Pearl of Paris, appeared with her pet cheetah, Chiquita. Chiquita wore a diamond collar and would perform onstage with Baker, going from the stage to a waiting Rolls-Royce after her performance. Today, you can enjoy your crepes without the presence of a cheetah, but the old-world elegance is still alive in this famous Parisian brasserie. La Coupole, 102 Boulevard du Montparnasse 75014, Paris, FranceLe CarrouselLe Carrousel has lived more lives than a chat noir.Located in the popular Pigalle neighborhood, this building made its debut in 1926 as club Chez Josephine, a gift from Giuseppe Pepito Abatino to Josephine Baker. In the entrance hangs a plaque. Celebrating the rich and lasting legacy of the world-renowned entertainer, it reads, “Here Josephine Baker, music hall artist, civil rights activist, held a cabaret from 1926 to 1928 promoting the fusion of jazz and Afro-American culture.”Despite its many transformations through the years, the spirit of cabaret lives on in this contemporary restaurant. It’s now an intimate place to enjoy a drink or delicious truffle croquets with friends before partying the night away in the red-light district just steps away. Caveau de la Huchette Caveau de la Huchette opened in 1947.ShutterstockLe Caveau de la Huchette is a jazz club located in the Latin Quarter of Paris. The building dates to the 16th century and owners claim it was once used as a secret lodge for masons. If nothing else, its intimate cellar vibe lets you know it had a life long before it became a Paris hotspot. Opened in 1947, energetic clubs like this one kept jazz alive as musical tastes shifted overseas. In Paris, African American performers were still able to enchant the city’s crowds and make a living with the riveting sounds. Today, the club continues to be a prominent spot for Parisian nightlife where big names in jazz and up and comers take the stage nightly. Filmmakers also find inspiration here; the club was recently showcased in the Oscar-winning film “La La Land.”When asked, “Why did you choose France?,” James Baldwin responded, “It wasn’t so much a matter of choosing France — it was a matter of getting out of America. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me in France, but I knew what was going to happen to me in New York.” We now know part of what happened in the City of Light was a legacy of freedom and creative expression, still alive today.

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