thetorontostar--2020-05-04--AP Explains: India lockdown slows virus, but gaps remain

NEW DELHI - India ’ s six-week coronavirus lockdown , which was supposed to end on Monday , has been extended for another two weeks , with a few relaxations such as construction resuming and self-employed people returning to work in New Delhi .
Here ’ s a look at what India has been able to achieve during the lockdown of its 1.3 billion people , and what it hasn ’ t : Prime Minister Narendra Modi locked India down on March 24 , when the country had just 469 confirmed virus cases .
In mid-April , Modi extended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , it was extended for two more weeks , but with some relaxations .
The government has identified three zones : “ red , ” or areas that have been coronavirus hotspots , “ orange , ” where some cases have been found , and “ green , ” or low-risk areas .
Stricter measures will continue in red and orange zones , while some movement of people and most economic activities will be allowed in green zones .
Although the number of red zones has dipped since the lockdown started , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined .
Most of India ’ s major cities , including New Delhi and Mumbai , remain red zones .
Locking down the country ’ s 1.3 billion people has cost millions of jobs and upended lives , especially of India ’ s poor .
But limited interactions between people did slow the contagion , pushing the peak into the future and buying India “ time to prepare , ” said Ramanan Laxminarayan , an epidemiologist and economist who directs the Center for Disease Dynamics , Economics & Policy in Washington , D.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirming about 42,500 virus cases , 11,706 recoveries and 1,373 deaths .
Still , a lack of aggressive testing worries experts who warn that the virus has yet to peak .
India has designated more than 600 hospitals for COVID-19 patients only , comprising about 100,000 isolation beds and around 12,000 intensive care unit beds .
It also has trained more than a million doctors and 1.7 million nurses to treat patients , according to government data .
Authorities have tried to ensure that only those who are very sick with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this separation , aimed at preventing viral outbreaks in hospitals , hasn ’ t always been successful .
It wasn ’ t until Friday that the government said it would provide all health workers with personal protective equipment , or PPE .
But several non-COVID-19 hospitals in large cities like Mumbai and New Delhi have already reported outbreaks .
Experts suspect the outbreaks were caused by patients who were unaware they had the virus .
Combined with the government ’ s reluctance to acknowledge that India had reached the stage of community transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprotected , said Dr. T. Sundararaman , a community medicine expert .
“ Even if a patient comes in with a fever , it will not be assumed to be COVID-19 , “ he said .
” Unless it ’ s too late.
” Faced with an unprecedented global demand for the same medical supplies , India has upped its capacity to manufacture ventilators , oxygen cylinders and PPE .
India is now building up a stockpile of 80,000 ventilators that it hopes will cover the 75,000 patients it expects will need them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vaghela , secretary of the government ’ s pharmaceuticals department .
Vaghela said India had almost no domestic manufacturing of PPE before the pandemic .
“ Now we have 111 indigenous manufacturers , ” he said , adding that these domestic companies are expected to provide 70 % of the 20 million pieces of PPE needed .
India ’ s testing criteria remain restricted outside of hotspots , where those with minor symptoms , like a runny nose or cough , aren ’ t being tested .
But it has increased testing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , India “ needs to be scaling up for a lot more , ” said Dr. Ashish Jha , the director of Harvard ’ s Global Health Institute .
He pointed out that while the lockdown had stopped the virus from spreading as quickly as it has in some countries , that doesn ’ t mean that it won ’ t spread faster when restrictions are lifted .
India ’ s low testing rate is at least partly due to the unavailability of testing kits .
After claiming that the rapid antibody tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India awaited the arrival of 2.1 million standard testing kits , mostly from international companies .
Officials said the country will need 3.5 million kits .
India ’ s health ministry has denied that it is under-testing .
But Jha warned that India can ’ t afford to test in areas only after outbreaks are discovered .
“ If they could freeze the world in time and not ever unlock and stay locked down forever , then no , you ’ ll not need to scale up testing anymore , “ he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not possible .
”

Aniruddha Ghosal And Emily Schmall - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Florida sheriff defends keeping childhood shooting a secret

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - The Florida sheriff appointed by the governor after the 2018 Parkland high school massacre is defending himself over allegations that he should have disclosed he fatally shot another teenager when he was 14 in Philadelphia .
Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony told reporters over the weekend that he didn ’ t see the need to disclose the 1993 killing to Gov .
Ron DeSantis or on other applications during his law enforcement career because he was a juvenile and he was cleared because it was self-defence .
The shooting came to light Saturday in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and further roiled the August Democratic primary race between Tony and the fired sheriff he replaced , Scott Israel .
DeSantis , days after he took office , fired Israel in January 2019 because of the sheriff ’ s office ’ s mishandling of the Feb. 14 , 2018 , Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre that left 17 dead and replaced him with the little-known Tony .
The former Coral Springs sergeant had quit that department in 2016 to operate a consulting firm that specialized in active shooter training .
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the primary that will likely decide the race in the heavily Democratic county .
“ It was chaos .
It was frightening .
The most horrific thing I ever experienced , ” Tony told the Miami Herald about the shooting .
“ For this to be used by a political opponent to turn me into a 14-year-old black kid with a gun , we ’ re on a dangerous precedent here.
” The shooting happened at the Tony family home in the Badlands neighbourhood of Philadelphia , an area known for its violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters over the weekend that the shooting happened after an argument he and his brother had with 18-year-old Hector Rodriguez , a drug dealer with a criminal record .
Newspaper accounts from that time say the shooting happened on the street , but Tony told reporters Rodriguez pulled a gun and chased him and his brother into the house .
Tony said he retrieved his father ’ s handgun and shot Rodriguez several times in self-defence .
“ Fortunately he didn ’ t shoot me and my brother , ” Tony told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t explain discrepancies between his version and contemporary newspaper accounts , but told the Herald , ” at the end of the day no one was there to witness this horrific event take place or any accurate accounts .
I wish there was some type of record.
” After Tony ’ s exoneration , the juvenile court records were sealed and his then-attorney said he didn ’ t have files from 27 years ago .
Tony left Philadelphia after high school for Florida , eventually playing football at Florida State University , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminology .
He was then hired by Coral Springs police in 2005 .
Tony defended his decision not to inform DeSantis or Coral Springs about the shooting .
The Coral Springs employment questionnaire asked several times if he had ever been arrested , charged with a crime or received a notice to appear .
Tony answered no .
“ There ’ s nothing that I had ever done that was a crime , ” Tony told the South Florida Sun Sentinel .
“ Do you walk into an interview and express being a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and speak on the 27 years of professionalism that you ’ ve established ?
” The shooting ’ s disclosure came weeks after the union representing Broward street deputies voted “ no confidence ” in Tony after he suspended its president .
Jeff Bell had written a newspaper column criticizing the sheriff ’ s handling of the coronavirus outbreak after the death of a deputy from the disease .
Bell told the Herald that Tony should have disclosed the shooting to Coral Springs and DeSantis .
“ To take somebody ’ s life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re still under investigation for a criminal charge .
You can ’ t get around saying I was never arrested , ” Bell said .
When questioned about Tony during a news conference Monday evening , DeSantis said that his office performed a background check on Tony before his appointment , but nothing showed up because the shooting was ruled self-defence and Tony was never charged .
DeSantis said he didn ’ t know Tony personally when he made the appointment but liked Tony ’ s background and law enforcement experience .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard about Tony from Broward County residents has been mostly positive and pointed out that voters will have a chance to keep or replace Tony in this year ’ s election .
“ That ’ s ultimately a decision that the people in Broward can make , ” DeSantis said .
“ It ’ s not going to be anything I ’ m going to be getting involved in .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Venezuela: 2 Americans among those nabbed after beach raid

CARACAS , Venezuela - Venezuelan security forces arrested eight people , including two alleged U.S. citizens , following a beach invasion aimed at capturing socialist President Nicolás Maduro , according to information released Monday by authorities , as more than 25,000 troops mobilized to hunt for other rebels operating in the country .
Powerful socialist party leader Diosdado Cabello posted on his Twitter account a video of a Venezuelan identified as Josnars Adolfo Baduel , who was also detained , saying two U.S. citizens were among those nabbed .
Baduel is shown responding to a security official who asks him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television broadcast the video but didn ’ t identify the Americans .
But Florida-based ex-Green Beret Jordan Goudreau said he was working with the two men in a mission launched early Sunday to “ liberate ” Venezuela .
Goudreau has claimed responsibility for Sunday ’ s operation , which Venezuelan authorities say left eight people dead at a beach near the port city of La Guaira .
He identified two former U.S. veterans taken into Venezuelan custody as Luke Denman and Aaron Berry .
The two served in Iraq and Afghanistan with him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Associated Press could not independently verify that the Americans had been captured .
Goudreau said the men were part of an alleged mission called “ Operation Gideon ” launched before dawn on Sunday that entailed landing boats on the beach .
Venezuela has been in a deepening political and economic crisis under Maduro ’ s rule .
Crumbling public services such as running water , electricity and medical care have driven nearly 5 million to migrate .
But Maduro still controls all levers of power despite a U.S.-led campaign to oust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drug trafficker and offered a $ 15 million reward for his arrest .
Venezuela and the United States broke diplomatic ties last year amid heightened tensions , so there is no U.S. embassy in Caracas .
“ I ’ ve tried to engage everybody I know at every level , ” Goudreau said of the attempt to help his detained colleagues .
“ Nobody ’ s returning my calls , It ’ s a nightmare.
” Goudreau has said he signed a contract with the U.S.-backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The opposition leader said he had nothing to do with Sunday ’ s raid .
Goudreau says the opposition politician never fulfilled the contract , but the former Green Beret pushed ahead with an underfunded operation with just 60 fighters , including the two U.S. veterans .
He said he last communicated with Denman and Berry when they were adrift in a boat “ hugging ” the Caribbean coast of Venezuela .
They were still in their boat following an initial confrontation with the Venezuelan Navy early Sunday , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel , ” Goudreau said .
“ If they had gone onto landfall , they would have gone to a safe house.
” Goudreau said the two were waiting for a boat on the Caribbean island of Aruba with emergency fuel to help extract them .
Venezuelan authorities said Monday they arrested another eight accused “ mercenaries ” in a coastal town and showed images on state TV of several unidentified men handcuffed and lying prone in a street .
Among them was a National Guardsman Capt .
Antonio Sequea , who participated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ago .
Goudreau said Sequea was a commander working with him in recent days on the ground in Venezuela .
Maduro ally and Attorney General Tarek William Saab said that in total they ’ ve arrested 114 people suspected in the attempted attack and they are on the hunt of 92 others .
Officials in Venezuela ’ s government accuse Colombia and the United States of organizing and carrying out the attack aiming to overthrow Maduro .
Both U.S. and Colombian officials have denied the Venezuelan allegations .
Goudreau , a three-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have helped organize the deadly seaborne raid from Colombia early Sunday on a beach near Venezuela ’ s main port city , which the government said it foiled .
Goudreau said the operation had received no aid from Guaidó or the U.S. or Colombian governments .
Goudreau said by telephone earlier Monday that 52 other fighters had infiltrated Venezuelan territory and were in the first stage of a mission to recruit members of the security forces to join their cause .
Opposition politicians and U.S. authorities issued statements suggesting Maduro ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not released the full identities of those they say were killed or detained , though they identified one of the fallen as a man involved with Goudreau ’ s training camp in Colombia .
An AP investigation published Friday found that Goudreau had been working with a retired Venezuelan army general — who now faces U.S. narcotics charges — to train dozens of deserters from Venezuela ’ s security forces at secret camps inside neighbouring Colombia .
The goal was to mount a cross-border raid that would end in Maduro ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything to do with an ex-Green Beret who claimed responsibility for the operation to nab Maduro .
The government , meanwhile , said it has mobilized more than 25,000 troops to hunt for other rebel cells .
Guaidó said in a statement that he has “ no relationship nor responsibility for any actions ” taken by the U.S. war veteran .

Scott Smith And Joshua Goodman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--UN backs Lebanon in economic crisis, call for global help

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The U.N. Security Council on Monday backed Lebanon ’ s efforts to end the country ’ s economic crisis and tackle other challenges including the impact of COVID-19 and called on the international community to help .
The U.N. ’ s most powerful body took note in a statement after a closed meeting of the “ urgent need for the Lebanese authorities to respond to the aspirations of the Lebanese people by implementing meaningful economic reforms ” and addressing security , humanitarian and COVID-19 challenges .
Lebanon , one of the most indebted nations in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March on its sovereign debt .
Anti-government protests that erupted in October subsided during a nationwide lock-down since mid-March to blunt the spread of the coronavirus .
Those restrictions are starting to ease .
Last Thursday , the prime minister said he will seek a rescue program from the International Monetary Fund , but protesters rallied again Friday , criticizing the government ’ s handling of the unprecedented crisis that saw the local currency crash , people ’ s savings devastated , and prices and inflation soar .
The Security Council was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution that called for the Lebanese government to extend its authority throughout the country and all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias to disband .
In a report to the council circulated Monday on the resolution ’ s implementation , U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed Lebanon ’ s current economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ As the dire economic and financial situation in Lebanon is now compounded by the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the country ’ s economy , it is all the more urgent that the country ’ s leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
The U.N. chief stressed that “ measures to prevent , limit and mitigate the impact of the pandemic have to be taken in parallel to the provision of financial and food support to the rapidly increasing numbers of the most vulnerable groups of the population facing dire poverty.
” Lebanon was engulfed in civil war from 1975-1990 , and a U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL has been in Lebanon since 1978 after Israel invaded parts of southern Lebanon .
Since then , there have been major wars in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah militants which claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people on both sides .
The Security Council statement “ recognized the additional challenges posed by the global COVID pandemic , also on the Lebanese economy , and commended the preventive measures taken by UNIFIL in that regard.
” Guterres ’ report said Lebanon ’ s government continued efforts to extend the authority of the state throughout the country but Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias continue to operate outside government control in violation of the 2004 resolution and the Taif Accords that ended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several groups across the political spectrum in Lebanon possess weapons outside government control , ” the U.N. chief said , and “ Hezbollah is the most heavily armed militia in the country.
” Guterres said he continues to urge Lebanon ’ s government and armed forces “ to take all measures necessary to prohibit Hezbollah and other armed groups from acquiring weapons and building paramilitary capacity outside the authority of the state.
” He also urged countries with close times to Hezbollah “ to encourage the transformation of the group into a solely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its disarmament.
” The secretary-general warned that Iranian-backed Hezbollah ’ s continued involvement in Syria where it supports President Bashar Assad ’ s government , “ carries the risk of entangling Lebanon in regional conflicts and undermining the stability of Lebanon and the region.
” Guterres and the Security Council expressed concern at recent incidents across the U.N.-drawn Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel .
Germany ’ s deputy U.N. ambassador Jürgen Schulz told the council that “ Lebanon is facing an unprecedented challenge ” to its political leadership and the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his statement to the closed meeting .
He said it was “ very good “ that the government has adopted a comprehensive economic reform plan and that the its response to the COVID-19 crisis “ has been a major achievement in the last two months.
” “ At the same time , many challenges remain and we continue to remain very worried that there is a real risk that the country could drift towards economic and financial collapse and see a prolonged political crisis , “ Schulz said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--White House limits task force appearances on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON - A White House memo to congressional committees says no member of the administration ’ s coronavirus task force can agree to testify on Capitol Hill unless the invitation is expressly approved by the president ’ s chief of staff .
Democrats bristled at the rule as a crimp on their ability to gather detailed information about the nation ’ s response to the pandemic .
The memo follows a recent White House move to block Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , from testifying before a House panel while allowing him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing .
The Senate is held by Trump ’ s Republican allies while the House is controlled by Democrats .
The memo , obtained Monday by The Associated Press , also seeks to limit the number of coronavirus-related appearances on Capitol Hill for those at key departments responding to the pandemic .
It states that “ the demands on agencies ’ staff and resources are extraordinary in this current crisis.
” A senior administration official said task force members had been working nonstop since the early days of the coronavirus outbreak and need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ not on preparing for four-hour hearings several times a week.
” The official spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss the memo .
Democratic leaders of the House and Senate criticized the move .
“ President Trump should learn that by muzzling science and the truth , it will only prolong this health and economic crisis , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said in a statement .
“ The president ’ s failure to accept the truth and then his desire to hide it , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lagging behind so many other countries in beating this scourge.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on CNN that spending bills related to the pandemic begin in the House and that lawmakers need to consult with administration officials on those matters .
She said White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , who until recently served in the House , knew lawmakers would be insisting on the truth , and the White House “ might be afraid of the truth.
” “ The fact that they said , ‘ We ’ re too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Capitol ’ is , well , business as usual for them , ” Pelosi said .
The memo said that given the “ competing demands in these unprecedented times , it is reasonable to expect that agencies will have to decline invitations to hearings to remain focused “ on the COVID-19 response , including invitations to participate in multiple hearings on the same or overlapping topics .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Man accused in fire at party that killed 36 freed over virus

DUBLIN , Calif. - A man facing a second trial after a fire killed 36 partygoers at a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse he ’ s accused of illegally converting into a cluttered artists enclave was released from jail Monday over coronavirus concerns .
Derick Almena , who ’ s been behind bars since 2017 , was released after a court hearing by phone , the Alameda County sheriff ’ s office said .
He will be under electronic monitoring while he waits for a new trial .
The 50-year-old is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Dec. 2 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electronic music party at the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland .
Prosecutors allege Almena , who was the master tenant on the lease , was criminally negligent when he turned the industrial building into a residence for artists and held events without proper permits .
The building was packed with furniture , extension cords and other flammable material but had only two exits and no smoke detectors , fire alarms or sprinklers , prosecutors say .
A jury deadlocked on the charges in September and a new trial has been scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was acquitted of the same charges .
At least 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported at the Santa Rita Jail where Almena was held .
According to his attorneys , a report by jail medical staff said Almena ’ s psychological and physical health were in jeopardy .
Almena was released in the rural community of Upper Lake , where his wife and children live .
He is banned from contacting relatives of victims or witnesses .
He can ’ t leave home unless a court gives written approval , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to jail , the Mercury News reported .
Almena posted $ 150,000 bail last month , and officials verified where he is staying Monday , the last step for his release , the newspaper reported .
Jails and prisons in California and across the U.S. have released inmates in response to the pandemic , with crowded quarters and a lack of protective equipment making it ripe for the virus to spread behind bars .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Carnival Cruise Line says it’s cancelling Alaska sailings

JUNEAU , Alaska - Carnival Cruise Line is cancelling its sailings to Alaska this summer , a company spokesperson said Monday .
The move adds to the mounting woes facing the state ’ s tourism industry amid coronavirus concerns .
The announcement referred only to Carnival Cruise Line and not the other brands under the umbrella of Carnival Corp. , spokesperson Vance Gulliksen said by email .
Princess Cruises and Holland America Line , which also fall under Carnival Corp. last month announced dramatically reduced sailing plans for Alaska .
Princess Cruises did not immediately respond to a message seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Holland America Line said so far nothing has changed regarding its plans .
Tourism is a major industry in Alaska , with cruise ships bringing large numbers of visitors during the typically busy summer months .
The number of people visiting the state on cruise ships went from 480,000 in 1996 to almost 1.4 million last year , according to a report by state labour department economists Neal Fried and Karinne Wiebold .
Mike Tibbles , with Cruise Lines International Association Alaska , said so far 419 voyages to Alaska , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been cancelled .
Carnival Cruise Line , in a release , said it is committed to supporting public health efforts to manage COVID-19 and focusing its return to service in North America starting in August on “ a select number of ports where we have more significant operations that are easily accessible by car for the majority of our guests.
” Those include Miami , Port Canaveral and Galveston .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--American schoolteacher imprisoned in Egypt is released

CAIRO - An American schoolteacher imprisoned in Egypt for nearly a year without trial has been freed by Egyptian authorities and returned home to the United States , the State Department said Monday .
Reem Desouky , 47 , a dual Egyptian-American citizen and single mother from Lancaster , Pennsylvania , was arrested on arrival at the Cairo Airport with her teenage son in July 2019 and hauled off to Qanatir Prison outside the capital .
She faced charges of running a Facebook page critical of the Egyptian government .
Security officials had confiscated her phone and interrogated her about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to her lawyers .
Human rights groups denounced her detention as arbitrary and politically-motivated .
“ The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens overseas , ” said spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus , welcoming the news of Desouky ’ s release .
Although the arrest of online critics in Egypt is hardly an unusual event , the incarceration of U.S. citizens in the country has drawn more intensive scrutiny since the death of detained American Mustafa Kassem this year .
Kassem had spent six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were false charges and died after a long hunger strike in January , sparking sharp condemnation from the Trump administration and even calls to freeze military aid to Egypt .
U.S. lawmakers seized on the opportunity to increase pressure on the administration to secure Desouky ’ s release .
“ There had been high-level engagement on her case for months , but it was all upped after the death of Kassem , ” said Mohamed Soltan , founder of the Freedom Initiative , which advocated Desouky ’ s case .
“ We think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimize some of that mounting pressure.
” A cellphone video shared by the Freedom Initiative shows Desouky laughing and hugging her friends in the airport parking lot after touching down late Sunday , wearing latex gloves but too overcome with joy to worry about social distancing .
International criticism of Egypt ’ s bleak human rights record intensified further over the weekend , when news broke that Shady Habash , a young Egyptian filmmaker imprisoned for directing a satirical music video about President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi , had suddenly died .
The cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it cast a spotlight on the potentially lethal conditions in Egyptian prisons , where thousands of political prisoners languish without trial .
In a phone call with Egypt ’ s foreign minister last month , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raised the issue of U.S. detainees in Egypt and urged that they “ be kept safe ” during the COVID-19 pandemic .
With crowded prisons a powerful breeding ground for the new coronavirus , rights groups have have stepped up their calls to el-Sissi to release prisoners who are especially vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held on trumped-up charges in Egyptian prisons , according to the Freedom Initiative ’ s estimate .
Separately Desouky ’ s brother , Nour , was arrested when visiting her last summer and remains in jail , Soltan said .
Desouky ’ s son , Mustafa , refused to leave his incarcerated mother in Egypt , and missed school to spend the year waiting for her release with his extended family .
Since coming to power in 2013 , President el-Sissi has waged a sweeping crackdown on dissent .
Rights groups accuse Egyptian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denying them access to lawyers and a fair chance to appeal .
Also on Monday , Marwa Arafa , 27 , an Egyptian translator and mother of a 21-month-old child , appeared before state prosecutors pending an investigation into charges she belongs to and helps to fund a “ terrorist group , ” her lawyer Islam Salama wrote on Facebook .
She was not known to be politically active beyond advocacy work for child prisoners several years ago .
Plainclothes security officers snatched Arafa from her Cairo apartment two weeks ago , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family hadn ’ t heard from her since .
The Egyptian government has denied allegations of rights violations and justifies arrests of opposition figures on national security grounds .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Mexico warns states against prison terms to enforce lockdown

MEXICO CITY - Mexico ’ s Interior Department issued a stern warning Monday for state governments not to use prison terms to enforce lock-downs to combat the new coronavirus pandemic .
The move came after one state legislature voted through a bill establishing prison terms of four to six years for “ people who do not respect the period of mandated isolation while suffering a serious transmittable disease.
” The department said the law passed in the state of Queretaro was disproportionate , possibly unconstitutional and discriminated against the poor .
It sets sentences of three to five years for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defence authorities during a health emergency .
The department expressed particular concern about one clause that sets out prison terms of two to five years for people who “ obstruct public works , “ saying the measure could be used against legitimate demonstrations .
On a friendlier note , federal officials announced that part of the sprawling former presidential compound in Mexico City will be used to house medical workers fighting the pandemic who either want to avoid long commutes or avoid exposing their families during the pandemic .
President Andrés Manuel López @ @ @ @ @ @ @ palatial compound on the edge of a public park , and already turned most of it into a public arts centre .
At the beginning , 58 doctors and nurses will be housed amid the marble-floored rooms and chandeliers of the compound , known as Los Pinos .
Medical personal have been attacked or verbally abused in recent weeks while commuting to their jobs by people apparently afraid that they would spread the virus .
The Mexico City government has already set aside over 2,500 hotel rooms for medical personnel for similar reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2,154 deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--California governor says some business may reopen this week

YUBA CITY , Calif. - With more local governments moving ahead with their own plans for reopening , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced Monday the state will begin gradually allowing clothing stores , florists , bookstores and sporting goods shops to open their doors after a nearly seven-week coronavirus shutdown .
Newsom said the threat of the virus spreading had levelled off to a point where certain retail businesses could again serve customers starting as early as Friday , but with curbside pickups and other restrictions .
Requirements for operation won ’ t be released until Thursday and Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading rapidly might force him to reimpose tighter restrictions .
“ I know this can sound confusing , ” Newsom said at one point , as he sought to explain various requirements in the state ’ s evolving plan to emerge from the crisis .
“ Let ’ s stay the course , let ’ s stay together , ” he said .
The announcement came days after a string of noisy demonstrations , including on the Capitol grounds where roughly 1,000 protesters gathered and over 30 were arrested .
They urged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions unemployed and brought the world ’ s fifth-largest economy to a near-standstill .
On Monday , the state hospital association said California hospitals have lost up to $ 14 billion by postponing elective surgeries and other procedures to clear space in anticipation of a flood of coronavirus patients that never came .
Even as Newsom talked of a measured , cautious return to normalcy in the nation ’ s most populous state , some communities were outpacing him .
And even in counties in lockstep with the governor , some businesses have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been cited by local authorities .
State regulators have received 81 complaints of businesses illegally serving alcohol during the shutdown .
In all but one case , they closed voluntarily .
Newsom , a Democrat , last month unveiled a four-stage system for fully reopening the state .
His announcement means the state will enter Stage 2 .
The next stage could be months away and include opening hair salons , gyms , movie theatres and allowing in-person church services .
Stage 4 would be the end of all restrictions and resumption of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fans .
The governor acknowledged change could come at different times in different places , and protecting public health remains paramount when reducing restrictions .
The relaxed rules coming later in the week do not apply to restaurants , which have been limited to takeout , offices , shopping malls or schools .
Unknown is whether the state could — or would — act against communities that are charting a different direction .
Sutter County Supervisor Mike Ziegenmeyer said he interpreted Newsom ’ s comments as offering a path of approval for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business-as-usual .
“ He ’ s really starting to move .
That was a big deal for us , ” he said .
Newsom ’ s March 19 order intended to deter spread of the virus required most of the state ’ s 40 million residents to remain largely at home , with only businesses deemed “ essential ” permitted to operate .
A key element for reopening is establishing a statewide tracing system to determine if a person who becomes infected has spread the virus .
On Monday Newsom announced a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be used as “ tracers.
” His announcements came as Yuba and Sutter counties followed last week ’ s lead of the sparsely populated Modoc County to broadly open businesses , even as hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 continued to mount in other parts of California .
Sutter-Yuba Public Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu went farther than Newsom , allowing restaurants , retailers , shopping malls , gyms , salons , libraries and even tattoo parlours to reopen , but only if they limit the number of people inside and enforce distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized coronavirus patients and only 50 cases overall and three deaths .
Amy Johnson , owner of Rockabetty ’ s Hair Parlor in Yuba City , opened Monday and said she ’ s booked through mid-June .
“ I ’ m desperate to pay my bills and take care of my family , ” she said , saying she has lost $ 7,500 in rent from the stylists who use her shop .
Johnson wore a mask and a manager sprayed the bottoms of customers ’ shoes and purses before letting them inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointments , which were limited to 30 minutes .
That means no blow drying and not as many highlights .
“ I ’ m just glad , ” said customer Diane Reimanis , who showed up wearing a mask for her morning appointment .
“ I mean , who doesn ’ t want their hair done ?
” It wasn ’ t clear what , if any , steps the Newsom administration would take against the rural , breakaway counties .
“ Our communities have met the scientific criteria for re-opening and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco and Los Angeles , ” Gallagher said in a statement .
“ If this is truly about science and not politics , the governor shouldn ’ t push back against local public health officers.
” More than 2,200 Californians have died from the coronavirus and nearly 55,000 have been confirmed to have it , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because of a shortage of testing .
In northeast California , Modoc County Sheriff Tex Dowdy said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county ’ s 9,000 residents was a deciding factor in allowing a “ staged , safe ” reopening last Friday .
Yuba and Sutter counties , north of Sacramento , are much bigger with a combined population of about 175,000 people , many of whom commute to jobs in the capital region .
The counties have seen 50 confirmed cases of the disease and three deaths .
Jesse Villicana , owner of Cool Hand Luke ’ s steakhouse in Yuba City , said 25 laid-off employees returned to work Sunday to help with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers back into the bar and dining room but wary of the slow return to business as usual .
Customers must sit a booth apart , meaning he can only fill half of the restaurant .
Associated Press writers John Antczak and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles and Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento contributed .

Adam Beam And Michael R. Blood - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Black robes or bathrobes? Virus alters high court traditions

WASHINGTON - The coronavirus pandemic is forcing big changes at the tradition-bound Supreme Court .
On Monday , the justices heard arguments by telephone for the first time since Alexander Graham Bell patented his invention in 1876 .
Audio of the arguments also was broadcast live by the news media , another first .
This is just the second time that the justices are meeting outside the court since the Supreme Court building opened in 1935 .
( The discovery of anthrax in a court mailroom in 2001 forced a temporary relocation to another federal courthouse less than a mile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 10 cases over six days .
Among the cases to be argued : President Donald Trump ’ s bid to keep certain financial records private and whether presidential electors are required to cast their Electoral College ballots for the candidate who won their state .
A few things to know about the arguments : Supreme Court arguments are generally freewheeling affairs , with rapid-fire questions coming at advocates .
That often means the justices trip over each other trying to get in a question .
This time , the justices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Chief Justice John Roberts going first and Justice Brett Kavanaugh , the last to speak .
Doing things in seniority order is routine at the court .
The justices sit according to the length of their court service both at the bench and when they meet for private conferences , where discussion also proceeds in seniority order .
One surprise Monday was that Justice Clarence Thomas , the longest-serving member of the court , asked questions for the first time in more than a year .
He almost never asks questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinks his colleagues interrupt the lawyers before them too much .
Before taking the bench , the justices gather just behind the courtroom to put on their black robes and shake hands , another tradition upended by the virus outbreak .
But with no one to see them , they could just as easily wear their bathrobes .
Justice Samuel Alito told The Wall Street Journal he would not be wearing his judicial robe .
Lawyers who argue before the Supreme Court are supposed to wear “ conservative business dress in traditional dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Think navy blue or charcoal gray .
Sweatpants come in those colours , don ’ t they ?
Meanwhile , the Justice Department says the government ’ s lawyers will wear their traditional long-tailed formal morning coats and present their arguments from the conference room of the solicitor general , the government ’ s top Supreme Court lawyer .
Five minutes before the justices take the bench , a buzzer sounds in the courtroom .
It sounds again right before they emerge from behind the courtroom ’ s red velvet curtains .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court said , and it ’ s not as though the lawyers need any .
They are getting a call at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time , 30 minutes before arguments begin .
Right at 10 on Monday , the court ’ s marshal , Pamela Talkin , called the court to order with very minor modifications of her usual cry that begins with the phrase “ Oyez !
Oyez !
Oyez !
” The biggest difference was that Talkin ’ s words were prerecorded , Arberg said , “ to simplify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing .
Typically lawyers arguing before the court get a warning that their time is about to expire : a white light that goes on at the podium where they are arguing .
A red light goes on when it ’ s time to stop talking .
“ Arguing counsel have been encouraged to keep their own time for argument , so that they can independently determine how much time is remaining , ” Arberg said .
Chief Justice William Rehnquist used to cut lawyers off mid-sentence when the red light went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , he will thank lawyers when their time is up , “ signalling that they should wrap up with a sentence or two , “ Arberg said .
If you ’ re a member of the public , getting a ticket to watch a Supreme Court argument is like winning the lottery .
The tickets are free , but there are fewer than 100 seats typically available to the public , and to get one you have to line up before dawn .
And that ’ s just for cases that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can mean spending days in line , or paying someone to do it on your behalf .
People waited through a rainy night and falling temperatures for arguments in November over legal protections for young immigrants .
This time , with arguments beginning at the traditional 10 a.m. in Washington , even West Coasters can stay in bed past dawn and still have time to tune in to C-SPAN to hear the proceedings .
Many state Supreme Courts and one federal appeals court , in San Francisco , regularly have live video of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do so even as they have moved to remote hearings because of the coronavirus .
But that ’ s a bridge too far for the Supreme Court .
The justices won ’ t even have any internal video link that would allow them to see each other during the arguments , Arberg said .

Mark Sherman And Jessica Gresko - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Senate reopens despite risks as House preps more virus aid

WASHINGTON - The Senate reopened Monday in a Capitol largely shuttered by the coronavirus , but prospects for quick action on a new aid package are uncertain with a deepening debate over how best to confront the deadly pandemic and its economic devastation .
The 100 senators are convening for the first time since March , while the House is staying away due to the health risks , as the conflicted Congress reflects an uneasy nation .
The Washington area remains a virus hot spot under stay-home rules .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opened the session , defending his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump ’ s nominees rather than the virus outbreak .
“ We have important work to do for the nation , ” McConnell said .
He said the Senate would “ show up for work like the essential workers that we are.
” Senate Republicans are trying to set the terms of debate , frustrated that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was able to fill up earlier aid bills with Democratic priorities .
They ’ re reluctant to unleash federal funds beyond the nearly $ 3 trillion Congress already approved in virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kick-start the economy will reduce the need for more aid .
But Pelosi is marching ahead without them , assembling a new aid package that Democrats expect to unveil soon .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer decried bringing senators and staff back without confronting the crisis .
He called it “ one of the strangest sessions of the United States Senate in modern history.
” For more than five weeks , the COVID-19 crisis has all but closed Congress , a longer absence than during the 1918 Spanish flu .
Senators returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the recommendation that senators wear masks — blue face coverings were available for free , and being worn by staff .
Senators were also told to keep their distance and leave most staff at home .
Public access is limited , including at public hearings .
The Capitol itself remains closed to visitors and tours .
It ’ s not just lawmakers at risk .
Reopening part of Capitol Hill poses health risks for the cooks , cleaners , police officers and other workers who keep the Capitol complex functioning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attending physician informed top GOP officials the health office did not have the means to perform instant virus tests on returning lawmakers or staff .
Over the weekend , Trump himself offered Congress access to 1,000 instant virus tests similar to a system used to screen visitors to the White House .
But in an extraordinary rebuff , McConnell and Pelosi said in a rare joint statement Saturday that they would “ respectfully decline , ” directing resources to the front lines .
Lawmakers were wary of preferential treatment amid a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tweet Monday that Congress was essentially “ saying that they are not ‘ essential.
’ ” Democrats are eyeing a new aid package as states and cities seek as much as $ 1 trillion to prevent local layoffs and keep paying nurses , police , firefighters and other front-line workers as local revenues tank during the stay-home shutdown .
Pelosi said they may look at “ guaranteed income ” for those out of work , according to a person unauthorized to discuss a private Democratic conference call and granted anonymity .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce the need for more aid .
“ We have to reopen our country , ” Trump said during a town hall on the eve of the Senate ’ s return , even as he revised upward his projection for the total U.S. death total to as much as 100,000 .
Trump said any new package must have a payroll-tax holiday and McConnell insisted it also include liability protections for health care providers and reopened businesses .
As Congress struggles to fully resume during the pandemic , the top House Republican , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new “ hybrid ” system for the still-shuttered chamber .
Under his plan , the full House should remain closed , but its committees could convene to craft legislation .
He calls it the “ crawl , walk , run ” plan .
But the White House in seeking to limit administration officials ’ time at COVID-related hearings indicated in a memo Monday that any appearances by members of its coronavirus task force must be approved by Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows .
House Democrats proposed a new system of proxy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first for Congress , which under the Constitution expects lawmakers to be “ present.
“ But without Republican support the plans were shelved for more debate .
The House ’ s return date is not yet set .
In the Senate , McConnell has loaded up the schedule with hearings for Trump ’ s nominees , including Justin Walker , a conservative , McConnell-backed pick to be a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia Circuit , which is seen as a stepping stone to the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for John Ratcliffe , the Texas Republican congressman who is Trump ’ s choice to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence .
On Monday , senators confirmed Robert J. Feitel to be inspector general of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission .
Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor , Kevin Freking and Aamer Madhani contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Called to order: Supreme Court holds 1st arguments by phone

WASHINGTON - They politely took turns speaking .
Not a child , spouse or dog could be heard in the background .
The conference call went long , but not by that much .
And with that , the Supreme Court made history Monday , hearing arguments by telephone and allowing the world to listen in live , both for the first time .
The arguments were essentially a high-profile phone discussion with the nine justices and two arguing lawyers .
The session went remarkably smoothly , notable for a high court that prizes tradition and only reluctantly changes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had initially postponed arguments in 20 cases scheduled for March and April because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Courtroom sessions were seen as unsafe , especially with six justices aged 65 or older and at risk of getting seriously sick from the virus .
But the justices ultimately decided to hear 10 cases by phone over six days this month .
The cases the court will hear include President Donald Trump ’ s effort to shield tax and other financial records and whether presidential electors have to cast their Electoral College ballots for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their state .
The court chose a somewhat obscure case about whether the travel website Booking.com can trademark its name for its first foray into remote arguments .
The more high-profile arguments come next week .
Monday ’ s groundbreaking session began at the usual time of 10 a.m. EDT , when Marshal Pamela Talkin called the court to order and Chief Justice John Roberts announced the case .
“ Oyez !
Oyez !
Oyez !
” Talkin began , using the ceremonial language used in the courtroom .
But she skipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and didn ’ t tell people “ to draw near ” and give their attention , a reflection of the unusual circumstances .
One other difference : her words were prerecorded “ to simplify the proceedings , “ court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said in an email .
Some justices were at the court , but Arberg did not say who or how many .
Roberts asked the first questions of government attorney Erica Ross , who was arguing that Booking.com should not be allowed to trademark its name because it is a generic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justices then asked questions in order of seniority instead of the usual free-for-all , rapid-fire style that questions are asked in the courtroom .
That meant Justice Brett Kavanaugh , who joined the court in 2018 , went last .
One mild surprise came early in the arguments when Roberts passed the questioning to Justice Clarence Thomas , who once went 10 years between questions and has said he thinks his colleagues pepper lawyers with too many .
But in this format , Thomas spoke up , asking questions of both lawyers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a year that he had asked a question .
Glitches were minor .
At one point Justice Stephen Breyer ’ s line was briefly garbled .
At another , when the questioning was passed to Justice Sonia Sotomayor , there was a long pause and the chief justice said her name a second time before her voice was heard .
“ I ’ m sorry , chief , ” she said before beginning her questioning .
Several justices said “ good morning ” to the lawyers , a telephone nicety not often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasionally interjected to keep things moving , saying , “ Thank you , counsel , ” when he wanted Ross or Booking.com ’ s lawyer Lisa Blatt to stop talking so he could move to the next justice .
“ It is a fundamental principle of trademark law that no party can obtain a trademark for a generic term like ‘ wine , ’ ‘ cotton , ’ or ‘ grain , ’ ” Ross told the justices , pointing them to an 1888 Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ Inc. ” to a generic term doesn ’ t make it eligible to be trademarked .
Some of the exchanges were playful , as happens from time to time in the courtroom .
Breyer used pizza.com and cookies.com as examples of websites and discussed with Blatt searching on the internet for toilet paper .
All told , arguments took roughly an hour and 15 minutes , slightly longer than the hour allotted in the courtroom .
One element of the morning that was truly different was the audience .
While the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the public who want a seat have to line up outside the Supreme Court before dawn , an untold number of people anywhere in the world could listen to Monday ’ s arguments , which were streamed to the public by the media .
The experiment could propel the court to routinely livestream its arguments .
Or it could just be an extraordinary exception to the court ’ s sustained opposition to broadening the audience that can hear , if not see , its work live .
Follow AP ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ //twitter.com/AP_Courtside .
And Supreme Court reporters Mark Sherman at https : //twitter.com/shermancourt and Jessica Gresko at https : //twitter.com/jessicagresko .

Jessica Gresko And Mark Sherman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--In fight over Brazil leader’s virus test, crisis looms

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he twice tested negative for the coronavirus but many , including a federal judge , are demanding he share the actual results .
Still , the leader has refused .
The surreal standoff is the latest flashpoint in a broader battle between a president who has repeatedly tested the limits of his power and democratic institutions .
There are concerns that as Bolsonaro pushes back , it could spark a constitutional crisis .
Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed the coronavirus pandemic and has fiercely criticized efforts by governors and mayors to impose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , instead advocating for most people to get back to work .
But the courts have repeatedly curtailed him — on this issue and others : They ruled that governors and mayors have the power to determine shutdown measures .
They overturned the president ’ s decree allowing religious gatherings and are trying to force the release of his COVID-19 test results to put to rest speculation he may have lied .
They struck down his pick for federal police director and on Saturday suspended his decision to expel 30 Venezuelan diplomats from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly curtailed him — on this issue and others : They ruled that governors and mayors have the power to determine shutdown measures , overturned the president ’ s decree allowing religious gatherings , are trying to force the release of his COVID-19 test results to put to rest speculation he may have lied , and recently struck down his pick for federal police director .
Bolsonaro ’ s supporters have denounced the decisions as part of a plot to derail his presidency , and the president himself says he is a victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enough with the interference .
We ’ re not going to allow any more interference !
” Bolsonaro said on Sunday .
“ Patience has run out .
We ’ re going to take Brazil forward.
” Analysts say the court decisions impose constraints on a populist who is testing democratic guardrails and has shown he is not afraid to take his legal battles to the street when he is unhappy with the courts .
Bolsonaro and his base have frequently lambasted the courts when they limit his power .
They have decried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s recent decision to block the nomination of a new chief of the federal police , seen by many as too close to the Bolsonaro family .
Even some critics , including former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , believe the Supreme Court overstepped in that instance .
The highest court also approved the opening of an investigation into whether the appointment constituted illegal political interference .
The fight over his coronavirus test results has produced a particularly unusual chapter .
Concerns about Bolsonaro ’ s health began in March , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and local media reported in the weeks that followed that more than a dozen members of his delegation tested positive for the coronavirus .
Initial unconfirmed reports indicated Bolsonaro had tested positive himself but then he announced on social media his results had come back negative .
He has refused to produce the actual document , citing medical privacy .
Last week , a federal judge in São Paulo ordered Bolsonaro to present the results in response to a request from the O Estado de S. Pãulo newspaper .
Bolsonaro ’ s attorney-general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the office said in a statement .
The judge again insisted on the actual results , and a separate judge on Saturday gave Bolsonaro ’ s team five days to comply .
Bolsonaro has also further muddied the waters recently .
Following the lawsuits , he said last week he had “ perhaps ” contracted the virus without knowing it .
All the while , Bolsonaro has kept appearing in public without a mask , addressing crowds and shaking well-wishers ’ hands — on one occasion , after wiping his nose .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ base has long seemed nearly unshakable .
While a positive result might not challenge that , it would likely erode support from moderates – the portion of people who are not die-hard but believe his policies are reasonable , said Lucas de Aragão , partner at the Brasilia-based consultancy Arko Advice .
“ All this creates an environment of institutional crisis , “ said Carlos Melo , a political science professor at Insper University in São Paulo .
” constitutional crises are complicated because when institutions no longer resolve controversies and conflicts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force ?
” As the political and economic crisis deriving from the pandemic deepens in Brazil , Bolsonaro might try to further discredit democratic institutions , looking for someone to blame to weather the storm , analysts said .
“ This is why he is bashing the governors and judiciary , ” said de Aragão .
“ The Bolsonaro government and his most influential advocates are always looking for a common enemy , because this creates a sense of community among supporters.
” Some of that can already be seen unfolding .
Over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base made the hashtag # CoupFromTheSupremeCourt trend on Twitter in Brazil .
Meanwhile in the capital of Brasilia on Sunday , protesters shouted slogans such as : “ Careful , Justices , your robes will turn into handcuffs.
” “ We want our president to be able to govern , ” Bia Kicis , a lawmaker who appeared next to Bolsonaro on Sunday , said in a live broadcast on the president ’ s Facebook page .
“ Our people are not going to let ( Supreme Court ) Justices , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president from governing !
” Experts said the president was playing a dangerous game by taking his legal battles to the streets .
“ Why not appeal ?
Why go to the streets ?
” asked Melo .
“ This is populism .
It ’ s not understanding the constitutional appeals process in the country .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--South Dakota teen to plead guilty in Wyoming girl’s killing

STURGIS , S.D .
- A South Dakota teenager plans to plead guilty to manslaughter in the death of a 16-year-old Wyoming girl whose body was found in his basement last fall , attorneys said .
The 17-year-old defendant originally was charged as an adult with alternative counts of first- and second-degree murder in the killing of Shayna Ritthaler of Upton , Wyoming .
Meade County State ’ s Attorney Michele Bordewyk told the Rapid City Journal the boy is expected to plead guilty to manslaughter on Thursday .
He originally pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s defence attorney , Steven Titus , have agreed to ask the judge for a 55-year sentence , but the judge does not have to agree to their recommendation .
Titus called it a “ sad situation for everyone involved.
” Titus said he hopes the judge agrees to the sentence since it gives the teen “ a light at the end of the tunnel ” by making him eligible for parole in his early 40s .
Titus had planned on arguing that his client should be transferred to juvenile court , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal .
The Associated Press isn ’ t naming the defendant because his case might end up back in juvenile court .
Titus said the plea deal also means he ’ s dropping the insanity defence , which argued that the defendant was not mentally competent at the time of the killing .
Ritthaler went missing Oct. 3 , 2019 , after being seen getting into a vehicle at coffee shop in Moorcroft , Woming .
She was found Oct. 7 in the basement of the home the boy shared with his mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , near the border with Wyoming .
The prosecutor previously has said the suspect shot Ritthaler after an argument turned violent .
The sheriff has said the victim died of a single gunshot wound to the head .
The arrest affidavit is sealed and officials have not yet shared how the two met , their relationship and the events leading up to her death .
The defendant remains in the juvenile jail in Rapid City on $ 1 million bond .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Gridlock gone, sports car collectors take over Times Square

NEW YORK - Danny Lin cruised his white sports car down Broadway , the bright lights of Times Square gleaming off his sharply detailed Audi R8 .
He looped through the tourist hotspot again and again , navigating around Corvettes , Mercedes , Mustangs and BMWs — a parade of high-priced vehicles gathered for a rare photo-op .
“ I never bring my car here , ” said the 24-year-old from Queens .
“ Only for today , to get some cool shots.
” From a star turn in “ Taxi Driver “ to the Naked Cowboy to the million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year ’ s Eve , the “ Crossroads of the World ” has for generations been an iconic New York backdrop in movies , culture and the arts .
Now , Times Square has taken a turn toward Tokyo Drift , just without the “ Fast and the Furious , ” as car-loving New Yorkers flock to the barren streets of the theatre district .
Car mavens normally wouldn ’ t dare rev their engines in gridlocked Midtown , but they ’ re eagerly driving into Manhattan to take photos and show off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets .
With the weather turning toward summer and restlessness settling in after six weeks of mandated social distancing , hundreds of automobile aficionados rolled down Broadway on Saturday night .
“ This is the only time we could come down here and take photos , ” Lin said .
At least 100 pedestrians were wandering the area when the cars began roaring down Times Square ’ s main drag Saturday , along with dozens of motorcycles in one crew that created a deafening buzz .
Police — some in cars , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the procession and only intervened if cars remained parked for too long .
Some families with young children also drove through in minivans and SUVs , taking in Times Square as if touring neighbourhood Christmas lights .
Onlookers , mostly keeping six feet apart and wearing facemasks , cheered and took video from the sidewalks as suped-up cars and bikes went by .
The area maintained some of its touristy quirks .
A violinist with a glowing wand and blue hair played for tips , and a salsa-dancing couple put a camera phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One woman wearing a leather leotard biked down Broadway a few times , cycling next to a giant van with a cameraman hanging out the passenger window to record as she sang and danced .
By 11 p.m. , sports cars were backed up for blocks along Broadway , and police closed the road from 47th Street down through Times Square , effectively ending the party .
Car collectors have been driving into the area for weeks in smaller packs .
Mike Hodurski and Steve Cruz brought their Chevrolet pickup trucks Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a light-up American flag at the corner of Broadway and 43rd Street .
It was already Hodurski ’ s second trip to Midtown amid the outbreak .
This time , the MTA bus driver brought a blue 1977 Chevy C10 pickup that he ’ d purchased earlier that day .
“ It ’ s a lot of fun .
Might as well take advantage of it now , while nobody ’ s over here , ” Hodurski said .
“ The streets are dead .
You ’ d never get to see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ You know what , screw it , ’ and we all got together.
” Hodurski is from Queens and Cruz from Brooklyn , and both said they usually avoid Times Square as much as possible — too many tourists and too much traffic .
There was hardly anyone in the area when they cruised through Wednesday .
They spent about five minutes in front of the flag before a cop asked them to keep moving .
Andre Godfrey has driven his 2018 Ford Mustang — with glowing red shark teeth embedded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice .
He and a buddy came around 3 a.m. last Thursday , when the area was completely empty , and pulled his car up onto a sidewalk for a glamour shot .
“ Nobody bothered us , ” Godfrey said .
“ There was one police officer down the street , like a crossing agent , and they didn ’ t really seem bothered by us on the sidewalk.
” He came back Saturday after hearing from a friend that a crew of over 100 BMWs was heading toward the area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ — it arrived in Midtown shortly after police blocked off Broadway .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Alaska’s largest newspaper wins Pulitzer Prize

JUNEAU , Alaska - Alaska ’ s largest newspaper won a Pulitzer Prize in public service Monday for its work examining law enforcement in rural communities , a feat coming less than three years after the outlet was rescued from the brink of financial collapse .
This is the third such award won by the Anchorage Daily News .
The award announced Monday was won in collaboration with ProPublica for “ a riveting series that revealed a third of Alaska ’ s villages had no police protection , took authorities to task for decades of neglect , and spurred an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to the announcement .
Anchorage Daily News Editor David Hulen said the series “ called attention to some really serious problems in Alaska that have needed attention for a long time.
” “ There ’ s more to be done , ” he said .
“ We ’ re going to continue working on this.
” Anchorage Daily News President and CEO Ryan Binkley said the announcement was watched by staff via video conference , a nod to the fact that many are working remotely due to coronavirus concerns .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with each other in person and popping champagne corks , and of course we can ’ t do that these days , ” he said , adding later : “ We ’ ve just been receiving all sorts of congratulations from around the country today , which is kind of surreal , actually , considering where we were three years ago.
” Alice Rogoff backed the online Alaska Dispatch before buying in 2014 the Anchorage Daily News , which was rebranded as the Alaska Dispatch News .
In 2017 , it filed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy judge in September 2017 approved its sale for $ 1 million , calling it a better option than liquidation .
Binkley , his two brothers and his sister became the new owners .
The name was changed back to the Anchorage Daily News .
“ We came very close to not existing after the newspaper went into Chapter 11 , but it never stopped , ” Hulen said of the outlet ’ s work .
He said the newsroom ’ s size is much smaller than it was at its peak and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including forging partnerships like the one with ProPublica .
He said the Anchorage Daily News would not have been able to pull off the depth of reporting in the Pulitzer-winning series had it not been for that partnership .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--‘Riveting’ coverage of Alaska policing wins Pulitzer Prize

NEW YORK - The Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica won the Pulitzer Prize in public service Monday for illuminating the sparse policing of remote Alaskan villages , as a delayed awards ceremony recognized writing , photos and — for the first time — audio reporting on topics ranging from climate change to the legacy of slavery .
The public service winners contacted 600 village , tribal and other local governments and travelled by plane , sled and snowmobile to reveal that a third of rural Alaska communities had no local police protection , among other findings .
The “ riveting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influx of spending , the judges noted in an announcement postponed several weeks and held online because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We ’ re humbled by the recognition , but the stories put a bright light on serious problems in Alaska that have needed attention for a long time , ” Daily News Editor David Hulen said .
“ In some ways , we ’ re just getting started.
” The New York Times won the investigative reporting prize for an expose of predatory lending in the New York City taxi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ award for what the judges called “ enthralling stories , reported at great risk , ” about Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s government .
The Times also was awarded the commentary prize for an essay that Nikole Hannah-Jones wrote as part of the paper ’ s ambitious 1619 Project , which followed the throughlines of slavery in American life to this day .
Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet told the staff — in a virtual meeting — that this year ’ s prizes were “ particularly meaningful because they come as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as we produce great journalism.
” The Washington Post ’ s work on global warming was recognized for explanatory reporting .
The newspaper tracked nearly 170 years of temperature records to show that 10 % of the planet ’ s surface has already exceeded a rise of 2 degrees Celsius ( 3.6 Fahrenheit ) over pre-industrial times , the threshold world leaders have agreed they ’ d try not to exceed .
While the country is now focused on the coronavirus , “ another worldwide public-health crisis is upon us ” as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baron said .
Monday ’ s awards recognized reporting last year , before the virus sparked a pandemic .
In a development that recognized how podcasting has brought new attention to reporting aimed at listeners rather than readers or viewers , a first-ever award for audio reporting went to “ This American Life , ” the Los Angeles Times and Vice News for “ The Out Crowd , ” an examination of the Trump administration ’ s “ remain in Mexico ” immigration policy .
In another prize for the Los Angeles Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for what the judges called “ extraordinary community service by a critic ” in examining a proposal to overhaul of the L.A. County Museum of Art .
The staff of The Courier-Journal of Louisville , Kentucky , took the breaking news reporting award for unpacking racial disparities and other issues in a spate of governor ’ s pardons .
Two different projects won the national reporting award : ProPublica ’ s look at deadly accidents in the U.S. Navy and The Seattle Times ’ examination of design flaws in the troubled Boeing 737 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fields said its reporting “ laid bare the avoidance of responsibility by the military ’ s most senior leaders.
“ The local reporting award went to The Baltimore Sun for shedding light on a previously undisclosed financial relationship between the mayor and the public hospital system , which she helped oversee .
The New Yorker took the feature reporting prize for Ben Taub ’ s piece on a detainee at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba .
New Yorker contributor Barry Blitt got the editorial cartooning award for work that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Trump White House , ” as the judges saw it .
The Associated Press won the feature photography prize for images made during India ’ s clampdown on Kashmir , where a sweeping curfew and shutdowns of phone and internet service added to the challenges of showing the world what was happening in the region .
AP photographers Dar Yasin , Mukhtar Khan and Channi Anand snaked around roadblocks , sometimes took cover in strangers ’ homes and hid cameras in vegetable bags to capture images of protests , police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they headed to an airport to persuade travellers to carry the photo files out with them and get them to the AP ’ s office in New Delhi .
“ These journalists ’ courage and compelling storytelling show the absolute best of what we do , ” AP Executive Editor Sally Buzbee said .
Reuters won the breaking news photography award for its coverage of protests that shook Hong Kong .
Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler said the photos “ brilliantly captured the magnitude of the protests.
” While big outlets and collaborations got plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in East Texas , got a Pulitzer for Jeffery Gerritt ’ s editorials on the deaths of jail inmates awaiting trial .
In the arts categories , Michael R. Jackson ’ s musical “ A Strange Loop ” won the drama prize .
And Colson Whitehead ’ s “ The Nickel Boys “ won the fiction prize ; he also won in 2017 for “ The Underground Railroad.
” The Pulitzer board also issued a special citation Monday to the trailblazing African American journalist and civil rights activist Ida B .
Wells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting ” on lynchings .
Wells was a journalist and publisher in the late 1800s and later helped found civil rights and women ’ s suffrage groups ; she died in 1931 .
The board said the citation comes with a bequest of at least $ 50,000 in support of Wells ’ mission , with recipients to be announced .
The initial Pulitzer ceremony , which had been scheduled for April 20 , was pushed to give Pulitzer Board members who were busy covering the pandemic more time to evaluate the finalists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ awarded in 1917 and are considered the field ’ s most prestigious honour in the U.S. Associated Press writer Deepti Hajela contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--San Francisco police chief bans ‘thin blue line’ face masks

San Francisco ’ s police chief said the city ’ s rank and file will wear neutral face coverings to defuse a controversy after officers sent to patrol a May Day protest wore masks adorned with the “ thin blue line ” flag .
The police union ordered and distributed the masks emblazoned with black-and-white American flag with a blue stripe across the middle .
The symbol is associated with the Blue Lives Matter movement , a display of unity among police officers in response to the national Black Lives Matter movement .
In an email obtained by KTVU-TV , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he considered the blue flag and stripe “ a meaningful expression to honour fallen officers.
“ However , he worried that some may perceive the symbol as “ divisive and disrespectful.
” A retired civil rights lawyer told the San Francisco Examiner that the masks , which also include the logo for the San Francisco Police Officers Association , violate a long-standing policy that bars police from expressing political opinions while wearing their uniforms .
“ The definition of a uniform is that its uniform , ” Crew said .
“ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , affiliations , whatever.
” The police union president , Tony Montoya , said the union showed the masks to Scott ’ s command staff and several of them had asked for more .
The blue line “ represents law enforcement ’ s separation of order and chaos , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--Authorities: Shopper wore KKK hood at California store

SAN DIEGO - Authorities are looking into whether a man who they say wore a Ku Klux Klan hood while grocery shopping in a San Diego suburb over the weekend could face criminal charges , the sheriff ’ s department said Monday .
The unidentified man was photographed with the white hood while pushing a grocery cart at the store in the town of Santee on Saturday , a day after the county required people to wear masks outside to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus , according to the San Diego County Sheriff ’ s Department .
Store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hood or leave the store , according to The San Diego Union-Tribune .
He removed the tall , pointed hood that had two small eye holes cut into it , paid for his groceries and left .
Deputies were not called to the scene but are investigating to see if he could be charged with a possible hate crime , the department said .
“ The Sheriff ’ s Department does not condone hate or any acts of intolerance in our communities , “ the department said in a news release .
Santee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ all who stepped forward to curtail this sad reminder of intolerance .
Santee , its leaders , and I will not tolerate such behaviour.
“


thetorontostar--2020-05-04--3 charged in killing of store security guard over virus mask

FLINT , Mich. - A woman , her adult son and husband have been charged in the fatal shooting of a security guard who refused to let her daughter enter a Family Dollar in Michigan because she wasn ’ t wearing a face mask to protect against transmission of the coronavirus .
Calvin Munerlyn was shot Friday at the store just north of downtown Flint a short time after telling Sharmel Teague ’ s daughter she had to leave because she lacked a mask , according to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton .
Teague , 45 , argued with Munerlyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men later came to the store .
Teague ; her husband , Larry Teague , 44 ; and Ramonyea Bishop , 23 ; are charged with first-degree premeditated murder and gun charges .
Larry Teague also is charged with violating Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s executive order mandating that all customers and employees must wear face coverings inside grocery stores , Leyton said .
Witnesses identified Bishop as the man who shot Munerlyn in the back of the head , Leyton said .
Sharmel Teague has been arrested .
Police were looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information has been released about the daughter , who has not been charged in the shooting .
“ It is important that the governor ’ s order be respected and adhered to , and for someone to lose their life over it is beyond comprehension , ” Leyton said earlier Monday in a statement .
On Thursday , gun-carrying protesters and other demonstrators rallied inside the state capitol , calling for coronavirus-related restrictions to be lifted .
Some protesters with guns — which are allowed in the statehouse — went to the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As of Monday , Michigan has reported 43,754 confirmed COVID-19 virus cases and 4,049 deaths due to complications from the disease .
“ The hostile tone that we have seen in recent days on television and in social media can permeate our society in ways we sometimes don ’ t fully realize or anticipate , ” Leyton told reporters Monday .
“ Decisions like staying home when we can , wearing a mask when going to the store and staying a safe distance from those around us — these should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessitate acts of defiance , and we simply can not devolve into an us versus them mentality.
” About 150 people attended a candlelight vigil Sunday night .
On Monday , a makeshift memorial was started outside the Family Dollar .
Munerlyn ’ s mother , Bernadett , said she wants justice for her son .
“ They didn ’ t have to take my baby and it wasn ’ t that serious , ” she said .
“ All you people just have to do is listen to the law , listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you don ’ t have to come out , then you wouldn ’ t need a mask unless you ’ re out getting groceries or necessities .
All my baby was doing was his job working and doing his job.
” “ It is incredibly sad that in this crisis that this life was lost , “ Whitmer told reporters Monday .
“ We are mindful of how important it is that people keep a level head , that we do the right things protecting ourselves and protecting others.
” Williams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eggert in Lansing contributed to this story .

Corey Williams And Mike Householder - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-05--As Trump resumes travel, staff takes risks to prepare trip

WASHINGTON - For much of the last two months , President Donald Trump has rarely left the grounds of the White House as he ’ s dealt with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and sought to minimize his own exposure to the disease .
But that changes Tuesday , when Trump is scheduled to travel to Arizona to visit a Honeywell facility that makes N95 masks in what the president suggests will mark the return to more regular travel .
The trip also means a small army of advisers , logistical experts and security staff — a coterie of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , Defence Department , Secret Service and more — will resume regularly hitting the road again and taking a measure of risk to assist Trump .
Besides Tuesday ’ s trip to Honeywell , Trump says he will travel soon to Ohio , to New York in June for the U.S. Military Academy graduation and to South Dakota in July for a holiday fireworks display at Mount Rushmore .
Trump says he ’ s also eager to get back on the campaign trail , though he acknowledged during a Fox News forum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold his signature big-stadium rallies until the final months before the Nov. 3 election .
“ I ’ ve been at the White House now for many months , and I ’ d like to get out , as much as I love this .
...
Most beautiful house in the world , ” Trump said in announcing his travel plans .
At a moment when public health officials have asked Americans to postpone nonessential travel to help stem the coronavirus , Trump is looking to rev the engines of Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shell-shocked American electorate — reeling from the death and economic destruction wrought by the virus — to edge back to normal life .
But White House officials are also taking precautions to try to prevent Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence from exposure to the virus .
Honeywell workers who meet Trump on Tuesday — just like anyone else who comes in close proximity to the president and vice-president — will be first required to take a rapid point-of-care test to determine if they ’ re carrying the virus .
“ When preparing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House ’ s operational teams work together to ensure plans to incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure are followed to the greatest extent possible , “ White House spokesman Judd Deere said .
But Matt Bennett , who served as Vice-President Al Gore ’ s trip director , said he worries that Trump is putting his staff , military personnel and local and state officials at unnecessary risk .
“ I think there is a value of seeing our leaders out in the country and escaping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive vice-president at the centre-left think-tank Third Way .
“ But it has to be balanced against the cost .
The cost here could be the health and safety of a lot of people.
” James McCann , a Purdue University political scientist who has studied presidential travel , said that Trump early in his term travelled significantly less frequently on official presidential business compared to his four predecessors .
But now that a big campaign rally is not possible , Trump is searching for a way to assert himself .
“ Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” McCann said .
Marc Short , Pence ’ s chief of staff , told reporters the vice-president , who last week travelled to Indiana and Minnesota , has been debriefing the White House Military Office after each trip to discuss planning and protocols .
Typically , White House advance staff fly commercial airlines when travelling to scout a location before a presidential or vice-presidential visit .
But Short said staffers are now taking military aircraft .
Ahead of Pence ’ s trip to an Indiana plant where ventilators are being manufactured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the military base where Air Force Two landed , Short said .
The Secret Service , which is tasked with protecting the president and his family , wouldn ’ t get into the details of how it ’ s altering operations but said it ’ s following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance .
“ Since the beginning of this pandemic , the Secret Service has been working with all of our public safety partners and the White House Medical Unit to ensure the safety and security of both our protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justine Whelan , a spokeswoman for the agency .
In addition to the White House advance staff , which is tasked with plotting out the smallest details of the president ’ s visit , the Secret Service sends its own advance team that maps out security for the visit .
Officials from the White House communications office advance team are dispatched to set security telephone access for the president should he need it .
The president flies on Air Force One , military-operated aircraft , on all trips , regardless of whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal travel .
The Defence Department also airlifts equipment such as armoured limousines and occasionally helicopters for the president ’ s travel .
The Military Working Dog Program and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Program are dispatched to support protection of the president .
Typically , about a dozen members of the news media travel with the president on Air Force One at their organization ’ s expense .
The president usually travels with a representative from the press office , the chief of staff ’ s office and the National Security Council , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides , like his economic advisers , a Cabinet secretary or lawmakers , also may join depending on the nature of the visit .
Johanna Maska , who served as the White House director of press advance during the Obama administration , said it ’ s important for administration officials to remember that everyone who travels or assists in the president ’ s travel — from the closest aides to the volunteer van drivers who drive lower-rung aides from the airport — have families .
“ There is a whole orbit around those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I certainly hope that they are making the right decisions here .
”

Aamer Madhani And Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-05--China launches trial version of latest spacecraft

BEIJING - China launched a newly designed spacecraft on Tuesday as part of its program to build an orbiting space station , furthering its aspirations to rival the U.S. , Russia and private companies in outer space exploration .
The official Xinhua News Agency said the unmanned spacecraft and its return capsule were flung into space aboard a Long March 5B rocket in its debut flight Tuesday evening from the Wenchang launch centre in the southern island province of Hainan .
The capsule is reportedly an improvement on the Shenzhou capsule based on the former Soviet Union ’ s Soyuz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than just three .
China earlier launched an experimental space station that later crashed back through the atmosphere , and plans to build a larger facility with multiple modules to rival the scale of the International Space Station .
China ’ s burgeoning space program achieved a milestone last year by landing a spacecraft on the largely unexplored far side of the moon and has plans to launch a lander and rover on Mars .
The program has developed rapidly , especially since its first crewed mission in 2003 , and has sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere .
The U.S. , however , has banned most space co-operation with China out of national security concerns , keeping China from participating in the International Space Station and prompting it to gradually develop its own equipment .
The new Long March 5B rocket has been specially designated to propel modules of the future space station into orbit .


thetorontostar--2020-05-05--‘A resume for future office’: Virus tests a GOP governor

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
- Kristi Noem had been South Dakota ’ s governor for less than six months when she made clear she wasn ’ t going to let her job in the sleepy capital of Pierre keep her out of national politics — or off President Donald Trump ’ s radar .
The 48-year-old Republican had a TV studio with live hookup capability installed in the governor ’ s office .
She started seeking advice from Trump ’ s former adviser Corey Lewandowski , who worked to raise her profile within conservative circles .
Then came the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the spotlight comes with much higher stakes .
While many other governors have broken from Trump on the need for stay-at-home orders to curb the spread of coronavirus and on when to restart the economy , Noem has tracked close to the president .
She declined to impose broad restrictions on business and public activity , resisting calls from doctors .
And when Trump touted a malaria drug as a potential remedy for the disease , she was among the first to launch a trial of the drug , despite no proof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earned her praise from conservative activists and the attention of the president , who last week announced plans to visit the state for an Independence Day celebration at Mount Rushmore , complete with once-banned fireworks .
The White House sees her as someone trying to “ push back against the grain , ” said Charlie Kirk , a conservative activist and close Trump ally .
“ That ’ s hero status in the conservative movement.
” But it ’ s also drawn criticism even from Republicans in her solidly red state , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead the response and seems focused on climbing the political ladder .
They worry , along with health experts , that the fallout from her decisions hasn ’ t yet been felt .
The state ’ s virus caseload isn ’ t expected to peak until June .
“ No governor has faced this enormous a test before , but this is the kind of challenge they will be judged on , ” said Gail Gitcho , a Republican strategist and former communications director for the Republican Governors Association .
For Noem ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ it becomes her leadership resume for future office.
” Throughout the coronavirus pandemic , Noem has stuck to a hands-off approach , refusing to order businesses to close and rejecting calls for sweeping stay-at-home orders .
She ’ s held her ground even as mayors and doctors — including the state ’ s largest medical association — called for stricter measures .
Noem argued that would only delay the peak of infections and extend disruption of daily life .
She invoked the state ethos of individualism and said she trusted South Dakotans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to apply a one-size-fits-all approach is herd mentality , it ’ s not leadership , ” she said in early April .
“ I did get kind of ridiculed by the media for telling people in my press conferences , if you ’ re scared and you ’ re fearful , to stay home .
You have every right and responsibility to stay in your house , “ Noem told Kirk during a podcast recorded last week .
It ’ s not just the media who have questioned her approach .
Fellow Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falls , said she was not doing enough to stop a spike in infections after an outbreak at a Smithfield pork-processing plant eventually sickened 853 employees , including two who died .
Noem ultimately joined TenHaken in asking Smithfield to temporarily close the plant .
Despite that , Noem tends to dig in when challenged .
Most famously , she stood by her anti-drug campaign — tagline : “ Meth , We ’ re on it ” — after it became the butt of jokes .
After facing criticism for hiring her daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her a bigger job and a hefty raise .
Noem has largely praised the Trump administration throughout the crisis — even in March , when the state health lab ran out of supplies and had to halt tests for several days .
That has resulted in access to Trump and his advisers .
During a call with Trump last week , she pressed for flexibility in using her state ’ s $ 1.25 billion in relief funding to offset sharp state revenue declines .
Trump invited Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin onto the call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
Noem ’ s increased contact with the White House comes after several months of close consultation with Lewandowski , Trump ’ s former campaign manager .
The two were among roughly 40 conservative guests , including Kirk and Donald Trump Jr. , who attended an annual deep-sea fishing trip last summer off British Columbia hosted and paid for by Wyoming GOP donor Foster Friess .
Lewandowski has since connected Noem with conservative leaders and activists and opened doors to speaking engagements at conservative forums around the country , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Lewandowski ’ s role who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to discuss the private conversations .
And Noem , with Lewandowski ’ s help , became a more regular presence on Fox News Channel , regular viewing in the White House .
Many South Dakota Republicans say she ’ s widely viewed as seeking a job in Washington , whether in Trump ’ s administration or beyond .
“ I have been suspicious of that for a while , “ said Lance Russell , a Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critic of the governor .
Noem ’ s spokeswoman Maggie Seidel said it ’ s “ unequivocally false ” that Noem is looking for an administration job .
Seidel said Noem received an offer to interview for a Cabinet position before being elected governor , but turned it down .
A rancher ’ s daughter , Noem left college midway through her studies to take over the business when her father died .
She describes the decision as the moment she set out on a political path seeking lower taxes and cultivating personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislature , Noem swept into the House with the tea party wave in 2010 and served eight years .
She won the governor ’ s office with just 51 per cent of the vote in 2018 .
An appearance with Trump at Mount Rushmore could boost Noem ’ s popularity .
She suggested this week that she ’ ll be there to meet him .
But her standing may depend more on whether South Dakotans feel safe coming out to watch the show .

Thomas Beaumont And Stephen Groves - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-05--Fiat Chrysler swings to loss as virus hits output, demand

MILAN - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on Tuesday reported a first-quarter net loss of 1.7 billion euros ( $ 1.84 billion ) due to a steep decline in car sales during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Italian-American carmaker has withdrawn full-year earnings forecasts due to the volatility of the economic situation provoked the virus , which includes stalled production and shuttered dealerships .
Fiat Chrysler confirmed it remained committed to full merger with French carmaker PSA Peugeot , which it aims to complete by early 2021 .
The first-quarter loss compared with earnings of 619 million euros during the same period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 20.5 billion euros from 24.5 billion euros last year , as global shipments slumped 21 % to 818,000 with production suspended in all regions and a collapse in global demand .
Only North America posted a profit , with earnings before interest and taxes at 548 million euros .
Plants there were closed only one week in the quarter .
Fiat Chrysler said its available liquidity was 18.6 billion euros at the end of the first quarter , including 6.25 billion euros in a fully drawn revolving credit .
The automaker has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help face the crisis .
Cash flow from operating activities was down 364 % to a negative 2.82 billion euros .
Fiat Chrysler restarted production April 27 at its Sevel truck-making plant in Italy , a joint venture with PSA Peugeot , which is running at 70 % of normal capacity .
A joint venture in China also has been restarted successfully , the company said .
“ Production in other regions will be phased in over a period of time and aligned to consumer demand , ’ ’ Fiat Chrysler said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restart both production and sales as governments permit .
“ The pandemic has had and continues to have a significant impact on our operations , ’ ’ CEO Mike Manley said in a statement .
He expressed ” the utmost confidence in our ability to navigate through this crisis and emerge well-positioned to grow and prosper on the other side .
’ ’