thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Refugees protest under coronavirus lockdown in Rwanda

KIGALI , Rwanda - Rwanda ’ s coronavirus lockdown has led to a protest by refugees and migrants who were relocated to the country last year from crowded detention camps in Libya , witnesses said .
They gathered in their camp on Wednesday to organize a demonstration against the lockdown “ but authorities came in quickly and stopped it , ” Elise Villechalane , spokeswoman with the U.N. refugee agency , told The Associated Press .
Nearly 300 refugees and migrants are living in the Gashora emergency transit centre outside the capital , Kigali .
Rwanda took them in under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and African Union after repeated allegations of dire conditions in Libya ’ s detention centres including beatings , rapes and other abuses .
Some refugees had been screened and approved to move to countries such as Norway or Canada — the first large group was resettled in February — but virus-related travel restrictions have stranded the others for now .
Rwanda was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to issue a lockdown and recently extended it , to some anxiety .
“ We understand these refugees are stressed and some still have trauma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abide by these measures like other Rwandans , ” Villechalane said .
The refugee agency said it and Rwanda ’ s government had printed posters in multiple languages with coronavirus messaging .
Residents who live near the transit centre said the refugees and migrants exchanged bitter words with camp authorities .
“ Some of the refugees said they should be allowed to go back home to the countries of their origin , ” Jean Claude Habananimana , who coaches a football team for the refugees and migrants , told the AP .
Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been allowed to go out and play football with neighbouring communities as well as go to church or the mosque .
“ They can not go to Europe either , ” Habananimana said .
“ Now their lives are confined in one place .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Stock markets rise, US oil price sinks below $19

BANGKOK - Global stock markets rose on Friday as more governments planned for a phased reopening of parts of their economies , while the U.S. benchmark for oil continued to slide , falling below $ 19 a barrel .
Markets held up after the news that China ’ s economy contracted 6.8 % in the last quarter from a year earlier as the country battled the coronavirus .
It is the worst downturn since 1979 but better than some analysts had feared .
Sentiment was lifted also by news of White House guidelines outlining a phased approach to reopening businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some optimistic investors are focusing on the massive aid for the economy promised by the Federal Reserve and the U.S government .
They also point to recent signs that the outbreak may be levelling off in some of the world ’ s hardest-hit areas .
In European trading , the CAC 40 in Paris jumped 4.2 % to 4,532 while Germany ’ s DAX climbed 4 % to 10,717 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 added 3.5 % to 5,822 .
Wall Street looked set to rise on the open , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the S & P 500 rising 3 % .
“ The March data add to broader signs that China ’ s economy is past the worst .
But the recovery will probably continue to underwhelm , ” analyst Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a commentary .
He added that after an initial bounce as factories reopened , “ the recovery in activity has since slowed to a crawl.
” Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 index jumped 3.2 % to 19,897.26 as the country awaited an announcement by Prime Minister Shinzo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat the coronavirus to the entire nation .
He earlier only included Tokyo and several other worst affected areas .
Infections have continued to climb , surging past 10,000 if the number sickened on a cruise ship off the coast in February are included , and worries are growing that the nation ’ s health systems won ’ t be able to cope .
The government is planning to sweeten a renewed and expanded request for people to stay home , which is strictly voluntary , with cash payments of 100,000 yen ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Hang Seng in Hong Kong advanced 1.6 % to 24,380.00 .
The Shanghai Composite index gained 0.7 % to 2,838.49 , while Australia ’ s S & P ASX 200 rose 1.3 % to 5,487.50 .
South Korea ’ s Kospi surged 3.1 % to 1,914.53 despite the release of data showing the country lost 195,000 jobs in March from a year earlier , ending a decade-long run in payroll gains .
India ’ s Sensex climbed 1.7 % to 31,119.74 after the central bank cut its benchmark interest rate by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 4 % , to help the stalled economy and ease financing troubles amid a nationwide lockdown to fight the pandemic .
“ Human spirit is ignited by the resolve to curb the pandemic .
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus on the light , ” said Reserve Bank of India Gov .
Shaktikanta Das .
Overnight , the S & P 500 rose 0.6 % after flipping between small gains and losses following a government report that 5.2 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to roughly 22 million .
But even in this new stay-at-home , increasingly jobless economy , some businesses are making out as clear winners , and gains for Amazon , health care companies and stocks in other pockets of the market kept the rally on track .
Companies like Dollar General , Walmart and Netflix have seen gains as people stuck at home stock up on stables .
The dueling sentiments have helped the S & P 500 nearly halve its loss since falling from its record high in mid-February .
Stocks were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , but a recent rally has trimmed the loss to roughly 17 % .
Treasury yields remain extremely low , though , reflecting pessimism over the economic outlook .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury was at 0.64 % after falling to 0.60 % on Thursday .
Yields fall when bond prices rise , and investors tend to bid up Treasurys when they ’ re worried about the economy .
Energy prices remained subdued as investors appeared skeptical that a global deal to reduce oversupply will provide a long-term solution as demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rollover of the future contract for benchmark U.S. crude oil , from May to June delivery , brought a sharp technical dip in the price , which sank as much as 8.5 % .
Soon before the U.S. trading day , it was down $ 1.52 at $ 18.35 per barrel , its lowest level since 2002 .
Brent crude , the international standard , picked up 56 cents to $ 28.38 per barrel .
Demand for oil has plunged as countries close down industries and halt travel to contain the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producers on cutting output that was reached earlier this week helped calm recent volatility in the market .
But it was not seen as adequate given the glut of oil developing as output outstrips demand and threatens to overwhelm storage capacity .
The dollar fetched 107.76 Japanese yen , down from 107.92 on Thursday .
The euro slipped to $ 1.08237 from $ 1.0839 .

Elaine Kurtenbach - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Tokyo Games won’t provide much economic stimulus for Japan

TOKYO - IOC member John Coates , who oversees planning for next year ’ s Tokyo Olympics , has claimed the postponed games could help “ kick start ” Japan ’ s economy .
Japan has been devastated like many countries by the coronavirus pandemic and could be in a recession when the Olympics are to open on July 23 , 2021 .
“ These games are a very positive opportunity for an economic stimulus , “ Coates said in a teleconference on Thursday with the Tokyo organizing committee .
“ These games can help kick start the economy again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the tourism industry.
” Coates also praised Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , calling him a “ very , very smart man.
” He said Abe also viewed the games next year as providing an economic stimulus .
But economists and Olympic researchers contacted by The Associated Press on Friday said any economic boost will be negligible given the size of Japan ’ s $ 5 trillion economy and the limited tourism and economic benefits from the 17-day games .
In some previous Olympics , soaring prices and crowding have discouraged tourists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predictions fly in the face of all the research on the financial impacts of hosting the games ‘ on a good day ’ — and the current global crisis does not qualify as ‘ a good day , ’ ” Helen Lenskyj , a professor emerita at the University of Toronto , said in an email .
Lenskyj has written eight books on the Olympics , including her most recent — “ The Olympic Games : A Critical Approach.
“ She suggested Japan would be better off if it did not have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ At this moment in history , ‘ a very smart man ’ would be wishing his country did not have the added burden of hosting the Olympics , ” Lenskyj said .
Japan is officially spending $ 12.6 billion to organize the Olympics , although a government audit report in December said it was twice that much .
All but $ 5.6 billion is taxpayer money .
IOC and Japanese officials say they don ’ t know the cost of the one-year delay , but estimates have put it at $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the added costs fall to Japan under an agreement signed in 2013 when Tokyo was awarded the games .
Coates confirmed the IOC would be spending “ several hundred million dollars ” because of the postponement .
The funds will go to distressed international federations and national Olympic committees , and not to Tokyo .
Tokyo organizing committee CEO Toshiro Muto has described the added costs as “ massive ” and Coates acknowledged “ there will be some negative impacts.
” “ If Tokyo is hoping that a surge of tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving the games by a year , they are likely to be very disappointed , ” Victor Matheson , a sports economist at the College of the Holy Cross , said in an email .
Matheson and colleague Robert Baumann calculated the impact of foreign tourism on the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics .
They discounted local spending since it was simply moving expenditures from one place in the country to another .
They said Rio had 60,000 added arrivals and estimated $ 5,000 spending by each arrival — an impact of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 billion to organize the Olympics , and some put the figure at $ 20 billion .
Matheson and Robert Baade of Lake Forest College published a study in 2016 titled “ Going for Gold : The Economics of the Olympics.
” They looked at the impact of short-term and long-term tourism , sports and other infrastructure , employment , trade and the intangible “ feel-good factor ” of holding the Olympics .
They concluded “ in most cases the Olympics are a money-losing proposition for host cities ; they result in positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unusual circumstances.
” The IOC and Japanese organizers on Thursday promised to cut out frills to rein in spending .
They are still trying to nail down if all of the 43 Olympic and Paralympic venues will be available next year , and at what cost .
“ On the Japanese side they are assessing the impact of the postponement , including costs , “ Coates said .
“ These are not matters that are going to happen quickly .
I couldn ’ t put a finger on when the additional costs will @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Poorer nations face bigger risk in easing virus restrictions

BEIRUT - As some wealthier Western nations begin easing coronavirus restrictions , many developing countries , particularly in the Middle East and Africa , want to do it too , but they can not afford the luxury of any missteps .
They lack the key tools — a sturdy economy , well-equipped hospitals and large-scale testing — that are needed for finding their way out of the pandemic .
Even a spirited public debate about an exit strategy , common now in Europe , seems unthinkable in countries battered by conflict , corruption or poverty .
Consider Lebanon , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy with a fragile health system and a restless population .
A monthlong lockdown has thrown tens of thousands more people into poverty , pressuring the government to loosen restrictions .
But medical resources are limited , prompting doctors to call for continuing them , even at the risk of a social explosion .
It ’ s the same in many developing countries : Easing lockdowns could increase infections and quickly overwhelm hospitals with limited beds and breathing machines .
Keeping restrictions in place risks social upheaval and more economic losses .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lack of transparency could lead to misguided decisions , said Rabah Arezki , chief economist for the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank and a senior fellow at the Middle East Initiative .
“ I worry that a disorderly release of the lockdown would be doing more harm than good in the context that we are navigating without statistics and relevant data , ” he said .
Even wealthy nations have little room to manoeuvr .
Germany , Europe ’ s largest economy , announced a slight easing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
But Chancellor Angela Merkel cautioned that restarting the economy too quickly could rapidly overwhelm its comparatively robust health care system .
Western nations also face a severe economic downturn , but the impact is softened by massive government rescue programs for businesses and struggling families , including $ 2.2 trillion in the United States .
EU countries have agreed on a $ 550 billion package and are working on tax breaks and other measures to cushion the impact .
The global community is offering help to poorer nations .
The International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to commit its $ 1 trillion in lending capacity to needy nations .
The world ’ s richest countries agreed to temporarily freeze poor nations ’ debt obligations , mainly in Africa .
Pakistan ’ s prime minister has gone further , appealing to richer countries and international financial institutions to write off the debts of poorer countries .
The IMF gave Pakistan $ 1.5 billion in emergency financing to help absorb the impact of the pandemic .
In Egypt , the Arab world ’ s most populous country where one in three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has opted for a partial lockdown that includes a nighttime curfew , fearing a full closure would devastate a fragile economy .
Lebanon has been hesitant to apply for IMF assistance mainly due to reservations by the powerful Hezbollah group that it would come with conditions and encourage political interference .
Even before the pandemic , Lebanon was one of the world ’ s most indebted countries and struggled to come up with a reform plan that would unlock billions in international aid .
In early March , the government defaulted on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 60 % of its value , inflation has soared , and banks have imposed capital controls on cash withdrawals and transfers , putting more strain on hospitals struggling to pay workers .
Firas Abiad , director of the Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut , said the financial crisis also disrupted the import of medical supplies , leading to shortages of urgently needed protective equipment .
Lebanon must expand testing , including in rural areas and refugee camps , and trace patients before restrictions can be eased , Abiad said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where years of conflict have led to humanitarian disasters , there is fear that the scope of the outbreak is unknown due to a lack of testing , supplies and trained professionals .
In Africa , the virus has been confirmed in 52 of 54 countries , and lockdowns appear to be choking the continent ’ s already vulnerable food supply .
South Africa , with the continent ’ s most cases , has been able to slow the pace of infections with a strict lockdown that will last at least through April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy was already in recession before the virus , and Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said restrictions must remain until the country can be sure to minimize the loss of life .
In Lebanon , there ’ s no reliable social safety net .
It announced plans to give about $ 120 per needed family three weeks ago , but even that tiny aid has yet to materialize .
Meanwhile , prices have more than doubled and its currency hit its highest pound-to-dollar exchange rate ever this week .
Lebanon was among the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools in February , followed by restaurants , and a total lockdown on March 16 .
Those measures are in place until at least April 26 .
The country ’ s prime minister on Thursday urged patience despite the “ enormous economic price.
” The IMF projected this week that Lebanon ’ s economy will shrink by 12 % in 2020 — the biggest contraction in the region .
There is concern that anti-corruption protests that began in October might re-ignite with more ferocity as conditions worsen .
Small demonstrations already have broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Beirut taxi driver set his car ablaze after being fined for violating restrictions .
In early April , a Syrian refugee died after setting himself on fire to protest his conditions .
Legislator Assem Araji , who heads parliament ’ s health committee , urged patience , saying a continued lockdown “ is better than an uncontrolled spread of the disease ” in a country of 5 million that also hosts about 1 million Syrian refugees .
But Hassan Sharif , a 42-year-old minibus driver from the eastern city of Baalbek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can barely feed his two children .
“ We have reached a level of total despair and will return to the street ( to protest ) , because dying of corona is easier than dying of hunger , ” he said .
Associated Press writers Kathy Gannon in Islamabad , Pakistan , Andrew Meldrum in Johannesburg , South Africa , and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed .

Zeina Karam And Bassem Mroue - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--UK broadens scope of emergency business loans scheme

LONDON - The British government has removed the cap on one of its coronavirus loan guarantee scheme so that all companies with annual revenue of more than 45 million pounds ( $ 56 million ) can access support if they were forced to shut operations or were otherwise hurt by the lockdown .
With Britain ’ s lockdown extended for another three weeks at least , many businesses are struggling to remain solvent and many mid- to large-sized companies are fretting about not being eligible for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme , which launches Monday .
Treasury chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that “ no business slips through our safety net of support as we help protect jobs and the economy.
” Under the scheme , which provides 330 billion pounds of support in total , the government has pledged to give banks an 80 % guarantee on the loans .
Companies with sales of between 45 million pounds and 250 million pounds can apply for 25 million pounds of financing while those with revenue of more than 250 million pounds can draw on 50 million pounds .
Adam Marshall , director general of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is pleased to see Sunak respond to “ real-world business concerns ” and expanding assistance to “ good companies facing severe cash constraints as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
” There are separate schemes for smaller firms and Britain ’ s largest companies , including financial support for those that opt to keep workers on payroll rather than firing them .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Africa could see 300,000 coronavirus deaths this year

JOHANNESBURG - Africa could see 300,000 deaths from the coronavirus this year even under the best-case scenario , according to a new report released Friday that cites modeling from Imperial College London .
Under the worst-case scenario with no interventions against the virus , Africa could see 3.3 million deaths and 1.2 billion infections , the report by the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa said .
Even with “ intense social distancing.
” under the best-case scenario the continent could see more than 122 million infections , the report said .
Any of the scenarios would overwhelm Africa ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts have warned .
Under the best-case scenario , $ 44 billion would be needed for testing , personal protective equipment and treatment , the report said , citing UNECA estimates .
The worst-case scenario would cost $ 446 billion .
The continent as of Friday had more than 18,000 confirmed virus cases , but experts have said Africa is weeks behind Europe in the pandemic and the rate of increase has looked alarmingly similar .
The new report is the most detailed public projection yet for coronavirus infections and deaths in Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are bracing for the pandemic .
Poverty , crowded urban conditions and widespread health problems make Africa “ particularly susceptible ” to the virus , the U.N. report said .
“ Of all the continents Africa has the highest prevalence of certain underlying conditions , like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
” On Thursday , a World Health Organization official said one projection over the next six months shows more than 10 million severe cases of the virus .
“ But these are still to be fine-tuned , ” said Michel Yao , the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that public health measures could have an impact in limiting cases .
He did not give the source of the projection .
The new report also warns of severe economic pain across Africa amid the pandemic , with growth contracting 2.6 % in the worst-case scenario and an estimated 27 million people pushed into extreme poverty .
The World Bank has said sub-Saharan Africa could fall into its first recession in a quarter-century .
“ Collapsed businesses may never recover , ” the new report said .
“ Without a rapid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing unrest.
” Nearly 20 European and African leaders called this week for an immediate moratorium on all African debt payments , public and private , until the pandemic is over , as well as at least $ 100 billion in immediate financial help so countries can focus on fighting the virus .
The U.N. report said the continent has no fiscal space to deal with shocks from the pandemic and recommended a “ complete temporary debt standstill for two years for all African countries , low and middle income included.
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new initiative to dramatically accelerate testing for the new virus .
More than 1 million coronavirus tests are being rolled out starting next week to address a major gap in assessing the true number of cases on the continent .
It ’ s possible that 15 million tests will be required in Africa over the next three months , the head of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , John Nkengasong , told reporters Thursday .
Africa has suffered in the global competition for badly needed medical equipment but in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its 54 countries can team up to bulk-buy items at more reasonable prices .
One major shipment of equipment , including more than 400 ventilators , arrived this week for sharing among all 54 countries .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild to moderate symptoms such as fever and cough .
But for some , especially older adults and those with other health problems , it can cause pneumonia and death .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Expert says UK likely has Europe’s highest virus death rate

LONDON - A leading public health expert said Friday that Britain likely has the highest coronavirus death rate in Europe due to what he described as “ system errors , ” while the government defended its record in responding to the pandemic .
Anthony Costello , director of the Institute for Global Health at University College London , said the U.K. “ could see 40,000 deaths ” by the time the first wave of the country ’ s outbreak is over .
The British government reported that as of Thursday , 13,729 people had died in U.K. hospitals after testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not include hundreds , and maybe thousands , of virus-related deaths in nursing homes and other settings .
Costello has been a vocal critic of the government ’ s strategy , saying it has not been doing enough testing for the virus and has failed to trace and isolate people who were in contact with infected individuals .
“ What were the system errors that led us to have probably the highest death rates in Europe ?
” he said .
“ We ’ re going to face further waves and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a system in place ... that enables you to test people rapidly in the community , in care homes and to make sure that the results are got back to them very quickly , ” Costello told a committee of British lawmakers Friday .
Britain was slower than many other European countries to impose mandatory restrictions on business and daily life to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
A lockdown ordered on March 23 was extended Thursday for at least three more weeks .
Schools , restaurants and most shops are closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave home only for essential errands or exercise .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock defended the government ’ s record , saying “ test , track and trace ” was part of its strategy .
“ I think we took the right measures at the right time , ” he said .
The government vowed to conduct 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April , a more than five-fold increase on current rates .
It has also promised to include nursing home deaths in the official tally .
Follow AP coverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Europe car sales tank 55% in March on coronavirus lockdowns

MILAN - European car sales tanked last month amid strict lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus that shut down dealerships for at least half of March and dried up consumer spending .
The European carmaker ’ s association , ACEA , said Friday that new car registrations “ recorded a dramatic drop ” of 55 % to 567,308 units .
The drop is worse even than during the 2008-9 global financial crisis , which triggered a six-year slump in car purchases .
The steepest losses during that financial crisis occurred in January 2009 , when sales fell 27 % .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are facing economic uncertainty due to the public health crisis that has triggered a dramatic decrease in national wealth , industrial production and commerce deemed non-essential .
All that is having a knock-on effect on employment and salaries , even with short-term unemployment schemes being activated in most countries .
Auto industry production shutdowns have affected 1.1 million jobs and reduced production by at least 1.2 million vehicles through the end of last month , according to ACEA statistics .
Auto industry revenues account for 7 % of EU GDP .
Italy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus in Europe , suffered the worst drop at 85 % , with just 28,326 new cars registered in March .
Demand collapsed also in France , by 72 % , and Spain , by 69 % .
Germany , which avoided tough restrictions longer , recorded a less extreme drop , at 38 % .
Over the first quarter as a whole , passenger car registrations were down by one quarter .
Mass-market carmakers took the biggest hits : Fiat Chrysler sales dropped by 77 % while PSA group dropped 68 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany ’ s Volkswagen resisted somewhat better , with a 46 % hit , which nonetheless saw its market share grow by nearly 5 % to 29 % .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Coronavirus could complicate Trump’s path to reelection

NEW YORK - The coronavirus is poised to reshape the political map , pummeling battleground states and alarming Republicans who see early signs of an election that could be a referendum on President Donald Trump ’ s management of the crisis .
The pandemic , which has killed more than 30,000 Americans and left millions out of work , has eviscerated Trump ’ s hope to run for reelection on a strong economy .
A series of states he won in 2016 could tilt toward Democrats .
In Florida , a Republican governor closely aligned with Trump has come under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
In Wisconsin , the Democratic victor in last week ’ s Supreme Court race captured 28 counties , up from the 12 that Hillary Clinton won four years ago .
In Michigan , a Democratic governor has seen her approval rating rise against the backdrop of a fight with Trump .
And in Arizona , low marks for Trump could be enough to turn the formerly Republican stronghold into a tossup .
“ It makes me wonder if there ’ s something brewing in the weaker elements of the Trump base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin-based Democratic pollster .
“ Is the pandemic fight the final straw that ’ s going to cause some of this small slice of votes he needs to win these states to back away ?
” Trump ’ s public approval rating has remained consistent nationally throughout his presidency , and some polls even suggested an uptick at the onset of the pandemic .
And his unique brand of politics rooted in cultural grievances could once again overcome hurdles that would sink other presidents seeking reelection , especially if the pandemic wanes or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign is concerned about losing support in several key swing states , particularly Florida and Wisconsin , according to five current and former campaign staffers who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about internal strategy .
There are also growing worries about Arizona and Pennsylvania .
There is no better example of the altered map confronting Trump than Michigan , which he captured in 2016 by fewer than 11,000 votes .
The mounting deaths in heavily African American Detroit and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the backdrop for the tiff between Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and Trump .
Though her handling of the virus outbreak has prompted some public protests , Whitmer ’ s poll numbers have gone up and her criticism of the federal response prompted Trump to obliquely dismiss the governor , telling virus task force members “ Don ’ t call the woman in Michigan.
” In a sign of enthusiasm , participation in Democrats ’ March primary was up 32 % over 2016 as the party rallied around its likely nominee , former Vice-President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a light footprint in Michigan — it does not have a single field office — and advisers privately concede it could be the toughest battleground state to hold .
Many pollsters believe Wisconsin could be the tipping point this November for either candidate to reach the needed 270 electoral votes .
The state has long been considered the Rust Belt prize Trump was likeliest to keep , but poignant images of mask-wearing voters lining up outside Milwaukee ’ s few open polling places last week signalled Democratic enthusiasm .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters disapprove of the way Trump is handling the coronavirus pandemic , “ said Democratic strategist Adrienne Elrod , who notes that counties outside Philadelphia and Phoenix “ have a similar electorate to the suburban areas that delivered a huge win for Democrats in Wisconsin.
” Although the state Supreme Court race received national attention , Republicans were quick to dismiss it since only Democrats held a competitive presidential primary , boosting that party ’ s turnout .
Wisconsin ’ s spring Supreme Court contests have been a shaky predictor of presidential elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters .
“ President Trump has been clear — through actions and words — that what matters most is the health and safety of every American .
This crisis is hitting Americans — not Democrats or Republicans , ” said Trump campaign spokeswoman Erin Perrine .
“ To try and politicize this crisis in terms of the election is ludicrous.
” Although Arizona hasn ’ t yet seen a spike in infections , Biden ’ s promise of pragmatic , experienced management may play well in a state that has turned purple .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Trump to hold two of the trio of Wisconsin , Michigan and Pennsylvania .
The pandemic has hamstrung the Trump campaign ’ s effort to build momentum .
Though its digital outreach has ramped up , the campaign has been unable to wield its financial advantage over Biden and can ’ t hold its signature rallies to bolster enthusiasm and collect valuable voter data .
“ We can ’ t wait to get back out there and do things the old-fashioned way , ” said Lara Trump , a senior campaign official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Employment has cratered in many of the states key to Trump ’ s reelection .
The economy shed 22 million jobs in the past four weeks , according to requests for unemployment benefits .
And while some of those jobs will return as the lockdown gets lifted , it ’ s unclear how quickly workers will be needed at hotels in Florida , auto plants in Michigan and stores and offices that fill Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Arizona .
Both Michigan and Pennsylvania have lost more than 1 million jobs since the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 20 % in both states , according to Labor Department figures .
Unemployment filings suggest Florida employers have let go of roughly 6 % of its jobs , but declines there could worsen as applicants have struggled to access unemployment benefits .
Without Florida , Trump ’ s path to victory becomes nearly impossible .
Its Trump-friendly governor , Ron DeSantis , took heat for allowing beaches to stay open despite the risk of spread to his state ’ s massive population of vulnerable senior citizens .
“ They thought they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very popular governor , but DeSantis has taken some real hits over his handling of this , ” said Republican strategist Alex Conant , who worked for Marco Rubio ’ s presidential campaign .
“ The image of spring breakers spreading coronavirus is going to be replayed in October.
“ Riccardi reported from Denver and Beaumont reported from Des Moines , Iowa .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Jill Colvin in Washington , Josh Boak in Baltimore and Steve Peoples in Montclair , N.J. contributed to this report .

Jonathan Lemire, Nicholas Riccardi And Thomas Beaumont - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Asia Today: Duterte threatens martial law-like enforcement

BANGKOK - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened martial law-style enforcement of a monthlong coronavirus lockdown in the main northern region of the country as violations of the quarantine soared .
Duterte said in a late-night speech Thursday he would order the military and police to strictly enforce social distancing and curfews if compliance does not improve .
Police said they have accosted about 120,000 quarantine violators since last month , including people who engaged in cockfighting and drinking sprees .
“ The police and military will enforce social distancing and curfews .
They will .
It ’ s like martial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t like it , ” Duterte said .
Duterte , who took office in mid-2016 , has drawn concern about potential human rights violations for his anti-drug crackdown in which thousands of mostly poor drug suspects have been killed .
Some irate local officials have taken enforcement of his coronavirus lockdown to extremes , including a village guard who locked five drunken curfew violators in a dog cage and others who paraded violators to shame them in public or made them sit under the scorching sun for hours .
The Philippines has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Southeast Asia , including 387 deaths .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — WUHAN DEATHS RE-COUNTED : The city where the pandemic began in late December added 1,290 deaths to its toll .
Wuhan officials were quoted in state media as saying the deaths were initially missed because the city ’ s health system was overwhelmed at the outbreak ’ s peak .
The revised Wuhan figures raised China ’ s death toll to 4,632 , up from 3,342 .
— CHINA ACCUSES U.S. OF SHIFTING BLAME : China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift the focus from its own shortcomings in dealing with the coronavirus by spreading a theory that the pandemic was started by a pathogen that escaped from a Chinese laboratory .
“ Anyone discerning can tell at a glance that the purpose of the U.S. is simply to confuse the public , divert attention and shirk responsibility , ” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a daily briefing on Friday .
“ We have said many times that tracing of the virus ’ origin is a serious scientific issue and requires scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have suggested the lab theory may be valid , without presenting evidence .
Zhao earlier speculated on Twitter that the virus was brought to Wuhan by the U.S. military , — CHINA ’ S ECONOMY TUMBLES : China suffered its worst economic contraction since at least the 1970s , and weak consumer spending and factory activity suggest it faces a longer , harder recovery than expected .
The world ’ s second-largest economy shrank 6.8 % last quarter after factories , shops and travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — HUNGER , NOT COVID : India ’ s poorest are suffering under the world ’ s largest lockdown .
The virus could ravage the country , given low testing rates , a barely functional health system and its densely packed population of 1.3 billion , leaving a vast lockdown the least bad option .
But the weeks without daily wages are an eternity for people at risk of losing their homes and going hungry .
— CHINA URGED TO BE TRANSPARENT : An Australian government minister is urging China to be transparent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicted the world will rethink relations with it because of the pandemic .
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton recently recovered from the virus , which he apparently contracted during a trip to Washington , D.C. Dutton told Nine Network on Friday : “ I do think there will be a reset about the way in which the world interacts with China .
We do want more transparency.
” — SINGAPORE CASES SPIKE : Singapore reported 728 new virus cases , a record for a second straight day .
The increase was broadly expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The health ministry said foreign workers accounted for 90 % of the new cases , with five new clusters reported in dormitories crowded with workers who use shared toilets , kitchens and other facilities .
Foreign workers account for 60 % of Singapore ’ s 4,427 total infections .
The government has quarantined workers in their dorms and moved others to reduce crowding .
— SOUTH KOREAN JOB LOSSES : South Korea lost nearly 200,000 jobs in March as the coronavirus shocks its economy and labour markets .
Statistics Korea said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline since May 2009 during a global financial crisis .
The country has confirmed 10,635 virus cases and 230 deaths .
Friday ’ s 22 new cases was the fifth straight daily increase in the 20s .
No new cases were reported in the hardest-hit city of Daegu , where infections have waned .
The impact of Wednesday ’ s national parliamentary elections , which had the highest turnout in nearly 30 years despite the coronavirus , will take a week or two to assess .
— MORE PATIENTS TEST POSITIVE AGAIN : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see a rise in patients who test positive for the coronavirus for a second time after being diagnosed as recovered .
But it says the risk of transmissions from such cases so far appears to be low .
The country ’ s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at least 163 people have tested positive again after their initial release from hospitals , or more than 2 % of the country ’ s 7,829 recoveries .
It said that none of the patients was in serious condition although 61 were exhibiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the causes of such cases .
They say it ’ s likely that infections were re-activated after remaining dormant in patients whose bodies hadn ’ t fully developed immunity after experiencing mild symptoms .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Gunman shoots dead 6 Afghan workers outside main US base

KABUL - An unknown gunman shot dead six local workers from the main American military base north of Afghanistan ’ s capital and wounded three others , an Afghan official said Friday .
The nine workers , all Afghan nationals , were on their way home late Thursday when a gunman riding a motorcycle opened fire on them about 500 metres ( about a quarter mile ) from Bagram air base , Parwan provincial governor ’ s spokeswoman Wahida Shahkar said .
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said the group had nothing to do with the shooting .
The Islamic State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan and on April 9 the IS claimed responsibility for firing five rockets from a vehicle at Bagram air base .
There were were no casualties .
Shahkar said Afghan national security forces began an investigation to find the person who attacked the workers , who provide cleaning services at the base .
The Afghan government and Taliban are in the process of exchanging prisoners as part of a peace deal signed by the U.S. and the Taliban on Feb. 29 in Doha .
The release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a condition of the U.S.-Taliban deal .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Lockdown weighs heavily on Orthodox Christians during Easter

ATHENS , Greece - For Orthodox Christians , this is normally a time of reflection and mourning followed by joyful release , of centuries-old ceremonies steeped in symbolism and tradition .
But this year , Easter — by far the most significant religious holiday for the world ’ s roughly 300 million Orthodox — has essentially been cancelled .
There will be no Good Friday processions behind the flower-bedecked symbolic bier of Christ , to the haunting hymn of the Virgin Mary ’ s lament for the death of her son .
No hugs and kisses , or joyous proclamations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as church bells ring at midnight on Holy Saturday .
No family gatherings over lamb roasted whole on a spit for an Easter lunch stretching into the soft spring evening .
As the coronavirus rampages across the globe , claiming tens of thousands of lives , governments have imposed lockdowns in a desperate bid to halt the pandemic .
Businesses have been closed and church doors shut to prevent the virus ’ s insidious spread .
For some , the restrictions during Easter are particularly tough .
“ When there was freedom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it didn ’ t bother you , ” said Christina Fenesaki while shopping in Athens ’ main meat market for lamb — to cook in the oven at home in the Greek capital instead of on a spit in her ancestral village .
“ But now that we have the restrictions , it bothers you a lot .
It ’ s heavy.
” In Greece , where more than 90 % of the population is baptized into the Orthodox Church , the government has been at pains to stress that this year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It imposed a lockdown early on , and so far has managed to keep the number of deaths and critically ill people low — 105 and 69 respectively as of Thursday , among a population of nearly 11 million .
But officials fear any slippage in social distancing could have dire consequences , particularly during a holiday that normally sees people cram into churches and flock to the countryside .
Roadblocks have been set up , and fines doubled to 300 euros ( $ 325 ) , for anyone found driving without justification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is different .
We will not go to our villages , we will not roast in our yards , we will not go to our churches .
And of course , we will not gather in the homes of relatives and friends , ” government spokesman Stelios Petsas said .
“ For us to continue being together , this year we stay apart.
” Easter services will be held behind closed doors with only the priest and essential staff .
They will be broadcast live on television and streamed on the internet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle the “ Holy Light , ” the flame distributed throughout the Orthodox world each year from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem to mark the resurrection of Christ .
Greek and Russian authorities have arranged to pick the flame up from Israel , but will not distribute it .
Cyprus won ’ t even pick it up ; there is “ no need , ” the island nation ’ s Archbishop Chrysostomos said .
“ Today , faith is not at risk but the faithful are , ” said Cyprus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spiritual leader of the world ’ s Orthodox , has urged the faithful to adhere to government measures and World Health Organization guidelines .
But keeping people out of churches has not proved easy .
In Serbia and North Macedonia , authorities imposed nationwide curfews from Good Friday through Easter Monday .
Ethiopia , with the largest Orthodox population outside Europe , also restricted access to liturgies and deployed security outside churches .
Liturgies are broadcast live , although several churches outside the capital , Addis Ababa , were violating restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , such as Georgia and Bulgaria , limited church services will go ahead .
In Greece , after days of delicate diplomacy with the country ’ s powerful Orthodox Church , the government banned the public from all services after the church ’ s governing body imposed restrictions but not a full shutdown .
Authorities also quickly scotched a Greek mayor ’ s plans to distribute the “ Holy Light ” door-to-door throughout his municipality just after midnight on Saturday .
Some priests have defied the shutdown .
One recently offered communion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same spoon — through an Athens church ’ s back door .
Russia ’ s Orthodox Church initially seemed similarly reluctant to impose restrictions .
When authorities in St. Petersburg , Russia ’ s second-largest city , banned church visits on March 26 , the Moscow Patriarchate condemned the move as an infringement on religious freedom .
Only three days later did Patriarch Kirill publicly urge believers to “ strictly obey the regulations imposed by the health authorities ” and “ refrain from church visits.
” Closing churches during Easter has been hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many have turned to the internet and video conference prayers .
“ At first it was just a shock , ” said believer Andrei Vasenev .
“ How is that possible - not go to church ?
But then we realized it was a matter of finding a way.
” Vasenev , two dozen others and a priest from his parish have started praying via Zoom and plan to do the same during Easter .
For him , going to church is about community , and Zoom prayers keep this community together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the online prayers , the hardest part is being away from people and the warmth of human contact .
“ There ’ s a moment in a liturgy when you kiss each other three times , ” Sytina said .
“ Now we see each other on monitors and displays.
” Both are prepared to pray at home for as long as it takes .
“ It is a sacrifice in the life of every believer , but it is necessary , ” Sytina said .
It is a sentiment echoed in Greece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside of them , ” said Kleanthis Tsironis , who heads Athens ’ main meat market .
He will spend Easter at home with his wife and two daughters , and will miss the resurrection liturgy .
But churches will eventually open , he said , and Easter traditions will return .
“ Souls are being lost , ” he said of the virus deaths across the world .
“ And we ’ re going to sit and cry because we didn ’ t roast on a spit ?
We ’ ll do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over.
” Litvinova reported from Moscow .
Theodora Tongas in Athens , Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia , Cyprus , Konstantin Testorides in Skopje , North Macedonia , Elias Meseret in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia and Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade , Serbia , contributed .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Elena Becatoros And Daria Litvinova - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Malaysia turns away boat with 200 Rohingya refugees

KUALA LUMPUR , Malaysia - Malaysian authorities said they have turned back a boat carrying about 200 Muslim Rohingya refugees , including children , that was attempting to enter the country illegally .
The air force said in a statement late Thursday that one of its surveillance aircraft had spotted the boat about 70 nautical miles ( 130 kilometres ) off the northern resort island of Langkawi earlier in the day .
It said two navy vessels intercepted the boat amid concerns that the refugees might bring the coronavirus into the country .
The air force said the navy distributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before escorting the boat out of the country ’ s waters .
It didn ’ t say where the boat was heading or describe the condition of the refugees .
The air force said aerial maritime surveillance will be intensified as part of the country ’ s partial lockdown until April 28 to curb the virus .
Malaysia has recorded 5,182 coronavirus infections with 84 deaths .
New cases have begun to decline this week .
Authorities have said they will tighten border patrols to prevent undocumented immigrants from possibly spreading the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rohingya refugees were arrested after their boat drifted close to shore in Langkawi .
There were no details about where they came from , but many Rohingya living in refugee camps in Bangladesh have been lured by traffickers to leave to seek a better life elsewhere .
Bangladesh hosts over a million Rohingya refugees who fled ethnic and religious violence in Myanmar .
There are no reported coronavirus infections in the crowded camps , which have been locked down .
Bangladeshi officials in recent months have picked up about 1,000 Rohingya in boats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board boats .
On Wednesday , Bangladesh ’ s coast guard rescued 382 starving Rohingya refugees , mostly women and children , who had been drifting at sea for weeks after failing to reach Malaysia .
Officials said the boat attempted to land on Malaysia ’ s coast several times but failed .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--China’s economy in worst downturn since ‘60s in virus battle

BEIJING - China faces a drawn-out struggle to revive an economy that suffered its biggest contraction since possibly the mid-1960s after millions of people were told to stay home to fight the coronavirus .
The world ’ s second-largest economy shrank by 6.8 % from a year earlier in the quarter ending in March after factories , offices and shopping malls were closed to contain the outbreak , official data showed Friday .
Consumer spending , which supplied 80 % of last year ’ s growth , and factory activity were weaker than expected .
China , where the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major economy to start to recover after the ruling Communist Party declared the virus under control .
Factories were allowed to reopen last month , but cinemas and other businesses that employ millions of people still are closed .
There are signs that after an “ initial bounce ” as controls ended , “ the recovery in activity has since slowed to a crawl , ” said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics in a report .
“ China is in for a drawn-out recovery , ” he said .
The last contraction this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upheavals of the ultra-radical 1965-75 Cultural Revolution , according to Iris Pang of ING .
Forecasters earlier said China might rebound as early as this month .
But they say a sharp , “ V-shaped ” recovery looks increasingly unlikely as negative export , retail sales and other data pile up .
Instead , they expect a gradual crawl back to growth in low single digits in the coming quarters .
For the full year , forecasters including UBS , Nomura and Oxford Economics expect little to no growth .
In total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total for Wuhan , the city of 11 million people at the centre of the outbreak , was revised upward Friday .
The mainland has announced 82,367 cases .
Retail sales fell 19 % from a year earlier in the first quarter .
That improved in March , the final month of the quarter , to a decline of 15.8 % .
But consumers , jittery about possible job losses , are reluctant to spend despite government efforts to lure them back to shopping malls and auto showrooms .
That is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope China will power the world economy out of its most painful slump since the 1930s .
Job-hunter Ni Hong ’ s challenge highlights the problem .
Ni , 32 , quit her job in Beijing in January to find a new one , but the virus disrupted those plans .
Ni is paying her mortgage out of her savings and avoiding other spending while she looks in a market flooded with newly laid-off workers .
“ In the past , there were maybe two or three candidates for a post , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have eight to 10 competitors , so the chance for me to be eliminated is much higher.
” That is a political challenge for the ruling party , which bases its claim to power on China ’ s economic success .
The party appealed to companies to keep paying employees and avoid layoffs during the shutdown .
But an unknown number have failed , adding to public anxiety .
The economy already was squeezed by a tariff war with President Donald Trump over Beijing ’ s technology ambitions and trade surplus .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multi-decade low of 6.1 % .
Exports fell 6.6 % in March from a year earlier , an improvement over the double-digit plunge in January and February .
But forecasters say demand is bound to slump in America and Europe as anti-virus controls keep shoppers at home .
“ Lingering consumption weakness and sliding foreign demand will weigh on the upturn , ” said Louis Kuijs of Oxford Economics in a report .
Growth was stronger than some forecasts that called for a contraction of up to 16 % but this is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1979 .
“ The numbers were even uglier than most anticipated , which is good !
” said Andy Rothman of Matthews Asia in a report .
“ These ugly numbers indicate that the leadership didn ’ t fudge the data to hide the seriousness of the situation.
” Investment in factories , real estate and other fixed assets , the other major growth driver , sank 16.1 % .
Auto sales sank 48.4 % from a year earlier in March .
That was better than February ’ s record 81.7 % plunge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline that is squeezing global and Chinese automakers in the industry ’ s biggest global market .
Asian stock markets rose following the announcement , which was in line with investor expectations .
By mid-afternoon , Tokyo ’ s benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 3 % and Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng was 2.4 % higher .
The ruling party has yet to announce this year ’ s official growth target .
It has been at least 6 % in previous years .
Beijing looks likely to miss its target of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Controls on Beijing , the capital , and some other cities have been tightened to prevent a resurgence of the disease .
Most foreigners are barred from entering the country .
Beijing is boosting spending on a “ New Infrastructure “ Plan that includes next-generation telecom networks , artificial intelligence , electric vehicle charging and data centres .
But leaders don ’ t want to pump too much money into the economy with full fledged stimulus for fear of adding to debt or pushing up inflation that is near a seven-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ will take a much longer time than it would do without social distancing in place , ” said Pang of ING .
“ Recovery will be a long road .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Pro cyclist in Italy uses his bike to deliver medicine

ROVATO , Italy - There are no fans lining the road .
No teammates providing support .
And there is no race to win .
Professional cyclist Davide Martinelli has achieved a moral victory , though , by using his bike to help deliver medicine to elderly residents and others in need during the coronavirus pandemic .
The service is of great use in Lodetto , Martinelli ’ s hometown in the hard-hit Lombardy region of northern Italy .
The village has neither a pharmacy nor a supermarket .
Martinelli makes a daily trip to Rovato , the next town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve got a bike and two legs in pretty good form , so riding 10 kilometres ( 6 miles ) a day is no big deal , ” Martinelli said in an interview this week .
“ I wanted to help the people who always support me during the season .
It ’ s time to give back to them.
” Martinelli joined up with a Facebook group called “ Lodetto Solidale ” ( Supporting Lodetto ) where those in need can place their requests online , by phone or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night and maps out a route for the following day .
“ I go to the pharmacy and when I arrive outside I put on gloves and a mask , ” he said .
“ If I go for three or four people , there ’ s less risk of contagion.
” With a population of 1,500 , everyone in Lodetto knows who Martinelli is .
Or rather , they know who Martinelli ’ s father is .
That ’ s because Giuseppe Martinelli is one of the most successful team directors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marco Pantani and Vincenzo Nibali to Tour de France victories and a handful of riders to Giro d ’ Italia wins .
The elder Martinelli said that what his son is doing now is “ a step above a victory for one of my athletes , because it ’ s gratifying to him and to us because he ’ s part of our family.
” Davide Martinelli is also part of Giuseppe Martinelli ’ s Astana team — the squad that Lance Armstrong rode for in 2009 when he came out of retirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had nothing to do with his son ’ s initiative besides offering fatherly advice : “ I just said , ‘ Be careful .
Be safe .
Don ’ t touch anyone .
Use a mask and gloves when you enter the pharmacy.
’ ” At 26 , Davide Martinelli likely still has his best racing years ahead of him .
So far in his career , he has won only two stages in minor races — both in 2016 .
This initiative has brought him more recognition than anything else he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional athletes were at first allowed out to train during the nationwide lockdown in Italy , the government ordered them to remain home , too , after the Tokyo Olympics were postponed to 2021 .
“ But don ’ t think for an instant that there ’ s some sort of training strategy behind all of this , ” Giuseppe Martinelli said of his son ’ s initiative .
“ Eight out of 10 times he goes out with normal running shoes and his mountain bike .
...
So we ’ re talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes only once per day.
” That ’ s hardly even a warmup for pro cyclists , who often ride more than five hours per day .
“ I won ’ t deny that having the chance to be out in the fresh air helps me relax , ” Davide Martinelli said .
“ Sure , there ’ s a risk of contagion when I enter the pharmacy , but you can ’ t dwell on that .
When you decide to do something you ’ ve got to do it without over-thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Hendrie in Rovato also contributed to this story .
While nonstop global news about the effects of the coronavirus have become commonplace , so , too , are the stories about the kindness of strangers and individuals who have sacrificed for others .
“ One Good Thing ” is an AP continuing series reflecting these acts of kindness .

Luca Bruno And Andrew Dampf - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-04-17--NFL star Von Miller has COVID-19, is in good spirits

AURORA , Colo. - Von Miller has the coronavirus and the NFL star wanted to come forward with his diagnosis to show people how serious the disease is .
“ I ’ m going to do whatever I have to do to get thru this !
” Miller wrote in an Instagram post Thursday night .
“ Take this seriously .
It ’ s definitely FOR REAL.
” The Super Bowl MVP is the highest-profile American athlete to announce he ’ s contracted COVID-19 .
Last month , NBA star Kevin Durant was among several members of the Brooklyn Nets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let everyone out there know it ’ s serious ; it doesn ’ t just happen to old people in nursing homes , ” agent Joby Branion told The Associated Press on Thursday .
Miller told KUSA-TV in Denver that he developed a cough a couple of days ago and when his nebulizer for his asthma didn ’ t clear things up , he decided to get tested for the coronavirus and the test came back positive Thursday .
“ I ’ m in good spirits , ” Miller told the TV station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick or hurting or anything like that.
” The Broncos released a statement , saying Miller “ elected to share his diagnosis publicly to emphasize that anyone can be afflicted with coronavirus.
” “ Von is doing well and recovering at home in self-isolation .
He remains under the care of team doctors , who are following all coronavirus treatment procedures to ensure a safe environment for Von and our community , “ the team added .
Branion said that aside from his allergy to grass , the 31-year-old Miller is the picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take care of his health and his body and it hit him , too , “ Branion said .
” Hopefully , he ’ s like the 85 per cent who kick this disease in the teeth in two weeks .
But the bottom line is he got it , too.
” Brandion said Miller is in good spirits while quarantined at his home in the Denver area and that the Broncos linebacker plans to speak publicly about his diagnosis on Friday .
Branion said Miller went for a test after he began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulted with the Broncos medical team .
“ I ’ ve seen him a lot sicker after games .
He ’ s allergic to grass and after he ’ s been inundated with pollen , he ’ s sounded worse , ” Branion said .
Miller , who was recently a unanimous pick to the NFL ’ s All-Decade team of the 2010s , said on a conference call last week he trained in San Francisco before returning home to Colorado when the stay-at-home measures went into effect to contain the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how he became infected .
“ He ’ s been home for a month .
Now , is he in lock-down , lock-down ?
No , but he ’ s been sort of staying home , “ Branion said .
” What happened ?
We don ’ t know .
“ But it can get you .
It got him , and he ’ s Superman !
” Miller is the second active NFL player to acknowledge testing positive during the coronavirus pandemic that has sickened more than 2 million people worldwide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sending millions into unemployment .
On Wednesday , Los Angeles Rams centre Brian Allen said he tested positive for COVID-19 three weeks ago .
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton revealed last month that he tested positive for the virus .
The Los Angeles Chargers last week revealed a positive test and symptoms for unidentified members of their organization .
And in Denver , three unidentified Colorado Avalanche players have tested positive for the coronavirus .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Malaria drugs touted by Trump fail to help coronavirus patients in controlled studies

The malaria drugs touted by President Donald Trump as potentially “ the biggest game changers in the history of medicine ” have received a decidedly more sober assessment of their coronavirus-fighting potential from researchers in China , France and Brazil .
Chloroquine and its close relative hydroxychloroquine offered signs that they may ease some of the hallmark symptoms of coronavirus infection in patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 .
But the drugs largely failed to deliver improvements on other key measures when evaluated in rigorous research studies .
In research done in France , hydroxychloroquine reduced neither deaths nor admissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received it .
In a study conducted in China and another in Brazil , the two drugs failed to help patients clear the coronavirus faster .
And in Brazil , two deaths and a rash of heart troubles among patients who got a high dose of chloroquine prompted a hasty alteration of the trial there after just 13 days .
Concluding that “ enough red flags ” had been raised , the researchers halted testing of the drug in its extra-strength form .
“ My own impression so far is that these medications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Dr. Michael H. Pillinger , a professor of medicine at New York University and chief of rheumatology at the Veterans Affairs ’ New York Harbor Healthcare System .
“ Is there enough possible benefit that we could use these on a wing and prayer until something better comes along ?
I ’ m underwhelmed ” by the evidence for that , Pillinger said .
In the Brazil study , two of the 37 patients who were getting high doses of chloroquine developed ventricular tachycardia , a dangerous heart arrhythmia that led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this arm of the trial developed QT interval prolongation , a condition that makes the heart ’ s electrical system slower to recharge between beats .
It can cause the heart to beat erratically , also raising the risk of sudden death .
The death toll among patients who were randomly assigned to receive high-dose chloroquine did not rise above that in a comparison group of patients who did not get the drug .
But researchers had set out to establish that high-dose chloroquine would save lives .
When it failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cardiac side effects could not be justified .
“ Preliminary findings suggest that the higher chloroquine dosage should not be recommended for COVID-19 treatment because of its potential safety hazards , ” the study authors wrote in a report posted Thursday to MedRxiv , a clearinghouse for preliminary research results .
After the two deaths , the remaining 39 patients were switched to a lower dose of chloroquine , which was already being tested in 40 other patients .
All would be tracked for an additional 13 days , with results still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has allied himself closely with President Trump and has echoed his extravagant claims about chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine .
He has ordered the Brazilian army to ramp up its orders of chloroquine and told the public that the malaria drugs “ could go down in history as having saved thousands of lives in Brazil.
” The authors of the Brazil study , which was conducted in the Amazonian city of Manaus , suggested that Bolsonaro ’ s support complicated their efforts to test the drugs as rigorously as they would have liked .
Normally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison by randomly assigning some people to get the drugs while others received a dummy pill , or placebo .
But since the drugs have been “ recommended at the national level , ” the researchers were unable to assign anyone to a group that would not get chloroquine .
Instead , they used “ historical data from the literature to infer comparisons.
” The French study of hydroxychloroquine , posted Tuesday to MedRxiv , followed a more conventional design .
Researchers there enrolled 181 COVID-19 patients who were admitted to four French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , then compared the outcomes of 84 people who quickly received hydroxychloroquine to 91 patients who never received the drug .
( Patients in both groups got a range of other treatments , including antiviral medications , corticosteroids and breathing support . )
The researchers found that treatment with hydroxychloroquine did not reduce the likelihood that a COVID-19 patient would die or be admitted to the intensive care unit within a week of hospital admission .
Nor did it drive down a patient ’ s likelihood of developing serious breathing problems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks .
Eight of the 84 patients who got hydroxychloroquine experienced changes in heart rhythm that required discontinuation of the drug , and another patient developed a related heart-rhythm disorder .
“ The negative clinical results of this study argue against the widespread use of hydroxychloroquine in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia , ” the French researchers concluded .
Chinese researchers were just a bit more encouraging .
Their study , also posted to MedRxiv on Tuesday , found that COVID-19 patients who got hydroxychloroquine were no better at clearing the coronavirus from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the drug .
And at the 28-day mark , patients in both groups had the same number of symptoms .
But two weeks after admission to the hospital , patients who got hydroxychloroquine reported they felt better than their counterparts who did not .
And they appeared to have lower levels of inflammation — a symptom of COVID-19 that can escalate and lead to death if unchecked .
( In fact , in doses much lower than those tested in the COVID-19 trials , hydroxychloroquine is used to treat autoimmune diseases such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its anti-inflammatory effects . )
Also , while 30 per cent of the patients who got hydroxychloroquine reported a side effect , just nine per cent of patients in the comparison group did so .
None of these side effects appeared to be heart-related .
The Chinese researchers referred to “ shreds of evidence ” that support the hope that hydroxychloroquine could help patients fend off bouts of inflammation that can damage the lungs and other organs .
But researchers in the United States cautioned that the small number of patients in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulty of assessing any drug during a medical crisis made all of the findings far from definitive .
And it doesn ’ t help that the drugs have become political footballs , they added .
“ We kind of have the red pill people and the blue pill people , ” said Dr. Michael J. Ackerman , a Mayo Clinic cardiologist who was among the first to warn that the malaria drugs can dangerously disturb heart rhythms .
“ I don ’ t think either side now has the ammunition to say these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
Yale University cardiologist Harlan Krumholz agreed .
He noted that the studies , none of which has been vetted in a traditional peer-review process , “ can ’ t exclude large effects in either direction .
They leave us a little bit where we started.
” But there is a troubling signal in these and previous studies , and they create a challenge for those who would advocate use of the malaria drugs , he said .
When a drug that could be widely used poses potentially deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will need a strong amount of evidence that they provide benefit , ” Krumholz said .
“ At the moment , there is no evidence ” for that , he added .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Trump's ex-lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen being released from prison, reports say

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s former lawyer and longtime fixer Michael Cohen will be released from federal prison to serve the remainder of his sentence in home confinement because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Cohen is currently locked up at FCI Otisville in New York after pleading guilty to numerous charges , including campaign finance fraud and lying to Congress .
He will remain under quarantine for 14 days before he is released .
Federal statistics show 14 inmates and seven staff members at the prison have tested positive for the coronavirus .
After he is released , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence at home , according to a Justice Department official and another person familiar with the matter .
They could not discuss Cohen ’ s release publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity .
Prison advocates and congressional leaders have been pressing the Justice Department for weeks to release at-risk inmates ahead of a potential outbreak , arguing that the public health guidance to stay 6 feet ( 1.8 metres ) away from other people is nearly impossible behind bars .
Attorney General William Barr ordered the Bureau of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of home confinement and expedite the release of eligible high-risk inmates , beginning at three prisons identified as coronavirus hot spots .
Otisville is not one of those facilities .
As of Thursday , 473 federal inmates and 279 Bureau of Prisons staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus at facilities across the U.S. Eighteen inmates have died since late March .
Many federal inmates have been seeking home confinement as the number of coronavirus cases grows in the federal prison system , but advocates have accused the Bureau of Prisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Bureau of Prisons said it had moved more than 1,000 inmates to home confinement since March 26 , when Barr first issued a directive to increase its use in late March .
The agency said it is a “ tremendous logistical lift that was accomplished through the marshalling of all of BOP ’ s resources.
” The Justice Department official said Barr had told senior officials at the Bureau of Prisons when he first issued his directives that they must scrupulously apply the same criteria to all inmates and not give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bureau of Prisons said it was moving about 111 inmates — most of whom are likely to qualify for home confinement or furlough — from the prison camp at Otisville into the medium-security prison at the facility so they could begin a quarantine period , which would be required before they could be released , as their records are reviewed .
A federal judge had denied Cohen ’ s attempt for an early release to home confinement after serving 10 months in prison and said in a ruling earlier this month that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to inject himself into the news cycle.
” But the Bureau of Prisons can take action to move him to home confinement without a judicial order .
Cohen , 53 , began serving his sentence last May and was scheduled to be released from prison in November 2021 .
Other high-profile inmates have also been released as the number of coronavirus cases soars .
Last week , a judge ordered Michael Avenatti — the attorney who rose to fame representing porn star Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against Trump — to be temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City and stay at a friend ’ s house in Los Angeles .
Avenatti had said he was at high risk of getting the coronavirus because he had a recent bout with pneumonia and his cellmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan was removed due to flu-like symptoms .
Former New York state Senate leader Dean Skelos , 72 , who was also serving a sentence at Otisville , is also expected to be released soon from prison to home confinement after testing positive for the coronavirus , prosecutors told a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being released to home confinement .
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Manhattan declined to comment .
The Bureau of Prisons said Friday the death of a case manager working at USP Atlanta is being considered the first potential coronavirus death of a federal prisons staff member .
Robin Grubbs , who had worked at BOP since 2007 , was found dead at her home Tuesday and posthumously tested positive for coronavirus , according to an agency spokesman .
Officials said she had last worked at the Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be asymptomatic .
A cause of death is undetermined .
Associated Press writer Larry Neumeister in New York contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Scant testing in US migration system risks spreading virus

GUATEMALA CITY - The Trump administration ’ s failure to test all but a small percentage of detained immigrants for the novel coronavirus may be helping it spread through the United States ’ sprawling system of detention centres and then to Central America and elsewhere aboard regular deportation flights , migrants ’ advocates said Friday .
Just 400 detainees out of more than 32,000 have been tested so far , according to testimony that Matthew Albence , the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement , gave Friday to a congressional committee .
The House Committee on Oversight and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ICE does not routinely test detainees before deporting them.
” More than 1,600 people deported from the United States to Guatemala over the last month were allowed to go home and into voluntary , unenforced quarantine .
Fears are rising that it may have seeded the Central American nation with an untold number of undetected cases , increasing its vulnerability to the pandemic .
U.S. authorities took passengers ’ temperatures before departure , and Guatemalan officials checked them for cough , fever and other symptoms on arrival .
Those with possible COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but apparently healthy deportees underwent no testing and were allowed to head home even if they arrived on a flight with sick people .
Health experts say that was very risky because many infected people never show symptoms but are still highly contagious .
Airport workers and at least one family member of a deportee have tested positive in Guatemala and are believed to have been infected by returned migrants , said Dr. Edwin Asturias , a University of Colorado epidemiologist who is from Guatemala and maintains close contact with health authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that deportees have been coming infected and without appropriate safety measures in the same airspace with other people , ” Asturias said .
“ As we ’ re seeing , this type of deportation is producing contagion in Guatemala.
” Only on Monday did Guatemala begin testing every passenger who shared a flight with someone confirmed as positive .
The same day , a plane carrying 76 people arrived on an ICE flight from Alexandria , Louisiana .
A migrant who was feeling ill was tested and found to be infected , leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive despite showing no signs of illness and are in medical quarantine , officials said .
“ It ’ s very worrying because these adults and children are being deported from places with high levels of contagion , ” said Leonel Dubón , director of Refuge for Childhood , a centre for young and vulnerable deportees in Guatemala .
ICE has restricted the movement of hundreds of detainees across the United States after they were suspected of coming into contact with an infected person , according to interviews with detainees and lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 in 25 detention facilities .
A Department of Homeland Security official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal procedures said not everyone in immigration custody is tested because there are a limited number of tests available not just to ICE but worldwide .
“ We are only testing individuals we have reasons to believe may have the disease because of symptoms or close contact with individuals with symptoms , ” the official said .
DHS learned that four on a March 26 flight tested positive after arriving in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that everyone on deportation flights has a mask , and on Thursday began pulling people off if they had a temperature of 99 degrees , instead of 100.6 previously .
The U.S. will consider new procedures if needed but has no plans to halt removals , the official said : “ We continue to feel strongly that each country has an obligation to receive its citizens , that taking those individuals out of custody is the safest situation for them.
” At the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe , Louisiana , three cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are under lockdown .
One Guatemalan detainee who has COVID-19 , Diego Ortiz Garcia , said Friday he is confined to a dorm with about 20 others suspected of having the virus .
ICE said late Friday that it had confirmed 20 COVID-19 cases at Richwood .
Another Richwood detainee who was infected , Salomon Diego Alonzo , was hospitalized Thursday .
According to his attorney , Veronica Semino , Alonzo was taken there shortly after a guard told an immigration judge he “ does not have the lung capacity ” to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by phone .
So far there hasn ’ t been any documented case of the virus among deportees to other countries in Central America ’ s Northern Triangle region .
In El Salvador , more than 800 have arrived over the last month and been placed into 30-day quarantine .
President Nayib Bukele said in a statement to AP that 70 per cent have been tested with none coming back positive .
Tests are pending for the rest .
Honduran officials said they weren ’ t aware of any cases among deportees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if asymptomatic .
“ Every airplane that arrives with deportees is an alarm bell for the communities in our countries ” said César Ríos , director of the non-governmental Salvadoran Institute of Migration .
ICE has said 25 employees at U.S. detention centres have tested positive including 13 at a removal staging facility in Alexandria , which has sent at least 17 flights to Guatemala this year .
It has not said how many of the 32,000 people in U.S. immigration detention have been tested .
Attorneys for detainees have raised concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close proximity .
About half of those in ICE detention have no criminal history apart from an immigration violation , and advocates question whether they need to be in custody given the crisis .
Despite twice halting deportation flights briefly , Guatemala has been receiving about one per day carrying 50 to 100 people from a variety of U.S. locations over the last month , a sharp reduction from the normal pace .
Guatemala temporarily paused the flights again Thursday .
Dr. Michele Heisler , a professor of internal medicine at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice of screening only deportees with fevers is “ absolutely inadequate ” and it would be best to test them all .
With a population of 17.2 million , Guatemala had 207 confirmed cases as of Friday afternoon .
“ Guatemala will be overwhelmed , ” Heisler said .
“ They already have a very fragile health care system .
From a public health and medical perspective , this is just unbelievably irresponsible of our country.
“ Merchant reported from Houston , Fox from Washington and Weissenstein from Havana .
Elliot Spagat in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Marcos Aleman in San Salvador and Marlon González in Tegucigalpa , Honduras , contributed .

Sonia PéRez D., Nomaan Merchant, Ben Fox And Michael Weissenstein - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Detained migrant with COVID-19 forced to call in to court

HOUSTON - A detained immigrant who said he tested positive for COVID-19 was required to call in for a court hearing even after a guard said he was too weak to talk , his attorney said .
When the judge asked Salomon Diego Alonzo to say his name Thursday , the guard responded that Alonzo “ does not have the lung capacity , ” according to his lawyer , Veronica Semino , who was listening by phone .
The call lasted about two hours , though Judge Mary Baumgarten eventually agreed to delay Alonzo ’ s final asylum hearing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later that day , Semino said , and by Friday , she had not received an update on his condition .
The jail where he was detained went from two confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday to 20 by Friday night .
Speaking to The Associated Press on Wednesday , the 26-year-old from Guatemala responded to most questions with one- or two-sentence answers , often interrupted by coughing .
Alonzo says he has headaches , diarrhea and severe exhaustion that made it difficult for him to get out of bed .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dorm at an immigration detention centre in rural Louisiana , where medical staff check his vital signs twice a day .
“ I can barely walk , ” Alonzo said .
“ I ’ m not safe here.
” His case provides new insight into how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is dealing with a steadily rising number of coronavirus cases among its roughly 32,000 detainees .
ICE said Thursday that 100 detainees are confirmed to have COVID-19 .
Public health experts have warned that the virus could do particular harm in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s little space for social distancing .
Immigration detainees in several states have pleaded for masks and expressed fear of getting the virus , which causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people but can cause more severe illness for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems .
To combat the pandemic , ICE has released about 700 detainees so far , primarily people with known medical conditions .
But it has resisted large-scale releases of detainees .
Alonzo ’ s requests to be freed have been denied , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said officials at Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe , Louisiana , where he ’ s held , have told him that he tested positive for COVID-19 .
ICE would not confirm that to Semino , and spokesman Bryan Cox declined to comment .
Semino says Alonzo was one of nearly 700 people arrested in ICE raids last year on chicken plants in Mississippi , the largest immigration worksite enforcement operation in at least a decade .
He has been in the U.S. since 2012 , living in an apartment in a small Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and daughter , now 8 .
Alonzo doesn ’ t remember being around anyone who looked ill before he started to feel sick himself .
He thinks he could have been exposed to the coronavirus in the jail yard , cafeteria or dormitory where he and dozens of others sleep .
Alonzo said he started feeling “ very tired ” on April 8 , describing it as a pain in his bones .
The next morning , he went to the nurse .
He was found to have a fever , taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce his temperature .
After a few days , someone came to administer a test , he said .
Jail officials told him this week that he had the virus and took him to a dormitory with one other person , a man from South Asia who Alonzo believed was also sick .
On Friday , with Alonzo hospitalized , nearly two dozen other detainees were confined to the same dorm .
ICE posted on its website that it had 20 confirmed coronavirus cases at Richwood and 124 cases nationally .
Richwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a broader trend among rural Louisiana prisons .
A Cuban man killed himself last year in a Richwood solitary confinement cell , and an Associated Press investigation found jail guards had not checked on him as federal standards require and disregarded warning signs before his death .
On Thursday , Alonzo was scheduled for what ’ s known as a “ merits ” hearing , typically an hourslong presentation to explain why he should get asylum .
Semino , his attorney , said she requested Tuesday that the hearing be delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next day .
Only at the end of the hearing did the judge postpone until April 26 .
“ For somebody who is potentially dying to have to sit there for two hours , it ’ s really cruel and inhumane , “ Semino said .
A staff member for the judge referred questions to the media relations office for the Executive Office for Immigration Review , which oversees U.S. immigration courts .
A spokeswoman said she could not comment on Alonzo ’ s medical status .
Amid the pandemic , the office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in detention but is holding many hearings for detainees .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Mexican president says Trump promised 1,000 ventilators

MEXICO CITY - Mexico ’ s president said Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump has promised Mexico will be able to buy 1,000 ventilators and other intensive-therapy equipment used in treating severe cases of COVID-19 .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said he spoke with Trump Friday about Mexico ’ s request to purchase the machines , relatively few of which are available in Mexico .
López Obrador wrote in his Twitter account that Trump “ guaranteed me that by the end of this month we would 1,000 , and we can acquire more.
” Mexico currently has 6,875 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obrador called it a “ new gesture of solidarity with Mexico ” and said , “ I made the proposal that we could meet in June or July to personally express our appreciation.
” “ I send my affection to our countrymen and the people of the United States , ” López Obrador wrote , referring to the millions of Mexican migrants who live in the United States , Such a visit would be unusual , especially if it implied the Mexican leader would travel to the United States .
López Obrador has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December 2018 .
The left-leaning López Obrador has made good relations with the United States the cornerstone of his foreign policy , and the relationship between the two leaders has been surprisingly warm , considering their ideological differences .
López Obrador has also gone to great lengths to help Trump on issues like migration , for example , by stopping migrant caravans and allowing migrants who apply for asylum in the United States to wait in Mexico .


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Watchdog panels slowly take shape over $2T in virus cash

WASHINGTON - Congressional oversight of about $ 2 trillion for the coronavirus crisis began to take shape Friday as three members were appointed to a congressional commission that will monitor how the money is spent .
Sen. Pat Toomey , R-Penn .
and Reps. French Hill , R-Ark.
, and Donna Shalala , D-Fla. , were added to the five-member Congressional Oversight Commission by congressional leaders .
They join Bharat Ramamurti , a former Democratic Senate aide who until Friday has been the panel ’ s sole appointee .
With four out of five members appointed , the congressional commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created to oversee the massive pot of spending , They are all in limbo even as President Donald Trump ’ s administration and Congress begin to pump unprecedented sums into the economy .
A board of inspector generals designed to track the money is in disarray after President Donald Trump ousted its chairman , and a special official in the Treasury Department is on hold as the Senate isn ’ t around to confirm him .
A new congressional commission to investigate the administration ’ s response to the pandemic can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create it .
It ’ s a halting start for the oversight structure built into the coronavirus relief law , which Democrats demanded in return for empowering a president and administration they deeply distrust .
Sheltering at home with preschoolers , Ramamurti has been writing letters and taking to Twitter to try and jump-start his work , asking the administration for “ detailed and timely information ” about coronavirus payments .
A former aide to Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, Ramamurti was appointed April 6 by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the three members of Congress .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell added Toomey , House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy added Hill and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi added Shalala .
“ We must ensure that taxpayer dollars given to industry go to workers ’ paychecks and benefits , not be used for CEO bonuses , stock buybacks or dividends , ” Pelosi said in a statement .
McConnell and Pelosi will jointly appoint the panel ’ s chairperson .
Pelosi said Thursday that the two were trading suggestions for who should take that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon.. McConnell said Friday he is naming Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo , who chairs the Senate Banking Committee , to co-ordinate the Senate ’ s oversight of the law .
He said “ ” appropriate , objective and nonpartisan oversight will be key to ensuring its dollars and programs find their mark.
” Still , there are few people in place to do that oversight , and looming deadlines for the Trump administration to deliver information to Congress and the public will test the system in the coming weeks .
The disclosure duties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Federal Reserve , but Trump has set a tone of disdain toward the process .
A slow roll-out is typical for Washington , said Noah Bookbinder , executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , “ but this is not a normal circumstance , ” with the administration intent on disbursing funds at a rapid clip .
“ If oversight is not happening , that ’ s a problem , because the actual assistance is happening , ’ ’ Bookbinder said .
The president has suggested the oversight provisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed the law that the administration didn ’ t have to comply with some of them .
He then ousted the official named chairman of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee , the board of inspectors general established to monitor the unprecedented spending .
Pelosi has moved on her own to form a special oversight panel led by Rep. Jim Clyburn , D-S.C .
Unlike other entities , Clyburn ’ s panel will have subpoena power .
Still , no members of the committee have been appointed since Clyburn was named to the post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not clear if Republicans will participate .
Pelosi said this week that the House will vote on the Clyburn committee upon its return , currently scheduled for early May .
“ With all the money going out , we really need to do it in a timely fashion , ” she said .
Trump has nominated one of his White House lawyers , former inspector general Brian Miller , to the new Treasury inspector general position created to track coronavirus relief for industry .
But he can ’ t start his work until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also out until early May , “ This is an unprecedented level of relief and it needs an unprecedented level of oversight , ” said Sean Moulton of the Project on Government Oversight .

Matthew Daly And Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-17--Cuomo: Feds must help with testing. Trump: Stop complaining

NEW YORK - Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and President Donald Trump tussled over wide-scale coronavirus testing Friday , with the governor arguing the federal government needs to step up and the president saying Cuomo should stop complaining and start working .
The dust-up started during the Democratic governor ’ s daily briefing , when he said the federal government was doing too little to help states reopen their outbreak-stricken economies by making sure they can perform mass diagnostic testing .
“ The federal government can not wipe its hands of this and say , ‘ Oh , the states are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it .
We can not do it without federal help , ” he said .
Within a half-hour , Trump was tweeting about it .
“ Governor Cuomo should spend more time “ doing ” and less time “ complaining ” .
Get out there and get the job done .
Stop talking !
” Trump tweeted .
The Republican president said the federal government came through on ventilators and thousands of hospital beds for New York , yet Cuomo seemed ungrateful .
Cuomo and Trump have clashed intermittently over the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s flare-up was unusual for playing out during the course of one of Cuomo ’ s widely watched briefings .
A reporter read Trump ’ s tweets to Cuomo , and the governor responded with his own barbs .
“ How many times do you want me to say thank you ?
” Cuomo asked .
“ I ’ m saying thank you for doing your job.
” While he lobbies for federal help , Cuomo said , he will order the 300 labs and hospitals licensed to perform virus testing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing .
Separately , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced five new walk-in testing sites will be open by Monday , with a focus on residents ages 65 and older in areas with high numbers of cases of the COVID-19 virus .
The sites will initially offer a total of 2,400 tests a week , but the city aims to double that quickly .
“ Everyone ’ s important , ” the Democratic mayor said , but “ this is about sharp , clear disparities.
” Five other new testing sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are members of a major union that represents nurses , aides and many others .
Those sites , offering a total of 3,500 tests per week , also will be open to other essential workers , including those who work at adult care facilities , and to city residents 65 and older with underlying medical conditions .
Other coronavirus developments in New York : The number of total hospitalizations statewide is dropping slowly , with over 17,300 on Thursday .
However , almost 2,000 people a day with COVID-19 are still entering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported Thursday , bringing total number of confirmed deaths since the outbreak close to 13,000 .
The daily death toll has not dropped below 600 since April 5 .
New rules requiring New Yorkers to cover their faces in public are going into effect Friday as the state ’ s residents prepared for at least another month of social distancing to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
Under the guidelines announced this week by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , everyone must wear a mask or face covering when in a public place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
Children younger than 2 and people with a medical reason why they can ’ t tolerate a mask are exempt from the rule , which takes effect at 8 p.m. Cuomo announced Thursday that the state ’ s stay-at-home restrictions that have been in place since March 22 will last at least until May 15 .
He said the extension was made in consultation with officials from other Northeast states and will be reevaluated next month .

Jennifer Peltz, Marina Villeneuve And Michael Hill - The Associated Press