thetorontostar--2020-05-21--Man who filmed Arbery shooting video charged in his slaying

SAVANNAH , Ga. - The Georgia man whose cellphone video of Ahmaud Arbery ’ s fatal shooting helped reignite the case was charged with murder Thursday , making him the third person arrested more than two months after the slaying .
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said 50-year-old William “ Roddie ” Bryan Jr. was arrested on charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment .
No other details were given .
The GBI said in a statement that it would hold a news conference Friday morning .
Arbery was slain Feb. 23 when a white father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after spotting the 25-year-old black man running in their neighbourhood .
More than two months passed before authorities arrested Gregory McMichael , 64 , and his son , Travis McMichael , 34 , on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault .
Gregory McMichael told police he suspected Arbery was a burglar and that Arbery attacked his son before being shot .
Bryan lives in the same subdivision just outside the port city of Brunswick , and the video he took from the cab of his vehicle helped stir a national outcry when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video quickly drew a strong reaction from Georgia Gov .
Bryan Kemp , a Republican who called it “ absolutely horrific.
” The Georgia Bureau of Investigation soon took over the case from local police , and the arrests of the McMichaels followed on May 7 .
Under Georgia law , a person can be charged with felony murder for committing any felony that causes the death of someone else .
It does not require intent to kill and carries an automatic life sentence .
In the Glynn County police incident report on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer that at one point Arbery “ began running back the direction from which he came and ` Roddy ’ attempted to block him which was unsuccessful.
“ It ’ s the only mention in the police report of any potential involvement by Bryan .
Bryan ’ s attorney , Kevin Gough , did not immediately return a phone message Thursday .
He has previously insisted Bryan played no role in Arbery ’ s death .
“ Roddie Bryan is not now , and has never been , more than a witness to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement on the case Monday .
“ He is not a vigilante .
Roddie did not participate in the horrific killing of this young man .
Mr. Bryan has committed no crime , and bears no criminal responsibility in the death of Ahmaud Arbery.
” Meanwhile , attorneys for Arbery ’ s parents cheered the news of Bryan ’ s arrest .
“ We called for his arrest from the very beginning of this process , ” attorneys S. Lee Merritt , Benjamin Crump and L. Chris Stewart said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Mr. Arbery was obvious to us , to many around the country and after their thorough investigation , it was clear to the GBI as well.
” Bryan ’ s video of the shooting was taken from the driver ’ s seat of a vehicle following Arbery as he runs along a residential street .
A pickup truck is parked in the road ahead of Arbery , with one man in the truck ’ s bed and another standing beside the open driver ’ s side door .
The video shows Arbery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he cuts back in front of it .
Then a gunshot can be heard , followed by a second shot .
Arbery can be seen punching a man holding what appears to be a shotgun , who then fires a third shot point-blank .
Arbery staggers and falls face down in the street .
Gregory McMichael retired last year after more than two decades as an investigator for the local prosecutor ’ s office .
Because of those ties , Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson recused herself from the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also stepped aside .
The McMichaels remain jailed in Glynn County waiting for a preliminary court hearing and for a judge to decide whether to free them on bond pending trial .
Attorneys for the father and son have urged people not to rush to judgment in the case .


thetorontostar--2020-05-21--Flood raises fears of pollution at Michigan toxic waste site

TRAVERSE CITY , Mich. - It took seven years to settle on a plan for cleansing two rivers and floodplains polluted with dioxins from a Dow Chemical Co. plant in central Michigan .
The work itself has lasted nearly twice as long , with plenty still to do .
Now , scientists and activists fear some of the progress may have washed away with floodwaters that overwhelmed two dams this week , chasing 11,000 people from homes in and near Midland , the company ’ s headquarters city .
The Tittabawassee River flows past the Dow plant and eventually meets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake Huron ’ s Saginaw Bay .
That 50-mile stretch is tainted with dioxins — highly toxic compounds that researchers say can damage reproductive and immune systems and cause cancer .
The area is on the federal Superfund list of hazardous sites .
Regulators and company officials said Thursday it was too early to tell whether the swollen river had damaged spots that had been repaired or swept pollutants farther downstream .
Dow said it would inspect each cleanup location as floodwaters recede and sample for new contamination .
The projects “ held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flood “ and we are confident that we will see a similar outcome this time , “ spokesman Kyle Bandlow said .
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it would team with the Michigan Department of Environment , Great Lakes and Energy to evaluate any chemical releases from the plant , although Dow had reported none .
Damage from the flood three years ago was “ minimal ” and required only minor repairs , EPA ’ s regional office in Chicago said .
But a similar outcome is unlikely after this week ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burton , a professor of environment and sustainability at the University of Michigan .
“ There ’ s no reason to expect that everything would remain in the same place after a massive flood like this , ” Burton said .
“ No scientist out there would predict that will happen.
” Erik Olson , a toxic chemicals specialist with the Natural Resources Defence Council , said floods produced by hurricanes have covered hazardous waste sites and carried contaminated wastes long distances .
“ You can think you ’ ve contained toxic chemicals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flood can scour that up and move it , ” Olson said .
“ We saw that with Katrina .
What happened there is exactly what we ’ re worrying about happening in Midland.
” In a report last year , the Government Accountability Office said EPA should take additional steps to safeguard Superfund sites from the effects of climate change , including flooding that might result from heavier downpours .
It said 60 per cent of Superfund sites not on federal property were vulnerable to floods , storm surge , wildfires , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warming .
Dioxins are byproducts of some of the hundreds of chemicals manufactured over the years at the Dow plant , which began operating in 1897 .
It now produces silicones used in a variety of home and personal care products and electronics .
The plant also has a small nuclear reactor , used for research , Bandlow said .
Dow notified the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Tuesday that it had been shut down earlier because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Liquid wastes containing dioxins from the plant were dumped into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The compounds later were incinerated , producing air pollution that settled into sediments , riverbanks and floodplains over decades .
Their discovery along the Tittabawassee River in 2000 sparked a lengthy clash between Dow , regulators and environmental groups over the seriousness of the problem and how to fix it .
Dow began cleanup in 2007 , supervised by EPA .
The Tittabawassee and its banks were divided into seven segments .
The first five are mostly complete .
Work on the remaining two began last year .
Thousands of cubic yards of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been stabilized .
In areas where digging up the dioxins was judged too difficult or impractical , tainted soils were covered with protective mats and deep-rooted plants .
More cleanup is planned along 21 miles of floodplains .
EPA expects the Tittabawassee section to be finished next year , followed by work on the Saginaw River .
“ We ’ ve been feeling pretty confident that this is going to be a successful cleanup , ” said Terry Miller , chairman of the advocacy group Lone Tree Council and member of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500-year flood is a wild card.
” Thorough inspections and analysis will be crucial to determine whether the projects are intact and need repairs , he said .
“ The post-flood assessments will help identify if any additional cleanup is needed , ” EPA said .
Environmentalists said they were concerned about releases of pollutants aside from dioxins , although Dow said there had been none .
“ The long-term threats to the health and safety of the community are significant , given what we know is in the river and the holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Lisa Wozniak , executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters .

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-05-21--Cuomo: Summer school in New York state will be online

NEW YORK - Summer school students will not be reporting to the classroom .
New York City will deliver 1 million meals a day to fight hunger during the outbreak .
State labour officials hit with a flood of unemployment applications say they ’ re working through the backlog .
Summer school in New York will be conducted remotely , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Thursday , citing the risks of returning children to the classroom .
The governor said it ’ s too early to make a decision about the fall semester .
School buildings in New York have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously pose risks .
They ’ re places of gathering .
They ’ re on buses .
They ’ re in classrooms , ” Cuomo said at his daily briefing .
“ How do you reduce density in a classroom ?
How do you reduce density in a cafeteria , on a school bus , et cetera ?
How do you get children to wear masks ?
” Cuomo also mentioned increasing awareness and concern about a syndrome affecting children that is thought to be linked to COVID-19 .
Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms including prolonged fever , abdominal pain and vomiting .
New York is investigating 157 cases of the syndrome , which has been reported in more than a dozen countries .
Two young boys and an 18-year-old woman diagnosed with the syndrome have died in New York state .
Meal programs and child care for essential employees will continue during the summer session , Cuomo said .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday said instruction in the city ’ s public schools will be online this summer .
There were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth straight day the daily death toll has hovered slightly above 100 .
The death tally peaked at 799 on April 8 .
There were 5,187 COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide , a drop of 383 from the day before .
Cuomo ’ s administration says it ’ s making progress on its backlog of pending unemployment benefit applications .
New York has paid out over $ 10 billion in benefits to more than two million individuals , state labour commissioner Roberta Reardon said .
That ’ s up from $ 2.1 billion paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the state ’ s system has been too slow to help unemployed workers .
In response , the labour department revamped its website and made other changes .
Cuomo ’ s administration looked at over a million applications submitted before April 22 , and found the state hasn ’ t processed 7,580 claims that are missing information .
Another 15,831 are going through final processing that includes a check for fraud and identity theft , according to Reardon .
The state has processed another 20,801 claims but hasn ’ t released those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federally mandated weekly certifications .
“ We will continue to try get in touch with everyone who applied so we can connect them with the benefits they are eligible for , ” Reardon said .
New York City is meeting the coronavirus crisis with a massive emergency food assistance program and will be delivering 1 million meals daily by next week , with another 500,000 meals available daily for pickup at school sites , Mayor Bill de Blasio said .
“ We will let no New Yorker go hungry , period , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not acceptable , no matter what we ’ re up against , that anyone would be hungry in this city.
” The city-provided meals are supposed to meet nutritional guidelines , and kosher , halal and vegetarian food is supposed to be available to those who request it .
The city has fired two vendors whose meals fell short of those standards , said Kathryn Garcia , the sanitation commissioner who de Blasio named as “ food czar ” during the pandemic .
“ Just be clear , here ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : any expired food , meals that don ’ t meet our nutritional guidelines , late or missing deliveries and different meals than you ordered , ” Garcia said .
Areas of upstate New York have been seeing more people hospitalized with COVID-19 , including parts of the state recently cleared for reopening .
The total number of people hospitalized has been slowly declining statewide since mid-April , driven largely by lower numbers in New York City and the downstate region .
But the central New York region , which includes Syracuse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 to 80 Wednesday .
That ’ s down from a regional high of 84 the day before .
The Finger Lakes region went from 124 hospitalization to 175 over the same period .
The Finger Lakes hit a regional high of 180 on Monday .
Jim Malatras , who serves on the governor ’ s coronavirus task force , said they were monitoring what he characterized as small upticks .
He noted that some increases are limited to specific issues , like a recent outbreak at a greenhouse in Madison County .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively low , but the next couple of days , we ’ ll know , ” Malatras said .
Cuomo said there ’ s about a two-week lag on the hospitalization rate , so it could not be related to some regions reopening Friday .
COVID-19 symptoms appear on average five to six days after exposure to the virus , though they can take up to two weeks , according to the World Health Organization .

Karen Matthews, Marina Villeneuve And Michael Hill - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-21--Man lied to try to get $20M (U.S.) in federal coronavirus aid, authorities say

NEW YORK—A Chinese man who tried to get $ 20 million ( U.S. ) in federal aid meant for distressed businesses affected by the coronavirus created two bogus businesses and falsely claimed he was trying to procure COVID-19 tests and protective equipment in an official capacity for New York state , authorities said Thursday .
Muge Ma , 36 , also claimed he was paying millions of dollars to hundreds of workers when he was really his only employee , working out of his posh $ 1.5-million Manhattan condominium , federal authorities said as they announced his arrest .
Prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturer and a medical-equipment supplier that one of his companies was representing New York state and Gov .
Andrew Cuomo in procuring COVID-19 test kits and personal protective equipment to respond to the pandemic .
They said he falsely claimed in a recorded call on Monday that one of his companies was a registered vendor for New York state and that the company had a large team of employees working on a deal for the state .
An email seeking comment was sent to Assistant Federal Defender Tamara Giwa , who told a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no criminal history and should be released on $ 50,000 bail so he can take care of his parents who are visiting from China .
The judge denied bail , citing arguments by a prosecutor who said Ma had the motive and money to flee .
During the hearing , held by video conference because of the pandemic , Ma admitted he was not a U.S. citizen but said : “ For many , many years , I see myself as American.
” He said he came to the U.S. in 2011 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from UCLA .
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman called Ma ’ s alleged crimes “ as audacious as they are callous.
” “ Ma described one of the companies as a ‘ patriotic American ’ firm , and said of the other company that it would ‘ help the country reduce the high unemployment rate caused by the pandemic by helping unemployed American workers and unemployed American fresh graduates find jobs as quickly as possible , ’ ” Berman said in a statement .
FBI assistant director William F. Sweeney Jr. said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to anyone contemplating fraud to profit in bad times .
“ There are many people in desperate need of federal money right now to get them through an unbelievably difficult time .
The last thing they need to hear is that a fraudster allegedly tried to steal millions of dollars for his own selfish use , ” he said .
Documents filed in Manhattan federal court alleged that Ma from March through last Friday applied to at least five banks to get more than $ 20 million in government-guaranteed loans .
Authorities said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sole owner and executive director of the Ma Companies , purportedly based on the sixth floor of his luxury condominium building .
They said he submitted fraudulent and doctored bank records , tax records , insurance records , payroll records and financial statements to the banks , providing links to his companies ’ websites , which claimed he owned “ global ” companies .
Court documents allege he also falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when he is a Chinese national with lawful permanent resident status in the U.S .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had approved a $ 500,000 loan for one of Ma ’ s companies and a $ 150,000 loan for another , with at least a $ 10,000 loan advance provided to him .
Authorities said a bank also disbursed approximately $ 800,000 in government loan funds for one of the companies , although the money was frozen during the investigation .
They said Ma tried to withdraw his loan applications from the banks and return the funds after the probe began .
Ma was charged with bank fraud , wire fraud , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud against the United States .
Three of the charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison .


thetorontostar--2020-05-21--Smoke inhalation killed 34 in California boat fire, coroner says

LOS ANGELES—Coroner ’ s reports for the 34 victims who died in a scuba-boat fire off the southern California coast last year show they died of carbon monoxide poisoning before they were burned , authorities said Thursday .
All 33 scuba divers and one crew member died in the Sept. 2 , 2019 , fire aboard the Conception , anchored off Santa Cruz Island .
The only survivors were the captain and four other crew members , who were asleep above-deck .
The Santa Barbara County coroner ’ s reports list smoke inhalation as the cause of death for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the below-deck bunk room when the fire broke out .
The manner of death is considered accidental , said Lt. Erik Raney of the Santa Barbara sheriff ’ s office .
The pre-dawn blaze swept through the boat anchored off the Channel Islands for a three-day excursion over Labour Day Weekend .
Passengers included a girl celebrating her 17th birthday with her parents and friend , an environmental scientist and a professional photographer .
Some were wearing clothes and shoes , Raney said .
One held a cellphone , while another grasped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered in their cramped bunks : some were found on the surface of the water , others inside the boat ’ s hull or on the ocean floor .
Ken Kurtis , a veteran diver and instructor who has been on the Conception several times , said while it ’ s unusual for passengers to be sleeping in their clothes or shoes , it ’ s not unthinkable when the temperature drops over the water at night — and not evidence that anyone had tried to escape the flames .
The survivors have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engulfed in flames and were unable to reach the sleeping passengers or the sixth crew member and had to jump in the water to save their own lives .
An official from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has cited how difficult it was to reach an escape hatch in the bunk room , a design that has routinely met regulations .
Coast Guard records show the boat had passed its two most recent safety inspections without violations .
Raney told The Associated Press the coroner ’ s office did not do internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ external examinations of the victims and black soot in their trachea , as well as toxicology tests , showed enough evidence of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning to avoid autopsies .
The coroner ’ s reports were first reported Tuesday by the Santa Barbara Independent .
Authorities have said all six crew members were asleep when the fire started — despite Coast Guard regulations requiring a “ roving ” night watch .
Several victims ’ families have filed wrongful death lawsuits as counter-claims against the boat company , Truth Aquatics Inc. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shield the owners from damages under a pre-Civil War maritime law that limits liability of vessel owners .
The Coast Guard , FBI and U.S. attorney ’ s office in Los Angeles are leading an ongoing criminal probe , and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating safety issues .


thetorontostar--2020-05-21--Man who shot three at Arizona complex felt bullied, police say

GLENDALE , Ariz.—A 20-year-old gunman who opened fire at a suburban Phoenix restaurant and retail complex , injuring three people , wanted to target people in his own age group in retaliation for being bullied , authorities said Thursday .
The shooting rampage occurred Wednesday night after suspect Armando Hernandez scoped out Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale , returned to his car to make a social media video and loaded three rifle magazines , police said .
“ I ’ m going to be the shooter of Westgate 2020 , ” Hernandez said in his Snapchat video , holding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also shows an AR-15-type rifle in the backseat of the car .
“ Let ’ s get this done , guys , ” he said .
Hernandez later surrendered , telling detectives that he intended to harm 10 people , though it ’ s unclear why he chose that number .
“ He wanted to gain some respect , and he felt that he had been bullied in his life , ” Glendale police Sgt .
Randy Stewart said .
Police say Hernandez filmed the attack while holding a cellphone with his left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his right hand .
The first two victims were shot outside a restaurant .
As the gunman moved through the complex , police said , he fired shots to intimidate people before shooting the third victim .
Hernandez surrendered without incident to one of the first officers who arrived at the complex adjacent to the stadium where the NFL ’ s Arizona Cardinals play .
Authorities say Hernandez wounded a 19-year-old man , who remained hospitalized in critical condition .
A 16-year-old girl was taken to a hospital with injuries that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 30-year-old woman , did not require hospitalization .
Hernandez , who lives in the neighbouring suburb of Peoria , could face more than a dozen felony charges .
It was not immediately known if he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf .
It ’ s not yet clear how many shots were fired .
Investigators say Hernandez moved around the complex during the attack , leaving spent shells in different spots .
“ Armando stated multiple times he wanted to do this mass shooting for respect and spoke of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred in recent years , ” police said in court records .
Bystander video posted on social media showed people running from the area and embracing after being reunited .
Eliana Rivera , a sales associate at a pottery-painting store , posted on Twitter that she and a co-worker heard police running and helicopters overhead as they huddled in the back of the business , the Arizona Republic reported .
“ It ’ s just unreal , ” Rivera said .
“ You see it on the news .
It happens and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put in that position .
You just think , ‘ What are the chances that will happen ?
’ — and it did.
” State Sen. Martin Quezada was in his third-floor home at Westgate when shots rang out and the power cut off after gunfire struck an electrical transformer .
From his window , he saw people running , then a man appeared to be reloading a gun while walking calmly toward his building .
When he went outside , he saw two people laying in the street crying out in pain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t think a lot of it has really settled in yet about what I witnessed and what actually took place out there , ” Quezada said .

Jacques Billeaud And Terry Tang - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-21--Iconic San Francisco gay bar to shutter in pandemic fallout

SAN FRANCISCO - One of the nation ’ s most celebrated gay bars is being forced from its home amid the financial fallout of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Stud is the longest continually running gay bar in San Francisco and known throughout the country as one of the bohemian , gender-bending , anything-goes institutions that made San Francisco into a gay mecca .
The 18-member collective that operates the club announced late Wednesday that they had decided to close the bar , though they will look for a new location .
“ Because of a lack of revenue due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar will be announcing that they are permanently closing their location and will be holding a drag funeral to honour the end of an era of LGBT nightlife , ” said one of the owners , Honey Mahogany , in a news release .
It ’ s at least the second time the 54-year-old bar has faced the prospect of full closure .
But previous situations were due to gentrification in San Francisco , now one of the nation ’ s tech hubs .
In 2016 The Stud ’ s current location was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then-owner received was notified that monthly rent for the 2,800-square-foot space would leap from $ 3,800 to $ 9,500 .
A co-operative group of 18 owners then bought the bar to keep it running .
Wedged into a space in San Francisco ’ s South of Market neighbourhood — the epicenter of the city ’ s tech world — The Stud opened in 1966 and quickly gained a reputation as a spot with a hippie vibe and eclectic customers .
Its current space features gilt mirrors , a disco ball and a small @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-21--Police: Man stabs father to death during Zoom video call

AMITYVILLE , N.Y. - A Long Island man was stabbed to death by his adult son Thursday while on a @ @ @ @ @ said , leading to 911 calls from people who watched the horror unfold on their @ @ @ @ @ 32 , fled out a window after attacking his 72-year-old father , Dwight Powers , @ @ @ @ @ near South Oaks Hospital in Amityville , Suffolk County police said .
Scully-Powers was arrested @ @ @ @ @ having gotten only about 1 mile away from the home .
He remained hospitalized Thursday @ @ @ @ @ injuries from his jump .
Police said details on his arraignment and detention will be @ @ @ @ @ from the hospital .
Information on a lawyer who could comment on his behalf was @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-21--Nation’s capital aims to start reopening May 29

WASHINGTON - After weeks of insisting the Washington , D.C. , area is not ready to end its pandemic-induced lockdown , Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser now says the numbers are pointing to the start of a gradual reopening process at the end of the month .
Bowser on Thursday penciled in Friday , May 29 as a potential start date for phase 1 of the District of Columbia ’ s proposed three-phase reopening plan .
That includes restaurants allowing outdoor patio seating , non-essential businesses offering curbside pickup and hair salons and barbers operating by appointment at limited capacity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ process and warned residents not to expect the lives they had in February to return in full any time soon .
“ Let ’ s be clear on what this is and what this isn ’ t , ” Bowser said .
“ This is not an on-off switch.
” Bowser had previously set the nation ’ s capital on a timeline that would have it beginning to reopen on June 8 at the earliest .
That ’ s later than most jurisdictions around the country and a stark contrast to the sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
“ The mayor ’ s more conservative approach … is the right way to go , ” said Eleanor Holmes Norton , Washington DC ’ s non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives .
Although there have been one or two small protests to reopen DC faster , Norton said , “ there was not an overwhelming desire on the part of District of Columbia residents to open up.
” The number of newly identified infections has fluctuated from day to day .
But Bowser and Health Department Chief Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in indicators that track the exact onset of symptoms as a better metric for determining the state of community transmission .
Those numbers , they said , have been trending positive for 11 days now .
If that trend continues through the weekend , Bowser said she would probably revise her current executive stay-home order , which is currently set to expire June 8 .
Bowser has generally been working in co-ordination with neighbouring counties in northern Virginia and southern Maryland .
Although the rest of the state of Virginia , began reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and requested a delay .
Now they ’ re on the same May 29 schedule as Washington .
The shift should be welcomed by Washington ’ s many restaurant owners , who have been hit hard by the forced closure .
Andy Shallal , owner of the Busboys and Poets restaurant chain , said he wanted the city to move more quickly .
“ If you leave it up to the health professionals , they ’ ll tell you to close for two years , ” Shallal said .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open as soon as possible.
” Shallal serves on the Reopen DC committee as part of the restaurant subcommittee .
He said the committee didn ’ t recommend any particular dates to Bowser , merely laying out a proposed framework and letting her decide on timing .
“ This is also a political decision .
It ’ s not just based on the health statistics.
” Although he has been a public critic of Bowser in the past and ran against her for mayor in 2014 , Shallal expressed sympathy for her position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors like Bowser “ are getting it from all sides , ” he said .
“ She ’ s a good politician but this is a really tough one .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Syria bars Assad’s cousin from travel amid financial dispute

BEIRUT - A Syrian court has ordered a travel ban on the cousin of the country ’ s president and one of its wealthiest businessmen in the latest measure to contain a financial dispute that has pried open divisions in the Assad family .
The decision was published on the Syrian Justice Ministry ’ s Facebook page late on Thursday .
The court said Rami Makhlouf would be temporarily banned from leaving Syria until a dispute over outstanding financial dues is settled .
There has recently been a quick succession of government measures against Makhlouf , including confiscating his assets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial claims would be made against the man , once believed to be at the heart of the economy of Syria .
The escalation appears aimed at wrapping what has been an unusually widely publicized family rift .
Makhlouf has defiantly and in public statements challenged the financial claims made against him , saying they are unjust and called for his cousin President Bashar Assad to be an arbiter .
Makhlouf heads the largest telecommunication company in the country , Syriatel , among other things .
The president has made no public statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ split in the tight-knit family which has ruled Syria for nearly 50 years .
Makhlouf is Assad ’ s maternal cousin .
In a stunning gesture , Makhlouf had taken his grievances to social media starting earlier this month , posting videos online in which he challenged claims that Syriatel owed the state any money and appealed to Assad to prevent persons he did not name from destroying his business .
It was the clearest indication that Assad ’ s cousin and once a close aide has been isolated from the president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s assets and those of his wife and children seized and barred him from doing business with the state for five years .
On Thursday , the Justice Ministry posted the court order on the travel ban .
It said that based on a case filed by the Telecommunications Ministry , Makhlouf would be barred from travelling outside of Syria until he settles his debt with the government .
A telecommunications regulatory body had said Makhlouf owes the government some $ 180 million in outstanding operational fees .
Makhlouf has contested the legality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos .
In his last one on Tuesday , he said they “ just want to control the company and they see nothing else , ” without elaborating .
Syriatel is one of Syria ’ s largest employers with thousands of staff and 11 million subscribers .
The rift comes as the country , already under Western sanctions , enters a new phase of economic hardship .
Syria ’ s currency has spiraled downward , sending prices of basic commodities soaring .
Economic activity is also being hurt by restrictions imposed to combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the war which has displaced nearly half the population .


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--UK’s COVID-19 study aims to vaccinate more than 10,000

LONDON - British researchers testing an experimental vaccine against the new coronavirus are moving into advanced studies and aim to immunize more than 10,000 people to determine if the shot works .
Last month , scientists at Oxford University began vaccinating more than 1,000 volunteers in a preliminary study designed to test the shot ’ s safety .
Those results aren ’ t in yet but on Friday , the scientists announced they ’ re expanding to 10,260 people across Britain , including older people and children .
If all goes smoothly , “ it ’ s possible as early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the year , you could have results that allowed use of the vaccine on a wider scale , ” predicted Andrew Pollard , head of the Oxford Vaccine Group .
But Pollard acknowledged there were still many challenges ahead , including how long it will take to prove the vaccine works — particularly since transmission has dropped significantly in Britain — and any potential manufacturing complications .
The Oxford shot is one of about a dozen experimental vaccines in early stages of human testing or poised to start , mostly in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have never created vaccines from scratch this fast and it ’ s far from clear that any of the candidates will ultimately prove safe and effective .
Moving on to such a huge late-scale test doesn ’ t guarantee the Oxford candidate will reach the finish line , either .
Pollard couldn ’ t provide any data from the first tests , but said an oversight board hasn ’ t seen any indications of worrisome side effects .
A small study in monkeys offers a note of caution : The Oxford team and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health found the vaccine protected against pneumonia but didn ’ t eliminate the coronavirus in the nose .
Pollard said it was still an open question whether the shot could make a dent in how the disease spreads .
Another question addressed in the next stage of testing is how the shot will affect older adults , who are at high risk from COVID-19 .
Pollard noted those over 70 often don ’ t get as much protection from vaccines as younger people .
Earlier this week , drugmaker AstraZeneca said it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million doses of the Oxford-developed vaccine , bolstered by a $ 1 billion investment from a U.S. government agency .
The AstraZeneca investment hopefully will make the vaccine available globally , including in developing countries , said Lawrence Young of the University of Warwick .
But he cautioned the shot ’ s effectiveness still is unclear , citing the monkey research .
“ This raises serious questions about the ability of this vaccine to protect against infection in humans and to prevent virus transmission , ” he said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine candidates.
” Often , possible vaccines that look promising early fail after testing expands to thousands of people — one reason the crowded field is important .
Many of the candidates work in different ways , and are made with different technologies , increasing the odds that at least one approach might succeed .
Most of the vaccines in the pipeline aim to train the immune system to recognize the spiky protein that studs the new coronavirus ’ outer surface , so it ’ s primed to attack if the real infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a harmless virus — a chimpanzee cold virus , engineered so it can ’ t spread — to carry genes for the spike protein into the body .
A Chinese company created a similar shot .
Other leading vaccine candidates , including one from the NIH and Moderna Inc. , and another by Inovio Pharmaceuticals , simply inject a piece of the coronavirus genetic code that instructs the body itself to produce spike protein that primes the immune system .
Meanwhile , companies and governments are beginning to scale up production now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the candidates they think might win the vaccine race .
It ’ s a huge gamble that could waste a lot of money if their choices fail and must be thrown away .
But if they get lucky and a stockpiled vaccine pans out , it could help mass vaccinations start a few months faster .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Maria Cheng And Lauran Neergaard - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Star college football recruit charged with attempted murder

ACCOKEEK , Md .
- A high school football player designated as a star recruit for colleges by ESPN is accused of trying to kill his ex-girlfriend ’ s boyfriend .
Luke Hill , 18 , faces charges including attempted first-degree murder after allegedly firing gunshots that struck a home in Accokeek , Maryland , on Monday night , according to charging documents obtained by The Washington Post .
Hill , a defensive back who graduated from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore after withdrawing from St. John ’ s College High during his junior year , had committed to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coach Mario Cristobal told The Oregonian that he was cut from their program this spring .
Prince George ’ s County Police redacted the name of the target , but ESPN reported that it was Ishmael Leggett , Hill ’ s former classmate at St. John ’ s .
Leggett , a 6-foot-4 guard who has committed to play basketball this fall at the University of Rhode Island , wouldn ’ t comment to the Post , but his next coach expressed relief that the gunshots missed .
“ I am aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in contact with him and his family , ” University of Rhode Island Basketball Coach David Cox told the Providence Journal .
“ Thankfully , he was not harmed , as his well-being is my primary concern.
” Responding police officers said the target told them he was playing basketball outside his house when someone inside a white car began shooting at him .
The mother of the target told officers she heard gunshots and saw the white car as she was pulling into her driveway .
The target told officers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill about her current relationship , and that Hill was upset about a photo she posted on social media .
Investigators questioned Hill and then obtained a search warrant for his house in Temple Hills , Maryland , where they found a handgun matching the calibre of a casing at the shooting scene , charging documents said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--AP-NORC poll: Many in US won’t return to gym or dining out

WASHINGTON - Much of the country remains unlikely to venture out to bars , restaurants , theatres or gyms anytime soon , despite state and local officials across the country increasingly allowing businesses to reopen , according to a new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research .
That hesitancy in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak could muffle any recovery from what has been the sharpest and swiftest economic downturn in U.S. history .
Just 42 % of those who went to concerts , movies , theatres or sporting events at least monthly before the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next few weeks if they could .
Only about half of those who regularly went to restaurants , exercised at the gym or travelled would feel comfortable doing so again .
About a quarter of Americans say someone in their household has lost a job amid that downturn , and about half have lost household income , including layoffs , pay cuts , cut hours or unpaid time off .
The majority of those whose household suffered a layoff still believe they will return to their previous employer , but the share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risen slightly over the past month , to 30 % from 20 % .
Amber Van Den Berge , a teacher in Indiana , held off on immediately returning to her second job as a fitness instructor .
She would need to pass a test for COVID-19 , get her temperature checked each morning and lead class while wearing a protective mask .
“ Wear a mask to teach a fitness class ?
I ’ m not ready for that , ” said Van Den Berge , 39 .
The speed and strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because many fear the risk of new infections .
Consumers make up roughly 70 % of U.S. economic activity , so anything less than a total recovery in spending would force many companies to permanently close and deepen the financial pain for 39 million people who have lost jobs in the past two months .
Forty-nine per cent of Americans approve of how President Donald Trump is handling the economy , the poll shows .
That has slipped over the last two months , from 56 % in March .
Still , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose overall approval rating stands at 41 % .
Trump has at times downplayed the threat of the coronavirus and the benefits of testing and has criticized the leadership of Democratic governors .
Meanwhile , many Democratic lawmakers have insisted on the importance of containing the disease and sustaining the economy with federal aid .
Greg Yost , a Republican from Rockaway , New Jersey , says he wishes the president would defer more to medical experts , rather than speak off the cuff .
But he added that he thinks Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks .
“ He ’ s between a rock and a hard place , ” Yost said .
But ShyJuan Clemons , 45 , of Merrillville , Indiana , says Trump has made the fallout from the pandemic worse by initially denying its dangers and failing to display much empathy for those hurt by the coronavirus .
“ Even my cat knows that he ’ s terrible , ” said Clemons , referring to his 14-year-old Siamese mix , Shinji .
Clemons works with special needs people and worries about his hours if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease -- cuts its budget .
But it also shows how an atmosphere of political polarization may be feeding both an eagerness by some to return and a reluctance by others to resume their previous lifestyles .
Among those who did so at least monthly before the outbreak , Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to say they ’ d go to restaurants ( 69 % to 37 % ) , movies , concerts or theatres ( 68 % to 28 % ) , travel ( 65 % to 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or fitness studio ( 61 % to 44 % ) .
Sixty-nine per cent of those who regularly shopped in person for nonessential items before the outbreak , including majorities among both parties , say they ’ d be likely to wander malls and stores again .
But Republicans are more likely to say so than Democrats , 82 % to 61 % .
Yost expressed no qualms about going out because he believes the economic damage from shelter-in-place orders will be worse than the deaths from the disease .
“ What ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homelessness -- a lot of other problems are going to arise because we shut down the economy ?
” said Yost , a vice-president of operations at an insurance agency .
“ I would go to a restaurant and feel comfortable with my kids and not even have masks on.
” Still , there ’ s an exception to the partisan divide , with 76 % of Republicans and 69 % of Democrats who get haircuts on at least a monthly basis saying they ’ d do that in the next few weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overwhelming majority of Americans , 70 % , describe the economy as poor , but their outlook for the future is highly partisan .
Sixty-two per cent of Republicans expect improvement in the coming year , while 56 % of Democrats say it will worsen .
At the same time , two-thirds of Americans say their personal finances are good , which has remained steady since before the outbreak began .
Many families have been able to survive the downturn because of aid such as direct payments to taxpayers and expanded unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitchell Durst , 74 , has watched the job losses from the sidelines as a retired mathematician in Keyser , West Virginia .
He was already cautious about going out because of a compromised immune system from cancer treatments .
The disease stopped his weekly poker game .
He lived through the polio crisis , dealt with gas rationing during the 1970s and worked in Nigeria during the Ebola scare .
He calculates the United States will need to be patient about an economic comeback .
“ Until we have a vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s going to be awhile , ” Durst said .
“ If we get something in two years , if we ’ re so fortunate to be able to do that , I think that would be fantastic.
” The AP-NORC poll of 1,056 adults was conducted May 14-18 using a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.2 percentage points .

Josh Boak And Emily Swanson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--GOP weighs jobless aid cuts as layoffs surpass 38 million

WASHINGTON - Reconsideration of jobless aid is fast becoming the focus of congressional debate over the next virus aid package After the Senate decided to take a “ pause ” on new pandemic proposals , senators faced mounting pressure to act before leaving town for a weeklong Memorial Day break .
Republicans are staking out plans to phase out coronavirus-related unemployment benefits to encourage Americans to go back to work , although it ’ s not clear when there will be jobs to return to .
The Senate also began efforts to fast-track an extension of a popular small business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House are reaching consensus on the need for redesigning the unemployment benefits so they are not a barrier to getting people back to work , ” Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas , the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee , told reporters on a conference call .
President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell huddled at the White House to discuss the issues .
The flurry of activity comes after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed a new $ 3 trillion aid package through the House last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says there is no urgency to act , and senators are expected to reconsider more aid only in June .
With the nation ’ s death toll poised to hit 100,000 and layoffs surpassing 38 million , some lawmakers see a failure by Washington to act as untenable .
Yet Congress has moved beyond the political consensus reached at the outset of the crisis and is now splitting along familiar party lines .
The difference in approach and priorities between Democrats and Republicans reflects the partisan split that is defining both parties before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican , Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado , was trying to prevent the Senate from recessing unless it considered more aid .
No votes , however , were taken .
“ Now is not the time for the Senate to go home , ” tweeted Gardner , who is among the most politically endangered GOP senators running for reelection in the fall .
Gardner wanted agreement to extend the small business Paycheck Protection Program and pushed for more funds for state and local governments facing layoffs .
He told reporters he had called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result , senators were trying to fast-track a proposal to extend the Paycheck Protection Program ’ s expiration .
The proposed fix would double from eight to 16 weeks the window for business owners absorbing losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic to spend their federally backed loans and still qualify to have them forgiven .
The program was established in March under an earlier coronavirus response bill .
While the House works remotely , the lights-on Senate has the legislative stage to itself .
But the chamber that considers itself the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debating almost anything but the pandemic .
It confirmed several of Trump ’ s executive and judicial nominees , including John Ratcliffe on Thursday as director of national intelligence .
“ You wouldn ’ t even know there ’ s a COVID crisis , ” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York told ABC ’ s “ The View.
” “ Crazy .
It ’ s just so wrong.
” McConnell argued that his side of the Capitol led passage of the earlier $ 2 trillion package .
Better to assess how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , before approving more .
He rejects the new $ 3 trillion package approved by the Democratic-led House last week as a “ liberal wish list.
” On Thursday , McConnell mocked the House for working remotely and voting by proxy while senators in masks show up like other Americans returning to work .
The District of Columbia has been under stay-at-home orders , but Mayor Muriel Bowser said Thursday the numbers are pointing to the start of a gradual reopening process at the end of May .
“ The self-described ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspiciously empty of people , ” McConnell said .
“ Every one of my Senate colleagues should be proud of how we ’ ve helped our nation win this first battle.
“ Pelosi shot back : “ We have the Heroes bill , ” she said about the House-passed aid measure .
“ He has the zeroes bill.
” Unemployment insurance , though , was quickly becoming a new priority for Republicans staking out the next aid package .
Brady warned that generous benefits , with a $ 600 weekly boost during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would “ handcuff ” workers and discourage them from returning to work .
Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , said , “ It was a mistake to make it so high to begin with .
It would be a mistake to extend it.
“ Republicans are hopeful that as states reopen , the economy will improve , lessening the need for more federal funds .
But if workers refuse to return to work , they worry companies can ’ t begin to rebound .
Brady proposes giving workers a one-time $ 1,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said conversations were happening at the highest levels at the White House .
But polling shows Americans are concerned about a second wave of the virus as shops and workplaces reopen .
A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found 83 % of Americans are at least somewhat concerned that lifting restrictions in their area will lead to additional infections , with 54 % saying they are very or extremely concerned .
Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Mary Clare Jalonick and Andrew Taylor contributed to this report @


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Mayor: Pakistan plane crashes near Karachi, all 107 killed

KARACHI , Pakistan - A passenger plane belonging to state-run Pakistan International Airlines crashed near the southern port city of Karachi on Friday , killing all 107 passengers and crew , the city ’ s mayor said .
The aircraft crashed into a crowded neighbourhood on the edge of the airport .
Mayor Wasim Akhtar said at least five or six houses were destroyed in the crash .
It wasn ’ t immediately known how many casualties were from among the residential area .
The aircraft arriving from the eastern city of Lahore was carrying 99 passengers and eight crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for the country ’ s civil aviation authority .
The civil aviation authority said the pilot called in a mayday saying that he had lost an engine .
He was attempting to land when the plane crashed .
Witnesses said the Airbus A320 appeared to attempt to land two or three times before crashing in a residential area near Jinnah International Airport .
The residential area on the edge of the airport known as Model Colony is a poor area and heavily congested .
A resident of the area , Abdul Rahman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least three times , appearing to try to land before it crashed into several houses .
Police and military cordoned off the area .
Pakistan ’ s Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted : “ Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash .
.
.
Immediate inquiry will be instituted .
Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased.
“ Local television reports showed smoke coming from the direction of the airport and video emerging of the aircraft flying low over a residential area seemed showed apparent flames shooting from one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to the airport and there were reports of some injuries among residents on the ground .
Airbus did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the crash .
The flight typically takes an hour and a half from the northeastern city of Lahore , the capital of Pakistan ’ s most populous province , Punjab , to Karachi .
Airworthiness documents showed the plane last received a government check on Nov. 1 , 2019 .
PIA ’ s chief engineer signed a separate certificate April 28 saying all maintenance had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the aircraft is fully airworthy and meets all the safety ” standards .
Ownership records for the Airbus A320 involved in the crash showed China Eastern Airlines flew the plane from 2004 until 2014 .
The plane then entered PIA ’ s fleet , leased from GE Capital Aviation Services .
Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates ; Kathy Gannon and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad , and Asim Tanveer in Multan , Pakistan contributed to this report


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Police: Man killed in shoot-out after shooting officer

NASHVILLE - A man suspected of shooting an off-duty police officer in Tennessee was later killed in a shoot-out with officers along an interstate , Nashville police said .
The unidentified man shot Officer Darrell Osment while the officer was walking his dog in plain clothes Thursday night , according to Metro Nashville Police .
Osment , who has worked for the department for 13 years , was in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center .
The man fled from the initial shooting , police said , leading to a pursuit that ended on I-440 , news outlets reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three returned fire , killing the man .
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation .
The officers who returned fire have been placed on routine administrative assignment .
Osment said he was shot in the back right shoulder “ without warning or provocation ” after passing the man on the street and exchanging hellos , according to police .
After Osment fell , the man fired toward him again and the shot hit the ground , police said .
Osment then ran .
The gunman fled in a vehicle parked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prompting a police chase .
When an officer tried to spike the suspect ’ s tires , the man fired shots , police said .
The chase ended after a spike strip stopped the vehicle on I-440 in the eastbound lanes .
Officers said the man opened the driver ’ s door and they heard shots .
The officers returned fire and killed the man .
Police said the man used a handgun that was recovered near his car after the shooting .


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Man who filmed Arbery shooting video charged in his slaying

SAVANNAH , Ga. - The Georgia man whose cellphone video of Ahmaud Arbery ’ s fatal shooting helped reignite the case has been charged with murder , making him the third person arrested more than two months after the slaying .
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said 50-year-old William “ Roddie ” Bryan Jr. was arrested Thursday on charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment .
Agents later searched Bryan ’ s home , several TV stations reported .
The GBI said in a statement that it would hold a news conference Friday morning .
Arbery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father and son armed themselves and pursued him after spotting the 25-year-old black man running in their neighbourhood .
More than two months passed before authorities arrested Gregory McMichael , 64 , and his son , Travis McMichael , 34 , on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault .
Gregory McMichael told police he suspected Arbery was a burglar and that Arbery attacked his son before being shot .
Bryan lives in the same subdivision just outside the port city of Brunswick , and the video he took from the cab of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it leaked online May 5 .
The video quickly drew a strong reaction from Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp , a Republican who called it “ absolutely horrific.
” The Georgia Bureau of Investigation soon took over the case from local police , and the arrests of the McMichaels followed on May 7 .
Under Georgia law , a person can be charged with felony murder for committing any felony that causes the death of someone else .
It does not require intent to kill and carries an automatic life sentence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the shooting , Gregory McMichael told an officer that at one point Arbery “ began running back the direction from which he came and ` Roddy ’ attempted to block him which was unsuccessful.
“ It ’ s the only mention in the police report of any potential involvement by Bryan .
Bryan ’ s attorney , Kevin Gough , did not immediately return a phone message Thursday .
He has previously insisted Bryan played no role in Arbery ’ s death .
“ Roddie Bryan is not now , and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the shooting , ” Gough said in a statement on the case Monday .
“ He is not a vigilante .
Roddie did not participate in the horrific killing of this young man .
Mr. Bryan has committed no crime , and bears no criminal responsibility in the death of Ahmaud Arbery.
” Meanwhile , attorneys for Arbery ’ s parents cheered the news of Bryan ’ s arrest .
“ We called for his arrest from the very beginning of this process , ” attorneys S. Lee Merritt , Benjamin Crump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
“ His involvement in the murder of Mr. Arbery was obvious to us , to many around the country and after their thorough investigation , it was clear to the GBI as well.
” Bryan ’ s video of the shooting was taken from the driver ’ s seat of a vehicle following Arbery as he runs along a residential street .
A pickup truck is parked in the road ahead of Arbery , with one man in the truck ’ s bed and another standing beside the open driver ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arbery run around the truck to the right before he cuts back in front of it .
Then a gunshot can be heard , followed by a second shot .
Arbery can be seen punching a man holding what appears to be a shotgun , who then fires a third shot point-blank .
Arbery staggers and falls face down in the street .
Gregory McMichael retired last year after more than two decades as an investigator for the local prosecutor ’ s office .
Because of those ties , Brunswick Judicial Circuit District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
Two outside prosecutors assigned the case have also stepped aside .
The McMichaels remain jailed in Glynn County waiting for a preliminary court hearing and for a judge to decide whether to free them on bond pending trial .
Attorneys for the father and son have urged people not to rush to judgment in the case .
This story has been corrected to spell the Georgia governor ’ s name as Brian Kemp , not Bryan Kemp .


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--World shares slide, spooked by China moves toward Hong Kong

BANGKOK - Stock markets slipped on Friday , led by a nearly 6 % decline in Hong Kong , after communist leaders in China proposed legislation that could limit opposition activity in the former British colony .
For now , flaring tensions between the U.S. and China over Hong Kong and other issues appear to have eclipsed optimism over moves to reopen many economies stalled by the coronavirus pandemic .
Germany ’ s DAX shed 0.3 % to 11,028 while the CAC 40 in Paris lost 0.2 % , to 4,425 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 skidded 0.8 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S & P 500 lost 0.2 % and the future for the Dow industrials was down 0.3 % , auguring a weak open on Wall Street .
China ’ s National People ’ s Congress opened its annual session in Beijing and Premier Li Keqiang delivered a work report that promised 2 trillion yuan ( $ 280 billion ) in support for local governments to help them fight the pandemic and create jobs as the country struggles to revive growth .
Li told the gathering that Beijing would set no economic growth target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
He warned that the battle against the pandemic isn ’ t over and urged the country to “ redouble our efforts ” to revive the economy .
Beijing ’ s move to take over long-stalled efforts to enact national security legislation in semi-autonomous Hong Kong spooked investors who have endured months of pro-democracy demonstrations last year that at times descended into violence between police and protesters .
The proposed bill is aimed at forbidding secessionist and subversive activity , as well as foreign interference and terrorism .
Such proposals are certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament .
“ Traders around the world are playing the waiting game to see details of the new Hong Kong law to gauge how severe the terms are , ” Stephen Innes of AxiCorp said in a commentary .
More specifically , he said , attention is on the U.S. response to the possible impact on Hong Kong ’ s special economic status .
Under the terms of Britain ’ s handover of control of the territory to Beijing , the city kept its own trade regime and finances and a legal system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere in China .
The proposal , one of the most controversial items on the Chinese legislative agenda in years , has drawn strong rebukes from the U.S. government and rights groups .
On Thursday , the White House issued a report attacking Beijing ’ s economic policies and human rights violations , expanding on get-tough rhetoric President Donald Trump expects to resonate with voters ahead of the election in November .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng index sank 5.6 % to 22,930.14 and the Shanghai Composite index dropped 1.9 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Nikkei 225 index fell 0.8 % to 20,388.16 despite a pledge from the Bank of Japan to devote $ 280 billion to banks for financing small and medium-size businesses battling economic hardships brought on by the coronavrius pandemic .
The central bank said it will start providing the zero-interest , unsecured loans in June , expanding earlier stimulus measures .
In South Korea , the Kospi lost 1.4 % to 1,970.13 , while Australia ’ s S & P/ASX 200 declined 1 % to 5,497.00 .
India ’ s Sensex declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the benchmark interest rate to 4 % , the lowest level in a decade , as its governor forecast the economy would fall into a contraction this year .
This week has seen more gloomy news on job losses , with the U.S. Labor Department saying the number of people thrown out of work since the virus struck has climbed to nearly 39 million .
Japan reported week trade figures and economic activity in Europe continued to shrink rapidly Oil prices fell back on Friday , with benchmark U.S. crude losing $ 1.95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It closed higher on Thursday , the sixth day day in a row , gaining 43 cents .
Brent crude oil , the international standard , declined $ 1.71 to $ 34.35 per barrel .
Crude oil started the year at about $ 60 a barrel , but plummeted earlier this year as demand sank due to widespread travel and business shutdowns related to the coronavirus .
The price has risen this month as oil producing nations cut back on output and the gradual reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up demand .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note , a benchmark for interest rates on many consumer loans , fell to 0.65 % from 0.66 % late Thursday .
The dollar fetched 107.46 Japanese yen , down from 107.63 yen on Thursday .
The euro weakened to $ 1.0903 from $ 1.0950 .

Elaine Kurtenbach - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Recording Academy records John Prine song for charity

NASHVILLE - The Recording Academy has released a new recording of John Prine ’ s “ Angel From Montgomery “ @ @ @ @ @ the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund .
Prine died in April at age 73 from complications @ @ @ @ @ A two-time Grammy winner , the Recording Academy announced in December that Prine would be @ @ @ @ @ Academy Lifetime Achievement Award .
The new recording features artists , musicians and engineers who @ @ @ @ @ the Recording Academy , including singer-songwriter Christine Albert , Brandon Bush of Sugarland , John @ @ @ @ @ Band and Jeff Powell , an acclaimed Memphis engineer/producer .
Tammy Hurt , vice chair @ @ @ @ @ one of the contributors on the recording , said in a statement that Prine was @ @ @ @ @ and the new “ Angel From Montgomery ” recording is a tribute to honour that @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Virus surge in Indonesia raises questions about battle plan

JAKARTA , Indonesia - Indonesia has seen a surge in coronavirus infections ahead of this this weekend ’ s celebrations marking the end of Ramadan , raising questions about the commitment to the virus fight from both the government and the public .
Indonesia has the most COVID-19 fatalities in Southeast Asia at more than 1,300 and on Thursday reported its highest one day count of new infections with 973 .
The country has reported nearly 21,000 infections , though actual numbers are thought to be far higher .
Health officials have blamed the surge in cases in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public not taking proper precautions .
“ This illustrates people ’ s discipline in obeying health protocols in fighting the outbreak , ” said Achmad Yurianto , the national COVID-19 task force spokesman .
But politicians have also resisted the guidelines .
So far , only four of Indonesia ’ s 34 provinces and 26 cities have applied large-scale social restriction , all with low levels of public compliance .
Popular markets such as Tanah Abang in the capital , Jakarta , were teeming with shoppers buying new children ’ s clothes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan .
Security personnel were overwhelmed by thousands of shoppers and traders who ignored health protocols and physical distancing .
“ I ’ m here for my kids .
They will be ashamed if their friends wear new clothes during Eid while they don ’ t , “ said Ida Farida , a mother of three .
“ Of course I ’ m worried , ” she said when asked about possibly contracting the virus .
“ But I leave it to God.
” President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet ease large-scale social restrictions and insisted his government is aiming to keep citizens productive and safe .
“ We must coexist with COVID-19 , ” Widodo said in a video statement last week .
“ Living in peace with it does not mean we are giving up , but that we are adapting and this requiring strict health protocols.
” His remarks came days after the Central Statistics Agency announced Indonesia ’ s economy grew just 2.9 % in January-March , the slowest growth in almost two decades , as the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment and consumption in Southeast Asia ’ s largest economy .
Widodo ’ s administration has taken early steps toward loosening virus restrictions by allowing public transportation to resume , including airlines , at 50 % of their capacity .
Yet on the first day public transport resumed , images circulated on social media of Jakarta ’ s main airport packed with thousands of passengers ignoring physical-distancing protocols .
Health experts have warned that the fight against COVID-19 is far from over , emphasizing that the country ’ s limited testing capabilities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picture of the true extent of the pandemic .
The government , nevertheless , has insisted the country must be ready to get back to normal by the end of July .
The government has set up a team to gauge which cities should ease restrictions amid growing economic pressures .
The reopening plan , which is still under development , aims to have shopping malls resume limited operations on June 8 .
That will be followed by reopening schools with staggered schedules .
As widely circulated draft of the plan said restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed to start opening on July 6 , with tight health protocols in place , followed by lifting restrictions on travel and public worship .
Doni Monardo , the COVID-19 task force chief , stressed that the plan was contingent on meeting public health metrics first , including a flattening of the number of new infections in an area .
Pandu Riono , an epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia , warned that reopening the economy prematurely could trigger a second wave of infections .


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Arrivals to UK face 14-day quarantine under government plan

LONDON - People arriving in the U.K. will have to quarantine themselves for 14 days and could be fined 1,000 pounds ( $ 1,220 ) if they fail to comply under a plan being announced Friday by the British government .
Home Secretary Priti Patel will set out details of the measures , which have already sparked confusion and criticism from airlines , airports and lockdown-weary Britons wondering whether they will get to take a vacation aboard this summer .
Britain did not close its borders during the worst of the country ’ s coronavirus outbreak , which has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.K .
It is introducing its quarantine just as many other European countries are starting to open up again .
The British government has previously said the quarantine will start in early June and will apply to arrivals from everywhere except Ireland , which has a longstanding free-movement agreement with the U.K .
There are likely to be exemptions for some travellers , including truckers and medics .
Britons returning from overseas will also have to self-isolate for 14 days under the measures , which will be reviewed every three weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , after the government initially said it would not apply to people arriving from France .
That prompted a rebuke from the European Union , which wants a co-ordinated policy across the 27-nation bloc .
Britain later said France would not be exempt .
Airlines have warned that the British move could hobble their efforts to rebuild a business devastated by pandemic-related travel restrictions .
Karen Dee , chief executive of Britain ’ s Airport Operators Association , said the government had not told airports how the quarantine would be enforced .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked give an address in the U.K. and there will be spot checks and fines for those people , but I don ’ t know the detail of how that will be implemented , ” she told Parliament ’ s Home Affairs Committee .


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--A top Rwanda genocide suspect died years ago, DNA test shows

KIGALI , Rwanda - One of Rwanda ’ s most wanted fugitives in the country ’ s genocide died 20 years ago , the international tribunal overseeing justice efforts announced Friday , less than a week after another high-profile fugitive was arrested in France .
Confirmation of the death of former Rwandan defence minister Augustin Bizimana came when a DNA test on remains in a grave in Pointe Noire , Republic of Congo , positively identified him , the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals said .
It is not yet known how he died .
Rwandan authorities say Bizimana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genocide in which more than 800,000 Tutsi and Hutus who tried to protect them were killed .
The identification “ is the result of an exhaustive investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor combining advanced technology with extensive field operations , and involved exceptional co-operation with partner authorities in Rwanda , Congo Brazzaville , the Netherlands and the United States , ” the United Nations mechanism said .
“ I wish he lived to face justice in court for his inhuman crimes before his death , ” said Denis Nsengiyumva , who comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But even in his death , Bizimana will not rest in peace.
” News about the death came days after the arrest of Felicien Kabuga , another key genocide suspect who is accused of supplying machetes to killers and broadcasting propaganda urging mass slaughter .
Kabuga , a wealthy businessman , was arrested on Saturday outside Paris after 26 years in hiding .
He appeared before a French court Wednesday but a decision on his fate was delayed until next week .
His lawyer said the 84-year-old said Kabuga wishes to be tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but did not give details .
The U.N. tribunal ’ s prosecutor , Serge Brammertz , said a request had been launched for Kabuga ’ s transfer into U.N. custody and he could initially be held at The Hague rather than in Africa because of coronavirus travel restrictions .
Bizimana , who came from the same region as Kabuga , was appointed defence minister in 1993 , months before the genocide started .
He is accused of ordering the killing of Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and 10 Belgian U.N. peacekeepers , and of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provinces of Gisenyi , Ruhengeri , Butare , Kibuye and Cyangugu .
Uwilingiyimana was meant to be acting president after President Juvenal Habyarimana ’ s plane was shot down over the capital , Kigali , sparking the 100-day genocide .
Bizimana was indicted by the U.N. International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1998 , facing 13 counts including complicity in genocide , extermination , murder , rape and torture .
With the arrest of Kabuga and the confirmation of Bizimana ’ s death , the Office of the Prosecutor has now accounted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the tribunal .
The remaining one is Protais Mpiranya , former commander of the Presidential Guard of the Rwandan Armed Forces .


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Virus accelerates across Latin America, India, Pakistan

NEW DELHI - The coronavirus pandemic accelerated across Latin America , Russia and the Indian subcontinent on Friday even as curves flattened and reopening was underway in much of Europe , Asia and the United States .
Many governments say they have to shift their focus to saving jobs that are vanishing as quickly as the virus can spread .
In the United States and China , the world ’ s two largest economies , unemployment is soaring .
The Federal Reserve chairman has estimated that up to one American in four could be jobless , while in China analysts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workforce is unemployed .
But the virus is roaring through countries ill-equipped to handle the pandemic , which many scientists fear will seed the embers of a second global wave .
India saw its biggest single-day spike since the pandemic began , and Pakistan and Russia recorded their highest death tolls .
Most new Indian cases are in Bihar , where thousands returned home from jobs in the cities .
For over a month , some walked among crowds for hundreds of miles .
Latin America ’ s two most populous nations — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts of new cases and deaths almost daily this week , fueling criticism of their presidents , who have slow-walked shutdowns in attempts to limit economic damage .
Cases were rising and intensive-care units were also swamped in Peru , Chile and Ecuador — countries lauded for imposing early and aggressive business shutdowns and quarantines .
Brazil reported more than 20,000 deaths and 300,000 confirmed cases Thursday night — the third worst-hit country in the world by official counts .
Experts consider both numbers undercounts due to widespread lack of testing .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not choose race , or if you are rich or poor , black or white , ” Bruno Almeida de Mello , a 24-year-old Uber driver , said at his 66-year-old grandmother ’ s burial in Rio de Janeiro .
“ It ’ s sad that in other countries people believe , but not here.
” She had all the virus ’ s symptoms , but Vandelma Rosa ’ s death certificate reads “ Suspected of COVID-19 , ” he said , because her hospital lacked tests .
That means she didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which nevertheless on Thursday marked its biggest single-day increase : 1,181 .
President Jair Bolsonaro has scoffed at the seriousness of the virus and actively campaigned against state governors ’ attempts to limit movement and commerce .
Bolsonaro fired his first health minister for supporting governors .
His second minister resigned after openly disagreeing with Bolsonaro about chloroquine , the predecessor of the anti-malarial often touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as a viable coronavirus treatment .
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador downplayed the threat for weeks as he continued to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed case .
He insisted that Mexico was different , that its strong family bonds and work ethic would pull it through .
The country is now reporting more than 400 deaths a day , and new infections still haven ’ t peaked .
Armando Sepulveda , a mauseleum manager in the massive Mexico City suburb of Ecatepec , said his burial and cremation business has doubled in recent weeks .
“ The crematoriums are saturated , ” Sepulveda said .
“ All of the ovens don ’ t have that capacity.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services that can handle their dead , because the hospitals can ’ t keep the bodies , he said .
Meanwhile Mexico ’ s government has shifted its attention to reactivating the economy .
Mining , construction and parts of the North American automotive supply chain were allowed to resume operations this week .
Russian health officials registered 150 deaths in 24 hours , for a total of 3,249 .
Many outside Russia have suggested the country is manipulating its statistics to show a comparatively low death rate .
The total confirmed number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin , who himself recovered from coronavirus , said earlier this week that only 27 regions out of 85 are ready to gradually lift their lockdowns .
At least three cabinet ministers also contracted the disease , as well as the Kremlin spokesman .
China announced it would give local governments 2 trillion yuan ( $ 280 billion ) to help undo the damage from shutdowns imposed to curb the spread of the virus that first appeared in the city of Wuhan in late 2019 and has now infected at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
The Bank of Japan said it would provide $ 280 billion in zero-interest , unsecured loans to banks for financing small and medium-size businesses .
European countries also have seen heavy job losses , but robust government safety-net programs in places like Germany and France are subsidizing the wages of millions of workers and keeping them on the payroll .
Tourism , a major income generator for Europe , has become a flashpoint as countries debate whether to quarantine new arrivals this summer for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Spain ’ s National Statistics Institute published its tourism report Friday showing columns of zeros for overnight stays , average length of stays and occupancy rates in April .
Spain is Europe ’ s second most popular tourist destination , after France , and an economic recovery without visitors is all but unthinkable .
Nearly 39 million Americans have lost their jobs since the crisis accelerated two months ago .
States from coast to coast are gradually reopening their economies and letting people return to work , but more than 2.4 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said over the weekend that U.S. unemployment could peak in May or June at 20 % to 25 % , a level last seen during the depths of the Great Depression almost 90 years ago .
Unemployment in April stood at 14.7 % , a figure also unmatched since the 1930s .
In an eerie echo of famous Depression-era images , U.S. cities are authorizing homeless tent encampments , including San Francisco , where about 80 tents are now neatly spaced out on a wide street near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe sleeping village ” opened last week .
The area between the city ’ s central library and its Asian Art Museum is fenced off to outsiders , monitored around the clock and provides meals , showers , clean water and trash pickup .
Nathan Rice , a 32-year-old who is camping there , said he ’ d much rather have a hotel room than a tent on a sidewalk .
“ I hear it on the news , hear it from people here that they ’ re going to be getting us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s what we want , you know , to be safe inside.
” Despite an often combative approach to scientists who disagree with him , Trump ’ s approval ratings have remained steady , underscoring the way Americans seem to have made up their minds about him .
A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research says 41 % approve of his job performance , while 58 % disapprove .
That ’ s consistent with opinions of him throughout his three years in office .
The World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for countries in East Africa battling COVID-19 and deadly flooding along with historic swarms of ravenous desert locusts .
The added threat of the pandemic has further imperiled a region where millions lack regular access to food .
While many African countries have been praised for their response to the coronavirus , Tanzania is the most dramatic exception , run by a president who questions — or fires — his own health experts and says prayer has solved the crisis .
The East African country ’ s number of confirmed virus cases hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the international community is openly worrying that Tanzania ’ s government is hiding the true scale of the pandemic .
Just over 500 cases have been reported in a country of nearly 60 million people .
Hinnant reported from Paris and Biller from Rio de Janeiro .
Associated Press reporters around the world also contributed .

Lori Hinnant, Sheikh Saaliq And David Biller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Asia Today: India’s cases surge again, China opens Congress

BANGKOK - India reported its biggest single-day spike in virus cases Friday ahead of a resumption of domestic flights after a two-month halt .
The 6,088 new cases reported in the last 24 hours took its total to 118,447 .
Deaths rose to 3,583 while more than 48,000 people have recovered , according to the health ministry .
Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state in India with more than 41,000 cases .
The number of fatalities in the state rose to 1,454 , the highest in the country .
India has the 11th most confirmed cases in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restart economic activities and gave states more power to set the next phase of reopenings .
Some domestic flights will resume on Monday .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — South Korea reported 20 new cases as authorities scrambled to stem transmissions as schools gradually reopen .
The figures announced by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday brought the national totals to 11,142 cases and 264 deaths .
South Korea has managed to stabilize infections with aggressive tracing and testing .
Its schools began reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Seoul , sent students back home after some tested positive .
More students are to return to schools next week .
Meanwhile , health authorities are reviewing the possible use of Apple and Google ’ s new smartphone technology that automatically notifies users when they have come close to infected people .
But officials say it isn ’ t clear whether the Bluetooth-based apps would meaningfully boost the country ’ s technology-driven fight against COVID-19 , in which health workers have aggressively used cellphone data , credit-card records and surveillance videos to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — CHINA CONGRESS OPENS : China reported four new confirmed cases , including two in the northeastern province of Jilin that has seen China ’ s latest outbreak .
Another 372 people are in isolation and undergoing monitoring for being suspected cases or for testing positive without showing symptoms ; 82 people remain in hospitalized .
The new cases come as China opens the delayed session of its ceremonial parliament , the National People ’ s Congress , which is being held largely behind closed doors in Beijing to avoid cross-infections as China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
The country has reported 4,634 deaths among 82,971 cases .
— LI TOUTS PROGRESS : Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says China has made solid progress in fighting the coronavirus outbreak but must “ redouble our efforts to minimize the losses ... and fulfil the targets and tasks for economic and social development this year.
” In his address Friday to the annual session of China ’ s ceremonial parliament , Li called the outbreak the “ most challenging public health emergency China has encountered since the founding of the People ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said China wishes to strengthen co-operation with other countries in countering the virus , and “ uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and an international order based on international law.
” The U.S. in particular has been highly critical of China ’ s handling of the initial outbreak of the virus in the city of Wuhan and suspended funding for the U.N. ’ s World Health Organization partly over what it says is a pro-China bias .
— RESTAURANT RULES EASING : Leaders of Australia ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of customers that restaurants can seat from 10 to 50 from June 1 .
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said bookings will be limited to parties of 10 people when customer numbers are increased for restaurants , cafes and pubs .
Restrictions vary across Australia ’ s eight states and territories , but New South Wales is set to allow the largest restaurant customer numbers .
New South Wales and neighbouring Victoria have no restrictions on crossing state borders and have Australia ’ s highest numbers of COVID-19 infections .
All the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does the Northern Territory , but the Australian Capital Territory does not .
Berejiklian wants the borders opened to further stimulate her state ’ s economy , but leaders of neighbouring Queensland state say that won ’ t happen while New South Wales continues to record new infections .
Australian has recorded 7,081 cases of COVID-19 and 100 patients have died .
— CRUISE SHIPS BANNED : Australia has extended its ban on cruise ship visits for a further three months until Sept. 17 in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ban , which began March 27 when 28 cruise ships were in Australian waters .
Any cruise ship capable of carrying more than 100 passengers is prohibited from operating in the country .
Outbreaks linked to cruise ships and aged care homes have proven the most deadly in Australia .


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--NATO envoys weigh US pullout from military overflight pact

BRUSSELS - NATO ambassadors are meeting Friday to weigh U.S. plans to withdraw from an international treaty allowing short-notice observation flights over more than 30 countries , amid concerns that Russia is violating the pact .
President Donald Trump said Thursday that Russian violations make it untenable to stay in the Open Skies Treaty .
Washington has signalled that it will pull out in six months , although Trump hinted that he might reconsider the decision .
The treaty came into force in 2002 .
It was meant to promote trust between the United States and Russia by allowing signatories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s territories to collect information about military forces and activities .
Already in 2018 , NATO leaders expressed concern about “ Russia ’ s ongoing selective implementation ” of the treaty and other conventional arms control pacts .
“ In particular , we are concerned that Russia has restricted flights over certain areas , ” a NATO official said Friday .
European nations have conducted most of the flights — which often take place over Russia and Belarus — and some of them are urging the United States to stay in it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he regrets the U.S. decision to abandon a treaty that “ contributes to security and peace in practically the entire northern hemisphere , ” and he also urged Russia to start respecting it again .
“ We see that there were indeed difficulties in the implementation of the treaty on Russia ’ s side in recent years , ” Maas said in a statement .
“ But from our point of view , this does not justify a withdrawal.
” He said his counterparts in Britain , France , and Poland have repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Germany “ will work intensively in this time with our like-minded partners for the U.S. to reconsider its decision.
” Last year , Trump pulled the United States — by far the biggest and most influential of the 30 NATO member countries — out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty that it agreed in 1987 with the Soviet Union , blaming Moscow for developing a missile that does not comply with it .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has criticized the latest U.S. move .
“ The withdrawal of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another blow to the system of military security in Europe , which is already weakened by the previous moves by the administration , ” Grushko told state news agency Tass .
Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--India struggles with twin challenges of cyclone and pandemic

NEW DELHI - In the middle of a pandemic , if a cyclone comes hurtling toward you , what should you do ?
Debasis Shyamal , a fisherman , forgot about social distancing .
He crammed himself into a government shelter , minutes before Cyclone Amphan crashed into his coastal village in West Bengal on Wednesday hurling winds of up to 170 kilometres ( 105 miles ) per hour .
He stayed awake in the dark , listening to the carnage outside .
“ No one was thinking about the virus .
We were just trying to stay alive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now dissipated .
But the pandemic hasn ’ t .
In the past 48 hours , the cyclone killed 77 people and the coronavirus nine in West Bengal , one of India ’ s poorer states .
Even before the cyclone , its pandemic response was lagging ; the state has one of the highest fatality rates from COVID-19 in India .
With an economy crippled by India ’ s eight-week lockdown , and health care systems sapped by the virus , authorities must tackle both COVID-19 and the cyclone ’ s aftermath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a disaster before , ” said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee .
The challenges are many : crowded shelters could emerge as viral clusters , outbreaks of other diseases triggered by the cyclone and flooding , and jobless migrant workers returning to villages from cities like Mumbai and New Delhi , potentially bringing the virus with them .
The pandemic made evacuations harder since many cyclone shelters were being used for quarantining virus patients .
Dr. Rashmi Kamal , the administrative head of the coastal East Midnapore district , said that masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain open for a few more days until flooding subsided .
Authorities said social distancing was maintained while nearly 500,000 people had been evacuated .
But testimonies suggested this often was not possible .
Farida Bibi , a vegetable vendor , said she was living in a crowded shelter since her house in Gosaba , an island in the Sunderban Delta , was washed away .
“ I will be here for a week , ” she said by phone .
The cyclone has also magnified existing inequalities , with poor families more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enclosed shelters , which could be a recipe for spreading the virus .
Dr. Anant Bhan , a public health specialist , said authorities needed to simultaneously consider “ everyone potentially at risk ” while dealing with diseases triggered by the cyclone .
He said that those who took refuge in crowded spaces needed to be tested for the virus , something West Bengal had already been struggling with .
“ If you don ’ t have enough tests , you need to look at symptomatic testing , ” he said , warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus further .
So far , India ’ s confirmed caseload of over 100,000 has been concentrated in cities , and the former capital of the British Raj , Kolkata , is no different , accounting for half of the state ’ s 3,000-odd cases .
The pandemic in India is still to peak , with rural areas largely unaffected .
Authorities fear that the returning migrant labourers could change that .
In adjacent Bihar state , 1 in 4 migrants who returned from New Delhi had tested positive for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic impact of the coronavirus , dealing with the returning migrants ... with the cyclone , the state is now completely destroyed , ” said Banerjee .
With streets and suburbs flooded , and sanitation systems decimated , the “ risk of cholera is very high in urban areas ” , said Dr. Suman Kanungo , an epidemiologist at the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases in Kolkata .
He added that authorities needed to ensure that clean water was available to prevent bacterial infections like diarrhea .
Associated Press writers Chonchui @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-22--Suspected IS member arrested after being deported to Germany

BERLIN - A German woman suspected of joining the Islamic State group in Syria has been taken into custody in her homeland after being deported from Turkey .
The suspect , identified only as Zeynep G. in line with German privacy rules , was arrested at Frankfurt airport on Thursday .
Federal prosecutors said she was brought before a judge on Friday and he ordered her held pending a possible indictment .
Prosecutors allege that she left Germany in 2014 for Syria , where she married a Chechen IS fighter and joined the extremist group .
They say she married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Germany , after her husband was killed in fighting in 2015 .
The two had a child in 2016 .
Zeynep G. was captured by Kurdish forces in early 2019 and escaped about a year later from a refugee camp in northern Syria , according to prosecutors .
She was then arrested after entering Turkey .
German federal police told news agency dpa that two women and their four children landed in Frankfurt on Thursday evening on a flight from Ankara .
There was no arrest warrant against the other woman .