thetorontostar--2020-04-20--Florida political, business heads to map state’s reopening

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - Gov .
Ron DeSantis appointed some of Florida ’ s most powerful political leaders and business executives Monday to a committee that will map out the state ’ s reopening from the coronavirus shutdown that has crippled much of the economy .
DeSantis appointments to the Re-Open Florida Task Force ’ s executive committee include Lt. Gov .
Jeanette Nunez , the current and incoming state Senate presidents and House speakers and the mayors of Miami-Dade , Broward and Palm Beach counties .
From the private sector , he tapped executives from Walt Disney World , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida Power & Light , Publix , Lockheed-Martin and elsewhere .
DeSantis told the committee they will meet daily by phone through Friday , when he hopes they will have recommendations they can present .
There will also be subcommittees that will report to the executive committee .
The state ’ s largest economic sector , tourism , has crashed and most of its largest employers have shut down because of the crisis , including the theme parks and cruise lines .
Restaurants have been limited to takeout and delivery and nightclubs have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have filed unemployment claims since March 15 , according to the state .
DeSantis told the committee the state will reopen in stages and not all at once .
He said a key will be the ability to test workers for the disease and get quick , accurate results .
“ If you have somebody in a business and they get tested and you get results in six days , that ’ s not efficient and effective , ” he said .
The Florida Democratic Party criticized DeSantis ’ selections , saying it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and DeSantis loyalists.
” It also blasted him for not appointing Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried , the only Democrat elected statewide , while including the two Republican members of the cabinet , Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis .
“ Fried oversees the second largest economic driver in the state and she should have a seat at the table , ” party chair Terrie Rizzo said in a statement .
The state has had more than 27,000 confirmed coronavirus infections with at least 823 deaths .
About 4,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media for citing experts who were predicting last month that Florida could see a much larger wave of deaths and hospitalizations than materialized , but those forecasts were based on his unwillingness at that point to issue a statewide shutdown .
At his April 1 news conference where he announced the statewide stay-at-home order , DeSantis didn ’ t dispute the projections .
Asked about them at the time , he said , “ This thing is really nasty.
” “ Well , that hasn ’ t happened , ” DeSantis said Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmed , we have a tremendous amount of ( hospital ) capacity.
” Meanwhile , patrol deputies in hard-hit Broward County overwhelmingly voted no-confidence in Sheriff Gregory Tony .
The 1,400-member Broward Sheriff ’ s Office Deputies Association announced Monday that its members voted 693-93 against Tony .
He was appointed to the post by DeSantis in 2019 to replace Scott Israel , whom the governor fired from the elected post for his handling of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre that left 14 students and three staff members dead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s president , Jeff Bell , from the force after Bell penned a column in the Fort Lauderdale paper accusing the sheriff of not providing deputies with enough protective gear .
The column came four days after Deputy Shannon Bennett died of COVID-19 .
The union is one of seven that represents the sheriff ’ s office ’ s 5,600 employees .
“ We believe this ‘ response ’ to the COVID-19 threat is inadequate and appalling , ” said Frank Voudy , the union ’ s secretary-treasurer .
Tony issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ have worked tirelessly ” to protect the deputies and other employees , but said to the union ’ s members , “ I hear your concerns.
” “ It ’ s time to unite and work together to continue providing the highest level of professional public safety services to our Broward County community , ” he said .
Tony and Israel , both former Republicans , are seeking the Democratic nomination for the office in August ’ s scheduled primary .
Broward County is heavily Democratic .
Follow AP coverage of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Brendan Farrington And Terry Spencer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-20--3 killed by suspected tornado, lightning as storms hit South

HEADLAND , Ala. - Suspected tornadoes killed at least two people as severe weather blasted the Deep South , and a house fire believed started by lightning claimed a third person , officials said Monday .
Jerry Oliver Williams , 61 , died late Sunday night when winds flipped the home Williams shared with his wife and child in a rural Alabama county , authorities said .
The area was under a tornado warning at the time .
“ He was in a mobile home , and the mobile home was destroyed by a tornado .
He was in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife and child were with him , and they were OK , ” said Coroner Derek Wright of Alabama ’ s Henry County .
A suspected twister also resulted in one death in Marion County , Mississippi , said Coroner Jessie Graham .
Jerry Johnson , 70 , died when his home took a “ direct hit ” from the storm in the Sandy Hook community , Graham said .
The National Weather Service said it had received reports of large hail and broken power poles in the area , and emergency management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In south Georgia , Wilcox County Coroner Janice Brown a 95-year-old woman died in a house fire early Monday that the state fire marshal ’ s office suspected was caused by a lightning strike .
Heavy storms were in the area at the time , said Brown , who declined to identify the victim since extended family members hadn ’ t been notified .
The deaths came as firefighters worked through storms to contain a blaze at the main music building at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa .
Authorities haven ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it happened while strong storms with lightning were in the area .
Firefighters saved most of the instruments and uniforms belonging to Alabama ’ s “ Million Dollar Band , ” Mayor Walt Maddox said in a tweet .
Rainfall totals in excess of 2 inches ( 5.08 centimetres ) were widespread , and isolated spots in central Alabama received more than 8 inches ( 20.32 centimetres ) of rain in a day , the weather service said .
More than 35,000 homes and businesses in Alabama and Mississippi were still without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prediction Center received more than 250 reports of possible tornadoes , high winds , hail and storm damage from east Texas to central Florida on Sunday and Monday .
A tornado touched down on Interstate 75 in north Florida , tossing a portable building being hauled by a truck into a nearby pickup truck , where the driver suffered minor injuries , authorities said .
Teams from the National Weather Service will assess tracks to determine where tornadoes struck .
The storms hit a week after a two-day outbreak of more than 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 36 people across the region .

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thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Lives Lost: Boss, bottle washer and heartbeat of French bar

PARIS - When she wasn ’ t running her own restaurant , she was eating out .
And when she wasn ’ t giggling , she was sending everyone around her into gales of laughter .
For more than three decades , Viviane Bouculat was the owner , impresario , cook and bottle washer at l ’ Annexe , a bistro in the Paris suburb of Ivry-sur-Seine .
Anyone could eat , drink and attend cabaret nights at her place , but over the years the restaurant became a haven for local artists , actors and musicians in the town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ She welcomed everyone with arms open wide ” Christian Guémy , the street artist known as C215 , said of Bouculat .
This winter , the artist splashed streaks of red and orange on a wall of l ’ Annexe for a larger-than-life portrait of the woman viewed as the bistro ’ s beating heart .
Bouculat died March 31 , soon after becoming ill from the coronavirus .
She was 65 .
____ EDITOR ’ S NOTE : This is part of an ongoing series of stories remembering people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
____ With red-and-white checked tablecloths , curved-back chairs and menu of traditional French fare such as boeuf bourguignon and blanquette de veau , l ’ Annexe looks like any neighbourhood café where locals grab lunch or a quick coffee on their way somewhere else .
But Bouculat had a way of turning customers into friends , and friends into confidants .
Suzanne Chamak , a lover of French song and inveterate organizer , was among the many who made the transition .
Over a series of dinner and drink conversations , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at l ’ Annexe .
“ She was always willing to do things , ” Chamak said .
“ As soon as you came up with it , she wanted to try it.
” The calendar quickly expanded into weekly shows that packed the restaurant ’ s two rooms with people of all ages .
When she needed extra hands on busy nights , Bouculat asked the waitstaff of other local restaurants if they wanted to pick up extra hours .
At first , working at l ’ Annexe was just a job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of the part-timers who served drinks and kept the buffet table filled .
But they , like others , formed a personal bond with Bouculat .
The trio became inseparable , jokingly nicknaming themselves “ The Three Bad Girls.
” Bouculat had a way of teasing the mischievous child out of people and “ brought everyone together , young and old , ” Magalhaes recalled of a friend nearly 25 years her senior .
Long after Magalhaes and Marie stopped waitressing at the bistro , the threesome endured through regular outings to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the Seine River .
Marie started her days at l ’ Annexe , dropping off bread and croissants from a bakery .
She let herself in , and she and Bouculat would sit by the window , drinking coffee and chatting before they parted ways to work .
She returned to the restaurant in the late afternoon , as did Bouculat ’ s son , Fabrice .
If a customer lingered late over a meal , Bouculat stayed open , and since customers were friends , nights tended to go long .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ whoever wanted to stay .
Her bar was her life , ” Marie said .
Bouculat nevertheless had planned to retire and hand over the restaurant to new owners in June .
But the doors of L ’ Annexe last opened for business on March 15 , two days before a nationwide lockdown to slow the coronavirus took effect in France .
Most of Bouculat ’ s friends didn ’ t see her again after that .
Magalhaes of the Three Bad Girls turned 41 the week of the lockdown .
She was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Happy Birthday.
” The voicemail is still on her phone , as is a video of Bouculat singing and dancing with a mop on her head .
“ That was so Vivian , ” Marie said .
“ Whenever there was two or three minutes with nothing else , she would do her crazy little thing .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--4-year-old girl dies after being shot in Philadelphia home

PHILADELPHIA - A 4-year-old girl who apparently was shot inside her family ’ s home in Philadelphia has died from @ @ @ @ @ .
It wasn ’ t clear who was holding the gun when the girl was @ @ @ @ @ the stomach late Monday night .
She was driven to a hospital in a private @ @ @ @ @ there early Tuesday .
The girl ’ s name has not been released .
No @ @ @ @ @ the shooting .
It wasn ’ t clear how many people were in the home @ @ @ @ @ more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star @ @ @ @ @ free newsletters to get today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more @ @ @ @ @ Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Prominent IS extremist among 3 suspects arrested in Spain

ALMERÍA , Spain - A suspected Egyptian-born Islamic State fighter described by police investigators as a “ dangerous extremist ” and two other people who are being investigated for possible links to religious extremist groups have been arrested in southern Spain , the country ’ s National Police announced Tuesday .
Police described the Islamic State fighter as a man who had gone from Europe to fight in Syria and Iraq and said he is “ one of the most sought terrorists in Europe , both because of his criminal trajectory in the ranks of Daesh ( Islamic State ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he represented.
” The three were arrested in the early hours of Monday at a rented apartment in a central area of Almería , a southeastern Spanish port city , The Associated Press has learned from police contacts and interviews with local residents .
They were being interrogated on Tuesday and were due be sent before a National Court judge in Madrid on Wednesday , said a spokesman from the court that usually handles terror-related cases and who was not authorized to be named in media reports .
In a press release that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police said the operation was the result of “ international co-operation “ between agents specialized in fighting terrorism who suspected that the foreign fighter could be travelling through Spain as he tried to return to Europe .
Police said that the main suspect had arrived by sea to Almería from northern Africa .
In Spain , the three confined themselves in an apartment amid strict lock-down measures imposed to combat the new coronavirus pandemic .
“ They made few outings , separately and always with masks to avoid being detected , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had allegedly been in conflict-struck areas of Syria and Iraq for years and was described by police as having an “ extremely violent ” criminal profile .
The arrests took place in Cerro de San Cristóbal , a historic neighbourhood in Almería , the capital of a province also called Almería , known for its narrow streets dotted with nightclubs and a mix of old and new buildings leading to the city ’ s Alcazaba , a 10th-century fortress of Arabic origin .
Antonio García , who owns several apartments for tourists in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police vans and heavily armed agents had cordoned off streets in the area for most of Monday .
Taxi driver Ángel Vílchez and Miriam Cortés , who lives nearby , separately confirmed that six police vehicles and about 30 officers , including many in plainclothes , had blocked access to several streets since early Monday .
“ Everything was blocked off , ” Vílchez said .
“ The place is inundated with marijuana plantations inside houses , so I wouldn ’ t be surprised if they found something else.
” Another neighbour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media reports , said police had showed up at 3 a.m. Monday and took away at least one person handcuffed from an apartment used for short stays by tourists .
Spain ’ s Interior Ministry says police have arrested nearly 400 people connected to extremist religious groups since 2012 .
Many of the arrests have not led to judicial convictions .

Aritz Parra And Serge Cartwright - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Robert Loomis, editor of Angelou, Styron, dies at 93

NEW YORK - Robert Loomis , a blue-chip editor of old-fashioned sense and persistence who in more than 50 years at Random House encouraged , prodded and befriended William Styron , Maya Angelou , Calvin Trillin and many others , has died .
Random House announced that Loomis , who retired in 2011 , died Sunday at age 93 .
The publisher did not immediately announce a cause of death .
“ I was just one of many who adored and learned from Bob , who inspired several generations of editors and publishers , ” Random House President and Publisher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ His values and work ethic are permanently embedded in the Random House DNA.
” Loomis was a final link to the so-called “ Golden Age “ of publishing after World War II .
He joined Random House in 1957 , when co-founders Bennett Cerf and Donald Klopfer were running the company .
He remained there into his 80s , long after most of his peers had died or changed jobs , long after the publisher had been bought by the German media conglomerate Bertelsmann AG and the industry overall had shed much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dignified , loyal and successful .
Among the award winners and bestsellers , fiction and nonfiction , that he helped publish : Styron ’ s “ Sophie ’ s Choice , ” Angelou ’ s “ I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings , ” Jonathan Harr ’ s “ A Civil Action ” and Neil Sheehan ’ s “ A Bright Shining Lie.
” He spoke softly , but acted forcefully , likening a manuscript to a sculpture that required the most precise shaping .
“ Passages ” author Gail Sheehy wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from beneath his white pencil moustache.
” Angelou would remember his determination to get her to write a memoir , “ Caged Bird , ” and how he scrutinized every word and punctuation mark .
Loomis spent more than a year working with historian John Toland on revisions for “ The Rising Sun , ” a Pulitzer Prize winner .
Styron , best man at both of Loomis ’ weddings , would speak of his intolerance for bad writing , and his “ almost ” style of editing that would label a manuscript @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ With Bob , ” Styron once said , “ you can ’ t get by with those moments of laziness or failure of clarity or self-flattering turgidity : he pounces like a cobra , shakes the wretched phrase or sentence into good sense or meaning.
” In the 2011 memoir “ Reading My Father , ” Alexandra Styron described Loomis and her father as a literary odd couple , the author “ all untidy appetite and noisy id , ” the editor a “ sort of Leslie Howard figure , fair hair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gentle as his demeanour.
” Literary agent Sterling Lord remembered a more adventurous side to Loomis , who for lunch would fly clients in his private plane from Manhattan to Pennsylvania .
Seymour M. Hersh , the prize-winning author and journalist , would describe Loomis as “ precise , careful and very direct , ” and certain to order a “ Jack Daniel ’ s on the rocks ” while only eating “ half of his lunch.
” Loomis was married twice , most recently to Hilary Mills .
He had two children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew up in Plain City , Ohio , and attended Duke University , where he would meet such future authors as Styron , Peter Maas and Mac Hyman .
After writing at an ad agency , Appleton-Century , and editing at Holt , Rinehart & Winston , he joined Random House , which thought enough of the new hire to pay for a one-bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village that had an asking price of $ 8,000 .
“ Donald ( Klopfer ) said , ‘ We hear you want to buy this apartment.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , well , $ 8,000 .
I don ’ t have any money at all , ” Loomis recalled in Al Silverman ’ s “ The Time of Their Lives , ” a publishing history released in 2008 .
“ Donald pulled out a checkbook and wrote on it ‘ eight thousand dollars.
’ ” He would publish literary fiction by Styron and Pete Dexter , history by Sheehan , Shelby Foote and Daniel Boorstin , and confessional works by Trillin and Angelou .
Along with his many triumphs , Loomis was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Edmund Morris ’ “ Dutch.
” It was an authorized biography of Ronald Reagan that came out in 1999 and became a scandal when Morris — winner of the Pulitzer Prize for the Loomis-edited “ The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt ” — admitted that he didn ’ t understand his subject and inserted himself as a fictional character .
Critics , historians and Reagan supporters denounced the book and Loomis , who acknowledged that he was initially horrified by Morris ’ experiment , was forced to defend permitting it .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a while , ” Loomis told The New York Times in 1999 .
“ As the material came in , and we started to talk , this was a book that really went through a metamorphosis .
This needed a different creative structure to it and different ways of telling Ronald Reagan ’ s story using this viewpoint .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Queen Elizabeth II  marks 94th birthday without fanfare

LONDON - Britain is marking Queen Elizabeth II ’ s 94th birthday with silence Tuesday , as the nation in @ @ @ @ @ forgoes the usual gun salutes and ringing of bells .
With thousands dead amid the @ @ @ @ @ that the celebratory display of military firepower would not be appropriate .
Nor will there @ @ @ @ @ bells at Westminster Abbey , as the church where the queen was married and crowned @ @ @ @ @ royal family took to social media to share images of Elizabeth as she marks the @ @ @ @ @ with social distancing rules , there will be no visits .
The queen will mark @ @ @ @ @ , the Duke of Edinburgh , 98 , at Windsor Castle in Berkshire .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-21--The Latest: More mining layoffs due to the coronavirus

HIBBING , Minn. - The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Minnesota ( all times local ) : Another mining @ @ @ @ @ is idling workers due to the coronavirus pandemic and the declining demand for steel .
@ @ @ @ @ May 3 .
As a result , 650 workers will be laid off , both @ @ @ @ @ ArcelorMittal , which manages Hibbing Taconite and owns the largest stake in the mine , @ @ @ @ @ 6 .
Hibbing Taconite is the third Iron Range mine and plant to announce it @ @ @ @ @ most employees .
Cleveland-Cliffs said recently it would idle Northshore Mining in Babbitt and Silver @ @ @ @ @ it would temporarily stop production at Keetac .
Layoffs at the three mines total about @ @ @ @ @ the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Officials link 7 Wisconsin virus cases to in-person voting

MILWAUKEE - Officials have identified seven people who appear to have contracted the coronavirus through activities related to the April 7 election in Wisconsin , Milwaukee ’ s health commissioner said .
Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik said six of the cases involve Milwaukee voters and one is a Milwaukee poll worker , the Journal Sentinel reported .
Officials hope to have additional information on the cases by the end of the week , including whether any of them were concentrated in any of the city ’ s five polling places or if any resulted in death , Kowalik said Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palm said Monday there were no signs yet of a surge in cases from the election as some feared .
Palm noted , however , that if cases do exist symptoms may not have appeared yet .
Tuesday marks the 14th day since the election , which is a time frame during which health officials say symptoms typically appear .
Voters who went to the polls in Milwaukee stood in long lines , many for several hours , in order to cast their ballots .
Many had no protective gear .
And thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to risk their health and unable to be counted because requested absentee ballots never arrived .
The coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people , but for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .
To date , 230 people have died in Wisconsin and nearly 4,500 have tested positive .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Singapore prolongs virus lockdown until at least June 1

Singapore will extend its partial lockdown by another four weeks after reporting thousands of new coronavirus cases in recent days , Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Tuesday .
The tiny city-state reported 1,111 new cases earlier Tuesday to increase its total to 9,125 , the most in Southeast Asia .
It marked the second straight day of over 1,000 new cases after a single-day high of 1,426 were announced on Monday .
Foreign workers staying in crowded dormitories account for nearly 80 % of infections .
Lee said the sharp upsurge in cases was due to aggressive testing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are asymptomatic .
Although the viral clusters in the dorms have remained largely contained , Lee said circuit-breaker measures that shut down nonessential businesses and schools until May 4 will be extended to June 1 or until infections ease .
He said this will allow the government to detect and contain the virus spread early if there is a transmission from the dorms to the wider community .
Although the number of new cases in the wider community has dropped to below 30 per day , Lee said there is still a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked to any clusters , suggesting a larger , hidden reservoir of cases in the community .
“ Many will be disappointed by the extension of the circuit breaker , especially our businesses and workers , who are hurting greatly , “ Lee said in a televised speech .
“ But I hope you understand that this short-term pain is to stamp out the virus , protect the health and safety of our loved ones , and allow us to revive our economy.
” Praised for its swift response and meticulous tracing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , Singapore is grappling with an explosion of cases in foreign worker dorms that were largely overlooked earlier .
Singapore has nearly 1.4 million migrant workers , a third of its labour force , including more than 300,000 in the construction sector alone .
More than 200,000 workers from Bangladesh , India and other poor Asian countries live in 43 registered dormitories that house up to 20 in a room with shared facilities .
Tens of thousands more stay in factory converted dormitories that serve as temporary quarters at construction sites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of foreign worker dormitories will be locked down starting Wednesday .
It said the government is also monitoring workers who live in shophouses as well as private and government housing .
It said some 180,000 construction workers and their dependents have been ordered to quarantine themselves at home .
Lee said workers in essential services like cleaning and maintenance are also being tested and housed separately to ensure they don ’ t become potential channels for cross infection .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Lebanese protests, politics resume with a new, virus twist

BEIRUT - Lebanese lawmakers convened Tuesday at a cavernous Beirut theatre so that parliament members can observe social distancing measures imposed over the coronavirus pandemic .
Anti-government demonstrators , meanwhile , also obeyed the health safety measures — driving around the city in their cars to protest the country ’ s spiraling economic and political crisis .
As lawmakers wearing face masks arrived at the theatre , known as the UNESCO palace , white uniformed paramedics sprayed them with disinfectant before they filed in one at a time through the gate .
The staggered , three-day session is the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a month ago to limit the spread of the virus and after meetings that were scheduled last month were postponed .
The novel coronavirus has infected at least 677 people and killed 21 in Lebanon .
On the lawmakers ’ agenda are dozens of laws , including fighting corruption in the country ’ s bloated public sector , a controversial draft about general amnesty , restoring looted public funds and allowing the plantation of cannabis for medial use .
To coincide with the session , hundreds of protesters drove around Beirut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the political leadership that they blame for the crisis roiling the country .
“ All they care about is a general amnesty law .
We want to know amnesty for whom ?
There ’ s no need for that , “ said Dana Al Hajj , a protester .
“ We need laws for economic reforms , this is what the country needs .
We are in an emergency and we need to know what the government and the legislators are doing about it.
” Lebanon has been facing its worst economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soaring and the local currency losing more than half of its value against the dollar .
Protests broke out nationwide in October against government corruption , further deepening the economic slump .
Over the past months , the protests lost some of their momentum and were subsequently interrupted by the outbreak or the pandemic .
Activists , however , said they were resuming the movement but would protest inside their cars , in line with safety measures .
Some of the protesters wore masks with Lebanon ’ s red and white flag with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around in convoys in major cities .
In some cases , protesters gathered on foot , violating government-imposed health safety measures .
“ We are here to tell them that the revolution will stay , the revolution will not die , ” said Hassan Makahal , a protester .
“ We are going back to the streets and stronger than before.
” Meanwhile , in Afghanistan , where more than 20 staff at the presidential palace have tested positive for COVID-19 , the illness caused by the novel coronavirus , a spokesman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his wife Rula have both tested negative .
Presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi tweeted that Ghani , who is 70 and a cancer survivor , and his wife had both requested the test .
“ The President is healthy and is leading government efforts on all fronts .
All precautions are in place to make sure his work environment is safe and healthy , ” he tweeted .
Afghanistan has confirmed 1,092 cases of the virus , with 36 deaths so far , but testing has been sporadic and there are widespread concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s war-ravaged health system .
More than 200,000 Afghans had returned from Iran — the region ’ s epicenter of the virus — since the beginning of the year .
The returnees were not quarantined but dispersed after crossing the border to travel to their hometowns across the country .
Iran is the hardest-hit country in the region .
The health ministry spokesman , Kianoush Jahanpour , said Tuesday there were 88 more virus deaths since the day before , bringing the death toll so far to 5,297 , from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pakistan , the family of Faisal Edhi who heads the country ’ s top charity , the Edhi Foundation , said he tested positive for coronavirus just days after attending an April 15 meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan on a government fund for helping the poor through the pandemic .
The prime minister ’ s physician , Faisal Sultan , said he would advise Khan to get tested protectively .
Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez in Kabul , Afghanistan ; Asim Tanvir in Multan , Pakistan , and Munir Ahmed and Kathy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Trump criticism aside, governors call for more federal help

WASHINGTON - A chorus of governors from both parties pushed back hard after President Donald Trump accused Democrats of playing “ a very dangerous political game ” by insisting there is a shortage of tests for the coronavirus .
The governors countered that the White House must do more to help states do the testing that ’ s needed before they can ease up on stay-at-home orders .
Kansas Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly said the current federal effort “ really is not good enough if we ’ re going to be able to start to open our economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tests in place.
” Supply shortages have stymied U.S. testing for weeks .
The needs range from basic supplies like swabs and protective gear to highly specialized laboratory chemicals needed to analyze patient results .
Hospitals , laboratories and state health departments report scouring the globe to secure orders , competing against each other and their peers abroad .
The governors ’ plea for stepped-up co-ordination came Monday when the Trump administration again provided discordant messaging : Trump blasted state leaders on Twitter for being too dependent on federal government and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t understand what they had , while Vice-President Mike Pence assured governors the government was working around-the-clock to help them ramp up testing .
Pence sought to soften the administration ’ s message amid growing clamour from both parties for a national testing strategy to help secure testing swabs , chemical reagents and other crucial supplies .
“ When it comes to testing , we ’ re here to help , ” Pence told governors during a video conference from the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
The Associated Press obtained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administration sent each state a detailed list Monday of testing capacity .
But Maryland Republican Gov .
Larry Hogan said much of the unused lab machinery listed for his state was in federal labs the state does not have access to .
Pence said the administration has agreed to open up federal labs to help states .
Hogan announced Monday that the state had received 500,000 tests from South Korea — a “ game-changing ” deal negotiated by his wife , Yumi Hogan , who grew up outside Seoul .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we have to go out and do it ourselves , and so that ’ s exactly what we did , ” Hogan said .
Trump didn ’ t take that lying down .
In his daily briefing , he said some governors have “ more capacity than they understand.
” “ The governor of Maryland could have called Mike Pence , could have saved a lot of money , ” Trump said .
“ I don ’ t think he needed to go to South Korea .
He needed to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine said his state is working with another federal agency , the Food and Drug Administration , to find a source of reagent , the chemical used to analyze test results .
“ A lot of good things are going on , but we ’ re not there yet , ” DeWine said .
Democratic Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock said his state received 5,000 nasal swabs Monday from FEMA — evidence the federal government is listening .
But he added , “ It doesn ’ t get us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said the states should take the lead on testing but it ’ s up to the federal government to help sort out supply chain issues facing testing manufacturers .
“ What the states will run into is when you talk to those labs ... they buy machines and equipment from national manufacturers , ” said Cuomo , who is expected to meet with Trump at the White House Tuesday .
“ And those labs can only run as many tests as the national manufacturers provide them chemicals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Tom Wolf said , “ We need the reagents , we need the test kits and I think that ’ s the sort of general cry from other states.
“ As Pence spoke with the governors , Trump took to Twitter with a more combative tone than his vice-president , complaining that the “ radical left ” and “ Do Nothing Democrats ” were playing politics with their complaints about a lack of tests .
“ Now they scream ... .
’ Testing , Testing , Testing , ’ again playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump tweeted .
“ States , not the Federal Government , should be doing the Testing - But we will work with the Governors and get it done.
“ Public health experts say the country needs to dramatically increase its testing infrastructure if it is going to safely roll back restrictions and reopen businesses without risking a major spike in infections .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious diseases expert , told ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America ” on Monday that the country is currently running about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
But , “ we really need to get up to , at least , you know , maybe two times that , three times that.
” The White House said the Pentagon is finalizing negotiations with a Maine medical company to ramp up production of nasal swabs under the Defence Production Act .
An Ohio manufacturer of cotton swabs has also agreed to convert its facilities to allow for 10 million testing swabs per month .
Testing was an issue on Capitol Hill , too , where the administration and Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package of more than $ 450 billion to boost a small-business loan program that has run out of money .
The deal is expected to add funds for hospitals and COVID-19 testing , as well .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Suderman reported from Richmond , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kansas .
Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Chicago ; Kevin Freking , Matthew Perrone and Zeke Miller in Washington ; Marina Villeneuve in Albany , New York ; Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania ; Brian Witte in Annapolis , Maryland ; and Amy Beth Hanson in Helena , Montana , contributed to this report .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Alan Suderman, John Hanna And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Crews searching Texas bayou for boaters after distress call

BAYTOWN , Texas - The U.S. Coast Guard searched a Texas bayou Tuesday after receiving a call that a boat @ @ @ @ @ taking on water .
On Monday night , a boater made a mayday radio transmission @ @ @ @ @ 8-meter ) recreational boat was taking on water in Cedar Bayou near Baytown , about @ @ @ @ @ ) east of Houston , the Coast Guard said in a statement .
The boater @ @ @ @ @ and three children aboard the vessel , and all radio communications were lost following the @ @ @ @ @ Guard said .
Crews were searching early Tuesday by helicopter and boat for any sign @ @ @ @ @ , the Coast Guard said .
Get more of the Star in your inbox Never @ @ @ @ @ the Star .
Sign up for our free newsletters to get today 's top stories @ @ @ @ @ lots more in your email inbox Sign Up Now


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--3 policemen die in attacks on Afghan police chief, governor

KABUL - Two separate bombings in Afghanistan targeted a senior police chief and a provincial governor on Tuesday , killing three policemen and wounding several people , including the police chief , local officials said .
In the first attack , police chief Ghulam Sakhi Ghafoori was on his way to inspect the security situation in the volatile district of Paato in the central Day Kundi province when his car struck a roadside bomb .
Three policemen in his convoy were killed and the police chief was wounded , along with two others , according to police spokesman Gul Aqa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a suicide car bombing struck by Gov .
Mohammad Halim Fidai ’ s car in eastern Khost province , wounding two of his bodyguards and 12 civilians , said the governor ’ s spokesman , Talib Mangal .
Shortly after the attack , Fidai , who was unharmed in the explosion , appealed on the Taliban in a Facebook live video asking them to stop such attacks and join the peace process .
There was no claim of responsibility for either of the attacks and the Taliban did not immediately respond to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signing of a peace agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban in February , the insurgents have stopped attacking U.S. and NATO troops but have struck Afghan forces in outlying areas .
The violence has continued even as the country faces the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic that threatens to overwhelm Afghanistan ’ s war-ravaged health system .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Pandemic squeezes finances of Democratic grassroots donors

WASHINGTON - Well-to-do donors gathered last August at the sprawling Charlotte , North Carolina , home of Erskine Bowles , a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton , where they nibbled finger food , sipped wine and listened to Joe Biden .
Last week they again joined Bowles and his wife , Crandall .
But this time it was for a far less intimate affair : a fundraiser held by video conference that Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , joined from the makeshift studio in the basement of his Delaware home .
The coronavirus shutdown has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraisers that allow them to rub shoulders with powerful elected leaders and candidates .
During the Democratic primary , progressive candidates and activists condemned big-dollar affairs .
But they have become a practical necessity for Biden that is sure to rankle progressives , who point to an army of grassroots donors contributing small amounts online as the antidote to big money in politics .
As the coronavirus punishes the economy and swamps the health care system , the poor and middle class are among the hardest hit , all but ensuring that Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cost of the party ’ s effort against President Donald Trump in November .
Bowles said that the pandemic has delivered “ economic hits ... to everybody , regardless of their station ” but that the Democratic donor class remains engaged .
“ When I say raising this money was easy , it really was , ” he said of the virtual event .
“ There ’ s nobody more patriotic than Democratic donors who write large checks , because they are giving against their own self-interest , ” said Kirk Wagar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fundraiser who was Florida finance chair for Barack Obama ’ s campaign .
The role money will play in the presidential campaign is complicated and may not be the arms race that it has been in previous contests .
But just how much of it will be needed in an abbreviated campaign that has been ground to a halt by the virus is not clear , especially in a contest between a president who dominates the news media landscape and a former vice-president with near universal name recognition .
Wealthy donors were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financing the general election .
But Biden did a poor job raising money during the primary and was running perilously low on funds before his big victory in the South Carolina primary upended the race .
He ’ s now up against Trump and a Republican National Committee that have already stockpiled $ 240 million as of the end of March .
Biden reported Monday that he took in $ 46.6 million in March , though less than half of it came from small-dollar donors who gave $ 200 or less .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , most of that , $ 33 million , was raised in the first half of the month before financial markets plummeted and much of the country went into lock down .
He ’ s since enjoyed a surge in online fundraising , with the campaign saying it raised more than $ 5 million in the days surrounding endorsements from former President Barack Obama and progressive former rivals Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren .
But Biden ’ s financial concerns are enough that he ’ s yet to announce any significant staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the campaign hasn ’ t trumpeted months ’ worth of television or digital ad buys ahead of the fall campaign .
“ Trump is raising hundreds of millions of dollars , and we ’ re definitely going to need the help of big-dollar donors to beat him — it ’ s just the reality , ” said Marc Stanley , a Democratic donor and trial attorney from Dallas .
While Trump ’ s handling of the virus appears to have lowered his approval rating , some Democrats are worried that his ubiquitous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
That increases the need for advertising that offers counterprogramming to the nightly story line emerging from the White House .
“ Trump is in people ’ s living rooms for more than an hour every day .
Biden is less visible , and there ’ s a lot of deep concern about where we end up , ” said David Brock , co-founder of the Democratic group American Bridge , which launched a $ 15 million ad campaign last week targeting Trump ’ s handling of the virus .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Brock continued .
“ It stands to reason that that pool will shrink as you have rising unemployment , their hours cut and young people going into the job market facing lower prospects.
” Not everyone is convinced that the fallout from the pandemic will depress fundraising , both low dollar and high .
“ Look , I would love to tell you that large donors are going to come and save the day , ” said Steve Westly , a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who is raising money for Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to see a lot of people coming behind Joe Biden in this race .
The reason is they are pissed off .
They are pissed off at the president ’ s handling of the coronavirus .
Not only might they be losing their loved ones , or getting sick themselves , but the economy is in turmoil.
” One remaining question is the extent to which former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg invests his $ 60 billion fortune in the race .
Bloomberg , who spent $ 1 billion on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , previously committed to running an outside group that would take on Trump .
He shelved those plans but donated $ 18 million in remaining campaign funds to the Democratic National Committee .
Westly said the question for Bloomberg , 77 , is how he wants to be remembered .
“ I think everybody of that stature cares about his legacy , “ said Westly .
“ Does he want the narrative to be ’ I unsuccessfully spent $ 1 billion on my own campaign ’ ?
Or would he rather have it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stopped Donald Trump from winning ’ ?
” Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Brian Slodysko And Bill Barrow - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--First woman CEO of a German bluechip firm out after 6 months

BERLIN - SAP co-chief executive Jennifer Morgan is leaving her job only six months after becoming the first female CEO @ @ @ @ @ ’ s DAX index of blue-chip stocks , the business software maker said Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ half of the leadership tandem that was appointed in October , will continue as sole @ @ @ @ @ .
A statement added that Morgan “ mutually agreed with the supervisory board ” that @ @ @ @ @ April 30 .
It pointed to the fallout from the coronavirus crisis as the reason @ @ @ @ @ More than ever , the current environment requires companies to take swift , determined action @ @ @ @ @ a very clear leadership structure , ” SAP said .
“ Therefore , the decision @ @ @ @ @ sole CEO model was taken earlier than planned to ensure strong , unambiguous steering in @ @ @ @ @ ” Morgan joined SAP in 2004 and had been on the company ’ s executive @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s furlough from Iranian prison extended

LONDON - British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe ’ s temporary release from an Iranian jail has been extended by a @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , her local lawmaker said Tuesday .
Tulip Siddiq , who has campaigned for @ @ @ @ @ , tweeted that she had heard from Zaghari-Ratcliffe ’ s husband , Richard , that @ @ @ @ @ had been extended for a month .
“ Now is the time for our government @ @ @ @ @ to make it permanent , ” Siddiq said .
Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been due to return @ @ @ @ @ ’ s home over the weekend to continue serving a five-year sentence .
Iran accuses @ @ @ @ @ the government .
Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested during a holiday with her toddler daughter in April @ @ @ @ @ she was in Iran to visit family , denying that she was plotting against Iran @ @ @ @ @ Thomson Reuters Foundation , the charitable arm of the news agency .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Tokyo Olympics, IOC conflict over who pays for postponement

TOKYO - An open conflict broke out Tuesday between Tokyo Olympic organizers and the IOC over who will pay for the unprecedented year-long postponement .
Tokyo spokesman Masa Takaya said the organizing committee has asked the Switzerland-based International Olympic Committee to remove a comment from its website suggesting that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had agreed that Japan would shoulder most of the postponement costs .
Media reports in Japan estimate the year-long delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic will cost $ 2 billion to $ 6 billion .
Neither side has given an official estimate , but Tokyo CEO Toshiro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive.
” “ It ’ s not appropriate for the prime minister ’ s name to be quoted in this manner , “ Takaya said on a 90-minute teleconference .
Almost all of the questions , mostly from Japanese reporters , centred on the IOC ’ s statement and the costs for Japan .
The IOC statement , on a page titled “ Frequently Asked Questions about Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 , ” said Abe had agreed that Japan “ will continue to cover the costs it would have done under the terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the IOC will continue to be responsible for its share of the costs.
“ Without using Abe ’ s name , IOC President Thomas Bach said almost exactly the same thing 10 days ago in an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt on Sunday .
Abe ’ s spokesman , Yoshihide Suga , also challenged the IOC and said Tuesday there “ is no such agreement related to additional cost stemming from the postponement.
” Despite the conflict , there is not much debate about who will pay ; it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also a sensitive subject , particularly for Abe during an economic downturn brought on by the spreading virus .
Japan is officially spending $ 12.6 billion to organize the Olympics , but a government audit report says it ’ s at least twice that much .
It ’ s all public money except for $ 5.6 billion from a privately funded organizing committee budget .
Under the terms of the Host City Contract signed in 2013 when Tokyo was awarded the games , the city of Tokyo , the Japanese Olympic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay most of the costs of the Tokyo Games .
Section 68 of the contract reads : “ Unless expressly stipulated otherwise in this contract , all obligations of the city , the NOC and/or the OCOG pursuant to this contract , shall be at their expense.
” John Coates of Australia , an IOC member who oversees Tokyo preparations , said in a conference call last week with Tokyo organizers that the postponement would cost the IOC “ several hundred million dollars.
” Bach had said the same thing to the German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IOC ’ s payments would go to struggling national Olympic committees and international federations — and not to Tokyo .
One of Coates ’ solutions to help Tokyo was to cut frills from the program .
According to organizing committee documents , the IOC has already contributed about $ 1.3 billion to organize the Tokyo Olympics .
This is from income of $ 5.7 billion in the latest four-year Olympic cycle .
Japan , with a $ 5 trillion GDP , obviously has more resources .
Takaya also repeated there is no “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists that the pandemic will not allow the Olympics to open in 15 months — July 23 , 2021 .
“ We are not commenting on speculation , ” Takaya said .
“ The new dates are already set .
It is set for next summer , the summer of 2021 .
The Tokyo 2020 organizing committee and all stakeholders are now dedicating themsleves to this new date .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Muslims try to keep Ramadan spirit amid virus restrictions

BAHTIM , Egypt - Every year during Ramadan , the Light of Muhammad Mosque sets up long tables on the street and dishes up free meals at sunset for the poor to break their daily fast .
It ’ s a charity that many rely on in this impoverished district on the edge of the Egyptian capital .
But it ’ s too dangerous in this era of the coronavirus — in Egypt and in many Muslim countries , such “ Tables of the Compassionate ” have been barred .
So the mosque , which like others in Egypt had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the virus , will use the funds that would have gone into the free communal tables to distribute packed meals and cash to those in need .
“ We hope this could ease their suffering , ” said Sheikh Abdel-Rahman , the muezzin of the mosque in the district of Bahtim .
As Ramadan begins with the new moon later this week , Muslims around the world are trying to maintain the cherished rituals of Islam ’ s holiest month without further spreading the outbreak .
At the heart of Ramadan is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contemplation of God .
But alongside the hardship of abstaining from food and drink for hours every day , the month sweeps everyone up into a communal spirit .
Families and friends gather for large meals at sunset , known as iftars .
In some countries , cafes and cultural events are packed late into the night .
Worshippers go to mosques for hours of evening prayers , or “ taraweeh.
” Many devote themselves to charity .
Muslims now find themselves cut off from much of what makes the month special as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have closed mosques and banned taraweeh to prevent crowds .
Prominent clerics , including in Saudi Arabia , have urged people to pray at home .
Governments are trying to balance restrictions with traditions .
Lebanon , Iraq , Syria and Egypt loosened their curfews , moving them back to start anywhere from a half hour to 90 minutes after sunset .
That gives time to get to Iftar , but not much : people can ’ t go too far to visit others for the meal unless they ’ re prepared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned long internal travel .
Syria gave people a window of two days this week to move between provinces , then restored its ban .
In Malaysia , Mohamad Fadhil said he was resigned to missing out on the surge in business at the Ramadan bazaar , where he and other sellers hawk food and drinks in crowded open-air markets .
The bazaars have been shut down .
But he hoped the country ’ s lockdown will be eased so he can bring his 7-year-old daughter home .
She was at his parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began six weeks ago , trapping her there .
“ I hope we can be together as a family during Ramadan , ” he said .
In Indonesia , the world ’ s most populous Muslim nation , the government has banned millions of government employees , soldiers and police from travelling home during the Eid al-Fitr , the holiday marking the end of Ramadan .
“ Fear of coronavirus has blocked us from celebrating Eid with my parents , ” said Rachmad Mardiansyah , a civil servant in Jakarta .
The loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as people lose jobs under coronavirus restrictions .
Some are rushing to fill the void .
In Kashmir , the Muslim-majority territory contested by India and Pakistan , volunteers wearing masks and gloves drop off sacks of rice , flour , lentils and other staples for Ramadan at the doorsteps of those in need in the city of Srinagar .
They try to do it quietly , so not even the neighbours know they are receiving help .
“ We have to take care of these people ’ s self-respect , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Socé , a famous Muslim preacher on Rfm , a private radio station in the Senegalese capital , Dakar , said that while the government is taking action , “ the rich must also help the poor.
” “ Solidarity must be in order .
This is what the Prophet Muhammad did during times of war .
COVID-19 is like a war , ” he said .
Donors can ’ t help everywhere when need surges so quickly .
In the Gaza Strip , the group Salam Charitable usually receives donations from Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its Ramadan relief projects .
Last year , it was able to distribute 11,000 food parcels and clothes for children .
Charities are vital in Gaza , which has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade for 13 years , leaving more than half the population of 2 million under the poverty line .
This year , giving has dried up .
“ This time last year , we had already three contracts to give food parcels to the poor .
This year we don ’ t have any , ” said Omar Saad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we missed the opportunity because Ramadan is starting soon.
” In Pakistan , powerful Muslim clerics forced the government to leave mosques open throughout Ramadan .
Mullah Abdul Aziz of the Red Mosque in the capital , Islamabad , ordered adherents to pack communal prayers .
Last Friday , worshippers were shoulder-to-shoulder .
Still , calls by influential Saudi clerics to stay home also have an effect .
“ We hear on TV what the big imams say , ” said Zaheer Abbas , an Islamabad resident who has been praying at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God isn ’ t only in the mosque.
” In Somalia , while people lament the loss of community , Mogadishu resident Osman Yusuf tried to find optimism .
The new restrictions “ keep you closer to your loved ones for comfort , ” he said .
Not all Ramadan traditions are rooted in religion .
Egypt is known for the TV comedies and drama series it churns out for the month , which are broadcast between the iftar and the pre-sunrise meal .
A new batch is being produced for this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give up a unique Ramadan tradition : tournaments of a game called “ Mheibes.
” In the game , teams of up to several dozen people each line up and one member hides a ring in his hand .
A member of the other team must guess who has the ring , usually by going up and down the line , trying to read facial tics or other “ tells.
” The long tournaments are accompanied by sweets and tea and singing .
Health authorities pleaded with Jassim al-Aswad , the longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call it off for the sake of public safety — while praising his “ preternatural abilities and unrivaled powers of discernment.
” “ I feel very sad , ” he said .
“ Ramadan will be devoid of these popular rituals this year ... God wreak vengeance on corona , which deprived us of our most beautiful hobby.
” Keath reported from Cairo .
Associated Press writers Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar , India ; Babacar Dione in Dakar , Senegal ; Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia ; Niniek Karmini in Jakarta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kenya ; Fares Akram in Gaza City , Gaza Strip ; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad ; Kathy Gannon in Islamabad ; Aya Batrawy in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report .

Samy Magdy And Lee Keath - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--After denial, Indonesia sees mounting coronavirus deaths

JAKARTA , Indonesia - While Indonesia ’ s neighbours scrambled early this year to try to contain the spread of the coronavirus , the government of the world ’ s fourth most populous nation insisted that everything was fine .
In speeches , Indonesia ’ s health minister , Terawan Agus Putranto , told his country ’ s people that they shouldn ’ t fear the virus , even as tens of thousands around the world were being infected .
Rather than focus on creating social distancing guidelines or ramping up testing , Putranto credited Indonesian “ immunity ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s lack of any infections .
He dismissed as “ insulting “ a report by Harvard University researchers that said Indonesia must have elected not to report its cases .
Meanwhile , Indonesia ’ s southern neighbour Australia and some fellow Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore were quick out of the gate to address the crisis , taking actions as early as the end of January that included containment and tracing measures .
Indonesia , on the other hand , did not even confirm its first case of the virus until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation had reported at least 7,135 infections — including 616 deaths from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , more fatalities than any Asian country other than China .
Indonesian President Joko Widodo acknowledged last month that the government had chosen to keep the public misinformed about the state of the coronavirus in the country .
“ Indeed , we did not deliver certain information to the public because we did not want to stir panic , ” he said .
Suspicion over the lack of cases in Indonesia began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had travelled from Wuhan — the central Chinese city where the pandemic started late last year — to the Indonesian resort island of Bali tested positive for the coronavirus when he returned to China in early February .
Indonesian authorities , however , immediately played down the incident , with Defence Minister Muhammad Mahfud declaring , “ The coronavirus does not exist in Indonesia.
” Widodo , perhaps spurred by a desire for economic growth , promoted Putranto ’ s theories , ignoring the likelihood that the vast archipelago nation had virus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public , especially after local media reported cases of Indonesian patients with pneumonia-like symptoms dying .
The government ’ s apparent lack of transparency caused many Indonesians to seek information on their own about social distancing , with some even choosing to quarantine themselves .
Pandu Riono , an epidemiology expert at the University of Indonesia , estimated that the country had cases of the virus as early as January , but that limited testing capabilities had caused them to go undetected .
The turning point came when the government announced the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 .
Dozens of other infections were confirmed over the next couple of weeks , prompting Widodo ’ s administration to finally take serious measures , including ordering nationwide social distancing and suspending all nonessential activities .
But for many , it was too little , too late .
“ This outbreak affected my life worse than a tsunami , ” said Risti Ameliana , a resident of Jakarta , Indonesia ’ s capital .
“ But falling trust in government makes it harder , as this is a global pandemic.
” Bivitri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Indonesia ’ s Jentera School of Law , said Widodo ’ s scramble to curb the virus after a late start had caused confusion among his government ministers in issuing regulations .
“ Jokowi was too slow in leading the war against this pandemic crisis , ” she said , using Widodo ’ s popular nickname .
“ Instead , he showed his weak leadership.
” On March 13 , Widodo appointed the National Disaster Mitigation Agency ’ s head , Doni Monardo , to lead the COVID-19 national task force , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
He also has instructed his ministers and the task force to be transparent with the public .
But testing remains a major problem .
Since the first cases were confirmed in early March , Indonesia has conducted fewer than 50,000 tests — or just 180 per 1 million people , according to government spokesman Achmad Yurianto .
At least 37 labs have been equipped so far for coronavirus testing , according to Monardo , less than half of the government ’ s goal of having 78 labs that can conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indonesia is also facing shortages of essential medical supplies , including personal protective equipment for health care workers .
He said the shortages have contributed to the deaths of at least 32 doctors and 12 nurses .
Widodo on Monday ordered all governors , district chiefs and mayors to intensify the tracking and isolating of people who have been exposed to the virus .
“ The government can not work alone , ” Widodo said at the start of a Cabinet meeting .
“ This is not easy for us ... but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordeal together and come out stronger as a nation.
” Early this month , Widodo declared a state of “ health emergency , ” allowing local leaders to impose enforceable restrictions to contain the virus across the sprawling nation of more than 260 million people and 17,000 islands .
The government also has created funding options to raise 1,000 trillion rupiah ( $ 62 billion ) to finance a record stimulus package in an effort to protect the economy from recession .
As of March , it had raised 24 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuance , Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said .
Yet worries loom over how the virus could spread in Indonesia , the world ’ s most populous Muslim country , during Ramadan , a monthlong Islamic holiday that begins this week .
Millions of people traditionally return to their hometowns to visit relatives during the holiday .
There ’ s a chance that Indonesia “ will face an explosion of coronavirus cases that could infect 1 million people after Ramadan “ unless the government takes stricter measures , said Riono , the epidemiology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government would ban all people from returning to their hometown next month to celebrate Eid , which marks the end of the dawn-to-sunset fasting during Ramadan .
Widodo , however , has ruled out a complete lockdown of the country , citing Indonesian ’ s cultural characteristics , its unique demography and the potential crippling economic damage .
Instead , he has opted for large-scale social distancing restrictions .
That ’ s put him at odds with Jakarta Gov .
Anies Baswedan , a political rival who has been seeking tougher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the capital and its metropolitan area , which is home to 30 million people .
Jakarta has become the epicenter of the outbreak in Indonesia , confirming at least 3,260 cases as of Tuesday , including 298 deaths .
The central government finally relented to Baswedan ’ s request for enforceable restrictions earlier this month , with several other regions of the country quickly following .
Associated Press writers Victoria Milko and Edna Tarigan contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Israeli survivors remember Holocaust amid virus quarantine

JERUSALEM - With the global coronavirus pandemic ravaging the elderly , Israel ’ s aging population of Holocaust survivors finds itself on the country ’ s annual Holocaust Remembrance Day this year much like they were during World War II — alone and in fear of the unknown .
Some survivors say the current isolation and sense of danger has triggered difficult memories linked with their wartime experiences .
Others bristle at any comparison to their plight during World War II – when the Nazis systematically murdered 6 million Jews .
“ One has nothing to do with the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five years I went through in the Holocaust , ” said Dov Landau , 92 , who survived Auschwitz and several other death camps , but lost his entire family .
“ We can now eat and drink , listen to music and still breathe the fresh air .
This is a temporary disease that will pass.
” Holocaust Remembrance Day is one of the most solemn dates on the Israeli calendar .
Survivors typically attend remembrance ceremonies , share stories with teenagers and participate in memorial marches at former concentration camps in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , survivors on Tuesday mostly stayed indoors , in their apartments and nursing homes .
The few who ventured outdoors did so wearing protective masks and carefully keeping their distance from others .
The country ’ s central ceremony , which typically draws thousands to the national Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial alongside Israel ’ s top leadership , was prerecorded without an audience .
With the adjacent museum shut down due to public gathering restrictions , commemorations and exhibits have all shifted online .
A two-minute-long siren at 10 a.m. to remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli life to a standstill .
Pedestrians stand in place , buses stop on busy streets and cars pull over on major highways — their drivers standing on the roads with their heads bowed .
But this year , the streets are already mostly empty .
Cafes and restaurants , which typically shut down for the remembrance day , are already closed .
The country has been in near lockdown mode for more than a month trying to staunch the spread of a virus that has killed more than 180 and put a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are about 180,000 Holocaust survivors remaining in Israel , and a similar number elsewhere around the world .
Israel ’ s first coronavirus fatality was a man who had escaped the Nazis in World War II , and at least half of the 14 residents who died in a particularly badly infected retirement home in the southern city of Beersheba were Holocaust survivors .
Aviva Blum-Wachs , 87 , who survived the Nazi invasion of her native Warsaw , said the hardest part of the current pandemic was being separated from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But she said there was no parallel to her wartime trauma experience .
“ We were closed in the ghetto .
We had no food , no telephone .
There was horrible fear of what was outside , ” she recalled , from her Jerusalem home .
“ There is nothing to be afraid of now .
We just have to stay home .
It ’ s completely different.
” Yad Vashem has invited the public to take part in its annual victim name-reading ceremony by recording video at home and sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although the circumstances this year are unique , the message is still the same : we will never forget their names , ” said Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev .
For the first time , the annual “ March of the Living , ” which draws youths from around the world to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in southern Poland , has also been called off , and a virtual remembrance launched instead , projecting images of memorial plaques upon the gates of the death camp .
“ Physically we may not be there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Shmuel Rosenman , the World Chairman of March of the Living .
“ We will continue to educate the next generation.
” For the frail survivors of the actual genocide , though , these days are mostly focused on surviving the coronavirus .
“ We don ’ t need the corona to remember , ” said Zohar Arnon , 92 , who lost his parents and two sisters in the Holocaust .
“ All of us who made it here after ’ 45 have our baggage .
We each have our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are lots of things , besides corona , that bring back the memories .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Wuhan embraces Yangtze River as virus-hit city reopens

WUHAN , China - Bathed in golden late-afternoon light , Chen Enting snapped a photo of his ticket to commemorate his first ferry ride across the Yangtze River after a 76-day quarantine ended in the Chinese city where the coronavirus pandemic began .
The reopening of ferry services on the Yangtze , the heart of life in Wuhan for two millennia , was an important symbolic step to get business and daily life in this city of 11 million people back to normal .
Wearing goggles , gloves , a homemade mask and a black trench coat , Chen was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bought a 1.5-yuan ( 20-cent ) ferry ticket .
He boarded with a dozen other passengers , some pushing electric scooters , and found a bench at the front beside a red flag with a yellow sickle .
He sprayed the seat with disinfectant before sitting .
“ The ferry on the Yangtze River is a symbol of Wuhan ’ s people , ” said Chen , a 34-year-old cost engineer and Chinese Communist Party member .
“ The choppy river symbolizes the force of life , ” he said , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV Tower .
“ Although Wuhan had such an ordeal , it will flow away just like the river and receive exuberant vitality.
” Wuhan was one of China ’ s most important centres under inward-looking dynasties that had little interest in foreign trade and carried out commerce and politics over the country ’ s vast river networks .
The city was eclipsed by the explosive rise of Shanghai , Hong Kong and other coastal cities after the ruling Communist Party set off a trade boom by launching market-style economic reforms in 1979 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status as an economic dynamo as Chinese leaders shift emphasis from exports to developing more sustainable growth based on domestic consumer spending .
The city government says more than 300 of the world ’ s 500 biggest companies , including Microsoft Corp. and Honda Motor Co. , have operations in Wuhan to get access to central China ’ s populous market .
The metropolis was formed from three ancient cities — Wuchang , Hankou and Hanyang — at the meeting of the Yangtze and Han rivers that grew together .
“ If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere under heaven , ” said Ji Li , a University of Hong Kong historian , quoting a traditional saying .
The emperor Kublai Khan visited in the 13th century when China was part of his Mongol empire and Shanghai was a fishing village of a few thousand people .
In the mid-19th century , Wuhan became , along with Shanghai , Tianjin and Qingdao , one of a series of “ treaty ports ” where China ’ s Manchu rulers were forced to give Western powers trading privileges and exempt their people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Oct. 11 , 1911 , in Wuhan that spread across the country and led to the breakup of the Manchu empire and the founding of President Sun Yat-sen ’ s Republic of China .
The Yangtze ’ s water is “ very sweet , ” communist leader Mao Zedong said after he swallowed a mouthful while swimming in the 1950s , according to a report from the time by The Associated Press .
Meandering 6,300 kilometres ( 3,900 miles ) from Tibet ’ s Tanggula Mountains to the East China Sea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asia and the world ’ s third-longest .
It and the Yellow River in the north are the “ mother rivers of the nation , ” much like America ’ s Missouri and Mississippi or Eastern Europe ’ s Danube .
It is also the site of the Three Gorges Dam , the world ’ s biggest hydroelectric project .
The Yangtze stars in countless poems , songs and history-making events , including the third century “ Battle of Red Cliffs , ” which was fought by one of China ’ s wiliest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , involving armoured battleships , has been turned into a traditional opera and a 2008 blockbuster movie directed by John Woo .
Today , Wuhan produces agricultural chemicals , 6 % of China ’ s cars , and components for smartphones , industrial machinery and optical devices for markets in Europe and North America .
Skyscrapers loom above parks and ancient temples .
Ships carry goods 700 kilometres ( 450 miles ) downriver to Shanghai by way of Nanjing , another ancient inland city .
Shipping , however , plunged after the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and led to a strict lockdown of the city .
Traffic near Wuhan fell by as much as 70 % , according to HawkEye 360 , a company in Virginia that follows radio communications and ships ’ satellite-linked tracking beacons .
Traffic is back to less than half its pre-outbreak level , the company says .
Mao ’ s face , etched in a giant gold coin , perches atop a stone obelisk in the Bund , the riverfront former centre of Western business activity and now a tourist spot .
On it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a bridge to be built across the river .
That bridge was finished in 1957 , cementing Wuhan ’ s renaissance as a transportation hub by connecting rail networks in northern and southern China .
That connection is one reason the coronavirus spread so fast .
Wuhan ’ s Huanan Seafood Market , where scientists suspect the virus might have jumped from a bat to humans , is next door to the Hankou Train Station .
Authorities have since decontaminated the station , and on April 11 , high-speed trains began leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system had opened a few days before .
Chen Xianming , a 70-year-old veteran of 26 years in appliance sales , knew that would save him money .
Paying for taxis across the bridge had cut into profits .
“ We should be thrifty , ” Chen said as he secured boxes on a motorized tricycle he uses to make deliveries .
Most of Wuhan is thinking the same way and tightening its belt after factories , restaurants , shopping malls , cinemas and almost every other business except supermarkets were shut for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t spending much .
Manufacturing has yet to get back to normal levels .
But the public has returned to the banks of the Yangtze , known in Mandarin as Chang Jiang , or Great River .
Couples wearing masks walk hand-in-hand .
Fishermen flick long rods out across the babbling waters .
Joggers run past picnickers .
People fly kites shaped like butterflies , birds , lanterns and fighter jets .
A ship ’ s horn blares .
“ Wuhan reopens , ” Chen said .
“ This is a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olivia Zhang in Wuhan and archivist Francesca Pitaro in New York contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Nevada governor: Schools to stay closed through school year

CARSON CITY , Nev. - Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak announced Tuesday he ’ s extending the closure of schools until the end of the school year and is not close to relaxing restrictions aimed to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
The Democratic governor and state experts said Tuesday that Nevada would take a gradual approach to easing business closures and stay-at-home rules , without giving any expected date for how soon that might occur .
Sisolak also said it was too soon to say whether schools would remain closed for the start of the new school year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer cases and deaths than statistical models originally predicted , and they appear to be reaching a plateau .
The number of people hospitalized with the disease has started to fall , Sisolak and officials said at a news conference in Carson City .
But the state still needs to see at least a two-week trend of drops in the number of hospitalizations and people testing positive for the disease before the state could start to inch open some restrictions .
“ Even though the models look good for Nevada right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , ” Sisolak said .
After that point , Nevada could begin easing some rules , though the governor said his team of medical advisors and economic experts are still reviewing many specifics of what that would look like .
People considered higher risk for complications , like those with underlying health conditions or older adults , would still need to shelter in place .
Other people would need to avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 to maintain social distance and a travel advisory encouraging people to minimize nonessential travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to use face coverings in public , and bars would remain closed .
Sisolak said members of his team are still working to determine if restaurants , churches and gyms would be able to open and whether sporting events and elective surgeries can take place again .
Sisolak said even if his team decides there ’ s a way for places like restaurants and gyms to reopen while maintaining social distancing , those business owners might decide it ’ s not worth it financially to operate with a fraction of their normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the state ’ s famous casinos would reopen , though he said the state gaming control board would need to approve plans for reopening any properties .
The governor also said his office is still working to hammer out details for what the next stages of reopening would look like .
Nevada has not joined a coalition of western governors in Washington , Oregon and California who have decided to co-ordinate their plans for a gradual reopening .
The governor on Tuesday did not answer questions about why and whether he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s communicating with the other governors and approves of their plans .
— The owner of a strip club that operates in Las Vegas has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Small Business Administration after not receiving money from the $ 2 trillion federal coronavirus aid bill .
Little Darlings owner Jason Mohney says he has struggled obtaining emergency funding after Congress grouped the business into the category of operations of a prurient sexual nature .
Mohney argues the exclusion is discriminatory toward a class of workers who perform a legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan-based company operates 200 exotic dance clubs in several states .
— Dr. Fermin Leguen , acting regional chief health officer in the Las Vegas metropolitan area , said that Clark County has seen a recent plateau of COVID-19 cases but cautioned there has not yet been a consistent declined in deaths or cases , and that social distancing and practices like wearing masks in public are still important .
University Medical Center CEO Mason VanHouweling said at the same news conference that the hospital ’ s lab is working to rapidly increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It can currently process 500 tests daily but it expects to be able to process 10,000 a day by June 1 .
The lab will also have anti-body testing for the virus on May 30 , but health officials are still working to determine who will get those tests and when and where they will occur .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Michigan governor: Trump’s messaging causes ‘greater danger’

LANSING , Mich. - Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said Tuesday that President Donald Trump ’ s plan to suspend immigration is distracting from efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic and part of “ inconsistent messages ” that spread fear and put the public in “ greater danger.
” Trump ’ s pronouncements about freezing immigration are “ scary ” for immigrants , family members hoping to immigrate to the U.S. , farmers who rely on seasonal migrant workers and Canadian nurses who work in Michigan , the Democratic governor said in an interview with The Associated Press .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think are are so problematic and counter to I think what we need right now more than anything — which is fact based scientifically proven , best practices and an optimistic vision of where we are headed and the thrust to make it a reality , ” said Whitmer , who said the focus should be on making swabs for testing .
“ This is what we need right now — not additional new things to be upset about , fearful of or mad about.
” She said she worries Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think that the nightly briefing has yielded a lot of inconsistent messages to the public — messages that put people in greater danger , ” she said .
The first-term governor ’ s comments were the latest in a series of criticisms she has directed at the president and his handling of the virus outbreak .
Her high-profile disputes with Trump have put her at the centre of the states ’ fight with the federal government over equipment and testing — and helped raise her political profile .
Whitmer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told AP she has not been asked by presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden to participate in any vetting for the role .
“ Of course I would give whatever they ’ ve asked for , ” she said .
“ But I ’ m not auditioning for any different job than the one that I have right now.
” Whitmer insisted her focus now is on managing the crisis that has devastated her state ’ s economy and killed 2,700 people .
She said Michigan , along with other states , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump to use all his powers to force manufacturers to produce more test swabs .
She spoke as some Republican governors have begun the process of reopening the economy without waiting for more testing , moves that gives her “ great pause.
” “ I know that we ’ re going to have to be really methodical and data-driven about what sectors of our economy we engage in when it is going to be a slow re-entry .
Our biggest concern , of course , is a second wave , ” said Whitmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning May 1 .
“ The worst thing would be for us to spike the football and think we are outside of the danger zone , and to re-engage and find another peak of COVID-19.
” More than 1 million Michigan residents — about a quarter of the state ’ s workforce — have filed for unemployment since the outbreak began .
Whitmer said the state has the resources to pay jobless benefits “ for now ” but that Michigan , like every other state , will need more help from the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production roughly a month ago , are pushing to reopen factories .
Fiat Chrysler has already announced a May 4 gradual restart date .
“ It ’ s too soon to say if that is precisely going to be the date to that things start re-engaging , ” Whitmer said when asked if she was OK with the carmaker ’ s plan .
“ But we are obviously eager to start engaging sectors responsibly when we ’ re able to safely.
” Whitmer , a national co-chair on Biden ’ s campaign whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictive and confusing , would not address the potential political fallout if the unemployment rate does not improve significantly .
Michigan is a critical battleground for the November election , as Democrats try to win back a state that flipped in 2016 to help Trump become president .
“ The politics will take care of themselves , “ she said .
” We ’ ve got to do the right thing right now “ rather than worry about what it means in November or when she is on the ballot again in 2022 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration abruptly cancelled a contract with a firm one day after it was tapped to help track down contacts of infected people .
The GOP had complained the company is owned by a Democratic consultant who planned to also use software developed by a firm with ties to Democratic campaigns .
During the interview , Whitmer said an allegation by a former staffer in Biden ’ s Senate office that he sexually assaulted her when he was a senator in the early 1990s “ does not comport with the Joe that I know.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the allegation by Tara Reade , who said the assault occurred in the basement of a Capitol Hill office building in the spring of 1993 .
“ Women should be able to tell their stories , ” Whitmer said .
“ Everything that I know about Joe Biden does not jive with the story that ’ s been told .
”

David Eggert And Sara Burnett - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--GM scraps Maven car-sharing service after more than 4 years

DETROIT - General Motors is sending its Maven car-sharing business to the junkyard .
The automaker says it ’ s winding down the app-based business after trying to make a go of it for more than four years .
Customers were told about the move Tuesday .
GM says it will gradually phase out Maven by market with operations expected to end during the summer .
Maven suspended its service because of coronavirus fears and government restrictions about a month ago .
The suspension gave the company a chance to look at Maven critically and the challenges it faces .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will transfer resources and assets to other areas of its business .
GM created Maven in January of 2016 by combining previous car-sharing ventures in an effort to compete with the ZipCar sharing service .
The service started in Ann Arbor , Michigan , and spread to other metro areas .
Last May GM pulled Maven from eight of the 17 North American markets where it had operated , including New York and Chicago .
This story has been corrected to show that GM operated Maven for over four years , not three @


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Trump vows to ‘suspend immigration’ to U.S. because of virus

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump announced what he described as a “ temporary suspension of immigration into the United States ” on Tuesday .
But the executive order would bar only those seeking permanent residency , not temporary workers .
Trump said he would be placing a 60-day pause on the issuance of green cards in an effort to limit competition for jobs in a U.S. economy wrecked by the coronavirus .
The order would include “ certain exemptions , “ he said , but he declined to outlined them , noting the order was still being crafted .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens , so important , “ Trump said at the White House .
” It would be wrong and unjust for Americans laid off by the virus to be replaced with new immigrant labour flown in from abroad.
” An administration official familiar with the plans , however , said the order will apply to foreigners seeking employment-based green cards and relatives of green card holders who are not citizens .
Americans wishing to bring immediate family will still be able to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who spoke on condition of anonymity before the plan was announced .
About 1 million green cards were granted in the 2019 fiscal year , about half to spouses , children and parents of U.S. citizens .
By limiting his immigration measure to green cards , Trump was leaving untouched hundreds of thousands of foreign workers granted non-immigrant visas each year , including farm workers , health care workers and software programmers .
The Migration Policy Institute , a nonpartisan think-tank , estimated that some 110,000 green cards could be delayed during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider extending the restrictions , depending on economic conditions at the time .
Trump has long advocated restrictions on both legal and illegal immigration and has raised concerns for years about foreigners competing with American citizens for jobs .
But he denied he was using the virus to make good on a longstanding campaign promise during an election year .
“ No , I ’ m not doing that all , “ he said .
The president has also used the crisis to push other stalled priorities , from tax reform to dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his signature issue of immigration when he ’ s under criticism .
It ’ s one he believes helped him win the 2016 election and one that continues to animate his loyal base of supporters heading into what is expected to be a brutal reelection fight .
It has also served as a useful tool for distracting from news he ’ d prefer removed from the headlines .
Much of the immigration system has already ground to a halt because of the pandemic .
Almost all visa processing by the State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the U.S. has been restricted from much of the globe .
And Trump has used the virus to effectively end asylum at U.S. borders , including turning away children who arrive by themselves and putting a hold on refugee resettlement — something Congress , the courts and international law hadn ’ t previously allowed .
Criticism of Trump ’ s announcement was swift , especially his timing during the pandemic .
Ali Noorani , president of the National Immigration Forum , noted that thousands of foreign-born health care workers are currently treating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sectors of the economy .
Andrea Flores of the American Civil Liberties Union said Trump seemed “ more interested in fanning anti-immigrant flames than in saving lives.
” But Jessica Vaughn , director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies , which favours lower rates of immigration , said before the announcement that eliminating millions of work permits and visas would “ instantaneously create ” new jobs for Americans and other legal workers — even though most businesses are shuttered because of social distancing dictates and stay-at-home orders .
Indeed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law since the 1970s , said a 60-day pause would have little impact because the government effectively stopped processing green cards in March .
“ The embassies are not open anyway , so this is like nothing new , ” said Shusterman .
“ This announcement doesn ’ t really change anything unless the embassies were to open up next week or in the next 60 days.
” Trump first announced his intentions in a vague tweet Monday night .
Across the country , those who could be impacted waited in suspense through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McEntee said she had been inundated with calls , emails and social media messages , including from company executives hoping to expand their business in the U.S. , a person applying for a fiance visa and wondering about their wedding plans , artists seeking “ extraordinary ability ” visas and foreign students .
“ It has created absolute panic , ” said McEntee .
“ These are people ’ s lives .
...
It is irresponsible and cruel to put out something like that without any consideration.
” As is often the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many across the administration off-guard .
Trump has already used the crisis to take dramatic steps to limit immigration .
Last month , the administration effectively ended asylum , relying on a rarely used 1944 law aimed at preventing the spread of communicable disease .
U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada have also been closed to tourism and recreational travel .
Commercial traffic and a wide range of “ essential ” workers are still allowed to travel freely .
The U.S. is now reporting more COVID-19 cases than any other country in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
More than 42,000 have died .
Trump had been expected to use his authority to slash the number of foreign workers allowed to take seasonal jobs in the U.S. Before the outbreak , the administration had planned to increase the number of H-2B visas , angering people who favour more restrictive immigration policies , including some supporters of the president who view foreign workers willing to accept lower wages as unfair competition to American labour .
The Department of Homeland Security later put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from San Diego .
Associated Press writers Colleen Long , Zeke Miller and Darlene Superville in Washington , Carlos Rodriguez in Mexico City and Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report .

Jill Colvin, Elliot Spagat And Ben Fox - The Associated Press