thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Turk evacuated from Sweden for coronavirus treatment

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkey has dispatched an air ambulance and repatriated a Turkish citizen who tested positive for the coronavirus in Sweden but allegedly failed to receive any treatment there .
Emrullah Gulusken , 47 , was evacuated from his home in Malmo on Sunday after his daughter , Leyla , pleaded for help on social media .
She said her father was sent back home despite his worsening condition , the state-run Anadolu Agency reported .
Gulusken and his three of his children were flown to Ankara where they were hospitalized , the agency reported .
Swedish authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Dear Leyla , we have heard your voice ... Our air ambulance is taking off at 6 am we are coming to Sweden , ” Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted on Sunday morning .
“ Our hospital , our doctors are ready waiting for your father.
” Turkey has repatriated around 40,000 nationals from 75 countries since the start of the outbreak in March , according to Foreign Ministry figures .
The country has reported a total of 2,805 and 110,130 confirmed infections .
It ranks seventh in the world for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Johns Hopkins University , but experts believe the actual toll of the pandemic is higher than the tally .
Nearly 890,000 people have been tested in Turkey so far .
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Trump’s focus on his base complicates path to reelection

WASHINGTON - During times of war and strife , national leaders often aim to unite a broken country and , in the process , broaden their appeal beyond their most loyal supporters .
Not President Donald Trump .
Confronting a pandemic that has upended his presidency and threatened his reelection prospects , Trump has focused almost exclusively on tending to his base .
While the coronavirus has claimed the lives of more than 54,000 Americans , eliminated more than 20 million jobs and dashed the routines of daily life for nearly everyone , Trump has levelled attacks on Democrats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama ’ s team for his own administration ’ s failures , picked fights with reporters and thrown rhetorical bombs meant to thrill his hardcore supporters .
During a particularly rough stretch last week , Trump pledged to bar foreigners from entering the country .
The executive order Trump ultimately signed was less severe than he suggested , but it still gave him a chance to highlight action on an issue that ’ s central to his political brand .
Four years after Trump captured the White House by perfectly threading narrow victories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ betting that a relentless focus on his base will yield a repeat performance .
It ’ s a risky strategy because Trump ’ s standing in some of those states shows signs of weakening .
And there ’ s little evidence to suggest he has significantly broadened his appeal in other places to offset those vulnerabilities .
“ It drives me crazy , frankly , because part of being the president is to rise above , to ignore certain things , ” said Ari Fleischer , who served as White House press secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lukewarm approval ratings soared after his handling of the Sept. 11 attacks .
“ And I think at a time like this he should leave a lot of the gauntlets on the ground and rise above .
But that ’ s not him.
” Fleischer said that , while the virus puts limits on the president ’ s ability to travel and the political environment is far more polarized today than it was in the early 2000s , Trump ’ s White House could be appealing to the country as a whole with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers that “ send helpful , meaningful signals that we are one nation and we can play a meaningful part.
“ Other modern presidents have looked to transcend partisan boundaries at a time of crisis or tragedy , including Bill Clinton in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing , Ronald Reagan after the Challenger space shuttle explosion and Lyndon Johnson after John F. Kennedy ’ s assassination .
“ I ’ m surprised the administration isn ’ t doing this as well , “ Fleischer said .
Other Republicans , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephen Bannon , the president ’ s former chief strategist , believes 2020 is a “ base election ” year and thinks Trump can broaden his support because of a “ new nationalism ” born in the wake of a pandemic that began in China .
He predicted Americans would rally around their president during a period of crisis .
Trump ’ s approval rating has remained remarkably steady over the course of his presidency , with about 42 % of poll respondents saying they approve of the job he ’ s doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research .
That ’ s even as many question the veracity of his statements and believe he is not listening to health experts enough during the crisis .
But the coronavirus has threatened to rewrite the Electoral College map , and Trump ’ s campaign has become concerned about losing support in several key swing states , particularly Florida and Wisconsin .
Some advisers have all but written off Michigan , which Trump captured in 2016 by fewer than 11,000 votes .
He is now locked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Democratic governor .
In former Vice-President Joe Biden , Trump faces a presumptive Democratic nominee whose promises of across-the-aisle outreach and pragmatic , experienced-based management may play well in several battlegrounds states .
That includes Arizona , which has a vast suburban population uneasy with the constant Trump drama , tweets and base plays .
“ People are going to look for stability , ” said Doug Cole , a veteran Republican operative in Arizona who worked on John McCain ’ s 2008 presidential campaign .
“ Biden can capitalize on that.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to describe campaign strategy stressed that the election is still six months away , an eternity in politics .
They noted polls can be be wrong or change , especially if the pandemic wanes or the economy rebounds .
And they said the campaign believes that voters will credit Trump for the strong economy before the pandemic hit , even as they have expressed worry that he could be pushing to open things too quickly and that any resulting deaths will not be forgiven by voters in November .
But there are warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 2016 strategy by focusing on immigration failed to win congressional or governors ’ races .
“ Whatever impact it has in boosting turnout among core supporters , it boosts the backlash vote even more , ” said Frank Sharry , the executive director of the liberal immigration advocacy group America ’ s Voice .
He noted the 2017 Virginia ’ s governor ’ s race , in which GOP nominee Ed Gillespie tried to feather candidate Ralph Northam with ads on immigration .
The strategy backfired , as it did in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , communications director for Trump ’ s 2016 campaign , countered that last week ’ s immigration executive order may appeal to the base .
But he said it was also aimed at helping African Americans , Hispanics , women and immigrants already in the U.S. legally who typically hold lower-wage jobs at a higher percentage than those in what is typically viewed as the president ’ s base .
Trump ’ s campaign has been trying to chip away at Democrats ’ advantage with those demographic groups , even as advocates counter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevented from having their parents and other family members join them in the country .
Miller also defended the president ’ s refusal to put petty political riffs aside at a time of national crisis , arguing that some fights are worth picking and that Trump will be judged , not on his daily briefings , but on how the country eventually recovers from the crisis .
“ He is bringing the country together with determinative action and results , “ he said .
Lemire reported from New York .
Associated Press writer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .
Follow Colvin and Lemire on Twtter at https : //twitter.com/colvinj and https : //twitter.com/JonLemire .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Jill Colvin And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-04-27--US grants Iraq another month’s waiver for Iran gas imports

BAGHDAD - The U.S. has again granted Iraq only a month-long sanctions waiver enabling the government to continue importing gas and electricity from Iran , two Iraqi officials said , a sign of Washington ’ s growing impatience as a deadline looms for Iraq ’ s latest prime minister-designate to form a government .
The issuance of another 30-day waiver was communicated the Iraqi government in a phone call from the U.S. State Department , without a formal notification in writing , the two Iraqi officials said , speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the second time the U.S. has issued a relatively small window of time for Iraq to prove it is making progress in becoming less reliant on Iranian imports , a key condition to qualify for the waiver .
Earlier , a 30-day waiver was granted for March and it expired on Sunday .
Previous waivers had lasted three to four months .
It comes as Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Kadhimi faces push back to his proposed lineup of ministers .
A constitutional deadline for him to present a Cabinet to Parliament runs out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fatah , which includes parties with links to Iran-linked militia groups , have opposed his choices .
Iraq depends on Iranian energy imports to meet one third of its energy needs , especially during the scorching summer months .
The last exemption in March was issued alongside sanctions against 20 individuals and entities that the State Department said had been taking advantage of the waivers to funnel money into Iran .
Iraq had recently announced it was looking into possibilities of importing gas from the northern , semi-autonomous Kurdish region — an option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several months to implement , experts say .
The Kurdish region conducts an independent oil and gas policy , which has long caused friction with the federal government in Baghdad .
The region is planning to double production in the next two years , opening up the possibility to export to the federal government , said Hama Ameen Hawrami , a consultant at the Kurdish Electricity Ministry , but the lack of investment in infrastructure is bound to cause delays .
“ There is an agreement , but the implementation requires more talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no pipeline from the main gas field in the Kurdish north and Baghdad , and building one “ could take some years.
“ The semi-autonomous Kurdish region is already providing a total of 400 Megawatts of electricity through private contracts to the Iraqi cities of Mosul and Kirkuk , which fall under the federal government ’ s jurisdiction .
Kadimi is the third premier-designate since Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi resigned under pressure from mass protests in December .
The other candidates had resigned , citing meddling by political blocs .

Qassim Abdul-Zahra And Samya Kullab - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Tulane basketball player charged with murder in Georgia

MCDONOUGH , Ga. - A Tulane University basketball player who recently declared for the NBA draft is charged with murder and other counts in a Georgia slaying .
Teshaun Hightower , who led the Green Wave in scoring last season , was booked into jail Saturday on multiple charges , including murder and aggravated assault , Henry County Jail records show .
He was one of six people wanted in connection with an April 8 homicide in Stockbridge , Georgia , Henry County police said in a Facebook post Friday .
Police spokesman Capt .
Randy Lee told the Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long , died from gunshot wounds after he was taken to a hospital .
Jail records show that five of the six men are now in police custody , including Hightower ’ s brother , Jeffrey Hightower .
On the day of the shooting , Teshaun Hightower posted a tweet that said “ God protect my people.
” Tulane “ immediately dismissed ” Hightower from the basketball program after learning about his arrest , athletic director Troy Dannen said in a statement reported by news outlets .
Hightower , 22 , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 18 , just 10 days after Long ’ s death .
In his announcement on Twitter , the junior guard noted he planned to maintain the option of returning to school with a year of eligibility left .
The 6-foot-5 Hightower , a native of Lithonia , Georgia , averaged 15.9 points , 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game during the 2019-20 season , his only one at Tulane .
He played the previous two seasons at Georgia before transferring .
It was not immediately clear whether he had a lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jail records show he was scheduled to appear in court on Sunday .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Notre Dame Cathedral worksite refitted for virus safety

PARIS - Workers are refitting the construction site at fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral to protect staff from the virus and allow cleanup efforts at the Paris landmark to resume .
More than a year after the blaze , workers still haven ’ t finished stabilizing the medieval cathedral , much less rebuilding it .
And the coronavirus outbreak caused a new setback : Work on the cathedral halted in mid-March , when France imposed strict confinement measures .
On Monday , workers began to re-arrange the construction site to make it virus-safe , according to an official with the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hidden from the public by high barriers .
That includes re-arranging showers and cloakrooms to allow more distance between workers , and installing a place to eat because restaurants in France are currently closed , Notre Dame rector Monsignor Patrick Chauvet told reporters outside the site Monday .
He said most workers will stay in nearby vacant hotels so they won ’ t have to take public transportation .
The cleanup work itself is scheduled to start gradually resuming next week .
Chauvet said the priority will be taking down 250 tons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prior renovation project and was badly damaged in the blaze .
The unstable scaffolding now endangers the Gothic jewel .
“ It ’ s a difficult job .
It requires the climbers to be calm , ” Chauvet said .
“ We can ’ t have COVID there to cause them stress.
“ Despite the delay , the general in charge of the reconstruction said he still wants to stick to ambitious plans to hand the cathedral back to the Catholic Church in 2024 , when Paris is set to host the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Cuban doctors arrive to help South Africa fight coronavirus

JOHANNESBURG - More than 200 doctors from Cuba have arrived in South Africa to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic .
The doctors , including community health and infectious disease specialists , arrived early Monday morning and were welcomed by military and health authorities .
South Africa requested assistance from the Cuban government , which is sending more than 1,000 doctors to 22 countries , including Togo , Cap Verde and Angola in Africa .
South Africa has reported the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Africa , with at least 4,546 cases and 87 deaths .
Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontline of fighting other outbreaks in the world such as cholera in Haiti in 2010 , and Ebola in West Africa in 2013 , ” said South African health minister Zweli Mkhize , Cuba ’ s government supported the African National Congress in its fight against South Africa ’ s apartheid system of racist minority rule .
Now the ANC is South Africa ’ s ruling party and has good relations with Cuba .
South Africa ’ s first black president Nelson Mandela was known to be close to former Cuban leader Fidel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health sector , with hundreds of South African medical students studying through scholarships in Cuba .
The Cuban medical personnel will stay in a two-week quarantine before starting work .
They have arrived as South Africa is increasing community testing , especially in poor , crowded neighbourhoods .
In the economic hub of Gauteng province , which includes South Africa ’ s largest city Johannesburg and the capital Pretoria , mass screening and testing is scheduled to take place throughout the week .
The screening and testing will also concentrate on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Cape Town and which has largest number of COVID-19 cases .
South Africa has conducted nearly 170,000 tests .
The country has 28,000 experienced community health workers who track contacts of people who test positive to help contain the spread of the disease .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--US review: Airstrike in Somalia killed, injured civilians

WASHINGTON - An American military airstrike in Somalia more than a year ago killed two civilians and injured three others , U.S. Africa Command is acknowledging in a new report expected on Monday .
The deaths , confirmed by an internal investigation , mark only the second time Africa Command has determined that civilians were killed in a military strike in Somalia .
The decision comes even as U.S. airstrikes against the al-Qaida linked al-Shabab extremist group this year are increasingly outpacing 2019 totals .
Already there have been 39 airstrikes in 2020 , compared to last year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gayler , director of operations for Africa Command , told The Associated Press in an interview that the strike on Feb. 23 , 2019 , in Kunyon Barrow , targeted and killed two members of al-Shabab .
When online allegations of civilian casualties in that strike were received soon afterward , the command investigated , but the review dragged on for more than a year .
After another similar allegation about that strike came in early this year from a non-governmental organization , the military continued its assessment , and it finally determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed or injured .
Gayler said the command could see video showing a person — an apparent civilian — being carried from the site .
“ We didn ’ t see the other individual or the wounded individuals .
But because we ’ re trying to be transparent and as open as we can , when we know that we ’ ve more likely than not killed the one male , why would we dispute the other killed and three wounded , ” he said .
So , officials decided to substantiate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths and injuries were likely due to secondary explosions from munitions stored at the site by al-Shabab .
The extremist group controls parts of central and southern Somalia and often targets the capital , Mogadishu , with suicide bombings .
Asked why the investigation took so long , Gayler said it was an effort to be thorough and “ some of the means we use to assess don ’ t normally happen quickly.
” He did not provide details but noted information is gathered through classified means .
He added , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should take that long .
And he said Gen. Stephen Townsend , head of Africa Command , is adamant that investigations must be wrapped up more quickly in the future .
Townsend also ordered quarterly reports on civilian casualty allegations , much like U.S. Central Command does for Middle East military operations .
“ While we follow very precise and rigorous standards , in instances where we fail to meet our expectations , we will admit the mistake , ” Townsend said .
“ We have the highest respect for our Somali friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred.
” Africa Command ’ s first civilian casualty report , which is being released Monday , covers the time period from February 1 , 2019 , to March 31 , 2020 .
According to a copy reviewed by the AP , there were 91 airstrikes in Somalia and Libya during that time .
The command has completed reviews of 20 alleged incidents of civilian casualties during that time and substantiated only the February 2019 one .
In many of the claims the command found that the U.S. military had conducted no airstrikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other cases , it determined that those killed or injured were only al-Shabab targets .
Gayler also said that al-Shabab and its backers often make false claims on social media sites .
And , like many militant groups , al-Shabab also often blends in with local citizens , using civilians as shields or including members that also masquerade as regular business people .
Civilian deaths , however , have been a persistent problem for the military in war zones around the world .
And watchdog organizations routinely complain that the U.S. and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as quickly or completely as needed .
Amnesty International said in a report early this month that two airstrikes in Somalia in February killed two civilians and injured three others .
The group said that one airstrike , on Feb. 2 , struck a home in the Middle Juba region , killing an 18-year-old woman and wounding her two sisters and her grandmother .
The second strike , on Feb. 24 near Jilib , killed a farmer who also worked for Hormuud Telecom , Somalia ’ s largest telecom company .
Gayer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still being investigated .
The only other substantiated instance of civilian casualties in Somalia was acknowledged by the command last year and occurred on April 1 , 2018 .
In that case , two civilians were mistakenly killed by a strike near El Buur .
“ The growing threat in Africa from terrorist networks is significant and impacts not only Africans but also the U.S. and our international allies , ” said Townsend , adding that the strikes “ follow a strict , disciplined and precise process.
” There are between 6,000 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any time , including about 4,000 who are at the U.S. base in Djibouti .
Other forces train and advise local forces and conduct counterterrorism missions against militants , such as al-Shabab in Somalia and other al-Qaida-linked groups and Islamic State affiliates in west and north Africa .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Reports: Israeli strike on Syria kills 4 gunmen, 3 civilians

BEIRUT - Israeli warplanes flying over Lebanon fired missiles toward areas near Damascus early Monday , killing three civilians , the Syrian military and state media said while a war monitoring group said four Iran-backed fighters were also killed .
The military said Syrian air defences shot down some of the missiles in the attack , which happened around dawn .
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , a group that tracks the Syrian civil war , said the missiles hit positions belonging to Iran and its regional proxies , killing four fighters and causing damage south of Damascus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the dead gunmen .
The airstrike is the fourth in Syria in less than a month , despite the coronavirus pandemic gripping the region , and comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon ’ s militant Hezbollah group in Syria as well as along the Lebanon-Israel border .
The Syrian military statement , carried by state TV , gave no other details about the attack or what it targeted specifically .
Syria ’ s state SANA news agency said shrapnel from the Israeli missiles hit homes in the Damascus suburbs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there and wounding four .
Both areas are close to the Sayyida Zeinab suburb that is home to a holy Shiite shrine and Iran-backed fighters have a presence there , according to opposition activists .
Israel did not comment on the Syrian report .
In the past , Israel has acknowledged carrying out scores of airstrikes over the years , most aimed at alleged Iranian weapons shipments believed to be bound for Hezbollah .
In recent months , Israeli officials have expressed concern that Hezbollah is trying to establish production facilities to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah forces in Syria are fighting alongside Syrian government forces .
Israel frequently violates Lebanon ’ s airspace to launch attacks on Syria , and regularly flies reconnaissance missions over the Mediterranean country .
Last week , an Israeli airstrike targeted Iranian and Iran-backed fighters in the desert near the historic central Syrian town of Palmyra .
A Syrian opposition war monitoring group said the strike killed nine fighters , including six who were not Syrians .
Days earlier , an Israeli drone fired two missiles near an SUV carrying Hezbollah members in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon .
No one was hurt in the attack .
Two days after the drone attack , Israel accused Hezbollah of “ provocative ” activity , including multiple attempts to breach the border along the Lebanese-Israeli frontier , and said it would complain to the U.N. Security Council .
On March 31 , Israeli warplanes fired missiles on the Shayrat air base also in the central province of Homs .
Aji reported from Damascus , Syria .
Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report .

Bassem Mroue And Albert Aji - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--UN report notes drop in number of Afghan civilians killed

KABUL - A report by the U.N. mission in Afghanistan on Monday noted a drop in the number of civilians killed in violence in the first three months of this year , compared to the same time last year , but underscored the still heavy toll the conflict continues to inflict on the civilian population .
The report said 533 people , including 152 children , died due to the fighting in the war-torn country in the first quarter of 2020 , and hundreds more were wounded .
That represented a 29 % decrease , compared to the same period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll figure for a first quarter of a year since 2012 .
The report came as the Kabul police said a sticky bomb attached to a vehicle detonated in the capital on Monday but caused no casualties .
According to the report , the Taliban and other anti-government militant groups , such as the Islamic State group ’ s affiliate in Afghanistan , were responsible for the majority of the civilian casualties during the first three months – or 55 % .
The Taliban were responsible for as many as 39 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increase by 22 % compared to the same period last year .
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the U.N. report as an attempt “ to cover up daily crimes against civilians committed by U.S. and Afghan forces.
“ “ Afghans are witnessing that most of the civilian casualties are due to indiscriminate bombings , rocket attacks on villages and towns as well as raids on civilian homes , “ Mujahid said .
The U.N. report said Afghan forces and their allies were responsible for 32 % of all civilian casualties during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said that pro-government forces were responsible for more child casualties than the Taliban and other militants and over twice as many child deaths — mainly due to fatalities inflicted during airstrikes and indirect fire during ground operations against militants .
Children and women continue to be disproportionately impacted by the violence , it said , adding that the U.N. mission documented that 152 children and 60 women died in violence from Jan. 1- March 31 .
The report also highlighted a disturbing increase in violence in March , when it was hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would start negotiations after a peace deal that was signed by the Taliban and the U.S. at the end of February .
The U.N. mission in Afghanistan is especially concerned about the escalation in violence in March and increasing civilian casualties , the report said , an in particular , about the uptick in civilian casualties last month as a result of operations by Afghan forces , mainly ground engagements , indirect fire and airstrikes .
The U.N. report came a day after Zalmay Khalilzad , the U.S. peace envoy to Afghanistan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders to set their differences aside to combat the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 , the illness caused by the virus , and advance the stalled U.S. deal with the Taliban .
Deborah Lyons , the U.N. chief ’ s special representative for Afghanistan , echoed that appeal , saying she called “ on all parties to seize the opportunity “ and “ to focus collective efforts on fighting a common enemy , the COVID-19 pandemic.
” “ To safeguard the lives of countless civilians in Afghanistan and to give the nation hope of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that violence is stopped with the establishment of a cease-fire and for peace negotiations to commence , ” she said .
Afghanistan has reported 1,703 cases and 57 deaths from the coronavirus .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Asia Today: Officials: No more hospitalized Wuhan patients

BANGKOK - Wuhan , the city at the centre of China ’ s coronavirus outbreak , has no more hospitalized patients after the last 12 were discharged Sunday , the Hubei province health commission said .
Hubei ’ s remaining patients were all in Wuhan , the provincial capital where the outbreak took the heaviest toll in China .
The 3,869 people who died in the city account for more than 80 % of the country ’ s reported deaths .
“ It is a historic day , ” said a report in a newspaper owned by the Wuhan government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website .
Hubei has no more suspected cases in its hospitals , though 1,728 people who had close contact with an infected person remain under medical observation , the province ’ s health commission reported Monday .
Patients remain hospitalized elsewhere in China , including 67 in Shanghai and three in Beijing .
Many cities have seen an influx of cases from overseas , prompting the government to curtail international flights and entry sharply .
With the easing of the crisis , a central government team that had overseen the response in Hubei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s official Xinhua News Agency said .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — THAILAND CASES DWINDLE : Thai health authorities on Monday reported the country ’ s lowest number of new cases of the coronavirus in more than six weeks , as the government considers easing some restrictions imposed to control the spread of the virus .
Nine new confirmed cases were reported , the smallest single-day increase since March 14 .
Thailand has confirmed 2,931 cases , including 52 deaths .
Officials said a proposal will be submitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions according to suggestions from the state planning agency .
— CHINA WARNS AGAINST PROBE : China is fighting back against calls for an investigation into its role in the pandemic .
China ’ s ambassador reportedly warned the Australian government that its pursuit of a coronavirus inquiry could set off a boycott by Chinese consumers .
China also cited faults with the U.S. response to the outbreak and called for Washington itself to admit error .
“ Indeed , lately in the U.S. many people are questioning whether the U.S. government responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are concerns , ” Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily briefing on Monday .
— NEW ZEALAND EASING LOCKDOWN : New Zealand reported five new coronavirus cases as the nation gets ready to ease its strict lockdown at midnight Monday .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there hasn ’ t been widespread community transmission of the virus and the country has so far managed to avoid the worst scenarios for an outbreak .
She said it would continue to hunt down the last few cases .
Starting at midnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but with social distancing .
Ardern said the nation was opening up the economy but not people ’ s social lives .
— JAPAN ADDING COUNTRIES TO ENTRY BAN : Japan is adding 14 more countries , including Russia , Peru and Saudi Arabia , to its entry ban as it steps up border controls while its coronavirus outbreak grows .
Japan already banned entry from more than 70 other countries , banning foreigners with records of visiting those countries in the past two weeks , while invalidating visas for the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abe said the expansion will take effect Wednesday .
The entry ban and the visa restrictions will last through May .
Japan has 13,385 confirmed cases with 364 deaths .
— AUSTRALIANS DOWNLOAD APP : More than 1 million people in Australia have downloaded an app designed to accelerate contact tracing .
The government says at least 40 % of Australia ’ s 26 million people need to use the COVIDsafe app for it to be effective .
Government officials intend to enact legislation to address privacy concerns .
If a user is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other users who have been in close proximity for 15 minutes or more in the previous three weeks .
The government hopes the app will let Australia safely reopen the economy by enabling fast containment of outbreaks .
Australia has recorded 6,720 cases of the virus , including 83 deaths .
— NEARLY 800 NEW CASES IN SINGAPORE : Singapore reported 799 new infections Monday to take its total to 14,423 , including 12 deaths .
The health ministry said the vast majority of the new cases were again foreign workers living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest number of infections in Asia , after China and India .
Despite the sharp rise in infections among foreign workers — who now account for over 80 % of the cases — the city-state has said the situation is contained .
— SOUTH KOREA MAY REOPEN SCHOOLS : South Korea reported 10 new cases of the coronavirus as officials mull reopening schools .
The figures released by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention brought the national totals to 10,738 cases and 243 deaths .
Using an active test-and-quarantine program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak without lockdowns or business bans .
But schools remain shut while providing children remote learning .
Prime Minster Chung Sye-kyun instructed education officials to prepare hygiene and social distancing measures so the government could announce a timeline for reopening schools no later than early May .
— BANK OF JAPAN ’ S MOVES : Japan ’ s central bank is making it easier for cash-strapped companies to get funding and expanding collateral for debt in response to the growing economic damage from the pandemic .
The decisions by the Bank of Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchase of commercial papers and corporate bonds and removing the ceiling amount for buying government bonds .
The central bank said the economy was facing serious difficulty because of the virus outbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Asian markets gain after Japan central bank boosts aid

BEIJING - Asian stock markets gained Monday after Japan ’ s central bank promised more asset purchases to shore up financial markets and more governments prepared to revive struggling economies by reopening businesses .
Tokyo ’ s benchmark surged 2.8 % and Shanghai , Hong Kong and Sydney also gained .
Investors are looking ahead to meetings of U.S. and European central bankers this week for additional measures to reverse the deepest global slump since the 1930s .
That comes amid mounting evidence the coronavirus pandemic ’ s economic damage is even worse than expected .
The Bank of Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion yen ( $ 140 billion ) of commercial paper and bank loans .
That is a “ significant increase from the timid 2 trillion yen ” in purchases announced in March , said Marcel Thieliant of Capital Economics in a report .
The bank also raised its ceiling on purchases of government debt .
Elsewhere , the U.S. Federal Reserve is more likely to announce it will wait to see the impact of earlier stimulus before taking more action , Hayaki Narita of Mizuho Bank said in a report .
The European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options for easing open.
” Also Monday , China ’ s government reported profits at major industrial companies shrank 34.9 % in March over a year earlier .
That was an improvement over the 38.3 % decline in January and February , but analysts said a full recovery is a long way off .
This week ’ s other potentially market-moving events include data from the United States , China , Japan , Germany and France on inflation , trade , industrial activity and retail spending .
The Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Tokyo rose to 19,803.99 .
The Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 1.8 % to 24,270.61 .
In Seoul , the Kospi was 2.1 % higher at 1,928.23 .
Sydney ’ s S & P-ASX 200 gained 0.7 % to 5,278.30 and India ’ s Sensex opened up 2 % at 31,970.09 .
Singapore advanced 1.3 % and Bangkok was up 0.6 % .
Investors appear to be looking past the outbreak to figure out which companies can survive and prosper after conditions improve .
China , where the pandemic began in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses after numbers of new cases declined .
Spain plans to start easing restrictions Sunday and Italy on May 4 .
France will announce its plans next month .
President Donald Trump , campaigning for re-election , is pressing state governors to ease anti-disease controls as early as possible .
Some governors are lifting shutdown orders despite warnings that could cause a surge in infections .
Others including Gov .
Andrew Cuomo of New York say they want a bigger decline in new cases before rolling back curbs .
“ The hope that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial markets modestly in Asia , ” said Jeffrey Halley of Oanda in a report .
“ The hopes that even a partial return to regular economic activity begins , to draw a line under the economic carnage wrought by the pandemic , should see markets such as equities outperform this week.
” Wall Street ended last week higher after Trump signed legislation to provide an additional $ 500 billion in virus aid , including loans to small businesses .
U.S. government data showed an unexpectedly sharp 14.4 % drop in durable goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are denting investor sentiment , which economists have warned is far too optimistic .
The S & P 500 Index gained 1.4 % to 2,836.74 .
The U.S. benchmark is down 16.2 % from its February record .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.1 % to 23,775.25 .
The Nasdaq composite added 1.7 % to 8,634.52 .
“ Investors have written off 2020 as a shocker and are looking more intently into the landscape in 2021 , ” Chris Weston of Pepperstone said in a report .
They are due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop when companies including Exxon , Amazon , Microsoft , Boeing and McDonald ’ s start reporting quarterly results this week .
In energy markets , benchmark U.S. crude for June delivery lost $ 1.76 cents to $ 15.20 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
The contract rose 2.7 % on Friday to settle at $ 16.94 .
Brent crude , used to price international oils , declined 88 cents to $ 23.93 per barrel in London .
It added 0.5 % the previous session to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 107.27 yen from Friday ’ s 107.49 yen .
The euro gained to $ 1.0847 from $ 1.0823 .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Mideast economies take massive hit with oil price crash

BAGHDAD - Iraq is planning painful cuts in social benefits relied on by millions of government workers .
Saudi Arabia will likely have to delay mega-projects .
Egypt and Lebanon face a blow as their workers in the Gulf send back less of the much-needed dollars that help keep their fragile economies afloat .
The historic crash in oil prices in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic is reverberating across the Middle East as crude-dependent countries scramble to offset losses from a key source of state revenue — and all this at a time when several of them already face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the Arab Gulf oil exporters are expected to contract this year , as much as 5 % in Iraq , according to the International Monetary Fund .
While some Gulf countries can rely on a cushion of foreign currency reserves , nowhere in the region are the circumstances more dire than in Iraq , where oil sales fund 90 % of the state budget .
Iraq saw massive protests in the past months by a populace angry over the weak economy and rampant corruption — and the turmoil could erupt again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pain for a population struggling to get by under coronavirus restrictions .
In the capital ’ s Tahrir Square , protesters are still camped out , determined not to let their movement die .
“ Coming into summer the conditions are developing for a perfect storm for the government , ” said Sajad Jiyad , an Iraq-based analyst .
Oil is currently trading at $ 20 per barrel , dipping even lower some days to levels not seen since 2001 .
Further constraints will be felt as an OPEC agreement to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the oil market takes hold .
May and June are expected to be particularly difficult as that is when oil storage space will be full , making it harder for countries to market oil , according to Robin Mills , CEO of Dubai-based Qamar Energy .
So far it ’ s early , and no one has reached a stage where the budget runs out , Mills said .
“ But that is inevitable — Iraq will probably hit first.
” In its draft 2020 budget , Iraq had been counting on revenues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrel to fund badly needed development projects and the bloated public sector , costing nearly $ 45 billion in compensation and pensions .
Oil Minister Thamir Ghadhban said recently that revenue from crude exports has dropped by 50 % .
Now officials are debating difficult salary cuts .
One proposed idea would defer paying public sector workers part of their social benefits until the financial sector improves , according to three Iraqi officials .
The question is how much to cut and from whom ; one recommendation is that higher-end earners take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on condition of anonymity so as not to derail ongoing talks .
That would save Iraq hundreds of millions of dollars , but risks triggering unrest .
Public sector workers receive a host of benefits that effectively add 50-70 % to their take-home wages .
They include family allowances and so-called danger pay benefits for security forces .
Still , experts said that won ’ t be enough if oil prices remain between $ 20-30 per barrel .
“ Cuts need to be deeper to make a dent in payroll , and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there comes a point where cuts are not enough , ” Jiyad said .
On top of this , expected compliance with OPEC will require Iraq to cut over 1 million barrels per day from production in May and June .
Moreover , the country has been left without an effective executive to carry out reforms by an ongoing leadership vacuum since December , when Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi resigned under pressure from protesters .
Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Kadhimi is due to present his proposed Cabinet to Parliament next week , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Until his government is in place , a 2020 budget is unlikely to be approved .
This limits Iraq ’ s ability to borrow from international agencies for budgetary support .
Across the region , the drop in oil prices will derail future investment and development plans .
The region ’ s largest crude producer , Saudi Arabia , plans to cuts spending by 5 % , or about $ 13.3 billion .
Additional cuts and measures are expected as it digs into its roughly $ 500 billion in foreign reserves .
Target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plan for the completion of new cities and mega projects will likely be delayed as businesses suffer and foreign investment dips amid the pandemic .
Kuwait has ample reserves as well .
But the island nation of Bahrain faces a debt estimated to be equal to 105 % of its GDP , even after it received a $ 10 billion bailout from its neighbours to avoid defaulting on a $ 750 million Islamic bond repayment in 2018 .
Other giant global oil producers will have to grapple with job losses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies have laid off thousands of employees , and greater job losses are expected as the pandemic drags on .
Many shale producers were already struggling before the pandemic hit , and some have filed for bankruptcy , with more expected .
The price crash has dealt a blow to Russia at a time of partial economic shutdown .
Russian officials say that the nation ’ s solid hard currency reserves can help sustain the shock and insist low production costs allow Russian oil companies to stay profitable .
The double shock of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also expected to hit hard in Egypt , Jordan and Lebanon , which rely on a large diaspora and workers in oil-rich Arab Gulf countries who send foreign currency home .
In Lebanon , remittances once made up 12.5 % of GDP ; in Egypt , they account for 10 % of GDP .
Coupled with its own economic crisis and financial turmoil , the anticipated losses for Lebanon will be devastating .
“ How are we expected to survive from now on ?
Hunger is knocking at the doors , ” a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he waited in a long line outside a money transfer shop in Beirut , on the last day he would be allowed to collect a wire transfer in dollars from his older brother in Qatar .
Associated Press writers Zeina Karam in Beirut ; Jon Gambrell and Aya Batrawy in Dubai , the United Arab Emirates ; Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow ; and Cathy Bussewitz in New York contributed to this report .

Samya Kullab And Qassim Abdul-Zahra - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Diamond Offshore files for bankruptcy as oil prices crash

BANGKOK - Contract driller Diamond Offshore has filed for bankruptcy with debts of $ 2.6 billion , as the energy industry is hammered by crashing oil prices .
Court documents seen Monday show Houston-based Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. filed the petition in Houston on Sunday , citing the downturn that accelerated with a recent oil price war between Russia and other major producers .
The global economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has devastated the oil industry in the U.S. , which pumps more crude than any other country .
Both offshore and onshore oil companies have been laying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5.8 billion of assets and $ 2.6 billion of debt as of the end of 2019 , it said in its Chapter 11 petition .
It has about $ 435 million of cash on hand , according to the document .
The company ’ s specialty of relatively costly , ultra-deep drilling has put it at a competitive disadvantage with the plunge in oil prices .
Diamond Offshore reported a net loss of $ 62.7 million in the last quarter of 2019 , even before the May future for the U.S. benchmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to make a bond interest payment earlier this month on $ 500 million in debt due in 2039 raised expectations it might seek a restructuring .
The company also announced it had hired advisors to discuss how to handle its predicament .
“ Diamond ’ s decision to not make an interest payment shows that the coronavirus induced crash in oil prices and corresponding capital spending cuts by oil and gas producers has indefinitely deferred any potential recovery in offshore drilling activity and dayrates , ” Pete Speer , Moody ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downgrade for the company .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Tokyo Olympics: Questions, few answers in face of pandemic

TOKYO - The Tokyo Olympics were postponed a month ago .
But there are still more questions than answers about the new opening on July 23 , 2021 , and what form those games will take .
In the face of the coronavirus pandemic , will the Olympics really start in 15 months ?
If so , in what form ?
With fans ?
Without fans ?
Can they open without a vaccine ?
TV broadcasters and sponsors provide 91 % of the income for the International Olympic Committee .
How much pressure will they exert on the form these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winter Olympics , opening in February 2022 .
China is where the coronavirus was first discovered , and the authoritarian government has been draconian in terms of lockdowns and travel restrictions .
IOC President Thomas Bach has already said there is “ no blueprint “ in assembling what he called this “ huge jigsaw puzzle.
” “ I can not promise ideal solutions , ” he said .
“ But I can promise that we ’ ll do everything to have the best possible games for everybody.
” Q : Some scientists are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 15 months .
What are the prospects ?
A : Many scientists believe an Olympics with spectators can ’ t happen until a vaccine is developed .
That is probably 12-18 months away , experts say , and then there will be questions about efficacy , distribution , and who gets it first .
Kentaro Iwata , a Japanese professor of infectious disease , said last week : “ I am very pessimistic about holding the Olympic Games next summer unless you hold the Olympic Games in a totally different structure such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participation.
” Yoshitake Yokokura , president of the Japan Medical Association , came to the same conclusion in a recent interview .
An Olympics in empty venues is looking more likely , which is the scenario for many sports .
Fans hungry for some action may have grown accustomed to this configuration by the time the Olympics arrive .
Q ; Postponing the Olympics will be costly .
Who will pick up the expenses ?
A : In two words : Japanese taxpayers .
Japanese organizers and the IOC have said they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They have not ventured an estimate — at least not publicly .
Estimates in Japan range from $ 2 billion to $ 6 billion .
Host country Japan is bound by the terms of the Host City Contract signed in 2013 to pay most of the bills .
The IOC has already said the delay will cost it “ several hundred million dollars.
“ IOC member John Coates , who oversees preparations for Tokyo , said this money will go to struggling international federations and national Olympic committees , and not to Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Japan originally said the Olympics would cost $ 7.3 billion .
Officially the budget is now $ 12.6 billion , although a national audit board says it ’ s twice that much .
All but $ 5.6 billion is public money .
And now come the costs of the delay .
Tokyo organizers were upset last week with the IOC .
On its website it had Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saying Japan would pick up the added costs .
The IOC deleted the statement , even though in principle it is correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with venues and the Olympic Village ?
A : Not much word so far .
CEO Toshiro Muto has said it will take time to see if all these venues can be used .
Of course , some may require renegotiated contacts .
Proprietors of all venues will be under tremendous pressure to co-operate so the original competition schedule can be maintained .
Tokyo ’ s Big Sight convention centre is likely to remain the media centre .
Muto said it has been configured for the Olympics and hinted it would likely stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ athletes from 206 nations .
The Paralympics add 4,400 more .
A : Organizers have said they will try to honour tickets already purchased .
Officials say a total of 7.8 million are available .
Organizers budgeted $ 800 million in revenue from ticket sales , and unprecedented demand has pushed that to $ 1 billion .
That ’ s roughly 15 % of the $ 5.6 billion of the privately funded operating budget .
This income can ’ t be sacrificed with the bills piling up .
Same is true for $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The problems will arise if ticket holders are not allowed to attend and want refunds .
Tickets carry a “ force majeure ” clause , which might free organizers from the obligation to provide refunds .
However , it ’ s not clear that COVID-19 will stand up as a justification .
Q : How reliant is the IOC on income from broadcasters and sponsors ?
A : A massive 91 % of IOC income is from those two sources — broadcasters and sponsors — and 73 % is from broadcasters .
Bach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ cash flow ” problems , and the committee reportedly has a reserve fund of about $ 1 billion .
But it stages only two events every four years , almost the entire source of its $ 5.7 billion income in a four-year cycle .
It ’ s not like a soccer or baseball league with thousands of matches .
It needs the Summer Olympics .
American broadcaster NBC pays more than $ 1 billion to air each Olympics .
The IOC will push the Olympics to go forward , in whatever form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flame , which arrived from Greece on March 26 ?
A : It was taken off public display earlier this month in Fukushima prefecture , located 250 kilometres ( 150 miles ) northeast of Tokyo .
Muto said after the Olympic torch relay was cancelled that “ the Olympic flame was put under the management of Tokyo 2020 .
Obviously in the future there is a possibility it might be put on display somewhere .
However , for now it is under the management of Tokyo 2020 and I ’ m not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue.
” There are suggestions the IOC is thinking of taking the flame on a world tour , hoping to use it as a public-relations tool and a symbol of the battle against the virus .
However , any tour would be impossible until travel restrictions are lifted .
Taking the flame away from Japan could also upset the hosts .
China took the flame on a world tour in 2008 , which was met with protests over China ’ s human rights policies .
At the time IOC President Jacques Rogge said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
World tours with the flame have not been held since .

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban have settled in as rulers of Afghanistan, two years after they seized power as U.S. and NATO forces with…


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Plan is for Trump to shift focus to prospects for economy

WASHINGTON - After two months of frantic response to the coronavirus , the White House is planning to shift President Donald Trump ’ s public focus to the burgeoning efforts aimed at easing the economic devastation caused by the pandemic .
Days after he publicly mused that scientists should explore the injection of toxic disinfectants as a potential virus cure , Trump has now rejected the utility of his daily task force briefings , where he has time and again clashed with scientific experts .
Trump ’ s aides are aiming to move the president onto more familiar — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking up the economy , in tighter controlled settings .
It ’ s a political imperative as allies have seen an erosion in support for the president .
What had been his greatest asset in the reelection campaign , his ability to blanket news headlines with freewheeling performances , has become a daily liability .
At the same time , new Republican Party polling shows Trump ’ s path to a second term depends on the public ’ s perception of how quickly the economy rebounds from the state-by-state shutdowns meant to slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states have started to ease closure orders , and Trump is expected to begin to highlight his administration ’ s work in helping businesses and employees .
Aides said the president would hold more frequent roundtables with CEOs , business owners and beneficiaries of the trillions of dollars in federal aid already approved by Congress , and begin to outline what he hopes to see in a future recovery package .
Trump last left the White House grounds a month ago , and plans are being drawn up for a limited schedule of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide said .
It would be a symbolic show that the nation is beginning to reopen .
The shift comes in conjunction with what the White House sees as encouraging signs across the country , with the pace of new infections stabilizing and deaths declining .
Still , medical experts warn that the virus will remain until at least a vaccine is developed and that the risk of a severe second wave is high if social distancing is relaxed too quickly or if testing and contact tracing schemes aren ’ t developed before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House is deliberating whether to continue to hold news briefings in a modified form without Trump , potentially at a different location .
Before Trump said in a tweet Saturday that they were “ Not worth the time & effort , ” aides had been eager to use the briefings to highlight positive trends and to overwhelm Americans with statistics .
It was an effort to restore confidence in the response so that the public would be comfortable resuming more normal activities .
“ We know that ’ s important , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus task force co-ordinator , told Fox News Channel ’ s “ Sunday Morning Futures.
” “ We understand those messages of science and policy need to be brought forward to the American people in a nonpolitical way.
” Few Americans regularly look to or trust Trump as a source of information on the pandemic , according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released last week .
On Monday , the White House was expected to release a recap of what the federal government has done so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing , personal protective equipment and ventilators .
Still , governors in both parties say much more is needed , particularly in testing , in the coming months , as they deliberate how and when to reopen their states .
“ I want to get our economy back opened just as soon as we can , but I want to do so in a safe way so we don ’ t have a spike , we don ’ t cause more deaths , or an overloading of our health care system , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” Birx expressed frustration that Trump ’ s injection comments were still in the headlines , illustrating the tensions that have emerged between the president and his medical advisers .
“ As a scientist and a public health official and a researcher , sometimes , I worry that we don ’ t get the information to the American people that they need , when we continue to bring up something that was from Thursday night , ” she said on CNN ’ s “ State of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes it has turned a corner , it is also beginning to assess responsibility for critical missteps .
Two senior administration officials said Trump has begun discussions about replacing Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , who led the coronavirus task force during its initial weeks and has been blamed for a culture of bureaucratic infighting during that period .
Azar has been largely sidelined since Vice-President Mike Pence took charge of the task force in late February .
Trump on Sunday denied that he was going to fire Azar in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an excellent job !
“


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--In New Orleans, friends respond as virus claims a Zulu king

NEW ORLEANS - If he had died in a normal time , Larry Arthur Hammond would have had a funeral befitting a Zulu king , with more than a thousand mourners in the church and marching in second-line parades celebrating a mainstay of New Orleans Mardi Gras royalty .
Instead , only 10 people were allowed into the funeral parlour , his widow grieving from a socially distanced chair while family and friends strained to hear through cellphones on speaker mode .
Hundreds of close-knit members of his century-old parade group and African American fraternity were prevented from honouring one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died of COVID-19 .
It seemed cruel , how this virus that summoned them to mourn was keeping them apart .
The masks his wife and daughter wore to protect each other muffled their weeping .
Nobody could see a smile ; nobody could hug .
“ Only having 10 family members was so hurting to me because we have such a large , loving family , ” said his wife , Lillian Hammond .
But improvisation is integral to the jazz culture of New Orleans , and improvise they did .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trucks passed the Hammond home as the family sat in chairs on their front lawn , still dressed in their funeral attire .
A police escort led the procession .
Honking , waving and calling to his family , drivers and passengers showed their respect and love for the 2007 king of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club , a retired postal worker and Air Force veteran who tutored , mentored and provided Christmas presents through Omega Psi Phi .
“ I was so pleased .
I was amazed .
I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family , but excited for Larry , because their procession , that motorcade was him , ” Lillian Hammond said .
The Zulu club , as with African Americans nationwide , has been particularly hard-hit by this virus , to which humans have no natural immunity .
At least eight of its 800 members have died of COVID-19 , according to its board chairman , City Councilman Jay H. Banks .
African Americans represent more than 56 % of Louisiana ’ s 1,670 coronavirus deaths , the state public health department reported Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 31 .
If not for the pandemic , which delayed his funeral until April 22 , he would have received “ past-king ” honours , with massive second-line tributes organized by the Zulus and his fraternity brothers , marching behind his casket with brass bands playing dirges and then breaking out into Dixieland jazz , celebrating his ascension to heaven .
“ There would have been thousands of people there , I can say that without qualification , ” said Banks , who dressed in crisp white for the procession because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s the funeral of a king , you don ’ t get any higher than that.
” The loneliness of the sparse funeral parlour seemed grievous by comparison .
Lillian Hammond ’ s daughter , wearing a cloth mask and protective blue gloves , embraced her as she wept .
Beside his open casket , an easel bore his portrait , wearing the white suit of Zulu kings .
Another portrait was in the waiting area , with a bottle of hand sanitizer and a sign : “ Please sanitize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I am so happy that Larry ’ s in a better place , ” Lillian Hammond said .
“ I want to say to all of you , we don ’ t know what ’ s going on with this coronavirus but please take it serious .
And make sure that every day that you say something about the Lord and bless your family.
” It was a much warmer setting in their front yard that afternoon , where Lillian , her daughter Nicole and her sister Lori Adams were joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People in cars and trucks rolled slowly by for about 15 minutes , waving , calling out and holding handmade signs and memorabilia .
Hammond said she recognized people from Zulu , the fraternity , the neighbourhood , the school where her husband tutored students for standardized tests , and from outside the New Orleans area .
As the last car drove past , the family applauded .
Barry Hammond said his brother was a giver who saw the value in helping others and bringing people together .
He hopes Americans will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shown that we ’ re all human beings first , undivided by race or politics .
“ We are all in this together .
Corona has proven this , ” he said .
“ My prayer is the virus causes us to reunite as a country.
” Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Gerald Herbert And Janet McConnaughey - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Military chaplains pivot to serve soldiers in virus outbreak

FORT BRAGG , N.C. - Maj. Brian Minietta ’ s eyes are locked down the barrel of a camera lens .
He sways gently back and forth in silence , then his gruff voice belts out , in singsong : “ A little patience ... yeah , yeah !
” He finishes the chorus — it ’ s the 1989 Guns N ’ Roses hit “ Patience.
” And he tells the Green Berets he counsels as an Army chaplain : “ Yeah .
Patience .
That ’ s the word we ’ re going to talk about today.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has served the 3rd Special Forces Group , based at Fort Bragg , North Carolina , though many of the soldiers have spent more time bouncing from deployments to conflict zones in Afghanistan , Iraq and Syria than at home .
As Green Berets — the better-known moniker for the elite soldiers of the Special Forces — these operators specialize in unconventional warfare , foreign internal defence and counterinsurgency .
Now , the coronavirus outbreak has upended the norm on base and beyond .
Some training and deployments continue , but many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are reporting on post , ushered through gates patrolled by military police officers wearing masks .
A chaplain ’ s ministry — no matter the religion — has always been about in-person connections .
How does that continue when the flock is forced apart ?
Minietta and others are figuring it out on the fly , with the help of technology , all while tensions are high for soldiers .
“ Whether that ’ s anxiety , whether that ’ s fear , whether it ’ s the family dynamics that come up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity to support , “ he said .
” This has given us the opportunity to be innovative and creative.
” Minietta ’ s patience-themed video message is the third he ’ s recorded since the pandemic began .
He ’ s also preached about fear and hope in video clips uploaded to his group ’ s Facebook page .
The Green Berets he serves are known as quiet professionals .
They ’ ve done a lot , seen a lot — but they don ’ t talk about it much .
Gaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minietta said .
And while most chaplains don ’ t go through the Special Forces selection process , they train , deploy and are airborne qualified , jumping out of airplanes alongside the operators they serve .
Minietta , after spending years as a missionary and youth pastor , was commissioned in 2007 and has deployed seven times .
When Capt .
Scott Britton , a fellow Fort Bragg chaplain who serves the Green Berets of 3rd Group ’ s 3rd Battalion , joined the Army in 2012 , he felt he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training and building relationships , he now feels connected to his soldiers .
“ This style of ministry allows the shepherd to smell like the sheep , ” Britton , 42 , said .
“ We get to experience a lot of the same things the soldiers do , and I think for a lot of chaplains that ’ s a comfortable place to be.
” This month , Britton preached his Easter sermon alone on his back porch , while 35 soldiers training in the field listened on the phone .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but “ we do find ways.
” Both chaplains say they ’ re used to being out of their comfort zones .
Working with soldiers whose lives are grounded in chaos and loss can be hard .
Since 2002 , the 3rd Special Forces Group has lost 60 Green Berets in action .
Sixteen times , Minietta has knocked on doors alongside casualty assistance officers who are giving families the worst kind of news .
“ Every time I knock on a door , there are an unbelievable amount of nerves , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those door knocks at the end of his video message .
He tells the camera he couldn ’ t have done it without patience — patience to know the worst thing is never the last thing , whether it ’ s death , divorce and or a pandemic .
“ May we remember that Axl Rose ultimately had it right , ” he told his video audience .
“ All we need is a little patience.
” Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Sarah Blake Morgan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Virus spreads fear through Latin America’s unruly prisons

SANTIAGO , Chile - The spreading spectre of the new coronavirus is shaking Latin America ’ s notoriously overcrowded , unruly prisons , threatening to turn them into infernos .
The Puente Alto prison in downtown Santiago , Chile , had the largest of Latin America ’ s largest prison virus outbreaks so far , with more than 300 reported cases .
The prison ’ s 1,100 inmates are terrified .
Social distancing is hard to practice in jail .
“ They are all in contact with each other , ” said prison nurse Ximena Graniffo .
Any efforts at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Salvador over the weekend when authorities crammed prisoners — albeit wearing masks — tightly together in prison yards while searching their cells .
President Nayib Bukele ordered the crackdown after more than 20 people were murdered in the country Friday and intelligence suggested the orders came from imprisoned gang leaders .
Latin America ’ s prisons hold 1.5 million inmates , and the facilities are often quasi-ruled by prisoners themselves because of corruption , intimidation and inadequate guard staffs .
Low budgets also create ideal conditions for the virus to spread : There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cell blocks are crowded .
So far , national officials have reported close to 1,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among inmates and prison staff .
The worst hit has been Peru , with 613 cases and at least 13 deaths , though the extent of testing to determine the full scale of infections differs from country to country .
When the Dominican Republic tested more than 5,500 inmates at the La Victoria prison , which has been producing protective face masks for the public , officials reported at least 239 tested postive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taking place in Puerto Rico , where the Department of Corrections said Friday it will test all the nearly 9,000 inmates being held across the U.S. territory , as well as 6,000 employees , including prison guards .
Fear of the virus itself already has proven deadly .
There have been 23 deaths in prison riots in Colombia since the pandemic started .
More than 1,300 inmates have escaped prisons in Brazil after a temporary release program was cancelled due to the outbreak , and more than 1,000 have been on hunger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region , the demands are the same : protection against contagion .
With most family visits cancelled , inmates feel exposed , vulnerable , alone — and exploited .
Inmates report that prices at informal and formal prison stores have increased during the pandemic , and relatives can no longer bring them food and hygiene items from the outside .
“ Right now , a bag of soap powder costs 29 pesos ( $ 1.20 ) , when before it was 20 ( 80 cents ) ” said a prisoner in Mexico , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 foot ( 4 metres by 4 metres ) cell with a dozen others .
He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was using a banned cellphone .
Human Rights Watch says conditions are even worse in countries like Haiti , Bolivia or Guatemala .
U.N. Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet , the former president of Chile , has called sanitary conditions in the region “ deplorable ” and called for releases of less dangerous inmates .
Countries like Chile and Colombia have already released about 7,500 inmates and Mexico ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to free thousands , though Brazil has not yet acted .
Regional security analyst Lucía Dammert says releasing a few thousand inmates won ’ t significantly reduce the threat of contagion , however , and some urge more sweeping releases .
“ Prisoners have been sentenced to loss of liberty , not to death , and the state has to take measures at its disposal , ” said José Miguel Vivanco , Americas director for Human Rights Watch .
And in many countries , such as Bolivia , most of those behind bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awaiting trial .
In Chile , the head of the prison guard system , Christián Alveal , said the prisoners ’ fears “ are totally reasonable , ” and he said officials are working “ to minimize the worries of the inmates.
“ Some prisons have tried to do that by allowing prisoners more calls to relatives , and Argentina , with 13,000 prisoners , has allowed videocalls .
Buenos Aires has even allowed prisoners to use cellphones , which are normally banned because they are sometimes used in extortion schemes .
Inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s capital , La Paz , have taken their own measures against contagion .
While inmates elsewhere have rioted over bans on family visits , the Bolivian inmates themselves decided on such a ban .
And they turned what are normally punishment cells into 14-day quarantine lockups for newly arrived prisoners .
Ximena Graniffo , the nurse at Puente Alto , seemed resigned to a struggle .
“ You do what you can with what you have , ” she said .

Eva Vergara And Maria Verza - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Congress set to reopen, but new virus aid faces divisions

WASHINGTON - Congress is plunging ahead on a new coronavirus relief package , but deepening partisan divide and uncertainty in the schedule could stall the federal response to the health crisis and deteriorating U.S. economy .
Leaders of both parties announced the House and Senate will return May 4 , despite objections from their ranks .
Senior lawmakers were told in a briefing by the Capitol physician Monday that they may not be able to convene full House sessions , with staffing , for at least a year amid the ongoing crisis .
Negotiations are set to resume Tuesday on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi said Monday it might be time to consider a “ guaranteed income ” as 26 million Americans are suddenly jobless .
She insists the next bill must provide “ heroes ” aid to state and local governments to pay police , fire and other front-line workers .
“ We may have to think in terms of some different ways to put money in people ’ s pockets , ” Pelosi said on MSNBC .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell countered that his priority is to shield health providers and business owners during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest trial lawyer bonanza in history.
” He has suggested changing the laws to let states declare bankruptcy .
“ The American people do not need tangential left-wing daydreams , ” McConnell said .
While the coronavirus pandemic did the unthinkable in Washington , sparking a rare bipartisanship accord between Democrats and Republicans on the biggest rescue package in history — a $ 2 trillion effort last month , followed by $ 500 billion last week — it may not extend to the new effort .
In announcing the Senate ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is essential for doctors , nurses and grocery workers “ to keep carefully manning their own duty stations , then it is essential for Senators to carefully man ours.
” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced on a caucus call with Democrats that the House also would be in session next week .
Questions quickly broke out from lawmakers on the call about the safety of returning to the crowded Capitol complex and reconvening staff amid the pandemic .
While lawmakers say they want to work , many are older and in high-risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care for children and families .
Most have to commute from their home states .
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz , D-Fla. , warned Democratic colleagues it would be dangerous to return , according to a person who wasn ’ t authorized to discuss the private call Monday and who spoke on condition of anonymity .
Another lawmaker asked if they or their staffs would be tested for the virus , the person said .
Answers were uncertain .
Capitol officials have announced few new protocols for social distancing and other public health precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-home orders until mid-May .
The House is weighing options for remote legislating and proxy voting , so lawmakers can keep working while away .
A bipartisan House task force is set to meet Tuesday to consider proposals .
Pelosi signalled on Monday ’ s private call that she is prepared to hold a vote to allow proxy voting when Congress returns next week whether or not the talks produce a bipartisan agreement with Republicans , according to an aide unauthorized to discuss it and granted anonymity .
Lawmakers are particularly eager to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight of coronavirus spending and start preparing the next legislative package .
“ We must move forward , ” wrote members of the New Democrat Coalition , a caucus of House moderates in a letter to party leaders .
In the Senate , McConnell has said his top priority remains confirming President Donald Trump ’ s judicial nominees to the courts .
“ We need to confirm judges , ” McConnell said in a recent radio interview .
His motto , he reminded , is to “ leave no nominee behind.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent us from achieving that goal.
” McConnell ’ s GOP majority in the Senate is divided over the coronavirus response , with many Republican senators frustrated by what they view as big spending , now approaching $ 3 trillion , even as Trump wants more .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is seeking a broad package that could include infrastructure and broadband investment as part of Trump ’ s long-running campaign promises .
For the states , Pelosi has said she wants to see as much allocated as the more than $ 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief .
McConnell has said he ’ s not inclined to funnel federal dollars to the states and said Monday he ’ s focused on “ commonsense ” steps .
As Congress struggles to assert itself from home , Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said there must be public hearings to “ immediately begin vigorous and desperately needed oversight of the Trump administration ’ s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
” On Monday , the administration announced Robert A. Westbrooks as executive director of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee , the new panel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress last month .
Westbrooks , a former inspector general for the federal agency tasked with protecting benefits for workers and retirees , was named to the position by Michael Horowitz , the Justice Department inspector general and the chair of a council of government agency watchdogs .
When Trump signed the bill into law , he noted his objection to the oversight provisions .
Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor and Eric Tucker contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Mexico continues tug of war with firms over virus outbreak

MEXICO CITY - Mexico ’ s government continued its tug of war with businesses on Monday , pledging to reopen factories vital to the U.S. economy while shaming others that refuse to close under lockdown measures decreed to fight the spread of the coronavirus .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador also said he didn ’ t like businessmen going out to seek loans from international lending agencies , further angering the business sector .
Under U.S. pressure , Mexico pledged Friday to reopen automotive plants in a “ gradual and cautious ” process .
On Monday , Labor Secretary Luisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or stopping nonessential parts of their operations .
But Alcalde publicly shamed some textile and footwear firms , as well as a department store chain , for not obeying closure orders for nonessential businesses .
In all , 18 % of firms in Mexico are considered essential and are allowed to stay open .
Alcalde said that of the remaining nonessential firms , 87 % had closed and 13 % had refused to do so .
The U.S. government launched a campaign to get Mexico to reopen plants , suggesting the supply chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be permanently affected if they didn ’ t resume production .
Mexico ’ s border assembly plants are key to the U.S. supply chain , including those of autos and defence contractors , and employees at some of the facilities have staged walkouts and protests because of fears over the coronavirus .
Ellen Lord , U.S. undersecretary of defence for acquisition and sustainment , had voiced similar concerns Monday in Washington .
“ We are seeing impacts on the industrial base by several pockets of closure internationally .
Particularly of note is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of companies that are impacting many of our major primes , ” she said .
López Obrador appeared to oppose a $ 3 billion credit arrangement that a leading business association announced with an investment arm of the Inter-American Development Bank to supply loan-type products for small and medium firms in Mexico hit by the effects of the pandemic .
The austerity-minded López Obrador had vowed not to acquire new debt , and said the loan arrangement would not be backed by public funds or government guarantees .
He said he also didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arranged the deal behind his back .
“ I don ’ t very much like the way they reached an agreement and want to impose their plans on us , ” the president said .
“ What are we ( the government ) ?
Flowerpots , just here for decoration ?
” “ If it doesn ’ t cost the public anything , if it doesn ’ t come from government funds , go ahead , ” he added , reminding Mexicans of the numerous past big-business bailouts that average Mexicans had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader of the Mexican Employers Federation , Gustavo de Hoyos , harshly criticized López Obrador ’ s attitude .
“ He neither helps nor lets others help , ” De Hoyos said of Mexican firms suffering from a drop-off in activity .
“ But he does lie , ” he wrote in his Twitter account , adding the credits “ do not , as he said , involve public funds.
” López Obrador has had a rocky relationship with business groups , which he has frequently accused of corruption and hogging power .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ test positive for coronavirus was identified Monday as federal comptroller Irma Eréndira Sandoval , though her office said she was on “ excellent ” condition with no serious symptoms .
Mexico has over 15,500 confirmed cases and has seen 1,434 deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Barr to prosecutors: Look for unconstitutional virus rules

WASHINGTON - Attorney General William Barr on Monday ordered federal prosecutors across the U.S. to identify coronavirus-related restrictions from state and local governments “ that could be violating the constitutional rights and civil liberties of individual citizens.
” The memo to U.S. attorneys directs the head of the Justice Department ’ s civil rights division and the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan to co-ordinate the department ’ s efforts to monitor state and local policies and take action if needed .
“ If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections , the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court.
” Barr ’ s memo comes about two weeks after the Justice Department filed a statement of interest in a civil case in Mississippi , siding with a Christian church where local officials had tried to stop Holy Week services broadcast to congregants sitting in their cars in the parking lot .
The directive also comes as many stay-at-home orders are set to expire and governors eager to rescue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant to control the spread of the coronavirus , even as new hot spots emerge and experts warn that moving too fast could prove disastrous .
At the same time , protesters have staged demonstrations against stay-at-home orders , and in recent weeks , President Donald Trump has urged supporters to “ liberate ” three states led by Democratic governors .
Trump was asked at Monday ’ s coronavirus briefing about the strategy behind the decision by the Justice Department .
“ Well , you ’ d have to ask Attorney General Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see — like everybody , he wants to see people get back and he wants to see people get back to work , ” Trump said .
“ He doesn ’ t want people to be held up when there ’ s no reason for doing it .
In some cases , perhaps it ’ s too strict .
He wants to make sure people have the rights and they maintain the rights , very importantly.
” The Justice Department argued in the Mississippi filing that officials in Greenville appeared to be targeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only essential service , as designated by the state of Mississippi , that may not operate despite following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state recommendations regarding social distancing .
In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt last week , Barr said the Justice Department could support legal action against states that impose strict measures as the number of coronavirus cases begins to subside .
“ The idea that you have to stay in your house is disturbingly close to house arrest , ” Barr said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t justified .
I ’ m not saying in some places it might still be justified .
But it ’ s very onerous , as is shutting down your livelihood.
” Barr said he believes there is a sufficient basis for social distancing rules that have been put in place , but he has cautioned that there may be concern if the restrictive measures continue too long .
He has said the U.S. must find a way to allow business to adapt and reopen .
“ I think we have to allow people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work and keep their workers and customers safe , ” Barr said in an interview with Fox News earlier this month .
“ I ’ m not suggesting we stop social distancing overnight .
There may come a time where we have to worry less about that.
” For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
The vast majority of people recover .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Trump says virus testing ‘not a problem,’ but doubts persist

WASHINGTON - The White House released new guidelines Monday aimed at answering criticism that America ’ s coronavirus testing has been too slow , and President Donald Trump tried to pivot toward a focus on “ reopening ” the nation .
Still , there were doubts from public health experts that the White House ’ s new testing targets were sufficient .
Monday ’ s developments were meant to fill critical gaps in White House plans to begin easing restrictions , ramping up testing for the virus while shifting the president ’ s focus toward recovery from the economic collapse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unveiled a “ blueprint ” for states to scale up their testing in the coming week — a tacit admission , despite public statements to the contrary , that testing capacity and availability over the past two months have been lacking .
The new testing targets would ensure states had enough COVID-19 tests available to sample at least 2.6 % of their populations each month — a figure already met by a majority of states .
Areas that have been harder hit by the virus would be able to test at double that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House said .
The testing issue has bedeviled the administration for months .
Trump told reporters on March 6 during a visit to the CDC in Atlanta that “ anybody that wants a test can get a test , ” but the reality has proved to be vastly different .
The initial COVID-19 test developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was contaminated , and early kits operated only on platforms able to perform a small number of tests per day .
While the rate of testing increased as tests developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited by shortages of supplies , from nasal swabs to the reagents used to process the samples .
Administration officials maintained Monday that the limiting factor now is actually the availability of samples from people who have been tested — either because guidelines on who could be tested are too stringent or because there are not enough health workers able to take nasal swab samples from them .
The CDC moved to address one of those concerns Monday , expanding the list of people to be prioritized for virus testing to include those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-risk settings like nursing homes .
And Trump met with leaders of businesses including CVS , Walmart and Kroger , who said they were working to expand access to tests across the country .
“ Testing is not going to be a problem at all , ” Trump said later in the Rose Garden .
However , many of the administration ’ s past pledges and goals on testing have not been met .
Jeremy Konyndyk , a disaster preparedness expert who helped lead the Obama administration response to Ebola , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short of what is needed .
Researchers at Harvard have estimated the country needs to be testing a minimum of 500,000 people per day , and possibly many more .
Konyndyk said the aim should be 2 million to 3 million per day .
Trump said the current total , up sharply in recent days , is over 200,000 per day .
Konyndyk said : “ Over the past month , we ’ ve doubled or if you want to be really generous tripled the testing capacity in this country .
We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expand it tenfold.
“ The testing blueprint for states provides details missing from the administration ’ s guidelines for them to return to normal operations , which were released more than a week ago .
It includes a focus on surveillance testing as well as “ rapid response ” programs to isolate those who test positive and identify those with whom they had come in contact .
The administration aims to have the market “ flooded ” with tests for the fall , when COVID-19 is expected to recur alongside the seasonal flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan on a call with governors Monday afternoon , before unveiling them publicly in a Rose Garden press conference .
The White House announcements came as Trump sought to regain his footing after weeks of criticism and detours created in part by his press briefings .
Days after he set off a firestorm by publicly musing that scientists should explore the injection of toxic disinfectants as a potential virus cure , Trump said he found little use for his daily task force briefings , where he has time and again clashed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s aides had been trying to move the president onto more familiar and , they hope , safer , ground : talking up the economy in more tightly controlled settings .
Republican Party polling shows Trump ’ s path to a second term depends on the public ’ s perception of how quickly the economy rebounds from the state-by-state shutdowns meant to slow the spread of the virus .
On Monday , the White House initially announced there would be a Trump briefing , but cancelled it as Trump ’ s greatest asset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dominate headlines with freewheeling performances — was increasingly seen as a liability .
But hours later , Trump it became clear Trump had other ideas .
He held court in the Rose Garden for a bit less than an hour .
Spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said briefings would be held later in the week but “ they might have a new look to them , a new focus to them.
” Trump said he hoped that virus deaths would end up no more than 60,000 to 70,000 , slightly revising upward his public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll neared 56,000 on nearly 1 million cases .
Still , he claimed a victory given dire , tenfold-higher predictions if the U.S. hadn ’ t adopted restrictive social distancing measures .
On his conference call with governors , Trump suggested that many states should consider reopening schools before the end of the academic year , easing the way for parents to go back to work .
“ Some of you might start thinking about school openings because a lot of people are wanting to have the school openings , “ Trump told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an audio recording of the call .
Meanwhile , the CDC was beginning to release more detailed guidelines on reopening schools , restaurants and other establishments .
Draft guidelines sent by the CDC to Washington include a long list of recommendations for organizations as they begin to reopen , such as closing break rooms at offices , spacing desks six feet apart at schools and using disposable plates and menus at restaurants .
The draft guidance was obtained by The Associated Press from a federal official who was not authorized to release it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure orders , and Trump is expected to spend coming days highlighting his administration ’ s efforts to help businesses and employees .
Aides said the president would hold more frequent roundtables with CEOs , business owners and beneficiaries of the trillions of dollars in federal aid already approved by Congress , and begin to outline what he hopes to see in an additional recovery package .
Trump last left the White House complex a month ago , and plans are being drawn up for a limited schedule of travel within the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a symbolic show that the nation is beginning to reopen .
The shift toward the economy comes in conjunction with what the White House sees as encouraging signs across the country , with the pace of new infections stabilizing and deaths declining .
Still , medical experts warn that the virus will continue to haunt the country at least until a vaccine is developed .
And they say the risk of a severe second wave is high if social distancing measures are relaxed too quickly or if testing and contact tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to normal behaviours .
Lemire reported from New York .
Associated Press writers Michelle Smith in Providence , R.I. , Mike Stobbe in New York , Darlene Superville in Washington and Alan Suderman in Richmond , Va. , contributed to this report .

Zeke Miller, Jill Colvin And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--‘Quarantine fatigue’ has more people going outside

For more than a month , governors in a vast majority of states have urged people to stay indoors and away from one another , critical measures needed to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
But as the lockdowns drag on , the weather gets warmer and some states move to reopen , researchers at the University of Maryland have found that more people across the country are going outside , that they are doing so more frequently and that they are travelling longer distances .
The changes in behaviour , tracked using cellphone location data , have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be seen in all but three states .
Starting in mid-March , when most stay-at-home orders were announced , fewer people went out and people also made less frequent trips , according to the research .
For weeks , the numbers held steady .
Then , starting April 14 , the data showed people increasingly going out , a trend that continued through Friday , said Lei Zhang , director of the Maryland Transportation Institute at the University of Maryland , College Park , which is leading the research .
In Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people stayed home on April 24 , the most recent day for which data was available , compared with 29 per cent on April 10 , two weeks earlier .
In Ohio , people took 3.2 trips , on average , on April 24 , up from an average of 2.8 trips two weeks before .
In Louisiana , people travelled an average of 31.1 miles , up from 24.7 .
The research suggests that people are growing increasingly restless , Zhang said .
It also suggests people are increasing the chances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly spread the virus .
“ It just seems that people are getting a little tired collectively of staying at home after we passed that one-month mark , ” he said .
The phenomenon appeared to be on display this past weekend , as throngs of people packed beaches in Southern California on a hot Saturday despite pleas from public officials to consider staying indoors .
In New York on Saturday , warmer , sunnier weather drew crowds to the city ’ s parks .
Zhang said it was theoretically possible that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recommended six feet of distance from others and taking other precautions , such as wearing masks and gloves .
But he cited news reports about people congregating at beaches and in parks as evidence that social distancing was not always happening .
It becomes harder to follow social-distancing guidelines , he said , “ when people go out more and go to more places and stay there longer.
” The findings may be particularly troubling in the United States , the country hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 977,200 , with more than 50,100 deaths .
Experts have cautioned that there will be no imminent return to normalcy and that a return to communal life will most likely come in stages .
Without adherence to social distancing , the virus could surge anew , experts have warned .
A few states have moved in recent days to gradually reopen parts of their economies , but most Americans are still being urged to stay home .
The research also seems to run counter to polls , which suggest that a majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local officials have imposed .
“ I think people feel the obligation to do it even though they are not doing it as much as they are reporting they are , ” Zhang said .
There also appear to be signs of small changes in attitude among some Americans toward social-distancing measures , according to some polls .
According to a Gallup poll conducted the week of April 13 , 62 per cent of adults surveyed said it was very likely that they would stay home for a month if public health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their community .
That number was down from a high of 67 per cent in the week of March 30 .
Similarly , a Gallup poll conducted the week of April 20 found that 59 per cent of respondents said they had practiced social distancing in the previous 24 hours .
That was down from 65 per cent in the week of April 6 .
The Maryland Transportation Institute ’ s research is based on anonymized cellphone location data that is updated daily .
A trip is counted if the end point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person ’ s home and he or she stays there for more than 10 minutes , Zhang said .
That way , the research does not pick up people who are just checking the mail , going for a jog or walking the dog .
Researchers created a measure that they call a “ social-distancing index ” by combining a number of other metrics using the cellphone data : the percentage of people in a state or county who are staying home , the number of trips per person per day , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trips taken beyond county or state borders .
“ Overall , we try to measure the opportunity that people can interact with each other and give more chances for viruses to be passed on from one to another , ” Zhang said .
He said researchers recorded recent increases in the number , frequency or distance of people ’ s trips outside the home in every state except Massachusetts , Rhode Island and Wyoming .
Louisiana , Ohio , Texas and Vermont were among the states where the largest increases were measured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zhang said , suggests that state and local governments need to improve their messaging about their stay-at-home orders .
“ The moment people start seeing the curves flattening , the number of cases start dropping or holding steady , ” he said , “ that gives people a false sense of safety .
”