thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Far-right social media helps stir protests over U.S. quarantines

Small bands of protesters have staged demonstrations over the government-ordered lockdowns in the otherwise empty streets of a number of Democratic-led states , driven by the social media tactics of a coalition of gun rights activists and far-right groups .
Mostly in states with Democratic governors and sometimes encouraged by President Donald Trump , protests have sprung up to demand an end to social-distancing measures that have closed schools and businesses .
Although relatively small , the gatherings strike an unusual picture these days — people gathered in groups together .
Egged on by libertarian activists like those who favour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government involvement in individual activity — as well as the conservative tea party movement and Trump campaign surrogates — people who have lost livelihoods and life savings because of the shutdown are demanding that the restrictions be lifted , even if that means more people are sickened by COVID-19 .
Social media has been the spark , with Facebook pages springing up to amplify the message and making the movement seem like more of a grassroots effort than it may be so far , even as some pages attract tens of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hashtags to broaden the effort .
Whether it grows depends on the public ’ s still-unsettled attitude about the delicate balance government is trying to strike between allowing people to return to work and keeping people healthy .
That will also depend on how Trump handles the movement .
The Dorr brothers , who live in Iowa , Ohio and Minnesota , have been able to amass an audience of about 200,000 Facebook users across all groups , which include “ Minnesotans Against Excessive Quarantine , ” with 22,000 members , and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 70,000 members .
They plan on using the power of Facebook to plan future protests too , including drive-through events in Wisconsin , Ohio and New York .
Facebook has said it will crack down on posts that promote defying government social distancing guidance to protest .
Aaron Dorr , 40 , said he and his brothers wanted to create a platform for conservative activists to raise concerns about the quarantine and contact their elected officials .
“ Members of our gun rights organizations asked us to give them a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do with gun politics , so we kind of did this mostly in reaction to their needs and their requests from us , ” Dorr said in an interview .
“ These things went viral on their own , exploded in growth because people are sick and tired of being stuck home watching their life ’ s work fade before their eyes.
” Those who oppose vaccines and supporters of QAnon , a group that believes a “ deep state ” is trying to undermine Trump and his supporters , have joined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small number of far-right-wing users in Canada and the U.K. , said Cindy Otis , a former Central Intelligence Agency analyst who researchers online misinformation .
These users , some of whom blame the virus on Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates or 5G telecommunications technology , have spread hashtags such as # openupamerica , # openamerica # liberatemichigan and # openpa on Twitter , Facebook and other social media , Otis said .
Trump has joined the cause , tweeting “ Liberate Minnesota !
” as well as Michigan and Virginia , encouraging his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered people to stay and home .
Gun rights groups registered domain names related to the protests , said Brian Krebs , who runs the blog KrebsOnSecurity .
He found scores of web domains with names that contain the word “ reopen ” and allude to the protest movement — such as reopenva.com or reopeningchurch.com — that had been registered in April .
His blog documented the way these websites obscured their ownership but are linked to “ various gun-rights groups , state Republican Party organizations , and conservative think tanks , religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49 , a registered nurse in Maryland , pulled together a Facebook page to bring together workers in businesses and industries that had been impacted by the virus .
What began as a 700-member group , called “ Reopen Maryland , ” quickly turned into 20,000 .
“ Neither side is less important , that ’ s not what we ’ re saying , ” said Harris , explaining that the group isn ’ t affiliated with any political party.. “ We have 24 plus million Americans who have been forced out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and by no fault of their own are forced to stay home .
That ’ s a human toll as well.
” Tom Zawistowski , an Ohio tea party activist who has been complaining about the state ’ s restrictions long before the protests started , said Melissa Ackison , a Republican candidate for the Ohio Senate , played a leadership role but that groups interested in issues such as gun rights , opposing vaccines , abortion , in addition to “ Truckers for Trump , ” are largely organizing their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tea party was mostly older Republicans who understood the economic issues .
That was what drove it .
Obamacare was our rocket fuel , ” he said .
“ This is different .
This has got a way broader base.
” Ackison , 41 , said she thinks only people with compromised immune systems need to be protected from the virus .
People with low immunity are especially at risk as are the elderly and people with underlying health conditions , but young and otherwise healthy people have also died of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about sending a loud , strong message that crushing an entire country ’ s economic standing is not the wisest thing to do , ” she said .
In Colorado , the state ’ s Libertarian Party took the lead in organizing “ Reopen Colorado ” protests .
Two days before the event , Victoria Reynolds , one of the organizers , said she was contacted by Republican organizers and precinct leaders from around the state , as well as independent groups , looking to participate .
Reynolds agreed , but asked them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests in fear of alienating participants .
While Gov .
Jared Polis had good intentions when he closed down businesses , Reynolds said , “ I don ’ t think that he envisioned the economic catastrophe that it would cause.
” “ It ’ s not his job to allow or not allow businesses to reopen , ” she said .
In Michigan , an April 15 event called “ Operations Gridlock ” — to protest Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s extended stay-at-home order , was organized by the Michigan Conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s campaign .
Whitmer is a possible running mate for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Its chief organizer , Meshawn Maddock , is an advisory board member of Women for Trump .
The event was also promoted by the Michigan Freedom Fund , a conservative group whose chairman Greg McNeilly has been an adviser to the Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos ’ family .
Tony Daunt , executive director of the Michigan Freedom Fund , said the organization did buy a Facebook ad for about $ 250 to support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in organizing it .
Daunt acknowledged that the Michigan protest drew some far-right elements and expressed frustration with the groups waving Confederate flags and displaying guns , saying that it paints a false picture of the people who were mostly there to push Whitmer to allow more businesses to reopen .
“ Any group that we can get back to work safely will help get the economy back on track , get them off unemployment and frees up resources for those who need them , ” Daunt said .

Alyza Sebenius - Bloomberg News,Misyrlena Egkolfopoulou


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Trump tells Chevron to “wind down” oil fields in Venezuela

CARACAS , Venezuela - The Trump administration on Tuesday ordered Chevron Corp. to “ wind down ” operations in Venezuela by Dec. 1 , barring the California-based oil giant with a century-long run in the South American nation in the meantime from drilling or exporting , as the U.S. increases pressure on President Nicolás Maduro to give up power .
Chevron is the last major U.S. oil company to do business in crisis-wracked Venezuela , investing in oil fields and machinery with an estimated value of $ 2.6 billion , which analysts say Maduro ’ s government will likely take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a series of steps the White House has taken against Maduro , quickening the pace of its push to end his presidency and more than 20 years of socialist rule that critics blame for leading the once rich oil-producing nation to economic and political ruin .
Venezuela sits atop the world ’ s largest oil reserves , yet its political upheaval and economic crunch have led 4.5 million people in recent years to flee their native country , where many lack basic services like running water , electricity , gasoline and functioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial and economic sanctions on Maduro and his allies , the Trump administration has waged a campaign of maximum pressure in recent weeks .
U.S. federal prosecutors have indicted Maduro as a narcotrafficker , putting a $ 15 million bounty on his head , while sending warships and planes to intercept illegal drug shipments crossing the Caribbean bound for the United States .
U.S. officials also unveiled plans for a transitional government to hold a presidential election years before Maduro ’ s current term ends .
Maduro has rejected the demands of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he resign , saying Washington is conspiring against Venezuela ’ s socialist revolution so it can steal its oil .
This comes at a tumultuous time for oil producing nations with global energy prices driven down in part due to a glut of oil in storage worldwide as drivers stay home under coronavirus quarantines rather than gas up their cars or board planes .
Chevron ’ s net daily production in 2019 averaged 35,300 barrels of crude oil , equal to roughly 6 % of Venezuela ’ s total production .
Recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tumult in the global oil market .
The United States and nearly 60 nations support Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó ’ s claim to be the country ’ s legitimate president , calling Maduro ’ s 2018 election a sham because leading opposition candidates were banned .
Shortly after Guaido declared his plans to oust Maduro in early January 2019 , the White House hit Venezuela ’ s state-run oil company PDVSA with sanctions , aimed at cutting the socialist government off from hard cash it earned from oil production .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operates joint ventures with PDVSA , to continue working in Venezuela .
U.S. Treasury Department officials had to renew Chevron ’ s license to operate in Venezuela every few months .
Now , Chevron is allowed to maintain its presence at their facilities until Dec. 1 and perform essential maintenance .
Energy companies Halliburton , Schlumberger , Baker Hughes and Weatherford International also have to cease their work in Venezuela under the action affecting Chevron , Treasury officials said .
Chevron ’ s legacy in Venezuela dates back to the oilfield discoveries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chevron runs two major investments .
It ’ s the last U.S. oil company standing in Venezuela after ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips left years ago rather than accept the terms set by Venezuela ’ s socialist government to operate as minority partners in joint ventures with PDVSA .
Russ Dallen , head of the Miami-based investment firm Caracas Capital Markets , expects the Venezuelan government to take over Chevron ’ s operations itself and predicts Maduro ’ s administration will eventually run them into the ground .
That is what happened to a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the socialist government ’ s hands when they decided to leave or were expropriated , he said .
“ It may take years of decay for the government to destroy the Tiffany diamond that Chevron has built there , ” Dallen said .
“ I have no doubt they ’ ll be able to destroy it .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-04-21--7-year-old finds gun and kills little sister; mom arrested

WESTMINSTER , Colo. - A 7-year-old boy accidentally shot his younger sister to death on Tuesday after finding an unsecured @ @ @ @ @ suburban Denver .
Their mother has been arrested .
Police in the city of Westminster @ @ @ @ @ with his 3-year-old sister when he found the loaded gun .
Their 24-year-old mother , @ @ @ @ @ home and was arrested on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death — criminal negligence @ @ @ @ @ jail .
It ’ s not yet clear if she has an attorney who can @ @ @ @ @ The boy and another of his younger siblings are in the temporary care of child @ @ @ @ @ information was released .
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thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Navy ship sent to NYC for outbreak no longer needed: Cuomo

NEW YORK - A Navy hospital ship deployed to New York City to help fight the coronavirus outbreak is no longer needed , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday , expressing confidence that stresses on the hospital system are easing .
Cuomo said after meeting with President Donald Trump that the USNS Comfort was helpful , but could now be sent elsewhere after being docked for weeks off of Manhattan .
At an evening press conference , Cuomo said having the ship had been worthwhile , even as the need for it didn ’ t reach the levels that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only brought comfort but also saved lives , ” Cuomo said .
Trump said at his Tuesday briefing that he asked Cuomo if “ we could bring the Comfort back to its base in Virginia so that we could have it in other locations.
” Trump said they would bring the ship back soon .
The Navy ship arrived March 30 as state and city officials scrambled to add hospital beds to prepare for a potentially catastrophic surge in COVID-19 cases .
But hospitalization levels appeared to have peaked recently amid strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have slowly dropped to about 16,000 , more than 2,000 below a week ago .
The Comfort has treated 179 patients , with 56 on board Tuesday .
Earlier in the day , Cuomo said hospitals in parts of upstate New York will be able to conduct outpatient elective surgeries again and he pledged to consider regional differences when re-opening the state ’ s outbreak-stalled economy .
Hospitals in selected counties can resume elective outpatient treatments April 28 if a capacity benchmark is met and there have been fewer than 10 new COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 days .
“ We ’ re going to allow it in those hospitals and counties in the state that do not have a COVID issue or we wouldn ’ t need their beds in case of a surge , ” Cuomo said at a briefing in Buffalo .
The hospital restrictions will remain in effect in hard-hit New York City , Long Island and suburban Westchester and Rockland counties , as well as in 10 upstate counties .
Buffalo and Albany are in counties where the restrictions remain .
In contrast to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving rural areas of the state have furloughed staff recently as revenue from elective procedures dried up .
In Buffalo , Catholic Health is losing about $ 30 million a month in revenue since drastically reducing elective procedures at its five western New York hospitals , President and Chief Executive Mark Sullivan said .
“ It ’ s a huge burden on the health system but we can ’ t turn away from public safety and making sure that the plan going forward is appropriate , ” Sullivan said by phone .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mount St. Mary ’ s Hospital in Niagara County , is outside an exclusion zone .
Leslie Paul Luke , president and CEO of Syracuse-based St. Joseph ’ s Health , said he was confident they can safely resume orthopedic , bariatric , vascular and other procedures .
As he plans for a wider economic re-opening , Cuomo said it was important to note that the outbreak hit regions of the state at different times and at different rates .
Rural stretches of northern New York are facing “ a totally different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City .
“ We operate as one state , but we also have to understand variations and you do want to get this economy opened as soon as possible , ” he said .
“ And if the situation is radically different in one part of state than another part of the state , then take that into consideration.
” Other coronavirus developments in New York : New York state hit a milestone with more than 250,000 people testing positive for COVID-19 — a figure that likely undercounts infected residents by a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a worldwide hotspot , were advised to seek testing only if they were ill enough to possibly require hospitalization .
The state recorded 481 deaths Monday for a total of 14,828 .
It was the second straight day with under 500 fatalities .
New York City is planning to stockpile medical equipment and supplies to meet its own needs in any potential future coronavirus surge , rather than looking to federal authorities or global markets , Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday .
He said the new “ strategic reserve ” would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gowns and test kits , and the initiative also includes developing local suppliers who could quickly make more if needed .
In one example , the city is spending $ 10 million to buy 3,000 “ bridge ” ventilators -- suitable for patients who don ’ t have the severest respiratory symptoms -- from Queens-based Boyce Technologies Inc .
It has started making the devices only in recent weeks .
“ We have learned the hard way that we can not depend on the federal government in the future , ” nor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democrat , said at a news briefing .
“ We New Yorkers will take care of ourselves.
” New York City will honour the health care workers and first responders battling the COVID-19 pandemic with a ticker tape parade — once it ’ s safe to hold large gatherings again , de Blasio said .
The tradition of honouring heads of state , sports champions and others with parades along Broadway ’ s “ Canyon of Heroes ” in lower Manhattan dates from 1886 .
The most recent parade was held last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s soccer team .
“ We will honour those who saved us , ” de Blasio said .
“ We will take the time as only New York City can to throw the biggest , best parade to honour these heroes.
” De Blasio said Tuesday that if governors of states such as Georgia start to ease coronavirus restrictions , they had better have the facts on their side or they could enable a resurgence of the virus beyond their states ’ borders .
“ If some of these reopenings are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to affect all of us , ” de Blasio said on CNN ’ s “ New Day.
” He said that if any state or city “ jumps the gun ” on reopening businesses “ that could lead to the disease reasserting in a lot of other places.
” Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp said he would allow some businesses including gyms , hair salons and bowling alleys to reopen later this week .
Cuomo said he had a “ functional and effective ” Oval Office meeting on Tuesday with President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more federal help as states try to increase testing for the coronavirus .
Cuomo said he told Trump that a rapid increase in testing was a crucial “ benchmark ” that his state and others need before they can safely reopen the economy and help communities return to a semblance of normalcy .
Villeneuve and Hill reported from Albany , N.Y. Karen Matthews contributed from New York .
Carolyn Thompson contributed from Buffalo , N.Y .

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


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Trump says he’ll help New York’s Cuomo boost virus testing

WASHINGTON - Setting aside their differences for at least an afternoon , President Donald Trump and New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo agreed in an Oval Office meeting Tuesday to work to double coronavirus testing in the hard-hit state over the next few weeks .
“ We will work together to help them secure additional tests , ” Trump said .
“ And we hope that this model will work with the other states as well.
” Flicking at the hot-and-cold relationship between the two politicians , Cuomo said of their meeting : “ It ends the whole back-and-forth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart way.
” The meeting marked a sharp shift in rhetoric from just days earlier , when Trump had called on Cuomo to work harder to secure testing material for his state and the Democratic governor had pushed back that the president should turn off his television and get back to work .
Cuomo , who described the meeting as “ effective and functional , ” said he told Trump a rapid increase in testing was a crucial “ benchmark ” that his state and others need before they can safely reopen their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ semblance of normalcy .
Trump and Cuomo have parried through the media throughout the pandemic , a routine that has included insults , sharply contrasting views on the role of the federal government and some moments of mutual admiration .
The meeting Tuesday was their first face-to-face interaction since the global crisis began .
New York , with more than 14,000 deaths , has been the hardest-hit state in the country .
Before their meeting , Cuomo told reporters that Trump was right in saying that “ states should take the lead ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government needs to manage the flow of supplies from abroad while governors are “ trying to put together their testing protocol in their state.
” “ I think in many ways we ’ re talking past each other , ” Cuomo said .
Despite well-documented shortages of testing supplies , Trump and White House aides have insisted that states have enough test capacity to move ahead with the first phase of efforts to reopen their economies .
For all the past drama , though , Trump said Tuesday that New York officials had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added that he and Cuomo agreed that the 1,000-bed U.S. naval hospital ship that had been dispatched to alleviate stress on the city ’ s hospitals was no longer needed in New York .
“ We have a very good understanding , ” Trump said .
“ The president is communicative of his feelings , and I ’ m communicative of what I think , ” Cuomo told MSNBC shortly after his meeting with Trump .
“ But , look , I think for the president and for myself , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone else .
I mean , who cares , right , what I feel , what he feels .
We have a tremendous job we have to get done .
” Through daily briefings and scores of media appearances , Cuomo has in many ways emerged as the Democratic face of the response to the pandemic .
With the party ’ s likely presidential nominee , Joe Biden , largely sidelined at his Delaware home , Cuomo has become one of several governors thrust into the spotlight as the pandemic has forced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducts briefings from New York , he has vacillated between being Trump ’ s foil and his unlikely ally .
The two Queens natives — they grew up just a few neighbourhoods apart — have traded barbs on Twitter but have also consulted in late-night phone calls .
Asked if he ’ s had to walk a “ fine line ” in dealing with the president , Cuomo said : “ Life is a fine line.
” “ He has no problem telling me when he disagrees , ” Cuomo told reporters Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he tells me when he agrees .
I have no problem telling him when I disagree and when I agree.
” Cuomo , according to aides , has deliberately used both the carrot and the stick in dealing with a president who is extremely sensitive about his media image and how governors respond to him .
At times , he has made a point of thanking Trump — resulting in video clips that the president has eagerly showed off in the White House briefing room in recent days .
But at other moments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lace into the president , including during a recent monologue in which he urged Trump to stop watching television and to “ get back to work ” safeguarding American lives during the pandemic .
Trump often catches at least some of Cuomo ’ s daily briefings and has expressed annoyance to aides at the positive press that the governor has received , according to advisers .
He has reveled in the bits of praise he has received from Cuomo — and other Democratic governors .
Cuomo and other governors are also pushing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government for states to offset revenue shortfalls resulting from the outbreak .
The Senate on Tuesday approved a nearly $ 500 billion coronavirus aid package for small businesses , including additional help for hospitals and virus testing .
Cuomo said that he was disappointed it didn ’ t include direct aid for states but that Trump seemed “ very open and understanding ” on the need to include more aid for states in the next round of assistance .
Lemire reported from New York and Villeneuve from Albany .
Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this article .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Jonathan Lemire, Marina Villeneuve And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Georgia businesses hesitant to embrace Kemp’s call to reopen

ATLANTA - Gov .
Brian Kemp ’ s call to reopen shuttered businesses in Georgia left many business owners wary and confused Tuesday as they considered how to protect themselves and their customers in a state where coronavirus deaths exceed 800 and confirmed infections have surpassed 20,000 .
Kemp ’ s plan to kick-start the economy is one of the most aggressive announced since President Donald Trump laid out benchmarks for states to start lifting restrictions .
But Georgia ’ s testing system has lagged behind much of the nation and public health experts warned that moving too quickly could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s concerning .
I ’ m certainly not going to go the gym or get a haircut , ” said Dr. Carlos del Rio , an infectious disease expert at Emory University in Atlanta .
“ I ’ ll let people make their own decisions.
” Kemp ’ s order lets gyms , hair and nail salons , bowling alleys and tattoo parlours open with restrictions Friday .
Restaurants can resume dine-in service Monday , though bars and nightclubs must remain closed .
“ The private sector is going to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s safe to come back into these businesses , ” Kemp said Monday .
During a White House briefing Tuesday evening , Trump called Kemp a “ very capable man ” who “ knows what he ’ s doing.
” Trump said he was planning to talk to Kemp soon , but he didn ’ t give more details .
Georgia has processed more than 900,000 new unemployment claims in the last month .
But many business owners aren ’ t convinced it ’ s time to end the lockdown .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to venture out yet , ” said Kristin Allin , who , along with her husband , owns Bread & Butterfly restaurant in Atlanta .
She said her restaurant will remain closed for now , possibly for another month or more .
In Savannah , Mark Lebos closed his gym March 11 .
He reached out to clients Tuesday to tell them his business , Strong Gym , won ’ t be reopening yet .
Lebos said reopening would be professional negligence .
“ We are not going to be a vector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Ronique Holloway plans to wait until May 1 to reopen her Atlanta-area hair salon , where she ’ s the only stylist .
She worries that ’ s still too soon , but said she doesn ’ t have a choice because she needs money to support her daughter .
“ You ’ re staring at somebody right in their face when you shampoo it .
Heaven forbid if you talk , ” said Holloway , 48 , who plans to wear a mask and gloves .
In rural Terrell County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s time to reopen businesses even though his age makes him vulnerable to serious illness .
“ Do you want to continue being shut down with a destroyed economy forever ?
” said Gould , a retired engineer .
“ Sooner or later , you ’ ve got to suck it up and say , ‘ We ’ re going to reopen and if we have some casualties , we do.
’ ” Kemp was one of the last governors on the East Coast to announce a statewide stay-at-home order April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overruled local officials and allowed beaches , lakes and state parks to remain open — a decision he has characterized as a success , saying there have been few problems .
When salons and cafes reopen in the coming days , Kemp says they must enforce social distancing rules , provide workers with protective gear when available and screen employees exhibiting potential symptoms .
But experts say widespread testing and the ability to trace people exposed to infected patients are critical to resuming business without causing a new wave of sickness .
Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t there yet , said Dr. Harry J. Heiman , an associate professor of public health at Georgia State University in Atlanta .
He said Kemp ’ s decision to reopen businesses without sufficient testing or contact tracing is “ premature and it ’ s irresponsible.
“ Georgia had administered more than 88,000 tests as of Tuesday , but its per-capita testing rate is in the bottom 10 of states .
“ In most states , we ’ re still only testing the sickest of the sick , ” said Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
“ And we ’ re missing those people who are mildly affected who are going to be the ones out and about spreading their illness.
” Kemp acknowledged Georgia ’ s testing has lagged and announced initiatives to produce more swabs and employ an app to let clinicians remotely screen people .
Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey said the state is working to expand its ability to trace the contacts of infected people .
Ian Jones , who owns four restaurants in the Atlanta area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force people to reopen prematurely because lenders and landlords might stop being forgiving .
“ It just seems like it ’ s too early , ” Jones said .
Kemp ’ s reopening plan leaves local officials powerless to take a slower course .
Kemp said that ’ s to prevent a “ hodgepodge ” of local plans .
Still , on Tuesday , Macon-Bibb County commissioners passed a resolution urging Kemp to reexamine the situation .
In mostly rural southwest Georgia , where infections have spread especially fast , Albany Mayor Bo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last weekend for COVID-19 victims .
On Tuesday , his city and surrounding Dougherty County surpassed 100 total coronavirus deaths — the most of any Georgia county .
“ I pray that the number of Georgians who are infected and die will not increase significantly in the coming weeks as a result of the lifting of these restrictions , ” Dorough said .
Nearby , in the small city of Dawson , clothing store owner Dost Mohammad said several of his regular customers died from COVID-19 .
Keeping his doors shut could quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , but he ’ s not willing to risk reopening .
Without a vaccine or a cure , the only medicine is to stay away from each other , he said .
“ I would rather survive , I want to stay above the ground , ” Mohammad said .
“ Our priority should be the protection of our people.
” Associated Press Writers Russ Bynum in Savannah , Georgia ; Ben Nadler and Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta ; Claire Galofaro in Dawson , Georgia ; and Kevin Freking in Washington contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Kate Brumback And Jeff Amy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--N. Carolina ballot probe defendant now faces federal charges

RALEIGH , N.C. - The political operative already accused in state court of absentee ballot fraud during a 2018 North Carolina congressional election now faces federal charges of fraudulently receiving Social Security benefits while getting paid for political work , prosecutors said Tuesday .
Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr. , 64 , of Bladen County , was indicted April 7 by a federal grand jury on four counts and faces a first court appearance on May 11 in Wilmington , according to court documents .
The indictment , unsealed this week , accuses Dowless of concealing from the Social Security Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work performed for at least two candidates during the 2018 election .
This alleged deception resulted in Dowless receiving more than $ 14,000 in disability and supplemental benefits above what he was actually entitled , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Raleigh announced .
Dowless was approved to receive supplemental benefits based on a disabling condition in 2013 , the indictment said .
Dowless has been at the centre of a state elections and criminal investigation probe into illegal ballot “ harvesting “ in the 9th Congressional District campaign .
Dowless and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
The 2018 congressional election was ultimately rerun last September .
The federal indictment doesn ’ t name the two candidates whom Dowless worked with during the 2018 midterms .
Evidence presented to state officials showed he worked for Republican candidate Mark Harris .
Witnesses told state officials that Dowless gathered hundreds of absentee ballots from Bladen County voters with the help of his assistants .
Dowless ’ workers testified that they were directed to collect blank or incomplete ballots , forge signatures on them and even fill in votes for local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most votes in the November 2018 race , but the State Board of Elections ordered a new election .
Harris didn ’ t run in the subsequent race , which was won by his successor as the GOP nominee , Dan Bishop .
Cynthia Singletary , a lawyer who has represented Dowless in the state criminal matters , didn ’ t immediately respond on Tuesday to a phone message or email seeking comment .
The state case against Dowless , who also faces felony counts of illegally collecting ballots during the 2018 primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been scheduled to go to state court this month , Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said in a phone interview .
But COVID-19 directives led to court delays throughout the state .
Freeman said the case is now expected to return to court in June or July , and any trial held wouldn ’ t likely begin until October or January .
The federal indictment accuses Dowless of two counts of Social Security fraud and one count each of making false statements and theft of government property .
The theft count is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison and a $ 250,000 fine .
The other three each come with maximum penalties of five years in prison and $ 250,000 fines , U.S. Attorney Bobby Higdon ’ s office said in a release .

Gary D. Robertson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Missouri lawsuit alleges China caused coronavirus pandemic

COLUMBIA , Mo .
- The state of Missouri filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Chinese government over the coronavirus , alleging that nation ’ s officials are to blame for the global pandemic .
The lawsuit , filed in federal court by the state ’ s top lawyer , alleges Chinese officials are “ responsible for the enormous death , suffering , and economic losses they inflicted on the world , including Missourians.
” Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt in a written statement said the Chinese government lied about the dangers of the virus and didn ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Chinese government lied to the world about the danger and contagious nature of COVID-19 , silenced whistleblowers , and did little to stop the spread of the disease , ” he said .
“ They must be held accountable for their actions.
” It ’ s unclear whether the lawsuit will have much , if any , impact .
U.S. law generally prohibits lawsuits against other countries with few exceptions , said Chimène Keitner , an international law professor at University of California , Hastings College of the Law .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just not possible , ” said Keitner , who recently wrote a blog titled “ Don ’ t Bother Suing China for Coronavirus.
” Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Lauren Gepford called the lawsuit a “ stunt ” by a Republican attorney general who is up for re-election this year .
The number of Missouri deaths statewide rose by 16 Tuesday to 215 , according to Johns Hopkins University ’ s Center for Systems Science and Engineering .
The number of cases rose by 156 to 5,963 .
For most people , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

Summer Ballentine - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Florida tourism industry plans to ease into reopening

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - Florida ’ s tourism and hospitality industry should reopen from the coronavirus pandemic slowly , focusing first on getting residents to take in-state vacations before branching out to domestic and international travellers , a business subcommittee charged with making recommendations was told Tuesday .
Florida ’ s No .
1 industry has crashed since mid-March when the state ’ s theme parks and other attractions began closing , with hotels seeing a drop in revenue of $ 1.6 billion over the last six weeks compared to last year , said Dana Young , head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourism bureau .
Domestic air travel to the state is down 65 % and international air travel is down 80 % compared to last year , she said on the committee ’ s conference call .
She and others said bringing those numbers back will require showing people it is safe to travel and visit restaurants and other crowded facilities by adopting practices aimed at preventing the virus ’ s spread , including stringent cleaning and employee safeguards .
She said those steps must be done methodically and only when medical professionals say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida eased into the stay-at-home order and now our job is to look at how to appropriately ease out , ” she said .
She said her organization ’ s first advertising campaign would be aimed at Florida residents , exhorting them to visit the state ’ s attractions when they begin venturing back into the world .
“ Our marketing will aim to invoke a sense of Florida pride , ” she said .
The subcommittee is reporting to an executive committee composed of some of the state ’ s most powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ron DeSantis appointed Monday .
He asked it to prepare recommendations by Friday for reopening the state .
The executive committee is meeting daily by phone .
DeSantis told the hospitality subcommittee that while their businesses might be deemed non-essential and were closed or heavily restricted , they are essential to the state ’ s long-term economic health and they must be reopened as soon as possible .
He said if supermarkets can operate with restrictions , so could other indoor businesses that attract crowds .
“ If people can fight over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think there is a way you can run a restaurant safely , ” the Republican governor said .
Restaurant executives told the group that fully reopening won ’ t be simply unlocking doors and turning on lights .
Florida restaurants have been restricted to takeout and delivery service for about a month and their staffs and supplies are depleted .
Tim Petrillo , CEO of The Restaurant People , which operates 70 eateries under various names , told the group suppliers will struggle to meet demand as reopening restaurants place large orders simultaneously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be difficult — his company has laid off 95 % of its workers and many have moved away .
There will be dining room issues .
Will restaurants be limited to 50 % capacity , must they keep diners apart and will there be different rules for outdoor seating ?
Will masks and gloves for servers and disposable menus be required and how will such rules be enforced ?
It must be uniform statewide , Petrillo said .
“ The clearer direction we can give to all establishments will be better for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have some people not doing enough and other people going overboard , ” he said .
Jose Cil , CEO of Restaurant Brands International , which owns Burger King , Popeyes and Tim Hortons , told the group his in-restaurant employees are individually screened daily , answering health questions and their temperatures taken .
Managers must keep a log .
He said the company is now granting 14 days paid leave to hourly employees exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms , “ given the importance of folks taking this seriously and not scrambling to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Low-rung fast-food workers typically don ’ t get paid sick days .
Hotel and resort executives told the group they need to assure the public that returning to their tight , highly trafficked facilities is safe and that plans for phasing back in outdoor activities like tennis and golf differ from indoor pursuits like massages .
Philip Goldfarb , who runs Miami Beach ’ s Fontainebleau Resort and other properties , said his rooms are being sprayed with hospital-grade disinfectant between guests and other commitments are being made to make sure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We want to illustrate to our customers and our employees that we are taking this very serious , ” he said .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Trump defends decision to furlough Mar-a-Lago employees

PALM BEACH , Fla. - President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his company ’ s decision to furlough hundreds of employees because of the coronavirus pandemic , after his private Mar-a-Lago club in Florida revealed this week it is temporarily laying off 153 workers .
Speaking at the White House , Trump said , “ You can ’ t have many hundreds of employees standing around doing nothing , “ noting that local social distancing prohibitions have closed clubs , hotels and even golf courses .
” There ’ s no customer .
You ’ re not allowed to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only Trump resort in Florida to furlough workers .
The Trump National Doral Miami resort where the president initially wanted to host this year ’ s Group of Seven summit has temporarily laid off 560 workers .
The federal government ’ s economic relief bill specifically bars Trump ’ s businesses , as well as those with ties to other top government officials and members of Congress and their immediate families , from receiving emergency loans and other benefits meant to help businesses retain workers during the virus crisis .
The club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Janine Gill , wrote in a letter to state and local officials that Mar-a-Lago began halting business last month as a result of mandated closures issued in Palm Beach County in response to the virus ’ s spread in South Florida .
The furloughs are temporary but the club doesn ’ t know when it will resume regular operations , Gill said .
None of the workers are unionized .
The furloughed workers at Mar-a-Lago include bartenders , cooks , dishwashers , drivers , attendants , housekeepers , servers and valet attendants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Washington , and the president often spends his time there mixing work , business and pleasure in the company of dues-paying members .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Virus cluster at LA shelter as governor calls for more tests

LOS ANGELES - A cluster of coronavirus cases at a second California homeless shelter has infected at least 43 people , health officials said Tuesday , and Gov .
Gavin Newsom acknowledged the state ’ s testing of homeless people has been inadequate and promised more .
The cases at Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles were identified after 200 tests were administered , LA County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said .
Only 16 of those who tested positive showed symptoms and results of 30 tests are pending , she said .
Union Rescue Mission is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skid Row section where for many decades a large segment of the city ’ s homeless population has lived .
The mission reported its first positive case on March 28 and after the outbreak was confirmed this week everyone was quarantined on-site and no new homeless residents were allowed to check in .
Ferrer said county officials hoped to increase testing over the next week at shelters and other institutional settings like nursing homes .
“ It just makes sense now that we ’ re able to do more testing both of symptomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high risk and live in these congregate living situations , “ she said during the daily county briefing .
California has an estimated 150,000 homeless people , the most in the nation .
In the early days of the virus outbreak , Newsom identified the homeless as one of the most vulnerable populations and started Project Roomkey to find and lease 15,000 hotel rooms to get people off the streets .
The program is ramping up now and among those in rooms are 184 people who were moved out of Union Rescue Mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very limited .
What ’ s believed to be the first widespread testing at a California shelter occurred earlier this month at Multi-Service Center South , San Francisco ’ s largest facility .
So far 96 homeless people and 10 staff at Multi-Service Center South were confirmed infected .
Most were asymptomatic .
Dr. Grant Colfax , San Francisco ’ s public health department director , said the city doesn ’ t have enough testing swabs to randomly test everyone at shelters or in crowded single-room occupancy hotels .
“ Yes , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ More tests will be made available.
” Newsom said the state has signed a contract to expand tests in rural areas that would give priority to vulnerable populations like those in homeless shelters and nursing homes .
The coronavirus is spread by coughs and sneezes and the homeless are seen as especially vulnerable because they often live close together in unsanitary conditions .
For most people , it causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with existing health problems , it can cause more severe life-threatening illness , including pneumonia , and death .
Los Angeles on Monday began sending medical teams to the streets to provide homeless people with health screenings and fast-result tests for the virus .
More than 150 tests were administered in a new pop-up clinic on Skid Row that ’ s staffed by the Los Angeles Fire Department .
Those who are infected will be offered transportation to makeshift shelters or hotels where they can be treated while staying isolated .
Advocates for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco ’ s mayor to place every homeless person into hotel rooms and to test widely in areas susceptible to outbreaks .
The Tenderloin neighbourhood holds many single-room occupancy hotels , as well as homeless who sleep in tents or in the open , on cardboard .
In the meantime , places that help the homeless have had to adapt .
St. Anthony ’ s , for example , installed a conveyer belt to dispense to-go meals to clients and also set up a pop-up tent for people who need information .
Calder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco ’ s St. Anthony Foundation , said broad testing would give people in the Tenderloin a better sense of the gravity of the pandemic and show them that City Hall caress about their health too .
“ People feel abandoned , unheard , and rejected .
This can spread misinformation in communities where sheltering in place is not an option , ” he said .
Associated Press writers John Antczak in Los Angeles , Janie Har in San Francisco and Adam Beam in Sacramento contributed to this report .

Christopher Weber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Dog found 4 months after being stolen from San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO - Four months after a distraught San Francisco woman hired a plane to fly a search banner for her stolen dog , the blue-eyed mini Australian shepherd has been found and the two were reunited Tuesday .
Emilie Talermo , 31 , said she received a call Monday from an animal shelter in Palmdale , which is about 370 miles ( 600 kilometres ) away in Southern California , telling her someone had just dropped off a dog with a microchip connected to her phone number .
To be sure it was her 6-year-old dog , Jackson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photos .
“ As soon as I saw them , I burst into tears .
It was him !
” Talermo said .
Talermo launched a search on Dec. 14 , when the dog with white , black , and gray fur and bright blue eyes was stolen from outside a grocery store in San Francisco ’ s Bernal Heights neighbourhood .
She set up a website , www.bringjacksonhome.com , where she offered a $ 7,000 reward , “ no questions asked , ” and even opened an account for the sweet-faced dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane to fly a banner with the search website over San Francisco and Oakland .
Friends and strangers helped by sharing on social media her pleas to find her dog , distributing thousands of flyers with the dog ’ s photo and sending emails to veterinarians across the country asking them to be in the lookout .
On Monday , friends in Santa Monica drove to Palmdale to pick up Jackson .
Talermo was unable to drive herself to Southern California , but the San Francisco Police Department detective assigned to her case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring Jackson back home .
The officer arrived in San Francisco with Jackson early Tuesday and let the dog out of a crate for a reunion with Talermo full of laughter , squeals and wiggles , a video of their encounter after four months apart showed .
The shelter didn ’ t say who dropped Jackson off but whoever had him fed him well because he returned home a little chunkier and doesn ’ t seem “ too traumatized , ” Talermo said .
Their reunion came at the perfect time : Talermo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend and will go home to Jackson Hole , Wyoming .
Once it ’ s safe to travel again , she plans to live in Portugal , she said .
For now , she is enjoying having Jackson home .
“ He slept great , he was snoring .
He has been basking in the sun in our backyard , “ Talermo said .
“ I didn ’ t sleep at all , I was with my eyes closed , smiling .
I ’ m just so happy to have him back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Olga R. Rodriguez - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--China calls for solidarity not `finger-pointing’ on virus

NEW YORK - China said Tuesday this is a time for solidarity and co-operation , not “ finger-pointing ” and “ politicization , ” as its top diplomats in New York officially handed over a donation of medical supplies to hard-hit New York City to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic .
Consul-General Huang Ping recalled at the online ceremony that China ’ s President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump “ called for anti-epidemic co-operation between our two nations and the world ” in their last phone call on March 17 .
“ As the two biggest economies in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States need to lead the effort to fighting the coronavirus , ” Huang said .
“ This is not the time for finger-pointing .
This is the time for solidarity , collaboration , co-operation and mutual support.
” But after weeks of elaborate praise of president Xi ’ s performance in the pandemic , Trump has turned to blaming China and halting U.S. contributions to the World Health Organization , accusing it of parroting misinformation from Beijing .
China ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Zhang Jun stressed the importance of multilateralism , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and COVID-19 “ knows no borders.
” “ We need to support the United Nations and the WHO in playing a leading and co-ordinating role in defeating COVID-19 , the common enemy of all mankind , ” he said .
“ We should stand firm against the politicization of the pandemic and remove all obstacles which hinder our co-operation.
” ’ Huang said the American people helped China “ without hesitation ” when it was in great difficulty , and its consulate and U.N. mission have donated 25,000 N95 masks , 2,000 protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gloves , which reached New York last weekend .
According to incomplete estimates , Huang said , China has also donated a total of 1,000 ventilators , 6,550,000 masks , 310,000 pairs of surgical gloves , 150,000 goggles and 32,000 protective suits to the United States , much of it to New York .
Penny Abeywardena , New York City ’ s commissioner for international affairs , thanked China for its “ extremely generous donation , ” saying “ it is what our health care workers need and we are absolutely grateful that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” She said the latest donation is already going to health care personel .
She also referred to attacks on Chinese-Americans as a result of COVID-19 originating in China , saying New York City “ will not tolerate any harassment or discrimination against your community.
” Both the consul-general and U.N. ambassador expressed hope that the supplies will help New York win the fight against the pandemic .
Zhang said he wanted to stress that living in New York “ we share its joy , we share its pain , ” and every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife go out on their balcony and join their neighbours in clapping to support the city ’ s essential workers .
“ I sincerely hope that , with the unity of all New Yorkers , we will defeat the pandemic and bring New York back to a dynamic and colorful life , ” the U.N. ambassador said .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--Officials: 7 virus cases may be related to in-person voting

MADISON , Wis. - Health officials in Wisconsin said they have identified at least seven people who may have contracted the coronavirus from participating in the April 7 election , the first such cases following in-person voting that was held despite widespread concern about the public health risks .
The infections involve six voters and one poll worker in Milwaukee , where difficulty finding poll workers forced the city to pare nearly 200 voting locations back to just five , and where voters — some in masks , some with no protection — were forced to wait in long lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain that the seven people contracted the virus at the polls .
The possible connection was made because local health officials are now asking newly infected people whether they participated in the election .
“ It means they were at the polls , which is a potential exposure , but ( we ) can ’ t say they definitely got it at the polls , ” said Darren Rauch , the health officer/director for suburban Greenfield , and one of the health officials helping with the coronavirus response in the Milwaukee area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 70 % of people who have tested positive since the election and hope to have a full report later this week , city health commissioner Jeanette Kowalik said .
The election , which included a presidential primary as well as a state Supreme Court race and local offices , took place after a legal struggle between Democrats and Republicans .
A day before the election , Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers ordered that it be delayed and shifted to all-mail voting , only to be overturned when Republican legislative leaders won an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court .
Thousands of Wisconsin voters stayed home , unwilling to risk their health and unable to be counted because requested absentee ballots never arrived .
State health officials had warned of an expected increase in infections from the election .
State health secretary Andrea Palm said Monday that they had not shown up , but noted that symptoms may not have surfaced yet .
Health officials say symptoms of COVID-19 typically appear within two weeks of exposure to the virus , and Tuesday is the 14th day since the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could come forward with infections in the coming days .
Representatives for Evers and for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald — both Republicans — haven ’ t responded to emails seeking comment .
The coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people , but for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .
To date , 242 people have died in Wisconsin and more than 4,600 have tested positive .
Wisconsin ’ s election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats and Republicans grapple with how to conduct elections in the coronavirus era as the November presidential race approaches .
Democrats and voting rights groups have filed lawsuits to expand mail and absentee voting options , and pushed for an extra $ 2 billion to help states adjust their election systems .
National Republicans are fighting those efforts , while President Donald Trump claims without evidence that mail-in voting is vulnerable to fraud .
Wisconsin is a key state in the 2020 presidential election .
Democrats and liberal groups are intent on reminding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April election despite the public health crisis .
American Bridge 21st Century , a liberal super PAC , jumped on the report of election-related cases , accusing Trump of not taking responsibility for the victims .


thetorontostar--2020-04-21--No fines for Tennessee brothers who hoarded hand sanitizer

CHATTANOOGA , Tenn. - Two Tennessee brothers who stockpiled thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer and other highly sought after safety supplies during the coronavirus outbreak will not be fined , Tennessee officials announced Tuesday after reaching a settlement .
Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III launched an investigation on March 14 into price-gouging allegations against brothers Matthew and Noah Colvin , who were featured in a story by The New York Times after they took a 1,300-mile ( 2,092 kilometres ) journey through Tennessee and Kentucky to purchase hand sanitizer , cleaning wipes and face masks to sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he posted 300 bottles of hand sanitizer for sale on Amazon for between $ 8 and $ 70 each and immediately sold them all .
“ It was crazy money , ” he told the newspaper .
As part of the state ’ s settlement , the brothers will no longer be allowed to sell emergency or medical supplies at an excess price during the pandemic , Slatery said .
On March 15 , the Colvins surrendered all their supplies , including about 17,000 bottles of hand sanitizer , to local nonprofits in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he thought he was performing a “ public service ” and was simply fixing “ inefficiencies in the marketplace.
” “ Disrupting necessary supplies during an unprecedented pandemic is a serious offence , ” Slatery in a news release .
“ It became clear during our investigation that the Colvins realized this , and their prompt co-operation and donation led to an outcome that actually benefited some consumers .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Trump tweets he’s ordered Navy to destroy Iranian gunboats

WASHINGTON - Amid tensions with Iran , President Donald Trump said Wednesday on Twitter he has given orders for the Navy to “ shoot down and destroy ” any Iranian gunboats found to be harassing U.S. ships .
A U.S. Navy video last week showed small Iranian fast boats coming close to American warships as they operated in the northern Persian Gulf near Kuwait , with U.S. Army Apache helicopters .
“ I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea , ” Trump tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event in his tweet , or provide details .
The White House had no immediate comment .
The U.S. Navy ’ s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet referred questions about the tweet to the Pentagon , which did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Trump ’ s tweet came after Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard said it had put the Islamic Republic ’ s first military satellite into orbit , dramatically unveiling what experts described as a secret space program with a surprise launch Wednesday that came amid wider tensions with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns among experts on whether the technology used could help Iran develop intercontinental ballistic missiles .
On Sunday , the Revolutionary Guard acknowledged it had a tense encounter last week with U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf , but alleged without offering evidence that American forces sparked the incident .
The Guard and the Navy routinely have tense encounters in the Persian Gulf and its narrow mouth , the Strait of Hormuz , through which 20 % of all oil passes .

Darlene Superville And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--No prom? For this teen, it’s a trifecta of missed milestones

ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. - On a Friday night in late February , 17-year-old Amanda Reynolds raced into a department store on Florida ’ s Gulf coast .
She ’ d been on a mission for weeks , and after countless hours shopping online and in stores , there it was .
Off the shoulder , blue lace , with crystal accents .
Her perfect prom dress .
For decades , the prom has represented a cornerstone of American teenage life .
Shopping for the dress , finding a date , posing for photos , dancing awkwardly in a low-lit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in movies , books , television and the memories of generations of Americans .
Combine prom with graduation and an 18th birthday .
It ’ s a trifecta of milestones .
But now , for millions of Class of 2020 teenagers living through the coronavirus outbreak , these coming-of-age moments look and feel vastly different .
And while they ’ re doing the best they can to reschedule , to wing it , to celebrate virtually with technology , the truth is that this generation will never regain these moments .
Amanda Reynolds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – a case study in what is being lost by those who , in spring 2020 , are on the cusp of adulthood and losing many of their expected rites of passage .
But that day at Macy ’ s , Amanda had no idea a pandemic would change everything .
Amanda and her mom knew then , on Feb. 28 , that the dress was the one .
Her mom had promised Amanda that if she spent no money for homecoming , she could splurge on a prom dress .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
” As soon as I put it on , I resembled Cinderella.
” The next day , the United States reported a coronavirus-related death , a 44-year-old man in Washington .
Amanda didn ’ t pay much attention to the news .
A week later , Florida reported its first two coronavirus deaths , but that was barely a blip on the high-school radar .
Instead , the beginning of March was like all the other days of senior year at Pinellas Park High , filled with classes , friends , homework @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
School would be out soon , goodbyes would be said , and it ’ d be time for college .
Amanda planned to attend P-Tech , a local technical school , to take her first classes toward a nursing degree .
By the second week of March , as people nationwide called on Gov .
Ron DeSantis to close Florida ’ s beaches to spring break tourists over fears of spreading the virus , news of the pandemic seeped into conversations online and at school .
Amanda wasn ’ t worried : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China.
” There were more pressing things on her mind : plans for spring break ( which anime movies should she and her friends watch ? )
, the theme of the prom ( why did the school let juniors pick the theme - Mardi Gras instead of the Roaring ‘ 20s ? )
, and her 18th birthday ( where should she celebrate ? )
In one class , Amanda and her peers spent a week watching and discussing the movie “ Contagion , ” about a fast-moving lethal virus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the air .
He put baby powder on a desk in the middle of the room .
“ Then he smacked the baby powder a couple of times for a visual representation of germs when you cough , ” she said .
The lesson was a timely tie-in to real-world events .
But Amanda and other students were skeptical COVID-19 would reach Pinellas County .
They didn ’ t know anyone who had it , much less anyone who died .
It seemed to be happening half a world away , in places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t had a chance to visit yet .
On Friday the 13th , the day before spring break , Amanda sailed through classes .
“ I was fully expecting to come back after spring break , and it would completely be like normal , ” she said .
Prom was two weeks away .
But it turned out to be the last normal day .
That afternoon , as school let out , President Donald Trump declared a national emergency .
Florida Sen. Rick Scott was self-quarantining after possible virus exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass gatherings on hold .
On Saturday , Amanda ’ s school sent a text message : Prom was postponed , indefinitely .
But a new date would be set , Amanda figured - probably late April .
She carefully wrapped her Cinderella dress in plastic and hung it .
She saw it each night before she went to bed and each morning when she woke up .
She ’ d been waiting for a night to dress up with a group of girlfriends and have the most fun in all their 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy asked her to dance , she probably wouldn ’ t say no .
Amanda hoped the district could deep-clean the school , and it ’ d be back to normal .
“ It ’ s not even that bad , ” she told herself .
Hope began to waver March 15 .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people .
In neighbouring Orlando , Universal Studios and Walt Disney World shuttered .
The only other time the theme parks closed like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , attacks - before Amanda was born .
And yet , the Florida primary election went on as planned the next day .
Some things were normal - why wouldn ’ t school continue on schedule ?
On March 24 , halfway through the unexpected second week of break , the Tokyo Olympics were postponed .
Closer to home , Amanda was crushed that grad bash - a weekend at Universal Studios - was cancelled .
Amanda reluctantly started online school .
On March 26 , the U.S. led the world in coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor of Florida issued a statewide lockdown .
Amanda ’ s world grew smaller .
She couldn ’ t visit her friends or her grandparents .
There were no movie nights with friends .
On the phone , her grandma told her : “ You are literally living through history right now.
“ Amanda thought , “ I prefer my normal life.
” Amanda ’ s 18th birthday — April 5 — loomed .
Before the pandemic , she and her friends had dreamed up a three-day extravaganza .
They ’ d hang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , watch movies , go to the beach , and , for the big event , head to an “ escape room , ” an intense game where they ’ d discover clues and solve puzzles to win freedom .
Now her home had become an escape room — but without time limits , prizes or exits .
Nowhere to go , no one to see .
She had questions she ’ d never imagined .
How long would life be like this ?
Would she march at graduation ?
What about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever happen again ?
“ I miss going to school .
I miss being able to talk to my friends and have something to do , ” she said .
“ I feel a little guilt .
There are people who are getting sick and dying , but this is also , like , I ’ ve been looking forward to this my entire school career .
I get to be sad because my emotions are real.
” Her mom is just as sad .
Missing the 18th birthday festivities was bad enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and graduation , too .
“ Once we get back to normal , whatever normal may be , we ’ re going to do something , “ Annette Reynolds said .
” Have a big party for her to celebrate .
It ’ s kind of a half-replacement idea .
It won ’ t be the same memories she would have had , but it will be something.
” On the day of the big birthday , the family of four — Annette , Amanda , her dad and sister — made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a convenience store where Amanda bought her first lottery scratch-off ticket .
She was the only customer .
She and her mom made a cake infused with coffee and giggled while filming a video .
They sang “ Happy Birthday , ” and presented Amanda her cake , with candles in the shape of the number 18 .
Sure , Amanda wished things were different .
She wants to dance at prom in her Cinderella dress , walk the Major League Baseball field where her school would normally hold graduation , and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the milestones teenagers wait years to experience but Amanda will miss .
But her wish that day - that has to stay secret to come true , she believes .
“ I can tell you that I hope for the pandemic to get better , “ she said , ” and for everyone not to suffer anymore.
” Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Victims’ groups join WWII camp commemoration in Croatia

JASENOVAC , Croatia - Jews , Serbs , Roma and anti-fascists joined top Croatian officials for the first time in years Wednesday in commemorating the victims of a notorious World War II concentration camp , but the community representatives warned that more needs to be done to curb right-wing sentiments in the European Union country .
The delegations laid wreaths and flowers at the memorial site for the Jasenovac camp complex , where tens of thousands of people were brutally executed by the pro-Nazi regime that ruled Croatia during the war .
Annual observances at the memorial south of Zagreb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the camp was being dismantled and its remaining occupants killed in April 1945 .
No official program took place at this year ’ s 75th anniversary commemoration to prevent crowds from gathering during the coronavirus pandemic .
Jewish community representative Ognjen Kraus said the attendance by victims ’ representatives was a sign of good will following their four-year boycott of the ceremonies for the Croatian government ’ s alleged inaction in addressing far-right activity .
Kraus warned that he “ most certainly “ won ’ t come next year , if nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my hand .
I am ready for serious discussion about the government ’ s position toward the past , “ said Kraus .
“ We most certainly won ’ t be here next year unless this is solved.
” Right-wing sentiments that include glorifying the wartime Ustasa regime are strong among extremist groups in Croatia .
Critics argue the current conservative government has failed to resolutely counter such ideas and the use of pro-Nazi signs and salutes .
“ We have done a lot and our policies and statements are firm and clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gathering of thousands of Croatian far-right supporters in southern Austria to commemorate the massacre of pro-Nazi Croats by communists at the end of World War II has been cancelled because of the pandemic .
For Croatian nationalists , the annual event held in early May near the village of Bleiburg symbolizes their suffering under communism in the former Yugoslavia before they fought a war for independence in the 1990s .
Croatia is the European Union ’ s newest member nation and the current head of the bloc ’ s rotating presidency .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Iran’s Guard says it launched satellite amid US tensions

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard said it put the Islamic Republic ’ s first military satellite into orbit , dramatically unveiling what experts described as a secret space program with a surprise launch Wednesday that came amid wider tensions with the United States .
There was no immediate independent confirmation of the launch of the satellite , which the Guard called “ Noor , ” or light .
The U.S. State Department and Israeli officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment while the Pentagon said it “ will continue to closely monitor Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” However , such a launch immediately raised concerns among experts on whether the technology used could help Iran develop intercontinental ballistic missiles .
Already , Iran has abandoned all the limitation of its tattered nuclear deal with world powers that President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from in 2018 .
Trump ’ s decision set off a monthslong series of escalating attacks that culminated in a U.S. drone strike in January that killed a top Iranian general in Iraq , followed by Tehran launching ballistic missiles at American soldiers in Iraq .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and historically low oil prices , the missile launch may signal a new willingness to take risks by Iran .
“ This raises a lot of red flags , ” said Fabian Hinz , a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey , California .
“ Now that you have the maximum pressure campaign , Iran doesn ’ t have that much to lose anymore.
” On its official website , the Guard said the satellite successfully reached an orbit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Earth ’ s surface .
The Guard called it the first military satellite ever launched by Tehran .
The three-stage satellite launch took off from Iran ’ s Central Desert , the Guard said , without elaborating .
Hinz said based on state media images , the launch appeared to have happened at a previously unnamed Guard base near Shahroud , Iran , some 330 kilometres ( 205 miles ) northeast of Tehran .
The base is in Semnan province , which hosts the Imam Khomeini Spaceport from which Iran ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force said it used a Ghased , or “ Messenger , ” satellite carrier to put the device into space , a previously unheard-of system .
It described the system as using both liquid and solid fuel .
“ Today , the world ’ s powerful armies do not have a comprehensive defence plan without being in space , and achieving this superior technology that takes us into space and expands the realm of our abilities is a strategic achievement , ” said Gen. Hossein Salami , the head of the Guard .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Wednesday marks the 41st anniversary of the founding of the Guard by Iran ’ s late leader , Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini .
An image of the rocket that carried the satellite showed it bore a Quranic verse typically recited when going on a journey , as well as a drawing of the Earth with the word Allah in Farsi wrapped around it .
The Guard , which operates its own military infrastructure in parallel to Iran ’ s regular armed forces , is a hard-line force answerable only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from The Associated Press , Iranian Information and Communications Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi wrote on Twitter that the Guard ’ s space program was “ defensive “ in nature , while the overall program was “ peaceful , ” without elaborating .
U.S. Army Maj .
Rob Lodewick , a Pentagon spokesman , told the AP that American officials continue to monitor Iran ’ s program .
“ While Tehran does not currently have intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBMs ) , its desire to have a strategic counter to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ICBM , ” Lodewick said .
Iran has suffered several failed satellite launches in recent months .
The latest came in February , when Iran failed to put its Zafar 1 communications satellite into orbit .
That failure came after two failed launches of the Payam and Doosti satellites last year , as well as a launchpad rocket explosion in August .
A separate fire at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in February 2019 also killed three researchers , authorities said at the time .
The rocket explosion in August drew even the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what appeared to be a classified surveillance image of the launch failure .
The successive failures raised suspicion of outside interference in Iran ’ s program , something Trump himself hinted at by tweeting at the time that the U.S. “ was not involved in the catastrophic accident.
” The U.S. alleges such satellite launches defy a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Iran to undertake no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons .
Iran , which long has said it does not seek nuclear weapons , previously maintained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have a military component .
The Guard launching its own satellite now calls that into question .
Tehran also says it hasn ’ t violated a U.N. resolution on its ballistic missile program as it only “ called upon ” Iran not to conduct such tests .
Wednesday ’ s launch , however , raised new questions .
While Iran isn ’ t known to have the know-how to miniaturize a nuclear weapon for a ballistic missile , any advances toward an intercontinental ballistic missile would put Europe and potentially the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well .
A U.S. Navy video last week showed small Iranian fast boats coming close to American warships as they operated in the northern Persian Gulf near Kuwait , with U.S. Army Apache helicopters .
On Sunday , the Guard acknowledged it had a tense encounter with U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf , but alleged without offering evidence that American forces sparked the incident .
Trump acknowledged the incident in a tweet Wednesday , saying : “ I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ships at sea.
” The U.S. Navy ’ s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet referred questions on the tweet to the Pentagon , which did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Gambrell reported from Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
Associated Press journalists Nasser Karimi and Mehdi Fattahi in Tehran , Iran , Aron Heller and Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report .

Amir Vahdat And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--AP Exclusive: ER staff saves lives, suffers in hot spot

YONKERS , N.Y. - A nurse furiously pushes down on a man ’ s chest as five other staff in full protective gear surround the patient ’ s bed .
Suddenly , one throws up his arms and steps backward .
“ OK , move !
Everybody move !
” are the instructions .
Moments after they back away , the patient ’ s heart is shocked , his arm spasms and he shakes on the bed .
Soon after , he is placed on a ventilator .
He has been saved — for now .
Many more at Saint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s been a nightmare .
We have a volume of sick people like you can ’ t believe .
In one shift , I pronounced six people dead , ” said Dr. Anthony Leno , the hospital ’ s director of emergency medicine , who before the outbreak on average pronounced one dead in a 10-12 hour shift .
The Yonkers hospital , which sits near the Bronx border and serves one of the poorest sections of Westchester County ’ s largest city , has been besieged by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 280 staff members who were tested for the disease were positive — with another 25 to 30 still awaiting results , according to Dean Civitello , the vice-president for human resources .
The Associated Press was granted access to the facility ’ s emergency room , which at one point earlier in the pandemic had 28 patients waiting to be treated and ambulances lined up outside with more , said Dr. James Neuendorf , Saint Joseph ’ s medical director .
Staff from other areas of the hospital was redeployed to manage patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to augment the hospital ’ s 194 acute-care beds .
The adjustments meant “ we were able to take care of a large number of patients — well over above our numbers that we normally see on a daily basis , ” Neuendorf said .
More than 900 have died in Westchester , which had an early outbreak in neighbouring New Rochelle in March before Yonkers became a hot spot .
At Saint Joseph ’ s , coronavirus-related symptoms accounted for more than 85 % of all admissions for a period of nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 .
Officials at the hospital knew the pandemic was going to crush them , since COVID-19 has proved particularly punishing for the largely minority population that makes up a significant portion of southwest Yonkers .
One particular challenge is that large families frequently live together in small homes , making it difficult to isolate sick ones .
And , Leno noted , there have been few effective therapies other than isolation .
“ We ’ ve had many family members and groups , and we ’ ve even had people from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each other , ” Leno said .
The community was hit so hard that a tent was erected outside the hospital on March 19 to accommodate the rush of people seeking to be tested .
In the first few days it was up , 150 to 175 people were examined each day to determine who should be tested , according to Catherine Hopkins , Saint Joseph ’ s director of school health and community relations .
Even some in the area who may otherwise be reluctant to seek medical care , fearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases deportation , showed up after seeing the effects of the coronavirus .
“ People are afraid , ” Hopkins said .
“ They ’ re scared .
Their relatives , their friends are dying.
” For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness and lead to death .
Beyond the unprecedented medical challenges , the outbreak caused financial hardships for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 1888 .
Beds and equipment had to be bought or rented to meet Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s mandate for hospitals to increase their capacity , and personal protective equipment had to be purchased at much higher costs than usual as normal suppliers ran out .
“ There ’ s a lot of people gouging out there .
A mask that cost 50 cents before are costing $ 7 , $ 8 each .
Gowns that would cost 50 cents as well , are $ 7 each .
Protective shields that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 bucks a pop , ” said Frank Hagan , Saint Joseph ’ s chief financial officer .
“ So , cost is a significant issue.
” As is the morale of the staff , who fear for their own health , are juggling responsibilities when their colleagues are ill and are bombarded — even more than usual — with death and disease .
“ It is tiring .
It is stressful , “ said chief nursing officer Margaret Cusumano , who has been back about three weeks after she had tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sick .
You ’ re watching people succumb to the disease .
It weighs on you mentally , physically.
” Fewer patients are coming to Saint Joseph ’ s now .
Though there ’ s still a steady stream of patients wearing masks being wheeled into the ER every day , the staff is optimistic that the worst is over .
But there is also the fear that people will rush too quickly back to their lives — potentially triggering another flurry of infections .
“ They hear we ’ re over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OK , it ’ s business as usual , ’ ” Hopkins said .
“ It ’ s not .
It can ’ t be .
”

Brian Mahoney And John Minchillo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Trump order to bar new green cards, not temporary visas

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump announced what he described as a “ temporary suspension of immigration into the United States.
“ But an executive order he is expected to sign Wednesday to implement the change would bar only those seeking permanent residency , not temporary workers .
“ I will be signing my Executive Order prohibiting immigration into our Country today , ” Trump tweeted Wednesday .
The president said Tuesday he would put a 60-day pause on the issuance of green cards in an effort to limit competition for jobs in a U.S. economy wrecked by the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ he said , but he declined to outlined them , noting the order was still being crafted .
“ By pausing immigration we ’ ll help put unemployed Americans first in line for jobs as America reopens , so important , “ Trump said at the White House .
” It would be wrong and unjust for Americans laid off by the virus to be replaced with new immigrant labour flown in from abroad.
” An administration official familiar with the plans , however , said the order will apply to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of green card holders who are not citizens .
Americans wishing to bring immediate family will still be able to do so , according to the official , who spoke on the condition of anonymity before the plan was announced .
About 1 million green cards were granted in the 2019 fiscal year , about half to spouses , children and parents of U.S. citizens .
By limiting his immigration measure to green cards , Trump was leaving untouched hundreds of thousands of foreign workers granted non-immigrant visas each year , including farm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programmers .
The Migration Policy Institute , a nonpartisan think-tank , estimated that some 110,000 green cards could be delayed during a two-month pause .
Trump said he would consider extending the restrictions , depending on economic conditions at the time .
Trump has long advocated restrictions on both legal and illegal immigration and has raised concerns for years about foreigners competing with American citizens for jobs .
But he denied he was using the virus to make good on a longstanding campaign promise as he seeks reelection .
“ No , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ he said .
The president has also used the crisis to push other stalled priorities , from tax reform to dramatic border restrictions .
Trump has often pivoted to his signature issue of immigration when he ’ s under pressure .
It ’ s one he believes helped him win the 2016 election and one that continues to animate his loyal base of supporters heading into what is expected to be a brutal reelection fight .
Much of the immigration system has already ground to a halt because of the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Department has been suspended for weeks .
Travel to the U.S. has been restricted from much of the globe .
And Trump has used the virus to effectively end asylum at U.S. borders , including turning away children who arrive by themselves and putting a hold on refugee resettlement — something Congress , the courts and international law hadn ’ t previously allowed .
Criticism of Trump ’ s announcement was swift , especially his timing during the pandemic .
Ali Noorani , president of the National Immigration Forum , noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently treating people with COVID-19 and working in critical sectors of the economy .
Andrea Flores of the American Civil Liberties Union said Trump seemed “ more interested in fanning anti-immigrant flames than in saving lives.
” But Jessica Vaughan , director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies , which favours lower rates of immigration , said before the announcement that eliminating millions of work permits and visas would “ instantaneously create ” new jobs for Americans and other legal workers — even though most businesses are shuttered because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carl Shusterman , who has practiced immigration law since the 1970s , said a 60-day pause would have little impact because the government effectively stopped processing green cards in March .
“ The embassies are not open anyway , so this is like nothing new , ” said Shusterman .
“ This announcement doesn ’ t really change anything unless the embassies were to open up next week or in the next 60 days.
” Trump first announced his intentions in a vague tweet Monday night .
Across the country , those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day .
Chicago immigration attorney Fiona McEntee said she had been inundated with calls , emails and social media messages , including from company executives hoping to expand their business in the U.S. , a person applying for a fiance visa and wondering about their wedding plans , artists seeking “ extraordinary ability ” visas and foreign students .
“ It has created absolute panic , ” said McEntee .
“ These are people ’ s lives .
...
It is irresponsible and cruel to put out something like that without any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump ’ s tweet also caught many across the administration off-guard .
Trump has already used the crisis to take dramatic steps to limit immigration .
Last month , the administration effectively ended asylum , relying on a rarely used 1944 law aimed at preventing the spread of communicable disease .
U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada have also been closed to tourism and recreational travel .
Commercial traffic and a wide range of “ essential ” workers are still allowed to travel freely .
The U.S. is now reporting more COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , with more than 825,000 infected , according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
More than 45,000 have died .
Trump had been expected to use his authority to slash the number of foreign workers allowed to take seasonal jobs in the U.S. Before the outbreak , the administration had planned to increase the number of H-2B visas , angering people who favour more restrictive immigration policies , including some supporters of the president who view foreign workers willing to accept lower wages as unfair competition to American labour .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that plan on hold .
Spagat reported from San Diego .
Associated Press writers Colleen Long , Zeke Miller and Darlene Superville in Washington , Carlos Rodriguez in Mexico City and Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report .

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


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Cameroon’s president acknowledges army massacre of civilians

YAOUNDE , Cameroon - Cameroon ’ s President Paul Biya has acknowledged that the military massacred innocent people , including women and children , in a northwestern village in February after the government first denied it .
“ The corpses of the three women and 10 children , whom the military killed and tried to cover up their actions by also torching several houses and blaming separatist fighters , will be exhumed for the state to conduct decent burials , ” a statement from Biya ’ s office said .
The president has asked for legal action , it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Innocent Laban , a spokesman for the people of the English-speaking northwestern village of Ngarr-buh who escaped fighting between armed separatists and the military , said he was pleased that Biya was for once acknowledging that troops have committed atrocities .
Laban called on Biya to apologize to the rights groups he accused of fabricating the massacre to tarnish the military ’ s image .
“ This declaration comes to confirm the fact that the Cameroonian military is so unprofessional .
A military that is killing the people rather than protecting them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to show us that human rights activists are doing a good job.
” On the night of Feb. 14 , residents said , soldiers raided their village and killed dozens of people .
An international outcry by civil society organizations and rights groups followed , but the government said the military was professional and did not commit atrocities .
Biya later ordered independent investigations , and rights groups said he was bowing to international pressure .
Ilaria Allegrozzi , senior researcher for central Africa at Human Rights Watch , said Biya ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved marks a step in the right direction , although the group disagrees on the number of people killed .
The United Nations has said 22 people were killed in Ngarr-buh , 14 of them children , and at least 600 people fled .
Human Rights Watch said the death toll was 21 .
Allegrozzi said investigations should also be opened into other alleged crimes committed by the military while fighting Boko Haram extremists as well as separatists who seek a state for English-speakers in the majority French-speaking nation .
“ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are other abuses and crimes that have been committed in the Anglophone regions and beyond by both the security forces and armed groups , and these crimes deserve the same level of attention , “ Allegrozzi said .
“ We also welcome president Biya ’ s call for increased collaboration with human rights groups , and we wish that this represents a change in the way government views human rights organizations.
” This is not the first time that Cameroon , after international pressure , acknowledged its soldiers committed atrocities .
Soldiers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media showing two women , one with an infant , killed by soldiers deployed to the northern border with Nigeria to fight Boko Haram .

Edwin Kindzeka Moki - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--Facebook invests in India telecom giant Jio for e-commerce

NEW DELHI - Facebook says it plans to invest $ 5.7 billion in India ’ s telecom giant Reliance Jio .
The investment will give Facebook a 9.99 % stake in Jio Platforms , the digital technologies and app developing division of Reliance Industries .
Reliance Jio has the highest number of customers in the country , and plans to roll out an e-commerce business using WhatsApp .
“ India is a special country for Facebook , ” Ajit Mohan , Facebook ’ s India head , wrote in an online post highlighting India ’ s digital transformation as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
India is one of the world ’ s fastest growing internet markets , with the number of users forecast to grow to 907 million by 2023 , according to a report by Cisco issued in February .
The number of new internet users soared after Reliance Industries launched Jio in 2016 , offering cheap smartphones and even cheaper data prices .
Jio now has more than 388 million cellphone and data services subscribers .
Mukesh Ambani , Reliance ’ s head and India ’ s richest man , said that he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long-term partner , and that the investment will help propel India ’ s digital push forward .
“ The synergy between Jio and Facebook will help realize Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ’ s ‘ Digital India ’ Mission , ” he said , referring to a government program to make life and business more efficient in the country .
Facebook and its instant messaging platform WhatsApp are popular in India , which with its 1.3 billion people has the most Facebook users in the world .
China , with a population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Facebook and other non-Chinese social media .
Mark Zuckerberg , Facebook ’ s CEO , said he hopes to give India ’ s 60 million small businesses the digital tools they need to grow .
“ With communities around the world in lockdown , many of these entrepreneurs need digital tools they can rely on to find and communicate with customers and grow their businesses , ” he wrote in a Facebook post .
In February , WhatsApp also got the green light to roll out its digital payments platform – WhatsApp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of trying .
The approval came after the Reserve Bank of India and National Payments Corporation of India gave the company a nod to launch the payment platform in a phased manner .


thetorontostar--2020-04-22--India plans wristband patient surveillance as lockdown eases

NEW DELHI - India said Wednesday that it plans to manufacture thousands of wristbands that will monitor the locations and temperatures of coronavirus patients and help perform contact tracing .
The wristband project aims to track quarantined patients , aid health workers and those delivering essential services as India ramps up surveillance as it begins to ease one of the world ’ s strictest virus lockdowns .
India has 19,984 confirmed cases of coronavirus , including 640 deaths , and experts fear the epidemic ’ s peak could still be weeks away .
Thousands of wristbands are expected to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been released .
The wristbands mirror a similar program in Hong Kong , where authorities used bands to monitor overseas travellers ordered to self-isolate .
Broadcast Engineering Consultants India , a government-owned company , will present wristband designs to hospitals and state governments next week and work with Indian start-ups to manufacture them .
George Kuruvilla , the company ’ s chairman , said the wristbands are likely to be rolled out in May .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the country ’ s 1.3 billion people to download a government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine their infection risk .
It has been downloaded over 50 million times since it was launched on April 2 .
Kuruvilla said the wristbands could integrate data captured in the app .
He said the wristbands will be used to monitor the movements of quarantined patients , both at home and at hospitals , and any spikes in their body temperature .
It will send an alert to public health officials if patients move outside their quarantine zone .
The device will also have an emergency button that wearers can use to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let health workers know if people they encounter have been to high-risk areas or have been in contact with an infected person , while aiding those delivering essential services such as groceries or medicines .
The wristband will capture all the places an infected person has visited , the routes they took , determine if they had any foreign travel and identify those who were in their vicinity .
It will also tell people if a sick person is nearby .
It will also help in creating a geofence , or a virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as common meeting places , public transit or places for religious gatherings .
A person leaving or entering the virtual perimeter could be alerted through the wrist band .