thetorontostar--2020-05-12--Woman falls into thermal feature in closed Yellowstone park

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS , Wyo .
- A woman illegally visited Yellowstone National Park while it ’ s closed during the coronavirus pandemic and suffered burns Tuesday when she fell into a thermal feature , officials said .
She was reportedly backing up while taking photos and fell into a hot spring or hole where hot gases emerge near Old Faithful geyser , park spokeswoman Linda Veress said in an email .
Despite her injuries , the woman drove for roughly 50 miles ( 80 kilometres ) until park rangers stopped her near Mammoth Hot Springs .
She was flown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idaho .
Park officials did not release the woman ’ s name or the extent of her injuries .
Yellowstone National Park has been closed since March 24 .
Yellowstone and nearby Grand Teton National Park will announce plans for a phased reopening Wednesday .
Visitors are warned to stay on the boardwalks near Yellowstone ’ s often boiling or acidic thermal features , which include geysers , hot springs , steam vents and mud pots .
Tourists sometimes go off the designated walkways and are injured or killed .
Last fall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boardwalk near Old Faithful at night fell into a hot spring , suffering serious burns .
In June 2016 , 23-year-old Colin Scott of Portland , Oregon , fell into a superheated , acidic mud pot and died .
His remains couldn ’ t be recovered .


thetorontostar--2020-05-12--Kobe Bryant’s sports academy retires “Mamba” nickname

LOS ANGELES - The Southern California sports academy previously co-owned by Kobe Bryant has retired his “ Mamba ” nickname and rebranded itself nearly four months after the basketball icon ’ s death in a helicopter crash .
Bryant , his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people were killed Jan. 26 as they flew to a basketball tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy .
The Thousand Oaks-based facility said it would return to its original name of Sports Academy .
It was founded in 2016 .
Bryant , who spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined in 2018 .
Games were being played at the academy when the news broke of Bryant ’ s death .
Players immediately stopped and many people in the gym burst into tears when told that Bryant was aboard the helicopter that crashed .
The academy is under consideration as a home base for an NBA minor league program that will provide one year of preparation , on and off the court , for some elite players who chose to bypass college but are not yet eligible for the NBA draft .
Bryant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his team retire two numbers in his honour .
He was selected last month for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame .
A ceremony is scheduled for late August though it may be delayed until at least October because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Bryant ’ s production company , Granity Studios , has remained active since his death .
The latest children ’ s book released by Bryant ’ s company last month — “ The Wizenard Series : Season One ” — became his fifth book to reach No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bestseller lists .
The helicopter crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board .
In February , Bryant ’ s widow , Vanessa Bryant , sued the estate of pilot Ara Zobayan and the charter company that owned the helicopter , Island Express .
She claimed Zobayan failed “ to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft ” and alleged negligence .
On Friday , Zobayan ’ s brother , Berge Zobayan , said in a court filing that Kobe Bryant knew the risks of helicopter flying and his survivors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pilot ’ s estate , t he Los Angeles Times reported .
Island Express responded in court papers Monday saying they are not responsible for damages , calling the crash , among other things , “ an act of God “ and “ an unavoidable accident ” that was beyond their control .
The charter company also said the Bryants knew of the risks and dangers of flying in a helicopter and “ voluntarily assume ( d ) the risk of the accident , injury , and damages “ when they got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week filed a claim — a precursor to a lawsuit — against the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department after deputies were accused of sharing unauthorized photos of the crash site .
The claim was first reported by PEOPLE ; the investigation into the deputies ’ photos was initially published by the Times .
The sheriff has declined to comment , citing the ongoing litigation The survivors of crash victims Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton filed a complaint Monday against the helicopter company and the pilot ’ s estate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Stefanie Dazio And Tim Reynolds - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-05-12--AP Exclusive: CDC docs stress plans for more virus flareups

GAINESVILLE , Fla. - Advice from the nation ’ s top disease control experts on how to safely reopen businesses and institutions in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic included detailed instructive guidance and some more restrictive measures than the plan released by the White House last month .
The guidance , which was shelved by Trump administration officials , also offered recommendations to help communities decide when to shut facilities down again during future flareups of COVID-19 .
The Associated Press obtained a 63-page document that is more detailed than other , previously reported segments of the shelved guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention .
It shows how the thinking of the CDC infection control experts differs from those in the White House managing the pandemic response .
The White House ’ s “ Opening Up America Again ” plan that was released April 17 included some of the CDC ’ s approach , but made clear that the onus for reopening decisions was solely on state governors and local officials .
By contrast , the organizational tool created by the CDC advocates for a co-ordinated national response to give community leaders step-by-step instructions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with the idea that there would be resurgences of the virus and lots of customization needed .
The White House said last week that the document was a draft and not ready for release .
It contains the kinds of specifics that officials need to make informed decisions , some experts said .
“ The White House is pushing for reopening but the truth of the matter is the White House has just not had a comprehensive plan where all the pieces fit .
They ’ re doing it piecemeal , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the American Public Health Association .
Such detailed advice should have been available much earlier , said Stephen Morse , a Columbia University expert on the spread of diseases .
“ Many different places are considering how to safely develop return-to-work procedures .
Having more guidance on that earlier on might have been more reassuring to people .
And it might have have prevented some cases , ” Morse said .
From the start , CDC staffers working on the guidance were uncomfortable tying it specifically to reopening , and voiced their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with approving the guidance for release , according to a CDC official granted anonymity because they were not cleared to speak with the press .
The CDC ’ s detailed guidance was eventually shelved by the administration April 30 , according to internal government emails and CDC sources who were granted anonymity because they were not cleared to speak to the press .
After The AP reported about the burying of the guidance last week , the White House asked the CDC to revive parts of it , which were sent back for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday , CDC Director Robert Redfield testified before a U.S. Senate committee that the recommendations would be released “ soon.
” He provided no further details .
Internal government emails show that Redfield had repeatedly sought White House approval for CDC ’ s guidance , starting as early as April 10 .
Both the CDC document and the White House ’ s published plan recommend communities reopen in phases as local cases of coronavirus subside .
One of many differences , however , is advice for when communities should allow for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelved CDC guide advises communities to avoid all nonessential travel in phases of reopening until the last one , when cases are at the lowest levels .
Even then , the CDC is cautious and advises only a “ consideration ” of the resumption of nonessential travel after 42 continuous days of declining cases of COVID-19 .
The White House plan , by contrast , recommends that communities “ minimize ” travel in Phase 1 , and that in Phase 2 , after 28 consecutive days of decline , “ Non-essential travel can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s web page on travel guidance during the pandemic still linked to the White House plan .
The stricter guidance is not there .
Another stark difference in the final White House plan and that designed by epidemiologists at the CDC is the latter ’ s acknowledgement that COVID-19 cases will likely surge after states reopen , and that local governments need to continuously monitor their communities closely .
The White House ’ s final reopening plan lacks guidance on how local communities can track information beyond positive cases .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan for where case increases might occur more quickly , using demographic information .
The CDC says local leaders could take special notice of the number of households with limited English literacy in an area , how many people live in poverty or have no health insurance coverage , and even what it calls areas of “ civic strain ” caused by the virus , such as places where many workers were sick or lost wages due to shutdowns .
The White House plan offers few such specifics and instead provides broad guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safety of workers in critical industries , “ and advises states to “ protect the most vulnerable ” by developing “ appropriate policies.
” On Tuesday , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , warned that lifting stay-at-home orders too quickly could lead to serious consequences , both in deaths and economic hardship .
President Donald Trump , meanwhile , has continued to push states to act to right a free-falling economy .
The CDC ’ s guidelines stress the dangers of states and regions going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The agency advises a national approach , rather than a patchwork , because policies in one state will in time affect others .
“ Travel patterns within and between jurisdictions will impact efforts to reduce community transmission too .
Coordination across state and local jurisdictions is critical -- especially between jurisdictions with different mitigation needs , ” the report states .

Jason Dearen And Mike Stobbe - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-12--Brazil’s Bolsonaro denies shielding family from inquiries

SAO PAULO - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday denied that he attempted during a videotaped Cabinet meeting last month to shield his relatives and friends from federal police investigations .
Hours before Bolsonaro issued the denial , the two-hour video of the meeting was reviewed by prosecutors , police investigators , lawyers and government officials .
The existence of the video emerged after former Justice Minister Sérgio Moro last month accused Bolsonaro of seeking to interfere with Brazilian federal police investigations in Rio de Janeiro during that Cabinet meeting .
Bolsonaro , his family members and friends have extensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hailed by many Brazilians as an anti-corruption hero , has told investigators that Bolsonaro threatened to fire him during the Cabinet meeting if he failed to make changes in the top ranks of Brazil ’ s federal police and in its Rio division .
While Bolsonaro claimed the video did not prove the allegations , Moro ’ s lawyer , Rodrigo Sánchez Rios , said in a statement that he was among those invited to watch it and that the contents proved his client ’ s allegations .
The developments are important because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misconduct that could lead to him being suspended from office for a trial before the country ’ s Supreme Court or impeached in Congress .
Former President Dilma Rousseff , a nemesis of Bolsonaro ’ s , was impeached and removed from office in 2016 .
The far-right Bolsonaro , who has lost support in Brazil ’ s congress in recent months , insists he will not meet a similar fate .
Speaking to reporters after the video was viewed , Bolsonaro said he never meant to imply that he planned to interfere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was concerned about family members ’ safety in Rio .
He was stabbed during a 2018 presidential campaign appearance .
“ The safety of my family is one thing .
I am not and I was never worried about the federal police , ” Bolsonaro said .
“ The federal police never investigated anyone of my family , that does not exist in the video.
“ He added that the tape of the meeting should have been destroyed and accused journalists of being “ misinformed “ about the gathering .
After Moro resigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal police and the chief of its Rio division .
Supporters of the president have protested against Supreme Court justices and the former justice minister .

Mauricio Savarese - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-12--Student guilty of disorderly conduct for elevator noose

URBANA , Ill. - A University of Illinois student on Tuesday pleaded guilty to misdemeanour disorderly conduct for making a noose out of string and leaving it last September in a residence hall elevator .
Andrew Smith , 20 , pleaded guilty before Champaign County Circuit Judge Heidi Ladd , who sentenced him to a year of court supervision .
Smith of Normal , Illinois , was originally charged with a hate crime , a felony .
“ He wrote apology letters and appeared sincere , ” said State ’ s Attorney Julia Rietz , who filed the hate crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had “ no history of racial prejudice.
” In addition to the hate crime charge , three other misdemeanour disorderly conduct charges naming victims who were “ alarmed and disturbed ” by the noose were dismissed in return for his guilty plea .
Smith ’ s supervision sentence , along with 50 hours of public service and a $ 75 fine , spares him a criminal record should he successfully complete his sentence without further problems .
Rietz said her office tried to contact the victims named in the charges about the resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s attorney , Audrey Thompson .
Only one replied and said she was fine with the recommended sentence for Smith .
Authorities said students in Allen Hall on the Urbana campus reported finding the noose .
Their discovery quickly blew up on social media and , seeing that , a woman who says she was with Smith when he tied the noose reported him to school authorities .
Assistant State ’ s Attorney Justin Umlah said when police spoke with him on Sept. 2 , Smith said he did it because he heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also said the knot he made “ just happened to be a racial hate symbol ” and he didn ’ t think long about the implications .


thetorontostar--2020-05-12--Russia opposes any new US attempts at UN to punish Iran

TANZANIA , Tanzania - Russia ’ s U.N. ambassador said Tuesday that Moscow will oppose any attempts by the United States to extend the arms embargo on Iran and reimpose U.N. sanctions against the Islamic Republic .
Vassily Nebenzia ’ s comments at a video news conference made clear that the Trump administration will have a tough time advancing any measures to impose further punishment on Iran in the U.N. Security Council , where Russia has veto power .
The United States circulated a draft U.N. resolution that would indefinitely extend the U.N. arms embargo on Iran , which expires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of council members in late April .
It would strike the expiration of the arms embargo from the council resolution that endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal between six major powers — the U.S. , Russia , China , Britain , France and Germany — and Iran , according to Trump administration officials and U.N. diplomats .
Russia has made no secret of its desire to resume conventional weapons sales to Tehran .
Nebenzia said the arms embargo is “ a byproduct ” of the nuclear deal , known as the JCPOA , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
... And for us that ’ s clear , that ’ s clear , ” he said .
“ I do not see any reason why an arms embargo should be imposed on Iran.
” Nebenzia was also asked about the controversial matter of the Trump administration possibly seeking to use the “ snapback ” provision in the 2015 Security Council resolution endorsing the nuclear deal , which would restore all U.N. sanctions against Iran that had been lifted or eased under the terms of the agreement .
The Russian ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to be a participant of the JCPOA , and the U.S. proudly announced on May 8 , 2018 that they withdrew from the JCPOA and closed the door behind.
” “ Now , they knock on the door and say , ` Now just wait a second we forgot to do one little thing on the JCPOA , but let us back , we ’ ll do it and we ’ ll leave again , ’ ” he said .
Nebenzia called the possibility the U.S. invoking snapback “ ridiculous , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unequivocal .
They are not members , they have no right ” to use any instruments provided by the JCPOA .
He also asked the Trump administration what it would gain from triggering snapback “ because snapback will definitely be the end of the JCPOA.
“ Nebenzia that the reaction will be that “ the most intrusive inspections “ of any country which the International Atomic Energy Agency is carrying out in Iran “ will cease.
” “ My question is , is it in the U.S. interests that it happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration is not planning at this point to raise the controversial issue of “ snapback , ” said U.S. officials , who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity .
Although President Donald Trump pulled out of the deal , the U.S. maintains that it retains the right to invoke a sanctions snapback that the deal envisaged in the event of “ significant non-performance ” by Iran .
That position rests on a novel State Department legal argument that was first presented in December and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer in the nuclear deal , it remains an original “ participant ” under the terms of the Security Council resolution that enshrined it .
That resolution does , in fact , list the parties to the 2015 agreement by name , but numerous diplomats in addition to Russia have said the American argument is specious because the Trump administration has made such a point about no longer participating in the deal .
Nebenzia was asked who the legal arbiter of whether the U.S. still has standing to trigger snapback should be .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Security Council primarily , first of all , and to the remaining participants of the JCPOA itself , ” he said .
Nebenzia quoted a letter from Iran ’ s Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday in which Zarif says not only is the U.S. is “ in grave violation ” of the 2015 resolution for non-performance , “ but it is blatantly attempting illegal paths to reverse the resolution in actual contempt for well-established principles of international law.
” Solely by withdrawing from the JCPOA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right , ” he quoted Zarif as saying .
Nebenzia said he subscribes fully to Zarif ’ s words , adding , “ this to me looks like a truthful legal interpretation .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-12--North Carolina mother leaned on faith to rebuff crowd

WINSTON-SALEM , N.C. - There were no weapons for Monica Shepard to use to keep a group of armed people out of her home as they sought her son in connection with a missing girl .
All there was , she said , was faith to resist and determination to protect him .
“ I was vulnerable .
They had the crowd .
They had the weapons .
I had nothing , ” Shepard , who is black , said Tuesday of the all-white group that gathered in front of her family ’ s home earlier this month .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I had the faith .
I didn ’ t have any fear for myself , and I think maybe that was displayed in my eyes , because I told them ‘ I don ’ t care .
You ’ re not coming in my house , period.
’ ” The crowd at Shepard ’ s door included a man who worked for the New Hanover County Sheriff ’ s Office and has since been fired , officials said .
Last Friday , District Attorney Ben David said Jordan Kita would be charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James W. Lea , a lawyer for Shepard ’ s family , said Kita led an armed group on May 3 to the home of Dameon Shepard , 18 , a senior at Laney High School in Wilmington .
Kita was looking for Lekayda Kempisty , a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing earlier that day .
She was later found safe .
“ I was in survival mode .
Well , protective mode , or mama bear , to protect my son , ” said Monica Shepard , 48 , who works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He was my main priority .
I really didn ’ t have any fear .
I really didn ’ t have any anger .
I was in shock , but I was more fearful for him than I was for myself.
“ The crowd ’ s target was a home next door to the Shepards , but the person there had moved out a month earlier , she said .
In a previous interview , Shepard told news outlets that her son repeatedly tried to point out to the group that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a yard sign out front explicitly congratulated “ Dameon ” on his high school graduation , but the crowd didn ’ t move .
Finally , she said Dameon resorted to a tactic that would soon have the crowd dispersing .
“ Because he was startled when he saw the weapons and he began to stutter , they felt like he was lying , ” Shepard said .
“ But what made them stop was he started chanting ‘ My name is Dameon Shepard .
I go to Laney High School .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in the front yard.
’ “ He just kept chanting over and over ‘ My name is Dameon Shepard , ’ and that ’ s when they stopped , when they realized they were at the wrong house , “ she said .
“ The more he would chant , and his chant was not a loud scream , it was just a monotone chant .
But , somehow , it sort of fell on their ears for them to realize ‘ Wait a minute , we ’ re at the wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the small town of Rocky Point , just outside of Wilmington , is predominantly white and very close with one another .
She said her neighbours came out to support her once the crowd dispersed .
It was one of them who called the police , she said .
It would take another week before charges were filed against Kita .
Shepard said she wouldn ’ t question the timing but felt it should have happened that night .
It ’ s unclear whether Kita had an attorney who could comment on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney , was criticized by the North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union for waiting five days to respond to the incident .
In a statement , David declined comment , citing the continuing investigation .
The Rev .
T. Anthony Spearman , president of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP , said Tuesday that the organization was “ infuriated that such a thing would occur in this period of time and so much time elapsed between the time that it happened and the time that we heard anything.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the experience , his spirits have been lifted by the outpouring of support throughout the community and from coast to coast , including New York and California .
With the incident behind them , Shepard said she and her son rediscovered the bond they forged when he was 8 and she and his father divorced .
“ It tells us we have strength beyond anything we could have imagined , ” she said .
“ We ’ ve just been each other ’ s strength .
That ’ s what we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
I was worried about him .
We feed on that strength.
“


thetorontostar--2020-05-12--West Virginia doctor indicted in patient groping cases

CHARLESTON , W.Va. - A former doctor at a Veterans Affairs hospital in West Virginia was indicted Tuesday on federal charges that he molested several male patients and violated their civil rights .
A federal grand jury in Charleston indicted Dr. Jonathan Yates on two counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of depriving veterans of their civil rights under colour of law — language used to describe crimes committed while on duty .
If convicted , Yates would face a maximum penalty of life in prison .
Yates was arrested last month after he was charged in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examined at the hospital in February 2019 .
Tuesday ’ s indictment alleges that Yates sexually molested six male patients during appointments between September 2018 and February 2019 .
Yates ’ actions caused bodily injury to five of the veterans and deprived them of their constitutional right to bodily integrity , the indictment said .
Yates is accused of knowingly engaging in sexual contact without their consent .
Officials said Yates temporarily immobilized two of the veterans , one by cracking his neck and the other with the use of acupuncture needles .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ incapacitated , the indictment said .
An after-hours message left with Yates ’ attorney was not immediately returned Tuesday night .
Yates was employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as the “ whole health director ” at the VA hospital from approximately April 2018 to June 2019 .
According to the original criminal affidavit , Yates commented during a February 2019 examination about a 42-year-old Army veteran ’ s muscle tone and chest hair and called him “ a real man.
“ When the patient complied with the doctor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ Boxer briefs : my favourite.
” The investigation into allegations of sexual assaults at the Beckley hospital was announced last September at the same time that federal prosecutors were conducting a sweeping criminal probe into the deaths of up to 11 patients at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg , West Virginia .
Attorneys have said two of those deaths have been ruled homicides from wrongful insulin injections .
No charges have been announced .
The VA is the government ’ s second-largest department , responsible for @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Death toll from attack on Kabul maternity clinic rises to 24

KABUL - Afghan officials on Wednesday raised the death toll from a militant attack on a maternity hospital in Kabul the previous day , saying that 24 people were killed , including two newborn babies , their mothers and an unspecified number of nurses .
Militants stormed the hospital in Dashti Barchi , a mostly Shiite neighbourhood in the western part of Kabul , on Tuesday morning , setting off an hours-long shootout with the police .
As the battle raged , Afghan security forces struggled to evacuate the facility , which is supported by the aid group Doctors Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young mothers .
The Interior Ministry spokesman , Tareq Arian , said on Tuesday that 16 people were killed in the attack and over 100 women and babies were evacuated from the building under fire .
The new death toll of 24 came from Wahid Majroh , the deputy public health minister , who spoke at a press conference on Wednesday .
He said 16 were wounded in the attack .
Of those evacuated , 21 newborn babies were initially brought to Kabul ’ s Ataturk Hospital where physician Sayed Fared said their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One newborn baby had a fractured bone and we referred that baby to the Indira Gandhi Children ’ s hospital , “ he told The Associated Press .
“ The other 20 babies are hospitalized here and are in good health and under our observation.
” Outside the Ataturk Hospital , anxious relatives waited for news .
Qurban Ali , a 27-year-old father , came to see his newborn daughter Bakhtawar who was among those evacuated from Dashti Barchi .
His name was on a wristband the baby was given after she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ali said he was watching TV when he heard about the hospital attack .
“ I immediately rushed to the hospital , got there but couldn ’ t find my wife or the baby , ” he said .
His wife called him a short while later , crying and saying she had managed to flee from the attack but couldn ’ t recuse their baby .
The two rushed to Ataturk Hospital after hearing the babies were evacuated there , and to their relief , found Bakhtawar .
“ Thank God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unhurt , ” said Ali .
But others were not so fortunate .
The family of 35-year-old nurse Maryam Noorzada who worked with Doctors Without Borders , also known by their French acronym MSF , at Dashti Barchi could not find her after searching all of Kabul hospitals .
Her brother-in-law , Mahdi Jafari , his eyes filled with tears , told the AP that the family would give DNA samples to see if the single charred , unclaimed body remaining at the morgue after the attack was her .
No one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the Taliban insisted they were not involved .
In the past , most attacks in Dashti Barchi , home to the minority Shiite Hazara community , were carried out by the Islamic State group .
In a televised speech hours after the attack , Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that Afghan security forces would no longer operate in the defensive posture taken in the wake of the peace agreement .
Instead , he called on security forces to launch attacks against Taliban insurgents .
“ The Taliban have not given up fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased their attacks on our countrymen and public places , ” despite repeated calls for a cease-fire , Ghani said .
In recent months , Afghan and American officials say the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan has been weakened as a result of relentless U.S. bombing raids in the group ’ s stronghold — eastern Nangarhar province — as well as military operations by Afghan security forces and attacks by IS rivals , Taliban insurgents .
In a separate attack Tuesday , a suicide bomber targeted the funeral in Khewa district of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had died of a heart attack Monday night , killing 32 people and wounding 133 , according to Zahir Adil , spokesman for the province ’ s public health department .
Earlier reports had 24 dead and 68 wounded in the bombing .
The dead included Abdullah Lala Jan , a provincial council member , while his father Noor Agha , a lawmaker , was wounded in the attack .
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Nangarhar bombing in a statement posted late Tuesday on its media arm , Aamaq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kabul , Afghanistan , and Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--AP Exclusive: CDC guidance more restrictive than White House

GAINESVILLE , Fla. - Advice from the top U.S. disease control experts on how to safely reopen businesses and institutions during the coronavirus pandemic was more detailed and restrictive than the plan released by the White House last month .
The guidance , which was shelved by Trump administration officials , also offered recommendations to help communities decide when to shut facilities down again during future flareups of COVID-19 .
The Associated Press obtained a 63-page document that is more detailed than other , previously reported segments of the shelved guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CDC infection control experts differs from those in the White House managing the pandemic response .
The White House ’ s “ Opening Up America Again ” plan that was released April 17 included some of the CDC ’ s approach , but made clear that the onus for reopening decisions was solely on state governors and local officials .
By contrast , the organizational tool created by the CDC advocates for a co-ordinated national response to give community leaders step-by-step instructions to “ help Americans re-enter civic life , ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus and lots of customization needed .
The White House said last week that the document was a draft and not ready for release .
It contains the kinds of specifics that officials need to make informed decisions , some experts said .
“ The White House is pushing for reopening but the truth of the matter is the White House has just not had a comprehensive plan where all the pieces fit .
They ’ re doing it piecemeal , ” said Dr. Georges Benjamin , executive director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice should have been available much earlier , said Stephen Morse , a Columbia University expert on the spread of diseases .
“ Many different places are considering how to safely develop return-to-work procedures .
Having more guidance on that earlier on might have been more reassuring to people .
And it might have have prevented some cases , ” Morse said .
From the start , CDC staffers working on the guidance were uncomfortable tying it specifically to reopening , and voiced their objections to the White House officials tasked with approving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a CDC official granted anonymity because they were not cleared to speak with the press .
The CDC ’ s detailed guidance was eventually shelved by the administration April 30 , according to internal government emails and CDC sources who were granted anonymity because they were not cleared to speak to the press .
After The AP reported about the burying of the guidance last week , the White House asked the CDC to revive parts of it , which were sent back for approval , according to emails and interviews .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before a U.S. Senate committee that the recommendations would be released “ soon.
” He provided no further details .
Internal government emails show that Redfield had repeatedly sought White House approval for CDC ’ s guidance , starting as early as April 10 .
Both the CDC document and the White House ’ s published plan recommend communities reopen in phases as local cases of coronavirus subside .
One of many differences , however , is advice for when communities should allow for the resumption of nonessential travel .
The shelved CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel in phases of reopening until the last one , when cases are at the lowest levels .
Even then , the CDC is cautious and advises only a “ consideration ” of the resumption of nonessential travel after 42 continuous days of declining cases of COVID-19 .
The White House plan , by contrast , recommends that communities “ minimize ” travel in Phase 1 , and that in Phase 2 , after 28 consecutive days of decline , “ Non-essential travel can resume.
” As of Tuesday , CDC ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic still linked to the White House plan .
The stricter guidance is not there .
Another stark difference in the final White House plan and that designed by epidemiologists at the CDC is the latter ’ s acknowledgment that COVID-19 cases will likely surge after states reopen , and that local governments need to continuously monitor their communities closely .
The White House ’ s final reopening plan lacks guidance on how local communities can track information beyond positive cases .
But the CDC document offers thoughts on how to plan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , using demographic information .
The CDC says local leaders could take special notice of the number of households with limited English literacy in an area , how many people live in poverty or have no health insurance coverage , and even what it calls areas of “ civic strain ” caused by the virus , such as places where many workers were sick or lost wages due to shutdowns .
The White House plan offers few such specifics and instead provides broad guidance , such as “ Protect the health and safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and advises states to “ protect the most vulnerable ” by developing “ appropriate policies.
” On Tuesday , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , warned that lifting stay-at-home orders too quickly could lead to serious consequences , both in deaths and economic hardship .
President Donald Trump , meanwhile , has continued to push states to act to right a free-falling economy .
The CDC ’ s guidelines stress the dangers of states and regions going it alone in such perilous times .
The agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a patchwork , because policies in one state will in time affect others .
“ Travel patterns within and between jurisdictions will impact efforts to reduce community transmission too .
Coordination across state and local jurisdictions is critical -- especially between jurisdictions with different mitigation needs , ” the report states .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Justices hear election year cases over ‘faithless electors’

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court is taking up an unusual voting issue that could have important consequences for the 2020 presidential election in an era of intense political polarization .
Wednesday is the court ’ s final day of arguments by telephone in May , with livestreamed audio , and deals with whether presidential electors are bound to support popular-vote winners in their states or can opt for someone else .
Arguments had been scheduled for the courtroom in April but were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
So-called faithless electors have not been critical to the outcome of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in a contest with a razor-thin margin .
Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia require presidential electors to vote for the popular-vote winner , and electors almost always do so anyway .
Under the Constitution , the country elects the president indirectly , with voters choosing people who actually cast an Electoral College ballot for president .
It takes 270 votes to win .
The issue arose in lawsuits filed by three Hillary Clinton electors in Washington state and one in Colorado who refused to vote for her despite her popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so doing , they hoped to persuade enough electors in states won by Donald Trump to choose someone else and deny Trump the presidency .
The federal appeals court in Denver ruled that electors can vote as they please , rejecting arguments that they must choose the popular-vote winner .
In Washington , the state Supreme Court upheld a $ 1,000 fine against the three electors and rejected their claims .
In all , there were 10 faithless electors in 2016 , including a fourth in Washington , a Democratic elector in Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition , Democratic electors who said they would not vote for Clinton were replaced in Maine and Minnesota .
Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig , who favours broad reforms to voting , redistricting and the way campaigns are funded , is representing the electors at the Supreme Court .
Lessig briefly sought the 2016 Democratic nomination and called for presidential electors to support Clinton because she won the national popular vote four years ago .
The Campaign Legal Center , which also supports campaign finance and redistricting reforms , warned in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling that electors are free agents creates the “ possibility that presidential campaigns and outside groups could direct large sums of money to crucial or wavering electors.
“ The closest Electoral College margin in recent years was in 2000 , when Republican George W. Bush received 271 votes to 266 for Democrat Al Gore .
One elector from Washington , D.C. , left her ballot blank .
The Supreme Court played a decisive role in that election , ending a recount in Florida , where Bush held a 537-vote margin out of 6 @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--China may test all of Wuhan amid fears of virus comeback

BEIJING - Authorities in Wuhan , the Chinese city where the coronavirus pandemic first broke out , are planning to test all 11 million residents in the next 10 days , Chinese media reported .
No official announcement has been made , but district officials confirmed receiving marching orders from the city ’ s coronavirus task force , the reports said .
It remained unclear if and how such a monumental testing campaign would happen .
The short order came after the discovery last weekend of a cluster of six infected people at a residential compound in the city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month .
China has moved quickly to snuff out new outbreaks wherever they pop up , even as it relaxes restrictions on the movement of people and reopens public attractions to limited numbers of visitors .
Jilin province , which borders North Korea in China ’ s northeast , has suspended all public transport and imposed other restrictions as it battles a fresh outbreak .
In neighbouring Heilongjiang province , which dealt with its own outbreak recently , the city of Harbin is quarantining anyone coming from Jilin for 14 days and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order appeared to confuse local officials .
A man who answered the mayor ’ s hotline in Wuhan said that districts have 10 days to arrange the testing in their respective jurisdictions .
But a woman who answered later Wednesday said the tests must be done in the next 10 days .
A major state-owned news website , Jiemian , said it had obtained an implementation plan for the city ’ s Wuchang district that said all residents should be tested by May 20 , or in about a week ’ s time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the coronavirus in China .
Of the 4,633 reported deaths nationwide , 4,512 were in Hubei province , including 3,869 in Wuhan , the provincial capital .
China imposed a lengthy lockdown on most of Hubei in late January to stem the spread of the virus .
People were forbidden from entering or leaving the province , public transportation suspended and residents were mostly restricted to their homes .
The lockdown was lifted outside of Wuhan after two months , and in Wuhan itself on April 8 , after 2 1/2 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shocked city officials into action .
They dismissed the Communist Party secretary of the neighbourhood where the cluster was found for poor management of the residential community , the official Xinhua News Agency said .
The order said the testing should focus on the elderly , densely populated areas and those with mobile populations , according to the media reports .
It wasn ’ t clear if that meant only some people would be tested or if they would be prioritized .
One expert at Wuhan University told the Global Times newspaper that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been tested , which could leave 6 to 8 million others for a citywide test .
In Beijing , a shorter-than-usual ban on drone use in the Chinese capital is being interpreted as a signal that China will curtail its major political meeting of the year because of continuing concern about the outbreak .
Police said Wednesday that the use of drones , balloons , gliders and other low-flying objects will be banned for nine days , from May 20 to May 28 .
Such bans are common during major events .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over two weeks in March but was postponed this year because of the coronavirus outbreak .
It is scheduled to start on May 22 , so it may last just one week .
Some participants in a recent preparatory meeting joined by video conference , sparking speculation that some of the 3,000 delegates may do so at the Congress itself .
Associated Press researcher Yu Bing contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--EU official warns of extremists exploiting virus outbreak

BERLIN - The European Union ’ s counterterrorism official is warning that the coronavirus pandemic is being used by extremists as an opportunity to spread their message and could be exploited to carry out attacks .
In a confidential briefing to member nations obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press , Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove cautioned that right-wing extremists and Islamic militants “ could view attacks on medical personnel and facilities as highly effective , because these would generate a massive shock in society.
” He noted that in the U.S. , the FBI in March shot and killed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for plotting to blow up a hospital treating COVID-19 patients , after initially considering an attack on an African-American school , mosque or synagogue .
From past experience , he said it ’ s known that “ terrorists and violent extremists , aiming to change societies and governmental systems through violence , seek to exploit major crises to achieve their objectives ” .
De Kerchove noted that the Islamic State group , for example , emerged after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and then gained strength during the Arab Spring uprisings .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensive attention ” to the pandemic , blaming governments and “ the capitalist system as a whole ” for it , saying politicians have underfunded health care services , de Kerchove wrote in the analysis provided to EU member nations on May 7 and first reported Wednesday by Germany ’ s Die Zeit newspaper ’ s online edition .
IS has “ incited its supporters in the West to take advantage of the current crisis to stage attacks , ” but so far there has been no uptick in any violence , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be using the crisis for propaganda purposes , taking advantage of the fact that with lockdown measures people are spending more time online than usual .
“ To increase their support base , violent extremists use people ’ s insecurities , vulnerabilities and grievances , creating a simple narrative which ‘ explains ’ problems by blaming outsiders , ” de Kerchove wrote .
“ ’ Infidels ’ or ‘ apostates ’ serve as scapegoats for jihadists , members of ethnic and religious minority groups for right-wing extremists , and ‘ class enemies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremists .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--9-year-old boy in Tennessee catches 80-pound lake sturgeon

HENDERSONVILLE , Tenn. - A nine-year-old boy in Tennessee became the third child in his family to catch a monster fish , reeling in an 80-pound sturgeon that outweighed him by far .
Coye Price was eager to catch something big after his 11-year-old sister Caitlin hooked a 40-pound striper and his 8-year-old sister Farrah reeled in a 58-pound blue catfish a while back , the Tennessee Wildlife and Resource Agency said Tuesday in a Facebook post .
“ Coye had been saying , ‘ Man , I don ’ t have nothing on these girls , I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” Coye ’ s father , Chris , told the Tennessean .
“ So not only did he catch a bigger fish than they had , but sturgeon are rare , which is the other cool part about it.
” Coye , who weighs just 55-pounds , was targeting catfish in Old Hickory Lake before he hooked the sturgeon .
It took him 15 minutes to get the fish in the boat , where they weighed it and took some pictures before returning it to the water , the Tennessean reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest and longest-living fish in Tennessee , the state ’ s wildlife agency said .
There have been efforts to restore the species , which can grow up to eight feet and live up to 150 years , after their population declined due to reasons including overfishing and habitat loss .
The agency said more than 220,000 lake sturgeon have been stocked into the Cumberland River and portions of the Tennessee River since 2000 .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Flynn case boosts Trump’s bid to undo Russia probe narrative

WASHINGTON - When Michael Flynn was forced from the White House , Vice-President Mike Pence said he was disappointed the national security adviser had misled him about his talks with the Russian ambassador .
President Donald Trump called the deception unacceptable .
Now Pence says he ’ d welcome Flynn back to the administration , calling him a “ patriot , ” as Trump pronounces him exonerated .
What a difference three years makes .
The Justice Department ’ s move to dismiss the criminal case against Flynn marks another step in his transformation , in the eyes of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to victim of runaway law enforcement .
The dismissal rewrites the narrative of the case that Trump ’ s own Justice Department had advanced for the last three years in a way that former law enforcement officials say downplays the legitimate national security concerns they believe Flynn posed and the consequences of the lies he pleaded guilty to telling .
It ’ s been swept up in a broader push by Trump and his Republican allies to reframe the Russia investigation as a “ deep state ” plot to sabotage his administration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of election year attacks on past and present Democratic officials and law enforcement leaders .
“ His goal is that by the end of this , you ’ re just not really sure what happened and at some gut level enough Americans say , ‘ It ’ s kind of messy , ’ ” said Princeton University presidential historian Julian Zelizer .
Scrambling to manage the coronavirus and economic crash , Trump has been eager to shift the focus elsewhere .
He has repeatedly called Flynn “ exonerated ” and pushed the development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obamagate , ” an allegation the previous administration tried to undermine him during the presidential transition .
Trump has tried to rally his supporters around the claim to revive enthusiasm among voters disappointed by his handling of the pandemic .
He used the first 20 minutes of a recent Fox News interview to attack the Obama administration rather than offer updates on the pandemic .
An investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller found Russians interfered in the 2016 election on Trump ’ s behalf , though it did not allege illegal co-ordination with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple instances of potential obstruction of justice and pointedly noted that he was unable to exonerate Trump .
But advisers believe painting the previous administration as corrupt can distract from a pandemic crisis that has crippled the economy and killed tens of thousands of people in the U.S. and is an effective line of attack against Trump ’ s Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , Obama ’ s vice-president , according to four current and former administration officials and Republicans close to the White House not authorized to discuss the matter by name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pre-pandemic arguments to cast Trump , even now as an incumbent , as the political outsider being attacked by the establishment .
Trump has increasingly lashed out in the year since Mueller ’ s report did not accuse him of a crime or allege a criminal conspiracy between his campaign and Russia .
Revelations since then have exposed problems with early days of the FBI ’ s probe , including errors and omissions in applications to surveil an ex-Trump campaign adviser .
Republicans have echoed the attacks and scrutiny .
National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of names of Obama officials who reportedly asked for Flynn ’ s identity to be unredacted in intelligence documents , while Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley told the Senate the “ rule of law is at risk if the federal government can get away with violating the Constitution to do what they did to Lt. Gen. Flynn.
“ ’ Republicans have generated a “ thick fog of propaganda , “ said Rep. Jamie Raskin , D- Md .
“ Trump and his enablers in Congress have a strategy of never admitting anything and always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William Barr has said dropping the case against Flynn , who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about having discussed sanctions with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition , was in the interests of justice .
The department says the FBI had no basis for interviewing Flynn about his “ entirely appropriate ” calls and that any imperfect statements he made weren ’ t material to the broader counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign .
But the decision stunned former law enforcement officials involved in the case , including some who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and omitting key context .
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said the FBI was obligated to interview Flynn about his conversations with the Russian ambassador over sanctions imposed for election interference .
And because White House officials , including Pence , inaccurately asserted that Flynn had never discussed sanctions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak , U.S. officials were concerned Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail since Russia also knew what was discussed .
“ Mr .
Flynn was set to become the national security adviser , and it was untenable that Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessed had sought to interfere in the U.S. presidential election — might have leverage over him , ” Mary McCord , the Justice Department ’ s top national security official at the time , wrote in a New York Times opinion piece in which she accused Barr of misrepresenting her viewpoints .
She acknowledged an internal quarrel over whether to disclose details of Flynn ’ s calls to the White House and about the FBI ’ s decision to interview Flynn without alerting Justice Department leadership .
But she said there was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat .
A judge has yet to rule on the Justice Department ’ s dismissal request , opening the door Tuesday to outside individuals and groups to file briefs .
But in the meantime , Flynn ’ s revival in Trump ’ s orbit is perhaps not surprising .
From the moment he took the stage at the 2016 Republican National Convention and led a “ Lock her up !
” chant aimed at Democrat Hillary Clinton , Flynn has been exceedingly popular among many Trump supporters .
For many , his forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his stature as a martyr and cause celebre .
Discussions have been held about potentially welcoming him back to a post within the administration or the reelection campaign , according to the officials .
Nothing has been finalized .
Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report .

Eric Tucker And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Despite virus, Pompeo in Israel to talk West Bank annexation

JERUSALEM - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Wednesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Israel ’ s plans to annex parts of the West Bank , as Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian teen in a clash with stone-throwers in the occupied territory .
Pompeo ’ s brief visit came at a tense time , as Israeli troops searched for the killers of a soldier killed a day earlier by a rock dropped from a rooftop during an army raid of a West Bank village .
With President Donald Trump facing election in November , Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move ahead quickly with annexing portions of the West Bank .
Annexation is expected to appeal to Trump ’ s pro-Israel evangelical supporters , but is also bound to trigger widespread international condemnation .
It would crush already faint Palestinian hopes of establishing a viable state alongside Israel , on lands Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war .
Pompeo landed in Tel Aviv early Wednesday , donning a red , white and blue face mask , and headed directly to Jerusalem , receiving an exemption from Israel ’ s mandatory two-week quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is the first foreign official to visit Israel since January , before the country largely shut its borders to curb the pandemic .
Standing alongside Pompeo , Netanyahu said the six-hour visit is a “ testament to the strength of our alliance.
” The two said their talks would focus on shared concerns about Iran , the battle against the coronavirus and Israel ’ s incoming government .
Netanyahu and his new coalition partner , Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz , postponed the swearing-in of their government until Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo also met with Gantz and with his fellow retired military chief Gabi Ashkenazi , the new government ’ s incoming foreign minister .
Neither Netanyahu nor Pompeo mentioned Wednesday ’ s violence in southern West Bank .
The Palestinian health ministry said a 15-year-old boy was killed in confrontations with Israeli forces near the city of Hebron .
It said four others were wounded by live fire , the ministry said .
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military .
On Tuesday , an Israeli soldier was killed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head with a rock thrown off a rooftop .
The military said it had arrested 10 suspects .
Pompeo expressed his condolence on the soldier ’ s death and said “ Israel has the right to defend itself and America will consistently support you in that effort.
” One of the key items on the agenda in Pompeo ’ s talks Wednesday was expected to be Israel ’ s stated intention to annex parts of the West Bank .
Pompeo said “ there remains work yet to do and we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the visit , Pompeo told the Israeli daily Israel Hayom on Tuesday that he was coming to hear Netanyahu and Gantz ’ s views on the matter .
Netanyahu and Gantz struck a power-sharing deal last month after three parliamentary elections over the past year resulted in stalemate .
Under the deal , Netanyahu would remain prime minister for the next 18 months , even as he goes on trial on charges of fraud , accepting bribes and breach of trust .
After a year and a half , Gantz will serve as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement also stipulates that Netanyahu can advance plans to annex West Bank land , including dozens of Jewish settlements , starting July 1 .
The deal says such a move must be co-ordinated with the U.S. while considering regional stability and peace agreements .
Under the Trump plan unveiled in January , the Palestinians would have limited statehood while Israel would annex some 30 % of the West Bank .
The Palestinians have rejected the plan .
Netanyahu said the new government offered “ an opportunity to promote peace and security based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Israeli hard-liners are eager to unilaterally redraw the Mideast map before November ’ s U.S. presidential election .
Annexation would also give Trump an accomplishment to shore up his pro-Israel base , particularly politically influential evangelical Christian voters .
Wednesday ’ s meeting could provide an indication of how far the administration is willing to allow Netanyahu to move .
The presumptive Democratic nominee , Joe Biden , has said he opposes unilateral annexation plans by Israel .
Israel captured the West Bank , east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip in the 1967 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territories for a future independent state .
In the decades since , Israel has built settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem that now house nearly 700,000 Israelis .
Most of the international community considers these settlements a violation of international law and obstacles to peace .
In November , Pompeo stated that the administration no longer believed that Israel ’ s West Bank settlements were inconsistent with international law .
But Netanyahu ’ s plans to annex occupied West Bank territory have drawn fierce criticism .
The Arab League has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” And the European Union , as well as individual member states , have warned of tough consequences if Israel moves forward .
The Trump administration has said it will support the annexation of West Bank territory — as long as Israel agrees to enter peace talks with the Palestinians .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Lebanon to reinstate total lockdown amid spike in infections

BEIRUT - Lebanese rushed to food stores to stock up on vegetables and basic items , hours before the government was to reinstate a four-day nationwide lockdown on Wednesday , following a spike in reported coronavirus cases .
The government called on the public to stay home , starting Wednesday evening and until dawn on Monday , reversing measures earlier this month that phased out restrictions imposed since mid-March .
The new shutdown is a rare reversal and comes as many countries , seeking to balance economic and health care needs , have started easing restrictions despite grave concerns of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after they partially opened 10 days ago , and food deliveries will be halted altogether .
The country ’ s top Sunni Muslim cleric announced that communal Friday prayers in mosques will also be halted , only a week after they were allowed to resume at limited capacity .
The public health crisis comes at a particularly turbulent period for Lebanon .
The country is facing an unprecedented economic and financial crisis , putting pressure on a population that is seeing its savings erode .
The currency , pegged at a fixed rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost 60 % of its value in a few weeks .
Unemployment had been rising even before the coronavirus restrictions as economic growth and investment dropped .
Officials say 45 % of the population now lives in poverty .
The government has asked the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance , and talks over the rescue plan are due to begin with the IMF later Wednesday .
Lebanon began a phased-out plan to relax a national lockdown late last month that allowed small businesses to reopen , and shortened a nighttime curfew .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases detected , there was a spike in reported infections this week , including among Lebanese returning home during repatriation programs who did not observe quarantine measures .
Lebanon , a country of just over 5 million , has so far been able to contain the virus , recording only 870 infections , including 117 repatriated Lebanese , and 26 deaths after imposing early lockdown measures and strictly implementing restriction on movement .
But over the last few days , government and health officials criticized carelessness and lax implementation of social distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the relaxation of restrictions would be reconsidered .
Meanwhile , Saudi Arabia said Wednesday it will go into a full lockdown during the days of celebration that follow the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan .
The Interior Ministry said the lockdown would be in effect from May 23 through May 27 — days mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday that comes at the end of Ramadan .
That holiday typically sees families invite loved ones over for meals and go out to eat and drink during the day .
And the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheikhdoms , said it will offer free coronavirus testing for all citizens , beginning next week .
Foreigners in the country with coronavirus symptoms , pregnant women , those over 50 and those in contact with those who fell ill with COVID-19 also will be among those able to be tested for free .
Private beaches at hotels also are beginning to reopen in Dubai , even as the number of confirmed cases and deaths continue to rise in the country .
In Tehran , mosques temporarily reopened Tuesday night after about two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of prayers in Ramadan .
A mosque at Tehran university campus in central Tehran hosted worshippers for the “ Qadr , ” or ‘ ‘ Night of Destiny , “ a special night of prayers in the Muslim holy month .
Officials in Iran had closed down all mosques and holy sites across the country in mid-March , at the height of the coronavirus outbreak , to lower the risk of the contagion .
The virus has killed more than 6,700 people and infected more than 110,000 people in Iran so far .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonight .
It has been a tough time especially for mosque-goers and those who love praying , ” said Reza Abbasi , a worshipper who was praying along with his family on the campus of Tehran university .
Upon entering the campus , a group of medical students disinfected hands and shoes of worshippers and gave away face masks .
Worshippers also had their body temperatures taken by infrared thermometers .
Spots were marked on the mosque floor for worshippers to sit down while practicing proper physical distancing .
Associated Press writer Zeina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dubai , the United Arab Emirates ; Mohammad Nasiri and Mohsen Ganji in Tehran , Iran , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Serbia protests priests’ detention in Montenegro

PODGORICA , Montenegro - Serbia on Wednesday strongly protested the detention of eight Serbian Orthodox Church priests in Montenegro after thousands of people attended a religious procession despite a ban on gatherings because of the coronavirus .
Montenegrin prosecutors said that the priests are facing charges of violating health regulations during the virus outbreak by organizing the procession on Tuesday in the western town of Niksic .
Most people participating in the procession didn ’ t wear face masks or keep a safe distance from each other .
Angry over the arrests , supporters of the Serbian Orthodox Church blocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , according to the state Montenegrin RTCG television .
The report said that a long line of blocked cars formed down the road .
The detentions heightened tensions between the small Adriatic state and Serbia and its church which earlier this year led weeks of protests against a religious law that it says would strip the church of its property .
Montenegrin officials have repeatedly denied the allegations .
Serbia ’ s president , Aleksandar Vucic , and Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej said in a joint statement on Wednesday that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any “ unwanted unrest or clashes.
“ The patriarch said the detentions “ are only a proof that the Montenegrin state is conducting a purge of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
“ Vucic urged a peaceful resolution of the crisis and a quick release of the priests .
Montenegro , a country of 620,000 people , split from much larger Serbia in a referendum in 2006 .
Serbian nationalists both in Serbia and Montenegro have never fully recognized the separation of what they claim is a historic Serbian territory .
Montenegro has reported nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 300 infections .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Soldiers shoot man in Kashmir, triggering anti-India clashes

SRINAGAR , India - Indian soldiers fatally shot a young man at a checkpoint in the Himalayan region of Kashmir on Wednesday , residents and officials said , triggering anti-India protests and clashes in the disputed region .
India ’ s Central Reserve Police Force said the man was driving a car and ignored signals to stop at two checkpoints in the western outskirts of Srinagar , the region ’ s main city .
It said the soldiers feared sabotage because a military convoy was passing by at the time .
It said in a statement that a soldier shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t stop despite warning shots.
” The victim ’ s father , Ghulam Nabi Shah , denied the police account , saying his son did not drive through any checkpoints , and that soldiers first stopped him and then shot him .
A witness , Firdousa , said the victim stopped his car when soldiers signalled him .
“ A security official told him something to which he replied that he had some emergency .
They let him go but as he was getting into his vehicle , they shot him in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He was killed deliberately .
He did no wrong.
” As news of his death spread in his village , hundreds of men and women began chanting “ Go India , go back ” and “ We want freedom ” and demanded that the victim ’ s body be returned to the family for burial .
Authorities did not immediately hand over the body .
As government forces moved in to stop the villagers from marching , hundreds threw stones at the troops , who fired shotgun pellets and tear gas to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate reports of casualties in the clashes .
Authorities shut down mobile internet service in the area , a common Indian tactic in the region when such protests erupt .
Indian forces have imposed a stringent lockdown in the region since late March to combat the coronavirus .
Despite the lockdown , India has stepped up its counterinsurgency operations while militants have also continued their attacks on government forces and alleged informants .
Indian soldiers man checkpoints and bunkers across the region , where an armed resistance to Indian rule has raged since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their anger at the troops ’ presence and support the rebels ’ call for the territory to be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country .
India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir , but both claim the region in its entirety .
About 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Norway’s top military official in Iraq says virus helps IS

COPENHAGEN - Islamic State militants hide in sparsely populated farmlands in Iraq from where they stage attacks on Iraqi forces scrambling to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country , the head of the 70-man Norwegian contingent in this Mideast nation was quoted as saying Wednesday .
Iraq is not just facing the global pandemic but also a resurgence of attacks by the Islamic State group and a financial crunch as oil prices plummet to historic lows — a crisis for a nation depending on crude exports to fund 90 % of its state expenditure .
The militants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thus not particularly susceptible to the virus infection , ” Lt. Col. Stein Grongstad told Norway ’ s VG newspaper .
In recent weeks , they have been targeting Iraqi forces “ that are not currently co-ordinated to the same extent as before the virus struck.
” Grongstad described the situation as a “ paradox , ” that at a time when the world is grappling with the pandemic , IS attacks are on the rise .
“ The Islamic State group has been moving the fighting from Syria to Iraq ... ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and militarily , ” he said .
Since 2017 , a Norwegian contingent has been based in western Iraq ’ s vast and mostly desert Anbar province , where it trains and advises Iraqi security forces .
Iraq has reported over 2,700 cases of coronavirus infections , including 109 deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Police: Man caught on camera choking ex-girlfriend’s dog

SLIDELL , La .
- A Louisiana man was recorded on a doorbell camera choking his estranged girlfriend ’ s dog , police said .
Shane Michael Mitchell stole the dog , Rubyjean , and choked her on Sunday after arguing with his estranged girlfriend , Slidell police said in a news release .
They sent undercover investigators to surveil and arrest him after reviewing the video .
“ I was sick to my stomach watching that video , ” Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said Tuesday .
How someone can “ hurt a defenceless animal is beyond me.
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building after he refused to co-operate with authorities , and recovered the dog , which was returned to its owner , police said .
Mitchell , 30 , was booked into jail on animal cruelty charges .
It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer to comment on his behalf .
“ I had the opportunity to meet Rubyjean this afternoon , and she was as sweet and well-mannered as could be , ” Fandal said Tuesday .
“ We are glad this had a happy ending for both the dog @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--EU unveils its plan to save summer vacations

BRUSSELS - The European Union unveiled Wednesday its plan to help citizens across the 27 nations salvage their summer vacations after months of tough coronavirus confinement and to hopefully resurrect Europe ’ s badly battered tourism industry .
Around 150,000 people have died across Europe and Britain since the virus surfaced in northern Italy in February , but with the spread of the disease tapering off , people in many countries are cautiously venturing out of confinement to return to work and some schools are reopening .
A question on the minds of people , tour operators and the thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourism industry is whether the summer months this year will be reduced to a home-style “ staycation.
” In a series of guidelines , the EU ’ s executive arm , the European Commission , laid out its advice for lifting ID checks on hastily closed borders , helping to get airlines , ferries and buses running while ensuring the safety of passengers and crew , and preparing health measures for hotels to reassure clients .
But a big question remains : will the countries of the world ’ s biggest trading bloc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease about which much is still unknown , national capitals have tended to go it alone , and they - not the EU Commission - have the final say over health and security matters .
The commission ’ s over-arching advice is that EU countries with similar rates of coronavirus infections and comparably strong health care systems should begin lifting border measures between each other .
Tourists from outside Europe can not enter until at least June 15 .
The move comes amid deep concern that Europe ’ s ID-check free travel zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schengen Area - is being strangled by controls , further harming virus-ravaged economies by limiting the movement of goods , services and people that are essential to business .
In a tweet Wednesday , Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced that : “ On May 15 there will only be random checks at the German-Austrian border and on June 15 the border should be opened again.
” He said his government is looking to do the same “ with Switzerland , Liechtenstein and neighbouring countries in Eastern Europe , provided the infection numbers allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing rules would apply , and the EU Commission is recommending that robust disease monitoring measures are put in place - including good testing capacity and contact tracing - so that people have the confidence to return to hotels and camping sites abroad .
Raf Casert in Brussels contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Ocasio-Cortez among top Dems promoting Biden-Sanders unity

WASHINGTON - Joe Biden and the last rival he bested to become the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , Bernie Sanders , on Wednesday announced the members of joint task forces their campaigns will use to promote party unity by hammering out consensus on six top policy issues .
They include New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , who will provide input on combating climate change and potentially become a key conduit between strong progressives who supported Sanders and backers of the more centrist Biden .
Each committee has eight members and will be focused on health care , immigration , education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the economy , which has taken a sharp downturn amid shutdowns to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Biden and Sanders differed throughout the primary on a number of issues , particularly whether a government-run system should replace private health insurance .
Biden has continued to resist Sanders ’ s “ Medicare for All ” plan and has instead promoted a public option that would operate alongside private coverage .
The former vice-president has taken steps to embrace some policies favoured by the more liberal wing of the Democratic Party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn out for him against President Donald Trump .
That includes embracing proposals backed by Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren to expand health coverage eligibility through Medicare , cancel student debt for millions of Americans and overhaul the nation ’ s system for individuals to declare bankruptcy .
“ A united party is key to defeating Donald Trump this November and moving our country forward through an unprecedented crisis , ” Biden said in a statement .
“ The work of the task forces will be essential to identifying ways to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clock back to a time before Donald Trump , but transform our country.
“ Sanders , a senator from Vermont , endorsed Biden within a week of leaving the race in April — unlike in 2016 , when he waited until just before the party ’ s convention to formally back Hillary Clinton .
He originally urged supporters to keep voting for him in upcoming primaries delayed by the coronavirus outbreak so that he would be able to influence the policy platform unveiled during the Democratic National Convention — an event already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Sanders and Biden later announced they ’ d be forming joint committees on key issues , potentially helping Biden win over progressives who viewed him as too moderate .
The groups will meet ahead of the Democratic convention and prepare recommendations for its platform committee as well as Biden .
One of Sanders ’ highest-profile supporters , Ocasio-Cortez , will be co-chairwoman of the climate change committee along with former Secretary of State John Kerry , who was a visible Biden surrogate .
The economy committee will be headed by Karen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Sara Nelson , president of the Association of Flight Attendants who has become a visible advocate for labour rights during the pandemic .
Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott is co-chairing the criminal justice committee , which also includes Eric Holder , former attorney general under President Barack Obama .
Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge is helping lead the education task force ; California Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard is co-head of the immigration committee ; and the health care group will be overseen by Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal and former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of Sanders ’ top former campaign advisers have already formed a separate , outside political group to promote Biden and progressive ideals .
In his own statement announcing the task force members , Sanders advocated for creating an “ agenda the working class of this country desperately needs ” and a “ more just society ” amid the pandemic .
“ The Democratic Party must think big , act boldly , and fight to change the direction of this country , ” Sanders said .
“ I commend Joe Biden for working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of leading thinkers and activists who can and will unify our party in a transformational and progressive direction.
” Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--UK on course for ‘significant’ recession after March slump

LONDON - The U.K. government warned Wednesday of a “ significant ” recession after official figures showed the economy shrank 2 % in the first quarter of the year even though it included just one week of the coronavirus lockdown .
The Office of National Statistics found that the slump was getting deeper as the quarter came to an end , with output down by 5.8 % in March alone , the month when curbs on everyday life started being put in place by the British government .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the U.K. into full lockdown on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants and schools .
The March figure illustrates the scale of the coronavirus slump to come , with the Bank of England , for example , warning of the biggest annual slump since 1706 .
“ With the arrival of the pandemic , nearly every aspect of the economy was hit in March , dragging growth to a record monthly fall , ” said statistician Jonathan Athow .
During March , the only sectors that did grow reflected the needs of a country dealing with a pandemic - IT support , soaps and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pharmaceuticals .
The quarterly decline is the biggest recorded since the fourth quarter of 2008 at the height of the global financial crisis .
Since 1955 , when equivalent records began , there have only been four quarters worse .
Like others , the British economy is set for a recession of unprecedented proportions , with many economists predicting that the second quarter could see economic output shrink by a quarter , or even more .
Last week , the Bank of England warned that the British economy could fall by around 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , before a strong recovery in the second half of the year , leaving it 14 % smaller by the end of 2020 .
Still , even with that predicted second-half recovery , the annual fall would be the biggest in over 300 years .
Much of the British economy has been mothballed over the past couple of months , with many sectors unlikely to open again for months .
In addition to the 2 million estimated to be unemployed , around 7.5 million people have become economically inactive since the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which sees the government pay up to 80 % of the salaries of workers retained , up to 2,500 pounds ( $ 3,075 ) a month .
On Tuesday , the Treasury chief Rishi Sunak extended the scheme for a further four months until October though suggested that firms will have to start paying a share .
Sunak told the BBC after the release of Wednesday ’ s figures that it is “ very likely ” the country will face a “ significant “ recession .
The government is hoping that it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as possible in order to limit the scale of the slump .
The depth of the recession — and the subsequent recovery — will depend on how long the lockdown measures remain in place .
Some of the lockdown measures are being relaxed in England on Wednesday , with those workers who are unable to work from home , such as those in construction and manufacturing , encouraged to return to work .
And a number of recreational sports , such as golf and tennis clubs , can reopen .
In all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be observed .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--India’s financial centre strains from virus amid rescue plan

NEW DELHI - As Indians await details of a huge coronavirus relief package Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced to jump-start the economy , the virus outbreak in the financial capital of Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashtra state is starting to overwhelm hospitals and slums , complicating any economic recovery plan .
About a third of India ’ s 71,865 confirmed virus cases , and nearly 40 % of its 2,415 deaths , have been reported in Maharashtra , the coastal state in the centre of the country that is home to Bollywood , a huge agriculture industry and India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sensex has sunk about 25 % from its year-to-date high in January .
Health experts have praised Modi ’ s government for enforcing a stringent weeks-long lockdown that has helped the nation of 1.3 billion so far avoid the kind of catastrophic rates of illness and death that have beset the United States , Britain and elsewhere .
But as India ’ s lockdown restrictions are eased , whether the country can steer its economy back on track will largely depend on how Maharashtra rebounds , experts say .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former head of Procter & Gamble in India , said of the state .
“ I think the default position should be to open , and you only lock down by exception , because eventually I fear that the cost of the lockdown will be far greater in lives even than the disease.
“ India ’ s lockdown , imposed March 25 , is set to at least partially end May 18 .
Some restrictions on manufacturing , agriculture and self-employment were lifted May 4 to ease the burden on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the majority of India ’ s workforce .
Indian Railways also partially reopened to run special trains carrying migrant workers stranded in the lockdown who fled India ’ s big cities , including Mumbai , for their village homes .
At least some of the passengers carried the coronavirus with them , infection spikes in the states of Bihar and Orisha corresponding with their arrival show .
In a live address Tuesday night , Modi said the government would spend more than $ 260 billion to revive the economy .
At the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs of distress .
The state government has ordered all private hospital doctors to spent at least 15 days treating COVID-19 patients at public hospitals , where infection rates among health care workers are growing .
The government also released half of its inmate population amid outbreaks in prisons .
And health officials are struggling to contain the spread of the virus in Mumbai , one of the world ’ s most densely populated cities .
Anushaa Vijay , 31 , an architect in Mumbai , said the pandemic has had a transformative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the liveliest city I know of to a standstill , ” she said .
But the narrow lanes of Dharavi , one of Asia ’ s biggest slums , are still crowded .
Prashant Pawar ’ s neighbour , Mukund Patil , a 58-year-old diabetic street food vendor , developed a mild fever earlier this month .
Two days later , he tested positive for the virus .
Pawar tested negative .
Pawar accompanied Patil in the ambulance to Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital .
By the time doctors could attend to him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoors were full of people .
Very few people were wearing masks , “ Pawar said , adding that “ at times I saw more than one patient being rested on a single bed.
” The hospital , where many of the hundreds of COVID-19 patients from Dharavi have been treated , has been under scrutiny since a video emerged showing four bodies shrouded in black plastic lying next to virus patients .
A member of the hospital staff , Dr. Avinash Saknure , said health facilities were “ overstretched.
” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have , ” he said .

Emily Schmall And Sheikh Saaliq - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Family of woman killed by police hires civil rights attorney

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - A prominent civil rights and personal injury attorney has been hired by the family of a black woman who was fatally shot by Kentucky police in her home .
Attorney Ben Crump has represented the families of other high-profile black shooting victims , including Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery .
He was hired Monday by the family of Breonna Taylor , who was 26 when officers entered her Louisville home early March 13 as part of a narcotics investigation and fatally shot her , news outlets reported .
Police said they were returning fire after one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounded .
A defence attorney for Taylor ’ s boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , has said in court filings that Walker fired in self-defence because police did not announce themselves and he thought officers were breaking in .
The police department has declined to answer several questions about the case , citing an ongoing internal investigation .
Taylor ’ s family filed a lawsuit last month police that says the officers were not looking for Taylor or her boyfriend , but for a suspect who was already in custody .
“ Breonna Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officers ’ gunfire and died as a result .
Breonna had posed no threat to the officers and did nothing to deserve to die at their hands , ” reads the complaint , which was filed by two local attorneys .
Crump called the killing “ inexcusable ” in a statement to news outlets .
“ We stand with the family of this young woman in demanding answers from the Louisville Police Department , “ Crump said .
” Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding her death , the Department has not provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how this tragedy occurred , nor have they taken responsibility for her senseless killing.
” Louisville Metro Police Department spokeswoman Jessie Halladay said in an email that the internal investigation continues .
She declined to comment further .
Crump also represents the family of Ahmaud Arbery , a black man who was fatally shot in February in a coastal Georgia town .
A white father and son were arrested last week after video emerged of them confronting Arbery , which led to a struggle with punches thrown , three shots fired and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police they suspected Arbery was a burglar and it took more than two months for the arrests , which is fueling calls for the resignation of local authorities who initially investigated the case and reforms to Georgia ’ s criminal justice system .
Crump also was involved in the 2012 case of Trayvon Martin , the unarmed black Florida teenager shot and killed by a neighbourhood watch volunteer .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Asia Today: New Zealand has no new cases for 2nd day

BANGKOK - New Zealand reported zero new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday , the second day in a row without any new cases and the fourth day since early last week .
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said it was encouraging news as the country prepares to ease many of its lockdown restrictions from midnight .
Most businesses , including malls , retail stores and sit-down restaurants , will be able to reopen .
Social distancing rules will remain in place and gatherings will be limited to 10 people .
“ The sense of anticipation is both palpable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifting of restrictions will coincide with the release of the government ’ s annual budget on Thursday .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country faced the most challenging economic conditions since the Great Depression because of the virus .
“ New Zealand is about to enter a very tough winter , ” she said .
“ But every winter eventually is followed by spring , and if we make the right choices we can get New Zealanders back to work and our economy moving quickly again.
” In other developments around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NEW CASES : Thailand has reported no new confirmed cases of the coronavirus for the first time in more than two months .
There also were no new deaths reported Wednesday , leaving the country ’ s total at 3,017 cases with 56 fatalities .
Since the beginning of May , Thailand has reported single-digit daily increases with the exception of May 4 , when a cluster pushed the number to 18 .
The last time Thailand reported no new cases was on March 9 , when there were 50 cases in total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been selectively easing restrictions meant to combat the coronavirus .
Bangkok restaurants were allowed to reopen last week for sit-in dining with social distancing .
— EASED RULES MAINTAINED , FOR NOW : South Korea has no immediate plans to return to strict social distancing rules after a spike in cases .
Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip told reporters the government needs more time to analyze details of recent outbreaks before determining whether to change the guidelines .
Daily cases had dropped into single digits before spiking to around 30 each day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district were linked to many of the new infections .
Clubs in the Seoul area closed again after the outbreak , and the reopening of schools has been delayed .
South Korea ’ s 26 new cases reported Wednesday by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention brought the national tally to 10,962 with 259 deaths .
— MAJOR CHINESE MEETING LIKELY TO BE SHORTENED : A shorter-than-usual ban on drone use in the Chinese capital is seen as a signal that China will curtail its major political meeting of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced Wednesday that the use of drones , balloons , gliders and other low-flying objects will be banned for nine days , from May 20 to May 28 .
Such bans are common during major events .
The National People ’ s Congress usually happens over two weeks in March but was postponed this year because of the virus outbreak .
It is scheduled to start May 22 , so the flying ban suggests it may last just one week .
Some participants in a recent preparatory meeting for the congress joined by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 3,000 delegates to the congress may do so too .
— 7 NEW CASES IN CHINA : China reported seven new cases Wednesday , six of them in the northeastern province of Jilin where authorities have raised alert levels and suspended rail connections to a county where a cluster of unknown origin has been growing .
China has reported a total of 4,633 deaths among 82,926 cases .
Authorities are preparing to test all 11 million residents for the virus in Wuhan , the city where the pandemic began late last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new cluster was discovered , the first local infections the government has reported in Wuhan since before a lockdown was eased in early April .
— SUMO WRESTLER DIES : A 28-year-old Japanese sumo wrestler died Wednesday from the coronavirus .
Shoubushi , whose real name was Kiyotaka Suetake , is the first sumo wrestler known to have died from the virus and is among the youngest victims in Japan .
He developed a fever on April 4 but could not get a test or find a hospital until four days later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar for testing due to a lack of capacity .
Avoiding close contact with others is a challenge in sumo , where wrestlers live together and train and eat together .
Several other wrestlers have also been infected .
The Summer Grand Sumo Tournament scheduled to start May 24 was cancelled earlier this month .


thetorontostar--2020-05-13--Kenyan ballet student struggles in slum with no remote class

NAIROBI , Kenya - The coronavirus pandemic is forcing children to stay home and learn remotely .
But in the depths of Kenya ’ s slums , 12-year-old ballet student Eugene Ochieng faces huge obstacles to remote learning : no computer , no internet access and very little space to practice .
With his ballet studio closed , he finds open spaces in Nairobi ’ s Kibera slum , spinning and jumping in his sneakers against a backdrop of crammed metal shacks .
Half a million people live in Kibera , most with no running water .
Many dream of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t just a passion .
It could be a way out of poverty .
Ochieng discovered the dance two years ago when teachers from the non-profit Artists for Africa visited his school and showed his class a few moves .
He was instantly hooked .
But when the coronavirus started spreading in Kenya the government closed all schools , including dance studios .
So Ochieng had to overcome his stage fright and find open spaces in the slum where he could practice .
But that ’ s hardly the only challenge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have put millions of people out of work , including Ochieng ’ s father , a mason , and his mother , a tailor .
“ Ever since the first case of COVID-19 was announced , my father has not gone to work and there is no food , ” the boy said .
His mother , 38-year-old Gladys Akinyi , has encouraged his ballet dream , but now she has more pressing concerns : How to provide for five children with no regular income .
“ Even though I want the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t afford private dance classes , ” she said .
Her son is undeterred .
He recently seized the chance to visit a Dance Centre Kenya studio in Nairobi ’ s upmarket neighbourhood of Karen , where he collected a donated pair of hand-me-down ballet shoes .
Normally , more than 500 dancers train at Dance Centre Kenya ’ s network of studios in Nairobi , and the school works with Artists for Africa to support talented dancers from low-income families .
The non-profit also sponsors a handful of scholarship students who live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can attend daily classes .
When Ochieng arrived at the studio , only the scholarship students and artistic director Cooper Rust were there .
Classes are now being taught remotely via videoconferencing .
While there , Ochieng took the rare opportunity to join a class while Rust watched and advised the young dancers .
For Ochieng , it was a soul-lifting experience after weeks of hardship and uncertainty .
“ The more privileged students ... are able to do classes virtually online with us and we are still connecting with them , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underprivileged students in the slums like Kibera , they have a much harder time getting to those virtual classes and not a lot of computers , even if they had internet access .
So not only are they missing the training , but they are also missing the personal interaction with their teachers and probably even more importantly than that , they are missing the opportunity to be able to express themselves through their favourite art.
” In spite of the challenges , Ochieng does all he can to keep up his training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source of encouragement , ” he said .
“ She always tells me that things will get better .
This is just a passing cloud and when it is all over , my wish is to visit my grandparents and to go back to dance school to achieve my dream of becoming a dancer .
”

Desmond Tiro And Khaled Kazziha - The Associated Press