thetorontostar--2020-04-30--AP-NORC poll: High use, mild trust of news media on COVID-19

WASHINGTON - Americans have faced upheaval over the past six weeks as the coronavirus spreads across the country , leading to shuttered schools , restaurants and businesses and confining people to their homes .
In a crowded and fluctuating information environment , a new poll finds Americans using the news media and their state or local governments as their most regular sources .
But the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds it is information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and people ’ s own doctors that Americans trust most .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used or highly trusted source of information for most Americans .
Among the findings in the survey of American adults , conducted April 16-20 : — Overall , 6 in 10 Americans say they regularly get information about COVID-19 from the news media .
Half listen to state and local governments on a regular basis .
About another 4 in 10 often look to the CDC .
Fewer — about 3 in 10 — go to Trump regularly , with roughly as many listening to the president occasionally .
— Personal networks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though majorities get information about the virus from them at least some of the time .
Twenty-eight per cent regularly look to friends and family , with 43 % occasionally going to them for information .
Personal doctors and health care providers are used regularly by 18 % of Americans and occasionally by 36 % .
— While the news media is the most frequented source of information about the virus , it is one of the least trusted .
Only about a third say they have high trust in information about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another third have a moderate amount of trust .
— Americans are especially likely to trust information about the coronavirus that comes from the CDC or from personal health care providers .
Roughly two-thirds of Americans say they have a great deal or quite a bit of trust in information from each .
About another quarter trust each moderately .
State or local officials also are relatively highly trusted , with about half saying they trust that information a great deal or quite a bit and another third saying they do somewhat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in information about the virus from Trump , with about as many saying they have some trust .
Fifty-four per cent have little to no trust in information from the president .
— About half of Republicans along with about 6 in 10 Democrats say they have high trust in information from state governments .
Majorities in both groups say they have high trust in the CDC — Democrats somewhat more than Republicans .
— Republicans are far more likely to rely on and trust Trump for information about the virus .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust the news media .
— Three in 10 Americans say they use social media for coronavirus information regularly , with roughly the same share using it as a source on occasion .
Just about 1 in 10 say they have high levels of trust in coronavirus information from social media ; nearly two-thirds report having little to none .
The AP-NORC poll of 1,057 adults was conducted April 16-20 using a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ respondents is plus or minus 4 percentage points .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Germany raids sites linked to Hezbollah, extends ban

BERLIN - German police raided five sites linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah , as authorities announced Thursday that they were banning activities by its political wing in Germany .
The raids , intended to prevent evidence about possible front organizations being destroyed , took place at mosques and community centres in Berlin , Bremen , Muenster , Recklinghausen and Dortmund .
German lawmakers last year called on the government to extend an existing ban on activities by the group ’ s militant wing to include those of its political branch .
At the time , officials had warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because Hezbollah doesn ’ t have any official presence in Germany .
The Interior Ministry said the decree issued Thursday bans all activities in support of the group in Germany , including the use of its symbols or publications .
Hezbollah supporters have staged annual anti-Israel marches in Berlin for several years .
The United States and Israel welcomed Germany ’ s move against the group , which is rooted in Lebanon ’ s Shiite community and has close ties to Iran .
U.S .
Ambassador Richard Grenell called on other European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s activities , saying the group “ can not be allowed to use Europe as a safe haven to support terrorism in Syria and across the Middle East.
” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Twitter that “ Hezbollah is a terror organization & must be treated as such.
” Israel and Hezbollah fought a month-long war in 2006 that ended in a U.N.-brokered cease-fire .

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thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Israelis protest at court ahead of anti-Netanyahu petitions

JERUSALEM - Dozens of protesters rallied outside Israel ’ s Supreme Court on Thursday against petitions to disqualify Benjamin Netanyahu from serving as prime minister while facing criminal charges .
Around 100 people , many waving Israeli flags and maintaining mandatory social distancing , staged a demonstration against what they called court intervention in the democratic process .
They held banners that read “ The Supreme Court is ruining democracy ” and chanted “ the people are the sovereign.
” On Sunday the court is scheduled to hear petitions from several non-profit advocacy groups against a coalition government deal reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former army chief Benny Gantz .
The two reached a power-sharing agreement earlier this month after more than a year of political stalemate and three deadlocked national elections .
Under the deal , Netanyahu and Gantz agreed to share the premiership , with Netanyahu serving as prime minister the first 18 months and Gantz serving the next 18 months .
It also includes a clause to advance plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank , including Israeli settlements , starting July 1 .
The groups are asking the high court to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from being allowed to form a new government .
Netanyahu was charged earlier this year with bribery , fraud and breach of trust .
He has denied any wrongdoing and claims the indictments are part of a political witch hunt .
His trial is scheduled to begin next month .
If the court rules in favour of the petitioners , the Netanyahu-Gantz deal could unravel , plunging the country into a fourth election in just over a year .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Finland to take 130 refugees, mostly children, from Greece

ATHENS , Greece - Greece ’ s migration ministry says Finland has agreed to take in 100 unaccompanied refugee children and 30 adults , expanding the number of European countries which have begun taking in young asylum-seekers from Greece .
Greece ’ s Migration and Asylum ministry said Thursday the agreement came in a call between deputy minister Giorgos Koumoutsakos and senior Finnish Interior Ministry official Olli-Poika Parviainen , adviser to Interior Minister Maria Ohisalo .
In February , the Finnish Interior Ministry said it would take up to 175 asylum-seekers from camps in Cyprus , Greece , Italy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of refugees in the Mediterranean members of the European Union .
The children , and the adults who will be reunited with family members already in Finland , will be relocated in the coming weeks , by the end of May , Greece ’ s ministry said , adding this was “ a decision of practical solidarity ” by the Nordic country .
Tens of thousands of refugees and migrants , including thousands of unaccompanied children , are living in squalid conditions in overcrowded camps on several Greek islands after arriving from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are housed in camps , apartments and other shelters across the mainland .
The government has reached out to other EU countries to help share the burden , and in recent weeks 12 children were flown to Luxembourg and 47 to Germany .
Greece is seeking to have 1,600 unaccompanied children relocated to other EU countries .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Joe Biden picks vetting team as he searches for running mate

WASHINGTON - Joe Biden announced Thursday the four co-chairs of his vice-presidential vetting team , starting the search for his running mate in earnest .
Former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd , Delaware Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Apple executive and longtime Biden aide Cynthia Hogan will serve as co-chairs on the committee .
They ’ ll work with vetting teams led by former White House counsel Bob Bauer , campaign general counsel Dana Remus and former homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco to evaluate Biden ’ s options and collect information on each candidate to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Selecting a vice-presidential candidate is one of the most important decisions in a presidential campaign and no one knows this more than Joe Biden , ” Biden campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon said in a statement .
“ These four co-chairs reflect the strength and diversity of our party , and will provide tremendous insight and expertise to what will be a rigorous selection and vetting process.
” Biden , a former vice-president himself , has committed to picking a woman and has told donors his team is thinking about naming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the August Democratic convention .
Biden has offered some hints about his thinking .
He frequently says he ’ s looking for someone who ’ s “ simpatico with where I want to take the country.
” He ’ s also said he can easily name 12 to 15 women who meet his criteria but would likely seriously consider from six to 11 candidates .
Biden has given no indication of whether he ’ ll look to the Senate , where he spent six terms , to governors or elsewhere .
Those believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s former primary opponents , such as Sens .
Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , as well as some women outside Washington , including Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Georgia city councilman accused of stealing beef

FRANKLIN , Ga. - A Georgia city councilman was charged after he allegedly stole a beef tenderloin from a grocery @ @ @ @ @ Investigation spokeswoman Nelly Miles told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Clifford Henry Jiles was accused of swapping @ @ @ @ @ beef tenderloin with a cheaper pork tenderloin at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Franklin @ @ @ @ @ the beef retailed for over $ 83 , while the pork was about $ 12 @ @ @ @ @ to the bureau by Franklin police after police learned about the alleged swapping on Monday @ @ @ @ @ was arrested the following day on theft charges , Miles said .
Authorities did not @ @ @ @ @ to suspect Jiles , who is a member of the Franklin City Council , in @ @ @ @ @ not immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Immigrants deliver food, ‘hope’ to workers hit by pandemic

NEW YORK - Every afternoon , Sandra Pérez and Francisco Ramírez go over their list of fellow New Yorkers who need help because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Some are sick .
Others lost jobs , but have children to feed .
Others are elderly or disabled .
All are immigrants , like them .
Then , the friends , both originally from Mexico , stock up on rice , beans , vegetables , cereal , soups and fruit at an East Harlem supermarket , and make deliveries by car to as many as 15 families a day .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , physically , emotionally , then we can help others , “ said Ramírez , a 52-year-old day labourer who used to do construction jobs , but now finds work scarce because of the crisis .
Pérez and Ramírez are among a growing number of people who have taken it upon themselves to help an immigrant community that has been hard hit by the pandemic , but often lives in the shadows of government and not-for-profit aide systems because of barriers such as language and immigration status .
These aide networks can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media fundraising campaigns .
In Stamford , Connecticut , Erika Zamora has been distributing food from the restaurant she co-owns even after it was forced to close .
“ Many people here live check by check .
If you miss a check you are in trouble , “ said Zamora , herself a Mexican immigrant .
She plans to start calling people for donations .
In Delaware , Spanish-language radio station La ZMX manager Vladimir Rosales has been receiving calls from Guatemalan , Mexican , Salvadoran , Honduran and other immigrants asking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from stores in Wilmington and Seaford and having families pick up the bags of groceries from the station .
“ It is very sad .
People call me in tears , ” he said .
The Migration Policy Institute found that 20 % of the U.S. workers in vulnerable industries facing layoffs are immigrants , even though they only make up 17 % of the civilian workforce .
According to a Pew Research Center study conducted in March , 49 % of Hispanics surveyed say they or someone in their household has taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – or both – because of the COVID-19 outbreak , compared with 29 % of white and 36 % of black people .
The death toll from the coronavirus has also been disproportionately high in Black and Hispanic communities in New York City .
Blacks have suffered roughly double the fatality rate of whites during the epidemic , according to city health data .
The fatality rate for Hispanics has been only slightly better .
Perez said she felt compelled to begin offering volunteer help after seeing messages needy members of the Mexican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started his own Facebook page where people could share information .
Perez bought food with her own money at first , but she and Ramirez now pay for the groceries with donated money .
People they deliver to tell them about others going hungry .
Phone numbers get passed along and chain develops : Pérez says she gets about 10 to 15 phone calls or texts per day from people seeking help .
“ We want to focus on the most vulnerable ones.
” said Pérez , a 40-year-old single mother who works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ramirez spend a daily average of between $ 100 and $ 150 at the supermarket .
There are days that Peruvian and Mexican restaurants donate food and the friends just distribute those boxes .
They raise the money through the Facebook page and a growing list of friends .
Sometimes the requests are more grim .
People ask which funeral home they should call for relatives who have died or for the name of groups that can help cover the costs of a funeral or the repatriation of ashes to Mexico .
Raquel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sick in the Bronx , got a food delivery from Pérez and Ramírez last week .
Barrera , who is getting over a fever , body pain and strong coughing , lives with her mother , daughter , two nieces , a sister and a grandchild in a two-bedroom apartment .
“ The food they brought was a blessing because we were able to feed the kids for several days , ” said Barrera , who lost her job cleaning horse stables at a Chester , New York , ranch , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green-card holders can benefit from unemployment insurance or from the economic stimulus package recently approved by Congress .
Some immigrants on a temporary work permit , like those applying for asylum , can also get unemployment insurance and the new relief checks .
Immigrants without social security numbers , however , are unable to access any of these options .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced a partnership with Open Society Foundations to provide emergency relief to immigrant families , regardless of immigration status .
In California , Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ give cash to immigrants living in the country illegally who are hurt by the coronavirus , offering $ 500 apiece to 150,000 adults .
Filling in the gaps are volunteers like Myrna Lazcano , who lost her on job cleaning homes and offices thanks to the shutdown .
The 43-year-old Mexican immigrant , her husband and two daughters live off their savings , but still Lazcano delivers food to others in her East Harlem neighbourhood bought with money that local churches , activists and acquaintances .
“ By helping the community like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight of this crisis , ” she said .
“ People smile when they see the bags with food .
I call them canisters of hope .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Outsiders consider possibility of chaos in North Korea

TOKYO - North Korea ’ s collapse has been predicted — wrongly— for decades .
Some said it would happen after fighting ended in the Korean War in 1953 .
Others thought it would be during a 1990s famine or when national founder Kim Il Sung died in 1994 .
And when the death of his son , Kim Jong Il , thrust a little-known 20-something into power in 2011 some felt the end was near .
It ’ s no surprise then that recent rumours that leader Kim Jong Un is seriously ill have led to similar hand-wringing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in control , and most analysts agree that even if he weren ’ t , Kim ’ s powerful sister , Kim Yo Jong , would likely take control , possibly with the help of select officials .
Many experts say North Korea would weather the transition just as it has every other upheaval .
But what if it didn ’ t ?
Here ’ s a look at how other nations might deal with a catastrophe in North Korea .
If the government in Pyongyang should collapse , a U.S.-South Korean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come into play .
The plan is meant to secure the border and North Korea ’ s nuclear weapons if the government can ’ t function or if control of those weapons becomes uncertain .
“ The million-dollar question is : When do you invoke the OPLAN and what indicators do you rely on to do so ?
Because one country ’ s ‘ securing the country ’ operation can look to the other nation like an ‘ invasion plan.
’ And then all hell can break loose , ” said Vipin Narang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MIT .
The biggest U.S. worry is North Korea ’ s nuclear stockpile being used , stolen or sold .
“ If the U.S. does not have plans to go in and secure and retrieve North Korean nukes — to the extent we know where they are — then we are not doing our job , ” said Ralph Cossa , president emeritus of the Pacific Forum think-tank in Hawaii .
“ Beyond that , it makes little sense for the U.S and/or South Korea to get involved in internal North Korean power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misstep during a collapse would be huge .
Among the potential problems would be co-ordinating with South Korea ’ s military at a time when Chinese troops would also likely be operating in the North and funding immense military and humanitarian efforts .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said recently , when asked about Kim ’ s health , that Washington will continue to pursue complete denuclearization , “ regardless of what transpires inside of North Korea with respect to their leadership.
” China is the North ’ s main source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stability in its impoverished neighbour crucial to its own security .
Although China has agreed to United Nations sanctions over the North ’ s weapons programs , it ’ s wary of anything that would collapse the economy or unseat the ruling party and potentially unleash conflict on its border and a flood of refugees crossing over .
China in recent years has reinforced its border defences with the North .
But many people living on the Chinese side of the border are ethnically Korean , increasing fears of instability or even territorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s biggest concern , however , is thought to be the prospect of American and South Korean troops operating along its border , a worry that prompted China to enter the Korean War 70 years ago .
A change in leadership in North Korea , however , would be unlikely to bring about major changes to the relationship , said Lu Chao , a professor at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences in China .
Aside from joint plans with the U.S. military , internal South Korean preparations for a North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter an influx of refugees and how to set up an emergency administrative headquarters in the North .
According to leaked U.S. diplomatic cables , then senior South Korean presidential adviser Kim Sung-hwan told a top U.S. diplomat in 2009 that South Korea ’ s constitution states that North Korea is part of South Korean territory and that “ some scholars believe that if the North collapses , some type of ‘ interim entity ’ will have to be created to provide local governing and control travel of North Korean citizens.
” When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea ’ s Unification Ministry said it “ prepares for all possibilities.
“ One big problem is that unlike China , South Korea can not mobilize the large number of soldiers needed to stabilize North Korea .
“ If the North Korean regime is on the brink of collapse , China will most likely send troops to its ally and establish a pro-Beijing regime in the country , ” South Korea ’ s JoongAng Ilbo newspaper said in a recent editorial .
“ Seoul must do its best to minimize China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solid alliance with “ Washington .
AP correspondent Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul contributed to this report .
Foster Klug , AP ’ s news director for the Koreas , Japan and the South Pacific , has reported on North Korea and Asia since 2005 .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Judge OKs Native American voter ID deal easing ballot access

BISMARCK , N.D. - A federal judge has approved an agreement between Native American tribes and North Dakota officials that aims to ensure qualified Native American voters have valid identification to comply with state law .
The deal U.S. District Judge Dan Hovland approved Monday settles two separate lawsuits tribes filed against the state .
The tribes — Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa , Spirit Lake Nation and the Standing Rock Sioux — alleged the state ’ s mandate that voters have identification with a provable street address presents a voting barrier for Native Americans who live on reservations where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Bismarck Tribune reported .
Some Native Americans and voting rights advocates say the Republican-controlled state government intends to subdue the Native American vote , which Democrats typically win .
Meanwhile , the secretary of state ’ s office has said the state ’ s voter ID requirement is necessary to prevent voter fraud .
The deal Hovland signed this week includes provisions that aim to ensure Native American voters have valid IDs and can meet the address requirement .
The agreement will also allow tribes to quickly verify “ set-aside ” ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter proves his or her eligibility .
This was a key element of the deal because many people who live on reservations lack transportation .
Living far from polling sites makes returning to verify voting eligibility difficult .
The Campaign Legal Center and the Native American Rights Fund , which represented plaintiffs in the lawsuits , said the agreement is a relief and a “ sweeping victory ” for Native American voting rights .
“ Collectively , the two tribes have over 7,000 residents of voting age that will benefit , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State Al Jaeger said voter ID law requirements remain the same but that the agreement provides options and methods for identifying addresses and acceptable forms of identification , including tribal ID .
Under the deal , the state is required to reimburse each tribe up to $ 5,000 for the cost of issuing addresses and identification for this year ’ s election cycle .
State officials must also continually seek legislative appropriation for those costs in future elections .
The state must also pay the mediator who worked to settle the dispute @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--With rural Kansas close to reopening, doctor remains nervous

TOPEKA , Kan. - Dr. Beth Oller would like Kansas to remain under a stay-at-home order a while longer , even as some neighbours in her rural northwest county are restless to see business return to normal .
Oller and her husband are family physicians in their late 30s in Stockton , a town of 1,300 people roughly halfway between Kansas City to the east and Denver to the west .
They watched as the coronavirus pandemic crept ever closer from those two metropolitan areas , each some 300 miles ( 480 kilometres ) away .
The first positive case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s patients , confirmed on Palm Sunday , April 5 .
A few days after Easter , the doctor ’ s husband displayed mild symptoms .
He later tested negative .
Just before Kansas Gov .
Laura Kelly announced plans to allow many Kansas businesses to start reopening next week , Oller worried that the restrictions are being abandoned too soon , with potentially deadly consequences .
Meanwhile , neighbours worry that tight restrictions in a rural county with few coronavirus cases will kill their livelihoods .
“ I think we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Oller said in a Zoom interview , adding that she is prepared for a reopening that ’ s ” not going to look like what those of us in the public health sector would love it to look like.
” Kansas reported more than 4,200 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Thursday — a jump of 500 , or 13.4 % in a single day — along with 129 COVID-19 related deaths .
Rooks County , with about 5,000 residents , has had six confirmed cases and no deaths .
The actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher because of limited testing .
Stan Morin said he can operate safely by wearing a mask and limiting customers to one or two at a time in his barbershop a few storefronts from Main Street in Plainville , the largest town in Rooks County , with about 1,900 residents .
The 78-year-old has cut hair there for nearly 60 years .
People like to gather at his shop for morning coffee and political chatter .
He ’ s had to shutter it and burn through savings while he and his wife live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s economy starts to reopen next week .
“ I ’ m just going nuts , ” he said .
“ It ’ s hurt our economy , big time.
” Most infected people have mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two or three weeks , such as fever and cough .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , or death .
Kansas confirmed its first case March 7 .
Since then , Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools closed .
The Rooks County health officer issued a stay-at-home order March 27 , ahead of the first confirmed case there .
Kelly announced her order the next day .
She outlined a plan Thursday evening for a phased-in reopening of the state ’ s economy by June 15 with many businesses — but not bars , gyms or barbershops like Morin ’ s — allowed to reopen Monday , when her stay-at-home order has expired .
Even businesses reopening first face some restrictions , and Kelly is allowing officials in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to impose stricter rules .
Some Rooks County residents saw the stay-at-home order as extreme .
Glen Eickleberry , the 48-year-old owner of G & S Roustabout oil field services company in Palco , with roughly 270 residents , called the economic shutdown “ ridiculous ” and a “ catastrophe ” that has reduced his small firm ’ s business by 80 % .
Adam Bryant , a 41-year-old state park ranger , has lawn-mowing and sign-making businesses in Stockton .
“ I don ’ t know how anybody ’ s supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
Oller was preaching social distancing on live Facebook posts weeks before Rooks County confirmed its first coronavirus infection .
She and other doctors faced skepticism about the outbreak , and even local residents who accepted social distancing weeks ago are more than ready for the stay-at-home order to expire at midnight May 3 .
Oller supported the shutdown .
Her county ’ s only hospital , in Plainville , has 25 beds and no intensive care unit .
She worried that a surge in coronavirus cases statewide would prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment — the normal practice with serious trauma cases .
And a few days after Easter , she was struggling with the possibility of being a single parent to her four young children .
Her husband was showing coronavirus symptoms and had isolated himself in a vacant rental home they own while waiting for his negative test result .
Even with only six confirmed cases as of Thursday , Rooks County had 1.2 for every 1,000 residents , putting it among the state ’ s top 20 counties .
The state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases per 1,000 residents .
“ Small business owners are suffering , and I know that , ” Oller said .
“ But my fear is , we open things up too quickly and we just have to end up shutting them down again because we have huge surges of numbers .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--NYPD cracks down on another big funeral, stoking tensions

NEW YORK - Tensions between police and members of New York City ’ s Hasidic Jewish community flared again Thursday as officers interrupted a crowded funeral procession to crack down on social distancing violators .
Video posted on social media showed officers in protective masks chasing a minivan through Brooklyn ’ s Borough Park neighbourhood as it carried the body of a deceased rabbi .
The officers can be heard shouting at dozens of people marching behind the van to get out of the street and onto the sidewalk .
A 17-year-old boy was taken into custody and issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of pushing a police official , according to a police spokeswoman , Sgt .
Mary Frances O ’ Donnell .
Thursday ’ s confrontation came two days after Mayor Bill de Blasio stoked divisions with a series of tweets after he went to Brooklyn to oversee the dispersal of thousands of people who crowded the streets of Williamsburg for the funeral of another rabbi .
New York has banned any gatherings , of any size , for any purpose as the coronavirus has been linked to at least 18,000 deaths in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ De Blasio called the large gathering “ absolutely unacceptable ” in one tweet and wrote in another : “ my message to the Jewish community , and all communities , is this simple : the time for warnings has passed.
” Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , sent a letter to Attorney General Bill Barr on Thursday urging the Justice Department “ to closely monitor New York City ” for potential religious discrimination in the wake of de Blasio ’ s tweets .
State Senator Simcha Felder , who represents Borough Park , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confrontation saying “ terrorizing people by sending in armies of cops during such stressful times is not helpful at all .
@ NYCMayor - we need real leadership .
Stop the chaos now.
” Dov Hikind , a former state assemblyman who ’ s the founder of a group fighting anti-Semitism , said he ’ s been assured that de Blasio ordered the police department to crack down on social distancing violations across the city , not just in the Jewish community .
He said he ’ s requested data from City Hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , the former lawmaker said de Blasio ’ s singling out of Jews in his tweets “ crossed every line.
” “ It encourages anti-Semitism and scapegoating of the Jewish community , ” Hikind said .
“ The mayor played right into the hands of the anti-Semites .
I know that was not his intention .
I know he ’ s a decent guy .
He didn ’ t have the decency to just say the simple words , ‘ I ’ m sorry I made a mistake.
’ ” Borough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was held , has had at least 2,300 people test positive for the virus , according to city data .
That ’ s the sixth most of any ZIP code in the city .
Hikind said people violating social distancing rules in Brooklyn are relatively small in number and are behaving in ways that goes against Judaism ’ s central tenant of preserving life .
“ I ’ ve begged and pleaded with the minority that exists within our community that don ’ t give a darn — don ’ t give a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the community , ” Hikind said .
“ You can ’ t have funerals with hundreds of people .
You can ’ t have people praying in synagogues .
You can ’ t do those things when people ’ s lives are on the line .
It violates everything in Judaism .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Beachgoers seen carrying virus more than sand or surf

HUNTINGTON BEACH , Calif. - Maureen Osborne is torn by the state ’ s decision to close the sweeping , scenic beach just a 10-minute walk from her home .
She hasn ’ t gone there much since the coronavirus outbreak because the neighbourhood has become crowded with visitors who park their cars to walk down to the shore — but wishes she could .
“ It is what it is , ” said the 62-year-old , who now carries a mask with her as a precaution when she goes out .
“ If people are sensible and do what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing — but not everybody is.
” California Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced his decision Thursday to close beaches in Orange County after seeing photos of thousands of beachgoers clustered on the sands during a heat wave last weekend .
The move was backed by those concerned about the virus ’ s spread and reviled by others .
It spurred questions for many living in beach communities who rely on the shoreline for exercise and open space .
Scientists said beaches could contribute to the transmission of the virus because they draw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when virtually all other large group activities — ranging from school to concerts to sporting events — have been shut down .
“ The main reason for not going to the beach is just simply you don ’ t want to go to places where people are congregating .
It ’ s hard to go to the beach and not congregate , ” said Ali Nouri , president of the Federation of American Scientists .
“ You don ’ t want to put yourself in a situation where you are exposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to people who may potentially be breathing out — even if they ’ re not coughing or sneezing — but people who might be breathing out virus.
” The virus can be transmitted through large and also small droplets that are light and don ’ t fall to the ground quickly but carry through the air .
A strong wind on the coast could push these droplets even farther , Nouri said .
Complicating the issue is that the virus can be transmitted by people who don ’ t have symptoms , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ocean , but it isn ’ t known whether the coronavirus would remain infectious .
Most likely , it would be diluted to the point where it is not a concern , Nouri said .
Chad Nelsen , chief executive of the Surfrider Foundation , said there ’ s a study under way to determine whether the virus remains infectious in sewage , though beachgoers shouldn ’ t be in the water anyway in the case of a spill .
As a result , the main risk to beachgoers is their fellow beachgoer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern for contagion is physical distancing at the beach or in the water , ” Nelsen said .
Some California counties have adopted measures to try to address the issue .
Ventura County allows walking and jogging at the beach , but residents can ’ t sit on the sand and linger .
Los Angeles County closed beaches altogether .
“ We actually don ’ t have anything to suggest that just because you ’ re outside means that if you ’ re in close contact with other people this virus won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said .
The beach is more than a fun day in the sun for those who live along Huntington Beach ’ s shoreline of crashing waves dotted with surfers — it ’ s a lifestyle .
Osborne said she usually walks with friends on weekends and stops for a bite .
She also likes to park along Pacific Coast Highway and take in the views while working in her car .
She hasn ’ t been able to do either since the viral outbreak , and rarely even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to walk through congested streets to get there since the city shut down beach parking lots in a bid to discourage crowds .
Ryan Selewicz , 28 , lives right on the sand in Newport Beach .
People in his neighbourhood don ’ t have yards — the homes are wedged between the road and the beach , where people go to watch the sunset and walk their dogs .
He said he doesn ’ t know what a beach closure would look like because his patio faces the ocean .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to be expected to go now to get out of their house and have their outside time , ” he said .
“ Most people would probably consider that the front of their house.
” Associated Press writers John Antczak in Los Angeles and Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Trump praise of ‘tormented’ Flynn raises pardon speculation

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump voiced strong support Thursday for his former national security adviser Michael Flynn , raising speculation that a pardon may be coming after Flynn ’ s lawyers disclosed internal FBI documents they claim show the FBI tried to “ intentionally frame “ him .
Trump said he believes Flynn should now be cleared in court , but if that doesn ’ t happen , he as president has “ a different type of power.
” “ It looks to me like Michael Flynn would be exonerated based on everything I see , ” Trump told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge , but I have a different type of power .
But I don ’ t know that anybody would have to use that power .
I think he ’ s exonerated.
” Trump has long said he is considering pardoning Flynn , who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador to the United States .
The president spent Wednesday night and Thursday morning retweeting supportive statements of Flynn and condemned the FBI ’ s investigation into his onetime adviser “ They came at him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing in the middle of the highway .
What they did to this man , ” Trump said at an earlier event at the White House , without specifying what he meant .
“ They tormented him .
They destroyed him .
But he ’ s going to come back.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called into Fox News Channel to react to the release of the FBI documents , saying , “ If true , it is extremely troubling.
” “ If all this proves to be true , you will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major error on the part of top leadership at the FBI , which could well warrant additional charges against them , ” he said .
Lawyers for Flynn over the last two days released a series of internal correspondence obtained through a Justice Department review of the handling of the case .
They contend the documents bolster their allegations that Flynn was set up to lie when he was questioned at the White House three years ago , and show that agents were prepared to drop an investigation into him just weeks before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , the documents don ’ t directly address the central allegation in the case — that Flynn lied to the FBI .
It ’ s also unclear how much significance they will carry with the judge , who has already publicly scolded Flynn and rejected many defence allegations of prosecutorial misconduct .
The judge , Emmet Sullivan , has not ruled on Flynn ’ s request to withdraw his guilty plea .
Among the documents is a redacted internal memo from Jan. 4 , 2017 , saying the FBI was closing out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the code name of Crossfire Razor was an agent of a foreign power or acting under the direction of Russia .
The subject is described as a Trump campaign foreign policy adviser who travelled to Russia in 2015 .
But about two weeks later , according to the documents , case agent Peter Strzok told a colleague not to close the case and to “ pls keep it open for now.
” In communication with FBI lawyer Lisa Page , who expressed surprise the case was still open , Strzok responded , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us.
“ Strzok and Page have attracted Trump ’ s derision for exchanging derogatory texts about him during the 2016 campaign .
Both have since left the FBI .
By later in the month , the FBI determined they wanted to interview Flynn about conversations he had during the presidential transition period with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in which the men discussed sanctions recently imposed on Russia over election interference .
Agents questioned Flynn at the White House on Jan. 24 , 2017 , when the FBI says he lied about the Kislyak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents and , at his sentencing hearing a year later , did not contest the way he was interviewed .
But Flynn ’ s attorneys point to the newly disclosed documents to suggest the FBI had no basis to question Flynn and had already been prepared to close an investigation into him .
“ The revelations of corruption by the FBI to intentionally frame Gen Flynn for crimes the FBI manufactured piles on with each new production of documents , ” Powell wrote in a statement .
A federal prosecutor from Missouri is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the case at the direction of Attorney General William Barr .
The department said the documents were provided as part of that review .
Prosecutors haven ’ t responded to the defence team ’ s disclosures , though they have previously denied accusations of misconduct .
Sullivan , too , has rejected many of the defence arguments in the past .
Even so , Flynn — who was among the first of the president ’ s aides charged in special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into ties between the Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a cause celebre for supporters of the president .
They have rallied around the retired Army lieutenant general and seized on the findings of a critical watchdog report on the Russia investigation to try to cast doubt on the entire probe .
Trump has not been shy about using his pardon power to help political allies and those he believes have been wronged by an out-of-control justice system .
He has also expressed a desire to intervene in the case of another ally : longtime political adviser Roger Stone .
Other documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI emails and handwritten notes showing officials grappling with how best to approach Flynn , how much information to provide him during the interview and what to do if he made a false statement .
One page of handwritten notes from an FBI official , dated the day of the interview , appears to recap an internal debate about how to proceed .
“ What ’ s our goal ?
Truth/admission or to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” the notes say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re seen as playing games , WH will be furious .
Protect our institution by not playing games.
” Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 and went on to provide such extensive co-operation that prosecutors said he was entitled to probation instead of prison .
But his sentencing hearing was abruptly postponed after Flynn , following a stern rebuke from Sullivan that raised the prospect of a prison term , asked to be able to continue co-operating and earn credit toward a more lenient sentence .
Since then , Flynn has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conservative commentator and outspoken critic of Mueller ’ s investigation , who have taken a more adversarial stance on his behalf .

Eric Tucker And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Trump harshly blames China for pandemic; a lab ‘mistake’?

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Thursday speculated that China could have unleashed the coronavirus on the world due to some kind of horrible “ mistake , ” and his intelligence agencies said they are still examining a notion put forward by the president and aides that the pandemic may have resulted from an accident at a Chinese lab .
Trump even suggested the release could have been intentional .
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence , the clearinghouse for the web of U.S. spy agencies , said it had ruled out the virus being man-made but was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global pandemic , which has killed more than 220,000 people worldwide .
Though scientists suggest the likeliest origin of the pandemic remains natural , that it spread from an infected animal to a human , Trump claimed to have seen evidence to support the theory that the origin was an infectious disease lab in Wuhan , the epicenter of the Chinese outbreak .
He said the U.S. now “ is finding how it came out.
“ “ It ’ s a terrible thing that happened , “ the president said .
” Whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started off as a mistake and then they made another one , or did somebody do something on purpose.
” The intel statement said the federal agencies concur “ with the wide scientific consensus that the COVID-19 virus was not manmade or genetically modified.
” “ The IC will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan.
” In recent days the Trump administration has sharpened its rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vital trading partner of failing to act swiftly enough to sound the alarm about the outbreak or to stop the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
U.S. officials have said the Chinese government should “ pay a price “ for its handling of the pandemic .
This all comes as the pace of Trump ’ s own original response continues to come under scrutiny , questioned as too meagre and too slow .
Earlier Thursday , before Trump ’ s comments , the Chinese government said that any claims that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are “ unfounded and purely fabricated out of nothing.
” Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang cited the institute ’ s director , Yuan Zhiming , as saying the lab strictly implements bio-security procedures that would prevent the release of any pathogen .
“ I would like to point out again that the origin of the virus is a complex scientific issue , and it should be studied by scientists and professionals , ” Geng said .
He also criticized those in the U.S. who say China should be held accountable for the global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time on “ better controlling the epidemic situation at home.
” At the White House , Trump repeatedly blamed China for its handling of the outbreak , criticizing the country for restricting domestic travel to slow the virus but not international travel to keep it from spreading abroad .
“ Certainly it could have been stopped , “ Trump said during an event in the East Room on his administration ’ s efforts to aid seniors during the outbreak .
“ They either couldn ’ t do it from a competence standpoint , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It got loose , let ’ s say , and they could have capped it.
“ Earlier this month , Trump addressed the lab theory saying , “ More and more , we ’ re hearing the story.
“ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added at the time , “ The mere fact that we don ’ t know the answers — that China hasn ’ t shared the answers — I think is very , very telling.
” Pompeo also pressed China to let outside experts into the lab “ so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began.
” While Trump and Pompeo have made their feelings clear , a U.S. intelligence official disputed the notion that there was pressure on agencies to bolster a particular theory .
The intelligence official was not authorized to publicly discuss the issue and spoke only on condition of anonymity .
Scientists say the virus arose naturally in bats .
Even so , Pompeo and others have pointed fingers at an institute that is run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences .
It has done groundbreaking research tracing the likely origins of the SARS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovering how they could jump to people .
“ We know that there is the Wuhan Institute of Virology just a handful of miles away from where the wet market was , ” Pompeo said two weeks ago .
The institute has an address 8 miles , or 13 kilometres , from the market that is considered a possible source .
U.S. officials say the American Embassy in Beijing flagged concerns about potential safety issues at the lab in Wuhan in 2018 , but they have yet to find any evidence the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scientists studying the virus for months have made clear they believe it wasn ’ t man-made but are still working to determine a point at which it may have jumped from animals to humans .
Early attention focused on the live-animal market in Wuhan where the first cases were reported in December .
But the first person identified with the disease had no known connection to that market .
Kristian Andersen , who studies the virus at Scripps Research in La Jolla , California , puts the odds of it being accidentally released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to one , ” far less likely than an infection in nature .
But virus expert David O ’ Connor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison said he thinks too little is known to rule out any source , except the idea the virus was man-made .
Finding the source is important , he said , because it may harbour the next pandemic virus .
The U.S. was providing funding to the Wuhan lab for its research on coronaviruses , Michael Morell , former acting director and deputy director of the CIA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cables indicate that there have been concerns in past years among U.S. officials about the safety protocols at that lab .
If the virus did escape from a Chinese lab , it not only reflects negatively on China but also on the United States for providing research funding to a lab that has safety concerns , Morell said during an online forum hosted by the Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence , Policy and International Security at George Mason University .
“ So if it did escape , we ’ re all in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is not a gotcha for China .
This is a gotcha for both of us.
” Associated Press writers Deb Riechmann in Washington and Malcolm Ritter in New York contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--GOP lawmakers reject Michigan’s virus order; Whitmer unfazed

LANSING , Mich. - The Republican-led Michigan Legislature refused Thursday to extend the state ’ s coronavirus emergency declaration and voted to authorize a lawsuit challenging Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s authority and actions to combat the pandemic .
The governor , unfazed , responded with orders stating under one law that an emergency still exists , while under another law declaring new 28-day states of emergency and disaster .
The latter measure will ensure health care workers continue to have special legal protections , she said .
Whitmer accused GOP lawmakers of “ putting their heads in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ livelihoods at risk .
I ’ m not going to let that happen.
” The Legislature ’ s moves came as hundreds of conservative activists , including some who were openly carrying assault rifles , returned to the Capitol to denounce her stay-at-home order .
Whitmer wanted legislators to extend her emergency declaration before it was to expire late Thursday .
But at the same time , she believes she has other powers to respond to the crisis and does not need a legislatively-approved extension — which Republicans dispute and plan to challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foundation for Whitmer ’ s stay-at-home measure , which will remain in effect through May 15 , and other directives aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus .
It has infected more than 41,000 Michigan residents and contributed to the deaths of 3,789 , many in the Detroit area .
The virus and the steps taken to curb it , including the closure of nonessential businesses , have had a devastating effect on the economy .
In her new emergency declaration , Whitmer said cases are doubling every six days or faster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan .
The House and Senate voted along party lines for a bill — which Whitmer will veto — that would temporarily codify many of her orders but not her stay-at-home directive .
“ We can no longer allow one person to make decisions for 10 million people , ” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey of Clarklake .
House Speaker Lee Chatfield , of Levering , said the death toll is “ terrible , ” but other lives have been “ negatively impacted unnecessarily because of how we have handled this pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health yet be reasonable in your approach to fighting COVID.
“ Democrats opposed the legislation as an unconstitutional “ political stunt ” and called the pending legal action a wasteful expense amid plummeting tax revenues .
“ We must ensure that our state can respond quickly and decisively to a situation that changes day by day , ” said state Rep. Tyrone Carter , a Detroit Democrat who recovered from COVID-19 .
“ That means ensuring that our governor has the emergency powers necessary to lead us in this fight.
” Outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crowd on the lawn .
Meanwhile , drivers leaned on their horns as they travelled past , a repeat of what occurred April 15 but not close to the thousands who participated in vehicles at that time , which paralyzed traffic for miles .
Protesters ’ placards read , “ Shut down the lockdown , “ “ No work no freedom , ” and “ Tyrants get the rope.
” Some people wore the “ Don ’ t Tread On Me ” flag as a cape .
Others chanted , “ Lock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor .
Some wore President Donald Trump ’ s “ Make America Great Again ” hats or carried signs supporting him .
“ The virus is here .
It ’ s going to be here .
...
It ’ s time to let people go back to work .
That ’ s all there is to it , ” said Joni George , of Flushing .
Some angry protesters — many without face coverings — entered the Capitol and demanded to be let onto the House floor , which is not allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public to allow room for representatives and reporters to spread apart .
Several demonstrators in the Senate gallery were openly carrying guns , which is legal in the Statehouse .
One state senator said some armed men shouted at her , and several senators wore bulletproof vests for protection .
Shanon Banner , a state police spokeswoman , estimated there were 400 to 700 protesters and said they were “ peaceful ” overall .
People who did not wear masks or distance themselves were not issued tickets .
One demonstrator was arrested for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public has supported in polling , on Wednesday rejected Senate Republicans ’ proposal for a pair of one-week extensions of the emergency in exchange for giving legislators a say in any future stay-at-home restrictions .
Republicans want her to allow elective medical and dental procedures again and certainty on the date she plans to reopen the economy on a regional basis .
Meanwhile , the governor has allowed some businesses , such as lawn-care companies and greenhouses , to resume operating .
Commercial and residential construction will resume next week .
Householder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White in Detroit contributed to this report .
Check out more of the AP ’ s coronavirus coverage at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

David Eggert And Mike Householder - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--UN chief: World should follow South Korea on COVID-19 fight

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The United Nations chief said he hopes many countries in the world will follow the “ remarkable example ” of South Korea , which he said has been “ extremely successful ” in addressing the coronavirus pandemic and is planning to tackle climate change in its recovery from COVID-19 .
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pointed to Thursday ’ s announcement “ that there was no new case in the Republic of Korea , ” the country ’ s official name .
At the same time , he said , South Korea has presented plans for “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery from the pandemic , including a ban on new coal-fired plants and a reduction of emissions from existing coal-fired plants .
“ We hope that this example of the Republic of Korea will be followed by many other countries in the world , ” Guterres said at a news conference .
The Koreas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement early Thursday that four cases in the previous 24 hours , all imported , took the country ’ s total to 10,765 , with 247 deaths and 9,059 recoveries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been slowing in recent weeks after it recorded hundreds of new cases every day between late February and early March .
It has subsequently relaxed some of its social distancing guidelines and is expected to ease up on more restrictions in the coming days if the downward trend continues .
South Korea had its first confirmed coronavirus case Jan. 20 , the same day as the United States .
But unlike the U.S. , officials there used a test focused on the same gene targets as the World Health Organization ’ s recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a test manufacturer .
The government then quickly allowed private sector labs to produce it .
As a result , a nation with less than one-sixth the population of the United States mobilized to test more than 20,000 people a day .
South Korea also instituted drive-through testing centres , allowing quicker identification of those who were infected but might not be displaying symptoms , thus slowing the emergence of new cases to a more manageable level .
By comparison , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decided to develop its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targets distinct from what the WHO used .
The test was reportedly flawed and according to CDC data only 472 patients had been tested nationwide on Feb. 29 , with just 22 cases confirmed .
The result was that while South Korea was able to manage its caseload , the rate of U.S. infections soared .
Guterres said recovery from the pandemic “ needs to go hand-in-hand with climate action , “ just as South Korea is doing now .
He called on governments to ensure that spending to revitalize their economies gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs “ and use of low-carbon energy sources .
“ Taxpayers ’ money should not be used to subsidize fossil fuels or bail out polluting , carbon-intensive industries , “ the U.N. chief said .
“ Now is the time to put a price on carbon and for polluters to pay for their pollution .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--The Latest: Judge orders DOC to respond to Moose Lake claims

MOOSE LAKE , Minn. - The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Minnesota ( all times local ) : A @ @ @ @ @ Department of Corrections to show that it is protecting inmates at the Moose Lake prison @ @ @ @ @ Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a lawsuit in April alleging the Corrections Department and @ @ @ @ @ failed to implement sufficient measures to slow or stop the spread of the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ in northeastern Minnesota not fulfilling its duty to keep people in custody safe .
Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ County Judge Leslie Beiers ordered the Corrections Department to respond to the allegations by May @ @ @ @ @ it has taken the necessary steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within the state @ @ @ @ @ As of Wednesday , 33 inmates at Moose Lake had tested positive for COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ have the disease , and 30 staff members also have tested positive .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Pelosi: States, cities seek $1T to avoid layoffs from virus

WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that state and local governments are seeking up to $ 1 trillion for coronavirus costs , a stunning benchmark for the next aid package that ’ s certain to run into opposition from Senate Republicans .
Pelosi acknowledged the federal government may not be able to provide that much .
But she said money for “ heroes ” is needed to prevent layoffs as governors and mayors stare down red ink in their budgets .
Many jurisdictions are facing rising costs from the health pandemic and plummeting revenues in the economic shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front-line community workers , Pelosi said , is to make sure they don ’ t lose their jobs to budget cuts .
“ This is something of the highest priority , “ Pelosi said .
“ It honours our heroes.
” Nurses , transit bus drivers and other workers “ are risking their lives to save lives , and now they ’ re going to lose their jobs , ” she said .
The $ 1 trillion price tag comes after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shifted his tone , suggesting he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the next coronavirus relief bill .
But the eye-popping figure would be on top of the nearly $ 3 trillion Congress has already approved to salvage the economy and confront the health crisis .
At the White House , President Donald Trump said , “ We ’ ll see what happens.
” Trump said , “ If we do that , we ’ ll have to get something for it.
” Congress is partially reopening next week as the House convenes key committee hearings and the Senate gavels into session after being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
But the legislative branch will be a changed place .
Senators are recommended to wear masks , keep 6 feet apart and have most staff work from home , according to official guidance .
At the private Republican lunches , it will be just three senators to a table .
Democrats will have lunch by conference call .
Notably , key public hearings may not have many members of the public , under guidance from the Senate Rules Committee that says people can view the proceedings online .
Senators are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resuming operations — especially for the hundreds of cooks , custodial staff and maintenance workers needed to run the vast Capitol complex for the 100 senators .
The House declined this week to bring its 430 members back into session after the Capitol physician warned it was not worth the health risks .
McConnell has declined to say if he consulted with the physician in deciding to resume Senate operations .
As the new aid package takes shape , McConnell said Thursday on Fox that he ’ s willing to consider money for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send federal dollars to bail out overspending .
“ We ’ re not interested in borrowing money from future generations to send down to states to help them with bad decisions they made in the past unrelated to the coronavirus epidemic , ” the GOP leader said .
McConnell insists any fresh funding must be tied to liability reforms to prevent what he calls “ an epidemic of lawsuits ” against doctors , hospitals and businesses reopening in the pandemic .
In meeting with Trump at the White House , Democratic Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his state alone may need $ 20 billion to $ 30 billion .
“ This is a big hit , ” Murphy said .
“ We don ’ t see it as a bailout.
“ Economic wreckage from the coronavirus outbreak threatens McConnell ’ s own home state as well .
Kentucky ’ s state government faces a revenue shortfall , according to a budget report issued Thursday .
The grim projections could force Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear to make painful budget cuts at a time when the virus outbreak has shuttered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kentuckians out of work .
Beshear said he made a pitch for additional federal assistance in a Thursday conversation with McConnell .
“ I appreciate him hearing me out , ” Beshear said at his daily briefing .
“ Now I hope that he will be able to act.
“ In outlining priorities for the next package , Pelosi said the new funding for state , county and city governments could be spread out over several years .
The California Democrat said governors have asked for $ 500 billion , and county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount .
“ We ’ re not going to be able to cover all of it , ” Pelosi said .
But to the extent the federal government can provide funds to prevent widespread layoffs , she said , “ that ’ s our goal.
” Congressional leaders staked out priorities for the next , fifth round of aid , even as key senators sounded alarms over the health risks of reopening the U.S. Capitol .
Sen. Dianne Feinstein , D-Calif. , urged McConnell to reconsider .
“ This is the wrong example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
The Washington , D.C. , region remains a virus hot spot , health officials say .
Stay-home orders are in place through mid-May for the District of Columbia .
“ I think we can conduct our business safely , ” McConnell said on Fox .
The Republican leader faced a storm of criticism from the nation ’ s governors after panning Democrats ’ proposal for more state aid .
Last week , he suggested states should be allowed to go bankrupt .
His priority as senators return Monday is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial and executive branch positions , including Rep. John Ratcliffe , R-Texas , Trump ’ s choice to be the new director of the Office of National Intelligence .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate instead should focus on congressional oversight of the federal coronavirus response .
Associated Press writers Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort , Ky. , and Kevin Freking , Mary Clare Jalonick and Laurie Kellman in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Minnesota nursing home reports 47 deaths from coronavirus

MINNEAPOLIS - A suburban Minneapolis nursing home said 47 residents have died from complications of COVID-19 , the most at any long-term care facility in Minnesota .
St. Therese of New Hope also said Wednesday that 130 residents have tested positive for the coronavirus , while 65 staff members have shown symptoms or been exposed .
A veterans home in Massachusetts where 70 people have died is the deadliest known coronavirus outbreak at a long-term care facility in the U.S. At least three care facilities in New York and New Jersey have had more than 50 deaths .
Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus have been in nursing homes .
The St. Therese death toll would amount to nearly 15 % of the 271 that occurred in nursing homes , according to the Star Tribune ’ s analysis of death records .
KARE-TV , which also analyzed death records , reported that the state ’ s second-highest number of deaths in a nursing home was 13 .
St. Therese , which has a 258-bed capacity , said all residents have been tested .
Of those who have tested positive , about one-third were asymptomatic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
“ This has been devastating to a community that prides itself on providing quality , loving care , ” St. Therese President and CEO Barb Rode said in a statement .
She said the disease spread rapidly at the facility , which has two residents per room and four sharing a bathroom .
The first resident tested positive April 5 , and the first two deaths were the next day .
All residents testing positive moved into one unit to prevent more infections , Rode said .
Some family members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of problems quickly enough .
“ We were kept completely in the dark until it was too late to act , ” Holly Doughty , of Mendota Heights , whose 95-year-old mother lives at St. Therese , told the Star Tribune .
Doughty said she first asked about the coronavirus during a conference call with St. Therese staff on April 7 , and was reassured the facility was taking precautions .
She said no one mentioned positive cases or deaths .
She said family members were unable to reach their mother , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer the phone , after that .
Doughty said St. Therese staff didn ’ t return numerous calls .
Doughty is now waiting to hear whether her mother has the virus .
Rode said reports that the outbreak was hidden or that care was substandard are “ unfair and untrue.
” She said families , guardians and responsible physicians were informed as soon as positive test results were received , and were advised of “ the massive movements ” within the facility .
Rode ’ s statement said the Minnesota Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it was found to be in compliance with its license .
Spokesman Doug Schultz confirmed that the agency has been on site making recommendations .
In 2016 , state Health Department investigators found that an 85-year-old resident of St. Therese was repeatedly punched in the face and stomach and that another elderly resident had a bath towel thrown in her face .
Video showed other employees talking on their personal cellphones rather than providing care , the Star Tribune reported .
Federal authorities fined St. Therese $ 19,500 in 2018 after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to a heater and the resident suffered a second-degree burn .
Records show the nursing home responded by removing beds from baseboard heaters and training staff on the safe way to position beds .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--NYC subway halting overnight service for virus cleaning

New York City ’ s subway system , long celebrated for its all-night service , will shut down each day from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. so trains and stations can be disinfected , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Thursday , two days after saying the system had gotten “ disgusting “ during the coronavirus crisis .
Meanwhile , a Navy hospital ship sent a month ago to relieve stress on hospitals has left the city , fatalities inched downward and unemployment claims in the state soared again .
Here are the latest coronavirus-related developments in New York : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partially emptied and financially devastated by stay-at-home orders , and now it is shedding overnight service to make it easier to clean the system and empty it of homeless people who have increasingly taken up residence on vacant trains .
Subway cars , previously cleaned at least once every 72 hours , will be cleaned once every 24 hours starting May 6 , Cuomo said .
Buses , vans and other alternative transportation will be provided for essential workers at no charge while the system is closed , he said .
Cuomo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a “ daunting challenge , ” but vital to keeping subways safe .
“ You have to disinfect every place a hand could touch on a subway car .
Every rail , every pole , every door , ” Cuomo said .
“ Or , coughing , sneezing , wherever droplets could land.
” Dozens of transit employees have died of the coronavirus in recent weeks .
Pointing to a front-page report Tuesday in the New York Daily News about problems including indecent exposure , filth , and people stretched out on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ disrespectful ” to essential workers who still need the subway to get to work .
Subway ridership has plunged by 92 % during the pandemic .
The shutdown will happen during hours when the system had , lately , been averaging around 11,000 riders .
Commuter trains serving Long Island and the city ’ s northern suburbs will also be disinfected every 24 hours , Cuomo said .
City buses will continue to run around-the-clock but will be rotated out of service for cleaning .
The subway system has operated continuously , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , save for relatively short interruptions caused by weather events such as Superstorm Sandy in 2012 , blackouts and labour disputes .
A strike in 1966 knocked out service for 12 days , the longest stoppage in the system ’ s history , according to the agency that runs it , the Metropolitan Transportation Authority .
State Sen. Brad Hoylman called the subway the “ lifeblood of our city ” and said he would push to ensure 24/7 service returns as soon as the pandemic is over .
The homeless have long taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the problems that their plight poses — for them and other riders — has become more visible during the pandemic .
Advocates for the homeless say some are taking to trains because they worry about contracting the virus in shelters .
The city has put some homeless people in hotel rooms during the crisis .
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city would send more outreach workers to end-of-the-line stations to try to persuade homeless people to go to shelters .
Police have increased enforcement , removing more than 100 homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Punitively closing the subways and sending in more police will only make things worse , ” said Giselle Routhier , the policy director of advocacy group Coalition for the Homeless .
“ What is actually needed are safe , private spaces where maintaining social distancing is possible.
” The 1,000-bed USNS Comfort hospital ship left New York City for its Norfolk , Virginia home Thursday having treated just 182 coronavirus patients after a the city ’ s caseload fell short of worst-case projections .
Eleven people died while being treated on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the disease , the Defence Department said .
“ The situation has changed but we ’ re not done , “ Gen. Terrence O ’ Shaughnessy , commander of U.S. Northern Command , said as he saw the ship off .
When the ship arrived last month , officials were warning the state might need to double hospital capacity to 110,000 beds by the end of April .
Hospitalizations peaked well below that , at 18,825 on April 12 , and have fallen considerably since , but people continue to get seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 306 people died from the disease and another 933 were newly admitted to hospitals , state officials said .
The fatality count was lowest daily total since March 29 , when there were 253 fatalities .
The state peaked with 799 deaths in one day on April 9 .
More than 18,300 people in the state have died from coronavirus , though the total doesn ’ t include more than 5,300 deaths in the city that were attributed to the virus on death certificates but not confirmed by a lab test .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits in New York from March and April , according to state data released Thursday .
That ’ s up from roughly 96,000 claims in March and April 2019 .
New York has paid out over $ 3 billion in benefits so far to more than 1 million individuals , Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said Wednesday .
So many New Yorkers have lost their jobs amid the health crisis that it has led to breakdowns in the state ’ s decades-old unemployment benefits application system .
New York has been revamping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and recruiting other state workers to help process claims .
Around 3,000 workers are now working on the system , up from around 400 before the pandemic , according to the labour department New York City is assigning more than 1,000 employees to enforce social distancing and distribute 275,000 face coverings at parks and other public spaces as the pandemic stretches toward summer , Mayor Bill de Blasio said .
The city is also ramping up testing and production of surgical gowns for health care workers .
De Blasio said 11 testing sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing to 43,000 tests at 30 sites by the week of May 18 .
Associated Press writers Karen Matthews and David Porter in New York and Marina Villeneuve in Albany contributed to this report .

Michael R. Sisak And Jennifer Peltz - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--U.S. can soon start sending people seeking asylum to Honduras

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has finalized an agreement with Honduras that would allow some people seeking asylum in the United States to be sent to the Central American country instead .
The agreement is similar to one with Guatemala and is part of an administration effort to reduce the flow of migrants across the southwest border by making it harder to gain entry to the United States with an asylum claim .
The text of the agreement was released Thursday , a day before it is published in the Federal Register and takes effect .
At the moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnecessary because the U.S. is quickly expelling most people it encounters along the U.S.-Mexico border under an emergency public health order signed by President Donald Trump last month in response to the coronavirus outbreak .
That order was renewed for 30 days and is set to expire next month .
Critics say both the new agreement and the earlier one with Guatemala , the subject of a legal challenge , represent a retreat by the U.S. from its obligations under international law to provide a sanctuary to people seeking refuge from persecution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accept and resettle refugees , so people will likely just return eventually to whatever danger they fled in their home countries , said Yael Schacher , senior U.S advocate for Refugees International .
“ The U.S. is indirectly sending people back to face persecution , “ Schacher said .
Under the agreement reached last year , the United States sends asylum-seekers from El Salvador and Honduras to Guatemala .
The program was suspended in March because of the COVID-19 outbreak .
It ’ s not yet clear how the new agreement would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. nor the one put out earlier by the Honduran government specifically says who could be sent to Honduras .
But officials have previously said that the government of Honduras had agreed to accept asylum-seekers from Guatemala , El Salvador , Mexico , Nicaragua and Brazil .
The Department of Homeland Security said in a written response to questions that the new agreement is a “ sign of our strong , continued partnership with Honduras on migration issues , “ and that discussions on when to implement and resume the Guatemalan accord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel conditions improve we will resume discussions about implementing these agreements , ” it said .
Release of the agreement came on the same day that federal prosecutors in New York announced that the former chief of the Honduran National Police has been charged there with drug trafficking and weapons offences .
Schacher and other advocates cited that as evidence that the troubled Central American country is ill-equipped to accept people fleeing from persecution elsewhere in the world .
“ Honduras has failed miserably to protect the lives and human rights of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director of the Refugee Protection program at Human Rights First .
“ There is simply no credible reason to believe that Honduras will actually protect refugees seeking asylum from other countries.
” By diverting asylum-seekers , the Trump administration hopes to weaken what it sees as an incentive to illegal immigration .
According to Syracuse University ’ s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse , U.S. immigration judges decided 67,406 asylum cases in the 2019 budget year , a record and nearly 2 1/2 times the number five years ago .
Most of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were from Central America ’ s “ Northern Triangle ” countries — Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador .
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and others in the administration have argued that fewer people will make the dangerous journey to the United States if they can get asylum in other countries in the region .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Queen and Adam Lambert honour global COVID-19 ‘Champions’

LONDON - Queen and singer Adam Lambert have a message for workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 fight : “ You Are the Champions.
” Brian May , Roger Taylor and Lambert recently gathered virtually to record a new version of the Queen classic , “ We Are the Champions.
” “ You Are the Champions ” was released early Friday on all streaming and download services , with proceeds going to the World Health Organization ’ s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund .
“ I thought , this is a great way to use the legacy that we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” May said .
“ You know , we don ’ t really need to make money anymore .
We don ’ t need to be any more famous .
We need to use what we have in the best possible way.
” For May the release comes at a time of great sadness .
The guitarist earlier this week lost a friend who he likened was like a brother to him , to the virus .
“ That ’ s the closest it ’ s come to me physically , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given real meaning to the death tolls broadcast daily on television .
“ Each one of those is a family tragedy , “ May said .
” Each one of those people lose a loved one .
“ I think psychologically the human race is going to be very damaged.
” For Taylor , the song also has personal significance as his daughter Rory Eleanor Taylor works as a doctor in a London hospital .
“ She ’ s actually in the video with her little cards , displaying advice about isolating , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and frontline workers from across the world as well as empty city scenes and the band performing in their homes .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe or fatal illnesses , including pneumonia .
Lambert , who joined the track from his Los Angeles home , thinks the song really hits a positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There ’ s a sense of unity that ’ s happening around the world , even though it ’ s , you know , in a negative , scary time , “ Lambert said .
” I think that we ’ re all understanding each other a little bit more right now .
And it ’ s sort of levelling everything out a bit.
” “ It ’ s only through our connection and our love for each other are we going to get through it together , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will provide some consolation after the pandemic forced them to cancel the 27-show UK and European leg of their biggest ever tour .
“ It was pretty heartbreaking to have to let it go .
We have rescheduled for next year and we ’ re all crossing our fingers .
We don ’ t know do we ?
We don ’ t know if it ’ s going to be appropriate to get thousands of people in one room , even in 12 months from now , ” May said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live music won ’ t come back .
It ’ s part of our ... DNA really now.
” In the meantime , Taylor and May remain in lockdown in their respective homes in the UK .
Like many , May is struggling with the loss of freedom .
“ It doesn ’ t get any easier as time gets on .
It ’ s getting worse if anything .
I feel like everything that I worked for in my life has been kind of taken away and put somewhere where I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
It ’ s not all bad , as Taylor noted .
“ I think people have found lots of good things to do , “ he said .
” I think there ’ s been a lot more contact within families and friends .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--‘And then, boom’: Outbreak shows shaky ground as Texas opens

PARIS , Texas - Barely a week ago , rural Lamar County could make a pretty good argument for Texas ’ reopening on Friday .
Only a handful of the 50,000 residents here , right on the border with Oklahoma , had tested positive for the coronavirus .
None had died .
The mayor of Paris , Texas — a pit stop for drivers passing through to snap a selfie with the city ’ s miniaturized Eiffel Tower — had drive-thru virus testing in the works , just to give locals peace of mind .
Some wore masks but many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outbreak at a nursing home turned up over the weekend .
Now at least 65 people are infected , and everything has changed .
A courier drove 11 hours through the night to pick up testing kits and stores are second-guessing reopening as Lamar County becomes a cautionary tale of the fragility of Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott ’ s plan to get Texas back in business faster than many states .
And on the eve of every retailer , restaurant and movie theatre being allowed to let customers back in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high for COVID-19 fatalities Thursday with 50 .
“ We don ’ t know what it ’ s going to do here , ” said Taylor Wright , owner of Aden Ann ’ s , a women ’ s boutique in Paris .
Word of the sudden outbreak at Paris Healthcare Center , she said , shelved her plans to reopen over fears of exposing her staff and family .
“ We don ’ t know where it ’ s all spreading , “ she said .
The whiplash in Paris from healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balancing act states are taking on as they begin relaxing public health restrictions , particularly in places with Republican governors , who broadly support President Donald Trump ’ s determination to get the U.S. economy back up and running .
In Texas , Abbott ’ s instinct throughout the crisis has been to govern from the middle ground , reflected in his reluctance early on to issue statewide stay-at-home orders that soured conservative activists .
Democrats who control Texas ’ booming big cities , meanwhile , have praised him for shaking loose protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the speed at which Abbott is now hitting the reset button is making some fidget .
Like many governors , Abbott is taking a piecemeal approach to rolling back restrictions .
Counties with fewer than five active cases of COVID-19 can reopen businesses at 50 % capacity , which Abbott on Monday said would apply to nearly half of Texas ’ 254 counties .
Everywhere else — which is where the vast majority of Texas ’ nearly 30 million people live — can open back up at 25 % capacity .
Beaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while hair salons , gyms and bars remain closed .
Up until last weekend , Lamar County looked like a contender to begin to reopen under the loosest restrictions .
There had been just eight cases of coronavirus as of April 23 , and six of those had recovered .
The first positive case at the nursing home appeared the very next day .
“ It hits us , like , right between the eyes , and all of a sudden we have this really huge , huge outbreak.
“ Now Clifford , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave .
He worries about getting more testing kits , which has been a chronic problem that may have masked the true number of cases in his city from the start .
He had purchased 1,500 antibody tests — a big gesture for a city of 25,000 — and did a trial run of drive-thru testing April 23 , in preparation for opening up for three days this week .
The nursing home outbreak scuttled those plans .
One resident has died , but Clifford said if Texas doesn ’ t open back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my city is going to go bankrupt and no one will have a job , and then there will be poverty.
“ Texas has reported 27,000 cases and more than 750 deaths linked to the virus .
Experts said a one-day spike in deaths is no cause for alarm on its own , since it could reflect a lag in reporting or patients who succumbed after battling the disease for weeks .
But as Abbott targets May 18 as the date for peeling back restrictions even more , they also worry it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little bit jumping the gun .
It seems a little fast , for sure , “ said Dr. Diana Cervantes , an epidemiologist at the University of North Texas Health Science Center .
It hasn ’ t come fast enough for John Bratcher , whose restaurant and beer garden , named 107 , off the town square in Paris has been pushed to the breaking point .
Money is tight despite having kept the kitchen open for to-go orders .
He wishes the governor would let his outdoor patio , which sways Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least a half-full crowd again .
“ He ’ s trying to take into consideration all areas of Texas , “ Bratcher said .
“ And that ’ s a tough one.
” Stengle reported from Dallas and Weber from Austin .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Tony Gutierrez, Jamie Stengle And Paul J. Weber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--UN chief:16 armed groups have responded to cease-fire appeal

TANZANIA , Tanzania - Sixteen armed groups have responded positively to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ’ appeal for a global cease-fire to tackle the coronavirus pandemic , but the U.N. chief said Thursday that mistrust remains high and turning intentions into an end to hostilities is difficult .
He said at a news conference that his March 23 call “ has resonated widely , with endorsements from 114 governments , diverse regional organizations , religious leaders and more than 200 civil society groups spanning all regions.
” According to an informal tally kept by the U.N. based on various sources , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are from Yemen , Myanmar , Ukraine , Philippines , Colombia , Angola , Libya , Senegal , Sudan , Syria , Indonesia and Nagorno-Karabakh .
Guterres said his special representatives and envoys are working , with his own involvement when necessary , “ to turn expressed intentions into effective cease-fires.
” The secretary-general said he believes “ there is an opportunity for peace in Yemen.
” He said a cease-fire negotiated by Turkey and Russia in Syria ’ s northwest Idlib region , the last major opposition stronghold , is holding “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country-wide end to hostilities.
” In Afghanistan , Guterres said , “ we are pushing hard for a humanitarian cease-fire between the government and the Taliban.
” But “ in Libya , regrettably , we have seen an escalation despite all our efforts and those of many others in the international community , ” he said .
Guterres stressed that all of the U.N. ’ s efforts “ depend on strong political backing , ” and he singled out divisions in the Security Council among its five veto-wielding members as an obstacle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ voicing support for the secretary-general ’ s cease-fire call is being held up by a dispute between the United States and China over a reference to the World Health Organization .
If adopted , it would be the council ’ s first resolution related to the pandemic .
The Chinese insist the text mention the WHO and its role in the global fight against the virus .
That is opposed by the U.S. , where President Donald Trump suspended funding for the U.N. agency in early April , accusing it of failing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it “ must be held accountable.
” Washington is insisting instead on a reference to “ transparency ” in information about the virus , diplomats said , speaking on condition of anonymity because discussions have been private .
Guterres told reporters , “ It is my hope the Security Council will be able to find unity and adopt decisions that can help to make cease-fires meaningful and real.
“


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--‘Unconscionable’ body overflow at funeral home prompts probe

NEW YORK - It started with reports of a strange stench in Brooklyn .
Police who investigated found another example of how the cornavirus has overwhelmed the city : A funeral home had resorted to storing dozens of bodies on ice in rented trucks .
Now state officials say the funeral home could face fines and license suspensions , and the owner says he simply ran out of room because the business had bodies “ coming out our ears.
” Authorities found that the Andrew T. Cleckley Funeral Home had rented four trucks to hold about 50 corpses , Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A neighbouring business owner called 911 to report that fluids were leaking from one of the trucks , police said .
Health officials issued guidance to all funeral homes that they would not tolerate “ any of that kind of behaviour , ” Zucker said at the daily coronavirus briefing by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo .
“ Obviously the funeral home shouldn ’ t have done that , “ Cuomo said .
Messages were left Thursday with owner Andrew T. Cleckley , who told The New York Times on Wednesday that he needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he had filled his chapel with more than 100 corpses .
“ I ran out of space , ” he said .
“ Bodies are coming out of our ears.
” The funeral home was initially cited for failing to control the odours before it obtained a larger , refrigerated truck later in the day .
Workers in protective gear could be seen Thursday transferring bodies into the refrigerated truck .
“ I have no idea in the world how any funeral home could let this happen , ” the Democrat said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials at the home should have asked state regulators or city police for help if they were getting overwhelmed .
The funeral home “ should have been able to figure it out , ” he said .
New York City funeral homes have struggled since late March as the number of virus-related fatalities has topped 18,000 .
The city set up temporary morgues .
Hospitals used refrigerated tractor-trailers to cart away multiple bodies at a time , sometimes loading them in public view on the sidewalk .
Crematoriums have been backed up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ help as they ran out of space .
Many people working at funeral homes have expressed “ concerns regarding storage , ” but none as extreme as those reported at the Brooklyn facility , Mike Lanotte , spokesman for the New York State Funeral Directors Association , said Thursday .
Lanotte said Cleckley ’ s home was not a member of the group .
Worries intensified Thursday that the chaos at the Brooklyn funeral home would make it difficult for families to keep track of bodies of loved ones , Brooklyn Borough President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those families “ must be unimaginable , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-04-30--Brazilians start defying isolation, egged on by Bolsonaro

RIO DE JANEIRO - Divina Baldomero awoke , looked out the window at Rio de Janeiro ’ s Copacabana beach under a cloudless sky , and decided to take her first stroll in 40 days .
The 75-year-old restaurant owner , like most Brazilians , had been adhering to her governor ’ s call to stay home to contain the spread of the coronavirus .
But on this day she decided to ignore that , urged on by the view of President Jair Bolsonaro that the shutdown is wrongheaded , will wreck the economy and that anyway , the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cracked up to be .
“ At first I thought ( the shutdown ) was viable .
Later , I came to think we will have more economic difficulties , with the poverty there is .
There should be a different way so we can be free of this , ” said Baldomero , speaking Wednesday in front of the shuttered Copacabana Palace hotel .
Her legs , virtually unused for more than a month , began trembling after seven minutes of standing .
Egged on by Bolsonaro , who has routinely scoffed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Brazilians are heeding his call for revolt .
Support for isolation is faltering , particularly among the wealthy , and more people are milling and mixing .
From the sun-worshipers to the Instagram influencers and pro-Bolsonaro protesters , denial is spreading and quarantine is coming apart .
But , unlike other countries looking to ease restrictions , Latin America ’ s largest nation is still weeks from the peak in its viral curve .
Bolsonaro first staked out his argument that the economy needs to get back to work in a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he referred to the coronavirus as “ a little flu ” and said his history as an athlete would protect him .
Since then , he has doubled down time and again , saying only high-risk Brazilians need to be isolated , even as the official count of cases rockets past 85,000 and deaths surpass 5,900 — more than the amount suffered by China .
Experts consider both figures to be significant under-counts due to a lack of widespread testing .
Asked about the grim milestone Bolsonaro responded , “ So what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you want me to do ?
” Personal trainer Gabriela Pugliesi would seemingly have little reason to question risks posed by the virus .
The 34-year-old was infected last month at her sister ’ s wedding .
Several other guests also contracted COVID-19 at the five-star resort with beachfront bungalows .
Coughing and feverish — yet no less bronzed and blonde — Pugliesi repeatedly told her 4.5 million followers on Instagram to stay home and take care of themselves .
She recovered in late March , and on Saturday threw a party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epicenter of Brazil ’ s outbreak .
No one wore masks and in one video Pugliesi posted , she and friends shouted “ Screw life !
” into the camera .
Flouting isolation drew an immediate backlash and more than 100,000 people unfollowed her .
She also lost about a dozen sponsors , who also bailed on her influencer guests .
“ My cousin is a doctor and arrived home in tears .
They already have to choose who to save , ” Werneck posted on Pugliesi ’ s account .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so because you have so many followers ... is inadmissible.
” Pugliesi apologized then suspended her Instagram account .
She didn ’ t respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press .
Others in Sao Paulo and elsewhere are defying social distancing , albeit more discreetly .
Local authorities said in multiple news conferences that some bars in poor areas are welcoming clients behind closed doors , and police have been called to end gatherings in isolated spots .
On Thursday , the governor of Rio de Janeiro state extended restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Sao Paulo had previously extended them until May 10 .
The two states have the largest virus incidence .
Still , a poll by Datafolha showed 52 % of people surveyed believe even those who don ’ t belong to at-risk groups – the elderly and people with chronic illness – should remain in isolation , down from 60 % at the start of the month .
Among the wealthiest , support for continued quarantine is just 39 % .
Bolsonaro ’ s hard-core base has staged rallies to shore up support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most recently on Sunday in the capital , Brasilia .
Many of the several hundred demonstrators draped themselves in the Brazilian flag , and the few face masks were in the national colours of green and yellow .
Most neglected to use masks altogether , even as they shouted into a shared bullhorn .
Not all of Bolsonaro ’ s ministers have fallen into lock-step behind him , but those who don ’ t do so risk losing their jobs .
Luiz Henrique Mandetta , his former health minister , strongly supported the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling of the crisis was widely praised .
But earlier this month , Bolsonaro fired him and appointed Nelson Teich , who has said he sees eye-to-eye with the president .
And what do the morning walkers in Copacabana and beach-side Barra da Tijuca , Rio ’ s two hardest-hit neighbourhoods , say ?
Walking along Barra , not far from Bolsonaro ’ s personal home , 76-year-old Fernando Ferreira , recommended reading the Bible and Albert Camus ’ “ The Plague , “ saying they are evidence that pandemics have always happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer said local governments ’ restrictions on commerce are “ absurd.
” He pointed to how France is moving to ease its isolation measures , without acknowledging that the European nation ’ s viral curve , unlike Brazil ’ s , has begun to plateau .
Lilia Santiago , a 51-year-old dentist , was ambling with her 77-year-old mother .
She insisted forcing everyone to stay home amounts to “ buffoonery , ” particularly as poor people in Brazil often live in close quarters under the same roof .
“ People at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , should take care , which doesn ’ t mean they can ’ t go out , ” Santiago said .
“ We can ’ t be locked inside an apartment or house .
We need to circulate , but safely.
“ “ You don ’ t stand next to someone with a cold .
Same thing , ?
she said , echoing Bolsonaro ’ s belittling of the virus ’ dangers .
“ Flu kills more than coronavirus , folks !
A lot of things kill more than coronavirus !
”

David Biller And Mauricio Savarese - The Associated Press