thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Low-tech Japan challenged in working from home amid pandemic

TOKYO - When the Japanese government declared an emergency to curb the spread of the coronavirus earlier this month and asked people to work from home , crowds rushed to electronics stores .
So much for social distancing .
Many Japanese lack the basic tools needed to work from home .
Contrary to the ultramodern image of Japan Inc. with its robots , design finesse and gadgetry galore , in many respects the country is technologically challenged .
But the bigger obstacle is Japanese corporate culture , experts say .
Offices still often rely on faxes instead of email .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and documents often must be stamped in-person with carved seals called “ hanko , ” which serve as signatures .
So many Japanese really can not work remotely , at least not all the time .
A survey by YouGov , a British market researcher , found only 18 % of those recently surveyed were able to avoid commuting to school or work , even though a relatively high 80 % of people in Japan are afraid of catching the virus .
In India , nearly 70 % of those surveyed were staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was about 30 % , according to YouGov .
One factor , says Yuri Tazawa , a pioneer in Japan of “ teleworking , ” or working from home , is that Japanese workers often do not have clearly defined jobs like Americans do , so companies expect their staff to be in constant communication with each other , working as teams .
“ But this is a matter of life and death for the workers and their families , ” said Tazawa , president of Telework Management Inc. “ We need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Tazawa is offering an online crash course on how to immediately start working from home , using just mobile phones , if a personal computer is not available .
She calls the approach a “ hypothetical cloud office.
” Unlike regular Zoom meetings , in which workers check in and out for discussions , she is proposing using Zoom for just voice connections , keeping it on throughout the work day so that employees who would normally share an office can feel as if they ’ re in the same room .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight against the coronavirus , ” said Tazawa .
Some of Japan ’ s biggest companies , like Toyota Motor Corp. and Sony Corp. , already have announced work-from-home policies .
The main problem is with the small and medium-sized businesses which make up about 70 % of the economy .
Nicholas Benes , a corporate governance expert who has been offering a free webinar on teleworking for Japanese , said interest was surprisingly low .
A lack of up-to-date IT systems means Japan lags in nurturing flexible work practices , office rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remote work .
It ’ s one factor contributing to relatively low labour productivity .
“ Telework requires that managers trust and delegate much more decision-making to employees because it takes too much time in email or Skype to check with the boss , ” said Benes , who heads the Board Director Training Institute of Japan , a non-profit that offers management and governance training .
Japanese companies still rely on nuances of face-to-face interaction , or being able to “ smell the air , ” or “ read the air , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressions .
And then , there ’ s the fax machine .
A third of Japanese households have faxes , according to a government study .
It ’ s rare to find an office that doesn ’ t have one , unless it ’ s a futuristic company like SoftBank that frowns on such old-fashioned practices .
Many respectable institutions shun emails and insist on receiving requests for information or other documentation by fax only .
So as the number of coronavirus infections grows , urban commuter trains are only slightly less crowded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Takami , a “ salaryman , ” as Japanese workers are called , says he had to work from the office until mid-April , when he was finally told he could work from home .
But so far , he ’ s gotten few directions about what he ’ s supposed to be doing .
He might soon be assigned to take some online classes , he said .
Takami , who asked that his employer not be identified , said he has been doing some soul-searching about workplaces that seem to value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am going to devote my time to think about what it is I really want to do with my life , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--US church faces neglect allegations after Haiti child deaths

KENSCOFF , Haiti - For a limestone mantel from the Waldorf Astoria , the church that owns the Olde Good Things antique stores asks for $ 8,500 .
But for the death of each child in a fire at a home it ran in Haiti , parents said the same church offered to pay just $ 50 to $ 100 in family compensation — along with $ 150 for funeral-related costs such as new clothes and transportation .
The wealth of the Church of Bible Understanding in the United States has long stood in contrast with the shoddiness of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which have faced years of infractions and failed two state inspections .
But the gap came into even sharper focus on Feb. 13 , when the fire killed 13 children and two adult caretakers described by the church ’ s lawyer as disabled .
Authorities suspect the fire started because the home used candles instead of a functioning generator or battery in a country where power failures are frequent .
The deaths have devastated parents like Eustache Arismé , 33 , who put his two daughters in the home shortly after they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left arm and can not find work .
His daughters Nedjie , 4 , and Vanise , 3 , died in the fire at the home , which is known as an orphanage in Haiti although many children have at least one living parent .
Like Arismé ’ s daughters , the children in such “ orphanages ” are usually handed over , often as babies , by parents who struggle to support them and want them to at least get food and shelter .
Parents generally keep custody and are allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was happy to see the children growing up in the orphanage .
But now I profoundly regret my decision , ’ ’ Arismé said .
‘ ’ When we put our children in the orphanage , the owners welcomed us .
Now , after this tragedy , they send a lawyer to deal with us.
’ ’ The lawyer for the church , Osner Fevry , said it is being unfairly singled out by critics in Haiti and overseas .
The church may send less money to Haiti than some people would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other U.S. groups solicit donations in the name of needy Haitians and only send a fraction to the country after staff salaries and overhead , he added .
“ It happens to hundreds and thousands of American organizations working in Haiti , raising millions of dollars in the names of churches and NGOs in Haiti , ” he said .
Fevry said the church members running the homes left for the U.S. a few days after the fire not to avoid prosecution , but because they were hounded by police and local media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the parents , the church is assuming the costs of funerals for the 15 victims .
“ I don ’ t think the church can endorse legal responsibility , but moral responsibility , yes , ” Fevry acknowledged .
“ Morally , how come there was a candle to get light for those kids ?
” The homes have run into problems before .
A series of inspections beginning in November 2012 found they didn ’ t meet minimum health and safety standards , with overcrowding , unsanitary conditions and insufficient trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accreditation .
When the church members brought in outside experts , one declared them “ completely clueless about what is needed to take care of that many babies.
” “ I ’ m shocked , ’ ’ she said .
“ That no one has died.
” The orphanages failed another round of state inspections in 2017 but hired Fevry to fight closure , according to Haitian child welfare authorities .
They said closing an orphanage can take months or years , particularly if the management has money or influence .
Through its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment on specific allegations of neglect and mistreatment at its children ’ s homes in Haiti .
“ We are devastated by the tragic fire that took the life of our children at our Haitian orphanage .
Words would fail to express our immense grief and heartbreak , ” the church said in a written statement .
“ We are taking this very seriously and are moving forward to help all of those affected by this horrific accident.
“ On the night of Feb. 13 , 61 children were sleeping inside the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kenscoff in the mountains above the Haitian capital , Port-au-Prince , according to the Institute of Social Welfare .
A 16-year-old boy living there told authorities that he and a caretaker went out to buy candles , which they lit in each of the rooms filled with children , then went to bed .
A short time later , around 9 p.m. , the smell of smoke filed the orphanage .
Thirteen children , ages 3 to 18 , died , along with a 39-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son , Ricardo .
Caristan makes a living selling items on the street and washing neighbours ’ clothes .
She moved back in with her parents , and said she had to leave Ricardo with her estranged husband .
It was only two months later that she learned her former husband had put the boy in a Church of Bible Understanding home .
Shocked , she went there with a copy of the birth certificate to get her baby back .
But a white man told her through an interpreter that she couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not one of the people who had given him to the orphanage , she said .
‘ ‘ I tried everything I could to convince the person in charge at the orphanage , ’ ’ she said quietly , as she watched her younger daughter play outside their shack .
“ I cried bitterly.
” A security guard opened the gate and asked her to leave .
One of her sisters later tried to get the boy back but also failed .
But Caristan never lost hope .
She always thought she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She never did .
The day after the fire , the boy ’ s father told Caristan ’ s sister he was dead .
Caristan rushed to the hospital to see her son ’ s face for the last time , but he had already been taken to the morgue .
She said no one from the orphanage or state had contacted her since .
‘ ’ Whatever my situation , it would have been better to have my son with me , ’ ’ she said .
‘ ’ He would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
If I ’ d known his father was going to take him to an orphanage , I would have kept my child.
’ ’ Through its spokeswoman , the church declined to comment on Caristan ’ s story .
Haitian prosecutors have begun a criminal investigation into the church ’ s homes , which held 154 children at the time of the fire , according to the national child-welfare institute .
The institute finally shut down the homes after the fire , and took 28 children into custody to be reunited with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 other children have fled .
Some children raised in the orphanages say they were generally treated kindly .
Others describe conditions as mentally and physically abusive , including social isolation and beatings .
Anaika Francois , 19 , told The Associated Press that she entered the homes at six because her parents were too poor to take care of her and her little sister .
She said children with bed-wetting issues from about that age were physically punished .
In bad cases , they were stretched across a table and spanked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
‘ ’ That would often produce marks , in which case the monitor would give you a bath with warm salt water , ’ ’ she said .
‘ ’ The marks would disappear in two or three days.
’ ’ Fedania Charles , 20 , said that when she lived with the church , children were hit on the buttocks for wetting their beds and then washed with salty warm water .
“ You could see the bruises for at least 24 hours , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was given to the orphanage at around 9 months old .
He said that as a teenager , he would be put in a ‘ ’ punishment room ’ ’ with a single window along with about a dozen other children for two or three weeks , and escorted to the bathroom by an employee .
At times , he said , rebellious children were expelled and forced to sleep on the streets .
He said the trauma remains for him and other children he grew up with in the homes .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids that I grew up with on the streets begging for money…..it would trigger back everything , ” he said .
“ Almost every day.
” The church declined to comment specifically on the former residents ’ allegations .
Haiti has more than 700 “ orphanages ” housing more than 25,000 children , and only about 35 of the homes meet the standards of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children , according to the Haitian child welfare institute and the UN children ’ s fund , UNICEF .
Defenders of Haitian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes help children who would otherwise be in far worse conditions with desperately poor parents unable to feed or clothe them .
But child welfare advocates say the orphanages harm children by creating incentives to separate them from their parents .
By one estimate , Haitian orphanages receive more than $ 100 million a year in donations , but another study has shown that just a single grant of $ 220 can help a poor Haitian family maintain a child in acceptable conditions at home .
“ No child should be placed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fornara , UNICEF ’ s representative in Haiti .
“ I would ask to any of these organizations coming in and supporting orphanages , would they want their children to be in those places ?
... .I don ’ t think so.
” The Church of Bible Understanding was founded as the “ Forever Family ” in the early 1970s by Stewart Traill , a former vacuum cleaner salesman .
In his mid-30s , he started preaching on the streets of Philadelphia and New York , creating a string of communal houses around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runaways .
It wasn ’ t a comfortable life .
Former members said they were crammed into tightly packed rooms , slept on mats on the floor and discouraged from dating , attending school or doing anything outside of church activities .
Members worked for church businesses , and , in turn , received small allowances .
In September 1982 , four members of the church were convicted in Philadelphia for beating Traill ’ s then 13-year-old son with a belt and a board , seriously enough that he was hospitalized .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peak in the mid-1970s , according to the Encyclopedia of Cults , Sects and New Religions .
Traill , who died in 2018 at age 82 , rechristened it as the Church of Bible Understanding in 1976 , and the church is now believed to have 30 to 50 members .
Over the years , the church ran a string of enterprises , including a carpet-cleaning company lampooned on a TV episode of “ Seinfeld ” about a sect-linked business hired by one of the main characters .
Contracts to demolish old buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ features .
That became Olde Good Things , which has a thriving online business and retail shops in New York , Los Angeles and at the headquarters in Scranton , Pennsylvania .
They offer antique and vintage home décor such as crystal chandeliers for as much as $ 22,000 .
One of the least expensive items for sale this week is a pair of antique bronze door hinges for $ 55 .
Olde Good Things , which says on its website that it donates half of its profits to the church ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year to open a new flagship store on West 52nd Street in Manhattan this year .
Public tax documents depict a church and business with considerable overlap .
In its most recent filing , the church reported revenue of $ 6.6 million and expenses of $ 2.2 million .
It reported a net loss of $ 125,537 from Olde Good Things , and the church loaned $ 3.7 million to the business .
The church listed $ 19 million in assets .
Those assets included a 12,000-square foot house in Coral Springs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife , exempt from state property taxes on religious grounds , according to public records .
The church says in its tax records that “ a large part of our operation is to fund our missionary work , ” operating the two homes in Haiti ’ s capital and distributing food in the countryside .
The Olde Good Things website says , “ We appreciate our patrons and want them to understand that profits from their purchase go directly to supporting this worthy work.
” The church also received food grants worth more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for International Development between 2003 and 2012 .
USAID rejected their grant application as “ non-competitive “ in 2013 , the same year the Haitian government said their homes for children did not meet minimum standards .
It has not been renewed .
Former members and employees say the work in Haiti was always a central focus of the church and the business .
Church members would frequently talk at Olde Good Things about their work in Haiti and would bring children from the homes to the U.S. for medical treatment , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounting clerk and supervisor for the company and said they treated her well .
She recalled using a check from the business to buy toiletries and medical supplies for the children ’ s homes , which were then sent to the Caribbean country on a church-owned plane .
Any problems at the homes , Lovely said , were likely a result of business revenues being strained or because most of the work in Haiti was done by older church members .
“ They did the best they can do up until now and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support it , ” she said .
“ They are too old to be doing it anymore.
” Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .
Fox reported from Washington .
Evens Sanon contributed to this story from Port-au-Prince , Haiti .

Michael Weissenstein And Ben Fox - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-04-25--Mexican officials say human rights monitor shot to death

MEXICO CITY - A human rights monitor and his son were shot to death in Mexico ’ s southern state @ @ @ @ @ slaying of a rights activist in the country this year , authorities said Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ for the state Human Rights Commission , and his son were on their way to @ @ @ @ @ of Coyoca de Benítez on the Pacific coast when they were killed Friday , the @ @ @ @ @ did not provide details of the killing , but the commission urged investigators to focus @ @ @ @ @ rights defender as a possible motive .
Guerrero has high rates of violence linked to @ @ @ @ @ office of Mexico ’ s national ombudsman previously reported the killings of three other human @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Vanquish the virus? Australia and New Zealand aim to show the way

SYDNEY—Thousands of miles from U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s combative news briefings , a conservative leader in Australia and a progressive prime minister in New Zealand are steadily guiding their countries toward a rapid suppression of the coronavirus outbreak .
Both nations are now reporting just a handful of new infections each day , down from hundreds in March , and they are converging toward an extraordinary goal : completely eliminating the virus from their island nations .
Whether they get to zero or not , what Australia and New Zealand have already accomplished is a remarkable cause for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conservative Christian , and Jacinda Ardern , New Zealand ’ s darling of the left , are both succeeding with throwback democracy — in which partisanship recedes , experts lead , and quiet co-ordination matters more than firing up the base .
“ This is certainly distinct from the United States , ” said Dr. Peter Collignon , a physician and professor of microbiology at the Australian National University who has worked for the World Health Organization .
“ Here it ’ s not a time for politics .
This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying let ’ s do what makes the most sense.
” The dreamy prospect of near normalcy , with the virus defeated , crowds gathering in pubs and every child back in school , is hard to imagine for much of the United States , where testing shortages and a delayed response by Trump have led to surges of contagion and death .
And it may end up being a mirage or temporary triumph in Australia and New Zealand .
Elimination means reducing infections to zero in a geographic area with continued measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that may require extended travel bans .
Other places that seemed to be keeping the virus at bay , such as China , Hong Kong and Singapore , have seen it rebound , usually with infections imported from overseas .
And yet , if there are any two countries that could pull off a clear if hermetically sealed victory — offering a model of recovery that elevates competence over ego and restores some confidence in democratic government — it may be these two Pacific neighbours with their sparsely populated islands , history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Far from any global hot spot , they ’ ve had the advantage of time : Australia reported its first case on Jan. 25 , New Zealand on Feb. 28 .
But compared to Trump and leaders in Europe , Morrison and Ardern responded with more alacrity and with starker warnings .
Morrison banned travellers from China on Feb. 1 ( a day before the United States did ) and labelled the outbreak a pandemic on Feb. 27 ( two weeks before the WHO ) , while forming a national cabinet of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity and guide the response .
In New Zealand , where the government is more centralized , Ardern introduced an alert system that led to a total lockdown less than a month after the country ’ s first case emerged .
“ We must fight by going hard and going early , ” Ardern said .
In both countries , the public initially resisted and then complied , in part because the information flowing from officials at every level was largely consistent .
Playing their own versions of explainer in chief , Morrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ardern prefers Facebook Live .
But they ’ ve both received praise from scientists for listening and adapting to evidence .
“ It ’ s a case of politicians just not being in the way , ” said Ian Mackay , a virologist at the University of Queensland who has been involved in response planning for the pandemic .
“ It ’ s a mix of things , but I think it comes down to taking advice based on expertise.
” The results are undeniable : Australia and New Zealand have squashed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 million people that had been on track for 153,000 cases by Easter , has recorded a total of 6,670 infections and 78 deaths .
It has a daily growth rate of less than one per cent , with per capita testing among the highest in the world .
New Zealand ’ s own daily growth rate , after soaring in March , is also below one per cent , with 1,456 confirmed cases and 17 deaths .
It has just 361 active cases in a country of five million .
These figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and South Korea , which have controlled the virus ’ spread for now , than to the United States and Europe — even places seen as success stories , like Germany .
It all started with scientists .
In Australia , as soon as China released the genetic code for the coronavirus in early January , pathologists in public health laboratories started sharing plans for tests .
In every state and territory , they jumped ahead of politicians .
“ It meant we could have a test up and running quickly that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government then opened the budgetary floodgates to support suffering workers and add health care capacity .
When infections started climbing , many of the labs and hospitals hired second and third rounds of scientists to help .
That collaboration set the tone .
Many of the state and local task forces spurred on by Morrison ’ s early action have stayed in constant contact , drawing in academics who independently started to model the virus ’ spread .
Their findings , hashed out by email , text or group calls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The newly formed national cabinet has delivered a surprising level of consensus for a country with a loose federal system subject to high levels of discord among state premiers , whose roles and powers resemble those of American governors .
In late March , for example , Morrison announced an agreement to severely tighten restrictions , banning international travel and telling all Australians not working in essential services to stay home .
Though there was some divergence , mostly over schools , state leaders expressed bipartisan support and have held the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand , public health experts pushed for an even bolder move .
Dr. Michael Baker , a physician and professor at the University of Otago in Wellington , became a prominent voice outside the government pushing for elimination of the virus , not just its suppression .
He argued that New Zealand , an island nation with a limited number of cases , should think of the virus more like measles than influenza — something that should be made to disappear , with rare exceptions .
“ The modellers said we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a high probability of eliminating it entirely , ” he said .
“ You have to wait until the numbers are very low so you have the ability to stamp out an outbreak if it occurs.
” Worrying that the virus would spread too rapidly , Baker said he was racked with anxiety in the first few weeks after the initial case appeared in New Zealand .
“ We were on a knife ’ s edge , ” he said .
“ Would we commit ?
” Ardern announced on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elimination .
Critics questioned whether it was possible , noting that there might be too many asymptomatic cases to guarantee elimination .
Baker responded by citing Taiwan , which has contained the outbreak to a point where socially distanced normal life has returned on a densely packed set of islands with over 23 million people .
“ It ’ s a matter to get all the systems working , ” Baker said .
“ The borders , the contact tracing , the testing , the surveillance.
” In Australia , officials are mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential side effect of a strategy they still describe as suppression .
Dr. Brendan Murphy , Australia ’ s chief medical officer , told a New Zealand parliamentary committee last week that elimination would be a “ nirvana ” scenario — an achievement that would be tough to maintain without indefinite bans on international travel or 14-day quarantines until a vaccine arrives .
Nonetheless , if it happens , Murphy and his counterpart in New Zealand , Dr. Ashley Bloomfield , would be the ones receiving accolades .
Like Dr. Anthony Fauci , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s scientific response , they are known for extensive public health pedigrees , calm demeanours and no-nonsense adherence to facts .
Bloomfield , who , tieless and with rumpled hair , has hosted online question-and-answer sessions almost every day , has become a celebrity of straight-talking reassurance .
An artist in Wellington has even started selling towels that show his face surrounded by hearts .
He and others like him at the local level are key factors in a revival of trust in government that has appeared in poll after poll lately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have cratered and people have been told to severely restrict their lives .
The question is what that revival might produce in the future .
Ardern and Morrison have already discussed reopening travel between the two countries , and some scientists wonder if eliminating the virus with good management might rebuild some faith not just in democracy , but also in the value of expertise .
“ It does feel like we ’ re pulling together and pulling in the same direction at the moment , ” said Mackay , the immunologist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope we can maintain that.
” “ Maybe we ’ ll see the return of science , ” Mackay added .
“ I doubt it , but who knows .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Spain lets children play as US states move at various speeds

MINNEAPOLIS - Spain let children go outside and play Sunday for the first time in six weeks as European countries methodically worked to ease their lockdowns and reopen their economies , while governors in the United States moved at differing speeds , some more aggressive , others more cautious .
Elsewhere around the world , China ’ s state-run media said that hospitals in Wuhan , the original epicenter of the disaster , no longer have any COVID-19 patients , after a crisis in which the city recorded nearly 3,900 deaths .
And British Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 Downing St. after a bout with the coronavirus that put him in intensive care .
While governors in states like hard-hit New York and Michigan are keeping stay-at-home restrictions in place until at least mid-May , their counterparts in places such as Georgia , Oklahoma and Alaska are allowing certain businesses to reopen .
And churches in Montana began holding in-person services again Sunday .
Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House coronavirus task force co-ordinator , said each state is different .
Still , she told NBC , social-distancing recommendations would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to really ensure that we protect one another as we move through these phases.
” The official death toll from the virus topped 205,000 worldwide , with over 2.9 million reported infections , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University , though the real figures are believed to be much higher , in part because of inadequate testing and differences in counting the dead .
Italy , Britain , Spain and France accounted for more than 20,000 deaths each , the U.S. for about 55,000 .
Some encouraging signs were seen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deaths since mid-March , with 260 , and New York state registered its fewest since late last month , with 367 .
Seven weeks into Italy ’ s strict lockdown , Premier Giuseppe Conte laid out a long-awaited timetable for getting back to normal , announcing that factories , construction sites and wholesale supply businesses can resume activity as soon as they put safety measures in place against the virus .
Conte also said that starting May 4 , parks and gardens will reopen , funerals will be allowed , athletes can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to visit relatives living in the same region .
If all goes well , stores and museums will open May 18 , and restaurants , cafes and salons on June 1 , he said .
But he warned that if people don ’ t wear masks and obey other social-distancing rules , “ the curve of contagion can rise again , it will go out of control , deaths will climb and we ’ ll have irreparable damage ” to the economy .
After Italian bishops complained that these latest rules didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conte ’ s office said a plan for such worship would be released .
In Spain , where the crisis is also easing , the streets echoed again with children ’ s shrieks of joy and the clatter of bicycles after youngsters under 14 were allowed out of their homes with one parent for up to an hour of play .
“ This is wonderful !
I can ’ t believe it has been six weeks , ” Susana Sabaté , a mother of 3-year-old twin boys , said in Barcelona .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we gave them their scooters , they were thrilled.
” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will present a detailed plan Tuesday for the “ de-escalation ” of Spain ’ s lockdown but said it would be cautious .
His French counterpart will as well on the same day .
In the U.S. , where President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed to reopen the country for business and a split has opened among the states along often partisan lines .
Oklahoma Gov .
Kevin Stitt , a Republican , told “ Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his state , he will reopen churches and restaurant dining on Friday , with social-distancing guidelines in place .
“ We believe it ’ s the time to have a measured reopening , ” he said .
But Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , a Democrat , told ABC that her state is not ready and needs more robust testing , community tracing and a plan for isolating people who get sick .
“ We ’ ve got to be nimble and we have to follow the science and be really smart about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ because no one — no one , even if you ’ re a protester or you ’ re the sitting governor or you ’ re on another side of the issue — we know that no one wants a second wave.
” In Montana , some churchgoers returned to Sunday services as a general stay-at-home order expired .
At Christ the King Lutheran Church in Billings , every other pew was kept empty .
Roughly 100 people streamed into St. Anthony Catholic Church in Laurel , where ushers tried to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitizer was available .
“ It ’ s like being given life again , ” said church member Jack Auzqui .
He said being unable to attend had been spiritually difficult for him and his wife .
Georgia ’ s Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp , in announcing the opening of several businesses last week , reiterated religious services were allowed as long as strict social-distancing protocols were followed .
But leaders of various denominations said they would keep their buildings shuttered for now .
In a sign that it could get harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a lingering heat wave in California lured people to beaches , rivers and trails Sunday , prompting warnings that defiance of stay-at-home orders could reverse progress .
Most recreation areas are shuttered , but officials worried that those still open could draw people who will ignore the rules .
Other European nations are further along in relaxing their restrictions .
Germany allowed nonessential shops and other facilities to open last week , and Denmark has reopened schools for children up to fifth grade .
On the other side of the Atlantic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work , he faces calls for more clarity on when his government will ease the lockdown , now set to run until at least May 7 .
In China , Wuhan said all major construction projects have resumed as authorities push to restart factory production and other economic activity after a 2 1/2-month lockdown .
Wilson reported from Barcelona , Spain .
Associated Press writer Matthew Brown in Laurel , Montana , and AP journalists around the world contributed to this report .

Amy Forliti And Joseph Wilson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Activist apologizes after refusing to leave playground

BOISE , Idaho - An anti-vaccine activist who was arrested in Idaho after she repeatedly refused orders by police to leave a playground that had been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic has apologized to the police officer .
Sara Brady said she was on edge with the “ constant stress “ of being stuck at home and trying to take care of her cooped-up children .
“ However , this is not an excuse for my behaviour and my part in what happened , “ she said Friday , reading from a prepared statement , according to Boise television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a knee-jerk comment made to you out of frustration ... would create such a divide.
” Brady , 40 , was charged with misdemeanour trespassing on a closed playground .
Video showed her refusing officers repeatedly requests to leave the play structures Tuesday .
She is affiliated with two groups that sponsored a protest at the Idaho Statehouse against Gov .
Brad Little ’ s stay-at-home order .
The coronavirus causes flu-like symptoms in most people and can be fatal for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idaho .
There has been a growing number of protests in Idaho and elsewhere over stay-at-home orders , including a Saturday protest in eastern Idaho where Lt. Gov .
Janice McGeachin spoke .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--White House aiming for Trump pivot from virus to economy

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


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Police: 1 officer dies, 2nd wounded in Louisiana shooting

BATON ROUGE , La .
- A shooting in Louisiana ’ s capital city left one police officer dead and his wounded colleague fighting for his life Sunday , authorities said , adding a suspect was later taken into custody after an hourslong standoff in which shots were fired at a SWAT team .
Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul told The Advocate the two officers were shot in a northern residential district in the city , and that one of the officers later succumbed from his wounds .
Paul said a suspect , Ronnie Kato , 36 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he barricaded inside a house .
No one was reported hurt during the standoff and authorities didn ’ t immediately say what charges Kato might face .
Police said the officers who were shot had responded earlier in the day to reports of gunfire in the area .
At a news conference Sunday evening , the police chief said the slain officer was a 21-year law enforcement veteran and that the wounded colleague had seven years of police work , according to WBRZ-TV .
The chief did not immediately identify the officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his life , “ Paul added at a news briefing Sunday evening .
“ Our officers — talk about being public servants and the responsibility that comes along with being a law enforcement officer , ” Paul said .
“ This is a call no chief wants to get.
” Police released few details about the shooting of the two officers or events that led up to it .
The chief said only that police continue to investigate .
On Sunday afternoon , neighbours and onlookers crowded street corners behind police tape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to media reports .
Some of the bystanders wore masks against the coronavirus and others held up phones to record the crush of law enforcement vehicles at the site .
A different scene unfolded outside Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center , where the officers had been whisked by ambulance .
There , dozens of law enforcement officers held an impromptu vigil at the hospital , awaiting updates on the wounded officer ’ s condition .
A coroner ’ s van was seen Sunday afternoon being escorted away by dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital , according to media reports .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Fires at Greek island migrant camp force partial evacuation

ATHENS , Greece - Fires have broken out at a migrants ’ camp on the Greek island of Samos , leading to its partial evacuation , and firefighters say they are still fighting the flames though they are under control .
A firefighting service spokesman , speaking on condition of anonymity because of an ongoing investigation , said a fire broke out just outside the main camp in an area where there are “ shacks ” housing some of the overflowing population of migrants as well as medical and other support facilities .
The main camp itself is intact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least two separate fires , one that started earlier Sunday evening and a bigger one later in the night .
The cause is unknown , but local media have reported that the first fire started during a clash between different ethnic groups at the camp and that migrants fueled the later fire in a bid to be taken out of the camp .
These reports have not been confirmed .
Non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders said in a tweet that the earlier fire left about a 100 people without shelter after their tents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many other migrants have been left without shelter as the result of the bigger fire , but some have been escorted by police to a square in the nearby town of Vathy .
Firefighters also moved several people out of harm ’ s way , although the spokesman was not able to tell how many and said the investigation of the incidents will be carried out by police .
Migrants being kept in the overcrowded island camps are increasingly in despair over the conditions and the slow processing of their asylum applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Violence , either among migrants or directed at authorities , has flared up .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Cuomo: Virus deaths drop below 400 for 1st time this month

New York ’ s daily coronavirus death toll dropped to below 400 , less than half of the deaths recorded at the height of the coronavirus crisis in the state ’ s hospitals .
Details on developments in the coronavirus outbreak in New York : Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said the 367 deaths from the coronavirus that he reported Sunday were “ horrific , “ but the number was less than half the nearly 800 deaths that occurred in a single day during the pandemic ’ s peak in New York .
It is the first time this month that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below 400 .
He also reported that the number of hospitalizations , which still topped 1,000 , and the number of individuals put on a ventilator had dropped as well .
The deaths recorded Saturday and reported Sunday included 349 patients who died in hospitals and 18 individuals who died in nursing homes , the Democratic governor said .
On Saturday , Cuomo said there were 437 deaths on Friday .
“ Short term , the numbers are on the decline.
” Cuomo said .
“ Everything we ’ ve done is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no doubt that at this point , we ’ ve gone through the worst.
” In another sign of the improving numbers , the final patient on the USNS Comfort was discharged on Sunday .
The 1,000-bed hospital ship , docked at a Manhattan pier since March 30 , has treated 182 patients .
Soon , it will depart for its homeport in Norfolk , Virginia .
Construction and manufacturing jobs that represent low risks for workers will be among the first to resume once New York state begins reopening after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s governor said Sunday .
Retail jobs and workers in the hospitality and hotel industry may be among the last to return , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said at his news conference .
And sports such as baseball probably will have to figure out if the economics work without fans in the stands , he said .
“ Everybody has to think outside the box because there is no box , “ he said .
The Democrat said determinations of when reopening begins will follow federal guidance that says reopening should not begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has declined for two weeks .
He said which businesses reopen after the restart of construction and manufacturing will depend on how essential they are and how safe they can operate .
Once those businesses reopen , a two-week period would follow before more businesses reopen .
“ I don ’ t want to just reopen .
We learned a lot of lessons here , painfully , ” he said .
“ How do we take the lessons we learned and say when we reopen , we ’ re going to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not about a return to yesterday .
There is no return to yesterday in life.
” He compared New York ’ s upstate communities to the Midwest , saying some areas might be ready to reopen sooner than other areas .
But he said he had to consider the possibility that residents of areas that are still closed might flood toward any place that opens .
The reopening of New York state will be vital in the summer , particularly in crowded cities , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Sunday .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dense urban environmental all through the summer months : ‘ We don ’ t have anything for you to do , stay in your apartment with the three kids , ’ “ Cuomo said at his daily news conference .
“ You know , that doesn ’ t work .
There ’ s a sanity equation here also that we have to take into consideration , “ he said .
He said people have reason to feel better , saying “ the worst should be over ” as long as social distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People need to know that there ’ s an opening , there ’ s a future , there ’ s hope , that somebody ’ s doing something .
And then you need a relief valve just on a day-to-day basis so people have some relief in their lives , some vent , ” he said .
Cuomo said trends indicate that the incidence of domestic violence , alcoholism and drug use and mental health issues were on the rise .
“ Do not underestimate the stress that this situation has created , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ he said , adding that a toxic mix of bad circumstances was pushing some people to the edge .
“ People need to know that there ’ s an opening , there ’ s a future , there ’ s hope , that somebody ’ s doing something .
And then you need a relief valve just on a day-to-day basis so people have some relief in their lives , some vent , “ he said .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday he hopes to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuild the city after the coronavirus threat subsides .
The mayor , a Democrat , said at a news conference that city leaders he ’ s invited to help plan the city ’ s recovery should give him the roadmap by then .
He said a full rebuild will take about 20 months .
He also said the latest statistics on people being treated for COVID-19 continued to be stable or decline .
The number of people in the city ’ s hospital intensive care units had dropped from 785 to 768 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t begin reopening until decreases continue for 10 to 14 days .
He said such a fall would signal it was time for the first steps in opening up .
“ The health indicators have to give us the all clear , ” de Blasio said .
“ We restart when we have evidence .
There ’ s no on-off switch here .
It ’ s a series of careful , smart moves.
” ___ - Brad Pitt portrayed Dr. Anthony Fauci in the second at-home episode of “ Saturday Night Live , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assurances and misstatements pitched by President Donald Trump during the pandemic , for instance when Trump said there ’ d be a COVID-19 vaccine “ relatively soon.
” - Home care nurses , aides and attendants — who normally help an estimated 12 million Americans with everything from bathing to IV medications — are now taking on the difficult and potentially dangerous task of caring for coronavirus patients .
- A few states may have found a way to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in nursing homes by converting some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside mostly for residents who have left the hospital but still might be contagious or lack immunity .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Deputy fatally shoots man accused of firing at neighbours

LA PLATA , Md .
- A man in a camouflage hat fired a military-style rifle at his neighbours in their Maryland home on Sunday before he was fatally shot by a sheriff ’ s deputy , authorities said .
One of the neighbours was taken to a hospital for treatment of a graze wound that wasn ’ t life-threatening , according to Charles County Sheriff ’ s Office spokeswoman Diane Richardson .
No officers were injured in the confrontation , she said .
Investigators were trying to determine why the 59-year-old man opened fire on the neighbours from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home while they were inside , Richardson said .
The suspect also shattered the glass on a front door to another neighbour ’ s home , she added .
“ To the best of our knowledge , nobody in the neighbourhood had any issues with him ” before the shooting , she said .
Children were among the people inside the house that the man fired shots at , according to a sheriff ’ s office statement .
The gunman was fatally wounded by a deputy who responded to a 911 call and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Richardson .
Officers tried to revive the gunman before paramedics arrived , Richardson said .
The suspect was pronounced dead at a hospital .
His name wasn ’ t immediately released .
The deputy , a five-year veteran of the sheriff ’ s office , will be placed on administrative leave , a standard procedure under the department ’ s policies .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Are people who live in dog-friendly buildings happier?

NEW YORK—People who own dogs live longer .
They ’ re healthier .
They ’ re calmer .
Their children are less prone to allergies .
And they have government-sanctioned reasons to leave the house while sheltering in place .
But what about real estate ?
Are people who live in pet-friendly buildings happier ?
Are their apartments more valuable ?
Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that they are .
Dogs aren ’ t big on social distancing .
They lick , sniff and slobber on one another — and on people — in elevators , lobbies and common areas in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ romance between owners often form as a result .
“ Pets are playful , so buildings with pets have more colours and are brighter and more fun to live in .
Pets add vibrancy , ” said Dr. Zaynab Satchu , a veterinarian in New York and co-founder of Bond Vet .
“ Dogs bridge the gap between busy people who wouldn ’ t otherwise meet.
” Satchu said she wouldn ’ t know 80 per cent of her Brooklyn neighbours were it not for Tillie , her mini goldendoodle .
A lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My social life doubled when I got a dog , ” said Lara Benusis , who lives in Long Island City with Kim-Chee , a Pomeranian terrier .
Benusis is in a doctoral program in bio-behavioral sciences and teaches yoga .
Before she began sheltering-in-place , Candy Pilar Godoy , a freelance photography producer who lives in Hell ’ s Kitchen , wrote about her travels with her two dogs , Boogie , a pug , and Marcelo , a Chihuahua .
“ I speak to my neighbours who have dogs way more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Godoy said .
“ We exchange tips , see each other at the local dog park , and our dogs are even friends .
They stop to say hello and sniff each other in the hallway .
The camaraderie of being dog lovers makes us allies — especially at board meetings.
” So maybe it shouldn ’ t have been a surprise when a well-established New York building changed its policies after decades of refusing to allow pets .
Stewart House , a white-brick residential co-op building in Greenwich Village with more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years ago .
It has large apartments with gracious layouts , and lots of closets , an enclosed garden , on-site parking and other white glove amenities .
Informally known among realtors as the “ House of No , ” Stewart House has long enforced various restrictive rules : no washer-dryers , no sublets , no guarantors , no pieds-à-terre , and , no pets .
( At one point in the building ’ s history , hamsters and fish were outlawed as well as dogs and cats . )
But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy and for the first time since it opened in 1960 , allowed dogs , at least certain kinds of dogs .
( Cats , birds , fish , frogs , turtles , tortoises , lizards , guinea pigs , chinchillas and gerbils are also allowed , subject to the building ’ s application and approval process and governing rules . )
Erin Hussein , the co-op board president who also works in alumni relations , said the change was prompted by the building ’ s interest “ in being more inclusive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tenants , some of whom want dogs.
” Many shareholders say the change also had to do with service dogs , which are protected by New York housing law .
As such , several service dogs were earlier able to sidestep the ban and move into the building .
Changing the rules and allowing dogs — subject to breed and size restrictions — gave the building power to control the types of dogs allowed in the building .
Dogs that weigh 30 pounds or more are not allowed .
Neither are Dobermans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chow Chows , Jack Russell terriers , Old English sheepdogs , Lhasa Apsos and Dalmatians and other breeds considered “ excessively prone to barking or being aggressive , ” are also prohibited .
( Hussein noted that the building also limits residents to two cats , “ and you can only have two hamsters.
” ) Well-attended , full-building meetings in the Stewart House lobby preceded the change .
There were raised voices , heartfelt exchanges .
Stephen Perlo , a dog-less Stewart House resident and an agent at Corcoran , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who don ’ t have dogs , afraid of what might or could happen if the building were overrun with dogs , but that hasn ’ t happened.
” The changes resulted in no more than a few dozen new canine neighbours .
The new neighbours were “ Labs , doodles , very small dogs , the kind you see in most apartment buildings , ” said Summer Zimberg , a Stewart House board member and a broker at Brown Harris Stevens .
“ The dogs have brought an overwhelmingly welcoming , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ The vibe in the building has changed .
It ’ s a friendlier place , more social.
” Dogs often play the dual roles of member of the clan and social ambassador , especially in New York City .
“ For many people , pets are members of the family , sometimes the only friend or family a person has , ” said Karen Copeland , a New York lawyer who specializes in animal issues , including housing , custody and discrimination cases , and dangerous-dog proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and civil rights laws are increasingly protective of pet owners ’ rights ; as a result , she said , “ Manhattan has pretty much gotten to be a pet-friendly little island.
” Pet amenities — including on-site spas , roof top runs , “ yappy hours , ” a bone-shaped swimming pool for dogs — in some of the city ’ s new rental buildings suggest just how pet friendly Manhattan has become .
Jonathan Miller , the president of Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants , said that approximately 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales are in pet-friendly buildings and that the number has remained fairly constant since 2011 .
Brokers say more and more buyers want to live in pet-friendly buildings , and that the law of supply and demand suggests these buildings enjoy enhanced value .
“ Are pets allowed ?
That ’ s the first thing potential buyers ask when I show them an apartment , ” said Susan Abrams , a broker with Warburg Realty .
“ If one in three people have a dog or may want one , that eliminates one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings .
In addition to improving their owners ’ social lives , dogs have also proven to be good for business .
“ Having a dog in New York is life-changing , ” said Joanne Greene , a Brown Harris Stevens broker , who said Mac , her three-year-old labradoodle is “ the service dog I didn ’ t know I needed.
” Greene said she too has a new social life , thanks to Mac , and has also done business with neighbours she met through him .
“ I just sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mac likes Ginger , ” a neighbouring hound .
Then there are the opportunities for dogs to play matchmakers .
“ Dogs create warmth , ” according to Pearson Marx , a writer who lives in a pet-friendly building on the Upper East Side with Cleo , a pit bull mix she adopted from a kill shelter .
“ They are instant icebreakers.
” In New York , Marx said , doormen have assumed the function neighbours once had .
“ If your husband has a heart attack , or there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call the doorman , not your neighbour .
We are so busy looking at our phones , rushing around , most of us don ’ t even know who are neighbours are — unless you have a dog.
” Marx credits Cleo with introducing her a few years ago to a tall lovely man who lives in her building .
The man liked Cleo and wanted a dog , but didn ’ t know if he had the time to care for a pet .
Marx told him that just about any dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right paw to have just 10 minutes of his time .
Soon after , she saw the man walking a rescue dog of his own .
“ It was the beginning of a lovely , comforting friendship , ” Marx said .
“ We look out for each other , ” adding that her new friend even set her up with a dog rescuer whom she dated for a while .
The coronavirus has given rise to an enormous demand for companion animals , so much so that it may now be easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog to foster .
On its website , the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City said it is currently closed to the public , but noted that there was an urgent need for loving cat adopters in the Los Angeles area .
The transformation of Stewart House into a pet-friendly building was made after the careful consideration of shareholders who both did and did not have pets .
The residents with dogs have formed an informal community group and look out for one another , said Lori Solomon , one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke her arm and couldn ’ t walk Marley , a cockapoo , several of her new friends in the building helped out .
Anita Isola , a retired lawyer who does not have a dog , said , “ The dogs open up connections , ” adding that she has met many neighbours since the dogs arrived and keeps a bone in her apartment for her favourite pup who sometimes comes to visit .
The board implemented a series of rules to protect the interests of non-pet-friendly neighbours .
Building rules require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibit lingering in the lobby , and prohibit non-resident dogs from entering the building at any time , even with a paid dog walker .
Dog owners say they hear occasional grumbling and , especially when it is wet outside , get dirty looks in the elevators .
One tenant mentioned complaints about owners and dogs hanging around the doorman ’ s station , in violation of the building ’ s rules prohibiting lingering in common areas .
As a result , doormen are no longer allowed to give the dogs bones .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who opposed the change , seems to be that changing the pet policy at Stewart House was a matter of keeping up with the times .
“ Sure , there are people who have allergies or are scared of dogs .
We ’ re living it , ” said Martin Tessler , a retired businessman and a self-described member of the old guard ( many of whom bought into the building because it did not allow pets ) .
“ I ’ m not complaining , just observing that things change.
” Dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t just make people happier , they make them better .
Rabbi Gadi Capela , of the Congregation Tifereth Israel in Greenport , New York , moved from Manhattan to Long Island a couple of years ago .
He believes that dogs bring us closer to God .
“ Dogs don ’ t stand on ceremony .
They accept you as you are , ” the rabbi said .
“ They do not carry grudges .
They are happy creatures who live in the moment .
God wants us to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Mexico returns Central Americans, empties migrant centres

MEXICO CITY - Mexico has nearly emptied the 65 migrant detention centres it has across the country by returning 3,653 people to Guatemala , El Salvador and Honduras , the National Migration Institute said Sunday , adding the move should help avoid COVID-19 outbreaks in the once-crowded facilities .
The institute said in a statement that only 106 migrants remain in the centres , which have a capacity for 8,524 migrants .
While in March they were filled to less than half their capacity , before that there were complaints of overcrowding and poor hygiene conditions , especially last spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had urged Mexico to release the mainly Central American migrants to avoid an outbreak of the new coronavirus .
Mexico began to empty the centres on March 21 in line with policies issued by United Nations agencies , but border closures by the governments of Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador delayed returns , the institute said .
In the return process , Mexico ’ s government prioritized minors , the elderly , families , pregnant women and migrants with risks of chronic diseases .
Mexico ’ s justice system this month issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migrants in vulnerable situations .
Mexico ’ s migration agency said it does not handle the transfer of Mexican nationals returned by the United States but made no reference to Central Americans returned by U.S. authorities to Mexico .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--It’s back to business for restaurants in Alaska city

FAIRBANKS , ALASKA—In any place where you can sit down and order a beer with your burger or your wings , sooner or later you are probably going to hear a philosophical conversation about life .
But in this city in northeast Alaska , at a place called the Roundup Steakhouse and Saloon , just being there at all felt momentous and meaningful enough .
The place was open !
People weren ’ t sitting at home !
Food could be ordered and put right there in front of you , and it wasn ’ t in a takeout box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fairbanks over the weekend : The city ’ s restaurants were among the only ones in the country open to in-person indoor dining , a distinction that came as the first few states began to reopen amid the pandemic .
It happened through an alignment of state and local relaxation of rules in Alaska last week and a handful of restaurants , including the Roundup , that were ready to restart under strict limits about capacity and separation of customers .
Anchorage , Alaska ’ s largest city , also expected to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ordered them to stay closed through the weekend as an exception to the statewide relaxation that took effect Friday .
Even in Fairbanks , a metropolitan area of about 100,000 , only a few places were able to open their doors right away .
Food supplies are tough to get , for one thing , restaurateurs said , with several wholesalers shut down .
Some employees are nervous about going back to work .
And the economics are difficult ; the state rules allow only 25 per cent of normal seating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet apart , edge to edge .
Just how brisk business will be also remains a question .
Some would-be diners remain nervous about closed spaces and the adequacy of safety protocols and are no more willing to walk into a restaurant than they are to board an airplane .
Anchorage ’ s mayor , Ethan Berkowitz , said Friday that even when things open in that city Monday , he would be sticking with takeout , at least for the time being .
Fairbanks has not been among the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 79 coronavirus cases and two deaths — although it has the third-highest incidence rate of any borough , as counties are called here , in the state .

Gary Black - The New York Times,Kirk Johnson


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Italian government sets May 18 return for soccer training

ROME - Nearly seven weeks after the last game was played , Italy ’ s top soccer division finally has a target date to resume practice .
Premier Giuseppe Conte announced Sunday that professional sports teams can resume training on May 18 , while individual sports can resume practice on May 4 .
The move means that the Serie A league could resume playing games in June — albeit without any fans in the stadiums .
Conte said that starting on Monday , Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora “ will work intensely with … the soccer system , the professional sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ map that we have already partly defined in terms of the resumption of individual training on May 4 and teams on May 18 .
“ Then we ’ ll evaluate if the conditions will allow the leagues that were suspended to be completed , ” Conte added .
Serie A has been suspended since March 9 , when the government ordered a nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus emergency .
Italy had the bad luck of being the first Western nation to be slammed by the outbreak , and its official total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the global death toll “ Being a big soccer fan like so many Italians , at the start it seemed strange to me that the season could be interrupted and suspended , ” Conte said .
“ But obviously we found ourselves involved in this health , social and economic emergency .
And I think everyone , even the most ardent fans , understood that there wasn ’ t any alternative.
” Twelve rounds remain in Serie A , plus four other games that were postponed from the 25th round .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first leg of the semifinals .
Eight-time defending champion Juventus leads Lazio by one point in the Serie A standings .
At least 15 Serie A players have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Most of the infected players have recovered , although Atalanta ’ s reserve goalkeeper Marco Sportiello was still positive as of Wednesday , according to the ANSA news agency .
Sports medicine officials have clashed over a proposed health protocol for soccer players — specifically over the issue where if a player or team official tests positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all — their teammates should be quarantined .
“ There needs to be a gradual return and it requires a rigid protocol , ” Spadafora said .
“ The FIGC ( the Italian soccer federation ) presented a protocol and the technical-scientific commission said it wasn ’ t sufficient yet .
It needs more analysis and only after that analysis can we say if the season will resume or not.
” Before Conte ’ s nationally televised speech and news conference , health ministry figures indicated that Italy had seen its lowest day-to-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-March , during the first week of lockdown .
Conte said that all sports would resume with the maximum precautions .
“ We ’ re big fans of sports and we want well for all of our idols , ” he said .
“ We certainly don ’ t want them to get sick .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Israeli court takes step to halt phone tracking amid virus

JERUSALEM - Israel ’ s Supreme Court on Sunday ordered the Shin Bet security agency to halt its use of phone-surveillance technology in the battle against the coronavirus , unless parliament begins legislating guidelines for the controversial practice .
In its decision , the court said parliament must begin the legislative process by Thursday .
The ruling came hours after Israel ’ s embattled health minister said he would step down following a public uproar over his handling of the crisis and his own COVID-19 infection .
Elsewhere in the region , Saudi Arabia signed a $ 264 million deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct 9 million coronavirus tests .
Syria said its schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year , while the Gaza Strip ’ s Hamas rulers said they will allow restaurants and coffee shops to reopen .
Israel last month said it was using the Shin Bet ’ s phone-surveillance technology to identify people exposed to the coronavirus by retracing the movements of those who were already infected .
People who had come into close contact with the infected were then ordered into home quarantine .
The coronavirus causes mild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who recover within a few weeks .
But it can cause severe illness or death , particularly in older patients or those with underlying health problems .
While officials have defended the practice as a life-saving measure , civil rights groups attacked it as an assault on privacy rights .
Adalah , an Arab-run advocacy group that challenged the order , praised the court decision but said it was “ gravely concerned ” that it had given the government so much time to conduct and legislate the practice .
“ A Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows it to continue severely harms the civil rights of all citizens , “ it said .
The Shin Bet said it was reviewing the decision and had no further comment .
But Cabinet Minister Yuval Steinitz , an ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , called the ruling “ worrying ” and accused the court of “ excessive and unnecessary intervention.
” Meanwhile , Health Minister Yaakov Litzman informed Netanyahu that he would step aside as the country forms a new government .
In a statement , he made no mention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he has led for most of the past decade .
Instead , he ’ ll take over the Housing Ministry to deal with the country ’ s housing crisis .
The government has generally been lauded for keeping the coronavirus crisis in check .
The virus has infected over 15,000 Israelis and killed nearly 200 people , but Israel has not seen its health system overwhelmed like hard-hit places such as Italy or New York , and the country has begun easing weeks of lockdown .
Litzman , an ultra-Orthodox politician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come under criticism for appearing ill-prepared at news conferences and reportedly resisting proposals to tighten lockdown measures that would affect the country ’ s religious community .
Early this month , Litzman was diagnosed with COVID-19 , apparently after ignoring his own ministry ’ s orders to avoid group prayer in public places .
He has since recovered .
In a TV interview Sunday , Litzman said he had never violated lockdown rules and was leaving his job because he was ready for a new challenge , not because of public pressure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed for the better , ” he told Channel 13 TV , referring to the outbreak .
Also Sunday , Saudi Arabia signed its coronavirus testing deal with China ’ s BGI Group .
The deal also provides the kingdom with 500 experts , specialists and technicians that will conduct tests in six new laboratories .
Saudi Arabia said it ’ s in “ a race against time to diagnose cases and to work to isolate them.
” The contract also includes conducting comprehensive community testing , genetic mapping of a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity mapping from 1 million samples .
Saudi Arabia has signed agreements with companies in the U.S. , South Korea and Switzerland , and wants to test 40 % of its population .
More than 17,000 confirmed cases of the virus have been reported there , including more than 130 deaths .
Syria , which has reported three deaths and 42 confirmed cases , decided Sunday not to reopen schools as a precaution .
All elementary and high school students will automatically move up to the next grade .
Universities will stay closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslim holy month of Ramadan on May 23 .
Syria ’ s Cabinet also approved a Health Ministry plan to receive Syrians who want to return from abroad , and has set up quarantine centres where new arrivals will be quarantined for two weeks .
In the Gaza Strip , Hamas announced the reopening of restaurants and coffee shops where people can smoke water pipes .
Hamas had closed down the establishments early this month .
Gaza , largely closed off by an Israeli-Egyptian blockade , has reported just 17 virus cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who returned from abroad .
Associated Press writers Aya Batrawy in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Albert Ali in Damascus , Syria contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Harold Reid, Statler Brothers bass singer, dies at 80

STAUNTON , Va. - Harold Reid , who sang bass for the Grammy-winning country group the Statler Brothers , has died after a long battle with kidney failure .
He was 80 .
Reid died Friday in his hometown of Staunton , Virginia , his nephew Debo Reid said .
The Statler Brothers frequently sang backup for country icon Johnny Cash .
Some of their biggest hits included 1965 ’ s “ Flowers on the Wall ” and 1970 ’ s “ Bed of Rose ’ s. ” Harold Reid was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was also a comedian .
“ He is and will always be loved by his family , friends and millions of fans , “ a statement on the band ’ s website said .
” His singing , his songwriting and his comedy made generations happy .
He has taken a piece of our hearts with him.
” Reid and three boyhood friends — Lew DeWitt , Phil Balsley and Joe McDorman — formed the Four-Star Quartet in 1948 .
The group , later known as the Kingsmen , sang mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced by Don Reid , Harold ’ s younger brother .
DeWitt once said the group changed its name again because several other acts — all better known — were billed as the Kingsmen .
The new name came from a box of Statler tissue , he said .
The quartet switched to country music in 1964 , after meeting Cash and joining his road show .
Over the next two decades , the Statlers won three Grammy Awards and were named top vocal groups nine times by the Country Music Association .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ family and millions of fans who remember his stage and TV antics with smiles and cherish his music that will live with the ages , ” Debo Reid said in a statement .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Brad Pitt portrays Fauci in SNL’s 2nd at-home edition

NEW YORK - Brad Pitt portrayed Dr. Anthony Fauci in the second at-home episode of “ Saturday Night Live , ” that featured musical guest Miley Cyrus , an Adam Sandler cameo and plenty of disinfectant jokes .
A bespectacled Pitt , speaking in Fauci ’ s raspy voice , tried to recast false assurances and misstatements pitched by President Donald Trump during the pandemic , for instance when Trump said there ’ d be a COVID-19 vaccine “ relatively soon .
” “ Relatively soon is an interesting phrase .
Relative to the entire history of earth ?
Sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real fast , ” said Pitt ’ s Fauci , seated at a desk behind a stately bookcase .
“ But if you were going to tell a friend , ‘ I ’ ll be over relatively soon ’ and then showed up a year and a half later , well , your friend may be relatively pissed off.
” The episode was the show ’ s second “ quarantine edition , ” with pre-recorded segments at actors ’ homes delving into the frustrations and touchstones of quarantine life , but , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sandler and Pete Davidson teamed up to mock being cooped up with family for a musical duet called “ Stuck In The House , “ another sketch featured a Zoom version of “ Law and Order ” and another poked fun at zealous fitness moved online during the pandemic with one boasting of “ eating clean ” by preparing a “ Clorox juice ” cleanse .
Cyrus , sitting fireside with a guitar , performed Pink Floyd ’ s “ Wish You Were Here.
” Pitt ’ s depiction followed a Fauci interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought Pitt should portray him when he was asked to chose between Ben Stiller or Pitt .
The cold open also featured Trump ’ s far-fetched statements earlier this week about disinfectant and light being studied in the fight against the virus .
“ When I hear things like the virus can be cured if everyone takes the Tide Pod Challenge , I ’ ll be there to say , ‘ Please don ’ t , ’ ” said Pitt ’ s Fauci , before he broke character , took off his wig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
There also were jabs at Trump ’ s battle with governors in an outdoors segment with Cecily Strong as Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who has blasted Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic .
Strong ’ s Whitmer urged continued social distancing .
“ We ’ re not out of the woods yet , ” she said , gesturing to her surroundings .
“ We never will be .
We live in Michigan .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Egypt asks IMF for 1-year loan amid virus fallout

CAIRO - Egypt on Sunday said it had asked the International Monitory Fund for financial assistance to deal with the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus .
Neither Egypt nor the IMF specified the size of the one-year bailout loan , which Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly said would include “ a financial package alongside technical support.
” Egypt has been under a partial lockdown since mid-March , with a curfew in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Schools , mosques , churches and archaeological sites are closed , although many businesses remain open during the day .
With tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partial lockdown threatens the livelihoods of many of Egypt ’ s 100 million people .
One in three Egyptians were already living in poverty before the outbreak , according to government figures .
Madbouly told a news conference that the IMF loan would be a “ proactive step ” against potential repercussions on Egypt ’ s economy and protect foreign currency reserves , as well as to preserve the gains made during economic reforms in recent years .
Egypt secured a $ 12 billion bailout package from the IMF in 2016 .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government floated the currency , slashed subsidies on fuel , services and utilities , and imposed a value-added tax .
The economic reforms won President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi lavish praise from Cairo ’ s western backers and bankers .
But the austerity measures have caused widespread price hikes that have taken a heavy toll on poor and middle-class Egyptians .
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement that the emergency financing would allow the government to address any immediate balance of payments needs , and support the country ’ s macroeconomic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial support , if approved , would help strengthen confidence in the Egyptian economy , make further progress to protect the most vulnerable and provide the basis for a strong economic recovery , ” she said .
Georgieva praised el-Sissi for “ quickly and decisively ” responding to the outbreak with measures to “ limit its spread and provide support to affected people and businesses.
” Egypt has allocated 100 billion Egyptian pounds ( over $ 63.5 million ) to overcoming the virus and its effects .
The country ’ s Central Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its history and the government has begun paying informal workers 500 Egyptian pounds ( around $ 32 ) per month in unemployment benefits for three months .
Egypt , the Arab world ’ s most populous country , has more than 4,500 coronavirus cases , including dozens of foreigners , and at least 317 deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Louisville football signee shot and killed in Florida

ORLANDO , Fla. - A star high school football player from Florida who had signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Louisville was fatally shot late Saturday , Orlando police said .
Dexter Rentz Jr. tied a state record in 2017 when he intercepted five passes in a single game while playing as a sophomore at Ocoee High School , according to the Orlando Sentinel .
Police said the high school senior was among four people hit by gunfire , and the only fatality , in a crime called into authorities shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media paid tribute to Rentz , who was looking forward to becoming a wide receiver for the Cardinal .
Louisville ’ s head football coach , Scott Satterfield , lamented the death in a statement Sunday that described Rentz as “ a great young man who had a contagious personality.
” When he announced some of his new recruits in February , Cardinals assistant coach Gunter Brewer called Rentz “ a great kid ” whom he looked forward to coaching , according to the Louisville Courier-Journal .
Rentz had verbally committed with Louisville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing a radio interview in which he said his goal in his final year of high school was to grow as a leader and help “ the young guys see that there ’ s more to it than football .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-26--Netanyahu ‘confident’ US will support West Bank annexation

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said he was “ confident ” he will be able to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank this summer , with support from the U.S .
Speaking to an online gathering of evangelical Christian supporters of Israel , Netanyahu said President Donald Trump ’ s Mideast plan envisions turning over Israel ’ s dozens of settlements , as well as the strategic Jordan Valley , to Israeli control .
“ A couple of months from now , I ’ m confident that that pledge will be honoured , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic moment in the history of Zionism , ” Netanyahu said .
Israeli annexation of West Bank territory would be highly controversial , drawing widespread international condemnations and extinguishing any lingering hopes of establishing a viable independent Palestinian state alongside Israel .
The Palestinians , with wide international backing , seek the entire West Bank as part of an independent state .
They have already threatened to cancel existing peace agreements if Netanyahu moves forward with his plan , while the European Union foreign policy chief said annexation would be a violation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ act accordingly.
” The U.N. ’ s Mideast envoy said such a step would “ ignite ” the region .
But Netanyahu and his hard-line base are eager to move ahead while Trump remains in office .
Annexation would be popular with Trump ’ s evangelical base as he seeks to shore up support ahead of a difficult reelection battle .
In Washington , a U.S. official said the American position hasn ’ t changed .
The official said the U.S. is “ prepared to recognize Israeli actions to extend Israeli sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that the U.S. is consulting closely with Israel on the timing and scope of those actions .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the media .
Netanyahu last week reached a power-sharing deal with his main rival , Benny Gantz .
Although Gantz , a former Israeli military chief , has given only lukewarm support for West Bank annexation , their coalition agreement allows Netanyahu to present the plan to his Cabinet and to parliament for fast-track approval .
Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mideast war , and its settlements are now home to some 500,000 Israelis , in addition to over 200,000 Israelis living in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem .
After Trump unveiled his Mideast plan in January , Netanyahu pledged to begin annexing territory immediately .
But the Trump administration quickly delayed the plan , and the sides set up a joint committee to formulate a plan together .
Netanyahu addressed a conference marking the 100th anniversary of the San Remo Conference , a post-World War I gathering in Italy that helped lay the foundations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Germany, Britain call for ‘green recovery’ from pandemic

BERLIN - Germany and Britain said Monday that efforts to revive the global economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic must ensure a ‘ green recovery ’ that helps the world tackle climate change .
Speaking ahead of a virtual meeting of officials from some 30 countries , Germany ’ s environment minister said it was important for economic recovery programs to invest in future-proof jobs that would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in coming years , rather than aim for a return to business as usual .
“ We mustn ’ t invest in technologies of the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press , noting that some countries are holding onto plans to build new coal-fired power plants .
Some German politicians have called for stimulus money to be spent on subsidizing car purchases , to boost the country ’ s auto industry .
Schulze suggested that one way to do this would be to help care workers buy electric vehicles for house calls .
“ These are many , many vehicles , ” she told The AP .
“ It would help the economy and it would move us forward ( in curbing emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s little time left if the world wants to achieve the headline goal of the 2015 Paris climate accord — keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius ( 3.6 Fahrenheit ) , ideally 1.5 C ( 2.7 F ) .
Some have also likened the strategy adopted by countries in fighting the pandemic — the idea of flattening the curve of infections so health systems don ’ t collapse — to the need to bring down the rate of greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global warming .
Britain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is co-hosting the two-day talks , said that “ the world must work together , as it has to deal with the coronavirus pandemic , to support a green and resilient recovery , which leaves no one behind.
” Environmental campaigners have warned that heavily polluting industries are already seeking to tap into the vast sums being lined up by governments to stimulate the economy .
“ We are seeing the internal documents from industries indicating that they are trying to use this moment where public money is being put back into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether it be the aviation industry ... ( or ) the oil industry , ” said Jennifer Morgan , executive director of Greenpeace International .
“ It ’ s just really important , particularly with the oil industry , to note that this type of volatility that we ’ re seeing right now , it ’ s a rehearsal for what climate chaos will bring to the oil market in the future , “ she said .
” These are risky investments .
They were risky investments before this crisis , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will participate in the virtual climate meeting Tuesday .
Follow the AP ’ s pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--AP-NORC poll: Rising support for mail voting amid pandemic

WASHINGTON - Americans ’ support for mail-in voting has jumped amid concerns about the safety of polling places during the coronavirus pandemic , but a wide partisan divide suggests President Donald Trump ’ s public campaign against vote by mail may be resonating with his Republican backers .
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds Democrats are now much more likely than Republicans to support their state conducting elections exclusively by mail , 47 % to 29 % .
In 2018 , about half as many Democrats were in favour , and there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Republicans on the question .
The survey also found a partisan divide on support for no-excuse absentee voting , the system in place in most states , including almost all the top presidential battlegrounds , even as a majority of Americans say they favour that practice .
The increased partisanship in the debate over how America votes comes just as that question has been thrust into the forefront of American politics .
As health officials warn about the risk of spreading the coronavirus at polling places , some in the Republican Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail voting , with Trump and others openly fretting that it may enable too many people to cast their ballots for the GOP to win in November .
All states conduct elections differently , and only five states automatically mail ballots to every voter .
But in response to the virus , some states — including Ohio on Tuesday — have shifted their primaries to virtually all-mail elections .
The Republican National Committee has been fighting some of those moves .
Republicans successfully petitioned a New Mexico court to block the state from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , forcing the state to open some polling places and only send applications for absentee ballots to voters .
The Republican Attorney General in Texas argued unsuccessfully in a legal case that the coronavirus should not be an automatically accepted excuse for people seeking absentee ballots in that state .
Most prominently , the Republican-controlled Wisconsin legislature rebuffed a last-minute request to hold that state ’ s April 7 primary and state court election by mail .
Democrats won a contested Supreme Court race , but not before shuttered polling locations left voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green Bay and Milwaukee , where only five of 183 stations were open .
But the debates over the primaries may only be a preview of the partisan battles ahead if the virus is still forcing stay-at-home orders and social distancing in November .
The poll finds that 39 % of Americans favour conducting all-mail elections , up from 19 % in 2018 .
Another 40 % are opposed .
But even more , 48 % , favour a move to voting only by mail if the coronavirus outbreak is ongoing in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans support allowing people to vote via absentee ballot without requiring them to give a reason if the outbreak is still happening .
That includes 73 % per cent of Democrats and 46 % of Republicans .
Some 40 % of Republicans are opposed .
The partisan differences could have a strong impact across the presidential battleground states .
Five of the top seven swing states — Michigan , New Hampshire , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — have divided government , and skirmishes over voting have already broken out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs that Democratic areas are moving faster than GOP ones to embrace mail voting .
In Wisconsin , Democrats have already started to bolster their mail voting operations for November .
Reliably Democratic Milwaukee , the state ’ s largest city , will send every one of its 300,000 voters a request for an absentee ballot .
Republicans , who have resisted a similar step statewide , acknowledge that Milwaukee ’ s move would put them at a disadvantage .
“ It makes winning Wisconsin harder , ” said Andrew Hitt , chair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for intervention to “ level the playing field.
” In Pennsylvania , Democratically-led areas are eager to expand absentee voting , but Republicans seem less so .
The second-most populous county in the state , the Democratic bastion of Allegheny , which includes Pittsburgh , is sending absentee ballot requests to all its voters in its June primary .
The poll found roughly two-thirds of Republicans worried that voter fraud would be a major problem with all-mail voting .
Two months ago , about as many described voter fraud as a major problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud in mail-in voting is uncommon .
Brynn Alexander , 36 , who just moved with her husband to military housing in Alabama , is one of those who worries about security .
“ How do you even identify that the mail got to the right person ?
” Alexander asked .
She added that she favoured exceptions for some , like her 70-year-old mother , but preferred votes at the polls .
“ It ’ s going to be better to make everybody feel confident with the results , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
“ You don ’ t want one party or the other saying the other side cheated.
” Meanwhile , only 29 % of Democrats were worried about fraud being a major problem in an all-mail election , though another 41 % described it as a minor problem .
Rick Reinesch , a 59-year-old IT technician in Austin , Texas , said Republicans needlessly pump up worries about voter fraud .
“ It ’ s trying to kill a gnat with a sledgehammer , ” he said .
Paul Miller , 81 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wary of voting by mail .
He ’ s accustomed to going to the polls on Election Day .
“ I ’ m just not sold on mail-in voting , ” the Republican and retired factory worker said .
But Miller may bow to the reality that he shouldn ’ t be face-to-face with poll workers anytime soon and cast his vote by absentee .
“ I ’ m not dead set against mail , ” Miller said .
“ I could be persuaded.
” The AP-NORC poll of 1,057 adults was conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4 percentage points .

Nicholas Riccardi And Hannah Fingerhut - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Saudi coalition urges Yemen separatists to honour Riyadh deal

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - A Saudi-led coalition mired in a yearslong war in Yemen on Monday urged Emirati-backed southern separatists to honour terms of a Riyadh peace deal and share control of the port city of Aden with the country ’ s internationally recognized government .
The statement by Saudi Arabia comes after the separatists ’ Southern Transitional Council again claimed sole control on Sunday of Aden , a Red Sea port that serves as the seat of the internationally recognized government as Yemen ’ s Shiite rebels , known as Houthis , hold the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decision adds yet more complexity to the grinding war in Yemen that has pushed the Arab world ’ s poorest nation to the brink of famine and killed over 100,000 people .
The Saudi statement urged the council to return to the terms of the November 2019 Riyadh agreement , which ended earlier fighting between the separatists and the government forces — ostensible allies in the war against the Houthis — after the council seized control of Aden just a few months earlier .
That deal had called for both sides to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under their control and form a unity government that included equal representation .
But that deal had yet to be implemented as the war continued , massive floods struck Aden and Yemen faces the threat of the coronavirus pandemic and the COVID-19 illness it causes .
In its statement , the Saudi-led coalition urged the council to honour the deal “ to unite Yemeni ranks , restore state institutions and combat the scourge of terrorism.
” The deal “ entails forming a competent government “ that would operate out of Aden “ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light of natural disasters such as floods , fears of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and work to provide services to the brotherly people of Yemen.
” The statement did not say what Saudi Arabia would do if the council refused .
The kingdom , itself focused on the coronavirus outbreak , declared a unilateral cease-fire with the Houthis in April that was later extended through the holy Muslim month of Ramadan .
But fighting has continued , with each side blaming the other for violations .
The Southern Transitional Council had been the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , once Saudi Arabia ’ s main partner in the war that subsequently withdrew from the conflict .
The council ’ s backers often fly the flag of former Communist South Yemen and have pushed to again split the country into two like it was from 1967 to 1990 .
Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Twitter that his nation had “ absolute confidence ” in Saudi Arabia ’ s desire to formalize the power-sharing agreement .
“ Frustration over delaying implementation of the agreement should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quo , ” he wrote .
The Houthis in 2014 overran major parts of northern Yemen , including Sanaa , pushing out the internationally recognized government .
The Saudi-led coalition entered the conflict backing the internationally recognized government in 2015 .
In Brussels , European Commission spokesman Peter Stano told reporters on Monday that the EU has taken note of the developments in southern Yemen , which he said undermine the Riyadh agreement , a key to de-escalation .
“ What Yemen needs right now is peace , ” he said , calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisions that were agreed under the auspices of Saudi Arabia in this agreement.
” In a separate development , Yemeni tribal leaders and security officials said Monday that two suspected U.S. drones strikes killed at least six al-Qaida militants in Yemen ’ s southern province of Shabwa in recent days .
The U.S. military and the CIA , both of which have launched drone strikes in Yemen , did not immediately respond to the statements .
The militants were killed in two separate strikes in the district of Bayhan , which is known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Qaida branch , the security officials said .
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters , while the tribal leaders did so for fear of reprisals .
Associated Press writers Ahmed al-Haj in Sanaa , Yemen ; Lorne Cook in Brussels and Maggie Michael in Cairo contributed to this report .