thetorontostar--2020-05-25--2020 Watch: Differing views on remaking post-virus economy

WASHINGTON - Presidential politics move fast .
What we ’ re watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign : As some parts of the nation continue to ease stay-at-home orders meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus , the economy remains in free fall .
And , with the U.S. death toll now climbing toward 100,000 , a conundrum is emerging : Even if people are allowed to resume their daily routines , will they feel safe enough to do so ?
President Donald Trump says that the country is anxious to get back to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things around in a hurry .
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden counters by urging caution and heeding medical and scientific experts , many of whom say it ’ s much too early to return to normal .
Which one is correct may ultimately not be clear until after November ’ s election — but will nonetheless almost certainly be the determining factor in who wins it .
Does Biden have no choice but to choose an African American running mate ?
Black leaders have for weeks argued that the former vice-president picking an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only way to reflect the Democratic Party ’ s deep diversity and to repay a community that helped Biden overcome a disastrous start to dominate in the South and win the primary .
But the issue may have come to a head on Friday when Biden endured a testy exchange with prominent black radio personality Charlamagne Tha God before declaring , “ If you ’ ve got a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or for Trump , then you ain ’ t black.
“ He later said he shouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ but not before sparking a social media firestorm and prompting the president ’ s reelection campaign to decry it as the kind of race-baiting it often gets accused of .
“ It is clear now more than ever , following these racist and dehumanizing remarks , that Joe Biden believes black men and women are incapable of being independent or free thinking , ” Black Voices for Trump said in a statement .
Biden has refused to publicly discuss his running mate finalists , but they are thought to include several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota .
He figures to do well with African American voters in November no matter whom he picks , but a lack of enthusiasm in the black community hurt Hillary Clinton in the battleground state of Michigan and elsewhere in 2016 .
That ’ s a calculation Biden may be unable to ignore , even as his campaign insists his choice will have more to do with personal relationships than skin colour .
How much more political will science get ?
Trump has long energized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and academic intellectualism but lately has begun suggesting the institution of science is out to undermine him .
The president insisted on taking the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to guard against the coronavirus despite federal warnings against doing so .
He also rejected as politically motivated a study showing that nearly 36,000 Americans ’ lives might have been saved if social distancing measures had been put in place one week sooner .
Polling has already shown that issues like wearing face masks in public are becoming increasingly partisan .
If science itself follows a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to slow the virus — potentially producing results deadly enough to go well beyond the political .
How much more political will voting by mail get ?
Trump has intensified his opposition to expanding mail-in balloting amid the pandemic , even threatening federal funding to the battleground states of Michigan and Nevada before later suggesting that might not be necessary .
Many Democratic-led states are nonetheless looking to ease rules on absentee voting , saying the coronavirus may make it a matter of life and death .
With top Republicans rallying behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is undemocratic and federal court cases on the issue already raging in places like Texas , how the nation votes may prove as pivotal to November ’ s outcome as for whom it votes .
Are political conventions possible in the age of the coronavirus ?
The Republican National Committee marked 100 days until the scheduled start of its convention in Charlotte , North Carolina , by proudly suggesting last weekend that nearly 50,000 attendees would soon be descending on that city .
Its chair , Ronna McDaniel , was subsequently less committal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned and beginning Aug. 24 amid the pandemic .
But she vowed that it will happen at least partly in person , saying , “ We will not be holding a virtual convention.
” Democrats have already delayed their convention from July until August and have been more open to the idea of it unfolding virtually — taking steps to grant organizers the authority to design an event that won ’ t require delegates attending in person .
A bigger question than if some in-person activities remain intact for one party or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will want to go — especially given the low political stakes since the presidential nominee on both sides isn ’ t in doubt .
Trump ’ s reelection chances likely hinge on convincing the country he built a sustained economic boom once and can do so again , leading an equally speedy and robust recovery after the coronavirus sparked an unprecedented bust .
Biden has taken a different approach , promising to use the crisis to build a new economy that will embrace progressive proposals designed to lift all Americans — but without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Amid what may prove to be the nation ’ s worst downturn , whether voters can look past the “ when ” to the “ how ” of a recovery is an open question .
Still , it ’ s one that can ’ t be answered until a recovery actually begins to materialize .
2020 Watch runs every Monday and provides a look at the week ahead in the 2020 election .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Muslims in India, Bangladesh celebrate Eid subdued by virus

DHAKA , Bangladesh - Muslims in India and Bangladesh joined prayers to celebrate a subdued Eid-al Fitr on Monday , marking the end of the Ramadan holy month by seeking blessings for a world free from coronavirus .
Across India , government leaders and imams appealed to Eid celebrants to follow lockdown norms and maintain social distance .
Bangladesh ’ s leader stressed public safety in her Eid greetings .
The three-day holiday that begins by the sighting of the moon is usually a time of travel , family gatherings and feasts after weeks of dawn-to-dusk fasting .
But this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their celebrations quieter and tinged with worry about the virus and the impact of lockdowns and other restrictions to curb the spread of the virus .
Outside New Delhi ’ s iconic Mughal-era Jamia mosque , closed as part of a ban on religious congregations , security officers patrolled the streets and almost all shops were closed barring a sweet shop .
Police made rounds on motorbikes and a mini police camp stood just outside a gate .
“ It ’ s been 1,400 years since the Islam religion was founded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we will have to celebrate Eid in such a way , ” said businessman Shehzad Khan .
He said money typically spent buying new clothes to wear for Eid was sent to the poor , who have lost livelihoods due to the virus and the measures taken to contain it .
“ That money we have given them so that they too can celebrate Eid with us , ” Khan said .
In Bangladesh , authorities asked people to avoid mass prayers in open fields , which draw tens of thousands normally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by maintaining safe distances .
On Monday morning , those praying in the country ’ s more than 300,000 mosques wore masks , and many wore gloves as well .
In the capital ’ s main Baitul Mokarram mosque , thousands joined the prayers in phases as authorities allowed them to enter in groups and prayers were held every hour .
Many waited in lines for more than an hour to enter the premises .
“ This is a new experience .
We never felt like this , ” government official Abdul Halim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I did not bring my two sons for the prayers , they are staying home .
My family could not visit my parents this time , ” he said .
India has climbed to among the world ’ s largest outbreaks with more than 138,000 cases and 4,000 deaths .
It has eased its strict lockdown in recent weeks , including allowing domestic flights to resume starting Monday .
“ Eid Mubarak !
” Modi tweeted .
“ May this special occasion further the spirit of compassion , brotherhood and harmony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
New cases and deaths from COVID-19 were rising in Bangladesh , which has 33,000 cases and 480 deaths .
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offered Eid greetings but stressed the need for maintaining health guidelines and for individuals to stay safe .
“ Your safety is in your hands .
Remember that if you remain safe , you are also keeping your family , neighbours and the country safe , ” she said in an address to the nation .
Associated Press journalist Rishi Lekhi in New Delhi contributed @ @ @ @

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thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Severe storm lashes vast expanse of west Australian coast

PERTH , Australia - Tens of thousands of homes and businesses lost power , buildings were battered and trees were uprooted as a vast stretch of the west Australian coast was whipped by a severe storm on Monday for the second straight day .
No casualties were reported from what Acting Assistant Commissioner of Western Australia state ’ s Department of Fire and Emergency Services Jon Broomhall called a “ a once-in-a-decade-type ” storm system .
The system that struck an extraordinarily large area was the result of remnants of late-season Cyclone Mangga tracking southeast and colliding in the southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The combined weather system lashed a 1,200-kilometre ( 745-mile ) stretch of the west coast from Carnarvon to Cape Leeuwin and including the state capital , Perth , with winds gusting at more than 90 kilometres ( 56 miles ) per hour overnight , Bureau of Meteorology manager Neil Bennett said .
Wind speeds reached 132 kph ( 82 mph ) at Cape Leeuwin , the fastest for the month of May since 2005 .
Heavy rains lashed 1,500 kilometres ( 930 miles ) of coastline from the Margaret River winery region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north .
The rain and 8-meter ( 26-foot ) waves caused flooding along the coast and eroded beaches , Bennett said .
“ It was really right up and down the coast , including the Perth area , but particularly that southwest area of ( Western Australia state ) really caught the brunt of this one , ” Bennett said of the storm .
The storm was subsiding by Monday afternoon .
Up to 65,000 homes and businesses had lost power at the height of the emergency .
But power had been restored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said .
The inland gold mining town of Kalgoorlie lost power to 15,000 homes when winds blew a backyard shed into an electricity substation , Western Power spokesman Paul Entwistle said .
Western Australia is one of the largest states or provinces in the world .
The U.S. state of Alaska has less than two-thirds its land area .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--New Zealand leader carries on with TV interview during quake

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern barely skipped a beat when an earthquake struck during a live television interview Monday morning .
She interrupted Newshub host Ryan Bridge to tell him what was happening at the parliament complex in the capital , Wellington .
“ We ’ re just having a bit of an earthquake here Ryan , quite a decent shake here , ” she said , looking up and around the room .
“ But , um , if you see things moving behind me.
” New Zealand sits on the Pacific Ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shaky Isles for its frequent quakes .
Monday ’ s magnitude 5.6 quake struck in the ocean about 100 kilometres ( 62 miles ) northeast of Wellington , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The quake hit just before 8 a.m. and was felt by thousands of New Zealanders who were getting ready to start their work weeks .
It was strong enough to rattle food from shelves and stop train services .
But there were no reports of major damage or injuries .
Ardern continued on with her interview , telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re fine Ryan , ” she said .
“ I ’ m not under any hanging lights , I look like I ’ m in a structurally sound place.
” Ardern , who has been leading the country ’ s health and economic response to the coronavirus pandemic , said later that the thought going through her head when the quake struck was : “ Are you serious ?
” A 2011 quake in the city of Christchurch killed 185 people and destroyed much of the downtown area .
The @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Indonesian choreographers provide digital stage for dancers

JAKARTA , Indonesia - Before the coronavirus pandemic arrived , 2020 seemed fated to be a great year for Siko Setyanto ’ s dance career : touring Germany and South Korea , performances in Indonesia , classes and more classes .
Now this man in motion has spent more than two months holed up at home with his wife .
“ For dancers , it is like the blood line stopped in our body , ” he says .
“ I can not move freely , no more job ... while my economic responsibilities do not stop .
Personally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescued by two choreographers in Indonesia ’ s capital who have given a traditional system for tipping artists , saweran , a modern twist — posting video recordings of dancers ’ work on YouTube and asking for donations to keep the dancers and their art alive .
“ We remember a long time ago we watched performances with the saweran system , ” said Rusdy Rukmarata , who masterminded the project with Yola Yulfianti .
“ No ticket box , no promotion , only space in the market and the musicians .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they like it , they give the tip to the performers , ” Rukmarata said .
So Rukmarata and Yulfianti , members of the Jakarta Arts Council , started Saweran Online on the Indonesian Dance Network channel .
On this digital stage , dancers can show their work ; the shows are free , but viewers are encouraged to donate .
There are more than 60 videos by individual and dance groups from various backgrounds and genres .
Included are traditional Indonesian dance , contemporary ballet and even dance workouts for older viewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others record performances at Rukmarata ’ s studio .
Each donation is divided : 75 % for the performer , 20 % to other COVID-19 needs in Indonesia and the rest to pay for the project ’ s costs .
Siko Setyanto saw money deposited in his bank account two weeks after his video went up .
The cash is important to Setyanto , but so is the opportunity to show his art : “ I really appreciate how this program can be a place for the dancers to express our works.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewers and support .
“ The dancers should be as creative as they can .
They should attract their viewers too , ” Yulfianti said .
The two have been joined in their effort by independent art producer Ratri Anindyajati , who has recovered from the COVID-19 and is renowned as Case 03 in Indonesia .
Anindyajati said her survival has inspired her to do more for others during the pandemic .
“ As I grew up with the dance community , I would like to help them .
Moreover , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , ” but also others who need aid , Anindyajati said .
While nonstop news about the effects of the coronavirus has become commonplace , so , too , have the stories about the kindness of strangers and individuals who have sacrificed for others .
“ One Good Thing ” is an AP series reflecting these acts of kindness .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--AP FACT CHECK: Faulty Trump claims on virus drug, vote fraud

WASHINGTON - When President Donald Trump doesn ’ t like the message , he shoots the messenger .
So it was this past week when he took very personally a scientific study that should give pause to anyone thinking of following Trump ’ s lead and ingesting a potentially risky drug for the coronavirus .
He branded the study ’ s researchers , financed in part by his own administration , his “ enemy.
” Boastful on the occasion of Memorial Day , Trump exaggerated some of his accomplishments for veterans ’ health care .
Over the weekend , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in voting fraud and resurrected claims of unspecified conspiracies against him in 2016 .
A look at the rhetoric and reality as the pandemic ’ s death toll approached 100,000 in the U.S. : TRUMP : “ The United States can not have all Mail In Ballots .
It will be the greatest Rigged Election in history .
People grab them from mailboxes , print thousands of forgeries and ‘ force ’ people to sign .
Also , forge names .
Some absentee OK , when necessary .
Trying to use Covid for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s true that some election studies have shown a slightly higher incidence of mail-in voting fraud compared with in-person voting , but the overall risk is extremely low .
The Brennan Center for Justice said in 2017 the risk of voting fraud is 0.00004 % to 0.0009 % .
“ Trump is simply wrong about mail-in balloting raising a ‘ tremendous ’ potential for fraud , ” Richard L. Hasen , an elections expert at the University of California , Irvine School of Law , recently wrote in an op-ed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country have seen their share of absentee-ballot scandals , problems are extremely rare in the five states that rely primarily on vote-by-mail , including the heavily Republican state of Utah.
” Trump ’ s push for in-person voting runs counter to the current guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which urge Americans to maintain 6 feet ( 1.8 metres ) of separation and avoid crowds .
The CDC guidelines “ encourage mail-in methods of voting if allowed in the jurisdiction , ” given the coronavirus threat .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” funding for Michigan and Nevada if they allowed more residents to cast mail-in or absentee ballots out of pandemic safety concerns .
He later backed off the threat .
Trump cast an absentee ballot by mail in the Florida Republican primary in March .
A commission Trump convened after the 2016 election to investigate potential voting fraud disbanded without producing any findings .
TRUMP , on the 2016 election : “ I ’ m fighting the deep state .
I ’ m fighting the swamp .
...
They never thought I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won .
And then they tried to get me out .
That was the ‘ insurance policy.
’ She ’ s going to win , but just in case she doesn ’ t win we have an insurance policy.
” — interview aired Sunday on “ Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson.
” THE FACTS : He ’ s repeating a false claim that there was a conspiracy afoot to take him out if he won the 2016 presidential race , based on a text message between two FBI employees .
Trump has repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plot — or insurance policy — to oust him from office if he beat Democrat Hillary Clinton .
It ’ s apparent from the text that it wasn ’ t that .
Agent Peter Strzok and lawyer Lisa Page , both now gone from the bureau , said the text messages reflected a debate about how aggressively the FBI should investigate Trump and his campaign when expectations at the time were that he would lose anyway .
Strzok texted about something Page had said to the FBI ’ s deputy director , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no way he gets elected.
” But Strzok argued that the FBI should not assume Clinton would win : “ I ’ m afraid we can ’ t take that risk.
” He likened the situation to “ an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you ’ re 40.
” He has said he was not discussing a post-election plot to drive Trump from office .
TRUMP , on why he considers hydroxychloroquine safe for the treatment of COVID-19 : “ Frankly , I ’ ve heard tremendous reports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” — interview with Attkisson .
TRUMP : “ I ’ ve received a lot of positive letters and it seems to have an impact .
And maybe it does ; maybe it doesn ’ t .
But if it doesn ’ t , you ’ re not going to get sick or die .
This is a pill that ’ s been used for a long time — for 30 , 40 years on the malaria and on lupus too , and even on arthritis.
” — remarks on May 18 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assert there is no risk of harm if people take the malaria drug to try to prevent a coronavirus infection .
Trump ’ s own health agencies have cautioned that taking hydroxychloroquine to stave off the virus could be dangerous due to side effects .
If the president is to be believed , he ’ s taking the drug himself .
Trump repeatedly has pushed hydroxychloroquine , with or without the antibiotic azithromycin .
No large , rigorous studies have found them safe or effective for COVID-19 , and they can cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects .
The Food and Drug Administration has warned against the drug combination and said hydroxychloroquine should only be used for the coronavirus in hospitals and research settings .
Two large observational studies , each involving about 1,400 patients in New York , recently found no benefit from hydroxychloroquine .
Two new ones in the journal BMJ , one by French researchers and the other from China , reached the same conclusion .
On Friday , a study published by the journal Lancet suggested that hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine , with or without an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was tied to a greater risk of death or heart rhythm problems .
Although it was observational rather than a rigorous test , it ’ s by far the largest so far to examine these drugs in real-world settings — nearly 100,000 patients in 671 hospitals on six continents .
Researchers estimated that the death rate attributable to use of the drugs , with or without an antibiotic such as azithromycin , is roughly 13 % versus 9 % for patients not taking them .
The drug has been available for decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is also prescribed for some lupus and arthritis patients .
Technically , doctors can already prescribe the drug to patients with COVID-19 , a practice known as off-label prescribing .
But that is not the same as the FDA approving the drug specifically for the pandemic , which would mean it had met the agency ’ s standards for safety and effectiveness .
FDA regulators issued a warning alert last month in part based on increased reports of dangerous side effects called in to U.S. poison control centres .
TRUMP : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the study where they gave it — was it the VA ?
With , you know , people that aren ’ t big Trump fans gave it ... they had a report come out.
” — remarks on May 18 .
TRUMP : “ It was given by , obviously , not friends of the administration.
” — remarks Tuesday at Cabinet meeting .
TRUMP : “ And if you look at the one survey , the only bad survey , they were giving it to people that were in very bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost dead .
It was a ‘ Trump enemy statement.
’ ” — remarks Tuesday after GOP policy lunch .
THE FACTS : There ’ s no evidence of a political plot at the Department of Veterans Affairs or elsewhere to produce a study pointing to poor outcomes for veterans who took hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 in a bid to make Trump look bad .
That study was led by independent researchers — at the University of Virginia and University of South Carolina — and grants from the National Institutes of Health and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The study released last month found no benefit from hydroxychloroquine .
The analysis , conducted by the researchers with VA approval , was not a rigorous experiment , nor was it peer-reviewed .
Still , with 368 patients , it was the largest look at hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 at the time .
Researchers stressed a “ great and immediate need ” to conduct the analysis due to limited scientific evidence on the drug ’ s safety and “ increasingly widespread use “ both as a way to prevent COVID-19 and to treat it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infection at VA medical centres who died or were discharged by April 11 .
About 28 % of veterans who were given hydroxychloroquine plus usual care died , versus 11 % of those getting routine care alone .
“ These findings highlight the importance of awaiting the results of ongoing prospective , randomized , controlled studies before widespread adoption of these drugs , ” the researchers wrote .
It ’ s also a point that Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious diseases expert and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force , has repeatedly made , urging caution on the drug .
“ Although there is anecdotal evidence that hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin may benefit people with COVID-19 , we need solid data , ” Fauci said .
No drug has been approved for treating the disease , although several have “ emergency use ” authorization .
Most people who get COVID-19 recover .
TRUMP , on the study of VA hospital data : “ If you look at that phoney report that was put in , that report on the hydroxyl -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinarily bad condition -- extraordinarily bad , people that were dying.
” — remarks on May 18 .
TRUMP : “ There was a false study done where they gave it to very sick people — extremely sick people , people that were ready to die .
... And the study came out .
The people were ready to die .
Everybody was old , had bad problems with hearts , diabetes , and everything else you can imagine.
” — remarks Tuesday at Cabinet meeting .
VA SECRETARY ROBERT WILKIE : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president just mentioned — the various comorbidities that the patients who were referenced in that study had.
” — Cabinet meeting Tuesday .
WILKIE : “ The analysis did not adjust for patients ’ clinical status.
” — letter on April 29 to veterans ’ groups .
THE FACTS : Trump and his VA secretary are incorrect .
Researchers did use standard statistical methods to adjust for differences in the groups being compared , including clinical status and the presence of other chronic health conditions .
They did not cherry-pick only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug .
Even though the VA hospital patients given the drug tended to be sicker than those in the comparison group , researchers still saw no benefit from the drug after taking that into account .
The study included all VA patients treated with the drug .
One of the measurements was whether it helped prevent the need for breathing machines .
It didn ’ t .
Researchers did not track side effects , but noted there were hints hydroxychloroquine might have damaged other organs .
The drug has long been known to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ altering the heartbeat in a way that could lead to sudden death .
The study noted that the median age of the test group was over 65 , meaning half the patients were below that and half above it .
The NIH and others have more rigorous tests underway .
HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI , D-Calif. , on Trump ’ s statement that he ’ s taking hydroxychloroquine : “ He ’ s our president and I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his , shall we say , weight group — morbidly obese , they say.
” — interview Tuesday on CNN .
THE FACTS : Trump is not “ morbidly ” obese .
Trump is 73 .
At his last full checkup in February 2019 he passed the official threshold for being considered obese , with a body mass index of 30.4 .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , an index of 40 or above is considered “ severe ” obesity , which some also call “ morbid ” obesity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purely or even primarily an expression of concern about the president ’ s health .
She said later she was giving him “ a dose of his own medicine ” for his history of putting down women for their weight .
TRUMP : “ You know we got the Veterans Choice.
” — remarks Friday at veterans ’ event .
TRUMP : “ We ’ ve done the greatest job maybe of anything in the VA , because I got VA Choice ... approved.
“ — remarks on May 18 .
THE FACTS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get Veterans Choice approved ; President Barack Obama did in 2014 .
Trump expanded it , under a 2018 law known as the MISSION Act .
TRUMP : “ Choice is when they wait for two months to see a doctor ... they go outside , they get themselves a good doctor , we pay the bill , and they get taken care of.
” — remarks Friday at veterans ’ event .
THE FACTS : His suggestion that veterans no longer have waits for care because of the Choice program is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually has halted the program ’ s key provisions that granted veterans the option to see private doctors if they endured long delays at VA , citing the pandemic .
Internal VA emails obtained by The Associated Press reveal that some veterans are being turned away , even when private doctors are available to see them .
The program allows veterans to see a private doctor for primary or mental health care if their VA wait is 20 days ( 28 for specialty care ) or their drive to a VA facility is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program ’ s expansion in June 2018 , the VA has not seen a major increase in veterans seeking private care .
Two months ago , after the coronavirus outbreak , the VA also took the step of restricting veterans ’ access to private doctors , citing the added risks of infection and limited capacity at private hospitals .
Under the temporary guidelines , the VA is reviewing referrals for nonemergency care “ on a case-by-case basis for immediate clinical need and with regard to the safety of the veteran when being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or drive time eligibility , ” according to VA spokeswoman Christina Noel .
The department has boosted telehealth appointments and says VA referrals for private care will be made where it is “ deemed safe ” and private doctors are available .
Veterans ’ organizations and internal VA emails suggest the department is painting an overly rosy picture of health care access .
“ We have community facilities open and able to see patients ; however , our Veterans are being denied community care granted under criteria of the MISSION Act , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 email to Tammy Czarnecki , an assistant deputy undersecretary for health operations at VA .
The employee works in a rural region that covers Montana , Wyoming , Utah , Colorado and Oklahoma , where private doctors are often key to filling gaps in VA care .
The person said veterans were being told by their local VAs they may need to wait “ well past July , August or September ” for private care , according to the email , which was provided to the AP on condition the sender not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied by referring the employee to the VA guidance that set forth the restrictions due to a pandemic .
The VA on Thursday said referrals had increased in the employee ’ s city during the pandemic .
It did not provide figures .
The VA , which announced this past week it would start returning to more normal operations , hasn ’ t said when it will remove its temporary restrictions on Choice .
Marchione , AP ’ s chief medical writer , reported from Milwaukee .
Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOTE — A look at the veracity of claims by political figures .

Hope Yen, Marilynn Marchione And Calvin Woodward - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-24--China denies using virus to grow presence in South China Sea

BEIJING - A look at recent developments in the South China Sea , where China is pitted against smaller neighbours in multiple territorial disputes over islands , coral reefs and lagoons .
The waters are a major shipping route for global commerce and are rich in fish and possible oil and gas reserves .
China ’ s foreign minister is dismissing claims that the country is exploiting the coronavirus outbreak to expand its footprint in the South China Sea , labeling such accusations as “ sheer nonsense.
” State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters at a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely on anti-virus efforts with Southeast Asian countries , several of whom have overlapping territorial claims with China in the strategically vital waterway .
While China has long been stepping up its presence in the region , Wang said other countries , implying the United States and its allies , have been creating instability with military flights and sea patrols .
“ Their ill-intentioned and despicable moves are meant to sow discord between China and ( Southeast Asian countries ) and undermine the hard-won stability in the region , ” Wang said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending by 6.6 % in 2020 , despite a major downturn in the country ’ s economic growth due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The increase is the lowest in years , but will still allow China to expand its ability to enforce its territorial claims in the South China Sea and grow its military presence in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean .
Another key priority is maintaining a credible threat against Taiwan , the self-governing island democracy China considers its own territory to be brought under its control by military force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a few years ago that have given China the second biggest defence budget in the world behind the U.S .
Spending this year will total 1.3 trillion yuan ( $ 180 billion ) , according to the website of the National People ’ s Congress , the ceremonial parliament that opened its annual session Friday .
A study says Southeast Asian countries are cutting defence spending as a result of the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus outbreak , potentially opening up room for China to further assert its claims in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a maritime security expert at the University of Indonesia , writes that slashing defence spending is seen as a relatively easy way to cut costs when countries are facing pressure on their budgets .
“ Indonesia , for example , has announced it will slash its defence budget this year by nearly US $ 588 million .
Thailand has likewise reduced its defence allocation by $ 555 million .
Malaysia , Vietnam , and the Philippines all face similar pressure , ” Darmawan wrote in the online journal of the Lowy Institute , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending will invariably mean less patrols at sea.
” China has maintained its presence in the South China Sea throughout the virus outbreak .
Recent frictions include Chinese ships shadowing Malaysian mineral exploration operations and the sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat by a Chinese maritime security vessel .


thetorontostar--2020-05-24--Virus strands Norway racer in Alaska after Iditarod win

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - Thomas Waerner won this year ’ s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in March , but he is still waiting to return to his home in Norway .
Waerner and his 16 dogs have been stranded in Alaska by travel restrictions and flight cancellations caused by the coronavirus pandemic , The Anchorage Daily News reported Saturday .
“ I like Alaska a lot , ” Waerner said .
“ It ’ s kind of my dream place .
But I have a family.
” Waerner has five children and 35 other sled dogs in Torpa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one of his children and misses morning coffee with his wife , Guro , who left Alaska in March shortly before health restrictions stopped travel .
The 47-year-old plans to fly home in early June on a DC-6 aircraft bound for the Air History Museum in Sola , Norway .
Everts Air Cargo of Fairbanks is selling the historic plane , and Waerner said the museum is expected to finalize the deal this week .
“ We are hitchhiking , ” Waerner said .
“ The plane is going to Norway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are so lucky.
” Prior to the trip Waerner is expected to undergo a COVID-19 test and collect his dogs from a kennel in Salcha owned by fellow musher Arleigh Reynolds .
Waerner said he has friends in the Alaska towns of Ester and Salcha and often spends a few days around Fairbanks after the Iditarod .
This year , a few days turned into more than a few weeks and Waerner is ready to resume his normal life .
“ My wife has been taking care of 35 dogs , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Once he returns home , “ ‘ yes , dear , ’ will be the answer for everything , ” he said .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The vast majority of people recover .


thetorontostar--2020-05-24--Warehouse fire devastates San Francisco’s fishing industry

SAN FRANCISCO - A huge fire that tore through a warehouse on San Francisco ’ s Fisherman ’ s Wharf has destroyed fishing gear used to deliver about two-thirds of the city ’ s fresh seafood , threatening to disrupt the upcoming Dungeness crab season , local fishermen said Sunday .
The fire erupted before dawn Saturday and wiped out the warehouse the size of a football field near the end of Pier 45 .
Larry Collins , who runs the San Francisco Community Fishing Association , estimates that thousands of crab , shrimp and black cod traps worth up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blaze .
He told the San Francisco Chronicle the numbers could be far higher since port officials changed the warehouse ’ s function into a storage facility in February because it lacked proper fire sprinklers .
“ Pier 45 is the heart and soul of commercial fishing out of the Bay Area , ” Collins said .
“ To take a hit like this , it ’ s a bad one .
Most people don ’ t think about where their salmon , crab or black cod come from , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pier 45.
” The concrete pier is home to a mix of seafood and maritime businesses and tourist attractions , including the Musée Mécanique , a museum devoted to historic arcade games , and the SS Jeremiah O ’ Brien , a historic World War II liberty ship .
They are among numerous tourist attractions on the wharf .
Visitors also come for the Dungeness crabs , clam chowders served in sourdough bread bowls , the sea lions that lounge on the floating docks and shops on Pier 39 .
The Chronicle reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved because it ’ s currently on boats .
The black cod traps are largely in place for next week .
However , the crab pots that were packed to the ceiling in the warehouse couldn ’ t be salvaged .
With the Dungeness crab season expected to begin in mid-November , local crab boat owners launched a campaign to raise $ 1 million to buy new gear .
Crab pots cost up to $ 300 each .
“ We ’ ve got to get this fixed , ” Collins said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is basic to our food security.
” Investigators were assessing any damage to the pier and were looking into the cause of the fire .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Ex-strongman Bouterse seeks another term in Suriname

PARAMARIBO , Suriname - Few leaders have the sort of shadows that hang over Suriname ’ s President Dési Bouterse , a former coup leader and strongman , convicted of murder and drug smuggling , who is overseeing a dire economy .
Yet the charismatic 74-year-old president stands a fair chance of holding onto power as the small South American nation elects a new National Assembly on Monday — a body that will choose the next president in August .
Voting Monday was extended for two hours until 9 p.m. local time amid poor organization , delays and charges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results would be released .
“ It is chaos , ” Jennifer van Dijk-Silos , chairman of the Independent Electoral Board , told local media .
She said she had to suspend voting at some polling stations because the wrong ballot papers were distributed .
Bouterse ’ s National Democratic Party has built deep support among the country ’ s poor , many of them black or mixed race , who feel Bouterse is the first politician ever to pay attention to them .
Their economic pain is eased somewhat by food parcels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit Bouterse for recent oil discoveries off the Surinamese coast , which give some confidence in their future .
Recent polls in the former Dutch colony have shown a swing toward the opposition United Reform Party — the VHP by its Dutch initials — which has worked for years to broaden its base beyond its original focus on the descendants of East Asian immigrants , who make up just over a quarter of the population .
“ This is the last chance for Suriname .
Bouterse can ’ t be president anymore !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ VHP ’ s orange flag who was first in line to vote at the Clevia Public School .
But the opposition is divided among more than a dozen parties and there are believed to be a large number of undecided voters .
Opposition activists are also worried that the coronavirus pandemic has reduced the number of international election observers , and some believe the virus-prompted ban on mass meetings favours Bouterse , who has continued to make official visits to poor neighbourhoods .
Bouterse first came to power in a 1980 coup and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the December 1982 murders of 15 political opponents .
Last November , a Suriname court convicted Bouterse of murder and sentenced him to 20 years in prison — though it made no move to arrest him and he is appealing .
He also faces an 11-year sentence in the Netherlands for drug smuggling .
The president ’ s son Dino , meanwhile , is serving a 16-year prison sentence in the United States on drug trafficking charges and charges related to helping the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah .
After leaving office , Bouterse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections in 2010 , as well as reelection five years later .
In recent years , Suriname has slipped into a deep economic crisis .
The aluminum company Alcoa has left .
Wood , gold and oil yield too little revenue to cover government expenditures .
Critics allege widespread corruption and mismanagement .
But China has stepped in to help , lending hundreds of millions of dollars to finance bridges , roads and hospitals and a planned new airport .
The 51-seat National Assembly is due to choose a new president in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and likely the formation of complex coalitions .
Bouterse ’ s main rival is the VHP ’ s Chandrikapersad “ Chan ” Santokhi .
Because of COVID-19 restrictions , poll workers are wearing masks and are supposed to keep a distance of 1.5 metre ( 5 feet ) from one another .
The country has reported 11 confirmed cases of the disease and one death .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--In Bolsonaro’s Brazil, everyone else is to blame for virus

RIO DE JANEIRO - With Brazil emerging as one of the world ’ s most infected countries , President Jair Bolsonaro is deflecting all responsibility for the coronavirus crisis , casting blame on mayors , governors , an outgoing health minister and the media .
By contrast , he portrays himself as a clear-eyed crusader willing to defend an unpopular idea — that shutting down the economy to control COVID-19 will ultimately cause more suffering than allowing the disease to run its course .
The refusal of governors to fall into line with his decree allowing gyms to open , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confronted with a travel ban imposed on Brazil by the U.S. because of widespread COVID-19 , one of his advisers called it press hysteria .
Since the outbreak started , the Brazilian leader has avoided acknowledging the potential effects of his actions , particularly in undermining local leaders ’ stay-at-home recommendations .
A rare exception came in mid-April , as Bolsonaro appointed a new health minister tasked with sparing the economy from the coronavirus .
“ Reopening commerce is a risk I run because , if it ( the virus ) gets worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Less than two weeks later , as Brazil ’ s death toll blew past 5,000 , he told reporters , “ You ’ re not going to put on my lap this count that isn ’ t mine.
” Almost a month on , the death toll in the country of 211 million has more than quadrupled , to 23,473 , and continues to accelerate .
The Brazilian Supreme Court determined that states and cities have jurisdiction to impose isolation measures .
So Bolsonaro on May 7 walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powers Plaza to the top court , a tight cluster of ministers and business leaders in tow , and demanded local restrictions be tempered .
“ Some states went too far in their restrictive measures , and the consequences are knocking on our door , ” he said , adding that tens of millions of Brazilians have lost their income .
He has repeatedly singled out some local leaders by name .
When governors defied Bolsonaro ’ s subsequent decree that gyms , barbershops and beauty salons be allowed to operate as essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rule of law and suggested the move would invite “ undesirable authoritarianism to emerge in Brazil.
” On Saturday night , Bolsonaro ventured into the capital of Brasilia to lead by example , this time eating a hot dog bought from a street vendor .
Video he posted to Facebook showed supporters snapping selfies and calling him by his nickname — “ Myth !
” — while those in self-quarantine in overlooking apartments banged pots and pans in protest .
A May 17-18 poll by XP/Ipespe found 58 % of those surveyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad or terrible , and only 21 % as good or excellent .
Governors fared more than twice as well in both counts .
The poll had a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points .
Latin America ’ s largest nation has confirmed about 375,000 COVID-19 cases , more than any nation except the U.S. , and experts say that figure is a significant undercount due to insufficient testing .
The strain on Brazil ’ s underfunded hospitals has pushed them to the brink of collapse in multiple states and prevents some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heartache are unfolding beneath a void of leadership , according to Miguel Lago , executive director of Brazil ’ s Institute for Health Policy Studies , which advises public health officials .
Two health ministers have left office during the pandemic , making Brazil the world ’ s only nation that can claim such distinction , he said .
Brazil is “ completely incapable of dealing with and responding to this crisis as this crisis should be responded to — with complete leadership , clear messages , political stability and unity , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the case here .
Basically , what we ’ re seeing is a complete lack of seriousness and competence.
” The far-right leader fired his first health minister , Luiz Henrique Mandetta , for supporting governors ’ restrictions .
In his departing address , Mandetta referred to Bolsonaro in what he later confirmed to magazine Época was an allusion to the Albert Camus book “ The Plague.
“ The novel about a diseased city includes a passage that says those who did not believe in the plague were first to die because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s second minister , Nelson Teich , resigned about a month later after openly disagreeing with Bolsonaro over chloroquine , the predecessor of the anti-malarial often touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as viable treatment .
Bolsonaro in his 17-month tenure has often expressed open admiration for Trump and the U.S. Trump would have to fire his government ’ s top expert on the virus and the expert ’ s successor , attend anti-pandemic rallies and expand chloroquine treatment “ to approach the level of crisis incompetence “ shown by Bolsonaro , Ian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eurasia Group , said on Twitter this month .
Weeks after praising chloroquine and directing the Army to ramp up production , Bolsonaro admitted last week that there is no scientific evidence of its effectiveness , but said the nation is “ at war , ” and it is better to fight and lose than not fight at all .
The country still has only an interim health minister : a general with no health experience whatsoever before April .
In the capital on Sunday , pro-Bolsonaro supporters staged a small demonstration in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have for several weeks .
Bolsonaro joined and once again lifted children in his arms .
He shared a video from a helicopter flyover of the demonstration that revealed a sparsely occupied plaza .
There were perhaps 1,000 people in attendance , in a city of 3 million .
One banner read “ Lockdowns kill more than the Chinese virus !
!
!
” That same day , Trump prohibited entry to the U.S. of foreigners coming from Brazil .
Trump had already banned certain travellers from China , Europe , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lesser extent , Iran .
He has not moved to ban travel from Russia , which has the world ’ s third-highest number of infections .
Bolsonaro ’ s special adviser on international affairs , Filipe Martins , tweeted that the ban was the natural result of Brazil ’ s large population .
“ There isn ’ t anything specifically against Brazil .
Ignore the hysteria from the press , ” he said .
Bolsonaro shared Martins ’ comment on social media but has not commented himself .
Upon leaving the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer reporters ’ questions .
One supporter grabbed his attention , and she begged him to launch a “ massive propaganda ” campaign to improve his negative image abroad .
“ The global press is leftist , ” Bolsonaro explained coolly , then outstretched his arm fully to point at journalists .
After Bolsonaro got into his car , his supporters turned toward reporters , blasting them as “ trash ” and “ communists , ” making obscene gestures and threats .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Branson’s Virgin Orbit fails on first rocket launch attempt

LOS ANGELES - Richard Branson ’ s Virgin Orbit failed Monday in its first test launch of a new rocket carried aloft by a Boeing 747 and released over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California .
The inaugural launch had appeared to be going well until moments after the rocket was dropped from beneath the left wing of the jumbo jet dubbed Cosmic Girl .
“ We ’ ve confirmed a clean release from the aircraft .
However , the mission terminated shortly into the flight .
Cosmic Girl and our flight crew are safe and returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its official Twitter commentary on the launch .
There was no immediate word on what went wrong with the rocket , which carried a test satellite .
Will Pomerantz , Virgin Orbit ’ s vice-president for special projects , commented during a preflight briefing Saturday that about half of first rocket launches fail .
“ History is not terribly kind , necessarily , to maiden flights , ” he said .
Chief Executive Officer Dan Hart said during the briefing that there had been numerous tests , discussions and introspection to verify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the end the questions are always , has everything been thought about and are there any gaps or seams , and those are the questions you only learn when you commit to flight , ” Hart said .
The highly modified jumbo jet took off from Mojave Air and Space Por t in the desert north of Los Angeles and flew out just beyond the Channel Islands , where the drop occurred .
The rocket was supposed to fall for a few seconds before the first of its two stages ignited and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Pole for insertion of its demonstration payload into a low Earth orbit .
The purpose of the flight was to gather data on every step of the launch process rather than to have a useful satellite in orbit ; the demonstration payload was described as an inert mass and the intended orbit was very low to avoid contributing to the problem of space junk .
The attempt followed five years of development of the 70-foot-long ( 21.3 metre ) LauncherOne rocket .
How long the setback will affect the company was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rockets under construction in its factory .
“ The team ’ s already hard at work digging into the data , and we ’ re eager to hop into our next big test ASAP , ” the company tweeted .
“ Thankfully , instead of waiting until after our 1st flight to tackle our 2nd rocket , we ’ ve already completed a ton of work to get us back in the air and keep moving forward.
” A successful launch by Virgin Orbit would have marked a dramatic step in getting back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most employees home earlier this year while work spaces , procedures and mission control were adjusted .
Virgin Orbit is targeting the market for launching satellites ranging in size from toasters to household refrigerators .
The time is right for the small satellite launch market , Hart said on Saturday .
Technology advancements have enabled satellites much smaller than traditional payloads to do “ real work ” in space , typically from low Earth orbit , and for markets ranging from commercial to national security , he said .
While other companies are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and builders of big rockets like SpaceX can carry them into orbit in a ride-share arrangement with large satellites , Virgin Orbit ’ s air launch system based on the aviation industry ’ s workhorse 747 is intended to put a satellite up when and where a customer needs it , Hart said .
“ We can fly to space from any place that can host a 747 , which is almost any place , ” he said .
Virgin Orbit says it has dozens of missions on the books for customers including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force .
Internationally , it is working on plans for launches from the United Kingdom and Japan .
Hart did not provide a specific dollar value for the missions it has on the books but characterized it as “ hundreds of millions.
” Air launch technology dates back decades , including use by X-15 rocket planes in the 1950s and ’ 60s .
For satellites the method is currently in use by what is now Northrop Grumman ’ s Pegasus rocket program , which has had several dozen launches since 1990 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , California , began as a sister company of Virgin Galactic but has since separated .
Virgin Galactic is preparing to begin flights carrying passengers into the lower reaches of space from southern New Mexico .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--US company trials coronavirus vaccine candidate in Australia

CANBERRA , Australia - A U.S. biotechnology company began injecting a coronavirus vaccine candidate into people in Australia on Tuesday with hopes of releasing a proven vaccine this year .
Novavax will inject 131 volunteers in the first phase of the trial testing the safety of the vaccine and looking for signs of its effectiveness , the company ’ s research chief Dr. Gregory Glenn said .
About a dozen experimental vaccines against the coronavirus are in early stages of testing or poised to start , mostly in China , the U.S. and Europe .
It ’ s not clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But many work in different ways , and are made with different technologies , increasing the odds that at least one approach might succeed .
“ We are in parallel making doses , making vaccine in anticipation that we ’ ll be able to show it ’ s working and be able to start deploying it by the end of this year , ” Glenn told a virtual news conference in Melbourne from Novavax ’ headquarters in Maryland .
Animal testing suggested the vaccine is effective in low doses .
Novavax could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year and 1.5 billion in 2021 , he said .
Manufacture of the vaccine , named NVX-CoV2373 , was being scaled up with $ 388 million invested by Norway-based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations since March , Glenn said .
The results of the first phase of clinical trials in Melbourne and Brisbane are expected to be known in July , Novavax said .
Thousands of candidates in several countries would then become involved in a second phase .
The trial began with six volunteers being injected with the potential vaccine in Melbourne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infectious disease expert with Australian collaborator Nucleus Network .
Most of the experimental vaccines in progress aim to train the immune system to recognize the “ spike ” protein that studs the coronavirus ’ outer surface , priming the body to react if it was exposed to the real virus .
Some candidates are made using just the genetic code for that protein , and others use a harmless virus to deliver the protein-producing information .
Still other vaccine candidates are more old-fashioned , made with dead , whole virus .
Novavax adds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s called a recombinant vaccine .
Novavax used genetic engineering to grow harmless copies of the coronavirus spike protein in giant vats of insect cells in a laboratory .
Scientists extracted and purified the protein , and packaged it into virus-sized nanoparticles .
“ The way we make a vaccine is we never touch the virus , ” Novavax told The Associated Press last month .
But ultimately , “ it looks just like a virus to the immune system.
” It ’ s the same process that Novavax used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed late-stage testing .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Venezuela celebrates docking of tanker with Iran gasoline

CARACAS , Venezuela - Venezuelan authorities celebrated Monday as the first of five Iranian tankers loaded with gasoline docked in the South American country , delivering badly needed fuel to the crisis-stricken nation that sits atop the world ’ s largest oil reserves .
The gasoline shipments are arriving in defiance of stiff sanctions by the Trump administration against both nations , and they mark a new era in the burgeoning relationship between Venezuela and Iran , which is expanding its footprint in the Western Hemisphere .
“ We keep moving forward and winning , ” Venezuela ’ s Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State TV played images of the ship pulling through Caribbean waters as Venezuelan fighter jets flew overhead .
El Aissami posted photographs on his Twitter account of the sun rising over the tanker docked at El Palito refinery .
Washington says both Iran and Venezuela are ruled by repressive regimes .
It recently offering a $ 15 million reward for President Nicolás Maduro ’ s arrest on drug smuggling charges in a “ maximum pressure ” campaign against the socialist leader .
Washington recognizes opposition politician Juan Guaidó as Venezuela ’ s legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations , which consider Maduro ’ s election a fraud because his most popular rivals were banned from running .
In a sign of rising tension inside Venezuela , the chief prosecutor on Monday asked the pro-Maduro Supreme Court to decide whether Guaidó ’ s political party Popular Will should be designated a terrorist organization .
“ Confronted with the impossibility of obtaining power through votes , Popular Will has turned to violence , ” Attorney General Tarek William Saab said , accusing the party of hiring “ mercenaries ” who carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged acts .
Guaidó advisers had dealt with the man leading the attempt , though Guaidó himself denied any involvement .
The first Iranian ship to arrive , the Fortune , is trailed by four other tankers expected to arrive in the next few days .
The shipments , however , only carry enough fuel for two or three weeks , analysts say .
Russ Dallen , head of the Miami-based investment firm Caracas Capital Markets , said the Iranian shipments were anything but a victory for Venezuelans .
The first tanker carries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a nation with roughly 5 million cars , he said .
“ Venezuela , the country with the largest oil reserves in the world , is now reduced to importing millions of gallons of gasoline from another failed pariah state halfway around the world , ” Dallen said .
Venezuela also has one of the world ’ s largest refineries , which has fallen to disrepair .
The country produces a fraction of oil it did when Maduro ’ s predecessor , the late Hugo Chávez , rose to power two decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revolution .
Critics blame corruption and mismanagement amid an economic crisis that has led to huge migration by Venezuelans seeking to escape poverty , shortages of basic goods and crime .
Deep gasoline shortages have plagued Venezuela for years , though the problem had until recently largely spared the capital of Caracas .
Despite Washington ’ s objections , the first ship arrived with no interference from U.S. ships patrolling the Caribbean on what officials call a drug interdiction mission .
Maduro on Sunday expressed gratitude to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani , Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Iranian people from “ the bottom of my heart.
” He said Iran and Venezuela have a right just like any other nations in the world to engage in trade .
We are “ two rebel nations , two revolutionary nations that will never kneel down before U.S. imperialism , ” Maduro said .
“ Venezuela has friends in this world , and brave friends at that .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Some visit Mississippi attractions as COVID-19 rules ease

BILOXI , Miss .
- With water parks and amusement parks reopen in Mississippi , visitors at one Gulf Coast attraction said they believed they were safe from coronavirus infection .
Margaritaville , which includes an elaborate indoor arcade and rooftop pool , began greeting visitors in Biloxi on Thursday .
Other water parks and amusement parks statewide were allowed to reopen Monday , as long as they operated at half capacity of less and met additional requirements for sanitizing and social distancing .
“ It ’ s been a great experience so far .
We are just glad to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , ” Amber Yochim , a visitor from Louisiana , told WLOX-TV .
“ All the staff are wearing masks .
There ’ s been social distancing in line at the slide and the staff has been great at serving us and getting our food and drinks.
” The Mississippi State Department of Health on Monday reported 206 new confirmed cases and 10 new deaths .
That brings the state ’ s total cases to nearly 13,500 and total reported deaths to 635 .
The state reports that 1,706 cases and 322 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assisted living centres and other long-term care facilities .
A Jackson firefighter was among those who tested positive .
He and two fellow firefighters were sent home on quarantine .
In Biloxi , Margaritaville general manager Joe Farruggio said indoor attractions were rearranged .
Employees are wearing gloves and masks .
“ We ’ ve actually redid the whole floor and we spaced it out quite a bit , ” Farruggio said .
“ That ’ s the first thing we did .
We have social distancing signs probably every 6 feet — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letting them know.
” Louisiana resident Kristoffer Arrington said he and his friends wanted to go somewhere they knew the pandemic would be taken seriously .
“ Louisiana itself , especially New Orleans , is really a hotbed for corona , so we really wanted to get away .
I know it ’ s a lot of people here still , but just out of that state just because I know how bad it is there , ” Arrington said .
Up on the pool deck , even pool floats were sanitized each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places held reduced ceremonies to honour the war dead on Memorial Day .
In Tupelo , dozens gathered at Veterans Park , where chairs were spread out and masks distributed , while others watched online “ Life has to go on , “ Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal .
“ We have to continue to have events such as the Memorial Day ceremony that are a huge part of who we are as a nation , so we tried our best to balance the need for safety precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the annual Memorial Day ceremony.
” Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Trump honours war dead in events colored by pandemic’s threat

BALTIMORE - President Donald Trump honoured America ’ s war dead Monday in back-to-back Memorial Day appearances colored by an epic struggle off the battlefield , against the coronavirus .
Eager to demonstrate national revival from the pandemic , Trump doubled up on his public schedule , while threatening to pull the Republican National Convention out of Charlotte in August unless North Carolina ’ s Democratic governor gives a quick green light to the party ’ s plans to assemble en masse .
The U.S. death toll from the pandemic approached 100,000 ; North Carolina two days earlier reported its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump first honoured the nation ’ s fallen at Arlington National Cemetery .
Presidents on Memorial Day typically lay a wreath and speak at the hallowed burial ground in Virginia .
But the coronavirus crisis made this year different .
Many attendees arrived wearing masks but removed them for the outdoor ceremony in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier .
Trump , maskless as always in public , gave no remarks .
He approached a wreath already in place , touched it and saluted .
Trump then travelled to Baltimore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he declared : “ Together we will vanquish the virus and America will rise from this crisis to new and even greater heights .
No obstacle , no challenge and no threat is a match for the sheer determination of the American people.
” He praised the tens of thousands of service members and national guard personnel “ on the front lines of our war against this terrible virus.
” His Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , chose Memorial Day to make his first public appearance in the two months since the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unannounced from his Delaware home to lay a wreath at a nearby park , with no crowd gathered to greet him .
It was a milestone in a presidential campaign that has largely been frozen .
Biden ’ s words were muffled through a black cloth face mask .
“ Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made , ” he said after .
“ Never , ever forget.
” The U.S. leads the world with more than 1.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 98,000 deaths , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump tweeted his frustration with North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper , who has been moving his state into a cautious reopening that will keep indoor entertainment venues , like its NBA arena , closed for the time being .
The state reported a daily high of 1,100 new cases Saturday , and has suffered about 750 deaths in the pandemic .
The president said Republicans will be “ reluctantly forced ” to find a convention site in another state unless Cooper can guarantee that the GOP will be able to fill its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charlotte .
Cooper ’ s office said state officials are working with the GOP on convention decisions .
Changing sites would be difficult for numerous reasons , including the contract between Republican officials and Charlotte leaders to hold the gathering there .
Trump is intent on accelerating his own schedule as he urges the country to get to work .
This month , Trump has toured factories in Arizona , Pennsylvania and Michigan that make pandemic supplies .
He plans to be in Florida on Wednesday to watch two NASA astronauts rocket into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his private club in Virginia on Saturday and Sunday .
The Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine commemorates the site where Francis Scott Key wrote a poem after a huge American flag was hoisted to celebrate an important victory over the British during the War of 1812 .
That poem became “ The Star-Spangled Banner.
” The fort is closed to the public because of the pandemic .
Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “ Jack ” Young objected to Trump ’ s visit in advance , saying it sends the wrong message about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afford the added cost of hosting him when it is losing $ 20 million a month because of the pandemic .
He cited the disproportionate effect the virus has had on his city and called on Trump to “ set a positive example ” by not travelling during the holiday weekend .
“ The brave men and women who have preserved our freedoms for generations did not stay home and the president will not either as he honours their sacrifice by visiting such a historic landmark in our nation ’ s history , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an emailed statement Sunday .
Trump last summer described a congressional district that includes Baltimore as a “ disgusting , rat and rodent infested mess ” where “ no human being would want to live.
” He visited Baltimore months later to address a meeting of congressional Republicans , and a giant inflatable rat adorned with Trump-style hair and a red necktie taunted him from a few blocks away .
Trump did not visit any Baltimore neighbourhoods .
Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Arlington , Virginia , contributed to this report @

Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--California issues guidelines for church reopenings

LOS ANGELES - Religious services in California will look much different under rules unveiled Monday that limit attendance to 100 people and recommend worshippers wear masks , limit singing and refrain from shaking hands or hugging .
The state released guidance under which county health departments can approve the reopening of churches , mosques , synagogues and other houses of worship .
They have been closed since Gov .
Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home order in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
It ’ s not immediately known how soon in-person services will resume .
Counties that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to move quickly .
Others with outbreaks — such as Los Angeles County , which has about 60 % of California ’ s roughly 3,800 deaths — may choose to delay .
The guidelines ask worshippers to wear masks , avoid sharing prayer books or prayer rugs and skip the collection plate .
They also say to avoid large gatherings for holidays , weddings and funerals and warn that activities such as singing or group recitation “ negate ” the benefits of social distancing .
The guidelines say even with physical distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of transmitting the virus and increasing the numbers of hospitalizations and deaths and recommend houses of worship shorten services .
Each county will have to adopt rules for services to resume within their jurisdictions and then the guidelines will be reviewed by state health officials after 21 days .
The guidelines include limiting gatherings to 25 % of building capacity or 100 people , whichever is lower .
In Los Angeles County , Rabbi Shalom Rubanowitz of the Shul on the Beach in Venice Beach said he hopes his congregation can meet for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to celebrate when Jews received the Torah .
The congregation will have to figure out how to provide temperature checks and provide a place for individual prayer books and shawls .
Orthodox Jews do not use technology during the Sabbath and may not carry most personal items .
Some church leaders aren ’ t eager to reopen .
The Rev .
Amos Brown , pastor of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco and head of the local NAACP chapter , led a protest Monday against reopening .
“ We are not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said by phone , noting that many leaders of his denomination have been sickened or died nationwide .
Freedom of religion is “ not the freedom to kill folks , not the freedom to put people in harm ’ s way .
That ’ s insane , ” he said .
Many have been eagerly waiting an announcement on religious services after Newsom began relaxing constraints on stores and other secular outlets as part of a four-phase plan to reopen the economy .
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange announced last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning June 14 , starting with restricted numbers of worshippers .
At first , choirs will be banned , fonts won ’ t contain holy water and parishioners won ’ t perform rituals where they must touch each other .
“ We know that God is with us , but at the same time we have to be careful and make sure that we protect each other in this challenging time , “ Bishop Kevin Vann said Friday .
Some 47 of the state ’ s 58 counties have received permission to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for controlling the virus .
The state on Monday cleared the way for in-store shopping to resume statewide with social distancing restrictions , although counties get to decide whether to permit it .
Some places of worship around the country opened over the weekend after President Donald Trump declared them essential and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines for reopening faith organizations .
In California , most houses of worship have complied with social distancing , making do with online , remote and a few drive-in services .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Archbishop Jose Gomez called on parishes to celebrate Pentecost — a major religious day for many Christians — next Sunday by holding food and blood drives .
“ I think it is important for all us of to be aware that this is a very dangerous illness , and we are making sure that everything is OK when we come back and celebrate the Eucharist together , ” he said .
But several thousand churches have vowed to defy the current stay-at-home order on Pentecost , arguing they can do so safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held without authorization have been sources of outbreaks ; one in Mendocino County and the other in Butte County .
Newsom ’ s cautious approach to reopening has angered opponents who claim the rules violate religious freedoms .
A Pentecostal church in San Diego County lost a federal appeal Friday in its quest to reopen immediately .
The South Bay United Pentacostal Church of Chula Vista immediately filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court .
The non-profit Center for American Liberty , which has filed several lawsuits over church restrictions , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough .
Newsom “ lacks authority to dictate to California ’ s faithful , how they may worship , ” said Harmeet Dhillon , a San Francisco lawyer and the group ’ s CEO .
“ Let people who wish to worship safely and together , do so.
” For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
As of Monday , California had at least 94,558 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , more than 3,000 hospitalizations and 3,795 deaths .
The state is still seeing troubling COVID-19 flare-ups .
More than 150 employees at a Farmer John meatpacking plant in Vernon , an industrial city south of Los Angeles , contracted the coronavirus .
Imperial County , across the border from Mexico , has seen a surge .
Two inmates from the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County died Sunday from what appear to be complications related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spelling of Pentecost .
Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--More than 200 COVID-19 infections at Guatemala textile plant

GUATEMALA CITY - More than 200 workers at an export-focused textile plant in Guatemala have tested positive for the novel coronavirus and more results are pending in what could be one of the country ’ s largest outbreaks , officials said Monday .
Zulma Calderon , the health prosecutor for Guatemala ’ s Human Rights prosecutor ’ s office , said they began receiving reports in early May that infected workers were continuing to work at the K.P .
Textil plant in San Miguel Petapa and the company wasn ’ t taking protective measures .
“ We asked then that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the personnel , ” she said .
On Saturday , the Health Ministry said it believed the plant ’ s outbreak stemmed from one infected worker .
On May 12 , the local health agency advised of six positive cases among the plant ’ s at least 900 workers , but advised that plant management was not co-operating .
Francisco Reyes , the K.P .
Textil , S.A. plant manager , denied that authorities told him workers had tested positive before he decided to close the plant May 12 for two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cafeteria to comply with distancing , ” he said .
Guatemala reported Sunday more than 3,300 confirmed infections and 58 deaths .
Outbreaks at other export-oriented plants have been reported elsewhere in the region , especially Mexico where border assembly plants tried to continue operating during the pandemic .
Calderon , the health prosecutor , said she had asked authorities to establish a health cordon around the plant to try to avoid further spread .
But the spread has likely already occurred .
Petapa Mayor Mynor Morales said the factory ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bustling working class bedroom community south of the capital is home to many export-oriented factories .
After hearing of the positive results health workers tested people at some of the small food stores near the plant and got other positive results for the virus , he said .
He was evaluating with his lawyers the possibility of presenting a complaint against the factory ’ s owners to establish whether there was negligence on their part .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Arbery family lawyer: Feds looking into how case handled

ATLANTA - A lawyer for the family of Ahmaud Arbery said Monday that a federal prosecutor told the slain man ’ s mother federal officials are investigating potential misconduct by local officials who handled the case .
Lawyer Lee Merritt said U.S. Attorney Bobby Christine , whose jurisdiction includes southern Georgia , met with him and Arbery ’ s mother , Wanda Cooper-Jones , on Thursday .
“ They wanted us to know they had already been involved in the investigation , “ Merritt said .
Barry Paschal , a spokesman for Christine , declined to confirm or deny whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not discuss active investigations , including addressing whether or not those investigations exist , ” Paschal said .
Arbery was fatally shot Feb. 23 when a white father and son pursued the 25-year-old black man after spotting him running in their subdivision just outside of Brunswick .
They told police they believed he was responsible for break-ins in their neighbourhood .
More than two months passed before Gregory McMichael and his son , Travis McMichael , were arrested on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault .
Brunswick Circuit District Attorney Jackie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involvement .
The elder McMichael worked for her as an investigator before retiring a year ago , which required the office to step away from the case .
She handed the case to Waycross Circuit District Attorney George Barnhill .
That prosecutor also recused himself , but not before writing a letter saying he believed the McMichaels had been justified in trying to hold Arbery until police arrived and their actions were “ perfectly legal .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--1st deadlines for laid-off workers to get health insurance

WASHINGTON - Many laid-off workers who lost health insurance in the coronavirus shutdown soon face the first deadlines to qualify for fallback coverage under the Affordable Care Act .
Taxpayer-subsidized health insurance is available for a modest cost — sometimes even free — across the country , but industry officials and independent researchers say few people seem to know how to find it .
For those who lost their health insurance as layoffs mounted in late March , a 60-day “ special enrolment ” period for individual coverage under the ACA closes at the end of May in most states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houston , lost her medical plan after being laid off from a job at an upscale retirement community , as a counsellor to seniors making the move .
Stay-at-home orders and higher virus risks for older people have put such life transitions on hold in the pandemic .
Franklin said she received plenty of government information about coronavirus safety and economic stimulus payments , but “ the insurance piece just has not been mentioned.
” She scrambled and finally found an ACA — or “ Obamacare ” — plan she could still afford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the middle of a pandemic , and God forbid if I get sick and I don ’ t have it , “ she said of her health insurance .
The nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that nearly 27 million workers and family members had lost job-based health coverage as of the start of this month , a number now likely higher with unemployment claims rising .
In a counter-intuitive finding , Kaiser ’ s study also estimated that nearly 8 in 10 of the newly uninsured would likely qualify for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama ’ s health law , either a private plan like Franklin found , or Medicaid .
“ The ACA is there as a safety net for the first time in an economic downturn , ” said Kaiser foundation expert Larry Levitt .
But “ many people losing their jobs have never had to think of relying on the ACA for coverage , so there is no reason they should be aware of their options.
” There are several options , not easy to sort through .
Some have application deadlines ; others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which still plans to ask the Supreme Court later this summer to declare “ Obamacare ” unconstitutional , is doing little to promote the health law ’ s coverage .
Here ’ s a quick look : Like Altheia Franklin , people who lose workplace insurance generally have 60 days from when their coverage ended to apply for an ACA plan .
They can go to the federal HealthCare.gov or their state ’ s health insurance website .
Most states that run their own health insurance marketplaces have provided an extended sign-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
The federal marketplace , serving most of the country , has not .
Nearly three-fourths of the states have expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under the Obama health law .
In those states , low-income adults can qualify for free or very low cost coverage .
There is no sign-up deadline .
The Kaiser foundation estimates that nearly 13 million people who lost job-based insurance are eligible for Medicaid .
But that option is not available in most Southern states , as well as some in the Midwest and Plains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Laid-off workers should be able to get their children covered even if the adults in the family can not help .
The federal-state Children ’ s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid cover kids in families with incomes well above the poverty level .
“ Medicaid is open year round if you are a parent with kids who need coverage , ” said Joan Alker , director of the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University .
Children ’ s coverage predates the ACA .
People can continue their employer coverage under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they have to pay 102 % of the premium — too much for most who are out of work .
If there ’ s another coronavirus bill from Congress , it might include subsidies for COBRA coverage .
Government statistics on people losing —and finding— health insurance coverage in the coronavirus contraction won ’ t be available for months .
The head of a California company that helps people find ACA coverage says most of the new sign-ups they ’ re seeing are people who qualify for Medicaid , and there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidized private plans .
“ We are all wondering where the heck is everybody , ” said George Kalogeropoulos , CEO of Health Sherpa .
“ People first are trying to apply for unemployment , and many of them getting stuck there , ” he added .
“ Health care is the secondary thing , and if they get stuck in unemployment , people may never do the health care thing.
” Alker , the Georgetown University expert , said insurance protection has been neglected in the pandemic .
“ Having health insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ We need a national commitment to make these newly uninsured people aware of their options.
“

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Federal coronavirus testing plan puts burden on states

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration ’ s new strategy for coronavirus testing puts much of the burden on states while promising to provide supplies such as swabs and material to transport specimens .
The plan , which was delivered Sunday to members of Congress , drew harsh criticism Monday from Democrats .
In a joint letter , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer , New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. and Washington Sen. Patty Murray said the administration “ still does not have a serious plan for increasing testing to stop the spread of the virus.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll from the pandemic is approaching 100,000 .
President Donald Trump , who has been eager to revive the economy by loosening coronavirus-related restrictions , vowed Monday , “ Together we will vanquish the virus and America will rise from this crisis to new and even greater heights.
” The 81-page document from the Department of Health and Human Services says , “ State plans must establish a robust testing program that ensures adequacy of COVID-19 testing , including tests for contact tracing , and surveillance of asymptomatic persons to determine community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will “ ensure that States have the collection supplies that they need through December 2020.
” To that end , the administration plans to acquire and distribute 100 million swabs and 100 million tubes of viral transport media .
The HHS document , which The Washington Post first reported , recommends that all states “ have an objective of testing a minimum of 2 per cent of their population in May and June.
” The Democratic lawmakers , who released the HHS report along with their joint letter , said it “ confirms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy is to deny the truth that there aren ’ t enough tests and supplies , reject responsibility and dump the burden onto the states.
” “ The Trump Administration still does not take any responsibility for ramping up our nation ’ s testing capacity , instead pushing the burden onto the states — forcing states to compete with each other to procure vital supplies to administer tests from the private market , ” the lawmakers wrote .
They also called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to act on the $ 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month by the House , saying it would “ deliver a clear strategy and $ 75 billion for the testing and contact tracing necessary to stop the spread of this vicious virus .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--As America mourns its dead, Trump links the sacrifices of war and COVID-19

WASHINGTON—Monday was the Memorial Day holiday in the U.S. , when Americans remember their war dead .
At Fort McHenry in Baltimore , the site of the War of 1812 battle that inspired the U.S. national anthem , President Donald Trump drew a direct comparison between the sacrifices of war and the ongoing toll of the coronavirus .
“ We mourn alongside all of the families who have lost a loved one , ” Trump said , invoking the service of front-line workers in the war against the “ terrible virus.
” Mourning the present while memorializing the past was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the long weekend , where visitors to the monuments on the national mall were greeted by flags flying at half staff to honour those who have died in the pandemic .
Many visitors wore masks and kept a respectful distance from each other as they quietly reflected near the memorials , laying down flowers and solemnly telling children about soldiers who never came home .
Others observed the long weekend warmth joyously , throwing mortarboards in the air while taking graduation photos in front of the world war memorial fountain , racing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or wading along the edges of the reflecting pool nearby .
Immediately to the north is the Vietnam War Memorial , the starkest and perhaps most sobering of the city ’ s many monuments .
A giant “ V ” of black granite set into the earth , emerging from the grass , the memorial consists of a simple long list of names .
Men and women who died in the American conflict in Vietnam , listed “ in the order they were taken from us ” according to the inscription .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted social-distancing guidelines instruct , one first encounters John H. Anderson Jr. 75 metres and 58,320 names later , in the east , the list ends with Jessie C. Alba .
Walking its length and gazing over the roll call of those lost recalls that the statistics that define a war are attached to actual people , their names reminders that they had lives and families , ambitions and dreams .
Visitors leave mementos beneath the stones that underline the point : tiny bottles of Jim Beam , folded U.S. flags , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in North Carolina .
“ 50 long years now , ” reads one letter left in memory of Alan H. Gross , “ of missed pleasures and foregone pursuits , of lost adventures & unrealized dreams , of life not lived , and we are missing you still.
” The sense of loss is staggering .
As is the realization , that any similar memorial which would one day be constructed to Americans who have died from this epidemic would likely be at least twice as large .
The 58,320 people commemorated at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the past few months in the U.S. , already nearly 100,000 have died of COVID-19 .
It is anyone ’ s guess how long the list will eventually become .
Even as its losses were incorporated by the president and the press into the traditional memorials of the weekend , and even as much of the country appears eager to try to return to a more normal life , the coronavirus “ war ” Trump speaks of appears far from over .
Its toll is measured in heavily publicized statistics that continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will vanquish the virus , and America will rise from this crisis to new and even greater heights , ” Trump said at Fort McHenry Monday .
How and when that will happen remains , for now , unclear .
The president invoked the spirit of generations of American soldiers and the determination of the American people , and the lesson he took from them .
“ In America , ” he said , “ we are captains of our own fate .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Former US Rep. Allen West out of hospital after Texas crash

WACO , Texas - Former U.S. Rep. Allen West of Florida was released from a Texas hospital Monday after suffering a concussion , several fractured bones and cuts in a motorcycle crash , according to a a post on his Facebook page .
West , who is running for chair of the Republican Party of Texas , was driving back from a rally in Austin focused on reopening the state amid the coronavirus pandemic when the accident occurred Saturday .
Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt .
Ryan Howard said in an email that troopers responded to a crash on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Saturday .
He said an unidentified vehicle had unsafely changed lanes in front of two motorcyclists .
He said one of the motorcyclists tried to break and the rear motorcyclist crashed into the front motorcyclist .
He said both motorcyclists were taken to a hospital in Waco to be treated for injuries that weren ’ t life-threatening .
Allen ’ s campaign manager , Lisa Hendrickson , said West was the motorcyclist in front in the DPS description of the accident .
West , a Republican , moved from Florida to Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served one term and once called for then-President Barack Obama ’ s impeachment .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Northwest cherry crops facing disease and decreased harvest

PORTLAND , Ore. - Cherry industry officials in Oregon and Washington state estimate a tree infection has substantially depleted the fruit for this year ’ s harvest .
The infection known as little cherry disease has chopped an estimated 40 million pounds ( 18 million kilograms ) of cherries from the forthcoming harvest , Oregon Public Broadcasting reported Sunday .
The Northwest harvest begins around the end of May every year .
Nearly 21 million boxes of cherries weighing 20 pounds ( 9 kilograms ) each are expected to be picked in Oregon and Washington , down about 20 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease involves a phytoplasma similar to a bacteria and a separate virus causing similar symptoms that are spread by insects including leafhoppers and mealybugs , officials said .
Northwest cherry growers have to cut down infected trees to prevent the disease from spreading before entire orchards are reduced to stumps .
Little cherry disease has devastated growers in California and Canada .
Northwest farmers can request training from Washington State University Extension staff or obtain a booklet to help identify fruit affected by the disease .
“ They ’ re small and pale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or bitter , ” said Tianna DuPoint , an extension staff member in Wenatchee , Washington .
“ So they won ’ t hurt you if you eat them , but they ’ re not marketable.
” B.J .
Thurlby of the Northwest Cherry Growers industry group said the crop will be reduced largely because of little cherry disease and spring frost .
Exports to China will be down , but may be offset by exports to other parts of Asia , Thurlby said .
“ We ’ re expecting at least two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea , Taiwan and Vietnam , ” Thurlby said .
“ So that should be a good export deal for us .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Egypt’s doctors criticize government over virus ‘negligence’

CAIRO - Egypt ’ s medical union on Monday blamed the government for increasing levels of coronavirus infections and deaths among healthcare professionals , its sharpest criticism yet of the country ’ s handling of the pandemic .
Citing growing frustration over a lack of protective equipment , testing and hospital beds for front-line doctors , the union described the Egyptian health ministry ’ s negligence as “ a crime of killing by irresponsibility.
” The union reported that 19 doctors have died and 350 have contracted the virus , according to official figures , although testing of medical staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bears full responsibility , ” it said , “ as a result of its failure to protect them.
” Egypt , the Arab world ’ s most populous country , has officially recorded 17,967 infections and 783 fatalities due to COVID-19 .
Although it ’ s a modest toll compared with the U.S. and Europe , the curve is rapidly accelerating .
With under-resourced quarantine hospitals filling up , many fear the worst is yet to come .
“ The health system may completely collapse , and a health catastrophe may strike the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its statement .
In an apparent response to the torrent of criticism , health minister Hala Zayed said the government was “ following up to provide the best possible care ” to medical staff .
Authorities have sought to allocate 20-bed capacity floors at quarantine hospitals for staff who have fallen ill , she said , and provide “ sufficient stocks “ of protective gear .
The minister also promised to launch an “ urgent ” legal investigation into the case of Walid Yehia , a young doctor who died of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment at a crowded Cairo hospital .
“ His colleagues and I were with him , appealing for help , but there was zero response , ” Yehia ’ s brother , Ashraf Zalouk , wrote in an emotional Facebook post .
The Egyptian government has resisted the kind of total lockdown seen in other countries in the region , hoping to stave off the worst economic repercussions .
But calls have grown for stricter measures as infections show no signs of abating .
Over Eid al-Fitr , the festival that concludes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended the nightly curfew , which now begins at 5.p.m .
and halted public transportation until May 29 .
The prime minister has said the country would gradually reopen after the holiday .
In speeches and statements , the government has repeatedly reassured Egyptians that it has the virus under control .
But it has also tightened its grip on information about the pandemic .
Those who challenge the state ’ s official virus count have been expelled and detained .
Amnesty International estimates that over a dozen people have been caught up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , who recover within a few weeks .
But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness or death , particularly in older patients or those with underlying health problems , including cancer patients .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Cops: Man asked to be shot after killing date met on Tinder

LAYTON , Utah - A Utah man accused of choking and stabbing a woman after meeting her on the popular dating app Tinder asked police to shoot him after reporting the killing , according to court documents .
Ethan Hunsaker , 24 , was arrested Sunday on suspicion of murder in the death ofa 25-year-old woman identified by police Monday as Ashlyn Black .
He called 911 to report he ’ d killed someone inside his home in Layton , Utah , telling a dispatcher to tell officers to shoot him , according to an affidavit by an officer explaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers to shoot him after they arrived , the document said .
Police said they found Black lying on the floor with multiple stab wounds .
Emergency workers tried to resuscitate her , but she died of her injuries at the scene .
Hunsaker told police that the two went to a bar after meeting on Tinder and then went to his home .
He said he choked and then stabbed her unprovoked , according to the document .
He allegedly said he had thoughts of killing himself and others daily .
Hunsaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post bail .
Court documents do not indicate if he was being represented by a lawyer yet .


thetorontostar--2020-05-25--Tulsa police hunt for missing kids, 3 and 2; mother arrested

TULSA , Okla. - Police searching for two small Oklahoma children who have been missing for days on Monday knocked @ @ @ @ @ at an apartment complex in Tulsa , after sending dive teams into nearby ponds .
@ @ @ @ @ and 2-year-old Tony Crook of Tulsa were last seen Friday with their mother , who @ @ @ @ @ them .
Their aunt is their guardian .
The mother , 24-year-old Donisha Willis , @ @ @ @ @ is being held on bond in the Tulsa County jail , according to jail records @ @ @ @ @ child neglect and assaulting a police officer .
Jail records do not list an attorney @ @ @ @ @ Chief Wendell Franklin said Willis was not forthcoming with investigators .
Officers completed a grid @ @ @ @ @ , looking in trash cans and cars .
Authorities have also used a dive team @ @ @ @ @ water .
Tulsa police did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday .