thetorontostar--2020-02-04--Moving faith: Mexican town’s saint feast lives in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS - In Midwestern boots or bare feet in sandals , the faithful walked in procession down a snow-covered street here , keeping the rhythm of festive music and carrying paintings of St. Paul , the patron saint of their hometown of Axochiapan , Mexico .
For the thousands of migrants from the south Mexico town 2,200 miles away who have built new lives in Minnesota over the last two decades , throwing a wild , two-day bash for St. Paul ’ s Catholic feast day in January is a crucial way to celebrate their roots and feel a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families they left behind .
“ It ’ s even more important because we brought it here , ” says Apolinar Morales , this year ’ s steward of the celebration , who left Axochiapan in 1989 .
“ The meaning is not to lose our traditions , so that they can be kept alive , even though we ’ re far .
And we want our kids and grandkids to remember this.
” He estimates that more than a third of Axochiapan ’ s residents migrated to the United States , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the celebration started here .
The festival here is especially important for those participants who can ’ t go home for the month-long celebration in Axochiapan because of their immigration status .
Most are raising U.S. children for whom this feast is the biggest chance to be immersed in the Mexican part of their identities .
It helps them learn to live the faith of their ancestors , instead of just sticking the venerated painting of St. Paul in a corner , as Morales , 50 , fears the younger generations would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Axochiapan ) are happy because we ’ re enjoying the same celebration in the same way as they are — well , except it ’ s hot there , ” said , grinning , Silverio Camilo .
On the feast ’ s vigil , he stirred with a yard-long wooden spatula some 120 lbs .
of corn dough slowly cooking in Morales ’ suburban garage as flurries fell steadily outside .
Volunteers like him didn ’ t sleep for a few days to prepare the chicken tamale and mole dinners they would serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Masses , processions and dances at the Church of the Incarnation/Sagrado Corazón in south Minneapolis .
To sacrifice time and money as an offering of faith is just as central to honouring St. Paul as the exuberant dancing , many said .
“ Faith is to believe that you make an effort and in return get joy and maybe a blessing ” such as work , said Camilo , who was a teen when he came from Axochiapan 22 years ago .
Among the most time-consuming efforts is creating the processional three-foot candles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pink and yellow flowers .
The faithful began pouring , painting and decorating the wax in September , and this summer they ’ ll start over in whatever colours the next steward picks .
The candle tradition dates back at least sixty years , but the celebration itself has far longer roots across continents and even beliefs .
In 1542 , the Spanish conquistadors took over an Aztec settlement and renamed it in honour of St. Paul - who persecuted the first Christians until a revelation on the road to Damascus turned him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” taking the new faith beyond the Middle East .
It ’ s his conversion that ’ s celebrated on January 25 and represented in the paintings venerated in Axochiapan and Minneapolis .
Legend has it that the painting miraculously refused to go to Axochiapan unless carried in a procession of dancers , according to Morales .
So now , even in 27-degree weather , bare-chested Aztec dancers preceded a replica of the image down a quiet Minneapolis street , their leg bracelets made with dozens of large ayoyote seeds rattling at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conch shell horn .
The rattle was a bit muted when dancers , having left their ornate six-foot feather headdresses on the pews , made their way to receive Communion at Mass inside the 101-year-old church .
Or perhaps it was just drowned out by the trumpets and strings of the mariachi band that was playing “ Pescador de Hombres , ” one of the best-loved modern Catholic hymns in the Spanish-speaking world .
For several members of the Aztec troupes , indigenous dancing was yet another form of devotion to St. Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in inevitably mixed identities .
“ It means a lot to see the sacrifice , the level of respect toward the regalia , the prayers , the dance itself that identify us as Mexicans , ” said dancer Karla Cortez-Ocampo , 29 , who grew up in Minnesota .
“ Many kids don ’ t speak Spanish well , but they respect what it takes to stay in the dance circle.
” In fact , the sense of belonging found in faith and its rituals is crucial to many migrant communities .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar and deeply rooted places available to them , ” said the Rev .
Kevin McDonough , the priest of this diverse parish .
He started his homily by telling the several hundred faithful his counterpart in Axochiapan had phoned to wish them a happy holiday .
On the last night , incense smoke from smouldering embers of copal , a tropical tree , wafted among the giant candles as the procession returned in the darkness to the church , where more hours of dancing followed in front of a massive altar festooned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ Minneapolis patronal feast.
” The banners , the copal , even most of the dancers ’ handmade regalia came from Mexico for the occasion , but one man solemnly carrying a candle wore a Vikings cap .
“ People feel comfortable , at home , ” said Morales of this celebration that migrants like him took with them .
“ We ’ re proud that we brought it here to Minneapolis .
I brought the best that I could.
” Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP is solely responsible for this content .

Giovanna Dell'Orto - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Urgent question from small businesses: When will aid arrive?

NEW YORK - When will the money arrive ?
That ’ s the urgent question for small business owners who have been devastated by the coronavirus outbreak .
They ’ re awaiting help from the $ 2 trillion rescue package signed into law Friday .
But with bills fast coming due , no end to business closings and an economy that ’ s all but shut down , owners are worried about survival .
Millions of owners face April 1 due dates for rent , mortgage , credit card and other payments .
Some have been granted leniency from landlords @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are other business and personal bills that are owed .
And employees — at least those who haven ’ t been laid off — must be paid .
“ How quick can we get these funds ?
“ says Adam Rammel , co-owner of Brewfontaine , a bar and restaurant in Bellefontaine , Ohio , that ’ s now limited to takeout and delivery service .
His revenue is down 60 % .
Yet he has eight staffers , down from his usual 25 , whom he must pay .
“ Relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re a cash business with small margins , “ says Rammel , who is looking to Small Business Administration loans .
He needs the money despite receiving some concessions from his banker .
Freelancers and people whose gig work has vanished are also anxious about having to wait .
“ I need to pay my electric bill and the mortgage , “ says Krista Kowalcyzk , whose Southwest Florida photography business has come to a halt as weddings have been cancelled and customers have decided against having portraits shot .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment benefits .
But while she waits , “ I am terrified that not only do I have no revenue coming in , I have also been asked for thousands of dollars in refunds.
“ At companies small and large , from restaurants and retailers to sports and entertainment venues , revenue has essentially dried up .
The same for the businesses that support those companies .
Even employers that are still operating have lost business as their customers have became too cautious to continue doing business .
The rescue package signed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loans to companies as well as to sole proprietors and freelancers .
The loans can be used for payroll , mortgages , rent and utilities , with those amounts forgiven and payments deferred .
It will also supply small loans that can , depending on an owner ’ s credit score , be approved quickly .
Employers can receive tax credits for retaining workers , though not if they have obtained one of the SBA loans .
Many owners are also seeking separate SBA economic injury disaster loans .
And the Federal Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lend directly to small business owners .
In addition , freelancers are now eligible for unemployment benefits .
And owners can be eligible for the $ 1,200 per person payment that ’ s available to many Americans depending on their income .
Whatever the source of funding , how fast it arrives at businesses across the country is sure to have a significant impact on the economy .
Slightly more than half of American workers are employed at businesses with 500 or fewer employees .
Every lost job means another person will struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unpaid bills , in turn , cut revenue for other businesses .
Layoffs are mounting , and most analysts forecast that the economy will shrink significantly in the April-June quarter , with some estimating a a 30 % annual plunge for the quarter .
That would be deepest economic contraction for any quarter in records dating to Word War II .
In the week that ended March 21 , roughly 3.3 million people applied for unemployment benefits — more than 10 times the number for the previous week and nearly five times the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin has said the small loans would be available starting Friday , and in an interview with the Fox Business Network , Mnuchin said he hoped to release loan forms later Monday .
Katie Vliestra , an executive at the National Association for the Self-Employed , an advocacy group , says she ’ s concerned about the lag time between application and approval for even the small loans that are intended to have the fastest turnaround .
Most small companies have only 15 to 30 days of cash on hand , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logjams at the SBA .
The agency ’ s inspector general ’ s office found that the SBA failed to quickly turn around thousands of loans after Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area in 2017 .
( The SBA didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for information about handling an influx of applications . )
John Arensmeyer , CEO of the advocacy group Small Business Majority , says he ’ s concerned that the loans will be processed through the SBA ’ s traditional business loan program , which relies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Banks have to retool their technology to do this , “ Arensmeyer says .
” It ’ s going to be months before this money gets out there .
How many people are going to be able to maintain payroll , hoping to get this money ?
“ On its face , the rescue aid appears to address some of the most vital needs of small businesses , notably their ability to maintain or hire back furloughed workers eventually .
The issue is whether it will come quickly enough .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jason Duff , owner of Six Hundred Downtown , a restaurant in Bellefontaine , Ohio .
He has a staff of eight , down from 27 , handling deliveries and pickups .
Duff has less than a week of working capital funds available .
He is seeking loans from family and friends as well as some patience from vendors while he awaits federal help .
Don Allison has bills coming due this week for his business , a publisher of books about the Civil War and northwest Ohio history .
He and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2,400 .
But the royalty checks he must send out require a bigger cash infusion .
And he ’ s concerned about being in a long line of owners hoping to receive SBA loans .
“ They ’ re going to be slammed , “ Allison says of the SBA .
“ How big a delay is there going to be ?
” AP Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber in Washington contributed to this report .
Follow Joyce Rosenberg at www.twitter.com/JoyceMRosenberg .
Her work can be found here : https : //apnews.com

Joyce M. Rosenberg - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Wall Street pushes higher, led by surging health care stocks

NEW YORK - Stocks are closing higher again on Wall Street Monday , led by health care stocks , bringing the market ’ s surge over the past week to 17 % .
The S & P 500 rose more than 3 % for its fourth gain in five days , following up its best weekly gain since hitting bottom after the financial crisis 11 years ago .
Trading remains tentative amid uncertainty about whether global authorities can nurse the economy through the severe damage being wrought by the coronavirus pandemic .
The S & P 500 remains 22 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and oil tumbled to an 18-year low .
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story is below : Stocks pushed higher on Wall Street Monday , led by big gains for health care companies announcing developments that could aid in the coronavirus outbreak .
The rally tacked more gains onto a recent upswing for the market , which is coming off the best week for the S & P 500 since hitting bottom after the financial crisis 11 years ago .
Nascent optimism is budding on Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be over , but markets around the world remain tentative amid uncertainty about whether global authorities can nurse the economy through the pandemic .
The S & P 500 remains about 23 % below its record set last month , and oil tumbled to an 18-year low .
In early afternoon trading on Monday , the S & P 500 was up 2.8 % .
European indexes rose modestly after erasing earlier losses .
Asian markets were down , but by much milder degrees than the huge swings that have rocked investors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for health care stocks led the way at the week ’ s open .
Abbott Laboratories jumped 6 % after saying it has a test that can detect the new coronavirus in as little as five minutes .
Johnson & Johnson leaped 7.1 % after it said it expects to begin human clinical studies on a vaccine candidate for COVID-19 by September .
Stocks jumped last week as the Federal Reserve promised to buy as many Treasurys as it takes to get lending markets running smoothly and Capitol Hill agreed on a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
.
“ The market wants to see everything line up , and last week everything lined up , ” said Nela Richardson , investment strategist at Edward Jones , referring to the unprecedented aid from the Fed and Congress .
Now , she said , President Donald Trump also appears to be in sync with health experts about the need to restrict the economy to slow the spread of the virus .
Trump on Sunday extended social-distancing guidelines , which recommend against group gatherings larger than 10 , through the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy open by Easter .
“ Now that message is in line , ” said Richardson .
“ All these things line up coming into this week , and that ’ s why you saw strong performance last week continuing today.
” Some of Monday ’ s sharpest action was in the oil market , where benchmark U.S. crude fell 6.6 % to close at $ 20.09 a barrel .
Earlier , it dipped below $ 20 for the first time since early 2002 .
Oil started the year above $ 60 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a weakened global economy will burn less fuel .
The world is awash in oil , meanwhile , as producers continue to pull more of it out of the ground .
Brent crude , the international standard , fell 8.7 % to $ 22.76 a barrel .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 520 points , or 2.4 % , and the Nasadaq was up 3 % .
Most voices on Wall Street are telling investors to prepare for more losses , but a 16 % surge for stocks since last Monday has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Forced selling by investors looking to raise cash may be easing , and Morgan Stanley strategists said the worst may be behind us .
They say another pullback in stocks is likely , but current levels offer some buying points for investors willing to wait six to 12 months .
“ Our base case is that the lows are in for this bear market for most stocks , ” they wrote in a report .
Goldman Sachs , though , warned the market will likely turn lower in coming weeks , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recover to 3,000 by the year ’ s end .
One factor against markets is that companies aren ’ t buying back as much stock as politicians have railed against repurchases made before the outbreak .
Any slowdown in buybacks will have a big impact because companies themselves have been the single biggest source of demand for U.S. stocks in recent years , according to Goldman Sachs .
Most investors say they expect markets to remain extremely volatile until the virus slows its spread .
Until then , investors won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimately last .
In a sign of increased caution , the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 0.64 % from 0.74 % late Friday .
Economists expect a number of weak reports on the economy to come in through the week .
The lowlight will likely be Friday ’ s jobs report , where economists expect to see the largest fall in the nation ’ s payrolls since the Great Recession .
The number of known infections around the world has topped 741,000 .
The United States has the highest number in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than 156,000 people around the world have also recovered .
Most people who contract COVID-19 have mild or moderate symptoms , which can include fever and cough but also milder cases of pneumonia , sometimes requiring hospitalization .
The risk of death is greater for older adults and people with other health problems .

Stan Choe And Alex Veiga - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--‘Staggering’: New York virus death toll rises above 1,200

NEW YORK - A Navy hospital ship with 1,000 beds arrived Monday in New York City as the number of deaths in the state from the outbreak climbed quickly .
Mayor Bill de Blasio said President Donald Trump ’ s suggestion that thousands of medical masks are disappearing from New York City hospitals is “ insulting ” to front-line medical workers .
The latest coronavirus developments in New York : A Navy hospital ship docked in New York City on Monday as the number of coronavirus-related deaths in the state soared to a “ beyond staggering ” 1,218 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ relief valve , ” treating non-coronavirus patients while the city ’ s increasingly stressed hospitals handle people with COVID-19 , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said .
New York is bracing for an escalation in hospitalizations and deaths in April as the outbreak ’ s projected “ apex ” closes in .
Cuomo noted the statewide death toll has already shot up by 253 in a single day to just over 1,200 .
“ That ’ s a lot of loss , that ’ s a lot of pain , that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a lot of grief that people all across this state are feeling , ” the governor said at a briefing in Manhattan .
Most of those deaths are in New York City , the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak .
And most of the deaths have occurred in just the past few days .
Cuomo said the ultimate number of COVID-19-related deaths will be staggering , then added : “ To me , we ’ re beyond staggering already.
” The massive , white hospital ship pulled into a cruise ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to the 1,000 beds , the Comfort has 12 operating rooms that could be up and running within 24 hours .
The ship , which was sent to New York City after 9-11 as a respite centre for first-responders , is docked just north of a temporary hospital constructed inside the cavernous Jacob K. Javits Convention Center .
State and city officials are trying to increase hospital capacity by up to 87,000 beds to handle the outbreak .
“ We bring a message to all New Yorkers – now , your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you committed in this fight , ” said Rear Admiral John Mustin .
There are 9,500 people in New York currently hospitalized for COVID-19 , with more than 2,300 in intensive care .
In a rare bit of good news , the rapid increase in hospitalizations seems to have slowed down recently , Cuomo said .
The state has more than 66,000 confirmed cases , mostly in New York City .
Two more New York City health care workers have died of the coronavirus , days after the first confirmed death .
De @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocran , a psych educator at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx , and Theresa Lococo , a pediatric nurse at Kings County Hospital .
Ocran was previously the head nurse of the psych unit at Jacobi and was working , in part , to support her mother in Africa , de Blasio said .
On March 20 , Ocran changed her profile picture on Facebook to include a mantra familiar to people on the front lines of the coronavirus fight : “ I can ’ t stay home ...
I ’ m a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s hospital system for 48 years , de Blasio said .
Last week , Mount Sinai West emergency room nurse Kious Kelly died Tuesday after a 10-day bout with the virus .
De Blasio and others criticized Trump for suggesting with no clear evidence that thousands of medical masks are disappearing from New York City hospitals .
At a Sunday briefing , the president told reporters they should be asking , “ Where are the masks going ?
Are they going out the back door ?
” Those remarks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front lines of the city ’ s coronavirus crisis , de Blasio said Monday .
“ It ’ s incredibly insensitive to people right now who are giving their all , “ he said .
” I don ’ t know what the president is talking about.
” Hospitals had warned staff early on during the outbreak to not take masks home with them , but no evidence has emerged of large-scale looting of supplies .
Kenneth Raske , president of the Greater New York Hospital Association , said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the president ’ s comment .
Cuomo told reporters he didn ’ t know what the president ’ s back-door comment meant .
“ If he wants to make an accusation , then let him make an accusation , ” Cuomo said .
“ But I don ’ t know what he ’ s trying to say by inference.
” Police in New York City have caught the first bar owner to violate a coronavirus shutdown by running a speakeasy , according to a news report on Monday .
The New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pando after they found a dozen people drinking and gambling at a Brooklyn sports bar that was supposed to keep its doors closed during the crisis .
It said Vasil was facing illegal sale of alcohol and other criminal charges .
A name for an attorney wasn ’ t listed in court records on Monday .
The report comes a day after Blasio warned of more stringent social-distancing measures , including fines of up to $ 500 if they refused police orders to disperse .
New Yorkers have “ been warned and warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ if they haven ’ t gotten the message by now , ” he said .
Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak and Michael Hill contributed from New York and Albany , N.Y. , respectively .

Tom Hays And Marina Villeneuve - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Florida governor doesn’t want cruise ship to dock in state

MIAMI - Gov .
Ron DeSantis doesn ’ t want the people on a cruise ship where four people died and others are sick to be treated in Florida , saying the state does not have the capacity to treat outsiders as the coronavirus outbreak spreads .
DeSantis also told a news conference he expects South Florida ’ s four counties — Miami-Dade , Broward , Palm Beach and Monroe — will be on near-lockdown until mid-May .
DeSantis said it would be “ a mistake ” to bring the passengers from Holland America ’ s Zandaam onshore for treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of new coronavirus infections and that rate is growing .
He said the area ’ s hospital beds need to be saved for residents and not “ foreign nationals.
” “ We would like to have medical personnel dispatched to the ship , ” DeSantis said as he visited a test site at the Miami Dolphins stadium in Miami Gardens .
He wants the cruise line to arrange that .
The Zandaam left Argentina on March 7 and has not been allowed to dock for more than two weeks .
A sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers who didn ’ t appear to be infected .
They were allowed through the Panama Canal on Sunday night and are about three days from Florida .
The Zaandam had four doctors and four nurses to treat 1,243 passengers and 586 crew members .
About 130 onboard have symptoms , officials said .
It is unknown how many passengers and crew have been placed on the Rotterdam .
Holland America said the Zaandam currently has 138 U.S. citizens on board , while another 166 U.S. citizens were transferred to the Rotterdam .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Coast Guard and the White House about diverting the ship .
Broward County officials will meet Tuesday to decide whether to let the ship dock at its Port Everglades cruise ship terminal , where workers who greet passengers were among Florida ’ s first confirmed coronavirus cases .
Orlando technical writer Laura Gabaroni , 48 , and her husband were transferred from the Zaandam to the Rotterdam on Saturday .
In a phone interview Monday with The Associated Press , Gabaroni said she wrote a letter to DeSantis pleading that the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Florida continues to receive flights from New York and it allowed spring break gatherings to go on as planned .
Why turn their backs on us ?
“ said Gabaroni , who works for a defence contractor .
“ We hope our elected officials will do the right thing : let the Americans disembark and safely quarantine.
” Port Everglades officials said Holland American must submit a plan before arrival that addresses a long list of requirements for entry into the port .
“ Clearly what must be done is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Broward Mayor Dale Holness said Monday .
The number of confirmed cases in Florida neared 5,500 on Monday with 62 deaths .
About 60 % of the diagnosed cases are in the four South Florida counties .
DeSantis said he would issue an executive order Monday unifying the lockdown order between the counties .
They already have ordered the closures of non-essential retail businesses , beaches and parks .
DeSantis said the high rate of infection is why he expects the area to be locked down for at least six more weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was likely circulating in the area when Miami hosted tens of thousands of guests for the Super Bowl in early February , but any illnesses were thought to be the flu at that point .
Despite criticism from Democrats and others , DeSantis has refused to issue a statewide lockdown like many other states have imposed , saying it wouldn ’ t be fair to counties with few or no reported cases .
Most of those are small , rural counties along the state ’ s northern border .
Counties in the Tampa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own lockdown orders .
In Tampa , Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister issued an arrest warrant Monday for Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne for defying the county ’ s order by holding services that attracted hundreds on Sunday .
The pastor turned himself in to authorities later Monday .
The church has said it sanitized the building , and the pastor said on Twitter that the church is an essential business .
He also attacked the media for “ religious bigotry and hate.
” For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , even death .
The vast majority of people recover , but a surge of cases needing hospital support could overwhelm the health care system ’ s capacity .
Spencer reported from Fort Lauderdale .
Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami and Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale contributed to this report .
This story has been corrected to show that the passenger ’ s name is “ Gabaroni , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Kelli Kennedy And Terry Spencer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Conditions for companies that get virus aid: Room for abuse?

WASHINGTON - A $ 500 billion federal aid package for companies and governments hurt by the coronavirus includes rules aimed at ensuring that the taxpayer money is used in ways that would help sustain the economy .
But questions are being raised about whether those guardrails will prevent the kinds of abuses that have marked some corporate bailouts of the past .
In return for the emergency loans , which could be spun by the Federal Reserve into up to $ 4.5 trillion , companies will face temporary limits on what they can pay executives .
They ’ ll also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least not lay off more than 10 % for several months .
And they ’ ll face restrictions on stock buybacks and dividend increases .
Yet loopholes may lurk in the legislation .
“ On paper , it looks like we learned the lessons , ’ ’ said James Angel , an associate professor of finance at Georgetown University ’ s McDonough School of Business .
“ But the devil is in the details .
...
There ’ s a lot of room around the edges.
” The legislation establishes a system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue money .
The oversight is widely thought to exceed the standards for the bailouts of banks and automakers in the 2008-09 financial crisis .
Critics have long attacked those bailouts as an unwarranted giveaway to corporations whose conduct contributed directly to the crisis .
Under the just-enacted $ 2.2 trillion package , a government watchdog and a panel appointed by Congress will monitor how the billions in aid are deployed and whether its corporate recipients are meeting the restrictions .
President Donald Trump wasted little time , though , in throwing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relief package Friday , Trump issued a statement that seemed to reject the independence of a new inspector general ’ s office .
He said he wouldn ’ t recognize the inspector general ’ s right to report to Congress without “ presidential supervision.
” Trump ’ s statement went on to dispute other aspects of the oversight rules , including that Congress should be consulted in the allocation of relief money .
It will be up to Trump to appoint the special inspector general for the bailout fund , who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By any standards , the overall package is a staggering pot of money — by far the largest in the history of crisis relief for industries and local governments .
About $ 425 billion is to be used by the Treasury Department to support the Fed ’ s emergency lending programs .
These include loans for small and medium-sized businesses .
Because the companies , states and cities are deemed likely to repay the loans , the Fed is able to to leverage the money into up to roughly $ 4 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this scale and scope ... when things are moving so fast , will need vigorous scrutiny , ” said Phil Angelides , a former California state treasurer who led the 10-member congressional oversight panel for the financial-crisis bailout .
Peter Henning , a law professor at Wayne State University and a former Justice Department attorney , notes that the bailout program gives wide latitude to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
“ Secretary Mnuchin has authority to basically negotiate any kind of loan that he wants , “ Henning said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who doesn ’ t. ” For companies that receive emergency aid , there may be wiggle room in the conditions attached to it .
While they can ’ t shrink their workforce by more than 10 % through the fall , there ’ s no prohibition against cutting employee wages — except for airlines that receive direct grants .
These grants must be used for employee pay and benefits .
Companies could also reduce workers ’ hours and overtime without running afoul of a ban on breaching union contracts .
“ A lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensation fall even though they still have a job , ” Georgetown ’ s Angel said .
“ Just the fear of that puts the brakes on the economy.
” In addition , some corporate recipients of aid will likely find ways to bypass limits on executive compensation , Angel suggested , through how stock options are valued or through non-financial perks like housing and travel expenses .
During the financial crisis , public advocates railed against revelations of excessive pay packages for executives at some banks and automakers that received billions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equity stakes in the companies in exchange for emergency loans — an idea that Trump has endorsed for the new aid program .
This is likely to be the case for airlines that receive direct federal grants .
Another condition is that recipient companies can not buy back their own shares from investors for at least a year after the loan term ends .
This restriction may be easier than others to monitor because of public reporting requirements for stock transactions .
Buybacks tend to inflate stock prices by reducing the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bonanza for executives whose compensation comes mainly in stock awards and options rather than salary .
Better to use the aid , critics say , to preserve employee jobs or wages , invest in expansion or build cash reserves for future emergencies .
Four big airlines — American , United , Delta and Southwest — spent a combined $ 39 billion in the past five years on share buybacks , according to S & P Global .
The new $ 500 billion relief fund earmarks up to $ 50 billion for loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion for cargo carriers ; and up to $ 17 billion for “ businesses critical to maintaining national security “ — regarded as a life vest for Boeing .
The struggles of the aircraft giant , reeling from the grounding of its 737 Max jet , have deepened as air travel has nearly halted .
In addition to airlines , the distressed industries that have pleaded for federal help include hotels , restaurants , retailers and manufacturers .
The emergency loans for corporations , to run up to five years , bar executives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 425,000 last year from receiving compensation that would exceed their 2019 total .
Nor will “ golden parachutes ” payments for senior executives who are let go be allowed to exceed twice an executive ’ s 2019 compensation if it topped $ 425,000 .
And executives who earned over $ 3 million last year can not receive compensation exceeding $ 3 million plus half of any 2019 pay over $ 3 million .


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Judge halts lawsuits against local Boy Scout councils

DOVER , Del .
- A Delaware bankruptcy judge has granted a request by the Boy Scouts of America to halt lawsuits against local Scout councils as the BSA works on its bankruptcy plan to set up a compensation fund for thousands of men who were molested as boys by Scout leaders .
The judge on Monday approved a proposed consent order that had been agreed to by the BSA and official bankruptcy committees representing abuse survivors and other unsecured creditors .
In doing so , the judge overruled a lone objection by attorneys for one abuse survivor who wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Niagara Frontier Council in New York and former scout master Douglas Nail .
Nail , who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography in 2004 , is accused of molesting a former Boy Scout over a period of several years in the 1980s .
Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein ’ s ruling puts the lawsuit against the Greater Niagara council on hold while allowing litigation to proceed against Nail .
The Boy Scouts initially sought to halt all litigation against local councils for six months from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filing .
The agreement forged with the creditors committees calls for the lawsuits to be put on hold through May 18 , with the possibility of an extension .
“ In the scheme of litigation , a stay of 55 days is not a long time , or for that matter , even unusual , ” Silverstein said .
In granting the BSA ’ s request for a preliminary injunction , Silverstein said the interests and missions of the BSA and its local councils are “ inextricably intertwined.
” “ The evidence shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identical to those claims against the Greater Niagara Frontier Council and are based on identical facts , ” she added .
The judge noted that the BSA and local councils also are covered under a single excess insurance policy , and that BSA has played a key role in defending lawsuits by abuse survivors .
The insurance policy in question once had a $ 25 million limit but now stands at about $ 18 million because of previous settlements .
“ Given my finding that the claims are inextricably intertwined , going forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any fashion ignores the reality of the way the case is being defended , ” she said .
With its finances and reputation damaged by the sexual abuse scandal , the Scouts sought bankruptcy protection with a plan to set up a victims ’ compensation fund for thousands of men who were molested as boys by Scout leaders over decades .
Silverstein said about 275 lawsuits were pending and another 1,400 claims had been identified , but not filed , when BSA sought bankruptcy protection .
More claims will be filed as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be given an opportunity to see if they can forge an exit from bankruptcy , “ the judge said , adding there is a “ strong public policy interest ” in giving BSA space to see if a resolution can be reached with the victims .
More than 12,000 boys have been molested by 7,800 abusers since the 1920s , according to Boy Scout files revealed in court papers .
Most of the more recent cases date to the 1960s , ‘ 70s and ‘ 80s , before the Boy Scouts adopted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for staff and volunteers , and a rule that two or more adult leaders must be present during all activities .
The proposed victims compensation fund could top $ 1 billion , but to raise the money , the national organization could be forced to sell some of its vast real estate holdings .
Attorneys for the victims already have made clear that they will also try to go after campsites and other properties owned by the 261 local councils .
The local councils , which run day-to-day operations for local troops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are considered by the Boy Scouts of America to be legally separate entities .
But the Boy Scouts argued that the councils are so closely related to the parent organization that the halt to lawsuits that is automatically granted to a debtor in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy should be extended to the local organizations .
Jessica Boelter , an attorney for the Boy Scouts , argued in a telephonic hearing last week that there is a finite amount of insurance available for abuse survivors , and that the New York plaintiff should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front of the line.
” Rejecting the preliminary injunction and allowing the New York plaintiff to proceed with his lawsuit would lead to “ a race to the courthouse ” against local councils that have access to BSA ’ s insurance policies , she added .
Boelter ’ s concerns were echoed by James Stang , an attorney working with the official committee of abuse survivors .
“ We have to look at the entire constituency and not just one person , ” he said .
Richard Weisbeck Jr. , an attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that BSA is trying to protect the local councils during the bankruptcy and using the shared insurance policy as “ the tail wagging the dog.
” He also argued that the injunction would violate the New York Child Victims Act , an argument that the judge rejected .


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Pastor arrested for violating rules amid virus outbreak

TAMPA , Fla. - Florida officials have arrested the pastor of a megachurch after detectives say he held two Sunday services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
According to jail records , Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne turned himself in to authorities Monday afternoon in Hernando County , where he lives .
He was charged with unlawful assembly and violation of a public health emergency order .
Bail was set at $ 500 , according to the jail ’ s website .
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attorney of Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne to turn himself in to authorities in Hernando County .
His church is located in Tampa .
Chronister said his command staff met with The River at Tampa Bay Church leaders about the danger they are putting themselves — and their congregation — in by not maintaining appropriate social distancing , but Howard-Browne held the services .
The Sheriff ’ s Office also placed a digital sign on the road near the church driveway that said “ practice social distancing.
” “ Shame on this pastor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this staff for forcing us to do our job .
That ’ s not what we wanted to do during a declared state of emergency , ” Chronister said .
“ We are hopeful that this will be a wakeup call.
“ The church has said it sanitized the building , and the pastor said on Twitter that the church is an essential business .
He also attacked the media for “ religious bigotry and hate.
” The county and governor ’ s orders require gatherings , including those held by faith-based groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit the spread of COVID-19 .
A live stream of Sunday ’ s three-and-a-half-hour church service showed scores of congregants .
In a Facebook post , Howard-Browne said coronavirus “ is blown totally way out of proportion.
” On March 18 , the church called its ministry an essential service , just like police and firefighters , and said it would keep its doors open .
In a Facebook video Sunday , Howard-Browne said “ it looks like we ’ re going to have to go to court over this because the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is really about your voice .
The voice of the body of Christ , ” he said .
As recently as last year , Howard-Browne ’ s church hosted an event with Paula White Cain , who was named an advisor leading President Donald Trump ’ s Faith and Opportunity Initiative .
She ’ s also an unofficial spiritual advisor to the president .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Tamara Lush And Chris O'Meara - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Dubai’s Emaar posts $1.68B in profit, but revenue slips

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Dubai ’ s premier developer Emaar Properties posted on Monday net profits of $ 1.68 billion for 2019 , but revenue slightly dipped for the builder of the world ’ s tallest tower as it faces an even tougher year ahead due to the global coronavirus pandemic .
Emaar said that in view of current circumstances , the company ’ s board did not recommend a dividend to shareholders for 2019 .
Dubai ’ s sovereign wealth fund owns about a third of the company , which is publicly traded .
Just as Emaar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its outlook for this year , local organizers recommended on Monday pushing back Dubai ’ s Expo 2020 to next year due to the virus that ’ s halted travel around the world .
Dubai had bet billions of dollars on the Expo to rejuvenate its troubled economy .
Like other major local developers , Emaar had been pinning hopes on the six-month-long World Fair this fall .
In its earnings report , subsidiary Emaar Malls , which owns the world ’ s largest mall , the Dubai Mall , said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to tourism driven by the Expo .
Emaar recently suspended operations at three of its hotels in the wake of government curbs on all visitor visas due to the virus .
The company has not responded to numerous requests for comment by The Associated Press .
Emaar ’ s revenue of $ 6.7 billion in 2019 was down from $ 7 billion the year before .
Its net profits of $ 1.68 billion were similar to the previous year ’ s $ 1.67 billion .
Emaar had last year announced profits of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher than the $ 1.5 billion in 2017 .
The 2018 figure , however , was adjusted down to $ 1.67 billion , according to the latest earnings report out Monday , due to the adoption of new standards and interpretations with regard to taxes , borrowing costs and other factors .
Subsidiary , Emaar Development , also announced lower revenue of $ 3.45 billion .
Net profits were also down from $ 1.06 billion in 2018 to $ 735 million last year .
The company said it had property sales of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described as a challenging market .
Emaar Malls netted profits of $ 622 million , up slightly from $ 607 million in 2018 .
Revenue was also slightly higher at $ 1.27 billion in 2019 .
Emaar released its earnings reports on the Dubai Financial Market without a press release as has been the case in past years .
Global ratings agency S & P lowered its ratings for Emaar Properties over the weekend .
Emaar has around 30,000 residences under development in the United Arab Emirates and some 17,000 globally .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartments and villas in Dubai and other markets .
A slump in real estate prices last year prompted Dubai ’ s ruler to establish a commission to slowdown the pace of new construction projects .


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Groups: More time needed to weigh New Mexico drilling plan

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. - Archaeologists , historians and environmentalists are joining New Mexico ’ s congressional delegation and a coalition of Native American tribes in asking federal land managers to grant more time for the public to comment on a contested plan that will guide oil and gas development near Chaco Culture National Historical Park .
The federal government should wait until the coronavirus outbreak subsides to ensure the public has an adequate opportunity to participate , the groups have argued in a series of letters sent to the U.S .
Interior Department and the Bureau of Land Management in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association , the National Trust for Historic Preservation , the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and other groups issued their plea Friday , noting that many tribal communities vested in the outcome lack reliable internet service and that virtual meetings would be impossible for many .
Making a final decision on the proposed resource management plan without adequate public engagement would be a violation of federal laws and guidelines , they said .
“ Planning documents are simply too important and impactful to be advanced without face-to-face engagement with the interested public , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curb drilling in northwestern New Mexico ’ s share of the San Juan Basin has spanned at least three presidential administrations .
While drilling is off-limits within Chaco park ’ s boundaries , concerns in recent years have expanded beyond environmental effects to the preservation of cultural landmarks .
Tribes , environmentalists and archaeologists all warn that unchecked development could compromise significant spots outside the boundaries of the World Heritage site .
While tribal leaders from outside the area want to halt drilling around Chaco , top Navajo Nation leaders have been more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant source of revenue for the tribe and for individual Navajo property owners .
Navajo lawmakers recently voted to support a buffer around the park only half the size of the one outlined in federal legislation pending in Congress .
The All Pueblo Council of Governors , which represents 20 tribal communities , said in its letter to federal officials that the public health emergency has forced the closure of many non-essential government operations and resources have been redirected to provide emergency services .
“ For many , this means staff who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to the ( plan ) , including our tribal historic preservation officers and environmental department staff , are not available , ” said J. Michael Chavarria , the council ’ s chairman .
The groups are asking that the comment period be extended by at least 120 days .
New Mexico ’ s congressional delegation says that would also allow more time for tribes to craft an ethnographic study for the federal government to consider .
It was not immediately clear if federal officials would consider granting an extension .
U.S. land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of possible alternatives for managing development in the San Juan Basin , one of the nation ’ s oldest oil and gas basins .
Environmentalists and others complained the options failed to take into account the cumulative costs of increased drilling and threats to Native American cultural sites .
Officials with the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs indicated their preference for an alternative that would “ balance community needs and development ” while limiting impacts on the traditional , socioeconomic and cultural way of life of those @ @ @ @ @ @

Susan Montoya Bryan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Celebrities, civil rights groups form coalition on census

ORLANDO , Fla. - Civil rights groups , lawmakers , attorney generals , former Census Bureau directors , former Commerce Department secretaries and actors like Rita Moreno and George Takei said Monday they were forming a coalition to monitor and protect the confidentiality of the 2020 census .
The goals of the coalition of 275 groups and individuals are to monitor and stop any breaches of confidentiality in the data from the 2020 census .
Federal law has strong protections against the release of any personal information from the census , but with distrust of the federal government growing over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to reassure the public any problems are being monitored , organizers said .
The failed effort by the Trump administration to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census questionnaire also raised suspicions about the confidentiality of the census data among immigrants and minority groups , who may hesitate to participate in the census if they worry their information will be shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other federal agencies , organizers said .
Anyone who feels the confidentiality of their census information has been breached can call four multilingual hotlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition members will take action , either by publicizing the breach or filing a legal challenge , organizers said .
“ I don ’ t anticipate a breach but really the pledge is an effort to reassure the general public who doesn ’ t have an awareness about how strong census privacy laws are , ” said Thomas Saenz , president of the Mexican American Legal Defence and Educational Fund .
“ There ’ s nothing wrong with having a watchdog on the outside .
Takei , a former star of the original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” noted that during World War Two Census Bureau information helped identify where Japanese-Americans were living .
About 120,000 people of Japanese descent on the West Coast , including a young Takei and his family , were sent to internment camps .
“ I was one of them and I ’ m mindful of that history , “ Takei said Monday on a conference call .
The formation of the coalition comes as increasing numbers of U.S. residents have grown aware that the once-a-decade head count of the nation is taking place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older people more likely than younger ones to have heard something about the 2020 census , according to a new survey released Monday .
Between early January and early March , those who had seen or heard something about the census grew from half to two-thirds of respondents , the Pew Research Center survey found .
The Pew Research Center conducted two surveys , one in early January and another in late February and early March .
In between the two surveys , the U.S. Census Bureau launched a $ 500 million outreach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the head count , and about half of the money was devoted to a media campaign that will pay for more than 1,000 ads .
The 2020 census will help determine how many congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets , as well as the distribution of $ 1.5 trillion in federal spending .
Those who definitely or probably will participate in the 2020 census went from 78 % to 80 % , and those who are most enthusiastic — saying they definitely will participate in the census — went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time , according to the latest Pew survey .
The head count started in late January in rural , native villages in Alaska , but the rest of the country wasn ’ t able to start answering the questionnaire until the second week of March .
The coronavirus crisis pushed back the deadline for finishing the 2020 census from late-July to mid-August and forced the suspension of field operations for a month from mid-March to mid-April .
Of those who have heard something recently about the census , 70 % said some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 61 % said it came from the news .
More than a quarter of respondents heard about the census from the social media posts of people they know , the Pew survey said .
The survey indicated that the media blitz is penetrating some racial and ethnic groups more than others .
Hispanic respondents were more likely than white or blacks to say that information on the census they saw or heard came from an ad , the news or social media , according to the survey .
The latest Pew survey of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 to March 9 , right before fears of the novel coronavirus in the U.S. took off .
At the start of that time-frame , the CDC reported the first U.S. patient who had gotten the virus from an unknown origin and the end of that time frame was just two days before President Donald Trump announced he was restricting travel from Europe to the U.S. for 30 days in an effort to slow the virus ’ s spread .
The questioning of survey participants also finished more than a week before governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Separately , a Census Bureau watchdog warned that a telephone system used to answer the questions of people filling out their census forms wasn ’ t used during a test run of the 2020 census in Rhode Island in 2018 .
The new , off-the-shelf system for the Census Questionnaire Assistance operation “ presents significant risk “ because of the lack of time for testing , according to last week ’ s report from the Office of Inspector General .
The Census Bureau said in a response that while the system hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live , public environment , ” it has undergone numerous internal tests and passed each one .


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--In move likely aimed at Liberty, on-campus teaching halted

RICHMOND , Va. - Virginia ’ s governor on Monday ordered all higher education institutions to stop any in-person instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic , a move likely directed at Liberty University .
The evangelical college in Lynchburg led by President Jerry Falwell Jr. has faced intense criticism over its decision to welcome students back to campus last week after the end of their spring break .
The vast majority of classes have been moved online , but the university has said publicly that in-person instruction was necessary for a few select courses .
“ We are currently reviewing what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to make a comment at this moment , ” said Liberty spokesman Scott Lamb .
Lamb said he couldn ’ t immediately say whether any in-person instruction was continuing Monday , but the university ’ s website specifically mentioned that flight training for aeronautics courses would “ remain in the traditional face to face format.
” Falwell , one of President Donald Trump ’ s earliest and most ardent high-profile supporters , has generally characterized concerns about the virus as overblown .
He has accused the news media of stoking fear and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt the president .
Still , the university has said it would comply with all applicable governmental directives and guidance concerning COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus that has crippled economies and upended daily life around much of the world .
Last week , Northam quoted from scripture in urging Falwell to rethink “ his message that invites and encourages students to return to campus.
” Earlier this month , at a time when a flood of colleges began announcing plans to extend spring breaks or move instruction online , Liberty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume .
That also prompted an outcry and a petition was starte d , asking Liberty to move instruction online .
Two weeks ago , Liberty announced a switch , telling students that most classes would be able to finish out the spring term in an online format .
Certain programs , such as aviation , osteopathic medicine and nursing , and certain types of performance classes , like labs , could not be offered online , a statement said .
“ Students in those programs and classes will only be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will involve gatherings of more than 100 people , “ Liberty said .
Eli Best , a sophomore engineering major from Alexandria in northern Virginia , said he went home for spring break and returned because he had class projects that he thought needed to be finished and required the use of the on-campus machine shop .
“ I didn ’ t see any other way to complete them , “ he said .
Best said Monday that all the shops and equipment he needed have since been shut down , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the top local public health official have said they ’ ve been fielding complaints from concerned residents and Liberty parents about the school ’ s response .
The city currently has four confirmed COVID-19 cases , according to the latest information available from the state Department of Health .
Falwell tweeted Sunday night that only one off-campus student who never left Lynchburg had tested positive for the virus — a response to a story in the New York Times that said nearly a dozen Liberty students were sick with symptoms that suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Court: Grand jury records from lynching can’t be released

ATLANTA - The grand jury records from the 1946 lynching of two black couples in Georgia can not be released despite their great historical significance , a federal appeals court said .
The 11th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled 8-4 that federal judges don ’ t have authority to disclose grand jury records for reasons other than those provided for in the rules governing grand jury secrecy .
Roger and Dorothy Malcom and George and Mae Murray Dorsey were riding in a car on a rural road in July 1946 when a white mob stopped it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overlooking the Apalachee River .
The mob dragged the young black sharecroppers to the river ’ s edge and shot them to death .
The slayings shocked the nation , and the FBI descended upon the rural community in Walton County , about 50 miles ( 80 kilometres ) east of Atlanta .
Following a monthslong investigation , more than 100 people reportedly testified before a federal grand jury in December 1946 , but no one was indicted .
Historian Anthony Pitch wrote about the killings — “ The Last Lynching : How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia Town ” — and continued his research after the book ’ s 2016 publication .
He learned transcripts of the grand jury proceedings , once thought to have been destroyed , were stored by the National Archives .
Pitch , died in June at age 80 , but his widow took on the fight , along with Laura Wexler , who wrote another book about the lynching and joined the case at the family ’ s request .
Joe Bell , a lawyer for Pitch ’ s widow , said he plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He ’ s looking down from a better spot , “ Bell said of Pitch .
“ He ’ s going to guide me through this.
” Rules governing grand jury secrecy provide specific exceptions that allow for the release of records .
An 11th Circuit decision from 1984 had said judges may go beyond that and order their disclosure in “ exceptional circumstances.
” Relying on that precedent , a federal judge in 2017 granted Pitch ’ s petition and ordered the Moore ’ s Ford grand jury records unsealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing the secrecy of grand jury proceedings .
A three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit ruled 2-1 in February 2019 to uphold the lower court ’ s order .
But the full court voted to rehear the case , and oral arguments before all 12 judges were held in October .
The full court opinion released Friday reversed the lower court ruling that had been affirmed by the panel and also overturned the court ’ s 1984 ruling .
The majority opinion written by Senior Judge Gerald Tjoflat says the exceptions listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exhaustive .
Judges “ do not possess the inherent , supervisory power to order the release of grand jury records in instances not covered by the rule , “ he wrote .
In a concurring opinion , Judge Adalberto Jordan agreed that those exceptions are exclusive and that judges can not go beyond them , but he said it ’ s time to review the rules .
The Judicial Conference ’ s Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules in 2012 decided not to go forward with a proposal from then-U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosure for historically significant grand jury materials , ” Jordan wrote .
The committee found the amendment unnecessary at the time but said the issue might be ripe for consideration later .
With a split between judicial circuits and a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to take up the issue , “ it appears that day is upon us , ” Jordan wrote .
Judge Charles Wilson wrote in a dissenting opinion that the court should leave in place its 1984 opinion and uphold the release of the Moore ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s power to disclose grand jury materials outside of the provided exceptions is limited and the burden on the petitioner is high , but this case meets that bar , he wrote .
The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act — passed by Congress and signed in January 2019 by the president — provides for the review and release of government records related to unsolved civil rights cold cases .
That makes it clear that Congress , which adopted the grand jury secrecy rules , intended for judges to have the authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stated exceptions , Judge Robin Rosenbaum wrote in a separate dissent .
The lynching happened in 1946 after Roger Malcom , 24 , had been jailed after stabbing and gravely injuring a white man , Barnett Hester , during an argument .
A white farmer , Loy Harrison , paid $ 600 to bail Malcom out on July 25 , 1946 .
Harrison later said he was ambushed by a mob as he drove the Malcoms and Dorseys home .
Harrison , identified in an FBI report as a former Ku Klux @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t hurt .
He told authorities he didn ’ t recognize anyone in the mob .
The killings remain unsolved , despite law enforcement having reopened the case several times and efforts by students , researchers and activists to crack the case .
Before the October arguments , the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 30 news organizations , including The Associated Press , submitted a brief in support of Pitch that the court rejected without explanation .


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Dutch museum says van Gogh painting stolen in overnight raid

THE HAGUE , Netherlands - A painting by Dutch master Vincent van Gogh was stolen in an overnight smash-and-grab raid on a museum that was closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , police and the museum said Monday .
The Singer Laren museum east of Amsterdam said that “ The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring 1884 ” by the Dutch master was taken in the early hours of Monday .
By early afternoon , all that could be seen from the outside of the museum was a large white panel covering a door in the building ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evert van Os said the institution that houses the collection of American couple William and Anna Singer is “ angry , shocked , sad ” at the theft .
The value of the work , which was on loan from the Groninger Museum in the northern Dutch city of Groningen , was not immediately known .
Van Gogh ’ s paintings , when they rarely come up for sale , fetch millions at auction .
“ I ’ m shocked and unbelievably annoyed that this has happened , ” said Singer Laren museum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This beautiful and moving painting by one of our greatest artists stolen - removed from the community , “ he added .
“ It is very bad for the Groninger Museum , it is very bad for the Singer , but it is terrible for us all because art exists to be seen and shared by us , the community , to enjoy to draw inspiration from and to draw comfort from , especially in these difficult times.
” The 25-by-57-centimetre ( 10-by-22-inch ) oil on paper painting shows a person standing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church tower in the background .
It dates to a time when the artist had moved back to his family in a rural area of the Netherlands and painted the life he saw there , including his famous work “ The Potato Eaters , ” in mostly sombre tones .
Later , he moved to southern France , where he developed a far more colorful , vibrant style of painting as his health declined before his death in 1890 .
Police said in a statement that the thief or thieves smashed a glass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That set off an alarm that sent officers rushing to the museum but by the time they got there the painting and whoever stole it were gone .
A team including forensics and art theft experts was studying video footage and questioning neighbours .
Van Os said the museum ’ s security worked “ according to protocol , ” but he added : “ Obviously we can learn from this.
” Before the closure , the museum was hosting an exhibition titled “ Mirror of the Soul “ with works by artists ranging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in co-operation with Amsterdam ’ s Rijksmuseum .
The Singer Laren ’ s collection has a focus on modernism such as neo-impressionism , pointillism , expressionism and cubism .
It is not the first high profile theft from the museum .
In 2007 , thieves stole seven works from its sculpture garden , including a bronze cast of “ The Thinker ” by Auguste Rodin .
The famous sculpture was recovered a few days later , missing a leg .


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Singer John Prine is in stable condition, his wife says

NEW YORK - John Prine is in stable condition after being placed on a ventilator while being treated for COVID-19-type symptoms , his wife , Fiona Whelan Prine said Monday .
The singer-songwriter ’ s family said Sunday that Prine was critically ill. Fiona Prine ’ s message Monday on social media , suggested his condition had improved overnight .
Prine remains hospitalized .
“ Please continue to send your amazing love and prayers , ” she said on Twitter .
“ Sing his songs .
Stay home and wash hands .
John loves you .
I love you.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in jeopardy provoked an outpouring of affection for Prine .
Joan Baez responded with a video of her playing his song “ Hello In There “ from her kitchen .
Fiona Prine earlier in March tested positive for coronavirus and said the couple was quarantined and isolated from each other .
Fiona Prine , who is also Prine ’ s manager , said Monday that she has recovered from COVD-19 .
The 73-year-old Prine , one of the most influential in folk and country music , has twice fought cancer .
Most recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2013 and had part of a lung removed .
The surgeries affected his voice but Prine continued to make music and to tour .
Before the onset of the virus , Prine had shows scheduled in May and a summer tour planned .
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thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Will the coronavirus make permanent our diminishing need for human contact?

SEOUL , SOUTH KOREA—Before dawn , bags of groceries ordered online are plopped at my front door by deliverymen ( -women ? )
whose faces I ’ ll never see .
I summon taxis on my smartphone , rendering unnecessary even the brief conversation to give the driver my destination or discuss an optimal route .
All manners of food — from steaming stews to sushi to the seemingly most ephemeral of dishes , shaved ice — can be ordered for delivery within the hour .
If I so choose , I can avoid even a split-second of face time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the food be left outside my door .
In Seoul , one of the most densely packed metropolises in the world , I can glide through a day dining out , shopping and even singing karaoke on my own without ever interfacing with another human .
My world is one of apps , tablets and self-service screens .
It ’ s almost as if the city was girding itself for this moment in history , when each and every face-to-face interaction has come to feel like a game of Russian roulette .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , social distancing was becoming a way of life in my native South Korea , as it was around a globe increasingly accustomed to same-day shipping , on-demand service apps and more streamed entertainment than one could watch in a lifetime .
The precision and convenience of drop-down menus and electronic payments has taken the place of in-person transactions ; the allure of algorithm-optimized content and infinitely replenishing social media has come to trump the less sure bet of flesh-and-blood company .
The coronavirus , in forcing a swath of humanity to shelter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may very well accelerate that digital sequestration and seal us more deeply in the glow of our screen-enabled confines .
It ’ s a grand social experiment of an unprecedented scale .
When we emerge from weeks or months of distancing from one another , will we crave and relish human contact , or realize how comfortably we can live without it ?
What will that do to us ?
“ I think this will become the new normal , ” said Koo Bon-kwon , a South Korean columnist and author who writes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ A chunk of our society will experience this for the first time and realize , there isn ’ t a whole lot of difference to workflow , productivity and performance.
” It ’ s long been the paradox of urban living that the closer we ’ re packed together , the more anonymous and alienated we become .
The novel coronavirus has added to even the most fleeting of interactions a sense of peril , changing the risk-benefit calculus of the minute , mundane human encounters that thread our daily lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clerk , that brush on the subway , that elevator ride be the fateful moment the invisible virus makes its entry ?
The shelter-in-place and six-feet social-distancing measures unfolding across the U.S. have left many anxious about the indefinite period of isolation ahead .
News reports are asking everyone from astronauts to inmates in long-term solitary confinement for tips on how to persevere .
But nestled in front of our TV screens and scrolling through our smartphones , weren ’ t we increasingly living that way already ?
Isolation has for years been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in South Korea and elsewhere in East Asia .
The once-robust family ties in these societies are fraying .
Rapid urbanization and cut-throat economic competition have left a generation fatigued by interacting with fellow denizens .
In Japan , “ low-interaction dining ” for lone diners , facilitated by automated ticketing machines and cubicle-like partitions , had long since become a fixture of city life .
In China , consultants in recent years published reports on the “ Economy of Loneliness , ” extolling business opportunities to cater to a generation more comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of others .
In South Korea , increasing numbers of young adults had been self-identifying as “ honjok ” — loosely translated to “ tribe of loners , ” people who prefer solitude .
Businesses realized more and more people preferred services devoid of human contact , and would even pay a premium for it .
They began offering up what ’ s come to be known here as “ untact ” services , a neologism combining “ undo ” and “ contact , ” popularizing self-service auto financing , coffee served up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ karaoke stalls .
In the U.S. and Europe , there ’ s been increasing alarm about the health consequences of loneliness , researchers calling loneliness itself an “ epidemic.
” But in Asia , time alone for some has come to be celebrated and cherished as a revolt against a collectivist tradition and something of a liberation for a generation of young adults .
Jeong Dan-bi , 31 , runs a startup providing information and services for the honjok — such as cocktail recipes to make at home , and where to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ loner ” phenomenon was about prioritizing one ’ s own time and preference in defiance of a rigid corporate and working culture that limits individual expression .
“ We were probably able to accept ( social distancing ) more easily because that culture was already spreading , especially among millennials , ” said Jeong , 31 , chief executive of the company King of Honjok .
Since the coronavirus outbreak , there ’ s been a twofold surge in sign-ups for her app , Jeong said .
She noted in South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the trend from the older generation casting it as youthful selfishness , but that may shift with the coronavirus outbreak .
“ A monumental event like this will really change people ’ s perceptions , ” she said .
“ People across generations were forced to experience it .
There are going to be people who think , now that I ’ ve tried it out , I like it.
” Despite an early surge of coronavirus infections in February — with the largest number of infected outside China at one point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closures or large-scale quarantines .
Instead it urged citizens to voluntarily socially distance for two weeks .
Combined with extensive contact tracing and widespread testing , the approach appeared to stabilize the community spread , the number of new infections levelling off in recent weeks .
A newspaper op-ed last week credited South Korea ’ s legions of deliverymen and -women as the unsung heroes who had allowed life in the country to largely go on even as cities elsewhere went on lockdown .
Amid a surge in orders , a deliveryman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and died on the job in the early hours of March 12 .
“ It is not an exaggeration to say , doctors are on the front lines fighting the coronavirus and protecting our lives , while in the rear , deliverymen are protecting people struggling to keep their distance from the virus , ” an op-ed in the Joongang Ilbo newspaper said .
While the possibility of a second wave of cases from travellers and students returning from abroad still remains , Seoul is in a thaw .
In time for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopened after about two weeks of telecommuting .
Koo , the columnist , who writes for the Hankyoreh newspaper , has begun setting up the occasional lunch appointment after about a month of little contact with anyone outside his immediate family .
“ The world has changed .
It could easily have been very depressing and anxiety-inducing , but even in self-quarantine we were connected through the mobile web , ” said Koo , who is 54 and identifies as a product of a pre-digital world .
“ We were cut off but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , connected all the more intimately.
” Koo , though , said he believed there were things that would never be replaced with an app or a screen .
“ There is an emptiness that comes from not being able to see someone ’ s facial expression , feel their warmth and share a moment of kinship , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Gov. DeSantis, wife Casey announce birth of baby Mamie

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey announced on Twitter on Monday morning the arrival of their third child , a girl named Mamie .
And then he crossed the state to update Floridians on the coronavirus .
DeSantis remained a proud dad in frantic and strange times .
While he was in the delivery room for the birth of his first two children , the governor said he didn ’ t want to take up needed personal protection equipment that hospitals need right now .
So he didn ’ t see Mamie ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surreal being in a hospital during this time .
I did not go into the delivery room because I didn ’ t want to burn PPE .
It was kind of a sad thing , but my wife and I both felt that was the right thing to do , ” DeSantis told reporters at a press conference in South Florida , about 425 miles ( 684 kilometres ) from the governor ’ s mansion in Tallahassee .
First Lady Casey DeSantis tweeted a picture of the baby and wrote : “ Ron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our new baby girl , Mamie to the world .
At 7 lbs 4 oz she was the smallest of the bunch , but she is already holding her own .
Madison and Mason are so excited for their new baby sister !
“ A minute later , the governor offered his own tweet , saying the family is counting their blessings .
He added that his wife and children are “ doing great.
” The tweets did not say when the baby was born , and the governor ’ s office wouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was a personal matter and they would let the governor and first lady release that information on their own .
But DeSantis did reveal some information about Mamie .
“ This one is really , really , cute , ” he said .
And she ’ s also sleeping really well , thanks to a pricey bassinet equipped with sensors and microphones that monitors when the baby gets fussy and makes adjustments to soothe her .
“ She didn ’ t make a peep all night , ” he said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife hadn ’ t left the governor ’ s mansion since the beginning of March because of the coronavirus .
And the photo Mrs. DeSantis tweeted of herself , her husband , Mamie and their two other children appears to be from the governor ’ s mansion , which is the family ’ s only home .
“ There is magic in the moment a baby is born .
Congratulations , ” former Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant tweeted to Mrs. DeSantis .


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Phoenix officer killed, 2 others wounded; gunman killed

PHOENIX - Authorities say a 22-year-old man fatally shot a Phoenix police commander and wounded two other officers as they tried to remove him from a home after his roommates complained he was acting erratically .
Cmdr .
Greg Carnicle , a 31-year-old police veteran who was months away from retiring , and the two other officers were shot Sunday night as they walked up stairs in the house after the suspect refused to leave , said Phoenix police spokeswoman Sgt .
Mercedes Fortune .
The suspect , whose identity hasn ’ t yet been released , remained in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He eventually walked out of the home armed and was killed , though authorities didn ’ t say if he died from officers ’ gunfire .
The two wounded officers are expected to survive .
It ’ s unclear what erratic behaviour was displaying that prompted the suspect ’ s roommates to kick him out .
Fortune said there initially was no indication that things would turn bad as officers helped the suspect carry his belongings out of the home .
“ There was interaction with the suspect , ” Fortune said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-operating as he closed the door to the house and left the officers outside .
Carnicle and two other officers then entered the house and started to make their way up the stairs when the suspect opened fire .
Carnicle was pronounced dead at a hospital .
He is survived by a wife and four children .
He worked in several positions in the police department , mostly recently overseeing evening and weekend patrol operations .
“ Tonight we lost a true hero .
Greg Carnicle was a 31-year veteran of our department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
One of the wounded officers has three years with the police force , while the other has nearly two years of service .
Their identities haven ’ t been released .
Mayor Kate Gallego tweeted : “ Our thoughts are with the loved ones of these officers and the entire Phoenix Police Department .
Please keep these individuals in your thoughts.
“ The most recent death of a Phoenix police officer in the line of duty was in March 2019 , when Officer Paul Thomas Rutherford was struck by a vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were Officer David Van Glasser in May 2016 and Detective John Thomas Hobbs in March 2014 .


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Yellowstone slaughters wild bison to shrink park’s herds

BILLINGS , Mont .
- Yellowstone National Park is done capturing wild bison for the year after rounding up almost 550 of the wild animals and sending most to slaughter as part of a population control program , park officials said .
The culling is carried out under a legal agreement between federal and state officials aimed at preventing the spread of an animal disease to cattle .
In addition to those captured , about 270 bison have been killed by Native American tribal hunters as the hulking beasts migrated outside the park to graze at lower elevations in Montana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The annual slaughter of an iconic animal that ’ s featured on the National Park Service logo has long drawn criticism from wildlife advocates and some members of Congress .
Officials insist the program is necessary to prevent cattle in the Yellowstone region from being infected with brucellosis , which can cause abortions in pregnant animals .
Park officials had sought to reduce Yellowstone ’ s approximately 4,900 bison by 600 to 900 animals this year .
At least 822 animals have been killed or removed , according to figures provided by park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capture pens along the park border near the small Montana community of Gardiner in recent days , workers consigned 442 bison to slaughter , said Yellowstone bison biologist Chris Geremia .
The meat is distributed to members of American Indian tribes .
Of the animals that were captured , 105 were kept alive for potential enrolment in a quarantine program that transfers disease-free animals to locations outside the park .
One bison died in the park ’ s holding pens .
After bison calves are born this spring , the park ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in numbers compared to last year , Geremia said .
Members of some American Indian tribes with treaty hunting rights in the Yellowstone region were expected to continue harvesting bison through the end of this month and possibly longer .
To reduce the number of bison slaughtered , state and park officials have allowed the animals to roam more freely in parts of Montana and recently sought to expand the quarantine program so bison declared disease-free can be relocated .
But that has not satisfied critics .
Wildlife advocates last week filed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking to protect Yellowstone bison under the Endangered Species Act .
The U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service has previously rejected calls to protect the animals .


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Prisoners riot in Iran; Netanyahu goes into self-quarantine

TEHRAN , Iran - Prisoners in southern Iran broke cameras and caused other damage during a riot , state media reported Monday , the latest in a series of violent prison disturbances in the country , which is battling the most severe coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East .
Israel meanwhile announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will enter self-quarantine after an aide tested positive for the virus .
His office says the 70-year-old leader has undergone a test and will remain in quarantine until he receives results or is cleared by the Health Ministry and his personal doctor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaking from confinement at home , Netanyahu called on Israelis to remain at home and avoid family gatherings during the upcoming spring holiday season .
The Jewish holiday of Passover , the Christian holiday of Easter , and the month-long Muslim holiday of Ramadan all fall in April .
All three festivals traditionally entail large social gatherings .
Netanyahu told Israelis in a televised address that they should “ avoid family visits ” for the sake of preventing the further spread of the virus .
Netanyahu said the government would discuss possible further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , a ban on public worship of any kind , as well as a 80 billion shekel ( $ 22 billion ) economic rescue plan .
More than 4,600 Israelis have been infected with the new virus and 16 have died .
Iran had temporarily released around 100,000 prisoners as part of measures taken to contain the pandemic , leaving an estimated 50,000 people behind bars , including violent offenders and so-called “ security cases , ” often dual nationals and others with Western ties .
Families of detainees and Western nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political reasons or to use them as bargaining chips in negotiations .
The state-run IRNA news agency quoted Gov .
Enayatollah Rahimi of the southern Fars province as saying a riot broke out at Adel Abad Prison , the main lockup in the city of Shiraz .
Rahimi said prisoners broke cameras and caused other damage in two sections housing violent criminals .
No one was wounded and no one escaped .
IRNA reported Friday that 70 inmates had escaped Saqqez Prison in Iran ’ s western Kurdistan province .
Prisoners beat guards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Several inmates later returned on their own to the prison .
Since the beginning of the year , riots have broken out in prisons in Aligudarz , Hamedan and Tabriz as well , with some prisoners escaping , IRNA reported .
In a separate development , Islamic State militants rioted inside in a prison in northeastern Syria and a number of them managed to escape .
That riot did not appear to be connected to the pandemic .
In Lebanon , a criminal court ordered the release of 46 prisoners who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them from getting infected , the state-run National News Agency reported .
Lebanon has reported 446 cases and 11 deaths from the virus .
In war-torn Yemen , more than 240 prisoners were released in government-held areas as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus , according to provincial officials , some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity under regulations .
The majority were being held on low-level charges , the officials said .
Yemen has not yet detected a case of the coronavirus , likely because of its weak disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been warning of catastrophic consequences if the illness spreads to the Arab world ’ s poorest country , which is mired in a bloody civil war .
Iran has reported more than 40,000 infections and 2,757 deaths from COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus , including 117 fatalities in the last 24 hours .
The Health Ministry says more than 3,500 people are in critical condition , while around 14,000 have recovered .
The virus causes mild symptoms , including fever and cough , in most patients , who recover within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly contagious and can be spread by people showing no symptoms .
It can also cause severe illness and death , particularly in older patients or those with underlying health problems .
The virus has infected more than 740,000 people worldwide , causing more than 35,000 deaths , according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University .
More than 150,000 have recovered .
Elsewhere in the region on Monday , Jordan began releasing thousands of travellers who were quarantined for the last two weeks at five-star hotels on the Dead Sea in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 4,200 Jordanians and 1,500 foreigners have been held at the hotels .
The Jordanians will be sent home via Uber , the popular ride-hailing service , and are requested to remain at home for another 14 days .
Travellers with other nationalities will be released on Tuesday .
It was not immediately clear where they would go , but authorities said they would be in contact with their embassies and the Foreign Ministry .
Jordan has reported 268 infections and five deaths from the virus .
At least 26 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and closed its borders on March 17 .
It later imposed an indefinite round-the-clock curfew before providing limited times for people to shop for basic goods on foot .
In Egypt , the government extended the closure of the country ’ s famed museums and archaeological sites , including the Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza , until at least April 15 .
Authorities still plan to light up the pyramids on Monday night in an expression of support for health workers battling the virus .
Egypt has reported more than 600 infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heller reported from Jerusalem .
Associated Press writers Omar Akour in Amman , Jordan , Samy Magdy in Cairo , Bassem Mroue in Beirut , Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed to this report .

Amir Vahdat And Aron Heller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-03-30--Coronavirus response highlights deepening partisan divide

NEW YORK - In Los Angeles , Mayor Eric Garcetti has instituted a shutdown on a city of nearly 4 million people and threatened unco-operative business owners with power shutoffs and arrest .
In Mississippi , home to nearly 3 million people , Gov .
Tate Reeves has allowed most businesses to stay open — even restaurants , so long as they serve no more than 10 people at a time .
The divergent approaches are evidence that not even a global pandemic can bridge the gaping political divisions of the Trump era .
The fierce tribalism that has characterized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care is now coloring policy-making during a coronavirus outbreak that threatens countless lives and local economies across nation .
There are exceptions , but Republican leaders have been far more likely to resist the most aggressive social distancing measures , emboldened by President Donald Trump ’ s initial rosy outlook and a smaller early caseload in their more rural communities across middle America .
But in the more crowded population centres on the East and West coasts where the disease first appeared , the Democrats in charge have been more willing to embrace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business closures and law enforcement assistance .
“ This epidemic has been a window into our politics , “ said Larry Levitt , who leads health policy for the Kaiser Family Foundation , which has been tracking responses .
“ Particularly over the past couple of weeks , a political divide has emerged.
” It is an election year divide that could have deadly consequences .
As his campaign struggles for attention , leading Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden has called for a nationwide lockdown to replace the patchwork of local responses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same states .
Trump , meanwhile , is largely allowing local officials to choose their own course and has encouraged them to compete for scant federal resources .
Politically , the strategy may be working for the first-term Republican president .
With the election seven months away , Trump ’ s favourable ratings are ticking up , even if his numbers have fallen short of past presidents during times of crisis .
Yet the GOP ’ s loyalty will almost certainly be tested in the weeks ahead as the virus spreads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red-state middle America .
Democrats like Garcetti fear the politics that are shaping conflicting pandemic responses will have real-world consequences far more important than the next election .
“ I do worry that making this a partisan issue will kill more people in redder states , ” the Los Angeles mayor said in an interview .
“ There is no way to keep this out of your city.
” In Mississippi , Reeves has adopted many social distancing measures such as limiting groups to 10 people , even if he ’ s resisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In an interview late last week , the Republican governor reiterated his opposition to a stay-at-home order , adding that he ’ s heeding the guidance of state health officials and Vice-President Mike Pence himself , who told him directly during a recent conversation that the Trump administration is not recommending a blanket shutdown .
Reeves dismissed those who think he ’ s not doing enough as enemies of Trump who “ don ’ t like the fact that I ’ m a conservative and I ’ m willing to pray.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause a more dangerous fallout than the pandemic by destroying the nation ’ s economy .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s any doubt that if the United States found themselves in a severe depression with 20 % to 30 % unemployment that the abject poverty that could create could lead to more health problems than this particular virus is causing , ” Reeves said .
He added : “ One size doesn ’ t fit all in this country.
“ No nation has more documented cases of the deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surpassed 143,000 total infections and 2,400 related deaths as of Monday morning .
Yet Trump ’ s coronavirus task force co-ordinator , Dr. Deborah Birx , reported Monday that the nation has perhaps only seen roughly 1 % or 2 % of the total number of deaths expected in a best-case scenario .
“ If we do things together well , almost perfectly , we could get in the range of 100,000 to 200,000 fatalities , “ Birx said Monday on NBC ’ s “ Today.
” But she warned that every part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding “ in a uniform way to protect one another.
” “ Cities that don ’ t social distance , that don ’ t stay at home , that believe you can have social interactions , that believe you can have gatherings at homes of 20 and 10 people even , that is going to spread the virus even if everyone looks well , ” Birx said .
The partisan divide in infections and responses is difficult to ignore .
Fifteen of the 21 states that have issued statewide stay-at-home orders so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Kaiser .
The Republican-led holdouts include Florida , where Gov .
Ron DeSantis has so far agreed with Trump ’ s preference for a more incremental approach in the premier swing state , suggesting that restrictive measures be put in place only in the hardest-hit counties .
All 50 states have reported cases , but the seven with the most infections are led by Democrats .
New York may offer a cautionary tale for other states : The state reported its first case on March 1 and nearly reached 60,000 infections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six states in total cases are rural states led by Republicans .
Numbers have been escalating virtually everywhere , however , particularly in more populous red states like Louisiana , Tennessee and Texas , which reported more than 8,100 cases and 200 deaths combined as of Monday .
Some Republicans have been more assertive than others .
Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , a Republican , has split with Trump over when normal life might resume .
And Ohio ’ s Republican governor , Mike DeWine , has been one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spectators from sporting events the first week of March .
He was among the first governors in the nation to close public schools .
Aggressive steps by DeWine and others , however , have been complicated by Trump ’ s inconsistent rhetoric .
After repeatedly downplaying the threat at first , the Republican president adopted a more serious tone before suddenly suggesting last week that the worst could be over by Easter , which is April 12 .
He has now reversed that view , calling it an “ aspiration , ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through April .
Trump has also engaged in a war of words with Democratic governors in key states , like Michigan and New York , where elected officials have openly complained about the lack of federal assistance to stem a dangerous shortage of coronavirus tests and medical equipment .
Many conservatives have cheered Trump ’ s response , particularly his reluctance to encourage a nationwide stay-at-home order .
“ They have no right to tell me I need to stay in my house .
They can not impose a travel ban on me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unconstitutional , ” said Texas-based activist Mark Meckler , a co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots who now leads the Convention of States Project .
Meckler began conversations in recent days with other grassroots conservatives leaders to explore the possibility of filing lawsuits to block some of the more aggressive social distancing measures .
In the meantime , he ’ s encouraging like-minded conservatives to embrace “ peaceful resistance.
“ “ I ’ m not going along with it , ” Meckler said .
“ It doesn ’ t mean we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t want to be sheep.
” Meanwhile , the numbers are shooting up in California , which has reported more than 6,300 infections and 130 deaths as of Monday morning .
Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti has assigned teams of city workers to ensure non-essential local businesses are complying with shut down orders .
He is empowered to shut off their water and power if necessary , and the California Democrat has authorized the police to arrest those who continue to resist .
Garcetti said there have been no shutoffs or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 99 out of 100 will comply.
” He also offered a dire message to Republicans who have resisted similar steps : “ In the projections , you could see this taking tens of thousands of lives in America or millions .
You chose .
But I don ’ t think anybody wants the second to be on their hands.
” Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”