thetorontostar--2020-05-10--South Korean President Moon Jae-in urges calm as coronavirus cases rise

SEOUL , KOREA , REPUBLIC OF—South Korea on Sunday reported 34 additional cases of the coronavirus amid a spate of infections linked to club goers , as President Moon Jae-in urged calm , saying that “ there ’ s no reason to stand still out of fear.
” Figures released by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the number of virus cases to 10,874 , including 256 deaths .
The agency said 26 of the 34 new patients were locally-transmitted cases , while the others came from overseas .
It was the first time that the daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month .
Most of the cases in the past few days have been linked to nightclubs in Seoul ’ s Itaewon entertainment neighbourhood .
A 29-year-old man had visited three clubs before testing positive last week .
Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon on Saturday ordered more than 2,100 nightclubs , hostess bars and discos to close and urged others to enforce anti-virus measures .
On Sunday , Gyeonggi province , which surrounds Seoul , and Incheon city , just west of Seoul , made similar moves .
“ The infection cluster , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised awareness that even during the stabilization phase , similar situations can arise again , anytime , anywhere in an enclosed , crowded space , ” Moon said .
“ We must never lower our guard regarding epidemic prevention , ” he said , adding that his country had “ the right quarantine and medical systems combined with experience to respond quickly to any unexpected infection clusters that might occur.
” Moon said his government will concentrate all its capabilities on overcoming the economic damage , which he described as “ colossal.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fail to turn this crisis into an opportunity , ” he said .
Moon said South Korea ’ s trade balance in April recorded a deficit for the first time in 99 months , and that the service industry contraction is expanding into a manufacturing industry crisis .
He said the government will try to create jobs , boost consumption , recover tourism and promote investment .


thetorontostar--2020-05-10--Pence self-isolating after exposure to aide with virus

WASHINGTON—U.S .
Vice-President Mike Pence was self-isolating Sunday after an aide tested positive for the coronavirus last week , joining three of the nation 's top scientists in taking protective steps after possible exposure .
An administration official said Pence was voluntarily keeping his distance from other people in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
He has repeatedly tested negative for COVID-19 since his exposure but was following the advice of medical officials .
“ Vice-President Pence will continue to follow the advice of the White House Medical Unit and is not in quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Additionally , Vice-President Pence has tested negative every single day and plans to be at the White House tomorrow.
” Pence has been at home since returning to Washington from a day trip to Iowa on Friday and did not appear at President Donald Trump 's meeting with military leaders Saturday at the White House .
Pence was informed of the aide 's positive test shortly before departing for that trip .
An official initially said Pence planned to continue working from home , before Pence 's office clarified that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
It was not immediately clear how Pence 's steps to self-isolate would impact his professional or public engagements .
Pence has led the White House coronavirus task force for more than two months .
Top officials who have gone into quarantine because of exposure to a person at the White House who tested positive for the virus are Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ; Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the CDC ; and the commissioner of the Food and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence ’ s press secretary , Katie Miller , tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday , making her the second person who works at the White House complex known to test positive for the virus this week .
A military service member who acts as a valet to the president tested positive on Thursday , the first known instance where a person in close proximity to the president at the White House had tested positive .
After Miller was identified as having tested positive , Trump said he was “ not worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
Nonetheless , officials said they were stepping up safety protocols for the complex .
The three other task force members have indicated varying plans for dealing with their exposure .
None has announced testing positive for the virus and , taking into account what has been described as limited exposure to the infected person , are considered at relatively low risk for infection .
Fauci ’ s institute said he was “ taking appropriate precautions ” to mitigate the risk to others while still carrying out his duties , teleworking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House if called .
Officials said both Redfield and Hahn will be self-quarantining for two weeks .
The three officials were expected to testify before a Senate committee on Tuesday , most likely by videoconference .

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thetorontostar--2020-05-10--On Mother's Day, leaders search for optimism amid pandemic

BERLIN - As families in the U.S. and elsewhere marked Mother 's Day in a time of social distancing and isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic , world leaders projected optimism they could loosen lockdowns while controlling a potential second wave of infections .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin predicted the American economy would rebound in the second half of this year from unemployment rates that rival the Great Depression .
Another 3.2 million U.S. workers applied for jobless benefits last week , bringing the total over the last seven weeks to 33.5 million .
“ I think you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low standpoint , ” said Mnuchin , speaking on “ Fox News Sunday.
” But the director of the University of Washington institute that created a White House-endorsed coronavirus model said states ' moves to reopen businesses “ will translate into more cases and deaths in 10 days from now.
” Dr. Christopher Murray of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation said states where cases and deaths are going up more than expected include Illinois , Arizona , Florida and California .
Across Europe , many nations were easing lockdowns even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new infections .
Germany , which managed to push new infections below 1,000 daily before deciding to loosen restrictions , has seen regional spikes in cases linked to slaughterhouses and nursing homes .
Health officials say the number of people each confirmed coronavirus patient infects rose above 1 again , reflecting a renewed increase in cases .
The number must be below 1 for outbreaks to decline .
German officials expressed concerns about the growing number of large demonstrations , including one in the southwestern city of Stuttgart that drew thousands .
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people failed to respect social distancing measures at anti-lockdown rallies .
Later Sunday , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was expected to announce a 14-day quarantine for all travellers coming to the U.K. , except those from Ireland , as he reveals a “ road map ” for the country that has the most official virus deaths in Europe at over 31,600 .
His Conservative government was criticized for being slow to react to the pandemic , but after falling ill with the virus himself , Johnson has taken a tougher line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have protested the expected measures as devastating to the British economy .
France , which has a similar number of infections as Germany but a far higher death toll at over 26,300 , is letting some younger students go back to school Monday after almost two months out .
Attendance won ’ t be compulsory right away , allowing parents to decide whether it ’ s safe or not .
With tourism a major industry in Italy , hotel owners , tour guides , beach resorts and others who depend heavily on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens can travel across the country .
In a newspaper interview , Premier Giuseppe Conte promised that the restriction on inter-regional movement would be lifted , but only after authorities better determine how the virus outbreak evolves .
Residents in some Spanish regions will be able to enjoy limited seating at bars , restaurants and other public places Monday , but Madrid and Barcelona , the country ’ s largest cities , will remain shut down .
Spain reported 143 new deaths from the virus , the lowest daily increase since March 19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still reporting rising infections .
Figures on Sunday recorded 11,012 new cases , the highest one-day tally yet , for a total of nearly 210,000 cases and 1,915 reported deaths .
Russian officials attribute the sharp rise in part to increased testing , but health experts say Russia ’ s coronavirus data has been significantly under-reported .
China reported 14 new cases Sunday , its first double-digit rise in 10 days .
Eleven of 12 domestic infections were in the northeastern province of Jilin , prompting authorities to raise the threat level in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to high risk , just days after downgrading all regions to low risk .
Authorities said the Shulan outbreak originated with a 45-year-old woman who had no recent travel or exposure history but spread it to her husband , three sisters and other relatives .
Train services in the county were suspended .
“ Epidemic control and prevention is a serious and complicated matter , and local authorities should never be overly optimistic , war-weary or off-guard , '' said Jilin Communist Party secretary Bayin Chaolu .
Jilin also shares a border with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no virus cases , much to the disbelief of international health authorities .
South Korea reported 34 more cases as new infections linked to nightclubs threaten its hard-won gains against the virus .
It was the first time that South Korea ’ s daily infections were above 30 in about a month .
The U.S. has seen 1.3 million infections and nearly 80,000 deaths — the most in the world by far , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
The U.S. debate over easing lockdowns has polarized along partisan lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for unemployment and business activity has ground to a halt .
Many families celebrated Mother 's Day weekend from afar , delaying or changing their normal plans .
A nursing home in Miami held a Mother 's Day parade on Saturday , with children and grandchildren driving past the windows and waving at loved ones inside .
Others grieved for those victims of the virus that has caused particular suffering for the elderly and previously sick .
Matilda Cuomo , the mother of New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , called into her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his three daughters could wish her a happy Mother 's Day .
“ I am so blessed as many mothers today are , '' she said .
Andrew Cuomo , whose state is the deadliest hot spot for the virus in the U.S. , said he looked forward to getting back to normal .
“ We 're going to have fun , and then you can spend more time with me .
I know I am your favourite , ” he said in a playful dig at his siblings .
Cuomo has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to counter the surge of deaths in nursing homes , where about 5,300 residents have died .
He announced Sunday that all nursing home staff in New York will have to undergo COVID-19 tests twice a week .
Three members of the White House coronavirus task force , including Dr. Anthony Fauci , placed themselves in quarantine after coming in contact with someone who tested positive .
Worldwide , four million people have been reported infected and nearly 280,000 have died , over half of them in Europe , according to Johns Hopkins @

Frank Jordans And Nomaan Merchant - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-10--Haiti coronavirus panel demands that ICE halt deportations until pandemic is controlled

A Haiti presidential panel charged with advising the government on how to manage the coronavirus pandemic is calling for the suspension of U.S. deportations of Haitian nationals until the deadly contagion is controlled .
The group — made up mostly of doctors and medical experts hand-picked by Haitian President Jovenel Moise to advise him on steps to control the virus spread in Haiti — is also asking for a ban on any returnee who has not been tested for COVID-19 .
“ Transporting people potentially infected with SARS COV2 in an aircraft represents a high risk of contamination for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter said .
“ Persons coming from these territories must be placed in quarantine and tested for COVID-19 .
This results in the use of human and material resources already limited in Haiti , especially in the health emergency context.
” The Haitian government , the group said in a list of recommendations sent to Haitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe on Sunday , should enter into talks with the Trump administration to reach an agreement .
The recommendations , obtained by the Miami Herald , come hours before an Immigration and Customs Enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , La.
, with another group of deportees to Haiti early Monday and as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 see double-digit increases almost daily in Haiti .
An initial flight manifest , also obtained by the Herald , had 101 detainees listed — including former death squad leader Emmanuel “ Toto ” Constant , 50 individuals with criminal backgrounds and at least five detainees who had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Haitian authorities said they had been told by ICE that all deportees would be tested 72 hours before being flown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checked with the wife of at least one of the deportees , Stephan Etienne , who had twice tested positive , he still had not been tested as of Saturday , she said .
On Sunday , Melissa Furtardo said it appeared that her husband , who is being held at the Pine Prairie Correctional Center in Pine Prairie , La.
, was not among some of the COVID-19-positive detainees who had been relocated to Alexandria , the staging ground for the deportation flight ’ s departure .
As of Friday , 788 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 test had tested positive for the virus , data shows .
It ’ s unclear who among the Haitian detainees on Monday ’ s flight was in that group .
ICE does not provide that information .
ICE previously said it would test foreign nationals before they departed , but also implied that not all might get the tests because of limited testing kits .
In Guatemala , a deportee who came with paperwork saying he was negative for the infection turned up positive , according to The Associated Press .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health and Population said it had registered 182 confirmed cases , an additional 31 cases from the previous day and three additional deaths for a tally of 15 people killed as a result of the COVID-19 infection .
The 8.2 per cent death rate is one of the highest in the Caribbean region .
The Haiti panel , known as the “ Scientific Unit , ” makes several arguments on why deportation flights to Haiti should be put on hold .
The most prominent is that “ the deportation of people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk for the introduction of strains of the SARS COV2 virus in the national territory , ” meaning Haiti .
The deportation flights , which began last month , are also a financial strain on Haiti ’ s meagre resources .
Facilities that should be used to quarantine Haitians , who live in confined spaces that are often just one room , are now having to be used for deportees every two weeks .
Currently there are only 111 beds available in four facilities located in the capital of Port-au-Prince to quarantine COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 days , the incubation period .
Haiti registered its first positive COVID-19 case on March 19 .
The Pan American Health Organization has warned that Haiti is in for a deeper crisis because of the outbreak of the virus , and the onslaught of an expected 55,000 Haitians from the Dominican Republic , where there are more than 9,000 cases , will further strain Haiti ’ s weak health system ’ s ability to cope .
This is the second time that the Scientific Unit is asking for a halt in flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recommendations in writing following similar calls by U.S. lawmakers , immigration advocates , Doctors Without Borders and award-winning author Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat .
In an editorial published in the Herald on Sunday , Danticat said “ with these ongoing deportations , the Trump administration , the Department of Homeland Security and ICE , are not just endangering the lives of the men , women and children on these flights , they are also potentially condemning entire communities to death.
” In the Scientific Unit ’ s letter obtained by the Miami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons for their conclusion beginning with the fact the U.S is now the epicentre of COVID-19 cases with 1.63 million cases and 80,562 deaths and screening in detention facilities are not done “ systematically.
” “ Transporting people potentially infected with SARS COV2 in an aircraft represents a high risk of contamination for all passengers including the crew , ” the letter said .
“ Persons coming from these territories must be placed in quarantine and tested for COVID-19 .
This will result in the use of human and material resources already limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency context .
”

Jacqueline Charles - Miami Herald,Monique O. Madan


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Study: Virus death toll in NYC worse than official tally

New York City ’ s death toll from the coronavirus may be thousands of fatalities worse than the tally kept by the city and state , according to an analysis released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Between March 11 and May 2 , about 24,000 more people died in the city than researchers would ordinarily expect during that time period , the report said .
That ’ s about 5,300 more deaths than were blamed on the coronavirus in official tallies during those weeks .
Some of those excess fatalities could be COVID-19 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home , or without medical providers realizing they were infected , the researchers at New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said .
It might also represent a ripple effect of the health crisis , they wrote .
Public fear over contracting the virus and the enormous strain on hospitals might have led to delays in people seeking or receiving lifesaving care for unrelated conditions like heart disease or diabetes .
“ Tracking excess mortality is important to understanding the contribution to the death rate from both COVID-19 disease and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-COVID conditions , “ the report said .
The report underscored the challenges authorities face in quantifying the human toll of the crisis .
Deaths caused by the coronavirus are believed to be undercounted worldwide , due in large part to limits in testing and the different ways countries count the dead .
Through Sunday , New York City had recorded nearly 14,800 deaths confirmed by a lab test and another nearly 5,200 probable deaths where no test was available but doctors are sure enough to list the virus on the death certificate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released Monday said the 5,293 excess deaths were on top of both confirmed and probable fatalities .
Here are other coronavirus-related developments in New York : Several regions of upstate New York that have shown progress in taming the coronavirus outbreak are ready to restart some economic activity by the end of the week , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Monday .
Three upstate regions have met all criteria for opening some businesses Friday : the Southern Tier , Mohawk Valley and the Finger Lakes .
Other upstate regions are making progress and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shut-down rules will be gradual .
Construction and manufacturing , agriculture , forestry and fishing can resume , as well as retail stores , but only with curb-side pickup .
Customers won ’ t be able to enter shops .
Additionally , landscaping and gardening businesses and drive-in theatres can open statewide , the governor said .
Cuomo said the state also is relaxing restrictions on low-risk outdoor activities such as tennis .
The reopening regions still need to work out logistics , such as creating regional “ control rooms ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is the next big step in this historic journey , ” Cuomo , a Democrat , said at his daily briefing .
The virus killed 161 people in New York on Sunday , he said , its lowest total since close to the start of the crisis in mid-March .
Cuomo shut down most workplaces and barred people from gathering in groups of any size starting March 22 as New York emerged as a global pandemic hot spot .
Cuomo last week said parts of the state could phase in reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalization trends and capacity to test and trace people who might have the virus .
New York is poised to launch its training plan for the huge corps of disease detectives it plans to deploy to track people who might have been exposed to the virus .
The effort , seen as a key to keeping the outbreak from flaring again , will likely involve hiring several thousand people who have no background in public health .
And since getting huge groups of people together in one place for a contact-tracing boot camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done through a five- to six-hour online course launching Monday .
“ There ’ s all this discussion about using technology in some way .
But fundamentally , this is a pretty human activity , “ said Josh Sharfstein of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , which developed the course with Bloomberg Philanthropies , the charitable foundation of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg .
When someone becomes newly infected with the virus , tracers will be tasked with figuring out everyone who might have had contact with that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and advising them how to quarantine .
Bloomberg is putting up $ 10.5 million through his foundation to help the state roll out its tracing plan .
Cuomo has made hiring at least 30 contact tracers per 100,000 residents a requirement for any part of the state to reopen .
A man who was the second person in New York to officially be diagnosed with COVID-19 said he didn ’ t suspect he had the virus when he went to the emergency room , and woke up from a coma weeks later with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
“ So it ’ s as if three weeks of my life had completely disappeared , and I was asleep for all of it , ” Lawrence Garbuz , a lawyer from New Rochelle , said on NBC ’ s “ Today ” show Monday in his first television interview .
Garbuz , 50 , was the first New Yorker to be publicly identified as having contracted the virus without having travelled internationally .
His case quickly became linked with an outbreak in New Rochelle that prompted the governor to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wife , Adina Garbuz , said she and her husband originally thought he had pneumonia , but he kept getting worse .
He has now fully recovered .
A man and woman are charges with trying to pull the masks off people who had gathered in an Orthodox Jewish neighbourhood in Brooklyn .
Police said Clelia Pinho , 46 , and Paulo Pinho , 35 , accosted three men Sunday , pulling the masks off their faces and making anti-Semitic remarks falsely blaming Jews for the coronavirus outbreak .
The pair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a hate crime .
Information on their lawyers wasn ’ t immediately available .
Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack “ unacceptable ” and said Monday : “ We don ’ t accept bias in New York City .
We don ’ t accept hate in any form .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Trump campaign fundraising slows for 2nd straight month

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s fundraising pace slowed slightly for the second straight month as the nation reeled from the coronavirus outbreak .
The Republican National Committee and Trump ’ s reelection campaign announced Monday that they raised more than $ 61.7 million in April .
It brings Trump ’ s total haul cycle for the election cycle to over $ 742 million .
That ’ s $ 288 million more than the Obama reelection effort had at this same point , the campaign and the RNC announced in a joint statement .
The campaign raised $ 63 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 86 million raised in February .
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement that the April haul underscores that the president ’ s “ consistent record of unprecedented action is met with overwhelming enthusiasm and support.
” Despite the drop , Trump ’ s fundraising remains far ahead of likely Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
Biden ’ s presidential campaign said Monday that it and the Democratic National Committee jointly raised $ 60 million in April .
It ’ s a solid sum that may ease some Democratic worries that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden ’ s campaign was almost broke before he vaulted to the top of the crowded Democratic presidential field on Super Tuesday in early March .
He became the party ’ s presumptive nominee when his sole remaining rival , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , suspended his campaign in early April .
The campaign said in a statement that its average April donation was $ 32.63 , “ showing continued grassroots strength even in this time of crisis.
” It has recently announced a number of hires , a sign of a @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Pelosi urges Congress to ‘go big’ on next virus aid package

WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is poised to unveil the next coronavirus aid package , encouraging Congress to “ go big ” on aid to help cash-strapped states and struggling Americans .
Voting is possible as soon as Friday .
But the bill is heading straight into a Senate roadblock .
Senate Republicans said Monday they are not planning to vote on any new relief until June .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says there is no “ urgency ” to act .
“ Let ’ s get on with it , “ Pelosi said Monday night on MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pause , I would say the hunger doesn ’ t take a pause , the rent doesn ’ t take a pause , ” she said .
“ We have a big need .
It ’ s monumental.
” The new package , the fifth since March , is expected to carry another eye-popping price tag .
President Donald Trump has signed into law nearly $ 3 trillion in aid approved by Congress .
Its centerpiece is likely to be money to states and cities that are struggling to avoid layoffs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and plummeting tax receipts during the economic shutdown .
There will money for virus testing and another round of direct cash payments and unemployment benefits for Americans , Pelosi said .
She has not disclosed the cost .
On a conference call with House colleagues Monday , Pelosi urged them to “ go big , ” according to person unauthorized to discuss the private caucus call and granted anonymity .
With the Capitol still partly closed , Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, told lawmakers on the call there would be 72-hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , which could come Friday , the person said .
But Senate Republicans are in no rush to spend what could be trillions more on aid .
“ I don ’ t think we have yet felt the urgency of acting immediately , “ McConnell told reporters at the Capitol .
McConnell said he has been in close contact with the White House , assessing the aid Congress has already approved in response to the virus outbreak and next steps .
The White House convened a call with Senate Republicans earlier Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we decide to go forward , we ’ ll go forward together , ” McConnell said .
His priority is to ensure any new package includes liability protections for health care providers and businesses that are reopening .
Senate Republicans are not expected to act on any further aid until after the Memorial Day recess , according to a senior Republican aide unauthorized to discuss the planning and granted anonymity .
The Senate is set to recess at the end of next week for a previously scheduled break , with senators scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently reopened its side of the Capitol while the House remains largely shuttered due the the health concerns .
Senators have been in session since last week , voting on Trump ’ s nominees for judicial and executive branch positions and other issues .
The Senate majority , the 53-member Senate Republican conference , is meeting for its regular luncheons most days , spread out three to a table for social distance .
Democrats are convening by phone .
Many senators , but not all , are wearing masks .
At least a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have tested positive for the virus , and at least one senator , Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , is in isolation at home after exposure from a staff member who tested positive .
Other lawmakers have cycled in and out of quarantine .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned that if Trump and congressional Republicans “ slow walk ” more aid they will be repeating President Herbert Hoover ’ s “ tepid ” response to the Great Depression .
“ It should be big and it should be bold , ” Schumer said @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Mexico demands info on ‘fast and furious’ gun smuggling

MEXICO CITY - Mexico sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. government on Monday demanding information on whether Mexican government officials knew about the failed 2009-2010 “ Fast and Furious ” gun-tracking operation .
Mexico ’ s Foreign Relations Department said in the note that if Mexican officials were aware of the scheme , as some testimony suggests , then they violated the country ’ s laws .
But if Mexico wasn ’ t advised of the operation , then “ Mexico ’ s sovereignty would have been violated ” by U.S. agents , the department said..
In the scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy firearms with the intention of tracking them to criminal organizations .
But the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives lost track of most of the guns , including two found at the scene of the 2010 killing of a U.S. Border Patrol agent .
Authorities who conducted the investigation faced criticism for allowing suspected gun buyers for a smuggling ring to walk away from gun shops in Arizona with weapons , rather than arrest them and seize the guns .
The investigation ’ s failures were later examined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico ’ s drug gang killings are carried out with weapons smuggled in from the United States ; the operation had been meant to stem that flow .
The diplomatic note said : “ The Mexican government asks to be given all the available information on the “ Fast and Furious ” Operation , in the framework of co-operation and mutual trust that characterizes the close relations between our two countries .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--After controversy, parole grant in officer’s slaying delayed

RICHMOND , Va. - The expected release Monday of a man convicted in the 1979 killing of a Richmond police officer was put on hold amid an investigation by Virginia ’ s government watchdog agency into the parole board ’ s handling of the inmate ’ s case , state officials said .
The slain officer ’ s sister , Maureen Clements , told The Associated Press that the Virginia Parole Board notified her Monday morning that Vincent L. Martin would not be released as scheduled .
Martin was sentenced to life in prison for killing patrolman Michael P. Connors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a traffic stop .
State officials later explained that a temporary hold had been placed on Martin ’ s release due to an ongoing administrative investigation by the Office of the State Inspector General .
The decision to grant Martin parole has sparked an uproar in the law enforcement community , and both Connors ’ family and Richmond ’ s top prosecutor have asked the board to rescind its decision .
On Sunday , four Republican lawmakers wrote to Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam , asking him to intervene , as did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This will allow the removal of the cloud that has formed over this parole decision , ” Brian Moran , the state ’ s secretary of public safety and homeland security , said at a news conference Monday afternoon .
Parole Board Chair Tonya Chapman , who took over that role after the decision had been made in the Martin case , said in a statement that the hold on Martin ’ s release would be for no more than 30 days .
She said the inspector general ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state law and other policies and procedures in its decision-making process , but not the board ’ s ultimate decision .
State officials have said the parole board has accelerated its work amid the coronavirus pandemic .
It has recently granted the release of dozens of violent offenders , including killers , rapists and kidnappers , blindsiding many prosecutors and victims ’ families who say they were not properly notified as required by law , according to an Associated Press review of recent cases .
Howard Hall , who is chief of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police chiefs ’ association , said the investigation by the inspector general office is “ desperately needed.
” “ The parole board appears not to be following the procedures that are in the code or even allowing victims to have their right to be heard , so how is this acceptable ?
” he said .
“ At some point , you have to say , well , what ’ s going on over there ?
” Clements said she filed a complaint with the inspector general , has had multiple conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is investigating not only the board ’ s handling of the Martin case but several others .
The office does not comment on pending investigations , spokeswoman Kate Hourin said .
Former parole board chair Adrianne Bennett , who recently left that role to become a judge , released a lengthy statement last month defending the board ’ s decision to release Martin .
In it , she wrote that Martin “ has demonstrated himself over the decades to be a trusted leader , peacemaker , mediator and mentor in the correctional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 30 years .
Martin has always maintained his innocence , wrote Bennett , who has not responded to interview requests .
Martin declined an interview request sent through the Department of Corrections .
Clements said the situation has been devastating for her close-knit family , including her elderly parents .
She said they received a letter in March notifying them that Martin was up for review by the parole board .
She said that was the first time her family had ever been contacted by the board , despite the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
State code says the parole board must “ endeavour diligently ” to contact the victim before making any decision to release an inmate on discretionary parole , and the definition of a victim in a homicide includes relatives .
Clements said Monday she was pleased that Martin ’ s release had been delayed .
But she remained frustrated about what she described as a continuing lack of communication from the board .
She said her family had not received even an acknowledgement of their request for reconsideration of the parole grant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrected to remove a mention of Martin ’ s case being handled by the board in March .
His name does not appear among the board ’ s March decisions .

Sarah Rankin And Denise Lavoie - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--US says Washington state overstepped with oil train law

BILLINGS , Mont .
- The Trump administration on Monday moved to block a Washington state law that imposed safety restrictions on oil shipments by rail following a string of explosive accidents .
The Department of Transportation determined federal law preempts the rules adopted last year in Washington that had mandated crude from the oil fields of the Northern Plains have more of its volatile gases removed prior to being loaded onto rail cars .
With backing by the rail and oil industries , the attorneys general for Montana and North Dakota had argued the law effectively banned crude from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked the Trump administration to overrule the law .
The volatility of oil trains drew widespread public attention following several explosive derailments , including one in 2013 in Lac-Megantic , Quebec that killed 47 people .
Washington ’ s law was aimed at boosting safety for schools and homes that are near passing oil trains .
Federal officials said the removal of volatile gases was not a “ statistically significant factor ” in the severity of oil train crashes .
“ A state can not use safety as a pretext for inhibiting market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on crude oil by rail within its borders , ” wrote Paul Roberti , chief counsel of the Transportation Department ’ s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration .
North Dakota is the nation ’ s No .
2 oil producer behind Texas and produced about 1.4 million barrels of oil daily in February , including about 300,000 barrels daily that was shipped by rail , according to the North Dakota Pipeline Authority .
The February numbers are the latest available and came before sliding demand and the coronavirus led drillers to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wells .
The office of Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee did not have an immediate response to the ruling .
The American Petroleum Institute , Association of American Railroads and other groups had urged the administration to block Washington state ’ s law .
“ There is nothing unusual about the volatility of Bakken crude oil , ” said Ron Ness , president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council , which represents more than 500 companies working in the state ’ s oil patch .
“ This is just one more decision verifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Peacock on the prowl falls for officer’s decoy, not love

BOSTON - A Boston police officer used an electronic mating call Monday to help capture a peacock that had escaped from a nearby zoo .
An officer lured the curious peacock that had escaped from Franklin Park Zoo into a fenced-in yard while playing a mating call on his cellphone , The Boston Globe reported .
The officers on patrol in the Roxbury area were approached by a concerned citizen , who reported that the bird , named Snowbank , had escaped from the zoo , Boston police said in a statement .
“ Additional officers arrived at the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , slightly intimidating , and quite beautiful , male peacock , ” police said .
One of the officers began to look up a peacock mating call on his cellphone .
When he played it , the 6-year-old bird was lured into the secure area and remained there until Boston Animal Control and zoo officials arrived .
Snowbank was then returned to the zoo and is reported to be doing well , according to zoo officials .
Normally , peacocks at the zoo are free-roaming but officials believe its possible that Snowbank was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escape .
“ It is currently mating season , and it ’ s possible he ventured out looking for love , in search of a peahen , ” a female peacock , zoo officials said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--UN says 7 or 8 `top’ candidates for a COVID-19 vaccine exist

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The World Health Organization chief said Monday there are around seven or eight “ top ” candidates for a vaccine to combat the novel coronavirus and work on them is being accelerated .
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a U.N. Economic and Social Council video briefing the original thinking two months ago was that it may take 12 to 18 months for a vaccine .
But he said an accelerated effort is under way , helped by 7.4 billion euros ( $ 8 billion ) pledged a week ago by leaders from 40 countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and testing .
He said the $ 8 billion will not be enough , and additional funds will be needed to speed up the development of a vaccine , but more importantly to produce enough “ to make sure that this vaccine reaches everyone — ( and ) there ’ s no one be left behind.
” “ We have good candidates now , ” Tedros said .
“ The top ones are around seven , eight .
But we have more than a hundred candidates.
” “ We are focusing on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably better results and accelerating those candidates with better potential , ” he said .
Tedros did not identify the top candidates .
Since January , he said , “ WHO has been working with thousands of researchers all over the world to accelerate and track vaccine development from developing animal models to clinical trial designs and everything in between.
” Tedros said there is also a consortium of more than 400 scientists involved in vaccine development and diagnostics .
The WHO chief stressed that COVID-19 is “ very contagious and it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 million cases now reported to WHO and almost 275,000 lives lost .
While new cases are declining in Western Europe , they are increasing in Eastern Europe , Africa , southeast Asia , the eastern Mediterranean and other regions , he said .
Tedros said “ the pandemic is teaching us many painful lessons , ” especially the importance of having strong national and regional health systems .
“ And yet on current trends , more than 5 billion people will not access these essential services by 2030 ” — the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential medicine , and have running water in hospitals , he said .
He stressed that as the response to COVID-19 continues , nations must also lay the foundations for a healthy , safer and fairer world .
“ The world spends around $ 7.5 trillion on health care each year , almost 10 per cent of global GDP , but the best investments are in promoting health and in preventing disease at the primary health care level which will save lives and save money , ” Tedros said .
U.N. Deputy Secretary-General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations are “ in it together ” but the immediate priority must be the most vulnerable countries and communities .
She called for a new debt relief program for vulnerable countries so their economies can recover .
And she said measures to protect and stimulate the economy , from cash transfers to credits and loans must be targeted at women “ who make up the majority of those in the hardest-hit informal economy , and who are at the forefront of the community response.
” The head of the International Labor Organization said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 305 million full-time jobs will be lost around the world in the second quarter of this year , which ends on June 30 .
ILO Director-General Guy Ryder told the briefing that by comparison , only 22 million full-time jobs were lost immediately when the financial crisis hit in 2008-2009 , “ so you can see we ’ re in an entirely different place.
” Ryder said it ’ s also often forgotten that 60 per cent of the global workforce of 3.3 billion have jobs in the informal economy , most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimates that in the first month of the pandemic , with lock-downs and economic shutdowns , “ these people have lost on average 60 per cent of their income , their revenues from work.
” And they are concentrated in countries with scarce resources and the weakest social protection systems , he said .
Ryder called for international co-operation to help those most in need and for stepped up efforts to keep enterprises alive , retain jobs , maintain the link between enterprises and workers even when they can ’ t work now @


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Small-town barber wins early victory in fight to stay open

DETROIT - A judge on Monday declined to stop a defiant Michigan man who reopened his barber shop despite a state order that has closed businesses for weeks because of the coronavirus .
The judge rejected a request for a restraining order and said Karl Manke deserves a hearing if the state wants to shut down his business in Owosso , a small town 40 miles ( 65 kilometres ) northeast of the state capitol .
The 77-year-old has become a symbol of resistance to Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s sweeping stay-home order and other restrictions to stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came into this last Monday alone , thinking I ’ m going to swing in the wind alone , “ Manke said , lowering his face mask and fighting back tears .
” I can not believe the support that I ’ ve got .
It ’ s overwhelming.
” Manke reopened his barber shop on May 4 , saying he was despondent over not working and that he could make his own decisions .
Manke was given a cease-and-desist order from state regulators last week .
Separately , he ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police .
Meanwhile , people from all over Michigan have filled his shop waiting for a haircut .
“ I ’ m going to stay open until Jesus comes , ” Manke pledged .
The governor was asked about the barber earlier Monday .
“ I also know a lot of people who could use a haircut , yours truly included as well as my husband .
...
I expect people to follow the law , ” Whitmer said .
“ These executive orders are not a suggestion .
They ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hints.
” State regulators consider the barber shop to be a danger to public health because of the pandemic and will seek a court hearing as soon as possible , said Ryan Jarvi , spokesman for the attorney general ’ s office .
Manke ’ s attorney , Dave Kallman , said the state has gone too far .
“ If you can walk down the aisles at Walmart , you can walk down the aisles in Karl ’ s barber shop and practice the same physical distancing , hand-washing , all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on , ” Kallman said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Ketchikan postal trucks lead funeral procession

KETCHIKAN , Alaska - Postal workers in Ketchikan helped lay one of their own to rest in Ketchikan over the @ @ @ @ @ Postal Service vehicles led the procession Saturday from a mortuary to Bayview Cemetery as the @ @ @ @ @ ( Orbistondo ) Doran , 58 , were interred , the Ketchikan Daily News reported @ @ @ @ @ 23 in Bellingham , Washington , was a 16-year employee with the postal service .
@ @ @ @ @ of sunshine , ” said Joan Wandke , a co-worker of Doran ’ s at @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--White House recommends tests for all nursing home residents

WASHINGTON - With deaths mounting at the nation ’ s nursing homes , the White House strongly recommended to governors Monday that all residents and staff at such facilities be tested for the coronavirus in the next two weeks .
Why the government is not ordering testing at the nation ’ s more than 15,000 nursing homes was unclear .
Nor was it clear why it is being recommended now , more than two months after the nation ’ s first major outbreak at a nursing home outside of Seattle that eventually killed 45 people .
Vice-President Mike Pence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force , told governors on a video conference call that it ’ s the federal government ’ s strong recommendation that such testing be done .
“ We really believe that all 1 million nursing home residents need to be tested within next two weeks as well as the staff , ” added Dr. Deborah Birx , the task force co-ordinator , according to a recording of the call obtained by The Associated Press .
President Trump has repeatedly said there have been plenty of testing kits and has shifted blame to governors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a charge he repeated in a Rose Garden news conference later Monday .
“ Frankly , some of the governors were very lax with respect to nursing homes .
It was obvious right from the beginning , “ Trump said , referring to the Washington state outbreak .
Asked why testing was recommended , not ordered , Trump said : “ I would certainly consider that .
I will mandate it if you ’ d like.
“ More than 27,000 residents and staff have died from outbreaks of the virus at the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities , according to an AP tally based on state health departments and media reports .
That is about a third of all 80,000 deaths in the U.S. that have been attributed to the virus .
Nursing home operators have said the lack of testing kits has left them nearly powerless to stop the virus from entering their facilities because they haven ’ t been able to identity silent spreaders not showing symptoms .
The American Health Care Association , the main nursing home trade group , welcomed the new testing recommendation but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more to make that possible , including allocating billions of additional dollars to the effort .
Charlene Harrington , a professor emeritus of nursing at the University of California , San Francisco , said nursing homes should have been prioritized from the start given their vulnerable populations and questioned why the testing recommendation is only happening now .
“ We ’ re two months into it , “ she said .
“ If they had done that to begin with , we would ’ ve picked up cases early and we wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not immediately respond when asked why the agency wasn ’ t making testing a requirement .
In mid-March , it asked homes to cease group gatherings and visitations , and to screen staff with such measures as temperature checks .
A senior administration official said taking a tougher stand is still an option .
“ If the states aren ’ t able to come back with plans quickly to do it , then there ’ s a good chance we will order them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that right now there are plenty of tests out there , ” the official said on condition of anonymity because he lacked authorization to speak to the media .
West Virginia and Texas have already mandated testing for all nursing home residents and staff .
And just Sunday , New York , the nation ’ s leader in nursing home deaths , began requiring all staff to be tested twice a week .
Ohio Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine said his state was ramping up testing but cast doubt on the feasibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I don ’ t know that that ’ s going to get done , ” said DeWine , whose state has reported nearly 500 deaths in long-term care facilities in three weeks .
He added , “ There ’ s frankly a lot of people in the medical field who would argue that the testing of everybody in that nursing home might not be the best protocol.
” Pence led the White House ’ s weekly call with governors from an isolated room after his press secretary tested positive Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care officials , including infection disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci , are quarantining themselves on fears they have been exposed to the virus , too .
Condon reported from New York .
Candice Choi and Randy Herschaft in New York , Darlene Superville in Washington and Andrew Welsh-Huggins in Columbus , Ohio , contributed to this report .

Kevin Freking And Bernard Condon - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Guatemala says more deportees from US positive for COVID-19

GUATEMALA CITY - The number of Guatemalan deportees who tested positive for the coronavirus after a flight from the United @ @ @ @ @ health officials said Monday .
Vice Minister of Health Erick Muñoz told members of Guatemala @ @ @ @ @ of the 76 deportees from the April 13 flight had tested positive .
The government @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. after dozens tested positive on that flight .
They resumed when the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ boarded planes and certifying that they tested negative .
But last week , the Guatemalan @ @ @ @ @ had been certified as negative tested positive after arriving in Guatemala .
The country ’ @ @ @ @ @ that through May 7 , 102 deportees from the U.S. had so far tested positive @ @ @ @ @ for this week .


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Mexico’s Supreme Court nixes border governor’s extended term

MEXICO CITY - Mexico ’ s Supreme Court struck down one of the odder political manoeuvrs in the country ’ s recent history Monday , after a border governor elected for a two-year term later passed law extending his mandate to five years .
Gov .
Jaime Bonilla of the border state of Baja California will have to leave office in 2021 , following the unanimous court ruling Monday .
Elected in 2019 , he had planned to hang on until 2024 .
Before going to the polls last year , voters in Baja California — home to the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were electing a governor for a shortened term , part of an effort to synchronize Mexico ’ s three-year federal elections with six-year governorships .
But after he was elected , Bonilla pushed for a term extension .
The state Congress approved it in an unusual night-time session behind closed doors at a city council building .
The court ruled Monday that the extension violated the federal Constitution on several points .
It held its session by video link , due to social distancing measures aimed at stemming the spread of coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but terms have been temporarily shortened in some states to try to make local votes coincide with federal elections held every three years .
While Bonilla was elected on the ticket of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador ’ s Morena party , the administration appeared to be embarrassed by Bonilla ’ s antics .
Interior Secretary Olga Sánchez Cordero — a former Supreme Court justice — openly welcomed Monday ’ s ruling , saying she had always thought the manoeuvr was unconstitutional .


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--In flip, Georgia system nixes ex-leader of New York schools

ATLANTA - One of Georgia ’ s largest school districts won ’ t be hiring the former leader of school systems in New York City and Miami after board members were faced with complaints about his past record .
DeKalb County school board members on Monday voted 4-3 to reject a contract for Rudy Crew to lead the suburban Atlanta district , spokesman Chris Glazier said .
The board of the 99,000-student district had voted in April to make Crew its sole finalist for the job .
School boards have to wait 14 days between naming finalists and voting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is usually assured when a board named only one finalist .
Board members did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday evening .
Crew experienced success in improving student performance in New York and Florida , but was dogged by complaints about his leadership style and misspending .
Some had endorsed his arrival in DeKalb , including the Georgia Federation of Teachers , the smallest of Georgia ’ s three main teacher groups .
Others had fought against his hiring , including some of the district ’ s most persistent critics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools from 1995 to 2000 .
He earlier led school systems in Sacramento , California , and Tacoma , Washington .
Crew was known as “ the other Rudy ” when he led the nation ’ s largest public school system under then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani .
The two clashed over school vouchers , which the mayor advocated but Crew opposed .
Crew was credited with reforms that helped failing schools improve , but his tenure was marred by a 1997 report by Edward F. Stancik , then the special commissioner of investigation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report of a rape of a 14-year-old girl at a city high school .
Crew accused the independent investigator of producing exaggerated reports into alleged corruption and misconduct .
He led Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida from 2004 to 2008 , a time during which he helped more schools achieve A ratings under Florida ’ s system and built 29 new schools .
But Crew had a rough relationship with school board members and fought with a teachers union over frozen wages .
The gigantic district ’ s financial reserves were almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
Crew served a year as Oregon ’ s chief education officer but was unable to persuade lawmakers to pay for his plans to overhaul instruction and teacher training and was criticized for running up huge travel bills .
He has been president of Medgar Evers College in New York since 2013 .
Ramona Tyson has been serving as a short-term superintendent in DeKalb County since Superintendent Steve Green announced he would not seek a contract extension .
The board later decided Green should leave immediately before the end of this year @


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Colombia’s Avianca faces rocky road after Chapter 11 filing

BOGOTA - Latin American airline giant Avianca is hoping to sail into smoother skies after a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing – but it will take more to keep the region ’ s second largest carrier afloat .
Colombian Finance Minister Alberto Carrasquilla signalled Monday that a government loan isn ’ t off the table , though the nation is strapped for cash and might be limited in how much it can offer .
“ We are looking for a way to be a piece of the solution , ” he told BLU Radio .
“ The problem will require giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Avianca is Colombia ’ s largest airline and has seen revenue plummet as key markets shut down all air travel .
But unlike air carriers in wealthier nations , Latin America ’ s governments have been slow to boost the airline industry .
Whereas the U.S. has spent billions shoring up distressed airlines , Colombia and other nations in the region have thus far taken only small steps to stop airlines from going under .
Avianca had pre-existing financial issues and a rocky relationship with much of the public , complicating government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , letting Avianca fail could bring about dire consequences for a country trying to make international tourism a key driver as it emerges from a half-century of civil conflict .
“ It ’ s an emblematic company , ” said Iván Montoya , an economic analyst .
“ We ’ d be left to the whims of carriers from other nations deciding who we are connecting to or not.
” Avianca was founded around the time of another pandemic – the Spanish flu – and has survived a century of turbulence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to emerge as the behemoth that it is today .
Pilots and crew members dressed in signature red cape uniforms now fly to over 75 destinations .
Last year , the company celebrated its 100th anniversary , but talk of financial worries began to mount .
Shares fell in August after a video leaked online showing Avianca ’ s chairman warning staff that Colombia ’ s crown carrier was “ broke.
” The airline denied it was bankrupt but went about taking out loans , reorganizing debt and making changes to expand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive Anko van der Werff told reporters Sunday that Avianca had made good progress in the first two months of 2020 in both securing new financing and improving flight delays , a frequent complaint .
But COVID-19 has thrown any advances into disarray .
“ Avianca is facing a challenge without precedent in its 100 years , ” he said .
Company officials have been in talks with Colombia ’ s government to provide aid , but no concrete plan has been outlined , and some in congress are reluctant to back any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iván Duque could act unilaterally .
Chief financial officer Adrián Neuhauser said Avianca is asking various governments , including Colombia ’ s , for help in ensuring it has liquidity to operate during the Chapter 11 proceeding , which could last up to 18 months .
On the same day it announced the filing , Avianca also revealed that it will shut operations in Peru .
“ COVID has left us no other option , ” van der Werff said .
Congressman Fabio Arroyave said Colombia ’ s purse strings are tight and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nation ’ s airline carriers .
Moreover , he said Avianca ’ s relationship with many Colombians has soured through the years .
He noted instances where prices to travel within Colombia have become more expensive than a flight to Miami , making some feel the airline prioritizes international travellers .
Arroyave wants any government aid to be provided on strict conditions .
“ There isn ’ t trust in this company , ” he said .
Avianca isn ’ t the only Latin America carrier likely to need help .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see an $ 18 billion drop in passenger revenues this year , according to the International Air Transport Association , which has called on government in Latin America to provide financial support .
Chile-based LATAM Airlines Group reports that 95 % of its operations remain paralyzed .
Worker salaries have been trimmed 50 % .
The company ’ s CEO has said LATAM will need aid , a plea initially discarded by Chile ’ s financial minister , Ignacio Briones .
More recently he has suggested that some government assistance might be possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one by one , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not aid for the owners but the company , so that employees have their jobs.
” In Colombia , several financial analysts said despite the government ’ s slow response , they were confident eventually a deal will be worked out .
Without a loan , they said it will be difficult for Avianca to survive on its own .
And given the airline ’ s symbolic position in Colombia ’ s society , its failure would be seen as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t make it , things get very difficult , ” said Gustavo Adolfo Toro , president of the Hotel and Tourism Association .
“ We ’ d be left disconnected.
” Associated Press writer Eva Vergara in Santiago , Chile , contributed to this report .

Christine Armario And CéSar GarcíA - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Mexico pharmacies: face masks found in trash being re-sold

MEXICO CITY - A group representing Mexican pharmacy owners said Monday it has received reports about people picking used surgical @ @ @ @ @ trash and reselling them .
Rumours about the practice have swept several countries in Latin @ @ @ @ @ frequently sold individually on the street by unlicensed vendors .
The masks have become popular @ @ @ @ @ , and are required in public spaces in some cities .
There have been reports @ @ @ @ @ for the masks .
The Mexican Pharmacy Owners Union advised Mexicans to cut their used @ @ @ @ @ them away .
Sharing or re-using masks presents a risk of infection .
Another industry @ @ @ @ @ sanitizer gel on the street , saying vendors were refilling name-brand bottles with gels that @ @ @ @ @ alcohol , the level considered effective against the virus .


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Trump faces virus at White House amid push to ‘reopen’ US

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump insisted Monday his administration has “ met the moment ” and “ prevailed ” on coronavirus testing , even as the White House itself became a potent symbol of the risk facing Americans everywhere by belatedly ordering everyone who enters the West Wing to wear a mask .
Trump addressed a Rose Garden audience filled with mask-wearing administration officials , some appearing publicly with face coverings for the first time during the pandemic , after two aides tested positive for COVID-19 late last week .
The startling sight served only to further highlight the challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nation still reeling from the pandemic .
Trump himself , not wearing a mask , sought to emphasize to the American people the steps being taken to ensure their safety — in hopes that will coax them to resume normal activities .
Shortage of coronavirus testing has long been a sore spot for the president , but he insisted anew that everyone who wants a test can get one .
The pledge , first issued by Trump more than two months ago , comes as governors across the country continue to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to boost supply to meet the requirements needed to begin “ reopening ” the nation .
The upbeat message was undercut by the new protective measures implemented to keep Trump safe , evidenced by the absence of Vice-President Mike Pence and three of the nation ’ s top medical experts , who were in various states of isolation after two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed among staffers in one of the most-protected complexes in America .
A memo to staff Monday directed “ everyone who enters the West Wing to wear a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to remove their face coverings if they sit at least six feet apart from their colleagues .
The directive apparently doesn ’ t apply to the president .
Monday ’ s briefing was meant to highlight the availability of COVID-19 testing as the White House seeks to convince Americans the country is safely reopening .
“ They should all be able to get a test right now , “ Trump said , even though experts say there is no capacity for testing on that scale .
Officials later clarified that “ everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test.
” Only on Monday did the administration believe it had enough tests to mount a nationwide testing campaign to address significant death rates in nursing homes and other senior care facilities .
On a call with governors , Pence and Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House co-ordinator for the virus response , recommended that every nursing home occupant and staffer be tested for COVID-19 in the next two weeks , with vigilant monitoring going forward , especially of staff .
Pence led the weekly call with governors from an isolated room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Birx and other staffers participated as usual from a conference room in the Situation Room , Pence said , explaining the “ slightly different circumstance.
” “ We are taking the appropriate countermeasures to protect the president ’ s health , “ Pence added , according to a recording obtained by the AP .
The White House was moving to daily testing of some staff members to detect the disease .
The stepped-up protective measures comes as Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the CDC , and the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration , Dr. Stephen Hahn , were all quarantining after exposure to the White House staffer .
The three experts are scheduled to testify before a Senate panel Tuesday on “ Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School.
“ However , they , along with committee chairman Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , will all participate remotely .
Alexander is quarantining after a staff member of his own tested positive for COVID-19 .
The images of top administration officials taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loosen economic restrictions put in place to mitigate the virus ’ spread .
Trump on Monday was complaining that Democratic governors were too slow in lifting restrictions in their states .
“ The great people of Pennsylvania want their freedom now , and they are fully aware of what that entails , ” he tweeted .
“ The Democrats are moving slowly , all over the USA , for political purposes .
They would wait until November 3rd if it were up to them .
Don ’ t play politics .
Be safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to travel to the state on Thursday , according to advisories from the Federal Aviation Administration .
Decisions about how fast to reopen are being made with the general election less than six months away , and Trump and other incumbents facing it in the midst of a public health and economic crisis .
“ If we do this carefully , working with the governors , I don ’ t think there ’ s a considerable risk , ” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on “ Fox News Sunday.
” “ Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a considerable risk of not reopening .
You ’ re talking about what would be permanent economic damage to the American public.
” Mnuchin was one of several economic advisers the White House dispatched on Sunday to place the focus on the merits of loosening restrictions on the economy .
Yet attention to possible risks of infection also turned to how the virus even found its way into the White House .
Fauci ’ s institute said he was “ taking appropriate precautions ” to mitigate the risk to others while still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home but willing to go to the White House if called .
Officials said both Redfield and Hahn will be self-quarantining for two weeks .
Pence ’ s press secretary , Katie Miller , tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday , making her the second person who works at the White House complex known to test positive for the virus in the past week .
A military service member who acts as a valet to the president tested positive on Thursday , the first known instance for a person in close proximity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The announced precautions contrast with a president who has declined to wear a face covering in meetings at the White House or at his public events .
Kevin Hassett , an adviser to Trump and the former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers , acknowledged Sunday it ’ s “ scary to go to work ” in the White House , calling the West Wing a “ small , crowded place .
It ’ s , you know , a little bit risky.
” Hassett said he wears a mask when necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Appearing on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation , “ he said any fears are tempered by frequent testing , access to an excellent medical team and his belief that this is a time “ when people have to step up and serve their country .
”

Zeke Miller And Kevin Freking - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--White House virus trouble is microcosm of what America faces

WASHINGTON - The White House is increasingly looking like an imperfect microcosm of the challenges that all Americans face in keeping the coronavirus at bay as huge swaths of the nation move to reopen .
Two aides who work in the White House complex are known to have tested positive in the past week for the coronavirus despite layers of security there , including access to rapid testing , temperature checks for all who enter and social distancing protocols .
President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters that in terms of testing , “ we have met the moment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus to infiltrate the White House underscores the risks for Americans at workplaces , schools and elsewhere .
Lawrence Gostin , a public health expert at Georgetown University , described the White House as demonstrating the “ best ” and “ worst ” of virus mitigation .
“ Even with great availability of testing and the presence of the top public health experts in the world , the virus has found its way into the White House , ” Gostin said .
“ What ’ s worse is they ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines they want the rest of America to follow , but they are unable to do it themselves.
” Here ’ s a look at some of the ways the White House efforts to stem the virus illustrate the rough road ahead for all Americans as they try to return to work with the virus lurking in the background : Throughout the pandemic , Trump has repeatedly boasted that the U.S. has the best testing .
That ’ s true at the White House .
Anyone who comes into close contact with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test before meeting with them .
But even with robust testing , the virus still managed to reach the West Wing .
White House officials said one of the aides who tested positive , Pence press secretary Katie Miller , tested negative one day before she got a positive test result on Friday .
Ordinary Americans being expected to go back to work -- like those labouring at meatpacking plants that Trump has ordered to remain open — won ’ t have that kind of access to testing .
And testing , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t perfect .
Dr. Francis Collins , director for the National Institutes of Health , said during congressional testimony last week that the Abbott ID Now machine , which is used by the White House to perform rapid coronavirus tests , can sometimes fail to detect a patient who is positive .
The incubation period for the virus is dayslong , so it is possible that a person who had contracted coronavirus could initially test negative .
Just as in many workplaces that are open , there is no shortage of reminders at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing and practice good hygiene .
A directive was issued to White House staffers on Monday requiring everyone who enters the West Wing to wear a mask .
Some aides say they already wear masks when they can ’ t maintain 6 feet of distance ( 1.8 metres ) from their colleagues , and signage reminding staffers to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations , including frequent hand-washing , is posted around the White House .
But the White House complex is packed with hundreds of workers during normal times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and workers are shoulder-to-shoulder when walking through narrow hallways and share crowded work spaces .
“ It ’ s a small , crowded place , ” Trump senior adviser Kevin Hassett acknowledged in a CBS “ Face the Nation ” interview .
“ It ’ s a little bit risky .
But you have to do it because you have to serve your country.
” After Miller , the Pence aide , tested positive last week , White House officials moved quickly to track down six of her colleagues who had been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just as they were getting ready to fly with the vice-president to Iowa .
Her colleagues deplaned and were tested -- and all came back negative .
In the days since the positive tests of Miller and a military aide to Trump , the White House Medical Unit and CDC tracing experts have sought out for testing individuals who have had contact with the White House employees .
For cities and states , the process of identifying and testing those who may have unwittingly come in contact with infected people will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that can ’ t be skipped if reopening is going to happen before a vaccine becomes available , officials in some of the hardest-hit cities say .
On Friday , New York City -- the area hardest hit by the virus -- announced the launch of a 1,000 person test-and-trace corps that is set to be up and running by May 25 .
The city has set a goal of testing 20,000 people per day by the end of May and 50,000 per day by Aug. 1 , benchmarks it sees as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s drastically reduced and uncertain travel schedule shows how even the White House has struggled with the prospect of getting the president back into a regular routine .
He ’ s made only two trips outside Washington since calling on Americans on March 13 to heed to federal guidelines to stem the virus -- a trip to an Arizona Honeywell face mask plant last week and a visit to Virginia to see off a U.S .
Naval hospital ship bound for New York to serve as a backstop for the area ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning on heading to Ohio last week , but that trip was scrapped .
He is expected to travel to Pennsylvania later this week .
On Monday , he fumed on Twitter that the “ great people of Pennsylvania ” -- a critical battleground for Trump in November -- “ want their freedom now , “ a not-so-subtle dig at the state ’ s Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf to relax virus-related restrictions .
Rep. Dwight Evans , a Pennsylvania Democrat , clapped back that his constituents want the same sort of tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimize their risk .
“ What people want is freedom FROM THE VIRUS , ” Evans tweeted .
“ And we ’ ll only get it if we have # UniversalTesting + tracing + isolating.
” Associated Press writer Zeke Miller and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report .

Aamer Madhani And Kevin Freking - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Richard Beneville, enthusiastic mayor of Nome, dies at 75

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - Richard Beneville , who was in his third term as the mayor of Nome and was known for bringing the flair of the New York stage to the wilds of western Alaska , has died .
He was 75 .
Beneville died Monday after being readmitted to the hospital with pneumonia .
Beneville had last been tested for the coronavirus on Friday , and the results came back negative , the city said in a release announcing his death .
“ It is a loss , ” Nome City Manager Glenn Steckman told The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporter of Nome , of any city I ’ ve worked at , than Mayor Beneville , ” Steckman said by phone .
“ He was a character , he was unique but he loved the city and he loved the citizens.
” Beneville was a flamboyant , gregarious man who constantly used the phrase “ Hello Central !
“ That was the old operator ’ s assistance at central exchange before people could dial their phones .
It was also one of the last phrases he uttered , the city release said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend Richard was as colorful as Nome , as tough as Nome , and as remarkable as Nome , “ Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz said in a statement .
“ I am going to miss him for his exuberance , his warmth , his humour and for his perseverance .
One of the Northern Lights just winked out , but Richard will always be winking back at us.
” Gov .
Mike Dunleavy ordered state flags be lowered to half-staff on May 18 to honour Beneville .
“ Richard Beneville was a true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nome that will never be forgotten , ” Dunleavy said in a statement .
“ Nome will not be the same without Richard.
” Every March , Beneville would also entertain bored volunteers waiting for mushers in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to arrive at the finish line in Nome .
He would don a top hat and tails , and read the poetry of Robert Service to volunteers crowded inside the city ’ s mini convention centre .
He also distributed “ I Love Nome ” buttons wherever he went .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ productions after growing up in a military family .
In the early 1980s , his family staged an intervention because of his drinking and gave him a one-way ticket to Alaska , where his brother worked at a brokerage , according to a 2016 profile of him in the Anchorage Daily News .
He first lived in Barrow and then moved in 1988 to Nome , where he drank a case of beer a day , Beneville told the newspaper .
Then one day , he walked into an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inupiat people of Alaska , the Eskimo people of Alaska , set a tone that ultimately allowed me to sober up , ” Beneville told the Anchorage Daily News .
He eventually became the community schools director for Nome Public Schools .
After retiring from the district , he opened up his own tour company .
Before selling in 2018 , he would shuttle tourists around Nome in a van , regaling them with tales of Nome ’ s colorful history and showing them the tundra and the occasional herd of wild musk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making a planned advocacy trip to Washington , D.C. , in February , but he recovered enough to attend the March ceremonial start of the Iditarod in Anchorage , walking along the starting route , greeting fans and mushers .
He always urged people to visit Nome for the finish , calling the event “ Mardi Gras , but with dogs !
” Last June , the Nome Arts Council and the community thanked Beneville for all he had done for the community with an event that included performers singing a medley of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
Ron Horner , the district ’ s longtime music director , thanked Beneville for his contributions to the youth of Nome , the Nome Nugget reported .
“ Being on stage , seeing the bright lights and the audience , you carry that feeling with you all your life , ” Horner said .
“ So in turn , we also carry a piece of Richard Beneville inside of us.
” Beneville ended the evening ’ s performance by leading the audience singing “ New York , New York .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-11--Wolf: ‘Cowardly’ counties ‘choosing to desert’ virus fight

HARRISBURG , Pa. - Gov .
Tom Wolf attacked local elected officials making plans to reopen in defiance of his shutdown orders as cowards deserting the pandemic battlefield , threatening Monday to block aid to rebellious Pennsylvania counties in an escalating political fight over his administration ’ s handling of the coronavirus .
The normally mild-mannered Democrat fired back after several GOP-controlled counties declared themselves in open rebellion against his stay-at-home orders and shutdown of businesses deemed “ non-life-sustaining.
” The counties assert they have enough testing , equipment and hospital capacity to manage flareups of a virus that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom more than 3,700 have died .
Wolf said local officials who pronounce their communities open for business are acting selfishly and risking lives .
“ The politicians who are encouraging the people they were elected to lead to quit the fight are acting in a most cowardly way , “ said Wolf , asserting they are “ choosing to desert in the face of the enemy.
” Wolf threatened to withhold COVID-19 funding to counties that act unilaterally and “ put us all at risk by operating illegally.
” Under the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in late March , Pennsylvania has about $ 4 billion in aid that Wolf , for now , has pledged to work with the GOP-controlled Legislature on how to spend .
Republican officials responded sharply Monday to Wolf ’ s “ name-calling ” and threats , saying their constituents are suffering economically and desperate to get back to work .
They say Wolf has been arbitrary and illogical in deciding what areas of the state to reopen and when , refusing to explain his decisions .
“ You can only govern if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the governor has clearly lost his crowd , “ said Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman , R-Centre .
Nearly all of the counties that are planning to reopen are longtime GOP strongholds that voted heavily for Trump in 2016 , helping him become the first Republican to capture the key presidential battleground of Pennsylvania since 1988 .
Trump was planning to visit the state later this week .
Trump himself weighed in on the intensifying political fight Monday , tweeting : “ The great people of Pennsylvania want their freedom now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what that entails.
” While Wolf still has plenty of Democratic support , Republicans and some business owners have accused him of moving too slowly to restart Pennsylvania ’ s battered and largely shuttered economy .
They also criticize the opaque process by which his administration granted waivers to some businesses to stay open during the shutdown , while denying waivers to others .
The dispute over Wolf ’ s reopening plan , which has simmered for weeks , finally boiled over Friday when counties began declaring their intent to go their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first issued in March using his emergency powers .
“ Governor , we don ’ t question your motives ; however , given all that has unfolded over the past several weeks , we must question your methods , ” Lancaster County officials wrote to Wolf .
“ We have consistently called for a data-driven , collaborative and transparent approach to getting through this crisis .
In refusing to do so , you have lost the will of many people to continue on the extremely narrow path you have outlined.
” Along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most heavily populated — Dauphin , Franklin , Lebanon and Schuylkill counties also indicated they plan to lift pandemic restrictions without Wolf ’ s blessing beginning this week .
Berks is moving in that direction , and Huntingdon said it supports businesses that choose to reopen without state permission .
Together , those counties represent more than 1.7 million of Pennsylvania ’ s 12.8 million residents .
Cumberland County , after making noise about reopening over the weekend , “ clarified ” its position Monday , saying in an open letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are advised , has no legal basis , and would not stand up.
” New infections have been trending down in much of the state after nearly two months of social distancing , and Wolf has been easing restrictions in lightly impacted counties .
But frustration among counties that remain locked down is growing amid mounting economic devastation .
Around 2 million people have lost their jobs since mid-March , including self-employed and gig workers , and there have been miles-long lines at food and milk giveaways .
York County restaurant owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offered table service — something that is prohibited everywhere in the state right now — saying eight weeks was long enough to be shut down .
He said he is taking appropriate precautions , eliminating more than half his tables to promote social distancing , while staff are wearing masks and using special cleaners on tables and seats .
“ We don ’ t believe we ’ re defying the governor ’ s orders , ” Sacarellos said Monday .
“ We believe he ’ s defying the people.
” Wolf insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ease restrictions in counties that remain virus hot spots .
“ This is not a time to surrender .
This is the time to rededicate ourselves to the task of beating this virus , ” he said .
He warned businesses that choose to “ follow the whims of local politicians and ignore the law ” by reopening that they risk businesses licenses , certificates of occupancy and other required governmental approvals to operate .
Companies that ignore the shutdown order could also jeopardize their insurance coverage and put themselves at risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance commissioner , Jessica Altman .
She said many policies have provisions that exclude coverage stemming from “ illegal acts or conduct , ” and could result in denied claims for property damage , protection from liability and other hazards should a business decide to reopen in violation of Wolf ’ s order .
Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Michael Rubinkam, Marc Levy And Mark Scolforo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-12--Militants storm maternity clinic in Afghan capital, kill 14

KABUL - Militants stormed a maternity hospital in the western part of Kabul on Tuesday , setting off an hours-long shootout with the police and killing 14 people , including two newborn babies , their mothers and an unspecified number of nurses , Afghan officials said .
While the battle was underway , Afghan security forces struggled to evacuate the facility , carrying out babies and frantic young mothers , according to images shared by the Interior Ministry .
But the day ’ s spasm of violence extended beyond Kabul .
A suicide bomber in eastern Nangarhar province — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted a funeral ceremony , killing 24 people and wounding 68 .
And in eastern Khost province , a bomb planted in a cart in a market killed a child and wounded 10 people .
The violence could further undermine a peace process in the wake of a deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in February , which envisages the start of talks among key Afghan figures , including government representatives , and the Taliban .
Relentless , near-daily attacks have also left Afghan authorities ill-prepared to face the onset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected more than 4,900 people in the country and killed at least 127 .
Soon after the Kabul attack started , black smoke rose into the sky over the hospital in Dashti Barchi , a mostly Shiite neighbourhood that has been the site of many past attacks by Islamic State militants .
The Interior Ministry spokesman , Tareq Arian , said over 100 women and babies were evacuated from the building before it was over .
Arian said 15 others , including women , men and children were wounded in the attack .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuated , he said , without elaborating .
It was unclear why the maternity hospital in Dashti Barchi , a 100-bed facility , was targeted — an attack Arian said was an “ act against humanity and a war crime.
” No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in Kabul , where both the Taliban and the IS frequently target Afghan military and security forces , as well as civilians .
The Taliban denied they were involved .
Photos shared by the Interior Ministry during the Kabul attack show newborn babies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital by Afghan security forces .
“ The forces are trying to eliminate the terrorists and bring the situation under control , ” said Arian while the battle was ongoing .
By mid-afternoon , the ministry issued a statement saying three attackers had stormed the hospital and that one was shot and killed while the other two were still resisting arrest .
The first floor of the clinic was cleared but the operation was ongoing to secure the rest of the building , the statement said .
A few hours later , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three attackers were dead and that the operation was over .
In the evening hours , husbands , fathers and family members of the hospital ’ s patients gathered around the site in Dashti Barchi , desperate for news of their loved ones .
A man read out the names of those who had been evacuated to other hospitals .
In the suicide bombing in the eastern Nangarhar province , the attacker targeted the funeral in Khewa district of a local pro-government militia commander and former warlord who had died of a heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khogyani , spokesman for the provincial governor .
The Interior Ministry said the final casualty toll included 24 killed and 68 wounded .
The casualties were brought to the Nangarhar provincial hospital , said hospital spokesman Gulzada Sangar .
Khogyani added that the dead included Abdullah Lala Jan , a provincial council member , while his father Noor Agha , a lawmaker , was wounded in the attack .
According to Zabihullah Zemarai , another provincial council member , dozens of people , including , lawmakers , provincial council members and locals had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the militia commander .
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid tweeted that the Taliban were not involved in the attack .
Also , no group claimed responsibility for the attack in Khost , which killed a child and wounded 10 people .
The bomb was placed in a cart at a local market and remotely detonated , said Adil Haidari , spokesman for the provincial police chief .
The IS , meanwhile , claimed it was behind a spate of attacks on Monday in Kabul when four bombs , one placed under a garbage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roadside , went off in the northern part of the city , wounding four civilians , including a child .
The Afghan intelligence service said in a statement late Monday that the agency has arrested an IS leader in the region , Zia-ul Haq , also known as Shaikh Abu Omer Al-Khorasani .
Associated Press writer Tameem Akhgar in Kabul , Afghanistan , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-12--Israeli army: Soldier killed by rock during West Bank raid

JERUSALEM - An Israeli soldier was killed on Tuesday morning during a West Bank arrest raid when a rock thrown off a rooftop struck him in the head , the military said , capping a surge in violence ahead of a visit to the region by the U.S. secretary of state .
The military typically carries out such predawn raids against wanted militants in the West Bank , occasionally encountering local resistance , but the killing of a soldier is rare and this marked the first military casualty of the year .
The military said 21-year-old Staff Sgt .
Amit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” near the West Bank city of Jenin when a large rock was thrown off a rooftop and struck him on the head .
A search was on for the attacker .
Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus , a military spokesman , said the forces had completed their mission and were leaving the village of Yaabed when the soldier was struck .
He called the village a “ known hotbed of militant activity.
” He said the soldier was wearing a protective helmet and was quickly evacuated for medical treatment but later died of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent condolences to the soldier ’ s family and vowed that “ Israel ’ s long arm would reach the terrorist “ behind the attack .
Israel has seen a series of shootings , stabbings and car-ramming attacks in recent years , mostly carried out by lone attackers with no apparent links to armed groups .
Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups have praised the attacks but have not claimed responsibility for them .
The most recent such attack came two weeks ago , on Israel ’ s Memorial Day , when a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shopping centre before he was shot and wounded by a bystander .
Tuesday ’ s raid was aimed at arresting four Palestinians wanted for stone-throwing at Israeli vehicles and other recent attacks .
It comes a day after Israeli forces demolished the home of a Palestinian accused of being behind a deadly blast in the West Bank last year .
Israel says 22-year-old Qassem Barghouti carried out the attack last August that killed 17-year-old Israeli Rina Shnerb and wounded her father and brother near the settlement of Dolev .
As the demolition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burned tires and hurled rocks and firebombs toward Israeli troops .
Several Palestinians were wounded in the ensuing clashes .
Later Tuesday , Israeli police said a Palestinian arrived at a security checkpoint north of Jerusalem and tried to stab a security guard there .
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said officers at the scene shot the would-be attacker , who was seriously wounded .
The uptick comes as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to arrive Wednesday for a quick visit to discuss Israeli plans to annex large parts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Netanyahu is set to swear in his new government this week and his new coalition agreement with former rival Benny Gantz allows him to present an annexation proposal as soon as July 1 .
The Palestinians claim the entire West Bank , captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war , as the heartland of an independent state .
Annexing chunks of this territory would likely put an end to the Palestinians ’ already diminishing hopes of a two-state solution .
Annexation also would anger the international community , which overwhelmingly supports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House behind him , and a Trump Mideast plan envisioning handing 30 % of the West Bank to permanent Israeli control , Netanyahu appears poised to push forward with the plan and bring dozens of Jewish settlements under Israeli sovereignty .


thetorontostar--2020-05-12--World shares edge up as economies slowly reopen

BANGKOK - World shares were mostly higher on Tuesday as countries gradually lifted restrictions on business and public life , though worries over fresh outbreaks of coronavirus cases persisted .
Optimism over plans for reopening in many countries after shutdowns aimed at battling the pandemic has been tempered by reports of new waves of infections in states and countries that are further ahead in lifting lockdown measures .
That includes small but disconcerting increases of new infections in South Korea , China and elsewhere .
“ Re-opening economies is riddled with risks , “ analyst Hayaki Narita of Mizuho Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the FTSE 100 was 0.9 % higher , at 5,995 , while the CAC 40 in Paris slipped 0.3 % to 4,479 .
Germany ’ s DAX rose 0.4 % to 10,872 .
The future for the S & P 500 was up 0.3 % while that for the Dow industrials gained 0.4 % .
Budget airline Ryanair , which was Europe ’ s busiest carrier before the pandemic , said it was preparing to operate nearly 1,000 daily flights starting in July , assuming government restrictions on flights are lifted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ still suffering , major business lobbies in Germany , Italy and France published an appeal for more economic support across Europe .
In China , new figures showed that auto sales fell again in April but losses narrowed in a sign the industry ’ s biggest global market is recovering from the coronavirus pandemic as Beijing eases anti-disease controls .
Sales of SUVs , sedans and minivans in the industry ’ s biggest global market were down 2.6 % from a year earlier at 1.5 million , said the China Association of Automobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March ’ s 48.4 % contraction and a nearly 82 % plunge in February .
The industry group said the market is showing “ obvious signs of recovery.
” But that news and reports of stronger growth in lending did little to lift sentiment .
The Shanghai Composite index shed 0.1 % to 2,891.56 .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng lost 1.5 % to 24,245.68 .
Japan ’ s Nikkei 225 edged 0.1 % lower to 20,366.48 , while South Korea ’ s Kospi gave up 0.7 % to 1,922.17 .
Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.1 % to 5,403.00 after the country ’ s treasurer said the country faces a “ sobering ” economic outlook due to the effects of the coronavirus and will have its largest-ever deficit when a revised budget is released in October .
An uptick in cases in South Korea has added to concern over the potential for rebounds in new coronavirus infections in places that relax restrictions .
More than 100 new cases have been reported that were linked to bars and clubs , more than half of them in the capital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case on Tuesday , but that followed double-digit increases over the previous two days that set off renewed warnings to the public to not to become overconfident .
Many companies are reporting first quarter earnings , often opting to give no financial forecasts due to overwhelming uncertainty over what lies ahead .
That was true of Toyota Motor Corp. , whose shares fell 2 % on Tuesday as it reported its net profit dropped nearly 90 % in the January-March quarter from a year earlier , though it said it expected a recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury was steady at 0.70 % .
Benchmark U.S. crude oil climbed $ 1.37 to $ 25.51 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It fell 60 cents , or 2.4 % , to settle at $ 24.14 a barrel on Monday .
Brent crude oil , the international standard , added 95 cents to $ 30.58 per barrel .
It dropped 4.3 % to $ 29.63 a barrel in London .
The dollar fetched 107.34 Japanese yen , down from 107.66 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.0846 from $ 1.0807 .

Elaine Kurtenbach - The Associated Press