thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Pence to visit Mayo Clinic to learn about testing ‘moonshot’

MINNEAPOLIS - Vice-President Mike Pence has an appointment Tuesday at Minnesota ’ s Mayo Clinic to learn about a new coronavirus testing “ moonshot ” that has the famed clinic partnering with the state and its flagship university to quickly boost the state ’ s capacity to 20,000 tests a day .
It ’ s an approach that leverages a health care infrastructure not all states can match .
And it should help Minnesota become one of the most aggressive states at testing on the scale experts say is necessary to safely reopen the economy .
Minnesota is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government for help .
Democratic Gov .
Tim Walz unveiled the state ’ s partnership with the University of Minnesota and Mayo last Wednesday , promising that every resident with symptoms of the coronavirus can get tested once the plan ramps up in the next few weeks .
“ This is not a state that ’ s just going to get through COVID-19 ; this is a state that ’ s going to lead this nation and the world out of this , ” Walz vowed of his ” moonshot.
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a White House briefing Thursday , where he also praised Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine for an initiative to boost his state ’ s testing capacity to 22,000 per day through a partnership with reagent manufacturer Thermo Fisher .
The vice-president also cited Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds for a partnership with Utah-based startup Nomi Health aimed at increasing her state ’ s lagging testing capacity by 3,000 per day from its current 1,000-2,000 .
“ This is the kind of approach and commitment that we need , and I ’ m glad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promising efforts .
We need more , ” Jennifer Nuzzo , an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security , said of Pence ’ s visit to Mayo .
“ Kudos to Minnesota for being a part of that.
” Minnesota has one of the lowest confirmed cases per-capita in the country , but its testing has lagged behind what the Walz administration says is needed .
An Associated Press analysis of data from the COVID Tracking Project shows that Minnesota now ranks among the lowest states in per-capita testing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 residents , with Kansas last at 9.01 .
Rhode Island is the highest at 50.51. while New York , the hardest hit state , ranks second at 41.21 .
“ Minnesota is probably low in terms of tests per thousand compared with other states , but the good news for Minnesota is the testing that it ’ s doing relative to the cases it ’ s finding is relatively high ... , ” Nuzzo said .
“ You don ’ t want the majority of your tests resulting in cases because that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there you ’ re not finding.
” Minnesota ’ s death toll from the coronavirus rose by 14 to 286 as of Monday , while 214 new confirmed cases raised the statewide total to 3,816 .
State and private labs had conducted 61,268 tests as of Monday , There is huge variation across the country on how aggressive states have been about testing , said Dr. Joel Shalowitz , an adjunct professor at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University .
That ’ s partly because some states that do a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New Jersey , are among the hardest hit states , while some states that do less testing also have fewer cases .
So a lot of testing is driven by the need to test , or the alleged need , he said , While the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic are “ absolutely world-class institutions , ” Shalowitz said , much will depend on how accurate their testing proves to be .
False positives can force healthy patients into isolation , while false negatives can lead to infected people spreading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely , he said .
“ If Minnesota can increase its capacity to 20,000 tests per day , that would be a very meaningful increase in its testing capacity , ” said Dr. Thomas Tsai , a health policy researcher at the Harvard Global Health Institute .
Being home to both the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic “ does increase the tools in the toolbox for being able to perform tests , ” he said .
But test numbers aren ’ t the whole answer , he cautioned .
“ Testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Tsai said “ The most important piece is the strategy around testing — not waiting for people to show up .
You have to do active contact tracing and active outreach into the community .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--‘It was just too much’: How remote learning is breaking parents

Daniel Levin ’ s son , Linus , seven , was supposed to be doing math .
Instead , he pretended to take a shower in the living room , rubbing a dry eraser under his arms like a bar of soap , which upset his five-year-old sister , distracting her from her colouring .
As much as he tried , Levin , who lives in Brooklyn , New York , could not get Linus to finish the math .
His hopes for the reading assignment were not high , either .
“ He ’ s supposed to map out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Levin said one day last week .
“ Honestly , if he writes the name and the age of the character , I ’ ll consider that a victory.
” Ciarra Kohn ’ s third grade son uses five different apps for school .
Her four-year-old ’ s teacher sends lesson plans , but Kohn has no time to do them .
Her oldest , a sixth grader , has eight subjects and eight teachers , and each has their own method .
Sometimes when Kohn does a lesson with him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it — because she didn ’ t .
“ I ’ m assuming you don ’ t , but maybe you do , ” said Kohn , of Bloomington , Illinois , referring to her son .
“ Then we ’ ll get into an argument , like , ‘ No , Mom !
She doesn ’ t mean that , she means this !
’ ” Parental engagement has long been seen as critical to student achievement , as much as class size , curriculum and teacher quality .
That has never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all across the country , moms and dads pressed into emergency service are finding it one of the most exasperating parts of the pandemic .
With teachers relegated to computer screens , parents have to play teacher ’ s aide , hall monitor , counsellor and cafeteria worker — all while trying to do their own jobs under extraordinary circumstances .
Essential workers are in perhaps the toughest spot , especially if they are away from home during school hours , leaving just one parent , or no one at all , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kindergartners need help logging into Zoom .
Seventh graders need help with algebra , last used by Dad circa 1992 .
“ School ” often ends by lunchtime , leaving parents from Long Island to Dallas to Los Angeles asking themselves the same question : How bad am I if my child plays “ Fortnite ” for the next eight hours ?
Yarlin Matos of the Bronx , New York , whose husband still goes to work as a manager at a McDonald ’ s , has seven children , ages three to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She spent part of her stimulus check on five Amazon Fire tablets because the devices promised by the city ’ s Education Department had not arrived .
Matos , a psychology major at Bronx Community College , said she must stay up late , sometimes until 3 a.m. , trying to get her own work done .
“ I had a breaking moment where I had to lock myself in the bathroom and cry , ” she said .
“ It was just too much.
” Laura Landgreen , a teacher in Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent her two sons , Callam Hugo , four , and Landon Hugo , seven , off to school rather than home schooling them herself .
She doesn ’ t find it strange anymore .
“ My first grader — we would kill each other , ” she said .
“ He ’ s fine at school , but here he has a meltdown every three seconds .
“ I need to teach other children , ” she said .
There is widespread concern that even with remote learning in place , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would have been if they ’ d been in the classroom .
( President Donald Trump said Monday that governors should consider reopening schools before the end of the school year . )
Teachers had little time to prepare for remote learning , and many children had inadequate or no computer access .
For students without close parental guidance , the outcome could turn out even worse .
Ronda McIntyre , a fifth-grade teacher in Columbus , Ohio , said that of her 24 students , only six were participating regularly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ already most involved in their children ’ s education : “ Parents that have always been in touch with ‘ what is my kid doing in school , ’ they are making sure that their kids are working , ” she said .
Other families have reached out to McIntyre to say that they are too overwhelmed with their own work to help with the lessons at home .
And some have told her they are trying but that their children won ’ t co-operate .
“ She gets frustrated every time we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , “ and then I get irritated and she gets irritated and it usually ends in me saying we should take a break and then the cycle repeats .
One or both of us typically ends up in tears by the time it ’ s all said and done and no work is completed.
” Even parents who describe running tight ships at home say they are anxious about what months away from classrooms will mean for their children .
They are also finding it hard to accept that 25-minute Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what school has been reduced to .
The litmus tweet of the moment came from Sarah Parcak , an archeologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham .
“ I told our son ’ s ( lovely , kind , caring ) teacher that , no , we will not be participating in her ‘ virtual classroom , ’ and that he was done with the 1st grade , ” she wrote on Twitter in early April .
“ We can not cope with this insanity .
Survival and protecting his well being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of responses on Twitter and Facebook .
“ In terms of the online reaction , I would say on Twitter , probably 95 per cent of the reaction has been positive , ” she said in an interview .
On Facebook , which has more favour among the pre-millennial crowd , the reaction was more mixed .
Many people praised her decision , while others criticized her as dismissing the hard work of teachers and doing a disservice to her child .
“ On Facebook , the mommy wars have come , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m the hill people are willing to die on from both sides.
” Education experts advise that making a schedule can help children treat the current setup more like school , as can being clear about when it ’ s work time and when it ’ s play time , using a timer , for example , to delineate when they are in “ school.
” Creating a dedicated space for them to work can also be helpful .
And parents should take it easy on themselves on days when things don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your kids killing each other , or have you killed your child ?
” said Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek , an education researcher and a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution .
“ Is there anything they ’ re eating that resembles healthy food in between the chocolate and sugar ?
If the answer is yes , give yourself a break.
” As stressful as it can be , of course , it ’ s not a crisis for everyone .
Behold Helen Williams-Morris , a mother of three children and a cafeteria worker at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said that all her children are fairly self-sufficient .
Her son is in college , and her middle child , a ninth grader named Camille , has been taking care of her work on her own .
She attends Crosstown High , a charter high school that uses a lot of technology in normal times .
Williams-Morris also has a six-year-old , Calyah , but she said that if she plops her at the dining room table , she can make a meat loaf or some grits in their open kitchen while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just peeks over now and again to help with any questions and to make sure Calyah hasn ’ t switched the screen over to “ Minecraft.
” “ But I wouldn ’ t say this is easy for me , ” Williams-Morris said .
“ I like talking to other adults.
” Kim Pinckney-Lewis of Mechanicsburg , Pennsylvania , would also seem to be well-prepared .
A former teacher , Pinckney-Lewis lays out the schedule for her son , Gavin , a first grader with special needs , every morning on coloured pieces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; orange is math ; blue are his breaks .
She previews his video lessons to make sure they aren ’ t too long and makes notes about when to end them herself if necessary .
And yet despite her background in education , she said , “ I have complete and total anxiety.
” “ Some days , ” she said , “ I am so tired by 4 p.m. that it would be really nice for us to play a game right now , but I ’ m just going to @ @ @ @ @ @

Elizabeth A. Harris - The New York Times

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Anchorage restaurants, salons begin reopening process

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - The first signs of activity returned to Alaska ’ s largest city Monday as businesses slowly began reopening following closures because of the coronavirus .
“ Well , thank God the beauty parlours are open , ” Anchorage resident Cyndi Otto said while walking with her granddaughter near Earthquake Park .
Personal care services , like barber shops and nail and hair salons , were allowed to reopen Monday , as were restaurants .
However , all are operating under strict guidelines intended to guard against spreading the virus .
The state allowed businesses to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow businesses to get employees back and for some , to decide whether it makes sense to open yet .
Gov .
Mike Dunleavy said the state was working with communities .
Anchorage ’ s initial reopening phase tracked largely with that of the state ’ s .
“ There is hope , there is a future , ” Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz said Friday in unveiling the criteria local businesses must follow .
“ We have taken a punch , and we ’ re getting back up.
” But don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February — before the mandates restricting or closing businesses took hold — or even in November , before winter set in .
Instead , only a few businesses were open .
From mom and pop diners to the swankiest eateries atop downtown hotels , all restaurants will require reservations or some other type of check-in for limited dine-in service .
Wait lists are likely .
Regulations limit restaurants to 25 % capacity , with more than enough elbow room .
Tables must be spaced 10 feet apart , and only household members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can continue offering takeout service , as many already were doing when dine-in service was barred .
Simon Newall , who co-owns Sweet Basil Café with his wife Tanya , was ready for customers Monday morning .
“ According to the mandates set by the governor and the city , we have our tables separated .
We have a mask ready to talk to our customers , we can still do our take-outs and the in-house dining , as long as we meet the rules , ” he said .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great job throughout this entire thing , ” Newall added .
“ It ’ s just a matter of , let ’ s keep on going .
Keep safe , and let ’ s feed everybody.
” Restaurants will also have to do a little paperwork on their customers .
A log with every customer ’ s first and last name and contact phone number must be maintained by the restaurant and kept for 30 days in case it ’ s needed for contact tracing .
That ’ s a step not required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the city .
All employees must wear fabric face masks , and customers are encouraged to wear them unless eating .
Barber shops , hair salons and other personal care services must begin taking reservations and not allow walk-in service .
No waiting rooms are allowed .
Only one customer per stylist or technician is allowed in , and work stations must be 10 feet apart .
Each stylist must wear a surgical mask , which can not be reused , and customers must wear cloth face coverings .
Larry Love , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy to be back to work as bills were piling up .
But his customers might be even happier .
“ They don ’ t even mind the health regulations as long as they ’ re getting a haircut , ” he said after giving an airman a high-and-tight military haircut .
“ They ’ re feeling a lot better and feeling good about themselves.
” Otto , a lifelong Alaskan who lived through the 1964 earthquake , said she felt the measures put in place by government were a bit Draconian .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Alaska , where there ’ s a thousand acres per individual .
There ’ s no reason for us to be hunkered down in our homes after we ’ ve been hunkered down in our homes since November , ” she said .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Alaska ferries will receive $10M in virus recovery funding

JUNEAU , Alaska - The Alaska ferry system is expected to receive an initial injection of $ 10 million in federal coronavirus recovery funding , officials said .
The allocation for the Alaska Marine Highway System is part of $ 29 million in funding that the state received for rural transit needs from the Federal Transit Administration , CoastAlaska reported Saturday .
The state had initially said the amount was $ 5 million but corrected the figure to $ 10 million on Monday without providing further details .
The funding is part of the state ’ s share of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the state Department of Transportation said .
A slowdown in customer demand because of the the pandemic has caused a delay in returning the ferry system to full service until summer , state officials said .
The marine highway system said some ferries will return to service in June and July after “ a very successful winter overhaul period , ” the agency wrote .
The agency added : “ Currently the Columbia , Kennicott and Tustumena are all in the completion phase of their overhauls .
The extensive steel repair project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the vessel is scheduled to re-float this week.
” The Legislature added funding to overhaul the ferry Aurora , which transportation department officials said should be back in service later this year .
Republican Gov .
Mike Dunleavy vetoed nearly $ 13 million in appropriations for the ferry system , arguing the decision still leaves more for operations than was available last year .
Dunleavy is waiting for his working group on the future of the fleet to report its recommendations in the fall , he said last week .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feedback to see where we ’ re going to go and how we ’ re going to go to assist in transportation in the coastal areas of Alaska , ” Dunleavy said .
“ But there was money in the state budget to extend the schedules and we are working on getting those boats repaired to get them ready to roll.
” For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .
This story corrects the amount of the award to $ 10 million instead of the $ 5 million the state initially released .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Tripod on frozen river tips in Nenana Ice Classic

NENANA , Alaska - An organizer of the Nenana Ice Classic said the ice on the Tanana River went out @ @ @ @ @ Details on the winner of the popular guessing contest and the size of the jackpot @ @ @ @ @ Classic manager Cherrie Forness said work processing the tickets is expected to begin this week @ @ @ @ @ a complete count of the tickets but estimated it was about 180,000 .
People each @ @ @ @ @ when a tripod on the frozen Tanana River will tip over as ice on the @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Judge to Chicago jail: Do more to protect inmates from virus

CHICAGO - Cook County Jail in Chicago must do more to ensure social distancing among its 4,000 inmates to stem the spread of the coronavirus that ’ s already killed six detainees and one guard at the facility , a federal judge ruled Monday .
Judge Matthew Kennelly stopped short of mandating a process that would lead to the release of older inmates and those with underlying health conditions more susceptible to dying from COVID-19 .
The southwest Chicago jail — one of the nation ’ s largest — has already taken measures to limit close contact , including by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reading material to inmates to encourage them to stay in their cells and away from common areas , Kennelly noted .
He issued an order on April 9 requiring the jail to provide ample sanitizer to inmates , and it later distributed 28 gallons of sanitizer despite concern that some inmates would drink the alcohol-based substance .
That order didn ’ t mandate social distancing procedures beyond intake areas , citing security constraints .
In his latest ruling , Kennelly noted testimony that some guards openly mocked social distancing .
Others told him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas sufficiently , and that phones weren ’ t sanitized between inmate calls .
The new order says phones and other objects must be cleaned after each inmate use .
Some jail officials said inmates are partly to blame for not heeding instructions on how to protect themselves .
Kennelly ’ s order calls on jail authorities to speak regularly to inmates to stress the importance of social distancing .
The judge praised Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart , who oversees the jail , for “ a significant and impressive effort to safeguard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed with lawyers who filed a lawsuit on behalf of detainees fearful of catching COVID-19 that more needs to be done .
The suit led to both of the April orders .
The jail must mostly phase out the practice of doubling up inmates in some cells or holding them in large-group units , Kennelly said .
He set April 29 as the deadline for compliance .
As of Sunday , 229 detainees had the coronavirus , including 17 who were hospitalized , and 232 had recovered , sheriff ’ s data shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 35 sheriff ’ s employees had the virus , while 170 had recovered and returned to work .
Kennelly said earlier this month that the jail had an infection rate of 50 per 1,000 people , far higher than elsewhere in the county .
Dart responded that this was because the jail tests everyone with symptoms , which isn ’ t the case outside .
The jail ’ s population has dropped by more than 1,000 to around 4,000 following another judge ’ s order in March for bail reduction hearings leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a threat .
Citing those numbers , Kennelly said Monday it was clear that inmates vulnerable to COVID-19 already had recourse for winning their release .
And he rejected pleas from inmates ’ lawyers that crowding in the jail itself during a pandemic could be grounds for release .
“ This , ” he said , “ would be tantamount to saying that , in the present circumstances , the Constitution prohibits detaining people in jails .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--As NY COVID-19 deaths drop, Cuomo outlines regional restarts

NEW YORK - Gov .
Andrew Cuomo outlined how stay-at-home restrictions could be eased for parts of the state .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that city-run health clinics will soon use a testing procedure that lets people collect samples themselves at a health care worker ’ s direction .
The city also will close 40 miles of streets to cars next month to give pedestrians more room to move outside Here are the latest coronavirus-related developments in New York : Regional officials aiming to re-open their economies next month should make sure testing is up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital beds available , Cuomo said .
The governor outlined re-opening guidelines as statewide hospitalization rates and deaths continue to decline from peaks earlier this month .
The 337 deaths recorded statewide Sunday was the lowest daily tally this month and down from a high of 799 on April 8 .
More than 17,000 people have died in New York since the start of the outbreak .
Cuomo said at his daily news briefing that statewide stay-at-home restrictions set to expire May 15 will likely be extended in many parts of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state , some regions , you could make the case that we should un-pause on May 15 , ” said Cuomo .
The governor , like elected officials around the nation , is facing calls to ease restrictions soon .
Floyd Rayburn , who employs 30 people at his Canandaigua-based masonry business , doesn ’ t see a need to wait until mid-May .
He didn ’ t think the widespread shutdowns were necessary in places with lower numbers of cases .
“ It ’ s time to open up the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it up , ” Rayburn said by phone Monday .
He is still paying employees as part of the Paycheck Protection Program , the relief fund that Congress created to help small businesses through the crisis , but said he would rather open back up and put them back to work .
Cuomo said decisions will be made and monitored based on rates of hospitalizations , antibody testing , diagnostic testing and data on infection rates .
Regional officials need to be prepared to make sure there are enough workers to trace the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to isolate infected people and enough hospital capacity .
Preliminary results of statewide antibody tests , which check for substances the immune system makes to fight the virus , suggest the coronavirus is far less prevalent in some upstate areas compared New York City , a pandemic hotspot .
While almost a quarter of people in New York City tested positive for antibodies , the rate was below 2 % in northern and central New York , according to preliminary estimates .
Construction and manufacturing jobs that represent low risks for workers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York state begins reopening , Cuomo said Sunday .
New York City-run health clinics will soon take a new tack on coronavirus testing , using a procedure that lets people collect samples themselves at a health care worker ’ s direction , de Blasio announced Monday .
He said the “ self-swab ” tests would allow for more and easier testing and make it safer for test-seekers and health care workers alike .
“ This is something we ’ re going to start using aggressively because it will be better for everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this point , testing has mainly been done by health care workers inserting a swab deep into a person ’ s nostrils .
The feeling often makes someone sneeze or cough while the health care professional is right there , city Health and Hospitals President Dr. Mitchell Katz said .
The new process will work like this : A health care worker will explain how to administer the test , and then the person would take a nasal swab , with a health professional watching via a mirror to offer guidance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then will spit into a cup for a second sample for cross-checking .
The samples will then be given to a health care worker and tested .
De Blasio said the method would allow health care workers and test-seekers to keep more distance ; reduce the need to devote health care workers to administering tests , and allow the clinics to administer as many as 20 tests and hour , instead of 15 .
The Cuomo administration says it will soon have to cut aid to schools and local governments by as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state agency budgets by 10 % — or $ 1.6 billion — unless New York receives a flood of federal aid to mend the state ’ s “ bleak ” economic outlook , according to the state ’ s recently released financial plan .
Cuomo ’ s administration warns cuts could hit everything from special education to children ’ s health insurance to school property tax relief .
The public may not get a sense of the cuts until sometime in May , when the Cuomo administration plans to send lawmakers a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass their own plan to balance the budget .
Cuomo has previously dismissed the possibility of raising taxes on the wealthy to help bridge the gap and questioned how much money could be raised .
When asked about a tax increase on the wealthy in a Monday radio appearance , Democratic Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said “ we ’ ve got to have everything on the table ” but also added : “ We can ’ t tax our way out of this situation.
” Cuomo ’ s budget office estimates economic restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13.3 billion .
A new partnership between New York and dairy processors will help farmers struggling due to pandemic-related school and restaurant closings , Cuomo said .
Grocery store purchases have surged , but processors geared toward the food service industry have had a huge drop in demand .
Farmers left with an oversupply of milk and no market have been forced to dispose of some .
“ This is just total waste to me , ” Cuomo said .
“ We have people downstate who need food .
We have farmers upstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We have to put those two things together.
” New York ’ s dairy processors , including Chobani , Cabot Creamery , Upstate Niagara and Dairy Farmers of America , will partner with the state to process excess milk into yogurt , cheese and other products that will be distributed to food banks and those in need , Cuomo said .
De Blasio said the city will close 40 miles of streets to cars next month and up to 100 miles during the duration of the COVID-19 crisis in order to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .
De Blasio said an early focus of the plan will be streets near parks , since people are already gathering there .
He said he is working out details with the City Council , which passed a bill last week to require the city ’ s transportation department to close up to 75 miles of streets to cars .
Two coronavirus con men from California hatched a price-gouging scheme to get an investor to pay $ 4.8 million for a stockpile of medical face masks that they control , federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Donald Allen , 62 , of Riverside , and Manuel Revolorio , 37 , of Rancho Cucamonga , were facing fraud charges alleging they sought to lure the New York investor into a scheme by claiming the “ masks could be sold for double or triple the purchase price , ” according to a criminal complaint .
During a sting operation , the defendants told the investor the masks were selling “ very quickly ” and that “ a National Football League franchise ” was a potential buyer , court papers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers for each of the defendants .
New York has cancelled its Democratic presidential primary that was scheduled for June 23 amid the coronavirus pandemic , a move denounced by former candidate Bernie Sanders ’ campaign and his supporters as a blow to democracy .
Hill and Villeneuve reported and Mary Esch contributed from Albany , N.Y. Carolyn Thompson contributed from Buffalo , N.Y .

Marina Villeneuve, Karen Matthews And Michael Hill - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Remains from landfill identified as missing Minnesota woman

MOORHEAD , Minn. - Authorities in western Minnesota said Monday remains recovered from a landfill have been identified as those @ @ @ @ @ who prosecutors say was killed and dismembered .
The Ramsey County medical examiner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ discovered last week as those of Dystynee Avery , Moorhead police said .
Ethan Broad @ @ @ @ @ , was charged last week with second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony in @ @ @ @ @ Two people were arrested last week on accessory to murder charges , and police said @ @ @ @ @ , North Dakota , man also was taken into custody on accessory to murder charges @ @ @ @ @ North Dakota jail pending extradition to Minnesota .
According to the criminal complaint , Broad @ @ @ @ @ Avery , but he said it was an act of self-defence .
The complaint says @ @ @ @ @ with a saw , put the remains into garbage bags and dumped them in bins @ @ @ @ @ Moorhead , near the border with North Dakota .


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Small business loan program restarts, runs into snags

NEW YORK - The second round of loan applications for the government ’ s small business relief program has been slowed by computer issues at the Small Business Administration .
Lenders complained Monday that they couldn ’ t get their applications into the SBA system known as ETran that processes and approves loans .
The agency said it notified lenders Sunday that it was limiting the number of applications any lender could submit at once .
The SBA began accepting applications at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time for $ 310 billion in funding .
The program ’ s initial $ 349 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks after more than 1.7 million loans were approved .
That first round was also slowed by computer issues at the SBA , Banks had thousands of applications ready to go Monday .
Richard Hunt , president of the trade group Consumer Bankers Association , said the SBA ’ s announcement on application limits was too last-minute — bankers had already sent large batches of applications to the agency , not knowing that a new procedure was being planned .
“ We learned at the 11th hour that SBA had changed its process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of time , “ Hunt said .
He said the agency ’ s computers weren ’ t able to accept even the reduced number of applications per hour that it had planned .
The ETran system normally handles under 60,000 applications in a year and wasn ’ t built to handle the volume of applications it has been receiving this month .
The fresh round of funding was expected to go quickly because banks already had thousands of applications in hand and were accepting more as they waited for Congress to approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds do get depleted , it ’ s feared that many companies will be shut out unless lawmakers are willing to approve a third round .
The loans offer forgiveness for the money owners spend on workers ’ pay .
Millions of workers lost their jobs as companies such as restaurants , retailers , gyms and entertainment venues were forced to close to curb the spread of the virus .
On Monday , bankers around the country were having trouble getting into the SBA ’ s system , said Paul Merski , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America .
“ Some have been trying all day since it opened , ” Merski said .
“ It ’ s not different from what happened in the original launch.
“ President Donald Trump was asked about the computer issues during a White House news conference .
“ I heard there was a glitch .
We ’ ll find out whether or not that ’ s so .
Certainly it did work out very well for the original amount of money .
This is the second amount , ” Trump said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go out and do an accurate job.
” Carol Wilkerson , a spokeswoman for the SBA , said that the agency had created a mechanism that slowed the pace of applications from any one lender at a time .
“ If a lender goes above the pacing limit they will get timed out , “ she said .
Kevin Freking contributed to this report from Washington .

Joyce M. Rosenberg - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Questions swirl as Fed meets amid deepening economic crisis

WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve has largely calmed turbulent financial markets .
Yet a far tougher task remains : Helping rescue an economy and job market that appear to be free-falling into the worst catastrophe since the Great Depression .
Fed policymakers will meet Tuesday and Wednesday against a backdrop of dismal data : More than 26 million Americans have applied for unemployment benefits since the coronavirus forced widespread business closures .
Retail sales have dropped by a record pace .
Home sales have plunged .
In the meantime , inflation has started to fall amid the collapse in economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below the Fed ’ s 2 % target level .
With beleaguered hotels , airlines and retailers slashing prices , inflation could fall to 1 % or less by year ’ s end .
That poses another problem for the Fed : Declining prices can eventually lead consumers to delay spending , thereby slowing the economy further .
In response , the Fed has slashed its benchmark interest rate to near zero in two emergency moves and launched an alphabet soup of lending programs — nine in total — to pump cash into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also bought about $ 1.4 trillion in Treasury securities to ensure that banks can swap Treasurys for cash and keep rates low .
Chairman Jerome Powell isn ’ t expected to announce any major new initiatives when the Fed ’ s meeting ends Wednesday .
The central bank may provide more details on its lending programs and may also fill in some specifics about its Treasury-buying program , which is now essentially unlimited .
Economists will also look for any changes the Fed may make to where it stands on interest rates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it will keep rates at near zero “ until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events.
“ In the past , the Fed has sometimes set a time frame for future rate hikes , and in other cases has set out conditions , such as the unemployment rate falling to a certain level .
But few analysts forecast anything specific Wednesday .
Economists at Bank of America said they expect the central bank to simply acknowledge that rates will remain ultra-low for “ an extended period.
” Powell will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions the Fed has taken during this crisis , including unleashing lending programs that will directly aid individual cities and businesses , a step beyond its usual assistance to banks and credit markets .
These interventions have exposed the central bank to concerns that it will inevitably favour some companies or municipalities over others .
The Fed , whose independence is seen as vital to its role in the financial system , has always steered clear of such potentially politicized actions .
“ That ’ s a very big step , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Oxford Economics , a consulting firm .
“ The Fed hasn ’ t necessarily moved out of their lane , but they certainly have widened the lane.
” The Fed has also said it will buy up to $ 750 billion in corporate bonds , including riskier debt bearing higher yields — a “ bit of a precarious step , ” Bostjancic said , because the Fed normally avoids taking on credit risk .
Two weeks ago , as part of a $ 2.3 trillion lending program , the Fed said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy municipal bonds issued by state and local governments , up to $ 500 billion .
It also unveiled a Main Street Lending Program , which will also for the first time lend $ 600 billion to medium-sized companies of up 10,000 employees .
The loans are intended to support mostly companies that are too large for the government ’ s small business lending program , which targets those with fewer than 500 workers .
Companies that borrow from the Main Street program must “ make reasonable efforts ” to retain their workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not repurchase their shares or pay dividends .
The Fed has said it will disclose the recipients of its Main Street loans .
Still , most of these programs haven ’ t formally launched .
The Fed has yet to buy any municipal securities or corporate debt .
Even so , just the announcements that it will do so have smoothed markets .
The announcements have also generated concerns about who will end up benefiting and who will not .
As part of its new Municipal Liquidity Facility , the Fed said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states and some large cities .
But at first , only those cities with populations above 1 million and counties with populations of more than 2 million were eligible .
That grouping included just 10 cities and 16 counties and excluded the 35 cities with the highest proportion of African-Americans , according to a report by the Brookings Institution .
Detroit and Atlanta , for example , failed to make the cutoff .
“ The further the Fed pushes , the more issues it is likely to unearth , ” said Mark Vitner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , partly in response to such criticisms , the Fed expanded the facility to cover roughly 80 cities and more than 100 counties , by lowering the population cutoffs .
Vitner noted that the Fed ’ s initial announcement of the facility helped reduce rates for muni bonds broadly , thereby supporting all issuers .
“ What the Fed is doing is more holistic , and they are trying to support the whole economy , “ he said .
“ And they ’ re doing that by attacking specific pressure points @ @

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Is Brazil the next big hot spot as other nations ease up?

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil is emerging as potentially the next big hot spot for the coronavirus amid President Jair Bolsonaro ’ s insistence that it is just a “ little flu ” and that there is no need for the sharp restrictions that have slowed the infection ’ s spread in Europe and the U.S. As some U.S. states and European countries moved gradually Monday to ease their limits on movement and commerce , the intensifying outbreak in Brazil — Latin America ’ s biggest country , with 211 million people — pushed some hospitals to the breaking point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of victims are now dying at home .
“ We have all the conditions here for the pandemic to become much more serious , “ said Paulo Brandão , a virologist at the University of Sao Paulo .
Brazil officially reported about 4,500 deaths and almost 67,000 confirmed infections .
But the true numbers there , as in many other countries , are believed to be vastly higher given the lack of testing and the many people without severe symptoms who haven ’ t sought hospital care .
Some scientists said over 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the crisis could escalate as the country heads into winter , which can worsen respiratory illnesses .
The country ’ s health ministry said that the system for accounting for deaths is “ robust “ and has captured all but a few cases .
Worldwide , the death toll topped 210,000 , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
The number of dead in the U.S. surpassed 55,000 — close to the 58,000 U.S. troops killed during the Vietnam War .
Italy , Britain , Spain and France accounted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the U.S. , the Trump administration worked to draw up new guidelines for how restaurants , schools , churches and businesses can safely reopen .
The draft under consideration included suggestions such as closing break rooms at offices , using disposable menus in restaurants and having students eat lunch in their classrooms .
— British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returned to work after a bout with the virus and warned strongly against easing his own country ’ s lockdown too soon : “ I refuse to throw away all the effort and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to risk a second major outbreak and huge loss of life.
” — In an unprecedented move , New York cancelled its Democratic presidential primary , set for June 23 , since Bernie Sanders has already conceded the nomination to Joe Biden .
In Brazil , Bolsonaro has disputed the seriousness of the coronavirus and said people need to resume their lives to prevent an economic meltdown .
But most state governors in the country have adopted restrictions to slow the spread and pushed people to stay at home .
In mid-April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of disagreements over efforts to contain the virus , replacing him with an advocate for reopening the economy .
Residents protested , leaning out their windows to bang pots and pans .
Medical officials in Rio de Janeiro and at least four other major cities have warned that their hospital systems are on the verge of collapse or too overwhelmed to take any more patients .
Officials in Sao Paulo — the largest city in South America , in a tightly packed metropolitan area of over 21 million residents , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued death certificates over the past two weeks for 236 people who succumbed at home , double the number before the outbreak , according to the SAMU paramedic service .
Manaus , an Amazon city of 1.8 million , recorded 142 deaths on Sunday , the most yet , including 41 who died at home .
In the main cemetery , workers have been digging mass graves .
Brazil ’ s funeral industry warned last week that the city was running out of coffins and “ there could soon be corpses left on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors of Nevada and Colorado announced that their states will join their three West Coast counterparts in co-ordinating their reopenings .
West Virginia ’ s governor unveiled an aggressive plan to reopen his state ’ s economy based on a loosening of previously announced testing benchmarks .
In Massachusetts , however , officials reported the state ’ s 3,000th death from the virus .
The state is “ still in the surge and very much in the fight against COVID-19 , ” Gov .
Charlie Baker said .
In Georgia , where Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to let businesses reopen , restaurants received the go-ahead to resume dine-in service as long as they follow certain restrictions , including keeping tables 6 feet apart .
At Plucked Up Chicken & Biscuits in Columbus , Georgia , eight regulars showed up in the morning to have their coffee and breakfast and “ chatted at each other across the room , ” manager Alesha Webster said .
But only 10 customers could be inside at a time , well below the capacity of 45 .
Alex Brounstein , owner of the Atlanta-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to reopen right away .
“ You ’ re talking about people putting their mouths on things in your restaurant .
You now have dirty dishes going back into your kitchen .
To me , it ’ s just completely illogical , ” he said .
Technology is likely to play an important role in helping countries ease their restrictions .
Many countries , including Italy , France , Switzerland and Britain , are working on virus-tracking apps and other means of reducing the labour-intensive task of tracing infected people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 COVID-19 deaths , 1.1 million of the country ’ s 26 million people downloaded a new contact-tracing app within 12 hours of its becoming available .
In another encouraging sign amid the gloom , New York state reported 337 deaths for the lowest daily count this month , down from a high of nearly 800 almost three weeks ago .
And Italy registered its lowest day-to-day number of new cases of COVID-19 since practically the first day the country was put under lockdown in early March .
Biller and De Sousa reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York .
Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report .

David Biller, Marcelo De Sousa And Adam Geller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Maduro taps US fugitive to revamp Venezuela oil industry

CARACAS , Venezuela - President Nicolás Maduro on Monday named a powerful ally sanctioned by the U.S. as a drug kingpin , along with a cousin of the late socialist leader Hugo Chávez , to revamp Venezuela ’ s oil industry amid massive gasoline shortages .
Tareck El Aissami was appointed oil minister and Asdrúbal Chávez tapped to head of state-run oil giant PDVSA .
The appointments were published in the official gazette and announced on state television .
The government has yet to comment .
Both positions were occupied until now by Gen. Manuel Quevedo , who during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country sitting atop the world ’ s largest petroleum reserves collapsed by 65 % .
“ The country ’ s only source of revenue , oil , has collapsed under Quevedo and the U.S. sanctions put the final nails in his coffin , ” said Russ Dallen , head of the Miami-based investment firm Caracas Capital Markets .
The shakeup comes amid crashing global oil prices and it follows a two-decade collapse of crude production at Venezuela ’ s state-ruin oil firm , which today pumps an amount equal to 19 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chávez took power in 1999 .
Critics blame rampant corruption and mismanagement .
Venezuelans in recent weeks have experienced critical gasoline shortages and mile-long gas lines lasting days even in the capital of Caracas , the seat of the country ’ s politics and wealth normally spared the shortages seen across the nation .
In a bid to meet domestic gasoline demand , Venezuela has turned to Iran , receiving the first of several shipments of a key chemical catalyst needed to convert the South American nation ’ s crude to fuel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ months as head of Houston-based CITGO , a PDVSA subsidiary , but had to abandon the position after he was denied a U.S. visa .
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently added El Aissami to its list of 10 most-wanted fugitives .
He was sanctioned in 2017 as allegedly being a major drug trafficker and then was indicted two years later on allegations of violating those sanctions .
A key adviser to Maduro , El Aissami , 45 , has served previously as vice-president and most recently minister of industry .
El Aissami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Washington , while Chávez has not been targeted by the Trump administration with financial measures .
El Aissami was indicted for the second time by a U.S. federal court last month for being part of the alleged narcoterrorist conspiracy alongside Maduro .
Authorities offered a $ 10 million bounty for information leading to El Aissami ’ s arrest and $ 15 million for Maduro ’ s arrest .
Risa Grais-Targow , the director for Latin America at Eurasia Group , said El Aissami ’ s appointment underscores Maduro ’ s efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s oil industry .
“ Within Chavismo , El Aissami is a relative pragmatist , ” said Grais-Targow .
“ But it ’ s an extremely difficult situation on any front.
” Despite having the world ’ s largest oil reserves , Venezuela ’ s political and social crisis continues to deepen , as the U.S. and a coalition of nearly 60 nations press Maduro to stand down .
Those nations recognize opposition politician Juan Guaidó as Venezuela ’ s legitimate president , arguing that Maduro ’ s election in 2018 was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates were banned from running .
The crisis had driven more than 4.5 million Venezuelans from their home , most crossing into neighbouring Colombia , Peru and Ecuador , while escaping failing public services like power , running water and adequate medical care .
In attempt to relieve the pain of soaring inflation , Maduro ’ s government on Monday raised the minimum wage most workers earn , bringing their monthly take-home pay up to the equivalent of $ 4.66 including both the base pay and food vouchers .
Venezuela ’ s Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first three months of the year .
While PDVSA faces multiple challenges , from low crude prices to falling production , the new oil team ’ s first priority will be finding gasoline supplies that are on the verge of running out as U.S. sanctions have made fuel imports harder to come by , she said .
Grais-Targow said U.S. sanctions on El Aissami are also likely to complicate his efforts .
“ This tells you they ’ re throwing in the towel about a sanctioned individual being an impediment to future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ Or maybe it ’ s just an implicit recognition of their reality .
”

Joshua Goodman And Scott Smith - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-27--Federal trial opens over Florida’s felon voting law

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - A high-stakes federal trial opened Monday that could allow hundreds of thousands of felons to regain the right to vote in Florida , a battleground state that is expected to hold considerable sway in the November elections .
The state is home to about 1 million felons , possibly many more , who would represent a sizable voting bloc in any election and could help influence the outcomes of razor-thin elections that have become common in a crucial state .
A university study introduced as evidence in the trial being heard in U.S. District Court in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Florida ’ s 67 counties are ineligible to vote because of financial debts .
At issue is Amendment 4 , a voter-approved ballot measure that gave felons the right to vote .
Months after voters approved the initiative in November 2018 , Florida ’ s Republican-controlled Legislature passed a bill later signed by Gov .
Ron DeSantis stipulating that felons must pay all fines , restitution and other legal financial obligations before their sentences could be considered fully served .
Lawyers for the plaintiffs described the financial stipulation as taxes imposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot box , a burden they said disproportionately blocks blacks and the poor from voting .
“ They didn ’ t just put a price tag on voting .
The evidence will show they created a system where returning citizens can ’ t even tell what the price is , ” said Sean Morales-Doyle of the Brennan Center for Justice , among the groups representing plaintiffs .
“ We ’ re talking about the voting rights of three-quarters of a million people .
Obviously , that ’ s enough to determine plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wider , elections , ” Julie Ebenstein , a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union , said before the trial .
The ACLU also represents some of the plaintiffs in the case .
Mohammad Jazil , an attorney for the governor and the secretary of state ’ s office , said the intent of Amendment 4 was clear to voters : The ballot measure restores voting rights to felons after they complete all terms of their sentence , including parole and probation .
“ That language is unambiguous , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language includes the payment of fines , fees , costs , restitution and all other financial terms of the sentence before the restoration of voting rights.
” The Florida Supreme Court sided with DeSantis and his secretary of state , Laurel Lee , when it concluded in an advisory opinion in January that “ all terms of sentence ” means satisfying all legal financial obligations imposed with a guilty verdict .
“ The system is not perfect , but the system gets it right most of the time , ” Jazil said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dan Smith , the chair of the University of Florida ’ s political science department , who testified on behalf of plaintiffs in what is now a consolidated class action lawsuit against the state of Florida .
“ I actually think the state should get it right of all the time when it comes to voting rights , ” Smith said .
Smith conducted a study on behalf of the plaintiffs that suggested how onerous it is for some felons to not only pay their financial obligations but to even find out what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ database that tracks the information .
According to his study , about 60 per cent of those who owe money have debts exceeding $ 1,000 .
“ This is not pocket change that we ’ re talking about , ” he said , suggesting later that many freed convicts are indigent and don ’ t have the financial means to cover those debts .
Monday ’ s glitch-ridden trial before U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle was conducted by video and telephone because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Technical difficulties often interrupted proceedings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ injunction against the state .
And in February , a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit let the injunction stand .
Last month , the Atlanta-based appellate court declined to hear a further appeal backed by the governor .
Hinkle ’ s preliminary injunction did not preclude Florida from revoking voting rights to felons who have the means to repay outstanding financial obligations but who refuse .
But he likened the state ’ s financial requirement to a poll tax if it continues to deny the vote to felons too poor to fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not testify Monday , is among the 17 named defendants who had been denied the right to vote until Hinkle issued his preliminary injunction last fall .
At 62 , she voted for the first time during the March 17 presidential primary , taking her place at the head of the line at a Sarasota community centre early that morning , butterflies rising in her stomach .
“ It was one of the greatest moments in my life , ” said Riddle , who estimates she has $ 2,000 in legal financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was like getting your freedom back , allowing my voice to be heard .
”

Bobby Caina Calvan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Report: Biden accuser spoke to neighbour of alleged assault

WASHINGTON - An associate of a former Senate aide to Joe Biden says the woman told her about her allegations of sexual assault against Biden — now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — in the 1990s .
The account , which was published Monday in Business Insider , comes a little over a month after Tara Reade first accused Biden of sexually assaulting her in the basement of a Capitol Hill office building when she worked in his office in the spring of 1993 .
Biden ’ s campaign has denied the allegations .
In an interview with The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had told at least four people about the incident , including her deceased mother and her brother , who has spoken publicly about the matter .
The AP spoke with two individuals on the condition of anonymity ; one said Reade told them about the alleged assault when it happened , while the other said Reade told them in 2007 or 2008 about experiencing sexual harassment from Biden while working in his Senate office .
Now Lynda LaCasse , who was Reade ’ s neighbour in the 1990s , says Reade told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time it happened .
LaCasse said that when they were neighbours in 1995 or 1996 , Reade told her “ about the senator that she had worked for and he put his hand up her skirt.
” “ She felt like she was assaulted , and she really didn ’ t feel there was anything she could do , ” LaCasse told Business Insider .
A second woman , Lorraine Sanchez , worked with Reade for California state Sen. Jack O ’ Connell from 1994 to 1996 .
Sanchez told Business Insider that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassed by her former boss while she was in DC ” and was fired for voicing her concerns .
The AP was unable to reach Sanchez or LaCasse .
Reade did not respond to questions about why she did not mention the women in earlier interviews as people who could corroborate her story .
She told The AP on Monday that she had been asked not to share the women ’ s contact information with news organizations .
The Biden campaign declined to comment on the new interviews , pointing to an earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Kate Bedingfield .
The statement said that while sexual assault claims should be “ diligently reviewed by an independent press , ” what Reade alleged “ absolutely did not happen.
” Reade said in past interviews that Biden pushed her against a wall in the basement of a Capitol Hill office building , groped her and penetrated her with his fingers .
She said after telling her supervisors in Biden ’ s office that she had been sexually harassed by the then-senator , her concerns weren ’ t taken seriously and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two of those staffers have said in interviews that they didn ’ t recall Reade or any such incident .
The third issued an on-the-record statement denying Reade ’ s claim .
Late last week , the Intercept unearthed a 1993 video clip that shows a woman Reade says was her mother calling into CNN ’ s “ Larry King Live.
” In the clip , an unnamed woman from San Luis Obispo , Calif. , tells King that her daughter just left Washington , “ after working for a prominent senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her problems at all , and the only thing she could have done was go to the press , and she chose not to do it out of respect for him.
” Last spring , eight women , including Reade , came forward with allegations that Biden made them feel uncomfortable with inappropriate displays of affection .
Biden acknowledged the complaints and promised to be “ more mindful about respecting personal space in the future.
“ The AP spoke with Reade about those complaints in April 2019 .
During that interview , Reade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck and played with her hair , and that she was asked by another aide in Biden ’ s Senate office to dress more conservatively and told “ don ’ t be so sexy.
” The AP declined to publish details of the interview at the time because reporters were unable to corroborate her allegations , and aspects of her story contradicted other reporting .
Reade came forward in March with the additional allegation of assault during a podcast interview with Katie Halper .
The Republican National Committee and other allies of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s allegations against Biden , though the president has not raised them himself .
Trump has faced numerous allegations of sexual assault , allegations he denies .
He also apologized during the 2016 campaign for comments he made during an interview with Access Hollywood in which he bragged about using his celebrity to assault women .
Reade , a longtime Democrat who supported both Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders in the primary , said she won ’ t be voting for Trump or Biden in November .
While Trump has faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe and numerous , Reade said she felt either was a similarly bad option .
“ It ’ s sad statement about our own culture that we are having to choose between two men that have allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment and a history of misogyny , ” Reade said .


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Hundreds take part in funeral of man killed in Lebanon riots

TRIPOLI , Lebanon - Hundreds of angry Lebanese took part Tuesday in the funeral of a young man killed in riots overnight in the northern city of Tripoli that were triggered by the crash of Lebanon ’ s national currency that sent food prices soaring .
As the funeral got underway in the afternoon hours , in a nearby street lined with banks , dozens of protesters hurled Molotov cocktails , setting off fires in at least two banks .
Troops deployed quickly in the area to try prevent further riots .
The violence in Tripoli , Lebanon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , first erupted late on Monday and lasted well after midnight as angry protesters threw firebombs at several banks and caused wide damage .
Protests also erupted elsewhere in Lebanon , leaving scores injured and more than a dozen people detained , according to the Lebanese military .
In Tripoli , hundreds marched in the funeral procession for Fawaz al-Samman , 27 .
Gunmen opened fire in the air in a sign of anger .
The man ’ s body was brought from his parent ’ s home and placed briefly in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was laid to rest in a Tripoli cemetery .
Apparently to avoid more tension , al-Samman ’ s body was not brought to the city ’ s Nour Square as previously planned .
Most of the violence had taken place on the square and shortly after the funeral began , troops deployed there moved away from the area .
“ The army command expresses its deep regret for the fall of a martyr , ” the military said , adding that an investigation has been opened into al-Samman ’ s death .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities began easing the weeks-long lockdown to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in Lebanon , which has reported 710 cases and 24 deaths so far .
In a statement about the overnight riots , the Lebanese army said that “ troublemakers who had infiltrated the protesters to attack banks “ also threw firebombs and grenades at the military , setting a military vehicle on fire .
It said 54 troops were injured across the country and that the army detained 13 people .
The state-run National News Agency said clashes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 30 injured .
In Beirut , “ attackers “ set ATM machines on fire at a local bank early Tuesday , the agency said .
Public anger has mounted against banks in Lebanon after they imposed capital controls on people ’ s accounts .
Over the weekend , the Lebanese pound hit a record low , with 4,000 pounds to the dollar on the black market while the official price remained at 1,507 pounds .
On Sunday night , the Central Bank of Lebanon instructed currency exchange shops not to sell the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , most exchange shops were not selling dollars , saying clients who have dollars are refusing to exchange their hard currency at such a low price .
Several exchange shop owners were detained Monday for violating the decree , prompting a strike Tuesday by shop owners until the detainees were set free .
The dollar surged on the black market to 4,300 pounds on Tuesday .

Bilal Hussein And Bassam Hatoum - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Gospel singer Troy Sneed dies from coronavirus complications

LOS ANGELES - Grammy-nominated gospel singer Troy Sneed has died from complications with the coronavirus .
He was 52 .
Sneed ’ s publicist Bill Carpenter said the singer died early Monday at a hospital in Jacksonville , Florida .
Sneed earned a Grammy nomination for his work on the Youth For Christ ’ s 1999 album “ Higher.
” Sneed travelled throughout the United States early in his career to sing the gospel with the Georgia Mass Choir .
He arranged music on their albums and appeared with the choir in 1996 film “ The Preacher ’ s Wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington .
Sneed helped form Youth For Christ , which was comprised of members between the ages of 12 and 18 from the Georgia Mass Choir .
He served as a producer on Youth For Christ ’ s “ The Struggle Is Over , ” which landed at No .
1 on Billboard ’ s gospel songs chart in 2006 .
As a solo artist , Sneed released seven albums and had several hit songs within the gospel realm including “ Work It Out ” and “ My Heart Says Yes , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Billboard ’ s gospel chart .
He ’ s also known for the upbeat “ Hallelujah.
” Sneed and his wife , Emily , started their own record label Emtro , which is a blend of their first names .
Their label became a success with a roster of artists from Alvin Darling & Celebration and Rev .
Rudolph McKissick .


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Asian celebs work to combat racist attacks amid pandemic

NEW YORK - Actress Olivia Cheng was recently volunteering in Vancouver when she says she witnessed a man drive up to an elderly Chinese woman , roll down his window and yell , “ This is your fault !
” before throwing trash at her .
The incident enraged Cheng , and also served as another reason why she feels it ’ s so important for celebrities of Asian descent to use their voices and speak up against anti-Asian attacks , which authorities say are increasing during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I don ’ t think we can pretend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cheng , who stars in “ The Stand ” on CBS All Access , said in a recent interview with The Associated Press .
“ For now , it would not be unwise to be a little more careful , to maybe have buddy systems when possible to go get your groceries if you ’ re not feeling safe.
” The FBI reports there has been an uptick in hate crimes and harassment against Asian Americans since the outbreak of COVID-19 , which first appeared in Wuhan , China , late last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Asians in general for the spread of coronavirus ; President Donald Trump at times has called it the “ Chinese virus.
” In New York , state Attorney General Letitia James has set up a hotline to report harassment or other targeted crime .
Some of those incidents have been filmed and posted online .
“ Tigertail ” star Tzi Ma says he ’ s been a victim of such harassment .
He was entering a grocery store in Pasadena , California , recently when he was confronted by a man in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me straight in the eye and said , ‘ You should be quarantined ’ and took off , ” said the veteran actor , who was born in Hong Kong but moved to the United States as a child .
“ I got very angry obviously , flush with this kind of cold in your body .
And I started screaming at him , but he was way too far away for him to hear me.
” Actor Alain Uy , a star of the upcoming Hulu series “ Marvel ’ s Helstrom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incidents would occur after the virus ’ spread .
“ Once this outbreak happened in Wuhan , we all kind of went , ‘ OK , we know what this is gon na mean , ’ “ said the actor , who was born in the Philippines .
“ Crazy Rich Asians ” director Jon M. Chu said he ’ s been feeling more cautious than usual .
“ It ’ s very sad when I feel a little bit weird when I ’ m going to go for a walk around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Real ” co-host , Jeannie Mai , who is half-Vietnamese and half-Chinese , revealed recently that for the first time , she needed someone to monitor her social media posts to delete racist comments .
“ The Good Doctor ” actor Will Yun Lee is even nervous about taking his baby son to the grocery store : “ My wife is Caucasian , but my son is half Korean and half white .
But he looks very Asian.
“ But Ma and other stars are speaking up and working to combat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Celia Au and other celebrities and influencers in the recent campaign called “ Wash the Hate , ” created by IW Group , an Asian American-focused marketing agency .
The PSA features Ma , Au and others washing their hands and reminding people that hygiene , not xenophobia , is the way to help combat the virus .
“ If I can start the conversation , why not ?
’ said Au , who was also born in Hong Kong .
“ If we don ’ t talk about it , then it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about at all.
” For Cheng , the recent wave of anti-Asian sentiment brought back painful memories of her childhood growing up in Edmonton , Canada , where she was the victim of a bias attack as a teen .
She went down an internet rabbit hole of attacks posted online .
“ I had to stop watching , ” she said .
“ It brought up all those feelings again from being a kid and not being able to do anything.
” Mai says that it ’ s not only important for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks , but people of other races as well .
“ These are the conversations you need to be having with your kids in your house .
You need to , even if you ’ re not Chinese .
You should be explaining that this is terrible , that racism is coming out of this pandemic , ” she said .
“ So , have that talk with your kid .
Have that talk with your friends .
If one of your friends says , ‘ Yo , this ‘ Chinese Virus ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Actually , man it ’ s called COVID-19 .
It ’ s not the ‘ Chinese Virus.
’ ’ Just check them.
” Earlier this month , Bill Maher , host of HBO ’ s “ Real Time with Bill Maher , ” defended calling coronavirus the “ Chinese Virus , ” comparing it to the Spanish flu .
“ While people say it ’ s innocuous and that it came from China , it ’ s the undertones , ” Lee said .
“ Certain people will grab those undertones and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a worry that anti-Asian American sentiment could translate to a regression in Hollywood after recent success of telling Asian stories .
This year , the South Korean film “ Parasite ” won the best picture Oscar , and Chinese-American director Lulu Wang took home the Independent Spirit Award for her film , “ The Farewell.
” “ Crazy Rich Asians ” was a hit at the box office in 2018 and last year , Sandra Oh became the first Asian woman in 39 years to win the best leading TV actress Golden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I worry , is this going to impact our chances so soon after it feels like we finally made inroads ?
” Cheng said .
“ Is this going to regress us and put us however many steps back ?
” Ma says the only way to proceed is to keep putting out diverse stories .
“ There ’ s no relenting .
We ’ ll keep moving forward .
And hopefully one day , people are going to say , ‘ You know what ?
I not only accept the differences , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re very much alike.
’ ” This story has been corrected to show the name of Bill Maher ’ s show is “ Real Time with Bill Maher , ” instead of ” The Real.
“

Meta will soon block news on their platforms.
Every single Canadian should have access to trusted news.
Stay connected now for only $0.50/week.


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Comics keep laughs coming even with clubs closed by COVID-19

LOS ANGELES - Whenever she ’ s down , Tiffany Haddish says she finds a good joke can bring her right back up .
That ’ s why the popular star of TV , film and stand-up decided to crack wise about ways to survive in the year of coronavirus in a nearly empty room recently while dressed in a bright orange pantsuit , protective gloves and armed with a can of Lysol .
“ You told me you loved me , then bring me some groceries .
I ’ m down to my last roll of T.P.
, ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a raucous tune she said she ’ d written just the day before to sum up what weeks of self-isolation has been like .
Haddish was performing at the venerable Los Angeles club the Laugh Factory , where she got her start as part of a kids ’ comedy camp more than 20 years ago .
No one was in the audience on that weekday afternoon , save four people including a guy videoing the show .
But people perched in front of laptops all around the world could tune in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cameraman chuckled in the background and fellow comic Craig Robinson , dressed in protective gloves and a mask , accompanied her on piano and sometimes played straight man .
With comedy clubs from California to New York dark due to social-distancing mandates , comedians are finding ways to keep bringing the laughs to the public .
In New York , members of the Magnet Theater ’ s popular improv groups are gathering each night through the magic of Zoom to put on shows from their homes while audiences tune in through the platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its several shows a week , as do some other venues scattered around the country .
But people who can ’ t afford a ticket to a Magnet show don ’ t have to pay .
Or they can throw a couple bucks into the virtual “ busker ’ s hat ” afterward .
A recent performance drew 250 viewers , far more than the 70 who could have squeezed into the small theatre .
“ So we blew right past capacity , ” laughed improviser and improv teacher Elana Fishbein .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t see the audience .
That ’ s not so much a problem for a make-it-up-as-you-go-along group that ’ s worked together for some time , Fishbein says , but it ’ s taken some stand-ups a period of adjustment .
“ It is tough to perform in your living room in front of nobody , ” acknowledges comic Will C , speaking by phone from the living room of his Kansas City , Missouri , home .
“ All I get is my wife walking by me , rolling her eyes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bob Zany said he still sometimes pauses during the moments where the laughs — or sometimes the hoots of derision — are supposed to be .
It also reminds him of starting out on the stand-up circuit 40 years ago .
“ In the old days I ’ d do spots like at the Improv at 1:40 in the morning to two people .
And they were passed out drunk , “ he recalls with a laugh .
” So what ’ s the difference ?
” As he waits to resume things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Las Vegas to Los Angeles one recent day to do an hour at the Laugh Factory .
As to what ’ s the attraction — the comics are being paid little to nothing — most echo the words of Haddish .
“ I find whenever I ’ m feeling down , a good laugh really changes everything and makes me feel better .
A lot of people are down and depressed right now and maybe I can inspire a little laughter in them , ” she said after spending an hour performing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had generously doused in Lysol .
Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada started streaming live comedy shows Monday through Friday afternoons shortly after California ordered all non-essential businesses closed .
It was partly a response , he said , to club regulars who complained they ’ d be left with nothing to do while sitting at home , and to comics who suddenly saw most of their income vanish .
He holds the gathering to no more than five , including the people on stage and a person behind the camera .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and says some who don ’ t need the money are donating to charity .
“ We are taking a big financial hit , “ he said .
“ I ’ m even thinking of going and getting a small-business loan.
” The comics are taking a big hit too .
Zany has gigs at casinos and clubs across the country booked through the summer but as to whether he ’ ll get to do them , he says , “ Your guess is as good as mine.
” Will C has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the troupe Veterans of Comedy when not visiting Los Angeles for frequent guest roles in sitcoms and the occasional movie .
All that ’ s on hold now as he does his shows from his living room in Missouri .
Ironically , he had just partnered with the non-profit Mission Warriors to put on a weekly “ Couch Comedy Club ” show on its Facebook page that was aimed at both providing entertainment to current and ex-military as well as helping them overcome PTSD and other trauma .
Now it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched a nightly talk show called “ Broken Zzzzs “ that pulls in hundreds of viewers .
Neither brings in any money .
But Will C is ok with that .
Other people are hurting too , he says , and if he can give them a few minutes of laughter every night , it ’ s worth it .
“ If you love the art of comedy you just want to do it , “ he says , “ Not because you want to get paid .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Police: Palestinian stabs Israeli woman, is shot by witness

JERUSALEM - A Palestinian teenager stabbed an Israeli woman on Tuesday before being shot and wounded by a bystander , @ @ @ @ @ attack came on Israel ’ s Memorial Day , when the country mourns those killed @ @ @ @ @ .
Israelis usually mark the occasion by visiting the graves of loved ones , but @ @ @ @ @ year and small ceremonies are being held without attendees as part of efforts to slow @ @ @ @ @ .
The police said the 62-year-old woman , who was moderately to seriously wounded , @ @ @ @ @ who was seriously wounded , were taken to hospital for treatment .
They did not @ @ @ @ @ attack took place in Kfar Saba , a town near Tel Aviv .
Israel has @ @ @ @ @ , stabbings and car-ramming attacks in recent years , mostly carried out by lone attackers @ @ @ @ @ armed groups .
Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups have praised the attacks but have @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Eastern Libyan forces say Turkish drone killed 5 civilians

CAIRO - Eastern Libyan forces laying siege on the country ’ s capital , Tripoli , accused their rivals on Tuesday of staging an attack in which a Turkish drone hit a food truck convoy in the country ’ s west , killing at least five civilians .
The militia groups loosely allied with a U.N.-supported but weak government in Tripoli denied attacking civilians , saying instead that they targeted trucks carrying equipment and ammunition for eastern forces trying to take Tripoli .
The fighting over Tripoli erupted last April , when east-based forces under commander Khalifa Hifter launched an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks , violence has escalated with both sides accusing each other of shelling civilian neighbourhoods .
The U.N. has said the violence and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Libya could amount to war crimes .
Ahmed al-Mosmari , a spokesman for Hifter forces , said the drone strike took place late Monday near the district Mizda , 184 kilometres ( 114 miles ) south of Tripoli .
Hifter ’ s forces control most of eastern and southern Libya while the besieged Tripoli administration rules just a corner of the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a network of fractious militias and foreign powers .
On Monday , Hifter in an attempted show of strength , declared a 2015 U.N.-brokered political deal to unite the oil-rich country “ a thing of the past.
” The Tripoli-based government said it wasn ’ t surprised by Hifter ’ s announcement , and urged Libyans to join “ a comprehensive dialogue and continue in the democratic path to reach a comprehensive and permanent solution based on ballot boxes.
” While the 2015 agreement has so far failed to bring unity or stability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s announcement threatens to further complicate U.N. efforts to broker a political settlement to the civil war .
In Brussels , European Commission spokesman Peter Stano on Tuesday criticized Hifter ’ s announcement from the previous day , saying that “ any attempt to push forward unilateral solutions , even more so by force , will never provide a sustainable solution for the country , and such attempts can not be accepted.
” Stano said the December 2015 agreement “ remains the viable framework for a political solution in Libya , until amendments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found ” agreed by all parties and called on all international actors in Libya to “ increase their pressure ” on the warring parties to help end the fighting and bring about a political settlement .
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 , when a civil war toppled long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi , who was later killed .
The chaos has worsened in the recent round of fighting as foreign backers increasingly intervene , despite their pledges to the contrary at a high-profile peace summit in Berlin earlier this year .
Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more recently , Syrian militants with links to extremist groups to prop up the embattled Tripoli government .
Meanwhile , Russia has deployed hundreds of mercenaries to boost Hifter ’ s assault .
The United Arab Emirates and Egypt also back Hifter .
Associated Press writer Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Former EU head Tusk appeals for boycott of Poland’s election

WARSAW , Poland - Former European Council president Donald Tusk appealed Tuesday for a boycott of the upcoming presidential election in his native Poland , saying the postal vote the government has proposed carries health risks amid the coronavirus pandemic and would not meet democratic standards for free , equal and transparent elections .
Tusk , who served as Poland ’ s prime minister during 2007-2014 , said in a video on Twitter that he would not “ not take part in the voting procedure “ for the May 10 balloting .
He said the vote promoted by the right-wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an election.
” Poland ’ s governing Law and Justice party is pushing to have the election held as planned , arguing that an all-mail vote could take place safely .
Law and Justice backs the reelection bid of President Andrzej Duda , who currently leads in opinion polls .
The candidate for the centrist Civic Platform founded by Tusk , Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska , said she would not take part in the vote , either .
Despite the ruling party ’ s determination , the election could be held up .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending in the Senate and may not come to final vote until May 7 .
The opposition and a faction inside the government are in talks about postponing the vote .
The European Union parliament and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have also spoken against holding the election during the pandemic .
Poland ’ s influential Roman Catholic bishops issued a carefully worded appeal to Law and Justice and opposition parties , asking them to “ seek such solutions through dialogue that would raise no legal doubts “ and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and honest elections .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Iraq officials say IS targets intelligence bureau; 3 wounded

BAGHDAD - A militant wearing a suicide vest struck an intelligence bureau in northern Iraq on Tuesday , wounding at least three members of the security personnel , Iraqi officials said , blaming the attack on the Islamic State group .
Iraqi security forces had spotted two men , one wearing an explosive vest and a driver , approaching the gate of the Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Directorate in the Qadisiyah neighbourhood in the northern city of Kirkuk , a security official said .
The man hurled a grenade and then detonated his explosives vest before entering the premises , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently the driver , sped away from the the scene .
There was no claim of responsibility by the Islamic State group , which was largely defeated in Iraq in 2017 but still maintains sleeper cells to target Iraqi forces .
Suicide bombings were a hallmark of the militant group , which at the height of its power in 2014 controlled nearly a third of both Iraq and Syria .
A senior Iraqi intelligence official told The Associated Press that the department “ had knowledge that Daesh would carry out a suicide operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not know on which day.
“ Daesh is an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group .
Both the security official and the senior intelligence official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media .
The attack was the first attempted suicide bombing in recent months , coming amid minor IS attacks in the provinces of Kirkuk , Diyala and Salahaddin .
The provinces ’ rugged terrain is difficult to police and a territorial dispute between the federal government in Baghdad and Iraq ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security gaps in the area .
The U.S.-led coalition recently withdrew troops from its bases in the region , including in Kirkuk , in line with a planned drawdown of forces that would reduce the coalition ’ s presence to bases in Baghdad and the western Anbar province .

Qassim Abdul-Zahra - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--The Latest: 13 Catholic Eldercare residents die of COVID-19

MINNEAPOLIS - The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Minnesota ( all times local ) : The coronavirus continues to @ @ @ @ @ s senior living communities .
Thirteen patients at a nursing home in northeast Minneapolis have @ @ @ @ @ Eldercare notified families of residents and said it is isolating those who have contracted the @ @ @ @ @ of the 174-bed nursing home .
It initially reported cases of the coronavirus among its @ @ @ @ @ ago .
Vulnerable seniors living in close contact at the long-term care facilities have been @ @ @ @ @ .
The Star Tribune reports at least 32 residents died at St. Therese of New @ @ @ @ @ 18 people at North Ridge Health and Rehabilitation , also in New Hope .
For @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For @ @ @ @ @ and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including @ @ @ @ @ of victims recover .


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Asia Today: Surf’s up, coffee’s ready as New Zealand reopens

BANGKOK - Surfers greeted a spectacular sunrise in Christchurch , construction workers purchased their favourite espresso coffees and some lawmakers returned to Parliament in New Zealand ’ s capital , Wellington , on Tuesday as some aspects of life began returning to normal .
The country had been in a strict lockdown for over a month to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , but those conditions were eased a little on Tuesday to allow some parts of the economy to restart as new infections wane .
Among those places to reopen were construction sites , as well as cafes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food .
People are still required to maintain social distancing and work from home if they can .
New Zealand recorded three new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday , bringing its confirmed total to 1,472 , including 19 deaths .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — HUNDREDS HIT THE BEACH : Sydney ’ s iconic Bondi Beach reopened to swimmers and surfers on Tuesday despite the local area having Australia ’ s highest concentration of COVID-19 cases .
People can only enter during daylight hours , can not linger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure social distancing .
Hundreds braved cool autumn weather to return to the water soon after the gates opened .
A virus testing tent is nearby due to the high rate of infections , particularly among backpackers who often live in crowded conditions .
The municipality that includes Bondi says it continues to have the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Australia .
— VACCINE NEEDED BEFORE OLYMPICS : The head of Japan ’ s medical association said it will be difficult to hold the Olympics without coronavirus vaccines .
“ I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as possible , “ Japan Medical Association President Yoshitake Yokokura told a video news conference in Tokyo .
The Tokyo 2020 Games have been rescheduled to July next year .
Experts have said it could take a couple of years or longer to develop vaccines that are safe and effective for clinical use .
— BANGLADESH SEES BIGGEST 1-DAY INCREASE : Bangladesh on Tuesday confirmed 549 new infections , its biggest one-day increase so far .
The country has confirmed 6,462 cases , including 155 deaths .
Bangladesh , a nation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in dealing with the coronavirus because of its fragile health care system .
— S. KOREA URGES COOPERATION WITH N. KOREA : South Korea has repeated calls for joint efforts with North Korea to fight the coronavirus .
A South Korean presidential official , who spoke on condition of anonymity , citing protocol , said Tuesday that Seoul doesn ’ t expect possible efforts to clash with sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear program .
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said earlier that joint anti-virus efforts could provide a “ new opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North has ignored the calls , saying there hasn ’ t been a single virus case on its territory , a claim that is questioned by many outside experts .
— AP writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul — JAPAN TO APPROVE ANTIVIRAL DRUG : Japan said it will approve remdecivir , a closely watched antiviral drug made by Gillead Sciences Inc. , for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the country .
The drug is expected to be the first approved COVID-19 drug in Japan .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing of remdecivir and that it was moving ahead overseas .
Japan has a fast-track permit for emergency use of drugs approved overseas .
Remdecivir was originally developed to treat Ebola and has been also used for SARS and MERS , but is still under investigation for COVID-19 .
— SOUTH KOREA SHIFTING FOCUS : South Korea reported 14 new cases and one more death , bringing its totals to 10,752 cases and 244 fatalities .
Its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said four of the fresh cases were from Seoul and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caseload slowing , South Korea has shifted its focus to easing the economic shock .
President Moon Jae-in said the pandemic has hurt major industries including airlines , marine transport and shipbuilding while calling for “ all-out efforts ” to protect companies and jobs .
— CHINA STATS DROP : The Chinese city of Wuhan , which was the original epicenter of the pandemic , again reported no new coronavirus cases or deaths Tuesday and its hospitals remained empty of virus patients for a second straight day .
China ’ s six new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three in Heilongjiang province bordering Russia .
No new deaths were reported nationwide and just 648 current confirmed cases remained registered .
China has reported 4,633 deaths among 82,836 cases .
— CHINA SAYS UNFAIR TO CALL KITS ‘ FAULTY ’ : The Chinese Embassy in India said Tuesday that it was “ unfair and irresponsible ” to label Chinese testing kits procured by India as “ faulty.
” On Monday , India cancelled orders to procure rapid antibody testing kits from two Chinese companies after quality issues and controversies over its price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exported from China is prioritized .
It is unfair and irresponsible for certain individuals to label Chinese products as ‘ faulty ’ and look at issues with preemptive prejudice , “ said Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Rong said .
— HONG KONG REPORTS 3RD DAY WITH NO NEW CASES : Hong Kong reported no new coronavirus cases for a third straight day Tuesday and announced a resumption of public services next week and a relaxation of quarantine restrictions on travellers from mainland China .
The eased quarantine will apply to students crossing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong , and travellers deemed economically important to the city .
However , an entry ban on non-residents flying into the city has been extended to June 7 .
— MALAYSIAN BUSINESSES URGE REOPENING : Malaysian businesses have urged the government to end a weeks-long virus lockdown following a sharp decline in infections .
Daily cases have dropped to double digits in the past two weeks with 31 new infections reported Tuesday , the lowest since a partial lockdown began March 18 .
Malaysia now has 5,851 cases with 100 fatalities .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the lockdown , which has been extended until May 12 , should be lifted immediately to revive the economy and save jobs .


thetorontostar--2020-04-28--Bangladesh reopens 600 apparel factories despite virus risk

DHAKA , Bangladesh - Nearly a month after Bangladesh ordered garment factories shuttered to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , the industry is reopening hundreds of them despite risks the disease might spread .
Rubana Huq , president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association , or BGMEA , said she was under pressure to reopen factories after the pandemic cost the industry more than $ 3 billion in orders that were cancelled or suspended .
Huq said Tuesday that about 600 factories had reopened during this week , adhering to health protocols .
Workers living near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the production lines , she said .
At least 856 factories will be reopened soon , Huq said .
Bangladesh has the world ’ s second largest garment industry after China .
It normally earns $ 35 billion annually from exports mainly to the United States and Europe and employs about 4 million workers , mostly women from rural areas .
Bangladesh began its coronavirus lockdown in late March , when factory owners stopped production apart from some sewing of personal protection equipment .
Workers left the capital , Dhaka , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , heading back to their village homes .
At a meeting Saturday , Salman F. Rahman , an influential adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government was keen to see garment makers slowly reopen their factories in phases .
“ We have to open the factories , but we must ensure the workers ’ safety to do that , ” Rahman told the meeting attended by textile and garment industry leaders .
On Tuesday , the International Labor Organization urged the government to prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from workers and workers ’ groups .
“ The first step is the adoption of several safety and health measures at work based on dialogue between employers and workers , and a shared understanding of coronavirus risks , ” said the Bangladesh country director for the ILO , Tuomo Poutiainen .
The reopening of the garments industry appears to be coming before the country has fully controlled its coronavirus outbreak .
Bangladesh , a nation of 160 million people , confirmed 549 cases of new infections on Tuesday , raising the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest number of new cases in a 24-hour period since the country ’ s first case was confirmed on March 8 , said senior Health Directorate official Nasima Sultana .
She said at least 155 people have died and only 139 people are known to have recovered .