thetorontostar--2020-05-27--Tennessee to halt sharing COVID-19 patient data

NASHVILLE - Tennessee will soon stop providing the names and addresses of COVID-19 patients to first responders , after initially arguing that doing so would protect those on the front line .
Gov .
Bill Lee ’ s administration decided on the change this week , conceding that the data may have created a false sense of security to those responding to emergency calls .
The data sharing will stop at the end of the month .
The announcement follows an Associated Press review that found public officials in at least two-thirds of states are sharing the addresses of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A small handful of those states , including Tennessee at the time , also shared the patients ’ names .
Supporters argue that the information is vital to helping them take extra precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus .
Yet civil liberty and community activists have expressed repeated concerns of potential profiling in African American and Hispanic communities that already have an uneasy relationship with law enforcement .
“ Individuals who have COVID-19 but who have not sought testing because they do not have symptoms may unintentionally transmit the virus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate PPE was not apparent , ” wrote Todd Skelton , legal counsel for Lee ’ s coronavirus task force , in a Tuesday email .
“ Therefore , first responders and law enforcement are encouraged to treat all close interactions with individuals with appropriate precautions.
” Skelton added that personal protection equipment is now “ more readily attainable ” for first responders .
In his email , Skelton noted that more than 1.4 million PPE items had been shipped to law enforcement and others across the state .
Earlier this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hand over the COVID-19 patient data , warning that wearing protective equipment only in those cases of confirmed illness is unlikely to guarantee their protection .
That decision was eventually overturned by the governor ’ s office after law enforcement reached out to his office pleading it was needed to stay safe .
Lee later told reporters that the patient data sharing policy would be temporary and could change when more information and protection equipment became available .
Sharing the information does not violate medical privacy laws , according to guidance issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Services .
But it hasn ’ t stopped concerns about how the information was being used .
The American Civil Liberties Union , Tennessee Black Caucus and others had all called for a stop to the sharing of data with law enforcement .
At least eight states are continuing to share patient names with law enforcement : Iowa , Louisiana , Nevada , New Hampshire , New Jersey , North Dakota , Ohio and South Dakota .
Wisconsin did so briefly but stopped earlier this month .
Colorado officials also confirmed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharing names and addresses with law enforcement because the community transmission of COVID-19 had become so widespread .
Colorado has had more than 25,000 positive cases and more than 1,100 deaths linked to the virus .
In Kansas , Republican lawmakers had included a section in a sweeping coronavirus bill that would ensure COVID-19 patient names , addresses and other relevant information would be provided to first responders and 911 call centres .
The bill was vetoed by Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly on Tuesday .
Kelly did not refer to this provision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not discuss it during House and Senate debates .
However , during a caucus for GOP senators , Sen. Molly Baumgardner , a Kansas City-area Republican , defended it as necessary for protecting first responders .
The state is one of the few that had not shared patient data with first responders .
In Tennessee , law enforcement officials have been instructed to “ delete and/or shred ” the patient data provided by the state within 30 days , according to Skelton ’ s email .
“ Also , you must immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information ) in your possession has been , or is suspected of having been , disclosed in an unauthorized manner , regardless of when the disclosure occurred , ” he said .
Associated Press writers Jim Anderson in Denver , Colorado ; and John Hanna in Topeka , Kansas contributed to this report .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-05-27--Disney, SeaWorld announce plans for Florida parks to reopen

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - SeaWorld and Walt Disney World will reopen in Orlando , Florida , in June and July after months of inactivity because of the coronavirus pandemic , under plans approved Wednesday by a city task force .
The proposals will now be sent to Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis for final approval .
The plan calls for SeaWorld to open to the public on June 11 .
Disney plans a tiered reopening , with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opening on July 11 , followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15 .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen on June 5 .
That plan also has been approved by the Orlando task force , which sent its recommendation to the governor .
“ We are developing a series of ‘ know before you go ’ communication vehicles and our objective is to reinforce our health and safety messages to guests before they arrive on our property so they are aware and prepared for the new environment , ” Disney ’ s senior vice-president of operations , Jim McPhee told the task force .
He also said the parks would open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t specify the number of guests who would be allowed in initially .
In a statement , the company said attendance will be managed through a new system that requires advance reservations for park entry .
Earlier this month most of Florida ’ s counties entered a modified Phase 1 , reopening restaurants and retail at limited capacity .
South Florida , which has been hardest-hit by coronavirus cases , was added to Phase 1 earlier this week .
DeSantis has said he ’ s eager to get businesses reopened and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theme parks , which are major pieces of Florida ’ s tourism industry .
Disney World also plans smaller , soft openings prior to July 11 , but no specifics were provided .
Brandy Bocchino of Powdersville , South Carolina , had booked a trip to Disney several months ago for the week of July 11 for her daughter ’ s dance competition .
The competition was cancelled but Bocchino held onto the date in hopes Disney would reopen .
“ We were very excited to read of the July 11 opening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press .
“ Must have had a little pixie dust flowing when we booked those dates !
” She said she feels comfortable going to Disney and being in crowds .
“ I have worn either a surgical or N95 mask every day since the beginning of March this year due to the pandemic .
Wearing a mask is just something that I am used to , so I will be happy to don one if it means I get to hop on the back of a mountain banshee and yell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I really got the sense that they had listened to all of the experts and are trying to continue their business in the safest way possible.
” SeaWorld is planning an employee appreciation event on June 10 before opening to the public the next day , said Interim CEO Marc Swanson .
When Disney Springs , a complex of restaurants and shops near Disney World , reopened , the company formed “ social distancing squads , “ which McPhee said have been popular with guests .
He said they are “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast members who are committed to engaging and inspiring our guests to follow the appropriate guidelines.
“ Both parks said they will require guests and employees to wear face coverings and social distancing will be enforced throughout their properties .
Guests and employees also will undergo temperature checks before entering the parks .
Disney employees will be required to conduct temperature checks before heading to work , McPhee said .
They ’ ll also undergo temperature checks at the park , he added .
Fever is one of the virus symptoms .
Fireworks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be suspended to meet social distancing requirements , McPhee said .
An inspection team from Orange County visited SeaWorld and Disney on Tuesday to see whether proposed plans would be in compliance with guidelines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , officials from the parks told the task force .
Orlando Mayor Jerry Demings said he has sent letters of endorsement for opening the theme parks to the governor ’ s office .
Earlier this month , Shanghai Disneyland became the first of Disney ’ s theme park resorts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of visitors allowed in , mandatory masks and temperature checks .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

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thetorontostar--2020-05-27--Lawsuit: Ultra refuses refunds for cancelled music festival

MIAMI - Two men are suing organizers of Ultra Music Festival , claiming they were denied refunds after the the three-day electronic dance music festival in Miami was cancelled in March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Samuel Hernandez , of Miami , and Richard Montoure , of Washington state , filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Miami federal court .
They are also seeking class-action status to obtain full refunds , with interest , for thousands of ticketholders from around the world .
Ultra had been scheduled for the weekend of March 20 at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and local governments earlier that month to combat the spread of the coronavirus banned all large gatherings , including festivals and concerts .
Among the acts scheduled to perform at the South Florida event were David Guetta , The Chainsmokers , Afrojack , Cash Cash , Martin Garrix and Galantis , according to the Ultra website .
Following negotiations with the city of Miami , Ultra organizers announced that they were postponing the festival until March 2021 , the lawsuit said .
Rather than offering refunds for the 2020 festival , organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 or 2022 events , even though the events haven ’ t been confirmed .
The lawsuit claims that Ultra is keeping the money rather than offering refunds and that is unjust and inequitable .
Although the company ’ s terms and conditions state it reserves the right not to offer refunds if the event is postponed , the lawsuit claims the terms are unenforceable and should be voided .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and

Us-Ent--Virus Outbreak-Music Festival - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Germany summons Russian ambassador over alleged cyberattack

BERLIN - Germany says it is seeking European Union sanctions against a Russian man over his alleged role in the @ @ @ @ @ at a time when evidence showed he was working for Russian intelligence .
The Germany @ @ @ @ @ in Russian Ambassador Sergei Nechayev on Thursday to inform him in person of the move @ @ @ @ @ will be pursuing EU sanctions against Dmitriy Baden , and possibly others , under a @ @ @ @ @ cyberattacks .
It says Baden is accused of involvement in the 2015 hacking attack “ @ @ @ @ @ not yet identified ” and allegedly had “ undertaken an intelligence operation against Germany for @ @ @ @ @ foreign power.
” The ministry says there is “ reliable evidence ” he was a @ @ @ @ @ GRU military intelligence agency at the time of the attack .
Russia ’ s Foreign @ @ @ @ @ but has previously denied Russia ’ s involvement .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Virus, heat wave and locusts form perfect storm in India

NEW DELHI - As if the coronavirus wasn ’ t enough , India grappled with scorching temperatures and the worst locust invasion in decades as authorities prepared for the end of a monthslong lockdown despite recording thousands of new infections every day .
This triple disaster drew biblical comparisons and forced officials to try to balance the competing demands of simultaneous public health crises : protection from eviscerating heat but also social distancing in newly reopened parks and markets .
The heat wave threatens to compound challenges of containing the virus , which has started spreading more quickly and broadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the world ’ s most stringent lockdowns earlier this month .
“ The world will not get a chance to breathe anymore .
The ferocity of crises are increasing , and they ’ re not going to be spaced out , ” said Sunita Narain of New Delhi ’ s Center for Science and Environment .
When her 6-year-old son woke up with a parched throat and a fever , housekeeper Kalista Ekka wanted to bring him to the hospital .
But facing a deluge of COVID-19 patients , the doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite boiling temperatures in the family ’ s two-room apartment in a low-income neighbourhood in South Delhi .
“ The fan only makes it hotter but we can ’ t open the window because it has no screen , ” and thus no defence against malaria and dengue-carrying mosquitoes , Ekka said .
In a nearby upmarket enclave crowded with walkers and joggers every morning and at dusk — some with face coverings , some without — neighbours debated the merits of masks in an online forum .
In the heat , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a mask .
So a Catch-22 situation , ” said Asmita Singh .
Temperatures soared to 118 degrees Fahrenheit ( 47.6 degrees Celsius ) in the capital New Delhi this week , marking the warmest May day in 18 years , and 122 F ( 50 C ) in the desert state of Rajasthan , after the world ’ s hottest April on record .
India suffers from severe water shortages and tens of millions lack running water and air conditioning , leaving many to seek relief under shady trees in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to harvest rainwater .
Though many people continued wearing masks properly , others pushed them onto chins , or had foregone them altogether .
Cyclone Amphan , a massive super storm that crossed the unusually warm Bay of Bengal last week , sucked up huge amounts of moisture , leaving dry , hot winds to form a heat wave over parts of central and northern India .
At the same time , swarms of desert locusts have devastated crops in India ’ s heartland , threatening an already vulnerable region that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown .
Exasperated farmers have been banging plates , whistling or throwing stones to try to drive the locusts away , and sometimes even lighting fires to smoke them out .
The swarms appeared poised to head from Rajasthan north to Delhi , but on Wednesday a change in wind direction sent them southward toward the state of Madhya Pradesh instead .
K.L .
Gurjar , a top official of India ’ s Locust Warning Organization , said his 50-person team was scrambling to stop the swarms before breeding can take place during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July .
Otherwise , he said , the locusts could destroy India ’ s summer crops .
Meanwhile , India reported another record single-day jump of more than 6,500 coronavirus cases on Thursday , pushing up the total to 158,333 confirmed cases and 4,531 deaths .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s government is preparing a new set of guidelines to be issued this weekend , possibly extending the lockdown in worst-hit areas while promoting economic activity elsewhere , with unemployment surging to 25 % .
The sudden halt to the Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been devastating for daily labourers and migrant workers , who fled cities on foot for their family homes in the countryside .
The government started running special trains for the migrants , but deaths on the rails because of starvation or dehydration have been reported .
Others immediately put into quarantine centres upon their arrival in home districts have tested positive for COVID-19 , adding to the burden of severely strained rural health systems .
To jump start the economy , Modi ’ s environment ministry has moved to lower liabilities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to explore for coal and mine it .
Cheap oil will fuel recovery efforts worldwide .
Indian environmental journalist Joydeep Gupta said that the perfect storm of pandemic , heat and locusts show India must go green .
He said the government should implement policies to safeguard biodiversity and offer incentives for green energy to reduce greenhouse gases that cause climate change .
Instead , “ the government is promoting the same sectors of the industry that have caused the multiple crises in the first place , ” he said .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal agriculture employment , cash transfer and food ration programs help India deal more effectively with its threats .
“ It ’ s building coping abilities of the very poor to be able to deal with stress after stress after stress , ” she said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Fires, looting rock Minneapolis after man’s death; 1 dead

MINNEAPOLIS - Fires burned and looters struck Thursday after violent protests over the death of a black man in police custody rocked Minneapolis for a second straight night , with damage stretching for miles across the city .
Amid the violence , a man was found fatally shot Wednesday night near a pawn shop .
Asked to confirm reports that he had been shot by a store owner , police spokesman John Elder said that was “ one of the theories.
” Protesters began gathering in the early afternoon Wednesday near the city ’ s 3rd Precinct station , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 46-year-old George Floyd died on Memorial Day after an officer knelt on his neck until he became unresponsive .
Protesters skirmished with officers , who fired rubber bullets and tear gas in a repeat of Tuesday night ’ s confrontation .
On Thursday morning , smoke hung over Minneapolis and looters carried merchandise from a damaged Target store with no interference by police .
Video of the store ’ s interior showed empty clothing racks and shelves and debris strewn about .
Obscenities were spray painted on the exterior of the store .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ In California , hundreds of people protesting Floyd ’ s death blocked a Los Angeles freeway and shattered windows of California Highway Patrol cruisers on Wednesday .
It was the second night of violent protest in Minneapolis since the death of Floyd , whom police were seeking to arrest outside a Minneapolis grocery store on a report of a counterfeit bill being passed .
A bystander ’ s cellphone video showed an officer kneeling on Floyd ‘ s neck for almost eight minutes as he eventually became unresponsive .
Mayor Jacob Frey tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Minneapolis , we can not let tragedy beget more tragedy , ” he said on Twitter .
He also asked for the public ’ s help in keeping the peace .
The officer and three others were fired Tuesday , and on Wednesday , Frey called for him to be criminally charged .
Frey asked Gov .
Tim Walz to activate the National Guard , a spokesman confirmed Thursday .
The governor ’ s office didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
Walz tweeted for calm Wednesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous situation ” and urging people to leave the scene .
On Wednesday night , officers responding to a reported stabbing near the protests found a man lying on the sidewalk with what turned out to be a bullet wound , Elder said .
The man was pronounced dead at a local hospital .
Elder said a suspect was in custody but said the facts leading up to the shooting were “ still being sorted out .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Bipartisan opposition leaves surveillance bill in doubt

WASHINGTON - Legislation extending surveillance authorities the FBI sees as vital in fighting terrorism was thrown into doubt as President Donald Trump threatened a veto and Republican leaders and top liberal Democrats said they would oppose it .
House Democratic leaders abruptly adjourned without considering the bill , hours after saying there would be a vote Wednesday evening .
In between , Trump said explicitly for the first time he would veto the measure .
A similar version of the legislation had drawn bipartisan support just weeks ago .
“ If the FISA Bill is passed tonight on the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Trump tweeted , using the acronym for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act .
“ Our Country has just suffered through the greatest political crime in its history .
The massive abuse of FISA was a big part of it !
” Trump had suggested Tuesday he would oppose the measure , prompting Republicans who once backed the deal to follow Trump ’ s lead and say Wednesday they would vote against it .
The leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus , which has about 70 Democratic House members , also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying it lacked curbs on online surveillance without warrants .
Combined with strong GOP opposition , the Democrats ’ defiance of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , suggested there might be enough dissent to sink the bill .
It was unclear if Democratic leaders would try again Thursday to hold a vote or if they ’ d skip a vote and try to negotiate with the Senate on a final compromise .
“ We can not in good conscience vote for legislation that violates Americans ’ fundamental right to privacy , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reps. Pramila Jayapal , D-Wash. , and Mark Pocan , D-Wis .
The legislation first passed the House in March with broad bipartisan support after Attorney General William Barr negotiated a deal with Republican and Democratic House leaders .
But that consensus crumbled Wednesday after the Justice Department came out against the bill , which was amended by the Senate .
The Justice Department ’ s statement , by Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd , urged Trump to reject the bill .
Soon after , House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ pause ” on the legislation .
The impasse raised the potential for the surveillance powers to remain expired indefinitely .
The provisions , which lapsed in March , allow the FBI to get a court order for business records in national security investigations and conduct surveillance on subjects without establishing they ’ re acting on behalf of an international terrorism organization .
They also make it easier for investigators to continue eavesdropping on a subject who has switched cellphone providers to thwart detection .
Despite the sudden GOP switch , Democratic leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vote anyway , arguing very little had changed since 126 Republicans , including McCarthy , voted for it in March .
“ Your flailing around to find a rationalization for your change of vote is sad , “ House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, told Republicans in a heated floor speech .
“ The only thing that has changed , ” Hoyer said , “ is that Donald Trump has said vote no.
” With Republicans opposed , Pelosi needed to keep her caucus together to pass it .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve long opposed surveillance laws — made that a lot harder .
On the floor , she pleaded with her colleagues to support the legislation to protect national security and pass reforms to protect civil liberties that were included in the original compromise .
“ If we don ’ t have a bill , then our civil liberties are less protected , ” Pelosi said .
The only amendment adopted by the Senate , with 77 votes , was bipartisan language to allow more third-party oversight to protect people in some surveillance cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 80 votes .
The Justice Department ’ s statement said that amended Senate version of the bill would “ weaken national security tools while doing nothing to address the abuses ” identified by the Justice Department inspector general in his report on the FBI investigation into ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign .
Trump , still seething over the Russia investigation , implored all House Republicans in a Tuesday tweet to vote no “ until such time as our Country is able to determine how and why the greatest political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA history took place !
“ McCarthy said lawmakers passed the legislation with bipartisan majorities before and should try again to negotiate a compromise .
“ If the Democrats bring this bill up they ’ re just playing politics , ” McCarthy said .
“ And this is not something to play politics with.
” The statements underscored the tortuous process Congress has faced in renewing the surveillance powers since an inspector general report that documented serious errors and mistakes in how the FBI used its authorities during the Russia investigation .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI submitted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to monitor a former Trump campaign adviser .
Republicans have historically been hawkish on preserving surveillance powers in the name of national security .
But Trump ’ s GOP allies have joined him over the last year in demanding that any renewal of the FBI ’ s powers be accompanied by significant new restrictions .
The powers are not directly related to the errors uncovered during the Russia investigation .
But Republican lawmakers — and some Democratic civil liberties advocates — have seized on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate passed its version of the legislation this month .
The chamber fell short by one vote of adding an amendment , sponsored by Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon and Republican Steve Daines of Montana , that would prevent federal law enforcement from obtaining internet browsing information or search history without seeking a warrant .
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , announced Tuesday that Democrats had agreed on a similar amendment that they would offer to the House bill .
But that amendment faced opposition from the Justice Department and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version would not “ enact true protections for Americans ’ rights against dragnet collection of online activity.
” Democrats later dropped the amendment and said they instead would hold the vote on the Senate version with no amendments offered .
Associated Press writer Alan Fram contributed to this report .

Mary Clare Jalonick And Eric Tucker - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Nissan to close Indonesia, Spain auto plants after losses

TOKYO - Japanese automaker Nissan plans to close auto plants in Spain and Indonesia after sinking into the red for the first time in 11 years as the pandemic squashed global demand and disrupted production .
Yokohama-based Nissan ’ s chief executive , Makoto Uchida , said Thursday that its European production will be centred at its British plant in Sunderland .
Manufacturing now based in Indonesia will move to Thailand , as the Japanese automaker cuts global production by 20 % .
Nissan Motor Co. reported a 671.2 billion yen , or $ 6.2 billion , loss for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its first annual loss since 2009 , in the aftermath of the global financial crisis .
The company reported a 319.1 billion yen profit in the fiscal year that ended in March .
It said its global vehicle production dropped 62 % in April from a year earlier to 150,388 vehicles .
Global vehicle sales slipped nearly 42 % last month .
Nissan ’ s sales for the fiscal year that ended in March sank nearly 15 % , to 9.9 trillion yen ( $ 91.6 billion ) .
“ The future remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predict , ” said Uchida , who acknowledged Nissan could not yet give a financial projection for the current fiscal year .
He said it would be released as soon as possible .
But Uchida said Nissan has secured needed financing and is cutting costs and reshaping its operations to restore profitability , stressing that Nissan ’ s potential remained solid .
The automaker , creator of the Leaf electric car , X-Trail sport utility vehicle and Infiniti luxury models , intends to build on its core strengths , Uchida said .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and focusing on certain geographic areas , such as Japan , China and the U.S. , to enhance its efficiency and profitability , rather than chasing sales size .
“ We will admit our errors of the past and steer into the future in the correct way , without hesitation , ” Uchida said .
Earlier Thursday , Spain ’ s government urged Nissan to reconsider its plan to close manufacturing in Barcelona , saying it would result in the direct loss of some 3,000 jobs .
Workers ’ unions have warned 20,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chain in Spain are also at risk if Nissan closes its factory in Barcelona and two smaller ones in nearby towns .
Nissan only mentioned the closure of the Barcelona plant and did not immediately reply to a query about the other two plants .
Angry workers burned tires at the gates of the Barcelona plant and prepared for more protests .
“ They are letting us die , ” Juan Carlos Vicente , head of the plant workers ’ committee , told hundreds of his colleagues gathered at the factory .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Renault of France and Japan ’ s Mitsubishi Motors Corp. announced plans to share purchasing , development and technology to slash costs and improve their competitiveness .
Management at Renault was meeting Thursday with unions about its 2 billion euro ( $ 2.2 billion ) cost-cutting plan .
Nissan has spent much of the past year seeking to recover from the November 2018 arrest of its former chairman , Carlos Ghosn , over financial misconduct allegations , including under-reporting future compensation and misusing Nissan money .
The company ’ s management appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ghosn , who was sent by Renault to help Nissan recover from near-bankruptcy in 1999 .
Ghosn ’ s successor , Hiroto Saikawa , also ended up resigning amid allegations about dubious income .
Ghosn says he is innocent .
He fled to Lebanon late last year , skipping bail while awaiting trial .
Ghosn said he escaped because he believed he would not get a fair trial in Japan .
“ We will carry out our responsibilities with determination , ” he said .
“ The path ahead is not easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nissan.
” Hernan Munoz in Barcelona and Aritz Parra in Madrid contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Turkey resumes intercity train service after 2-month halt

ANKARA , Turkey - Intercity train service resumed on a limited basis Thursday in Turkey as the government eases restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus .
Service restarted following a two-month suspension with a high-speed train departing the capital , Ankara , for Istanbul at 7 a.m. ( 0400 GMT ) .
Trains will make 16 trips daily , connecting the cities of Ankara , Istanbul , Konya and Eskisehir .
The trains are operating at half-capacity , and passengers are being permitted on board only with a government-issued code certifying they are not being monitored for a suspected COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ankara ’ s train station , Turkish Transportation Minister Adil Karaismailoglu , said travellers showing signs of illness would not be allowed on board .
Any passenger exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms on a train will be taken to a special “ isolation section ” and handed over to health officials at the nearest station , he said .
No food or drinks will be served during the journey , the minister added .
Turkey reported a total of nearly 160,000 confirmed virus cases as of Thursday , including 4,431 deaths .
Nearly 123,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures .
The government has eased some restrictions , including opening shopping malls and hairdressers .
Mosques will allow congregations for two daytime prayers starting Friday .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to announce new measures later Thursday .
Turkey ranks ninth in a tally by Johns Hopkins University for the number of cases but experts believe the rate of infections globally could be much higher than reported .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--World shares mostly higher ahead of US jobless claims data

BANGKOK - Global markets were mostly higher on Thursday as investors pinned their hopes on an economic rebound from the coronavirus pandemic .
As investors prepared for latest weekly report on U.S. jobless claims , shares rose in Paris , London and Tokyo but dropped in Hong Kong , where tensions are flaring over Beijing ’ s effort to exert more control over the former British colony .
Germany ’ s DAX gained 0.5 % to 11,711 and the CAC 40 in Paris climbed 0.5 % to 4,731 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 picked up 0.8 % to 6,192 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P 500 was up 0.1 % while the future for the Dow industrials gained 0.5 % , auguring early gains on Wall Street .
A new report in the U.S. is expected to show that millions more likely filed for unemployment benefits last week after nearly 39 million sought aid in the previous nine weeks as the coronavirus paralyzed the economy .
The pace of layoffs has declined for seven straight weeks , a sign that the cratering of the job market may have bottomed out .
By historical standards , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , recent developments over Hong Kong are keeping markets on edge , particularly in Asia .
Two pro-democracy lawmakers were ejected from Hong Kong ’ s legislative chamber Thursday morning , at the start of a second day of debate on a contentious bill that would criminalize insulting or abusing the Chinese national anthem .
China ’ s ceremonial legislature approved a national security law Thursday , overriding protests from critics who say it could further undercut semi-autonomous Hong Kong ’ s civil liberties .
On Wednesday , U.S. Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration no longer regards Hong Kong as autonomous from mainland China .
That sets the stage for the U.S. to withdraw the preferential trade and financial status Hong Kong has held since it reverted to Chinese rule 23 years ago .
While Hong Kong ’ s role as a regional trading centre and financial hub has been to a large extent sidelined by developments on the Chinese mainland , removing its special status would be a huge blow to businesses located in the city because of its independent financial and legal systems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump has a “ ’ whole menu ’ of options , the market is on edge to hear exactly what those measures are , and how China absorbs them , “ Chris Weston of Pepperstone said in a commentary .
“ This is a risk for markets and the situation is clearly fluid — one questions if the equity markets are too complacent here ?
“ Weston said .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng index lost 0.7 % to 23,132.76 , while the Shanghai Composite index gained 0.3 % 2,846.22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jumped 2.3 % to 21,916.31 , lifted by the latest , $ 1.1 trillion , infusion of stimulus for Japan ’ s moribund economy .
India ’ s Sensex gained 1.6 % to 32,114.81 , despite news of another record increase in the number of new coronavirus cases .
The S & P/ASX 200 in Sydney climbed 1.3 % to 5,851.10 .
South Korea ’ s Kospi edged 0.1 % lower after health authorities reported 79 new cases of coronavirus in the latest setback for the country ’ s recovery from the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the South Korean central bank ’ s decision to lower its policy rate to an all-time low of 0.5 % to soften the pandemic ’ s shock to the country ’ s trade-dependent economy .
The Bank of Korea has said the economy may shrink for the first time in 22 years .
Its rate cut followed another two months ago , which was its first since 2008 .
In other trading , bond yields were mixed .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 0.68 % from 0.69 % late Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July lost 23 cents to $ 32.58 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It fell $ 1.54 on Wednesday to settle at $ 32.81 per barrel .
July Brent crude , the international standard , gave up 11 cents to $ 35.34 per barrel .
The dollar bought 107.75 Japanese yen , up from 107.72 yen late Wednesday .
The euro slipped to $ 1.1001 from $ 1.1006 .

Elaine Kurtenbach - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Chinese lawmakers endorse Hong Kong national security law

BEIJING - China ’ s legislature endorsed a national security law for Hong Kong on Thursday that has strained relations with the United States and Britain and prompted new protests in the territory .
The National People ’ s Congress approved the bill as it wrapped up an annual session that was held under intensive anti-coronavirus controls .
The vote was 2,878 to 1 with six abstentions , in line with the high-profile but largely ceremonial body ’ s custom of near-unanimous support for all legal changes decided by the ruling Communist Party .
The law will alter Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to require the territory to enforce measures to be decided by the NPC ’ s standing committee , a small body controlled by the ruling party that handles most lawmaking work .
The law reflects the determination of President Xi Jinping ’ s government to tighten control over Hong Kong following 11 months of anti-government protests .
Activists in Hong Kong say the law will undermine the “ high degree of autonomy ” promised to the former British colony when it was handed back to China in 1997 under a “ one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be used to suppress political activity .
Premier Li Keqiang , the country ’ s No .
2 leader , defended the law as consistent with Beijing ’ s promises .
“ The decision adopted by the NPC session is designed for steady implementation of ‘ one country , two systems ’ and Hong Kong ’ s long-term prosperity and stability , ” Li said at a news conference .
The law and the way it is being enacted prompted U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday to announce Washington will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Beijing .
That could hurt the territory ’ s attractiveness as a business centre .
Pompeo ’ s notice adds Hong Kong to the Trump administration ’ s conflicts with China over trade , technology , religious freedom , Chinese handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the status of Taiwan , the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own territory .
Li called for mutual respect and Sino-U.S. co-operation to promote “ extensive common interests ” in resolving global problems and promoting trade , science and other fields .
“ Both countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from confrontation , ” Li said .
On Thursday , three pro-democracy lawmakers were ejected from Hong Kong ’ s legislative chamber during a debate over a bill that would criminalize insulting or abusing the Chinese national anthem .
Also Thursday , the NPC approved a government budget that will increase spending to generate jobs in an effort to reverse an economic slump after Chinese industries were shut down to fight the coronavirus pandemic .
Private sector analysts say as much as 30 % of the urban workforce , or as many as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least temporarily during the shutdown .
They say as many as 25 million jobs might be lost for good this year .
The budget calls for giving local governments 2 trillion yuan ( $ 280 billion ) to spend on meeting goals including creating 9 million new jobs .
That is in line with expectations of higher spending but a fraction of the $ 1 trillion-plus stimulus packages launched or discussed by the United States , Japan and Europe .
Li , the premier , said Beijing is in a “ strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary but wants to avoid flooding the economy with too much money .
He said 70 % of planned spending is aimed at putting wages in workers ’ pockets in order to support consumer spending , the biggest driver of the economy .
“ We will do our utmost to keep China ’ s economic growth stable , ” Li said .
“ At the same time , we must make sure that all measures taken are well calibrated.
” In an anti-virus measure , Li sat on a dais in the Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the legislature in central Beijing , and talked by video link with reporters at a media centre 4 miles ( 6.5 kilometres ) away .
The reporters , wearing masks , sat in widely spaced chairs in an auditorium , watching Li on a video screen .
The premier called for international co-operation in fighting the coronavirus pandemic but didn ’ t answer a question about how an investigation into the origins of the pandemic demanded by Washington and some other governments should be conducted .
Beijing has resisted pressure for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the disease that emerged in central China in December .
China has blocked beef imports from four Australian suppliers in apparent retaliation for Australia ’ s calls for an investigation .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Many more likely sought US jobless aid even as layoffs slow

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government is set to sketch its latest picture Thursday of the layoffs that have left tens @ @ @ @ @ but have slowed as states increasingly allow businesses to reopen .
Even with companies calling @ @ @ @ @ work , millions more likely filed for unemployment benefits last week after nearly 39 million @ @ @ @ @ nine weeks as the coronavirus paralyzed the economy .
The pace of layoffs has declined @ @ @ @ @ a sign that the cratering of the job market may have bottomed out .
By @ @ @ @ @ the number of weekly applications remains enormous .
The job cuts reflect an economy that @ @ @ @ @ downturn since the Great Depression after the virus forced the widespread shutdown of businesses .
@ @ @ @ @ be shrinking in the April-June quarter at an annual rate approaching 40 % .
That @ @ @ @ @ , the worst quarterly contraction on record .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--‘Master Thief’ burglar hopes to catch break on sentence

COLUMBUS , Ohio - A self-described “ master thief ” career criminal is hoping to catch a break on his prison sentence from burglarizing a Brink ’ s warehouse during which he accidentally set millions of dollars on fire .
Sean Murphy and two other men were convicted of breaking into the Brink ’ s facility in Columbus in January 2009 .
Murphy received a 20-year sentence in that case , eventually reduced to 13 years on appeal .
Before that sentence began , however , he spent a decade in jail awaiting trial for a 2008 Massachusetts burglary during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Bowl rings , along with jewels and precious metals .
Murphy believes he ’ s already served the bulk of his federal time and should be out by next year .
He notes he was arrested on Jan. 23 , 2009 , for the Super Bowl ring theft , and finally sentenced for that more than 10 years later , on Dec. 5 , 2019 .
“ Everything in between goes toward the federal sentence , ” Murphy said in a letter to The Associated Press .
Federal prosecutors take a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brink ’ s case said that Murphy ’ s federal sentence is to run on top of any unserved Massachusetts prison term , said Sal Dominguez , an assistant U.S. attorney in Columbus .
Murphy , who has yet to formally argue for his release on time served , is awaiting transfer to a Massachusetts prison to serve his time for the Super Bowl ring theft .
The 2008 break-in at E.A .
Dion Co. in Attleboro , Massachusetts , attracted attention beyond the theft of the Super Bowl rings and the approximately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Murphy and his accomplices ’ trademark garb of all-black outfits and their access through the roof earned them media mentions as “ Ocean ’ s Eleven ” -style burglars after the 2001 heist movie .
Murphy was in authorities ’ cross hairs long before that burglary , however .
A member of what investigators termed the “ Lynn Breakers , “ a burglary ring in his hometown of Lynn , Massachusetts , he was prosecuted and pursued for burglaries big and small over the years .
Murphy was “ king of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burglaries , said Alan Zani , a retired Massachusetts State Police investigator .
Murphy ’ s many jobs included a break-in at a Berkshire armoured car facility in Massachusetts in 1991 and at a Costco warehouse in Pennsylvania in 2004 .
He was also implicated in the theft of 1.8 million prescription drug pills from an AmerisourceBergen warehouse in 2006 .
Murphy also attempted fraud at times , including a bogus priest abuse claim in the late 1990s against the Archdiocese of Boston seeking $ 850,000 , which landed him in prison for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murphy also offered his expertise as a security consultant to companies he ’ d targeted , including a 2006 letter to Costco — an offer the company declined .
Murphy ’ s January 2009 burglary of a Brink ’ s warehouse on the north side of Columbus could have been his biggest score ever , and one of the biggest robberies in U.S. history .
At the time , the facility regularly held millions of dollars for transfer to banks and even more during the holiday season .
Murphy studied the facility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees ’ comings and goings and even visiting himself to hand out water bottles and cigarettes at a nearby homeless shelter in hopes of providing DNA evidence that would lead authorities away from him and his gang .
The scheme almost worked .
Murphy and two others successfully entered the warehouse by cutting a hole in the roof and foiled the security system by setting up a “ celluar jammer ” that blocked back-up calls from the alarm system after its wires were cut .
“ Murphing “ the building , the burglar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapsed when Murphy accidentally set money in the vault on fire after he burned a hole through it with a thermal lance , a giant cutting tool whose oxygen-powered sparks can reach 5,000 degrees .
Instead of what could have been more than $ 90 million , Murphy had to settle for a few million in burned bills and about $ 800,000 in coins .
Authorities arrested Murphy a couple of weeks later on suspicion of carrying out the E.A .
Dion case after a Super Bowl ring was found in his girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was identified as the chief suspect in the Brink ’ s robbery .
One of the key pieces against him at his 2011 trial in Columbus : a 37-page document he typed in jail in Massachusetts titled “ Master Thief , ” a tutorial on carrying out major burglaries that bore a great deal of resemblance to the Brink ’ s break-in .
Murphy represented himself , and while a jury convicted him and a judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison , he later appealed his sentence and was resentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successfully suppressing evidence in the E.A .
Dion case , Murphy lost his final appeals last year and on Dec. 5 pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison .
Murphy represented himself , but a message was left with an attorney who served as his back-up .
Court records show he didn ’ t receive credit for jail time .
In a second guilty plea on Dec. 5 in an unrelated case , Murphy admitted to filing a bogus insurance claim against Trader Joe ’ s , claiming he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store ’ s peanut butter , The Sun Chronicle reported .
Retired Columbus FBI Agent Harry Trombitas helped lead the investigation that ended with Murphy ’ s arrest for the Brink ’ s break-in , and sat through Murphy ’ s eight-day trial .
He called him one of the best commercial burglars around , whose downfall is “ he thinks he ’ s smarter than everyone else.
” Murphy declined a plea deal that would have had him back on the streets by now , Trombitas said .
“ He chose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in reality he ’ s lost , ” Trombitas said .

Andrew Welsh-Huggins - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Israeli cyber chief: Major attack on water systems thwarted

JERUSALEM - Israel ’ s national cyber chief Thursday officially acknowledged the country had thwarted a major cyber attack last month against its water systems , an assault widely attributed to arch-enemy Iran , calling it a “ synchronized and organized attack ” aimed at disrupting key national infrastructure .
Yigal Unna did not mention Iran directly , nor did he comment on the alleged Israeli retaliation two weeks later said to have shut down a key Iranian port , but he said recent developments have ushered in a new era of covert warfare , ominously warning that “ cyber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not something that describes enough how fast and how crazy and hectic things are moving forward in cyberspace and I think we will remember this last month and May 2020 as a changing point in the history of modern cyber warfare , ” he said in a video address to CybertechLive Asia , a digital international cyber conference .
“ If the bad guys had succeeded in their plot we would now be facing , in the middle of the Corona crisis , very big damage to the civilian population and a lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ he added .
Israel and Iran are bitter foes who have engaged in years of covert battles that have included high-tech hacking and cyber attacks .
Most famously , U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies are suspected of unleashing a computer worm called Stuxnet years ago in an attempt to disrupt Iran ’ s nuclear program .
But Unna said the attempted hacking into Israel ’ s water systems marked the first time in modern history that “ we can see something like this aiming to cause damage to real life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel ’ s National Cyber Directorate not detected the attack in real time , he said chlorine or other chemicals could have been mixed into the water source in the wrong proportions and resulted in a “ harmful and disastrous ” outcome .
His office released a brief statement after the attempt , acknowledged it had been thwarted and no damage had been caused .
But Unna ’ s comments marked the first official detailed account of what happened .
“ It is a part of some attack over Israel and over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial benefit , ” he said .
“ The attack happened but the damage was prevented and that is our goal and our mission .
And now we are in the middle of preparing for the next phase to come because it will come eventually.
” Iran hasn ’ t commented on the attempted hacking and has played down the alleged reprisal on May 9 against the Shahid Rajaee port .
Mohammad Rastad , head of Iran ’ s port and marine agency , told the semiofficial ILNA news agency that the attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s systems and only damaged “ several private sector systems.
” Israel has not officially commented on the attack against Iran , but in an interview with Israel ’ s Army Radio , Amos Yadlin , a former head of military intelligence , said it was significant .
“ The attack displayed the cyber ability of a world power .
It appears that this was a clear Israeli message to Iran , don ’ t dare to touch civilian systems , the water and electricity systems in Israel , which were attacked this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are more vulnerable than we are , ” he said .
Without discussing the attack directly , Unna said the past month marked a historic turning point in cyber warfare .
“ Cyber winter is coming and coming even faster than I suspected , “ he said .
“ We are just seeing the beginning .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Violence again rocks Minneapolis after man’s death; 1 killed

MINNEAPOLIS - A man was shot to death as violent protests over the death of a black man in police custody rocked Minneapolis for a second straight night , with protesters looting stores near a police precinct and setting fires that continued to burn Thursday morning .
Police said they were investigating Wednesday night ’ s death as a homicide and had a suspect in custody , but were still investigating what led to the shooting .
Protesters began gathering in the early afternoon near the city ’ s 3rd Precinct station , in the southern part of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day after an officer knelt on his neck until he became unresponsive .
News helicopter footage showed protesters milling in streets near the city ’ s 3rd Precinct station , with some running in and out of nearby stores .
A Target , a Cub Foods , a Dollar Tree and an auto parts store all showed signs of damage and looting .
As darkness fell , fire erupted in the auto parts store , and city fire crews rushed to control it .
Protesters set other fires in the street .
Officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not attempting to intervene in the looting .
Multiple fires burned early Thursday at buildings and smoke hung over the city .
Fire crews worked to put out flames .
Blocks of buildings with broken-out windows and other damage from looting were seen , and KSTP-TV reported that some people were seen going through buildings .
Police spokesman John Elder said officers responding to a reported stabbing near the protests found a man lying on the sidewalk with what turned out to be a bullet wound .
The man was pronounced dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a suspect was in custody but said the facts leading up to the shooting were “ still being sorted out.
” It was the second night of violent protest since the death of Floyd , whom police were seeking to arrest outside a Minneapolis grocery store on a report of a counterfeit bill being passed .
A bystander ’ s cellphone video showed an officer kneeling on Floyd ‘ s neck for almost eight minutes as he eventually became unresponsive .
Mayor Jacob Frey tweeted for calm early Thursday .
“ Please , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beget more tragedy , ” he said on Twitter .
He also asked for the public ’ s help in keeping the peace .
The officer and three others were fired Tuesday , and on Wednesday , Frey called for him to be criminally charged .
Protesters also gathered Wednesday evening at the officer ’ s suburban home as well as the Minneapolis home of Mike Freeman , the Hennepin County prosecutor who would make a charging decision in the case .
No violence was reported in those protests .
As the protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medaria Arradondo urged calm .
In an interview with KMSP-TV , he noted the internal investigation as well as the FBI ’ s investigation of Floyd ’ s death and said they offer a chance at justice .
“ Justice historically has never come to fruition through some of the acts we ’ re seeing tonight , whether it ’ s the looting , the damage to property or other things , ” he said .
Elder said officers from St. Paul , Metro Transit and the state patrol were helping police the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people protesting Floyd ’ s death blocked a Los Angeles freeway and shattered windows of California Highway Patrol cruisers on Wednesday .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--EasyJet to cut a third of workforce as pandemic hits travel

LONDON - European budget airline easyJet said Thursday it plans to cut up to a third of its 15,000-strong workforce as the global aviation industry struggles to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic .
The company plans to resume limited service on June 15 , but estimates that it may take three years for demand to get back to the levels of 2019 , before the coronavirus outbreak grounded flights around the world and pushed the global economy toward a deep recession .
“ We do it to make sure that easyJet not only survives through this period , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and competitive company , ’ ’ CEO Johan Lundgren said .
“ This is still the worst crisis that this industry has ever been faced with .
There ’ s a huge amount of uncertainty going forward.
” The airline said it expects to have reduced its fleet size by around 51 aircraft to approximately 302 by the end of September .
Aviation has been hard hit by the virus , as governments shut down travel to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Airlines are cutting jobs , going bankrupt and seeking bailouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latam Airlines and the major U.S. carriers .
That is causing ripple effects throughout the industry , with planemaker Boeing and others slashing jobs as well .
Unions representing workers in aviation fear that companies are using the emergency to shed employees unnecessarily .
Some , like Brian Strutton , general secretary Balpa , the British pilots ’ union , described the scale of cuts as shocking .
“ Given easyJet is a British company , the U.K. is its strongest market and it has had hundreds of millions in support from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we will need a lot of convincing that easyJet needs to make such dramatic cuts , ” he said .
“ Indeed , easyJet ’ s own projections , though on the pessimistic side , point to recovery by 2023 so this is a temporary problem that doesn ’ t need this ill-considered knee-jerk reaction.
” Executives like Lundgren are also sharply critical of government plans going forward , particularly a 14-day quarantine period for international arrivals which comes into force on June 8 .
The rationale is unclear , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the few examples of quarantine that exist around Europe today are being lifted and relaxed , the U.K. is going the other way , ” he said .
“ How do you explain to British people that we ’ ll see Germans and other European nationalities going to holidays in Greece and parts of Spain where there ’ s less risk of being infected than in places in the U.K. ?
’ ’


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Manhunts after hundreds flee quarantine in Zimbabwe, Malawi

BLANTYRE , Malawi - Manhunts have begun after hundreds of people , some with the coronavirus , fled quarantine centres in Zimbabwe and Malawi while authorities worry they will spread COVID-19 in countries whose health systems can be rapidly overwhelmed .
In Malawi , more than 400 people recently repatriated from South Africa and elsewhere fled a centre at a stadium in Blantyre , jumping over a fence or strolling out the gate while police and health workers watched .
Police and health workers told reporters they were unable to stop them as they lacked adequate protective gear .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
Some of those who fled told reporters they had bribed police .
And in Zimbabwe , police spokesman Paul Nyathi said officers were “ hunting down ” more than 100 people who escaped from centres where a 21-day quarantine is mandatory for those returning from abroad .
“ They escape and sneak into the villages … We are warning people to stop sheltering them .
These escapees are becoming a serious danger to communities , ” Nyathi said .
Nearly all of Zimbabwe ’ s 75 new cases this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who have returned , sometimes involuntarily , from neighbouring South Africa and Botswana .
The quarantine centres have become “ our source of danger , ” Health Minister Obadiah Moyo told a special parliamentary committee this week .
Both Zimbabwe and Malawi have fewer than 200 confirmed cases but regional power South Africa , where many in both countries go to seek work , has more than 25,000 .
Zimbabwe ’ s information minister , Monica Mutsvangwa , on Wednesday told reporters that the government is increasing security at the schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centres .
Government spokesman Nick Mangwana suggested that security officers guarding centres with high walls and razor wire might be receiving bribes to allow people to leave early .
Zimbabwe ’ s government is also worried about people crossing porous borders and failing to report at quarantine centres .
The information ministry has begun sharing a hotline number and asking people to stop harbouring “ border jumpers ” and those who “ abscond ” from quarantine .
Malawi saw another mass escape earlier this week when 26 people left the Mwanza border post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arriving in the country face a mandatory 14-day quarantine .
The Blantyre district director of health and social services , Gift Kawalazira , said they were overwhelmed when more than 2,000 people turned up at the border post in Mwanza over the weekend .
Holding some in the stadium was a last-minute resort after plans to use education facilities failed for lack of funds , he said .
“ They will be moving around while trying to elude authorities , ” he said of the escapees , including a smaller group that slipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eight had tested positive for the virus .
“ People need to understand that it is not punishment but we are only doing this to protect the general public , ” Kawalazira said .
Few prevention measures could be seen at the stadium , with people leaving freely to buy food from nearby vendors .
They told reporters they had received no food from authorities since Monday .
Relatives of some of the returnees entered the stadium to visit , giving loved ones hugs .

Gregory Gondwe And Farai Mutsaka - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Trump continues to claim broad powers he doesn’t have

WASHINGTON - Threatening to shut down Twitter for flagging false content .
Claiming he can “ override “ governors who dare to keep churches closed to congregants .
Asserting the “ absolute authority ” to force states to reopen , even when local leaders say it ’ s too soon .
As he battles the coronavirus pandemic , President Donald Trump has been claiming extraordinarily sweeping powers that legal scholars say the president simply doesn ’ t have .
And he has repeatedly refusing to spell out the legal basis for those powers .
“ It ’ s not that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarkable amount of power to respond to a public health crisis .
It ’ s that these are not the powers he has , “ said Stephen Vladeck , a University of Texas School of Law professor who specializes in constitutional and national security law .
First it was Trump ’ s assertion that he could force governors to reopen their economies before they felt ready .
“ When somebody ’ s the president of the United States , the authority is total , ” he claimed .
Trump soon dropped the threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions to the states .
But he has revived the idea in recent days as he has tried to pressure governors to allow churches and other places of worship to hold in-person services , even where stay-at-home orders and other limits on large gatherings remain in effect .
Asked Tuesday what authority he had to enforce such a mandate , Trump was cagey .
“ I can absolutely do it if I want to , “ he said .
” We have many different ways where I can override them and if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that.
” The White House declined to spell out any specific statute , but White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement that “ every decision the president has made throughout this pandemic has been to protect the health and safety of the American people.
” “ Getting the nation back to work , back to sporting events , back to churches , back to restaurants , and doing so safely and responsibly is the president ’ s shared goal with governors and the private sector , but the cure can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deere said .
Trump “ certainly does not have the power under any reasonable reading of the Constitution or federalism to order places of worship to open , “ said Matthew Dallek , a historian at George Washington University ’ s Graduate School of Political Management who specializes in the use of presidential power .
But Dallek said that just because Trump doesn ’ t have the authority to do most of the things he ’ s threatened , doesn ’ t mean he won ’ t , for instance , try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — even if they are later struck down by the courts .
“ What has limited Trump previously ?
Not very much .
So I think he will do whatever seems to be in his best interest at any particular moment , ” Dallek said .
Trump , he said , also could try to abuse his powers to leverage other instruments of government , from the Department of Justice to the IRS , to push for investigations or launch regulatory crackdowns to punish states , cities or companies .
Trump also has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers that modern presidents have largely avoided , including his recent purging of inspectors general .
When the president declared the pandemic a national emergency back in March , he activated more than 100 different statutory authorities .
Yet Trump , said Vladeck , has failed to exercise many of them .
“ I think one of the real ironies of this entire moment is that the president actually has a remarkable array of powers that he hasn ’ t brought to bear .
All the while he continues to claim stunning powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
That includes the Defence Production Act , which Trump could have used far more aggressively to force companies to mass produce supplies including masks and ventilators .
Instead , he used it in more limited ways .
And while the Justice Department has threatened to join lawsuits against states that move too slowly , a statement of interest filed by the department in Illinois last week didn ’ t raise any federal constitutional claims .
Even if he doesn ’ t follow through on threats , Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uses his bully pulpit .
“ He ’ s still trying to wield his often outrageous interpretations of the law as a cudgel to bludgeon others , ” said Joshua Geltzer , founding executive director of the Institute for constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law Center .
Trump is now on a tear against Twitter after the social media platform , which he uses to speak directly to his more than 80 million followers , slapped fact-check alerts on two of his tweets claiming that mail-in voting is fraudulent .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I , as President , will not allow it to happen !
” he tweeted Tuesday .
A day later Trump added that : “ Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices .
We will strongly regulate , or close them down , before we can ever allow this to happen.
” While Congress could pass legislation further regulating social media platforms , Trump “ has no such authority , ” said former federal judge Michael McConnell , who now directs Stanford Law School ’ s constitutional Law Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There is absolutely no First Amendment issue with Twitter adding a label to the president ’ s tweets , “ added Jameel Jaffer , executive director at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University , who won the case that prevents Trump from banning his critics from his Twitter feed .
“ The only First Amendment issue here arises from the president ’ s threat to punish Twitter in some way for fact-checking his statements.
” But Jack Balkin , a Yale University law professor and First Amendment expert , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point .
“ This is an attempt by the president to , as we used to say in basketball , work the refs , “ he said .
“ He ’ s threatening and cajoling with the idea that these folks in their corporate board rooms will think twice about what they ’ re doing , so they won ’ t touch him.
” For Rutgers University media professor John Pavlik , who studies online misinformation , Trump is simply trying to fire up his political base .
“ For Trump , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics.
“ Associated Press writer David Klepper contributed to the report from New York .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Hard-line former Tehran mayor named Iran parliament speaker

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Iran ’ s parliament elected a former mayor of Tehran tied to the Revolutionary Guard as its next speaker Thursday , solidifying hard-line control of the body as tensions between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic remain high over its collapsed nuclear deal .
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf ’ s assumption of power comes after a string of failed presidential bids and 12 years as the leader of Iran ’ s capital city , in which he built onto Tehran ’ s subway and supported the construction of modern high-rises .
Many , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revolutionary Guard general for a violent crackdown on Iranian university students in 1999 .
He also reportedly ordered live gunfire be used against Iranian students in 2003 while serving as the country ’ s police chief .
“ It is time to thank all representatives , all workers at the parliament complex , experts , managers , security forces and services , ” Qalibaf said , promising to give a speech Sunday .
Qalibaf ’ s candidacy received 230 votes from the 264 lawmakers present in the parliament in the first round of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has 290 seats .
Qalibaf , 58 , replaces Ali Larijani , who served as the parliament ’ s speaker from 2008 until this May .
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Larijani as an adviser and a member of the country ’ s Expediency Council on Thursday , state TV reported .
As speaker , Qalibaf leads a body that can debate Iran ’ s annual budget and push for the impeachment of government ministers .
However , laws passed by the parliament must be approved by a 12-member Guardian Council and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state .
The position also puts Qalibaf onto Iran ’ s Supreme National Security Council , the country ’ s highest level body that handles defence and nuclear issues .
That takes on new importance as the U.S. withdrew waivers from Iran ’ s nuclear program late Wednesday and as tensions between the two nations remain high .
On Thursday , Guard navy chief Adm. Ali Reza Tangsiri issued a new warning to the U.S. while inaugurating 112 new vessels in the port city of Bandar Abbas .
“ Today , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are right there beside them and they will feel it more in the near future , “ Tangsiri said , according to the semiofficial Tasnim news agency .
A trained pilot , Qalibaf served in the paramilitary Guard during the country ’ s bloody 1980s war with Iraq .
After the conflict , he served as the head of the Guard ’ s construction arm , Khatam al-Anbia , for several years leading efforts to rebuild .
Qalibaf then served as the head of the Guard ’ s air force , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reformist President Mohammad Khatami amid student protests in Tehran over the government closing a reformist newspaper and a subsequent security force crackdown .
The letter warned Khatami the Guard would take action unilaterally unless he agreed to putting down the demonstrations .
Violence around the protests saw several killed , hundreds wounded and thousands arrested .
Qalibaf then served as the head of Iran ’ s police , modernizing the force and implementing the country ’ s 110 emergency phone number .
However , a leaked recording of a later meeting between Qalibaf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteer Basij force , included him claiming that he ordered gunfire be used against demonstrators in 2003 , as well as praising the violence used in Iran ’ s 2009 Green Movement protests .
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hinted at the the 2003 incident during a debate in the 2017 presidential election .
“ There was an argument that you were saying that the students should come then we can pincer attack to them and finish the job , “ Rouhani said at the time .
As mayor , Qalibaf faced corruption allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being donated to a foundation run by his wife .
However , he also used his prominence to travel to the World Economic Forum and even praised New York City in an interview with the Financial Times , undoubtedly raising eyebrows among hard-liners .
Qalibaf ran failed presidential campaigns in 2005 , 2013 and 2017 , the last of which saw him withdraw in support of the hard-liner Ebrahim Raisi , now the head of the country ’ s judiciary .
Despite that , U.S. diplomats suggested Qalibaf enjoyed the support of Khamenei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks .
Despite winning the vote , Qalibaf may still face suspicion from other lawmakers , particularly over his ambitions , wrote Jason Brodsky , the policy director of the Washington-based group United Against Nuclear Iran .
“ Some factions view his bid with suspicion given rumours Qalibaf wants to use the speakership as a means to run for the presidency in 2021 , ” Brodsky wrote .
“ Also , because of his previous election campaigns facing off against Rouhani , Qalibaf would preside over a more @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--German police investigating find of ape body parts in forest

BERLIN - German police say the grisly find of an ape ’ s hand and foot in a forest west of Munich appears to be less nefarious than previously thought , and certainly not as outlandish than wildly speculative tips they ’ ve received .
The cleanly severed hand and foot , complete with skin , hair and nails , were discovered about a week ago near the Bavarian town of Grafrath by a forester ’ s dog .
Tips came in , including one suggesting the find was evidence the government was carrying out coronavirus experiments on monkeys , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But after examination of the foot and hand , which appear to come from a chimpanzee , experts concluded they had been preserved with formaldehyde or another chemical used to keep scientific specimens .
“ This makes it possible that the parts are significantly older than initially thought , ” Michael Fischer , a police spokesman in nearby Fuerstenfeldbruck , told dpa .
“ The good news is that nobody has to worry that an ape was slaughtered in Fuerstenfeldbruck last week.
” Police are still trying to figure out how a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a German forest , but say it now seems likely it is at most an administrative offence rather than a crime .
“ And it could already be past the statute of limitations , ” Fischer said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Mayor: Officer who put knee on man’s neck should be charged

MINNEAPOLIS - The mayor of Minneapolis called Wednesday for criminal charges against the white police officer seen on video kneeling against the neck of a handcuffed black man who complained that he could not breathe and died in police custody .
Based on the video , Mayor Jacob Frey said officer Derek Chauvin should be charged in the death of George Floyd .
The footage recorded by a bystander shows Chauvin with his knee on Floyd ’ s neck as Floyd gasps for breath on the ground with his face against the pavement .
The officer does not move for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd stops speaking and moving .
“ I ’ ve wrestled with , more than anything else over the last 36 hours , one fundamental question : Why is the man who killed George Floyd not in jail ?
” said Frey , who is white .
He later added : “ I saw no threat .
I saw nothing that would signal that this kind of force was necessary.
” The day after Floyd died , Chauvin and three other officers were fired — an act that did not stem the flood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video shot on Memorial Day outside a convenience store .
Protesters marched more than 2 miles Tuesday to the police precinct in that part of the city , with some damaging property and skirmishing with officers in riot gear who fired tear gas .
Conflict erupted again Wednesday at the same precinct , with some protesters throwing rocks and bottles at police .
News helicopter video appeared to show looting of nearby stores , including a Target , a Cub Foods and an auto parts store , with no evident police intervention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chauvin ’ s suburban home .
An officer told protesters that Chauvin was not there .
Red cans of paint were earlier spilled on his driveway , and someone wrote “ murderer ” in chalk at the end of his driveway .
No one answered when an Associated Press reporter knocked on the door .
Many activists , citizens and celebrities called for criminal charges before Frey did .
But Floyd ’ s family and the community may have to wait months , if not years , before investigations are complete .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our oppressors , and we must not endanger others during this pandemic , ” Crump said in a statement .
“ We will demand and ultimately force lasting change by shining a light on treatment that is horrific and unacceptable and by winning justice.
” Police Chief Medaria Arradondo , who rose to the top job after his predecessor was forced out following the 2017 shooting of an unarmed white woman by a black Minneapolis officer , urged protesters to “ be respectful.
” He said he was working to change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident can significantly bring people to doubt that , ” he said .
The chief defended the department ’ s use of tear gas to break up Tuesday night ’ s protests , saying officers used it only after some people broke into a secure area that gave them access to squad cars and weapons .
Gov .
Tim Walz and Minnesota ’ s two top law enforcement officials — Attorney General Keith Ellison and Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington , both black — promised a thorough , transparent investigation .
But Walz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor ’ s call to immediately charge the officer , saying the legal process needs to play out .
“ I understand the emotions are running high , and I think it ’ s important for the mayor to channel the emotion of the people who he represents .
But I think it is critical that we adhere very closely to the facts and the law and the normal process , ” Ellison said .
The Hennepin County Attorney ’ s Office , which would prosecute any state charges , issued a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ outraged us and people across the country ” and that the case “ deserves the best we can give.
” The FBI was investigating whether officers willfully deprived Floyd of his civil rights .
Floyd ’ s death and that of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia have reopened the divide between minority communities and police that grew to a national uproar following the 2014 killings of Eric Garner and Michael Brown , the 2015 killing of Freddie Gray and others .
Speaking to reporters at Cape Canaveral , Florida , President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very , very sad event “ and said his administration was going to “ look at it.
” Later , he tweeted that he had asked for the federal investigation be expedited .
Democrat Joe Biden said Floyd ’ s death was “ part of an ingrained , systemic cycle of injustice that still exists in this country ” and “ cuts at the very heart of our sacred belief that all Americans are equal in rights.
” It also “ sends a very clear message to the black community and black lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Biden added , saying he was glad the mayor and the police department fired the officers , ” but I don ’ t think that ’ s enough.
” A 2017 Pew Research Center study found that police think the public does not understand the risks they face .
A more recent study from September showed police were considered more trustworthy than Congress , but only 33 % of black adults and half of Hispanics say they believe officers treat racial and ethnic groups equally .
Shocking videos of black men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is hitting communities of colour harder than white communities .
Floyd himself had been laid off from his nightclub security job in the pandemic , a friend told the AP .
Police say Floyd matched the description of someone who tried to pay with a counterfeit bill at the convenience store .
It was unclear why Floyd was arrested in such a physical way for what would have been a low-level crime .
Police in most large cities have backed away from certain arrests to guard against further spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not wearing masks .
A Minneapolis Fire Department report shows that paramedics moved Floyd from the scene , and two fire crew members got into the ambulance to help .
Medics were doing chest compressions and other lifesaving measures on an “ unresponsive , pulseless male , ” the report said .
Floyd was pronounced dead at a hospital .
An autopsy will be performed to determine if the neck compression led to his death .
News accounts show Chauvin was one of six officers who fired their weapons in the 2006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said pointed a sawed-off shotgun at officers after stabbing two people .
Chauvin also shot and wounded a man in 2008 during a struggle after Chauvin and his partner responded to a reported domestic assault .
Police did not immediately respond to a request for Chauvin ’ s service record .
Chauvin ’ s attorney confirmed the officer ’ s identity on Tuesday .
The department identified the other officers Wednesday as Thomas Lane , Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng .
In calling for charges , the mayor contrasted Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on split-second decisions by officers .
“ We are not talking about a split-second decision that was made incorrectly , “ Frey said .
” There ’ s somewhere around 300 seconds in those five minutes — every one of which that officer could have turned back , every second of which he could have removed his knee from George Floyd ’ s neck.
” Long reported from Washington .
Associated Press writers Jeff Baenen and Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis , Todd Richmond in Madison , Wisconsin , and Kevin Freking in Cape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .

Amy Forliti And Colleen Long - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Nissan plans to close Barcelona factories, 3,000 jobs lost

MADRID - Spain ’ s government says that Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Co. has decided to close its manufacturing plants @ @ @ @ @ , resulting in the loss of some 3,000 direct jobs .
Spain ’ s Industry @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday that it regrets the company ’ s decision despite proposals to keep the @ @ @ @ @ the car manufacturer ’ s executives to consider alternatives .
Workers ’ unions had warned @ @ @ @ @ Nissan ’ s local supply chain would also be threatened if the company closed its @ @ @ @ @ and two smaller factories in nearby towns .
Reeling from a scandal involving its former @ @ @ @ @ Yokohama-based Nissan was due to report on Thursday its annual results , which are expected @ @ @ @ @ yearly loss in 11 years .
The company is undergoing a deep restructuring , focusing @ @ @ @ @ and Japan and leaving the European market , Russia , South America and North Africa @ @ @ @ @ and Southeast Asia and Oceania to Mitsubishi .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Asia Today: Virus cases jump again in South Korea, India

BANGKOK - South Korea on Thursday reported its biggest jump in coronavirus cases in more than 50 days , a setback that could erase some of its hard-won gains .
Health officials warned that the resurgence is getting harder to track and social distancing and other steps need to be taken .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 67 of the 79 new cases reported were from the Seoul metropolitan area , where about half of South Korea ’ s 51 million people live .
Health Minister Park Neung-hoo called for residents in the metropolitan area to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep sick employees off work .
At least 82 infections so far have been linked to workers at a massive warehouse operated by local e-commerce giant Coupang .
Health authorities plan to finish testing more than 4,000 workers and visitors to the warehouse later Thursday .
Hundreds of other infections have been linked to nightclubs and other entertainment venues , which saw huge crowds in early May after officials relaxed social distancing guidelines .
It remains to be seen whether the recent spike in infections force back a phased reopening of schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s anti-virus campaign .
The Education Ministry on Wednesday said class openings were delayed at 561 schools nationwide because of virus concerns .
South Korea was reporting around 500 new cases per day in early March before managing to stabilize its outbreak with aggressive tracking and testing , which allowed officials to relax social distancing guidelines .
KCDC director Jeong Eun-kyeong said the country may need to reimpose social distancing restrictions , noting it ’ s becoming increasingly difficult for health workers to track transmissions amid increasing public activity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trace contacts and implement preventive measures , but there ’ s a limit to such efforts , “ she said .
” There ’ s a need to maximize social distancing in areas where the virus is circulating , to force people to avoid public facilities and other crowded spaces.
” Seoul and nearby cities restored some of the controls in recent weeks by shutting thousands of bars , karaoke rooms and other entertainment venues to slow the spread of the virus .
The country also began requiring masks on public transit and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are biw allowed to refuse passengers not wearing masks .
Meanwhile , South Korea ’ s central bank lowered its policy rate to an all-time low of 0.5 % to soften the pandemic ’ s shock to the country ’ s trade-dependent economy .
The Bank of Korea also adjusted its annual growth outlook from a 2.1 % expansion to a 0.2 % contraction .
The country ’ s economy hasn ’ t seen an annual contraction since 1998 .
The nation ’ s economy shrank 1.4 % during the first three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and exports shrank amid worldwide lockdowns .
In other developments around the Asia-Pacific region : — INDIA INFECTIONS SURGING : India on Thursday reported more than 6,500 new virus cases , another single day record .
The surge comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s government prepares a new set of guidelines to be issued this weekend , possibly extending a two-month lockdown in the worst-hit areas while also allowing some economic activity .
The Health Ministry also reported another 194 deaths , bringing the country total to 4,531 .
Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases are concentrated in Maharashtra , Gujarat , Tamil Nadu New Delhi , Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states .
— CHURCH CALLS FOR EQUALITY : A Catholic archbishop has accused an Australian state government of inequitable pandemic rules by allowing up to 50 people into pubs while limiting church congregations to 10 .
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher on Thursday encouraged Catholics to sign a petition calling on the New South Wales government to treat churches the same as pubs , restaurants and cafes .
New pandemic restrictions that take effect on June 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial premises can hold from 10 to 50 .
“ Contrary to what has been said throughout this pandemic , we do not consider church attendance to be non-essential ; indeed , nothing is more essential than the practice of our faith , ” the petition said .
— HOSPITAL FIRE KILLS 5 : A fire that swept through a hospital ’ s coronavirus unit in Bangladesh ’ s capital killed five people .
Firefighters recovered the bodies of four men and one woman after the blaze was controlled , Dhaka fire agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital Ltd. is in Dhaka ’ s Gulshan area , where many diplomatic missions and corporate offices are located .
Bangladesh on Wednesday had 38,292 coronavirus cases including 544 deaths .
— CHINA ’ S CONGRESS NEARS CONCLUSION : China on Thursday announced two new cases of coronavirus , both from abroad , as it moves to close the annual session of its ceremonial legislature that had been delayed by the outbreak .
No new deaths were reported and just 73 people remained in treatment , while another 518 remain under isolation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus or testing positive without showing any symptoms .
China has reported a total of 4,634 deaths from COVID-19 among 82,995 cases .
The National People ’ s Congress is to conclude its meetings later Thursday .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Shots fired during Denver protest of Minneapolis man’s death

DENVER - Shots were fired and protesters blocked traffic during a demonstration in downtown Denver to protest the death of a handcuffed black man during a confrontation with a white police officer in Minnesota , authorities said .
There were no immediate reports of injuries .
Gary Cutler , a spokesman for the Colorado State Patrol , said the shooting happened in a park across the street from the Capitol .
Most of the protesters already had left the area and were marching downtown .
Cutler said the Capitol building was locked down , and everyone inside was safe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Capitol , tweeted , “ We just got shot at.
“ Police said they don ’ t know if the protesters were being targeted .
“ We do believe that the shots were towards the Capitol , but we do not at this point have any correlation to the protest or the protesters , ” police spokesman Kurt Barnes told The Denver Post .
He said about six or seven shots were fired , and no one has been arrested .
Several hundred protesters had gathered to call for justice following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in police custody in Minneapolis on Monday after an officer knelt on his neck for almost eight minutes .
In footage recorded by a bystander , Floyd pleaded that he couldn ’ t breathe .
Some among the Denver protesters carried signs reading “ Black Lives Matter ” and chanted , “ Hey , hey .
Ho , ho .
Racist police got to go.
” They marched through downtown Denver , snarling traffic .
Aerial footage showed protesters blocking traffic from moving on Interstate 25 in both directions .
Four police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Minneapolis has called for the officer who knelt on Floyd ’ s neck to be criminally charged .
The death has led to violent protests in Minneapolis and demonstrations in other cities , including Los Angeles .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Stranded in paradise: Hundreds of sailors stuck in Pacific

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - For as long as she can remember , 28-year-old Kristen Pankratz has shared in her dad ’ s dream to sail around the world .
Life somehow always got in the way .
But after giving up her advertising job in Dallas , she finally set sail with her parents in January .
Now , along with hundreds of other sailors , they find themselves stranded in paradise .
As they sailed west across the vast Pacific Ocean in March , the coronavirus pandemic spread its tentacles across the globe .
They made it as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of the last places in the region to offer refuge as borders slammed shut .
With South Pacific countries not yet ready to reopen , the family is finding no way forward , no way back , and doesn ’ t want to abandon their boat .
So they remain where they are , in a strange limbo , hoping they can sail west again before the cyclone season hits in November .
There are some 550 sailboats currently sheltering in French Polynesia , according to a manifest kept by maritime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew of about two or three , although a few have 10 or more aboard .
There are hundreds more sailors stranded elsewhere in the South Pacific , in Fiji , Tonga , New Zealand and Australia .
The Pankratzs say they ’ ve been treated extraordinarily well and have been able to see beautiful grottoes and black sand beaches without many other tourists around .
Others say they ’ ve encountered suspicion and sometimes hostility from local residents fearful they might be bringing in the virus from abroad .
Kristen Pankratz said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trip wasn ’ t going according to plan , but soon realized their situation could have been so much worse .
She began feeling guilty about not being home with loved ones .
“ When we first left , people at home were so scared for us , ” she said .
“ But it turned out we ended up being safer than they were in the U.S. ” Pankratz , with parents David and Anne , set out on their 46-foot ( 14-meter ) sailboat Amazing Grace from St. Lucia as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had similar ambitions to circumnavigate the globe .
After sailing through the Panama Canal into the Pacific , they got sporadic updates from their satellite phone and from other sailors about the deteriorating virus situation .
They ended up spending a week longer at sea than planned to get to Tahiti , catching fresh tuna along the way to stretch out their supplies .
Then came four and a half weeks of lockdown at a marina , where they were allowed off the boat only for exercise and groceries .
Pankratz settled into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sailors : high-intensity exercise classes at 7:30 a.m. on the dock ; cocktails at 5:30 p.m. on the boats .
After the lockdown ended , they got to see more of Tahiti .
And this week , they set sail for some new islands after authorities loosened restrictions to allow more travel between French Polynesia ’ s scattered archipelagos .
British sailors Rob and Frances Lythgoe spent their lockdown in a different part of French Polynesia , at Raiatea island .
They said they hardly spoke to another soul for 10 weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a boat to tell them they could only come ashore one at a time and if they wore masks , despite local residents not wearing them .
So they fashioned them out of a pillowcase .
Lythgoe , 57 , said people on the islands were suspicious they might have brought the virus from Europe , even though they ’ d isolated themselves on their boat .
One man told them they should leave .
Lythgoe pointed out there ’ s a long and unfortunate history of foreigners bringing diseases to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle-aged and middle-class , it ’ s the first time we ’ ve felt discrimination , ” Lythgoe said , adding that it was an enlightening experience .
Like many others , the Lythgoes are hoping that New Zealand will eventually relax its border restrictions so they can sail there to get needed repairs to their boat and prepare for the next leg of their journey .
They worry that sailboats are being unfairly lumped in with cruise ships as a possible source of infection .
Other sailors already in New Zealand say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparing to hunker down for the Southern Hemisphere winter .
Vandy Shrader , 58 , from near San Francisco , said she and her husband Eric arrived in New Zealand in November on their 50-foot ( 15-meter ) cutter Scoots , and planned to leave for Fiji about now .
Instead , they ’ ve got their heater going in their boat at the Whangarei Town Basin Marina .
“ We ’ re very happy to be here , “ Shrader said .
“ I feel like we ’ ve won the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zealand has almost eradicated the virus after enforcing a strict lockdown in March .
Shrader said she and her husband have been at sea for the best part of six years .
They ’ re among a community of full-time cruisers who enjoy the lifestyle on “ a big boat , but a small house.
” Shrader and other sailors say the ocean teaches you to be flexible and patient .
Sometimes you have to ride out storms , other times you find yourself becalmed .
She says they ’ ll wait to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set sail .
But who knows ?
Maybe they ’ ll stay in New Zealand for another year .
It all depends on the virus .
And the weather .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Russian agents have been hacking a major email program, U.S. National Security Agency says

BOSTON—The U.S. National Security Agency says the same Russian military hacking group that interfered in the 2016 presidential election and unleashed a devastating malware attack the following year has been exploiting a major email server program since last August or earlier .
The timing of the agency ’ s advisory Thursday was unusual considering that the critical vulnerability in the Exim Mail Transfer Agent — which mostly runs on Unix-type operating systems — was identified 11 months ago , when a patch was issued .
Exim is so widely used — though far less known than such commercial alternatives as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some companies and government agencies that run it may still not have patched the vulnerability , said Jake Williams , president of Rendition Infosec and a former U.S. government hacker .
It took Williams about a minute of online probing on Thursday to find a potentially vulnerable government server in the U.K .
He speculated that the NSA might have issued to advisory to publicize the IP addresses and a domain name used by the Russian military group , known as Sandworm , in its hacking campaign — in hopes of thwarting their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploit allows an attacker to gain access using specially crafted email and install programs , modify data and create new accounts — gaining a foothold on a compromised network .
The NSA did not say who the Russian military hackers have targeted .
But senior U.S. intelligence officials have warned in recent months that Kremlin agents are engaged in activities that could threaten the integrity of the November presidential election .
Sandworm agents , tied to Russia ’ s GRU military intelligence arm , wreaked havoc on the 2016 U.S. presidential election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and breaking into voter registration databases .
They also have been blamed by the U.S. and U.K. governments for the June 2017 NotPetya cyberattack , which targeted businesses that operate in Ukraine .
It caused at least $ 10 billion ( U.S. ) in damage globally , most notably to the Danish shipping multinational Maersk .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Australian court rules Queen’s letters can be made public

CANBERRA , Australia - Australia ’ s highest court ruled on Friday to make public letters between Queen Elizabeth II and her representative that would reveal what knowledge she had , if any , of the dismissal of an Australian government in 1975 .
The High Court ’ s majority decision in historian Jenny Hocking ’ s appeal overturned lower court rulings that more than 200 letters between the monarch of Britain and Australia and Governor-General Sir John Kerr before he dismissed Prime Minister Gough Whitlam ’ s government were personal and might never be made public .
The only-ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authority of a British monarch created a crisis that spurred many to call for Australia to sever its constitutional ties with Britain and create a republic with an Australian president .
Kerr dismissed Whitlam ’ s government and replaced him with opposition leader Malcolm Fraser as prime minister to resolve a month-old deadlock in Parliament .
Fraser ’ s coalition won an election weeks later .
The National Archives of Australia had held the correspondence , known as the Palace Letters , since 1978 .
As state records they should have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created .
Under an agreement struck between Buckingham Palace and Government House , the governor-general ’ s official residence , months before Kerr resigned in 1978 , the letters covering three tumultuous years of Australian politics were to remain secret until 2027 .
The private secretaries of both the sovereign and the governor-general in 2027 still could veto their release indefinitely under that agreement .
A Federal Court judge accepted the archives ’ argument that the letters were personal and confidential .
An appeals court upheld that ruling in a 2-1 decision .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were created with the “ strong conception ” that their character was private , and they were received by the archives under those conditions .
The convention across British Commonwealth nations is that communications between the Queen and her representatives are personal , private and not accessible by the executive government , they argued .
The archives did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday .
Hocking , a Monash University academic and Whitlam biographer , was to hold a news conference later on Friday in Melbourne .
Buckingham Palace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press ’ requests for comment on the case .
Hocking has been fighting to access the letters since 2016 .