thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Virginia juvenile detention centre new coronavirus hotspot

BON AIR , Va. - Coronavirus has erupted inside a juvenile detention centre in Virginia with 25 kids testing positive , accounting for a quarter of all cases reported at youth facilities nationwide , officials said Friday .
Children ’ s rights advocates and health experts have warned state officials for weeks that it was just a matter of time before the virus took off inside juvenile facilities .
They have called on Gov .
Ralph Northam to start releasing as many children as safely possible from centres , including at the newly hit Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect our vulnerable youth have failed , ” said Liz Ryan , head of the Washington-based non-profit Youth First Initiative .
“ It ’ s clear that refusing to listen to public health experts has put our youth and communities at extreme risk.
” America locks up more people than any other country in the world , with more than 2.2 million men , women and children in detention .
Experts say prisons and jails can act as petri dishes for the coronavirus .
Social distancing is almost impossible , many institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and many do not have access to hand sanitizer .
The coronavirus has already ripped through several adult county jails along with state and federal institutions for adults , but less attention has been paid to the 45,000 kids in lockup .
So far , 101 kids have tested positive nationwide , more than half of them in Virginia and Louisiana , according to the Washington DC-based The Sentencing Project , which has been aggregating number since late March The real number is likely much higher , because many kids with symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 , officials in Virginia announced two staffers at Bon Air had tested positive , but contact with residents was limited .
A day later , a kid started showing symptoms and later tested positive .
Chris Moon , chief physician at Virginia ’ s Department of Juvenile Justice , said 21 of the 25 infected kids in Bon Air exhibited no outward symptoms and only four showed signs that were more severe than a cold or a flu .
Although the facility has the capacity to house 280 kids , it currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years old to 20 , the department said .
“ Any resident who tested positive was immediately placed in medical isolation , ” Moon said , adding that 13 have already been released .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Nations worldwide debate easing lockdown as economic hardship grows

BERLIN—Governments around the world are wrestling with when — and how — to ease the restrictions designed to control the coronavirus pandemic amid rising unemployment and with many of their citizens struggling to make ends meet .
Mandatory lockdowns to stop the spread of the new virus , which has so far infected almost 2.3 million people and for which there is no vaccine , have brought widespread hardship .
In a joint statement Saturday , foreign ministers from 13 countries , including Canada , Brazil , Italy and Germany , called for global co-operation to lessen the economic impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital that we work together to save lives and livelihoods , ” they said .
The statement was also backed by Britain , France Indonesia , Mexico , Morocco , Peru , South Korea , Singapore and Turkey .
It said the countries were committed to “ co-ordinate on public health , travel , trade , economic and financial measures in order to minimize disruptions and recover stronger.
” Those efforts include maintaining “ air , land and marine transportation links ” to ensure the continued flow of goods including medical equipment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travellers , they said after a virtual meeting late Friday .
In the United States , whose administration did not join in the call , the debate has taken on partisan tones ahead of the fall presidential election .
Republican President Donald Trump urged supporters to “ liberate ” three states led by Democratic governors , tweeting the kind of rhetoric some have used to demand an end to stay-at-home orders that have thrown millions out of work .
Protests against stay-at-home orders — organized by small-government groups and Trump supporters — were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , including at the the Texas Capitol , despite assurances from Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott that restrictions would begin easing next week .
There have been tentative signs that measures to curb the outbreak are working in places , with the rate of new infections slowing across Europe in response to the lockdowns there .
France and Spain started dismantling some field hospitals , while in Germany the number of active cases has slowly declined over the past week as people recover .
Spain ’ s children have been confined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompting some parents to ask for them to allowed to at least take a daily walk .
The government says it is studying how to cautiously roll back lockdown measures , but that it is to soon to let kids out since they are a major source of transmission even if they rarely fall ill from the virus .
Fernando Simón , a leading Spanish health official , said Saturday : “ For children to go outside , we need to see a sufficiently small number of new cases to ensure that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that we won ’ t be putting at risk our patients and our hospitals .
… We are close but we need to go day to day.
” Still , most governments and public health officials remain cautious about relaxing the shutdowns , despite the mounting economic toll .
“ It ’ s wrong , sensationally wrong , to communicate that there is a kind of conflict with health and safety on one side and economic resumption , ” said Domenico Arcuri , Italy ’ s extraordinary commissioner for the coronavirus emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without health , the ( economic ) revival will disappear in the batting of an eyelash.
” The Italian government ’ s decree , shutting down nonessential industries and businesses , runs through May 3 .
Health experts are advising that any easing must be gradual in the country that ’ s seen the most deaths so far in Europe , with nearly 23,000 fatalities and over 172,000 known cases .
Some Asian nations that until recently appeared to have the outbreak under control , including Singapore and Japan , reported a fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s total case number rose above 10,000 on Saturday .
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has voiced concern that people are not observing social distancing and announced a 100,000-yen ( $ 930 U.S. ) cash handout to each resident as an incentive to stay home .
Singapore reported a sharp , one-day spike of 942 infections , the highest in Southeast Asia , amid and upsurge in cases among foreign workers staying in crowded dormitories .
That brought the total to 5,992 in the tiny city-state of six million .
Iran , hard hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed some businesses in the capital and nearby towns to re-open Saturday after weeks of lockdown .
Gyms , restaurants , shopping malls and Tehran ’ s grand bazaar will remain closed .
In Africa , one of the world ’ s poorest regions , the pandemic is only just getting underway .
The continent has now recorded more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths , among them the Nigerian president ’ s chief of staff , and more than 20,000 cases .
Top leaders of China ’ s ruling Communist Party called for deficit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the economy shrank 6.8 per cent in the first three months of the year .
France ’ s lower house of parliament approved an emergency budget overnight that takes into account the government ’ s 110 billion-euro ( $ 120 billion U.S. ) plan to save the economy from virus-related collapse .
The government has warned that France ’ s economy , one of the world ’ s biggest , could shrink eight per cent this year and see its worst recession since the Second World War .
South Korea ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday that new guidelines could be issued soon that officials have said would allow people to engage in “ certain levels of economic and social activity.
” The East Asian country was among the 13 nations to issue the joint statement on protecting global trade .
The declaration also stressed “ the importance and critical role of the scientific community in providing guidance to governments.
” While most of those sickened by the virus recover , the outbreak has killed at least 155,000 people worldwide , according to a Johns Hopkins University tally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities around the globe .
The number all but certainly underestimates the actual toll .
Authorities said that almost everywhere , thousands have died with COVID-19 symptoms — many in nursing homes — without being tested for the virus , and have thus gone uncounted .
In Britain , with an official count of about 14,600 dead , the country ’ s statistics agency said the actual number could be around 15 per cent higher .
China on Saturday reported a nearly 40 per cent increase in its death toll to 4,632 victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous day by authorities in Wuhan , the nation ’ s hardest-hit city .
An Associated Press tally from news media reports and state health departments indicates 6,912 U.S. deaths have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities .
The overall death toll in the United States has topped 35,000 , with more than 700,000 confirmed infections , making it by far the worst-hit country worldwide .
Trump , whose administration waited months before acting to bolster stockpiles of key medical supplies and equipment , appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several U.S. states to vent their anger with the economy-strangling restrictions .
“ LIBERATE MINNESOTA !
” “ LIBERATE MICHIGAN !
” “ LIBERATE VIRGINIA , ” Trump said in a tweet-storm in which he also lashed out at New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat , for criticizing the federal response .
Cuomo “ should spend more time ‘ doing ’ and less time ‘ complaining , ’ ” the president said .
Trump is pushing to relax the U.S. lockdown by May 1 , a plan that hinges partly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which both have Republican governors , took first steps toward easing restrictions .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott said stores could begin selling curbside , nonessential surgery could resume and state parks could reopen .
In Florida , Gov .
Ron DeSantis said municipalities could reopen beaches and parks if they could do so safely .

Frank Jordans - The Associated Press,Ken Moritsugu

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thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Austria shuts down last coal-fired power plant

BERLIN—Austria has shut down its last coal-fired power plant as part of a plan to end the use of fossil @ @ @ @ @ 2030 .
Utility company Verbund said the plant in the southeastern town of Mellach was @ @ @ @ @ Mellach plant had provided heat and electricity to the nearby city of Graz for 34 @ @ @ @ @ Alpine nation with no significant fossil fuel reserves of its own , still has more @ @ @ @ @ burning gas and oil .
The government aims to shut the gas-fired plants by the @ @ @ @ @ after which the country will generate all of its energy from renewable sources .
Austria @ @ @ @ @ country to end the burning of coal , which is considered the most heavily polluting @ @ @ @ @ source of man-made greenhouse gas emissions stoking climate change .


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Florida restaurant finds NY man’s wedding ring 3 years later

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - Three years ago , a New York couple was enjoying a meal by the water at a South Florida restaurant when the man ’ s wedding ring slipped off his finger , through the wooden floorboards , apparently lost forever .
Recently , Coconuts restaurant manager Ryan Krivoy decided to replace the wooden patio deck since the Fort Lauderdale restaurant is only serving take-out during the coronavirus pandemic .
He found a gold coin , $ 100 bills , piles of mud and a silver wedding ring with the inscription , “ Mike & Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager Sasha Formica thought it was a long shot , but decided to post a picture of the ring on Facebook .
The post was shared about 5,000 times , making its way to Mike and Lisa .
Three days later , the happy wife called to claim the ring , the Sun Sentinel reported .
She even texted pictures of her and her husband eating there in 2017 as proof .
The restaurant shipped the ring back to the couple .
Krivoy took the $ 100 bills and a rare coin from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as $ 2,000 for the tip jar to share with the staff .


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Chicago Sky centre Stefanie Dolson says she got COVID-19

Chicago Sky centre Stefanie Dolson announced that she tested positive for the coronavirus , making her the first known Chicago professional athlete to contract COVID-19 .
Dolson said in a video that aired Friday night during ESPN ’ s broadcast of the WNBA draft that she and her “ whole family ” tested positive about a month ago , the Chicago Tribune reported .
“ This virus has hit pretty close to home , “ said Dolson , who , along with Los Angeles Sparks guard Sydney Wiese , is one of two WNBA players known to have contracted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended up being admitted into the hospital for about four days .
She had severe symptoms , pneumonia .
But because of the team of healthcare workers that was there , she ’ s home safe now and healthy.
” Dolson , who is living in New York , did not share any details about her own condition and could not be reached for comment by the Tribune .
However , the team ’ s principal owner , Michael Alter , told the paper that Dolson ’ s symptoms “ never got really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulted with doctors with the University of Chicago Medicine , which is the team ’ s official healthcare provider and a major sponsor .
Sky coach James Wade said the WNBA has conferred with Dolson on her treatment options .


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Walk, run or surf - but don’t sunbathe on Florida beaches

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - Kevin Sweeny took his 2-year-old daughter on St. Augustine Beach on Saturday for the first time in weeks .
It was something that used to be routine .
He lives a short bike ride from the shore and he and his family like to enjoy it as often as they can .
That stopped when local governments began closing beaches .
Now some areas of Florida are beginning to reopen them with restrictions : no sunbathing , no sitting in folding chairs , no coolers .
Just walk , run , swim , fish or surf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I saw everybody walking and moving and minding their six , seven , 10 feet away from each other .
It was certainly not chaos by any means .
It was exactly what you would have wanted to see on your beach if you decided to open the beaches today , ” Sweeny said .
“ There were no beach chairs.
” To be clear , the state of Florida never closed the beaches along its 1,350 miles ( 2,173 kilometres ) of shoreline , except in South Florida — a hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beach closures have been left in the hands of local governments , and when Gov .
Ron DeSantis issued a “ safer at home ” order on April 1 , he specifically said walking , running and swimming were essential activities .
After that order , Volusia County , home to the famed Daytona Beach , opened its beaches with restrictions on April 4 .
While exercise was allowed , beach volleyball wasn ’ t .
But on Friday , a reporter asked DeSantis about Duval County reopening its beaches earlier that day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s said all along : exercise is good , just be smart about it .
“ I ’ ve always promoted essential activities with recreation .
You ’ ve just got to do it in a way that ’ s going to have low risk , ” DeSantis said .
“ I get a kick out of somebody jogging on the beach in California , like all by his lonesome , and you have a fleet of cops go out there .
He ’ s just jogging .
Going forward I think we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get exercise.
” His response led to a nationwide misconception that he ordered the reopening of beaches , so much so the hashtag # floridamorons was trending on Twitter with criticism about the decision DeSantis didn ’ t actually make .
That includes singer and actress Bette Midler .
“ Florida reopened some beaches today & they were packed .
I guess in a way it makes perfect Florida-sense .
To try to get a little sun so you look healthy at your funeral .
# FloridaMorons , ” Midler tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in Duval County , the home to Jacksonville Beach , people are allowed back on the sand from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Signs were placed along beach access points saying , “ DO YOUR PART STAY 6 FEET APART “ and clearly specifying “ sunbathing , towels , chairs , coolers , group activities , blankets , tents , umbrellas or any item that promotes a stationary presence ” is not allowed .
It was a welcome relief for Judi Spann , who used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day before it was closed .
“ It was low tide and it ’ s such a wide beach , there were no problems at all .
I didn ’ t see anyone congregating .
Everybody was just walking and enjoying being out , ” said Spann , who lives four blocks from the beach .
“ I definitely felt safe .
As I was walking , if I saw someone walking toward me , it was really easy to go a few feet out of the way in order to keep my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak Associated Press writer Kelli Kennedy contributed to this report from Fort Lauderdale .

Brendan Farrington - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Israel accuses Hezbollah of ‘provocativ’ activity

JERUSALEM - Israel on Saturday accused the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah of “ provocative ” activity along the Lebanese-Israeli frontier and said it would complain to the U.N. Security Council .
In a statement , Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Hezbollah of multiple attempts to breach the border Friday night .
He said Israel “ thoroughly condemns ” the incident and expects the Lebanese government to prevent such threats .
On Friday night , the Israeli military fired flares along the volatile frontier after signs of a possible border breach .
It said it later found damage to its security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in three locations .
Israel and Hezbollah fought a month-long war in 2006 that ended in a stalemate .
Under a U.N.-brokered truce , Hezbollah is barred from conducting military activity along the frontier .
There was no immediate comment from the Iranian-backed militant group .
But in recent days , both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have accused Israel of violating Lebanese airspace .
Earlier this week , Hezbollah said an Israeli drone destroyed one of its vehicles in neighbouring Syria , and Lebanon has reported Israeli drones flying over the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Israeli troops along the frontier .


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Landmark Lebanese hotel folds amid virus, economic crisis

BEIRUT - One of Lebanon ’ s landmark hotels that survived the country ’ s bloody 15-year civil war and various other bouts of fighting is shutting down amid the country ’ s economic crisis and coronavirus pandemic , a hotel executive said Saturday .
The prestigious , nearly 70-year-old Le Bristol was closed temporarily as part of national measures to combat the spread of the virus .
But Pascale Selwan Tabet , executive assistant manager , said the uncertainty gripping the world because of the virus coupled with the unprecedented economic crisis in Lebanon forced the owners to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place where the country ’ s socialites mixed with royalty , the grand hotel was famous for its ballroom parties and distinguished cuisine .
It also boasted the country ’ s first ice skating ring .
The hotel ’ s original design mixed eastern and modern styles preserved in a two-year renovation that added a contemporary touch .
It is owned by the Doumet family , one of Lebanon ’ s richest .
An official announcement of the closure , which affects around 120 employees , is expected next week , Tabet said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current staff already began posting messages of farewell on social media .
Lebanon has been facing its worst economic crisis in decades , with unemployment figures soaring and the local currency losing more than half of its value against the dollar .
Protests broke out nationwide in October against government corruption , further deepening the economic slump .
In February , the head of the hotel owners association said occupancy has fallen to between 10-15 % in Beirut and much lower outside the capital .
With the spread of the coronavirus , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down and the government ordered Lebanon ’ s famous night clubs and restaurants to close , a major blow to the already staggering hospitality industry .
“ The succession of these dramatic events in town and globally has impacted the hospitality industry .
Then the coronavirus pandemic ‘ executed ’ the tourism industry , ” said Tabet .
The decision to close wasn ’ t an easy one for the owners .
In 2013 the hotel closed for two years to undergo a major renovation , reopening with a major party attended by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and foreign dignitaries .
The staff received their full salaries during those two years , Tabet said .
It was the only two years the hotel shut its doors , with management resisting a shutdown during the country ’ s 1975 civil war , which lasted 15 years .
The hotel is part of Lebanon ’ s history and political landscape , hosting weddings and meetings of the country ’ s political elites .
The hotel also lies just across the street from where a notorious Israeli assassination operation took place in 1973 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the resignation of the Lebanese government .
“ Le Bristol is a landmark in Beirut .
If the owners didn ’ t believe in the country they would not have undergone a two-year renovation , ” Tabet said .
Le Bristol , famous for its chandeliers and ballrooms , opened its doors in 1951 .
The late Shah of Iran , Iran ’ s Princess Soraya and Prince Albert of Monaco were guests of the hotel .
Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and French President Jacques Chirac also stayed there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ best known poets , Nizar Qabbani , was a regular at Le Bristol .


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--4 dead in fiery head-on collision on Florida road

BUNNELL , Fla. - Four people died after their cars exploded in flames following a head-on collision in Florida on @ @ @ @ @ occupants in the two vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene on State Road 100 @ @ @ @ @ the Florida Highway Patrol .
Authorities are investigating why one vehicle crossed the centre line @ @ @ @ @ .
The fire was so intense that the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that investigators had @ @ @ @ @ models of the vehicles involved in the crash .
The victims were not identified .
@ @ @ @ @ in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star .
Sign up for @ @ @ @ @ today 's top stories , your favourite columnists and lots more in your email inbox @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Iran’s Guard acknowledges encounter with US during a drill

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran ’ s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard acknowledged Sunday it had a tense encounter with U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf last week , but alleged without offering evidence that American forces sparked the incident .
The incident Wednesday saw the U.S. Navy release video of small Iranian fast boats coming close to American warships as they operated in the northern Persian Gulf near Kuwait , with U.S. Army Apache helicopters .
In the Guard ’ s telling , its forces were on a drill and faced “ the unprofessional and provocative actions of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Americans later withdrew .
The Guard released no video or evidence to support its allegation .
It also accused American forces of blocking Iranian warships on April 6 and April 7 as well .
Lt. Pete Pagano , a spokesman for the U.S. Navy ’ s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet , said the Navy stood by its earlier description of the incident Wednesday .
“ Regarding any other interactions with our ships , U.S. forces continue to remain vigilant and are trained to act in a professional manner , ” Pagano told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard ’ s claims of other recent incidents .
The incident comes amid still-heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Armed men boarded a Hong Kong-flagged tanker ship Tuesday off the coast of Iran near the crucial Strait of Hormuz , holding the ship for a short time near the Iranian coast before releasing it .
Though Iran has not acknowledged the incident , private security firms say the Guard was behind the seizure .
In a tweet Sunday , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , claiming Iran soon would export ventilators despite facing one of the world ’ s worst outbreaks .
“ All you need to do is stop interfering in the affairs of other nations ; mine especially , ” Zarif wrote .
“ And believe me , we do not take advice from ANY American politician.
” Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Ventilator from old car parts? Afghan girls pursue prototype

KABUL - On most mornings , Somaya Farooqi and four other teen-age girls pile into her dad ’ s car and head to a mechanic ’ s workshop .
They use back roads to skirt police checkpoints set up to enforce a lockdown in their city of Herat , one of Afghanistan ’ s hot spots of the coronavirus pandemic .
The members of Afghanistan ’ s prize-winning girls ’ robotics team say they ’ re on a life-saving mission — to build a breathing machine from used car parts and help their war-stricken country battle the virus .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our device , we will be proud , ” said Farooqi , 17 .
Their pursuit is particularly remarkable in conservative Afghanistan .
Only a generation ago , during the rule of the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban in the late 1990s , girls weren ’ t allowed to go to school .
Farooqi ’ s mother was pulled from school in third grade .
After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 , girls returned to schools , but gaining equal rights remains a struggle .
Farooqi is undaunted .
“ We are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a phone interview .
“ We fight and work for people .
Girl and boy , it does not matter anymore.
” Afghanistan faces the pandemic nearly empty-handed .
It has only 400 ventilators for a population of more than 36.6 million .
So far , it has reported just over 900 coronavirus cases , including 30 deaths , but the actual number is suspected to be much higher since test kits are in short supply .
Herat province in western Afghanistan is one of the nation ’ s hot spots because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s epicenter of the outbreak .
This has spurred Farooqi and her team members , ages 14 to 17 , to help come up with a solution .
On a typical morning , Farooqi ’ s father collects the girls from their homes and drives them to the team ’ s office in Herat , zigzagging through side streets to skirt checkpoints .
From there , another car takes them to a mechanic ’ s workshop on the outskirts of the city .
In Herat , residents are only permitted to leave their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team has a limited number of special permits for cars .
So far , Farooqi ’ s father hasn ’ t been able to get one , but the girls are in a hurry .
“ We are concerned about security driving out of the city but there is no other option , we have to try to save people ’ s lives , ” Farooqi said .
At the workshop , the team is experimenting with two different designs , including an open-source blueprint from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Toyota windshield wiper , batteries and sets of bag valve masks , or manual oxygen pumps .
A group of mechanics helps them build the frame of a ventilator .
Daniela Rus , a professor at MIT , welcomed the team ’ s initiative to develop the prototype .
“ It will be excellent to see it tested and locally produced , ” she said .
Tech entrepreneur Roya Mahboob , who founded the team and raises funds to empower girls , said she hopes Farooqi ’ s group will finish building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In all , the team has 15 members who work on various projects .
The ventilator model , once completed , would then be sent to the Health Ministry for testing , initially on animals , said spokesman Wahid Mayar .
Farooqi , who was just 14 years old when she participated in the first World Robot Olympiad in the U.S. , in 2017 , said she and her team members hope to make a contribution .
“ Afghans should be helping Afghanistan in this pandemic , ” she said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Eastern Christians mark Easter in shuttered Jerusalem church

JERUSALEM - A handful of Eastern Orthodox priests held mass for the Christian holiday of Easter on Sunday in an empty Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem due to restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus .
Eastern Christian rites mark Easter , the day Christians believe Jesus was resurrected after his crucifixion , a week after the Catholic calendar .
Ordinarily , the church would be filled with faithful and tourists , but travel restrictions imposed by Israel to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have prevented the arrival of pilgrims to Jerusalem for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of worshipers at the church .
Easter mass was performed by a small group of clergy at the Holy Sepulcher , where many Christians believe Jesus was entombed .
The square outside was empty , the church ’ s large wooden doors barred shut , but a few individual worshipers came to pray outside .
Israel has recorded over 13,000 COVID-19 cases and over 170 deaths .
A day earlier a small group of clerics at the church celebrated the ancient Holy Fire ceremony , which normally draws enormous crowds as a flame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from within a chamber where Christians believe Jesus was buried and rose from the dead .
In Egypt , Pope Tawadros II , the spiritual leader of the country ’ s Coptic Orthodox Christians , held Easter services in an empty monastery in the desert , amid coronavirus restrictions that kept faithful from gathering at churches and monasteries across the country .
The services were held at the Monastery of Saint Pishoy , in a desert valley west of Cairo known as Wadi Natrun .
A few clergymen attended the services , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station .
The clerics were seen practicing social distancing during the prayers .
The Coptic Orthodox Church , one the world ’ s oldest Christian communities , decided earlier this month to suspend Easter prayers and celebrations at churches and monasteries because of the spread of the deadly virus .
Christians constitute around 10 % of Egypt ’ s more than 100 million predominantly Muslim population .
Egypt , the Arab world ’ s most populous country , has 3,032 cases including 224 deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Battleground power plays rage as everyday politics go quiet

Local party activity ?
Some Facebook traffic , if that .
Across an arc of vital swing states , the coronavirus has put politics on an uneasy pause .
Instead , political fights among state leaders from Iowa to Pennsylvania over the handling of the pandemic ’ s impact are raging as it spreads over this electoral heartland .
Protecting public health versus restarting the economy , along with arguments over the limits of executive authority , have taken the place of the national political debate typical of presidential campaigns at this point .
They reflect , unlike the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a willingness to politicize this crisis .
It ’ s one more clear measure of a polarized era .
“ Yes , politicos and pols will always have November on their mind , “ said Iowa GOP strategist John Stineman .
“ But , in my mind , what we are seeing right now is more about each base criticizing the other side for being wrong , a product of the political environment we have allowed to take root.
” Iowa , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , where Democratic nominees had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tipped to Trump in 2016 , sealing his victory with their combined 52 electoral votes .
While politics have slipped to an afterthought for most Americans behind a toll of mounting coronavirus deaths , lost wages and closed schools , the campaign buzz of a little more than a month ago has silenced .
In swing-voting Bay County , Michigan , Democratic activity had been humming , as it was statewide before the March 10 presidential primary when participation jumped by 32 % over 2016 .
A week later , Bay City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parade — the state ’ s largest and a Democratic tradition — was cancelled .
So was the county ’ s Democratic fundraising dinner , to feature Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
“ I see chatter on social media .
But as far as activity , it ’ s pretty much down to nothing , ” said Bay County Democratic Chairwoman Karen Tighe .
Iowa cancelled Democratic conventions in its 99 counties , a setback after 2018 Statehouse and congressional gains and a yearlong parade of presidential candidates vying for support in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans for his fundraiser in Dallas County , Iowa , an emerging suburban battlefront .
“ Politics is going to be there again , ” he said .
“ But raising money now just doesn ’ t feel right.
” Democratic organizer Angela Lang ’ s door-to-door canvassing in struggling north Milwaukee had to shut down in late March , hurting her ability to reach this pivotal African American bloc before Wisconsin ’ s April 7 primary .
“ I think for most Americans , politics is taking a major back seat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this new normal for most of us , ” said former Iowa Gov .
Tom Vilsack , a Democrat .
Even as the virus raged in Pennsylvania , Republicans in Harrisburg pushed through legislation aimed at reversing the shutdown edicts of Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf , painting him as unconcerned with struggling families .
During debate Thursday , Republican state Sen. John DiSanto said Wolf had forced “ 1.3 million Pennsylvanians out of work so far , put businesses at risk of permanent closure and imperiled the long-term health of Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Republicans were trying to throw workers back into the pandemic ’ s path .
“ Let the world know whose lives are we willing to sacrifice , ” Democratic Rep. Jordan Harris of Philadelphia said a day earlier .
In Iowa , Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand has questioned the data Republican Gov .
Kim Reynolds is using to justify allowing more freedom of movement than in neighbouring states .
Reynolds ’ aides were quick to point out public affirmation from Dr. Anthony Fauci after the federal government ’ s top infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a White House event this month .
The tension is most pronounced in Michigan , where the outbreak is far worse than in any of the other northern political battlegrounds .
Republicans last week sharply trimmed the emergency order Whitmer hoped to extend to June , before she struck back with a sweeping disaster declaration .
“ Michigan ’ s recovery will take much longer and its economic impact will be much more devastating than it needed to be , ” Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield said .
Democrats accused Republicans of racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the predominantly African American Detroit area .
“ It ’ s an us-versus-them thing with the rest of the state versus Detroit , ” said Amy Chapman , an informal Whitmer adviser .
“ That ’ s another dog whistle of sorts.
” More than 1,700 people had died in Wayne , Macomb and Oakland counties , the heart of metro Detroit , as of Friday , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Whitmer ’ s criticism of the federal response in Michigan devolved into a public tiff with President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence , his coronavirus task force leader , not call “ the woman from Michigan.
“ Michigan Democrats echoed Whitmer ’ s criticism of the federal response to Detroit ’ s crisis , while GOP figures urged Trump to deescalate tension with the swing-state governor .
Meanwhile , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has built little campaign structure across the region .
Trump is relying on state GOP headquarters for his operations , though they too have been largely empty .
Pro- and anti-Trump groups unaffiliated with the candidates have carried what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrat-backed groups Priorities USA and American Bridge have aired millions of dollars in advertising savaging Trump ’ s handling of the crisis .
“ Only the die-hards are paying attention to election politics , “ Vilsack said .
“ However , opinions have formed and will continue to form on politics of how the administration is handling the situation.
” Associated Press writers Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Asia Today: S. Korea sees smallest rise in cases in 2 months

BANGKOK - South Korea reported just eight more cases of the coronavirus on Sunday , the first time a daily increase has dropped to single digits in about two months .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the additional figures raised the country ’ s total to 10,661 , including 234 deaths .
It said 8,042 people have recovered and been released from quarantine and 12,243 others were undergoing tests to determine whether they had contracted the virus .
“ We must not loosen our guard until the last confirmed patient is recovered.
” President Moon Jae-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been waning in recent weeks since it recorded hundreds of new cases every day between late February and early March , mostly in the southeastern city of Daegu and nearby areas .
Despite the recent downward trend , South Korean officials have warned about the possibility of a broader “ quiet spread ” with people easing up on social distancing .
Moon urged South Koreans to support his government in saving jobs and revitalizing the economy .
“ Government efforts alone aren ’ t enough amid a grave world economic crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to revive our economy , ” he said .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — BANGLADESH STRUGGLES TO ENFORCE MEASURES : Officials in Bangladesh are investigating how some 100,000 people were able to attend the funeral of a popular Islamic preacher on Saturday , as the country struggles to enforce a ban on large gatherings .
Bangladesh has been under a nationwide lockdown since March 26 .
The lockdown will remain in place until at least April 25 .
Bangladesh confirmed 312 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 91 deaths .
Public health experts say community transmission of the virus has already taken place in the country , which has a fragile health care system .
— HUNDREDS MORE INFECTED IN JAPAN : Japan ’ s Health Ministry confirmed 568 new cases of the coronavirus , raising the nation ’ s total to 11,073 , with 174 deaths .
The actual number of infections is believed to be higher as Japan is only starting to expand its testing capabilities by setting up additional testing centres in Tokyo and elsewhere .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients directly to testing stations .
It took two months for the number of patients to reach 1,000 since mid-January , but the spread of the coronavirus has accelerated in recent weeks , doubling from around 5,000 in just 10 days .
— FILTHY CLOTH MASKS IN JAPAN : Japan ’ s Health Ministry said it has received reports that some of the cloth masks it is distributing to households are dirty .
Reports from 80 municipalities say the masks came with stains , dust and other contamination .
The dirty masks were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started sending to pregnant women as a priority last week .
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on April 1 the plan to mail two cloth masks each to 50 million households in Japan amid dire shortage of surgical masks .
The Health Ministry urged mask makers to fix the contamination problem and municipal officials to visually inspect the masks before mailing them .
— MORE SAILORS TEST POSITIVE IN TAIWAN : Two dozen crew members of a Taiwanese naval ship have tested positive for the new coronavirus after returning from a nearly two-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific island nation of Palau .
Taiwan ’ s Centers for Disease Control said Sunday that 21 more cases had been identified from a refuelling ship , on top of three reported Saturday .
More than 700 officers and sailors from the refuelling ship and the two warships that took part in the mission are in quarantine for 14 days .
The CDC said that a Taiwanese student returning from the United States had also tested positive .
That brought the total for Sunday to 22 , an upward spike for the self-governing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SINGAPORE RESTAURANTS : McDonald ’ s is suspending all operations in Singapore for two weeks after seven of its employees tested positive for the coronavirus .
The fast food giant said in a Facebook post that it decided to follow the Health Ministry ’ s advise to shut down until May 4 , when Singapore ’ s partial lockdown ends .
It said in would continue to pay the salaries of 10,000 employees working in more than 135 outlets across the city-state .
Singapore reported 596 new infections on Sunday to raise its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government has made it mandatory for people to wear masks outside their homes and imposed strict social distancing measures .


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--UN experts want to blacklist 14 ships over NKorea sanctions

TANZANIA , Tanzania - U.N. experts have recommended blacklisting 14 vessels for violating sanctions against North Korea in a report that accuses the country of increasing illegal coal exports , imports of petroleum products and continuing with cyber attacks on financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges to gain illicit revenue .
The 267-page report , obtained Saturday by The Associated Press , also accused North Korea of importing luxury vehicles , watches and liquor and other sanctioned items including robotic machinery , and continuing to illegally access international banking channels “ mainly by using third party intermediaries.
” The U.N. Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic People ’ s Republic of Korea , the country ’ s official name , including banning most of its exports and severely limiting is imports , to pressure Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs .
The full report by the panel of experts monitoring the sanctions provides more details to the summary and some excerpts reported by AP in February .
It includes photos of ballistic missile launchers , nuclear sites and vessels recommended for blacklisting .
The panel made 39 recommendations to the Security Council , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said one vessel is registered in Sierra Leone and six were previously registered in the West African nation .
Two are North Korean , one is Chinese , one Vietnamese , one was formerly registered in Togo , one was formerly registered in St. Kitts and Nevis , and the flag of one is unknown .
China has been neighbouring North Korea ’ s largest trading partner and has been considered critical to enforcing U.N. sanctions .
The panel said the Chinese-flagged Yun Hong 8 — which it recommended for sanctions — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February and October 2019 at the North Korean port of Nampo and delivered refined petroleum .
It was also observed during that period receiving refined petroleum from other foreign-flagged vessels , which an unidentified U.N. member state said was likely for delivery to the DPRK , the experts said .
China responded to the panel ’ s inquiry about the vessel by questioning “ the serious lack of accuracy of the relevant information , ” the report said .
China ’ s Foreign Ministry and U.N. ambassador have said the country is implementing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report provided by an unnamed U.N. member state shows multiple coal-laden DPRK-flagged vessels at anchor near Lianyungang , China , which the panel said is being used to conduct ship-to-ship coal transfers .
The panel said it is investigating a Vietnam-flagged vessel , the Phuong Linh 269 , suspected of delivering coal originating in North Korea to the Chinese port of Qisha on multiple occasions .
Despite a U.N. ban , the panel said North Korea ’ s coal exports increased in 2019 .
It cited an unnamed member state saying the DPRK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January and August 2019 , with an estimated value of $ 370 million .
The Security Council also banned the export of earth and stone , which includes sand .
The panel said an unidentified member state reported that a substantial sand-export operation from the DPRK to China has been carried out since May 2019 with over 100 illicit shipments involving at least 1 million tons of sand worth at least $ 22 million .
“ China responded that it attached great importance to the clues provided by the panel in relation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic People ’ s Republic of Korea , ” but was unable to confirm that the sand had been transported to Chinese ports , the report said .
As for the import of refined petroleum products , which is limited 500,000 barrels annually , the panel said the addition of larger foreign-flagged tankers delivering to the DPRK has expanded its illicit imports .
It said an unidentified member state calculated that in the first 10 months of 2019 , “ foreign-flagged tankers alone had made a total of 64 deliveries , amounting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refined petroleum products.
” The panel said North Korea has also continued to transfer fishing rights in violation of sanctions , which earned the country $ 120 million in 2018 , according to an unnamed member state .
Under a 2017 sanctions resolution , all DPRK nationals working overseas were to be repatriated by Dec. 22 , 2019 .
In China , Russia and elsewhere , there is strong demand for cheap North Korean workers .
The U.S. State Department previously estimated there were about 100,000 North Korean workers worldwide , and civilian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an estimated $ 200 million to $ 500 million in revenue a year .
The report said “ in multiple cases , workers were not repatriated to the Democratic People ’ s Republic of Korea but moved to a third country.
” The panel said an unnamed member state alleged that 2,000 North Koreans “ recently entered China on visitor visas for the purpose of earning income.
” In response to its inquiry , the panel said China replied that it could not verify the allegation .
On individual cases , the experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Song , who joined the youth wing of Italy ’ s Juventus Football Club in 2019 , joined the Qatari team al-Duhail in January , and Choe Son Hyok has been playing for Italy ’ s Societa Sportiva Arezzo since 2018 .
Austria reported that it had initiated procedures to revoke the work permit of Pak Kwang Ryong , who has played for Sportklub Niederösterreich St. Pölten since 2017 .
As for cyber attacks , the panel said North Korea is becoming “ increasingly sophisticated ” in targeting both financial institutions and cryptocurrency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like bitcoin , Ethereum and Ripple .
Last August , the panel said North Korean cyber experts illegally raised money for the country ’ s weapons of mass destruction programs “ with total proceeds to date estimated at up to $ 2 billion.
” In the new report , the panel cited a U.S. court document in which Virgil Griffith , an American who spoke at an April 2019 “ cryptocurrency conference ” in Pyongyang , said organizers told him that “ during his presentation , ( he ) should stress the potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cryptocurrency and blockchain technology .
”


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Ex-mayor who quit after criticizing Trump dies in crash

AUBURN , Calif. - The former mayor of a Northern California city who stepped down after he harshly criticized President Donald Trump and his supporters died Saturday in a plane crash , the Sacramento Bee reported .
Dr. Bill Kirby , who was the mayor of Auburn , died in the crash Saturday morning near the Auburn Municipal Airport , officials told the Bee .
Kirby , a urologist , was the pilot of the plane that crashed shortly after 11 a.m. , the newspaper reported .
A passenger in the plane suffered minor injuries and was transported to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Forestry and Fire Protection .
The Bee reported that a Facebook post from Sacramento political consultant Jeff Raimundo carried a statement from the Kirby family confirming he was the victim .
“ Our family is devastated by this tragic news , ” the statement by the family said .
“ Bill devoted decades of enthusiastic and loving support to his family , his patients and the Auburn community he loved so much .
We will miss him immensely but take comfort in knowing he died while flying – one of the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 72 , had been a licensed pilot since at least 2009 , according to public records cited by the Bee .
Kirby gained notoriety last week after social media posts criticizing Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic and comparing the president ’ s supporters to KKK members .
He told the Auburn Journal a week ago that his Facebook posts were made on a personal page and that “ this has nothing to do with my job .
I reposted it.
” He added that he “ absolutely ” believes Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posts and statements created an outcry and calls for his recall .
He announced during a City Council meeting Monday that he was stepping aside from his post as mayor and was expected to be succeeded by Councilman Daniel Berlant , the Bee reported .


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Pandemic provokes spike in demand for food pantries in US

FRANKLIN , Tenn. - Brooklyn Dotson needed food .
Her first unemployment check had yet to arrive after she was let go by the warehouse where she used to work .
So the 25-year-old Nashville woman scrounged up some gas money and drove 30 miles ( 48 kilometres ) to the GraceWorks Ministries food pantry in Franklin .
There , at the pantry ’ s new drive-thru , workers wearing masks and gloves loaded her van with about $ 350 worth of groceries .
“ I don ’ t have any income coming in , I don ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s just hard to get any help right now , ” Dotson said while waiting in line at GraceWorks .
Food pantries stay busy even in the best of economic times ; the coronavirus pandemic has prompted a spike in demand as millions of people like Dotson find themselves furloughed , laid off or with businesses that have suffered huge financial blows .
“ About 50 % of the people coming through our lines have never been here before , ” said GraceWorks President and CEO Valencia A. Breckenridge .
Just as demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the food banks ’ sources are drying up .
Restaurants , hotels and resorts — many of which are shuttered or sharply limiting their operations — are no longer supplying them with food , while other suppliers are busy restocking grocery shelves .
Farmers have switched from shipping vegetables and meats in bulk to individual packaging for grocery stores .
“ It is a perfect storm scenario , ” said Katie Fitzgerald , chief operating officer for Feeding America , a nationwide association of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries .
Feeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 98 % of its member banks , according to a recent survey .
The average increase for a member was 63 % , while 95 % of the association ’ s food banks reported an increase in operating expenses , the organization said .
Congress included a significant boost for emergency food assistance in its coronavirus relief legislation , but Fitzgerald warned that funding may take months to reach localities while food banks contend with a flood of need in the near term .
The $ 100 million that billionaire Jeff Bezos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was already being deployed last week , she said .
“ When people say what do you need the most , we need food and money , ” said Nancy Keil , president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee .
In addition to finding ways to meet the spike in demand , food banks have had to devise creative new ways to distribute ever greater amounts of food while keeping both recipients and their staff safe from exposure to the coronavirus .
The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank in California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of its previous 275 or so sites had to stop operating during the pandemic , spokeswoman Keely Hopkins said .
The new sites , many of which are serving hundreds of people per day , stay open for longer hours and use open spaces such as parking lots to facilitate social distancing , she added .
Paid staffers are diving in at many food banks to stock , sort and bag food for either delivery or drive-thru pickups , a measure they realized was necessary to protect volunteers , many of whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complications from the virus .
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee limits volunteers to 10 per room to fill boxes .
The board of the East Nashville Cooperative Ministry has proposed closing because so many of its volunteers are elderly , including Judy Wahlstrom , who runs the program .
Wahlstrom , 70 , has refused , but she said she is taking precautions , allowing only one person inside at a time to select food off the shelves while she wears a mask and gloves .
“ I said , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , ’ ” Wahlstrom said .
“ I don ’ t have anybody at home dependent on me .
I said , ‘ I got to keep it open.
’ And I gave the volunteers all the options.
” At the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma , spokeswoman Cathy Nestlen said nearly 45,000 volunteers helped out last year .
This year , in order to adopt best practices for social distancing to combat the virus , staffers have stepped up to help .
Nestlen said the bank , which acts as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies , moved to a six-day work week this month and would consider moving to seven days a week if demand called for it .
Oklahoma had ranked among the hungriest states in the nation before the coronavirus , Nestlen noted .
“ This pandemic on top of it just shines a light on how so many households , not just in Oklahoma but around the country , live paycheque to paycheque , ” she said .
“ When a household becomes economically insecure , they almost immediately become food-insecure.
” Food banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharp increase in demand could continue for months , which she said makes donations even more crucial .
For now , one thing is certain : Whatever food they do acquire is flying off the shelves just as fast as it arrives .
“ The food ’ s coming in the back door , and it ’ s going right out the front to the customers , “ said Courtney Vrablik , executive director of The Store , a supermarket founded by singer Brad Paisley and his wife last month in Nashville to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak The story has corrected the spelling of the Second Harvest Food Bank president ’ s last name .
She is Nancy Keil , not Kiel .

Teresa M. Walker And Elana Schor - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Texas police officer killed, 2 others wounded in shooting

SAN MARCOS , Texas - A gunman shot and killed a Texas police officer and wounded two others Saturday after they responded to a call at an apartment complex , authorities said .
The suspect died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after he “ ambushed the officers with a rifle , “ according to a statement from authorities in San Marcos , a fast-growing city between Austin and San Antonio .
The condition of the two wounded officers , who officials said were transported to a hospital outside Austin and underwent surgery , was not immediately known .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” San Marcos interim Police Chief Bob Klett said in a statement .
No other details about what provoked the shooting or names were released .
A news conference was scheduled for Sunday .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott asked for prayers and thanked San Marcos police officers for “ containing the threat and minimizing the loss of life.
“ It marks the second line-of-duty death for a San Marcos police officer , according to city officials .
Sgt .
Kenneth Copeland was shot and killed while serving a warrant in 2017 @


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Israel accuses Hezbollah of ‘provocative’ activity


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Lost wedding ring found beneath Florida restaurant three years later

FORT LAUDERDALE , FLA.—It was right there with the spare change , $ 100 bills , a gold coin and piles of mud under the outdoor deck of a Fort Lauderdale , Fla. , restaurant — a wedding ring .
Now , it is on its way back to the owner , three years after he lost it on vacation .
While serving takeout meals during the coronavirus pandemic , Coconuts manager Ryan Krivoy was replacing the wooden deck on the restaurant ’ s patio .
“ We were cleaning up the debris down there and we noticed a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a ring , ” he said .
“ Once we washed it off , we realized there was an engraving on the inside.
” The engraving read “ Mike & Lisa 08-21-15.
” That was where some of the staff started their quest to find the owner .
“ We took to Facebook and basically put the post up as a long shot , ” marketing manager Sasha Formica said .
“ That was on Monday , and on ( Thursday ) , Lisa called the restaurant.
” The post had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found its way to the married couple , who live in New York .
“ She called and said , ‘ You ’ re not going to believe this , but I ’ m Lisa , ’ ” Formica said .
Lisa texted pictures of the ring and of she and her husband eating at Coconuts in 2017 to prove she was the owner .
The wedding band had slipped off her husband ’ s greasy fingers and rolled between the wooden floorboards , she said .
The ring was not the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We found a lot of change , obviously , but as we ’ re cleaning off the change , we actually found a gold coin , ” he said .
“ After doing a little research , it was a quarter eagle ( coin ) from 1855.
” The coins were minted with a value of $ 2.50 ( U.S. ) , but they now range from $ 200 to more than $ 2,000 , according to various estimates .
“ We found a couple of $ 100 bills , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know how those got down there.
” Krivoy plans to put the treasures in the tip jar to share with the staff .
The wedding ring was sent back to the couple Friday via certified mail , he said .


thetorontostar--2020-04-18--Virtual dating is the new normal. Will it work?

NEW YORK—Just as the coronavirus outbreak was reaching New York City , Beckett Mufson , a 27-year-old advertising executive , was ramping up his dating life after healing from a long-term relationship that had ended .
“ I was just getting to the point where I was asking people I like and respect out on dates , ” he said .
In mid-March , he fled the city to live on a 48.5-hectare farm upstate .
But he was still interested in finding potential mates .
So from his bucolic quarantine pad , he tried something new : a virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hetero , queer and non-binary daters .
Until recently , Here/Now brought singles together with curated events at places like wine bars and comedy clubs .
Then the pandemic struck .
And Zoom took over .
For the hour-long virtual gathering , Mufson and 11 other singles got to know one another by answering personal questions .
If you could build a dream house , which weird or interesting feature would you include ?
What is one item that means the most to you ?
The singles talked as a large group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Then , they moved on to one-on-one chats .
Some dialled in from their childhood bedrooms .
Others were cooped up in small city apartments they hadn ’ t left for days .
While a few women put on makeup for the occasion , most were casual , content to show themselves in T-shirts and leggings .
Some had dogs in their laps .
Afterward , the participants filled out a survey to indicate whom they were interested in .
Matches were notified of one another .
“ I connected with three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ My favourite didn ’ t connect with me , so I ’ m sort of sad about that.
” Mufson , a founding partner and chief operating officer of the Auxiliary , an advertising agency , planned on setting up video calls with all three of his matches .
But he ended up texting with just one of them ( and not getting a response ) because he got busy with work .
“ I am not too concerned , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platforms are quickly pivoting to help quarantined singles .
Although some of the more traditional dating apps like Hinge and the League have also added video components , these newer platforms present more like parties or networking events .
The goal is for people to keep expanding their social circles .
After all , this could be the new normal .
“ It is an entirely possible scenario that this is how we might start , maintain and end relationships over the next few months or even a year , ” Mufson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our first one-on-one date might be on Zoom .
The first time we have sex might be on Zoom.
” “ Certainly some serious relationships will form through video right now , ” said Matthew Hussey , a dating coach who helps his 776,000 followers on Instagram navigate the modern dating world .
“ At least with video , both sight and sound are senses that are being affected .
We hear tone , inflection , perceive awkward glances and shuffles .
We come to know someone ’ s mannerisms .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and connection.
” Hussey warned , however , that video can only achieve so much .
“ There is still the very real risk that once people see each other in person , there will remain a significant measure of discomfort , even with someone they have spent many many hours with over the phone.
” But until we all meet again , in person , the goal of these video platforms is simple : to keep a dialogue going .
Mindie Kaplan works for a virtual and augmented reality company in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MaleRoom , a YouTube show , podcast and event series that invites eligible bachelors in the city to answer women ’ s dating questions .
Derek Peth , from “ The Bachelorette ” and “ Bachelor in Paradise ” reality series ; Ben Gleib , a comedian ; and Jonathan Casillas , a former linebacker for the New York Giants , have all participated .
In the days before social distancing , venues like SoHo House New York would host MaleRoom events , with panels of single men sitting in front of live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those sessions are virtual , and have become a bit more customized to the individual .
Every Monday , women who , in the pre-coronavirus days , would have been live audience members , now have one-on-one chats that last three minutes with each man participating in a now-digital panel .
If she is attracted to the person on the screen , she can spend her session flirting .
If she gets more of a friend vibe , she can solicit dating advice instead .
“ You can say , ‘ I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before quarantine , he sent me this text , it was a little vague , what do you think ?
’ ” The first virtual MaleRoom session on March 30 had 15 men and 15 women ; by April 13 , participants had increased to 20 and 20 .
Kaplan is hoping to scale sessions even more in future weeks .
Most recently , MaleRoom started to host events on Twitch , a video livestreaming service that is part of Amazon , where women can submit questions to men in real time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Here/Now along with Rachel Breitenwischer , 32 , has seen a highly increased demand for her events since the quarantine started .
All five of her sessions in late March sold out days in advance , and “ numbers are still strong , ” she said .
Tickets cost $ 5 ( U.S. ) to $ 10 and can be bought on Eventbrite .
Here/Now is also expanding its offerings .
On April 17 , it produced its first event for gay men , in partnership with OneTable .
Soon , Wheeler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the age of 40 , too ( currently its focus is on 25-to-40-year-olds ) .
It is also presenting virtual dating workshops ( a recent one featured relationship therapist Cara Kovacs and had 40 participants . )
On April 16 , it hosted a mixer where participants listened to a comedian riff on dating before they mingled with one another .
MaleRoom is looking into charging for its events , too , and donating proceeds to Frontline Foods , an organization that works with local restaurants to prepare meals for front-line medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Filter Off , a new video dating app that is remarkably similar to old-fashioned speed dating .
It was started by Zach Schleien , 29 , who grew tired of not having any chemistry with people he met on apps .
“ It would waste two drinks in what is an expensive city , not to mention the opportunity cost of my time , ” he said .
Schleien ’ s twist : before you give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on a person , you have to have a 90-second video chat session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun facts about someone before your chat , but the photo is blurred , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t want you to cancel the date because you don ’ t like the photo.
” Of course , now that all dates , in person , should be cancelled , Filter Off has made some adjustments , too .
Before coronavirus , the app would hold weekly speed-dating sessions using video .
Now , the app is holding them three times a week , on Wednesday , Friday and Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lonely , ” Schleien said .
“ They need this.
” Victoria Vitale , 30 , who works for Google , was one of Filter Off ’ s earliest users , as she prefers talking face to face with people , not just texting back and forth .
“ With the current , future restrictions around socializing , I plan to use Filter Off a lot more often , ” she said .
“ I ’ m missing interacting with people so much right now.
” She is currently video chatting and texting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service , she said .
Fred Comer , 67 , of Amityville , N.Y. , is a senior director for a national logistics company .
He downloaded Filter Off about three weeks ago .
So far , one out of three video exchanges has turned into a friendship , he said .
“ With apps that I ’ ve used in the past , I got sick of all the time spent swiping and time going back and forth over messages , ” he explained .
“ You really don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until you see someone over video.
” In a quarantine situation , video dating can be a real balm , Mufson said .
He found his Here/Now sessions engaging , he added .
“ Everyone was very excited to be there .
Nobody was having a bad conversation , ” he said .
“ I actually got to know people.
” Disasters tend to spur lasting innovations .
But the jury is still out on whether these new initiatives are temporary fixes or will change dating culture for good .
Schleien believes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve always been really passionate about dating virtually as the first step to meeting up with people in person , ” he said .
Wheeler disagrees .
“ Video is great , and it ’ s delightful when you are completely isolated , but this is going to create a resurgence of magic in real life experiences , ” she said .
“ There is nothing like an in-person shared experience , ” she continued .
“ I think people are going to come back out in droves at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Inside the troubled nursing home where 70 died and body bags piled up

When the coronavirus outbreak hit one of the largest and most troubled nursing homes in the Northeast , coughing and feverish residents were segregated into a wing known as South 2 .
The sick quickly filled the beds there , so another wing , West 3 , was also turned into a quarantine ward .
But the virus kept finding frail and older residents , and one culprit became clear : The workers themselves were likely spreading it as they moved between rooms and floors , outfitted with little or no protective equipment .
The nursing home , Andover Subacute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N.J. , which has 543 beds , was chronically short of staff and masks , and over the past two years it had received poor grades from federal and state inspectors .
Residents were crowded three to a room , and as the outbreak worsened , so did sanitary conditions .
Spilled food littered the floors .
Workers said they hurriedly made their rounds , dispensing medicine , changing bedsheets , feeding those who could not feed themselves and doing other tasks that brought them into close contact with residents .
Some workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supervisor who purchased a box online for $ 160 ( U.S. ) .
By last week , employees were pleading for help from the government and for donations of personal protective equipment in Facebook posts .
But it was too late .
After receiving an anonymous tip last Monday , police found 17 bodies in bags in a small holding room at the Andover facility .
The startling discovery illustrated the toll that the coronavirus outbreak has taken on the nation ’ s nursing homes and other congregate facilities that house society ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those with mental and physical disabilities .
By Sunday , at least 70 Andover residents had died and dozens of the 420 remaining residents and staff members had either tested positive for the virus or were sick with fevers , coughs or both , according to county officials .
The coronavirus crisis has killed more than 7,000 people at nursing homes across the country , The New York Times has determined , and has even ravaged facilities with sterling reputations .
But it has been especially devastating at nursing homes like Andover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality of care , inadequate staffing and questionable business practices .
This examination by The Times of what happened at Andover is based on interviews with current and former workers , administrators and relatives of residents , as well as a review of property records , financial filings and inspection reports .
Federal and state officials said they were investigating .
Relatives of residents , as well as a union that represents some workers there , have called on the state to take over the home .
The state has not responded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philip D. Murphy said Saturday that he was considering sending in National Guard medics to nursing homes around the state , after having previously deployed them to two homes for veterans .
Earlier in the week , Murphy had called the deaths at Andover “ not just outrageous , but unacceptable.
” The owner and operator of Andover said in statements that they had dealt responsibly with an unprecedented crisis that was harming nursing homes across the region .
But relatives of residents who died at Andover said they were angered at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outbreak was declared at the home on March 29 , one of the first to die was Albert Roberts , 76 .
His nephew , Brian J. Roberts , said an Andover worker called his mother the morning of April 1 with the news .
His uncle had not been tested for the virus , and the worker seemed to go out of her way to mention that Roberts never had a fever .
“ Why is that the first thing you ’ re saying ?
” Brian Roberts said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicion.
” His uncle ’ s body , which went straight to a funeral home , is awaiting cremation .
As of Sunday , about 40 per cent of the 4,202 coronavirus deaths in New Jersey had been linked to long-term care facilities , and health officials have begun to focus on the role that workers have played in the spread of the outbreak .
“ We have found that staff going from facility to facility , and then within facilities , have lent itself to some of the problems that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the state ’ s health commissioner , said on April 7 .
Many workers at Andover discussed conditions inside the home only on condition of anonymity because they did not want to violate health care confidentiality or were concerned about losing their jobs .
The workers said they were devoted to the residents but were ill-prepared for the outbreak , with little training and even less protective gear .
They said they felt all but abandoned by the home ’ s management and state and federal officials .
“ The staff are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said a longtime worker at the home .
“ It ’ s an overwhelming thing.
” Andover ’ s management has blamed the pileup of bodies on “ after-hours holiday weekend issues ” over Easter and Passover , as well as the high number of deaths .
Workers said the bodies were placed on the floor and on gurneys inside a small air-conditioned room routinely used as a temporary morgue .
Four of the bodies were taken away by a funeral home after being discovered , and the others were moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s police chief , Eric C. Danielson , said .
Located in a rural area of New Jersey , 90 kilometres northwest of New York City , Andover consists of two related facilities that are across the street from each other with separate staffs .
A smaller one , Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center I , houses mostly older people and has 154 beds .
The larger one , Andover II , has long been a place of last resort , taking residents with advanced dementia as well as some people who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 70 deaths amid the outbreak occurred there .
One government survey found that 46 per cent of long-term residents at Andover II were receiving antipsychotic medication , versus the state average of 9.5 per cent for nursing homes .
It is one of just eight long-term care facilities in New Jersey with less than 20 square metres of space for every resident , according to a Times analysis of nursing home data collected by regulators .
Beds are spaced about one metre apart , separated by a cloth curtain , workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best of times .
It has had two owners in less than four years .
In 2017 , a former owner agreed to a $ 880,000 fine for billing Medicaid for providing “ materially substandard or worthless nursing services.
” Andover II generated $ 42.06 million in 2018 , mostly from Medicare and Medicaid , according to federal records .
Both Andover nursing homes are now owned by affiliated entities of a Chicago-area health care investment firm called Altitude Investments , which paid a total of $ 81 million to the former owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Altitude in turn leased the properties to a group called Alliance Healthcare , which manages the day-to-day operations of the homes .
Alliance Healthcare is run by Chaim Scheinbaum , and his co-partner , Louis Schwartz .
Earlier this year , health officials in New York recommended that Scheinbaum ’ s application to take over the operation of an upstate nursing home be rejected , citing “ character and competence and other factors.
” No further explanation was given .
Scheinbaum and Schwartz declined to be interviewed .
Their lawyer , Christopher Porrino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that across the country , the virus had hit nursing home residents hardest .
“ Andover Subacute is on the front lines of this crisis , co-operating with public health officials to prioritize patient safety while caring for the remains of patients who have tragically passed — including a surge of those lost over the Easter holiday — even as New Jersey ’ s morgues and funeral homes are being overrun by this deadly disease , ” Porrino said in a statement .
Before the outbreak , Andover II received low ratings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which cited serious staffing problems .
Each resident receives an average of 46 minutes with a skilled nurse a day , according to the federal nursing home report card .
The New Jersey average is 100 minutes .
In 2018 , Andover nurses sent a letter to Scheinbaum complaining that on some nights , each of them had to oversee as many as 75 residents by themselves — a number far beyond what is considered safe .
“ It ’ s a place where the owners have always prioritized profit over the well-being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michaeline Picaro , a registered nurse who signed onto the letter .
Picaro managed a wing at Andover II from 2015 until last year and remains in contact with many current workers .
“ There ’ s always been staffing shortages and supply shortages , ” she said .
“ This is not just a COVID situation .
People say ‘ Why don ’ t you leave ?
’ Well , if you ’ re an ethical person , you don ’ t leave .
You try to do the best you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not known how the virus first entered Andover , but by late March , residents were falling ill and testing positive , and tensions were rising over how it was being handled .
As the outbreak worsened , signs began appearing on doors in every hallway warning : COVID-19 patient .
A worker wept openly after a longtime resident died .
Housekeepers stopped coming in because of the danger , so recreation staff members were asked to clean rooms .
Workers said management at first provided masks only to registered nurses , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including housekeepers , recreation therapists and nursing assistants .
Even so , the firm that owns the buildings , Altitude Investments , suggested that the crisis was under control .
The firm said in a letter to investors in Israel that as of April 2 , two residents had been sent to the hospital , others were being treated on site and residents were being separated to prevent the spread of the virus , according to the letter , which is in Hebrew .
William Rothner , president of Altitude , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ was based on information provided by the operator , ” which rents the buildings , and that his firm had offered to provide assistance .
On April 6 , a week before the bodies were found by police at Andover , a well-liked and longtime worker died .
She had commuted with co-workers daily from her home in Kearny , N.J. , in a van that also made pickups in Newark , which has the highest reported number of cases and deaths from the virus in Essex County .
After she died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers .
Some stopped coming to the home , leaving an already lean staff even more short-handed , three workers said .
By last week , at least 32 workers at Andover II had tested positive for the virus , according to county records reviewed by a federal official .
Concerns about the lack of protective equipment and exposure to the virus had spread so widely among Andover staff that Dr. Joseph J. Casella , the medical director of Andover I , the smaller facility , said he had not ventured inside since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not me being there or not would not have made a change in the outcome of these patients , ” Casella said .
Thirteen residents of the smaller facility have died since the outbreak began , including eight who had tested positive for the virus .
Late last week , the state attorney general began an investigation into Andover .
Federal and state health officials also launched inspections .
State officials said they issued several citations and ordered the owners to create a corrective action plan by Monday and to make hires for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialist , a chief nurse and an administrative manager .
One Andover employee who is home sick said she was worried that the official intervention may be too little , too late .
“ The state should have been looking at that place for a long time , ” she said .
“ It shouldn ’ t have taken a global pandemic for them to realize : Something ’ s wrong .
”

Tracey Tully - The New York Times,Brian M. Rosenthal,Matthew Goldstein,Robert Gebeloff


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Babyface-Teddy Riley battle fizzles on Instagram Live

NEW YORK - The much-hyped battle between Kenny “ Babyface ” Edmonds and Teddy Riley was derailed by audio issues , forcing the R & B producers to postpone the Instagram Live event .
More than 400,000 tuned in Saturday night to watch the livestream with Riley and Edmonds .
But sound and technical issues plagued the friendly competition .
Riley appeared to prepare more for a concert , with a set-up that led to echoing and playback .
The battle had already been postponed from April 12 after Edmonds was diagnosed with COVID-19 .
The Grammy-winning singer and producer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family — who also tested positive —were recovering .
After about an hour of troubleshooting Saturday , the 61-year-old singer said they would try again another time .
“ I think that it ’ s only right that we postpone this thing until another time when there aren ’ t any technical difficulties , and everybody can hear the music the way it needs to be heard , “ said Edmonds .
On Sunday , a do-over was announced for Monday night .
The technical struggles of two legendary producers with a stripped-down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media , including from other quarantined musicians who had tuned in .
“ Come on it ’ s 2020 we ain ’ t meant to get what we want , “ Adele commented .
The digital battle was part of a series dubbed “ Verzuz ” organized by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland .
The Edmonds-Riley showdown was the most watched battle thus far , following matchups between the-Dream and Sean Garrett , Ne-Yo and Austin , Scott Storch and Mannie Fresh , and T-Pain and Lil Jon .


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Florida restaurant finds NY man’s wedding ring 3 years later

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - Three years ago , a New York couple was enjoying a meal by the water at a South Florida restaurant when the man ’ s wedding ring slipped off his finger , through the wooden floorboards , apparently lost forever .
Recently , Coconuts restaurant manager Ryan Krivoy decided to replace the wooden patio deck since the Fort Lauderdale restaurant is only serving take-out during the coronavirus pandemic .
He found a gold coin , $ 100 bills , piles of mud and a silver wedding ring with the inscription , “ Mike & Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager Sasha Formica thought it was a long shot , but decided to post a picture of the ring on Facebook .
The post was shared about 5,000 times , making its way to Mike and Lisa .
Three days later , the happy wife called to claim the ring , the Sun Sentinel reported .
She even texted pictures of her and her husband eating there in 2017 as proof .
The restaurant shipped the ring back to the couple .
Krivoy took the $ 100 bills and a rare coin from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as $ 2,000 for the tip jar to share with the staff .


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--‘A stroke of luck’ to be on global cruise during pandemic

BARCELONA , Spain - For Spanish traveller Carlos Payá , being on an around-the-globe luxury cruise while the rest of world scurried into their homes for fear of the COVID-19 pandemic was beyond surreal .
It was “ a stroke of good luck.
” Now , his trip inside the virus-free bubble that the Costa Deliziosa cruise ship became on its 15-week odyssey is coming to an end .
The boat is steaming toward Barcelona , Spain , where it will make its first port-of-call on Monday after 35 days of continuous sailing with no human contact with the outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was incredible , ” Payá told The Associated Press by text messages on Saturday evening .
¨We have family in our home countries .
The news that was arriving from home was causing us all a lot of worry and grief .
For us , it was a stroke of good luck to be where we were.
” The 58-year-old Payá , a sports writer travelling with his wife , said when news started to reach the boat of the rapid spread of the coronavirus in their native Spain , their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their two grown children in their hometown of Valencia .
But with ports denying the boat entry , they have had to temper their concern with the amenities on board .
Unlike other cruise ships that suffered outbreaks and and were often put in quarantine to protect port cities , the Deliziosa has found no cases of the COVID-19 virus , according to its owner , Italian cruise company Costa Crociere .
So the boat ’ s 1,831 passengers were free to use the ship ’ s facilities and entertainments .
Payá said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Venice in early January , stopped making ports of call after leaving western Australia last month .
Overall , he praised the ship ’ s captain and crew for their care .
He said that the passengers ’ last chance to touch land was in Perth , where they docked after “ 70 wonderful days ” of crossing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans .
That was when the U.N. World Health Organization alerted the pandemic in March .
From that point the ship made only technical and refuelling stops , before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took it through the Suez Canal , according to the company .
“ Of course , for those of us who have children in Spain , we would have preferred to return , ” Payá said .
“ Other passengers , on the other hand , given their old age wanted to stay on board knowing that the boat was safe and secure.
” A company spokesman said a passenger left the ship earlier in the week in Marsala , Sicily , for health issues and had a COVID-19 test , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confined to their cabins only for the period until the ship heard back that the ill guest who got off in Sicily had tested negative .
It didn ’ t say how long that period lasted .
The Deliziosa , a nearly 300-meter ( 1,000-foot ) vessel , will disembark 168 Spanish passengers on Monday at Barcelona ’ s port .
Then the Deliziosa will head to its final destination , Genoa , Italy , where it is expected to let off the remaining passengers , Italians and those of other nationalities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to return to Venice on April 26 .
French authorities had rebuffed a request by Costa for permission to disembark several hundred passengers from France and nearby countries at Marseilles .
“ The health situation on board the ships , with 1,814 guests and 898 members of the crew , doesn ’ t present any problem for public health and no case of COVID-19 , ” Costa ’ s statement said .
While people infected with the coronavirus often experience mild or moderate symptoms , possible complications like pneumonia can put their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from Marseilles , shot a video of their cabin that their daughters shared on social networks , in which he says : “ This is our place of confinement .
We are lucky to have a window.
” The couple said that after a stop in Sydney , the ship ’ s activities were “ reduced or sometimes cancelled .
We haven ’ t been able to get out on land since March 14 – that ’ s 34 days.
” The passengers said that ports in Oman , along the Suez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seychelles and Indian Ocean ports , refused to let the ship dock .
The company said , because the ship is Italian-flagged , it followed Italian precautionary measures used in the pandemic , including safety distancing between guests such as managing the numbers of who could enter food areas at any one time , and transmitting entertainment to cabin TV sets .
A French woman whose in-laws are aboard the Deliziosa garnered about 100 signatures on an online petition to urge the French government to intervene to get them home .
The regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nationwide ban on allowing foreign cruise ships to dock , as part of France ’ s virus-related confinement measures .
Italy has also barred foreign cruise ships as it battles the virus outbreak .
The French administration has granted exemptions to six other cruise ships in recent weeks to allow French passengers to get off , but refused this time , saying the previous stops overstretched local police and health authorities already mobilized to fight France ’ s severe virus crisis .
Last month , two other Costa cruise ships pulled into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had aboard passengers who tested positive for COVID-19 before being disembarked in France .
It is unclear if or where the passengers who were due to finally step on land after weeks of sailing aboard the Deliziosa would be quarantined as a precaution .
What is clear is that Payá and the other passengers are returning to a new reality of home confinement , face masks , and even more worry .
“ The return home will mean a radical change , a brutal one , ” Payá said on Sunday after packing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Deliziosa .
“ Fear is what made many passengers want to stay on board .
But it is something that we must face , just as our families , friends , and neighbours already have.
” Angela Charlton reported from Paris .
Frances D ’ Emilio reported from Rome .
Colleen Barry contributed from Soave , Italy .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Joseph Wilson, Frances D'Emilio And Angela Charlton - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Australia to make Google and Facebook pay for news content

CANBERRA , Australia - Global digital platforms Google and Facebook will be forced to pay for news content in Australia , the government said on Monday as the coronavirus pandemic causes a collapse in advertising revenue .
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the competition watchdog , the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission , known as ACCC , would release in late July draft rules for the platforms to pay fair compensation for the journalistic content siphoned from news media .
Frydenberg said he believed that Australia could succeed where other countries , including France and Spain , had failed in making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re very conscious of the challenges and complexity of ensuring a mandatory code .
Many other countries have tried it without much success , ” Frydenberg told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “ We think we can be world leading.
” “ We do want the rules of the digital world to reflect as much as possible the rules of the physical world , ” he added .
The ACCC had attempted to negotiate a voluntary code by which the global giants would agree to pay traditional media for their content .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this key issue of payment for content , ” Frydenberg said .
Google was netting 47 % of online advertising spending excluding classified ads in Australia , and Facebook was claiming 24 % , he said .
Google and Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Media companies have stopped printing dozens of newspaper mastheads across Australia because the pandemic shutdown has caused advertisers to stop spending .


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--In nod to normalcy, Pence celebrates Air Force Academy grads

AIR FORCE ACADEMY , Colo. - In a symbolic nod to normalcy , Vice-President Mike Pence delivered a commencement address to the U.S. Air Force Academy ’ s graduating class on Saturday , telling the cadets that by setting off on their mission to defend the nation they “ inspire confidence that we will prevail against the invisible enemy in our time as well.
” Pence ’ s trip , only his second outside Washington in the last six weeks , was aimed at showing that the country is on course to gradually reopening after weeks of the coronavirus shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the academy , where hundreds of graduating cadets in blue and white dress uniforms sat in chairs eight feet apart on the school ’ s parade field , not in Falcon Stadium as in years past .
“ I know we gather at a time of great challenge in the life of our nation , ” Pence said as he began his remarks .
“ And while we don ’ t quite look like the usual graduation at the Air Force Academy , let me tell you , this is an awesome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be anywhere else but with the 62nd class of the Air Force Academy , the class of 2020.
” The event usually attracts a big crowd to Falcon Stadium , which has a maximum capacity of more than 46,000 .
President Donald Trump spoke last year .
But this year , the pandemic forced the academy to close the ceremony to visitors , including friends and family of the nearly 1,000 graduates , and move it to the Terrazzo , the parade field adjacent to the dormitories .
Still , the ceremony featured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force Thunderbirds , which thundered overhead as the graduates threw their hats into the air and burst into cheers .
But instead of being able to embrace their fellow graduates , the cadets remained several feet apart and then proceeded to tie on white face masks .
“ You knew your graduation day would be memorable .
But did you imagine that your commencement would take place in mid-April ?
Or that each of us would have a face mask at the ready ?
Or that you would march a COVID-compliant eight feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbara Barrett , secretary of the Air Force .
As the ceremony began , graduates lined up outside and silently saluted the vice-president ’ s motorcade as he arrived on a near-empty campus shortly after 11 a.m. local time .
They later filed onto a parade field that was absolutely silent but for the drum roll and the rustling of starched pants marching in place .
At one point Pence asked the graduates to applaud the friends and family who “ couldn ’ t be here because of the extraordinary times in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their feet , cheering and waving to those watching from home .
While much of the ceremony focused on the graduates , many of whom will be joining the new Space Force , Pence also spoke about the government ’ s response to the coronavirus .
Still , he said , for “ Americans looking on from around the country at this very hour , seeing you brave men and women setting off on your mission to defend this nation ” would “ inspire confidence that we will prevail against the invisible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He later greeted graduates at a distance and met with small groups , including cadets from his home state of Indiana , who had their temperatures taken before meeting with the vice-president .
Despite the starkly different visuals from previous years , Pence ’ s day trip was meant as a signal to the nation that the pandemic response has entered a new phase .
It ’ s hardly “ Mission Accomplished.
” Hundreds of Americans continue to die every day from a virus that has upended life across the country and across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that with the release on Thursday of federal guidelines outlining how states should reopen and an effort Friday to publicly address testing shortages , what had been an urgent crisis is now transitioning to a period of sustained containment .
Pence was initially meant to speak to the academy ’ s graduates via recorded video , as military officials , who moved up the commencement by six weeks because of the pandemic , doubted he would want to travel .
But White House aides said Pence on Monday made the call himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House was finalizing its guidelines for reopening America again .
He planned to continue his travels with a trip to Wisconsin on Tuesday .
Saturday ’ s scaled-down ceremony capped a trying semester for the Air Force Academy ’ s 967 graduates , whose last months consisted of virtual classes and solitary meals in dorm rooms to try to keep them safe .
Academy underclassmen were sent home earlier this semester because of the pandemic .
The graduating class stayed , but remained isolated from one another to prevent the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from what were thought to be suicides , The Gazette of Colorado Springs reported .
This story has been corrected to show that commencement was moved from its traditional site , Falcon Stadium , to the school ’ s parade field , known as the Terrazzo , which was lined with chairs for the graduates .
The ceremony did not take place in a stadium .

Zeke Miller And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Brazil’s Bolsonaro appears in protest backing military

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro came out in public to support a small protest Sunday that defended military intervention , prompting strong criticism across the political spectrum while also infringing his own ministry ’ s recommendation to maintain social distancing .
On the day Brazil celebrates its army , Bolsonaro made an appearance at the protest held in front of the army ’ s headquarters , in the capital city of Brasilia .
There , dozens of tightly-packed protesters , many of whom were not wearing masks , were calling for the Supreme Court and Congress to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here because I believe in you .
You are here because you believe in Brazil , ” said Bolsonaro , a former army captain who waxes nostalgic for the country ’ s 1964-1985 dictatorship .
Since being sworn in on Jan. 1 2019 , Bolsonaro has asked the defence ministry to organize commemorations of the two decade-long military dictatorship , paid tribute to Gen. Alfredo Stroessner , the military strongman in neighbouring Paraguay , and backed changes in schools ’ history curriculum that would revise the way children are thought about the 1964 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolsonaro crossed a line Sunday .
“ The president of the republic crossed the Rubicon , ” wrote Felipe Santa Cruz , president of the Brazilian Bar Association , on his official Twitter account .
“ Time for Democrats to unite , to overcome difficulties and disagreements , in the name of a greater good called FREEDOM !
” “ It is frightening to see demonstrations for the return of the military regime , after 30 years of democracy , ” he wrote on Twitter .
Many Brazilians were also angered at Bolsonaro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced by several states governors .
Bolsonaro has multiplied public appearances in recent weeks , meeting with supporters , protesters , passersby or business owners .
On Saturday , hundreds of people denouncing pandemic restriction measures opposed by Bolsonaro snarled traffic in major Brazilian cities .


thetorontostar--2020-04-19--Official: Police kill gunman who hijacked Dallas-area bus

ROWLETT , Texas - A man opened fire on a Dallas-area public bus on Sunday , hijacking it with two people aboard and leading officers on a chase that ended in a shootout in which the man was killed and three officers were wounded , according to police officials .
A man got on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit bus in Richardson , just north of Dallas , at around 11 a.m and opened fire , shattering windows , said Gordon Shattles , a DART spokesman .
The man took the driver hostage and fired at DART officers who tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other agencies joined the pursuit eastward along the President George Bush Turnpike , said Garland police officer Pedro Barineau .
“ During the pursuit shots were continually being fired from the actual gunman inside the bus toward the officers and the officers were returning fire , ” Barineau said .
Police eventually used a spike strip to stop the vehicle along the freeway in the suburb of Rowlett , according to Barineau .
The man continued firing as he exited the bus after it stopped , and officers returned fire , killing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t release the suspect ’ s name .
A DART public transportation officer and a Garland police officer were shot and wounded , but their injuries weren ’ t considered life-threatening , he said .
A Rowlett police officer also was injured when the window of his patrol vehicle was shot out , according to Rowlett police spokesman Cruz Hernandez .
He said the officer is expected to recover .
Shattles had earlier said two officers , a DART officer and a Garland officer , were wounded .
Another passenger was on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not injured , DART spokesman Gordon Shattles said .
Officers from Richardson , Garland , Dallas , Rowland and DART , which serves Dallas and its suburbs , took part in the chase .
No motive for the shooting has been released .
An investigation continues .