thetorontostar--2020-05-15--AP PHOTOS: UK pubs await call to open doors again

LONDON - The phone rings and the voice on the other side gets straight to the point : “ Fancy a pint ?
” That brief conversation , or some minor variation of it , is going to take place up and down the U.K. on the day the pubs eventually open their doors again to thirsty regulars .
They ’ ve been missed badly during the country ’ s coronavirus lockdown .
In fact , the country ’ s pubs , which number around 47,000 according to the British Beer and Pub Association , were told to close their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the full lockdown .
“ We ’ re taking away the ancient , inalienable right of free-born people of the United Kingdom to go the pub and I can understand how people feel about that , ” he said when announcing their closure .
And again , on Sunday when extending the bulk of the lockdown restrictions further , he referenced the “ darkened pubs ” to relay his understanding of the social impact of the fight against the coronavirus .
No change before July it seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of pubs close over the past couple of decades , faces the prospect of thousands more going under .
Many are doing what they can to serve the community , such as The Prince in north London , which is offering freshly pulled beer for takeout to queuing customers in 3.5-pint ( 2-litre ) containers .
That ’ s something , but if it was just about drinking beer , then the living room or the garden would suffice .
But it ’ s never quite the same .
The pub , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a home away from home — for drinkers and non-drinkers alike .
It ’ s the go-to arena for friends and family in good times and bad , for first dates and breakups .
Or just to while away the hours with nothing much to say or do .
They are host to life ’ s rich pageant .
The pub holds a special place in British culture , unmatched anywhere else in the world .
They are key building blocks of a shared identity and shared connections from the tiniest hamlet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as The Montague Inn in Somerset , to the more whisky-focused havens in Scotland , such as the Stein Inn on the Isle of Skye .
Some , like the Groes Inn in north Wales , go back hundreds of years and are in places shadowy and confined — seemingly conspiratorial discussions in the isolated corners .
Others are gleaming and new , wide open expanses , fodder for the sound and fury of a crunch Six Nations rugby international .
More like the old sporting terraces that our fathers used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s everything in between from top-notch dining to the weekly quiz .
They even have an array of names , to solidify the bond , history lessons in themselves .
Who ye John Snow ?
The 19th-century epidemiologist of course .
The Duke of this and the Duchess of that — let ’ s do some research .
Others are just plain bizarre .
Really ?
The Pyrotechnic ’ s Arms in southeast London or The Bucket of Blood in Cornwall .
They change through the year , comforting in winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real ales are supped .
Refreshing in the height of summer as the beer gardens mutate into a kind of mini-festival — especially so now that they are kid-friendly .
It ’ s the closeness of strangers that ’ s perhaps most missed .
Opining on this and that .
It ’ s where many learn their diplomatic skills — and use them .
Sometimes , it can get too much , especially when one too many has been imbibed — a cross word here , or an inappropriate look there , can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , violent .
Without the pubs , nothing quite works as well and their reopening , even in an era of social distancing will signal the start of a path to normality , more so than perhaps anything else .
After months of lockdown duress , communities will need to re-engage , and the pub will undoubtedly be the main vehicle to lift the spirits , for life ’ s rich pageant to make itself heard once again .

Matt Dunham And Pan Pylas - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Surrogate-born babies stranded in Ukraine

KYIV , Ukraine - Ukraine ’ s human rights ombudswoman has appealed to authorities to find a solution for scores of infants born to surrogate mothers for foreign parents who are stranded because the country ’ s borders are closed under coronavirus restrictions .
Ukraine has a thriving surrogate industry and is one of the few countries that allows the service for foreigners .
Concern is high that a long border closure will place a burden on clinics and distress the parents .
“ About 100 children are already waiting for their parents in different centres of reproductive medicine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will not be about hundreds , but about thousands , ” said ombudswoman Lyudmila Denisova .
The issue attracted wide attention after Biotexcom , the country ’ s largest surrogate operation , posted a video showing dozens of babies in bassinets arrayed in tight rows in two large rooms of the hotel where the clinic puts up clients .
The video aims to reassure absent parent that their little ones are receiving good care , showing nurses bathing and caressing them .
Denisova said there are 51 babies in all at Biotexcom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parents who were able to make it into the country before the shutdown but can ’ t leave .
Ukraine ’ s restrictions are to remain in place until at least May 22 .
The parents are from 12 countries : China , the United States , Italy , Spain , Britain , France , Germany , Bulgaria , Romania , Austria , Mexico and Portugal .
“ The issue remains unresolved , but we are developing a mechanism to get out of the situation , ” said Denisova , who met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under the proposed mechanism , foreign parents would have to write a statement addressed to Denisova ’ s office , which would then contact the ministry with a request to give permission to enter Ukraine .
About 50 clinics that offer surrogate births operate in Ukraine .
The country ’ s economic struggles drive many Ukrainian women to become surrogate mothers .

Yuras Karmanau And Dmytro Vlasov - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Lawmaker likens virus screening stickers to Star of David

JUNEAU , Alaska - An Alaska lawmaker on Friday defended asking whether stickers that individuals may be asked to wear as part of a Capitol coronavirus screening process will be “ available as a yellow Star of David.
” Republican Rep. Ben Carpenter of Nikiski said he was serious in making the comment in an email chain with other legislators .
He was responding to proposed protocols aimed at guarding against the virus as lawmakers prepare to reconvene Monday .
The protocols suggest stickers be worn to confirm someone at the Capitol had been screened .
“ The point is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David shows , who amongst the human population has lost their liberties more than the Jewish people ?
” he said in an interview .
“ And if there were more people standing up for the loss of liberties prior to World War II , maybe we wouldn ’ t have had the Holocaust.
“ “ This is about the loss of liberties within our people , and we ’ re just turning a blind eye to it , ” he said , adding that virus fears are “ causing us to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense.
” In his email , Carpenter asked about the screening process .
“ If my sticker falls off , do I get a new one or do I get a public shaming too ?
Are the stickers available as a yellow Star of David ?
” Rep. Grier Hopkins , a Fairbanks Democrat , responded to Carpenter ’ s email by calling the remark “ disgusting .
Keep your Holocaust jokes to yourself.
” The state has reported 388 cases of COVID-19 involving Alaska residents and eight cases involving nonresidents .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the disease caused by the virus , according to the state health department .
The Legislature , which recessed in late March amid coronavirus concerns , plans to reconvene Monday , prodded by a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of plans to distribute federal coronavirus relief funds .
The sole focus will be on taking action aimed at clearing up concerns about the funding , according to Senate majority communications director Daniel McDonald and a release from the House majority .
Gov .
Mike Dunleavy submitted plans for distributing federal aid dollars to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a process set out in law .
The process allows a governor to submit plans to accept and spend additional federal or other program funds on a budget item .
The committee signed off despite questions about whether use of that process was appropriate for some of the items .
Some legislators argued the items in question should have been taken up by the full Legislature .
A 90-day session limit set in law has passed , but the constitution permits sessions of up to 121 days , a deadline that will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-day extension if there is sufficient support for one .


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Autopsy: Pilot in Kobe Bryant crash had no alcohol, drugs

LOS ANGELES - The pilot flying Kobe Bryant and seven others to a youth basketball tournament did not have alcohol or drugs in his system , and all nine sustained immediately fatal injuries when their helicopter slammed into a hillside outside Los Angeles in January , according to autopsies released Friday .
The reports by the Los Angeles County coroner ’ s office provide a clinical but unvarnished look at just how brutal the crash was , describing broken bones , dismembered body parts and a stench of fuel on what remained of clothing that burned .
One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a celebrity around the globe , Bryant was broken beyond recognition when his body was found in the dirt outside the wreckage of the chopper .
His remains had to be identified by his fingerprints .
The graphic report made it clear : Bryant and the passengers almost certainly were dead in an instant due to blunt trauma .
“ These injuries are rapidly if not instantly fatal , ” wrote Juan Carrillo , senior deputy medical examiner , in Bryant ’ s report .
The horrific crash that killed the 41-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13-year-old daughter Gianna — wearing the jersey she would have worn to play that morning , with the word “ Mamba ” on the front and her last name on the back — pilot Ara Zobayan and the others is considered accidental .
Bryant was headed from Orange County to his daughter ’ s tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks on the morning of Jan. 26 .
The group , including one of his daughter ’ s coaches , and two of her teammates , encountered thick fog in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zobayan , an experienced pilot who often flew Bryant , climbed sharply and had nearly succeeded breaking through the clouds when the craft took an abrupt left turn and plunged into the grassy , oak studded hills below .
When it struck the ground , it was flying at about 184 mph ( 296 kph ) and descending at a rate of more than 4,000 feet per minute .
The impact caused a crater and scattered debris over an area the size of a football field in the Calabasas hills .
Flames engulfed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodies were determined to have occurred after death .
Bryant ’ s body was found on one side of the wreckage and his daughter was found in a ravine on the opposite side .
Although Bryant was unrecognizable , a forensic examination offered reminders of the all-star who soared high in the imaginations of Lakers fans and was wearing “ multicolored court shoes ” the day he died .
The autopsy noted a tattoo of a crown on his right shoulder , above where his wife ’ s name , Vanessa , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were the names of three of his four daughters : Bianka Bella , Natalia Diamante and Gianna Maria-Onore , the daughter who died with him .
The youngest girl , Capri Kobe , only 7 months old when her father died , is not mentioned .
The only drug in Bryant ’ s system was methylphenidate , which is sold under the brand name Ritalin and used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy .
The National Transportation Safety Board has not concluded what caused the crash on the outskirts of Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign of mechanical failure in the Sikorsky S-76 .
A final report is not expected for months .
The aircraft did not have a device called the Terrain Awareness and Warning System , which signals when an aircraft is in danger of hitting ground .
While the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended the system be mandatory for helicopters , the Federal Aviation Administration only requires it for air ambulances .
Both California ’ s senators have called for the FAA to mandate the devices in the wake of the tragedy .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach John Altobelli , his wife , Keri , and their daughter Alyssa ; Christina Mauser , who helped Bryant coach his daughter ’ s basketball team ; and Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton .
Alyssa and Payton were Gianna ’ s teammates .
Bryant is the only NBA player to have his team retire two numbers in his honour .
He was selected last month for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame .
A ceremony is scheduled for late August though it may be delayed until at least October because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his daughter were honoured at a star-studded public memorial Feb. 24 at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles , with 20,000 in attendance at the arena where Bryant spent most of his two-decade career with the Lakers .
The date 2/24 corresponded with the No .
24 jersey he wore and the No .
2 worn by Gianna .
The same day , Vanessa Bryant filed a lengthy lawsuit alleging that Zobayan was careless and negligent to fly in the fog and should have aborted the flight .
She has also filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit , against the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department after deputies allegedly shared unauthorized photos of the crash site .
Zobayan ’ s brother , Berge Zobayan , has said in a court filing that Bryant knew the risks of helicopter flying and his survivors aren ’ t entitled to damages from the pilot ’ s estate , while the helicopter company , Island Express , says they are not responsible for damages , calling the crash , among other things , “ an act of God ” and “ an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control .
This story has been corrected to fix an incorrect reference to the number of people on board .

Stefanie Dazio And Brian Melley - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--U.S. says troop withdrawal, peace process on track in Afghanistan despite violence

WASHINGTON—With violence surging in Afghanistan , and its government still deeply at odds with the Taliban , the Trump administration said Friday that a withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country ’ s longest war was still on track .
The administration ’ s special envoy for Afghanistan , Zalmay Khalilzad , said “ challenges ” were blocking progress on a U.S.-Taliban agreement signed earlier this year that was meant to clear the way for U.S. forces to leave .
But he said both sides remained interested in ending a conflict that has gone on for decades .
Khalilzad said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ward in Kabul that left newborn babies , their mothers and pregnant women dead , was the work of an offshoot of the Islamic State group and not the Taliban , the militant group that does not recognize the Afghan government .
The Taliban has denied responsibility , but the Afghanistan government — which was not part of the withdrawal agreement — remains skeptical .
On Thursday , a truck bomb attack on an Afghan military base in the eastern part of the country was claimed by the Taliban , and prompted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military operations against a rival group that controls large parts of the country .
The U.S.-Taliban deal , Afghan government officials said , was near collapse .
Khalilzad , briefing reporters in Washington , acknowledged the deal he brokered Feb. 29 only obliged the Taliban to halt attacks on troops from the U.S.-led coalition , not on Afghan government forces or civilians .
“ But we believe that they ’ re in violation of the spirit , given the number of attacks and Afghan casualties in those attacks , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ violating the spirit if not the letter , given that commitment that all sides will try to reduce violence.
” He also blamed outside actors like the Islamic State group , also known as ISIS , for attempting to torpedo the deal .
“ There are forces such as ISIS that don ’ t see peace in Afghanistan in its interests and are trying to increase violence , to undermine the prospect for peace , ” Khalilzad said .
“ We ’ re urging both sides not to fall into that trap , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including ISIS.
” At the Pentagon on Friday , spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said the U.S. is proceeding with plans to reduce its troop count in Afghanistan to 8,600 , from roughly 12,000 , by early summer .
“ We ’ re still moving forward with the force reduction levels that we ’ re committed to , ” he said .
“ We expect to meet that.
” Under the deal , the Taliban was to commit to reducing terrorism , but terms were vague .
In exchange , the U.S. agreed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been engaged in fighting in Afghanistan since shortly after the 9/11 terror attacks .
NATO troops would also be pulled out .
Khalilzad also said that setting a date for talks among all Afghan parties , another part of the deal , was under discussion .
The talks were supposed to begin two months ago , but continued disagreement , chiefly between the Kabul government of President Ashraf Ghani and the Taliban , has remained an obstacle .
Another lingering point of contention is prisoner swaps .
The government was required to release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to free 1,000 government soldiers .
So far , Khalilzad said , the government has freed only 1,011 Talibs , and the Taliban , 253 soldiers .
U.S. President Donald Trump promised to end the war in Afghanistan , and appears to be moving to make some progress on that pledge in advance of the November election .
But critics , including many Afghan civil-rights organizations , worry that in its haste to exit , the U.S. will abandon hard-fought gains in democracy , freedom of expression , women ’ s rights and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , regardless of who was responsible , was an especially shocking atrocity in a country long accustomed to them .
The Paris-based charity Doctors Without Borders , which operates the hospital in a Shiite neighbourhood , said gunmen headed straight to the maternity ward and seemed to target women and infants .
“ They went through the rooms in the maternity , shooting women in their beds .
It was methodical .
Walls sprayed with bullets , blood on the floors in the rooms , vehicles burned out and windows shot through , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs in Afghanistan , Frederic Bonnot , said in a statement .
“ They came to kill the mothers.
” The attack left 16 dead .
Khalilzad could not provide evidence that it was conducted by ISIS , except to say it fit the group ’ s pattern .
ISIS “ has demonstrated a pattern for favouring these types of heinous attacks against civilians and is a threat to the Afghan people and to the world , ” he said earlier Friday in a tweet .
On the same day as the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a pro-government warlord in the eastern part of Afghanistan killed 34 people .
ISIS took responsibility .

Tracy Wilkinson - Los Angeles Times,David S. Cloud


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--New York tourist arrested after posting Hawaii beach photos

HONOLULU - A tourist from New York was arrested for allegedly violating Hawaii ’ s traveller quarantine after he posted on Instagram photos of himself sunbathing and carrying a surfboard , state officials said .
Hawaii authorities have been cracking down on travellers who defy a mandatory 14-day quarantine for people arriving in the islands , a rule put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
As of Friday , Hawaii reported one new case of COVI-19 , bringing the statewide total 638 cases and 17 deaths .
Some tourists have been arrested for defying the quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bronx , arrived in Honolulu on Monday , said a news release from the Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center .
“ He allegedly left his hotel room the day he arrived and travelled many places using public transportation , ” the release said .
“ Authorities became aware of his social media posts from citizens who saw posts of him — on the beach with a surfboard , sunbathing , and walking around Waikiki at night.
” Agents from the state attorney general ’ s office arrested him Friday morning .
Hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave his room and the hotel numerous times .
Travellers in quarantine aren ’ t allowed to leave hotel rooms or residences for any reason except medical emergencies .
Hotel guests don ’ t receive housekeeping services and must arrange for food to be delivered to them .
Peters was booked , and his bail was set at $ 4,000 .
He couldn ’ t immediately be reached for comment Friday .
He didn ’ t immediately respond to messages on an Instagram account with the handle @ tariquepeters .
A photo from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honolulu - Waikiki Beach “ shows him carrying a surfboard on a beach .
A photo from May 4 shows him wearing a mask in New York City ’ s Bryant Park .
Lawmakers have been struggling with how to enhance enforcement of the quarantine as people keep arriving to Hawaii .
On Thursday , 252 visitors and 318 residents arrived , according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority .
During the same time last year , nearly 30,000 passenger arrived in the tourism-dependent state daily .

Jennifer Sinco Kelleher - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--COVID-19 sniffer dogs — U.K.’s latest attempt to tackle the virus

The U.K. hopes to develop a new weapon in the global war against the coronavirus pandemic : COVID-19 sniffer dogs .
A 500,000-pound ( $ 605,000 U.S. ) government program to find new ways of fighting the pandemic that ’ s gripped the country since March will back clinical trials to train dogs to see if they can spot the coronavirus before symptoms even appear , the Department for Health and Social Care said .
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Durham University , and the charity Medical Detection Dogs will conduct the trials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : dogs have already been trained to detect certain cancers , and if they could be used to detect the virus in asymptomatic people , they could serve as an “ early warning measure , ” the department said .
The dogs used will be a mixture of Labradors and cocker spaniels .
“ Bio-detection dogs already detect specific cancers and we believe this innovation might provide speedy results as part of our wider testing strategy , ” Minister for Innovation James Bethell said in an emailed statement .
“ Accuracy is essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ COVID dogs ’ can reliably detect the virus and stop it from spreading.
” For the initial phase of the trial , National Health Service staff in London hospitals will collect odour samples from people who are infected with coronavirus and those who are uninfected , and six dogs will be trained to recognize the virus from the samples .
In theory , the animals could each screen as many as 250 people per hour , according to the department .
It said that dogs can be trained to detect the odour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one teaspoon of sugar in two Olympic-sized swimming pools of water .


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Beginning to bloom: New York creaking back to economic life

SCHOHARIE , N.Y. - Idled contractors girded for long-awaited jobs and shoppers browsed spring flowers -- though masks made stopping to smell the roses a problem -- as New York state began slowly restarting its economy Friday in areas spared the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic .
Smaller cities and rural regions in the middle of the state far from New York City , still gripped by the pandemic , are being allowed to open first , but gradually — industry by industry .
The first wave of businesses includes retail — though only for curbside or in-store pickup — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , manufacturing and nurseries .
In rural Schoharie , customers wearing face masks walked through colorful displays of geraniums and petunias outside the Apple Barrel Country Store and Cafe .
Martha Schebaum was happy to be shopping for blooms , even if the new rules took some getting used to .
“ You can ’ t really get close to people .
You have to pay attention to where everybody is , where you are , what you ’ re doing , what you ’ re touching , “ she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and do your part.
” Apple Barrel had already been offering takeout orders at its cafe .
For Friday , it added designated entry and exit paths for customers who went inside to pay as it geared up its nursery business .
No contact was allowed between staff and customers .
“ Typically , you might greet customers with a hug or some sort of contact .
You can ’ t do that now , ” said co-owner Joshua Loden .
“ So it ’ s a lot of air hugs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Like this entire pandemic , we ’ ve just been taking it in stride as best we can.
” In the largely rural Mohawk Valley , DANVANN Construction & Development geared up for an excavation job Monday at a lake on the southern edge of the huge Adirondack Park .
“ I ’ ve been lounging around the house a lot , and I ’ m ready to get busy , ” said employee Justin Brown .
“ I ’ d rather be working.
” Job site rules will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their hands disinfected and their faces covered , said company owner Dan Roth , who has been paying his four idled employees .
They ’ ll also “ have to stay 6 feet away from each other as best as you possibly can , “ he said .
The administration of Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat , divided the state into 10 regions that will reopen on different timetables .
Restrictions can ’ t be eased until a region meets seven benchmarks demonstrating that COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations are down and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak flares up again .
Each region must have a program of testing and contact tracing .
The five regions of New York that opened Friday cover a wide strip down the middle of the state .
Excluded are New York City , Long Island and the Hudson Valley on the state ’ s east side , and the Buffalo region to the west .
A lot of manufacturing , construction and retail deemed essential has continued in New York during the restrictions .
And curbside retail pickup has been available for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Ithaca , signs went up Friday marking places downtown where retailers without parking spots could deliver goods , including one near the Commons , a pedestrian mall .
“ We have been frantically working with our community here to make sure this can happen , ” said Gary Ferguson , executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance .
“ This is one step in the right direction.
” If new COVID-19 cases remain under control during the initial reopening , regions can open more types of businesses in a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office jobs like professional services and insurance , as well as retail .
Restaurants are included in the phase after that , and then finally arts , entertainment , recreation and education .
Businesses must come up with a plan outlining how they will prevent the spread of COVID-19 , with requirements for providing face coverings and “ social distancing markers ” in common areas .
Along with the regional reopenings , Cuomo is relaxing other restrictions statewide .
Warm weather gardening and landscaping businesses got permission to restart , as did a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now an outlet for cooped-up families — drive-in theatres The Four Brothers Drive-In Theater near the Connecticut border was opening for the season Friday with “ Trolls World Tour ” and “ Birds of Prey.
“ “ Our only concern is making sure we can control the crowd , “ said manager John Stefanopoulos .
“ And we actually hired some police to come in and direct traffic.
” Associated Press writers Carolyn Thompson in Buffalo and Michael Melia in Hartford , Connecticut , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--2 people, 14 dogs killed in crash on Idaho interstate

BOISE , Idaho - Idaho State Police say two people and more than a dozen dogs died when a box truck transporting animals for a rescue group crashed in eastern Idaho .
They say the truck was the only vehicle involved in the accident reported early Friday on Interstate 15 near Shelley .
The driver and a passenger , both from Phoenix , died of their injuries , along with 14 dogs .
Investigators say the truck was taking 48 dogs of mixed breeds and different sizes to Calgary in Alberta , Canada , for adoption .
All the dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but several escaped .
So far , 18 of those animals have been found and 16 remained unaccounted for , police said .
Investigators say the crash occurred when the truck left the roadway and hit an embankment .
The driver , 40-year-old Christopher Kracht , was flown to a hospital where he died of his injuries , authorities said .
His passenger , Ann Watson , 38 , was pronounced dead at the scene .
Local animal shelters are helping care for the surviving dogs until representatives from the animal rescue network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelters are waiting to place the dogs in homes .
The name of the animal rescue network was not released .


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Infections soar as Mexico moves toward restarting economy

MEXICO CITY - As Mexico moves toward a gradual reactivation of its economy Monday , the number of new coronavirus infections grows higher every day , raising fears of a new wave of infections that other countries have seen after loosening restrictions .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is straddling the issue , telling the public that the fight against the virus depends on continued social distancing in many places while describing how other areas will begin to return to work Monday .
“ We ’ re at the point where we begin to have fewer cases , ” López @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these days we have to be more careful , not relax the discipline , don ’ t trust ourselves.
” The comments came on the same day the government clarified guidelines for the construction , mining and automotive industries to return to work Monday .
The next two weeks will serve as a period to formalize their protocols to keep workers safe , but if they do so and get approval they can open any time before June 1 .
There were 2,437 new coronavirus test confirmations Friday , the highest daily total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 2,000 new cases .
There were 2,409 on Thursday .
The numbers suggest the pandemic has not yet peaked in Mexico , while the daily number of deaths rose by 290 , below the one-day peak of 353 deaths reported Tuesday .
Mexico has seen a total of 4,767 deaths so far .
“ We are at the moment of the fastest growth in new cases , ” said Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell .
“ This is the most difficult moment.
” Health officials have said the real number of infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower rate of testing for the virus than any of the world ’ s largest economies , according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development .
The country ’ s lockdown — which began in March — will remain in place , but those particular industries will be allowed to resume because Mexico ’ s top advisory body on the pandemic , the General Health Council , said Tuesday it had decided to classify them as “ essential activities.
” There were signs that hospital capacity was nearing its limit Mexico City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department reported that 73 % per cent of the city ’ s general care hospital beds were full ; the percentage was lower for intensive-care beds , but that was partly because of the expansion of improvised ICU units at hospitals and other venues .
On Friday , about 2,000 ventilators purchased by private companies and donated to Mexican hospitals arrived aboard a flight from Chicago , Illinois .
The machines are made by Royal Philips , a Dutch company with plants in the U.S. , and were acquired by major Mexican companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community that talk of relaxing social distancing measures is coming too soon and could lead to a devastating second wave of infections as resources dwindle and medical personnel are running on fumes .
Mexican officials also confirmed that a total of 827 Mexicans have died of COVID-19 in the United States — 594 of them in the New York area .
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei announced Thursday night that he was putting the country back on lockdown after a surge of new infections in the first week after he allowed shopping centres to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24-hour per day stay-at-home order through the weekend .
The restriction will loosen Monday to a 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for the week .
“ Without health , life isn ’ t possible , nor the economy , ” Giammattei said .
AP writer Sonia Pérez D. in Guatemala City contributed to this report .

Christopher Sherman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Georgia man jailed for 43 years freed after plea deal

COLUMBUS , Ga. - A Georgia man convicted of murdering a woman in 1976 reached a plea deal and was released from jail Friday after recent DNA testing cast doubt on his guilt .
Johnny Lee Gates , 63 , was convicted in 1977 of murder , rape and robbery in the slaying of Katharina Wright , 19 , in an apartment in Columbus .
Through the years , Gates has maintained his innocence .
Earlier this year , the state Supreme Court ruled Gates deserved a new trial after DNA tests showed Gates ’ DNA wasn ’ t found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week entered an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter and armed robbery in a negotiated deal that would get him freed with credit for the time he already had served behind bars .
An Alford plea means the defendant denies guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him .
Gates was then released Friday from the Muscogee County Jail , news outlets reported .
“ I ’ ve fought for 43 years for this day , “ Gates said in a statement .
” I am an innocent man .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened to me is something that should never happen to any person .
But I am not bitter .
I thank God that I am here , and I am happy to be free.
” Prosecutors and defence attorneys agreed to the plea deal Monday but Judge Bobby Peters initially didn ’ t approve of the terms because while Gates was pleading guilty to the crime , he also continued to maintain his innocence .
Peters said he didn ’ t want people to plead guilty to get out of jail , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was convicted and sentenced to death in August 1977 .
His sentence was later changed to life in prison without parole because he was found to be intellectually disabled .
Execution of the intellectually disabled is prohibited by federal and state law .


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Burr submits final Russia report before leaving chairmanship

WASHINGTON—Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr on Friday submitted the final report in the panel ’ s three-year Russia investigation to the intelligence community for a declassification review .
The move came hours before he was to temporarily step aside as chairman of the panel .
The report on the panel ’ s counterintelligence findings — including whether President Donald Trump ’ s campaign co-ordinated with Russia — marks the conclusion of its Russia probe , which it first launched in January 2017 .
But the panel did not immediately release any of the findings and instead asked the intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a declassified version of the report .
Burr said Thursday that he would temporarily give up his chairmanship after federal agents examining his recent stock sales showed up at his home Wednesday with a warrant to search his cellphone .
Friday was his last day in the position .
The Justice Department is investigating whether Burr exploited advance information when he unloaded as much as $ 1.7 million ( U.S. ) in stocks in February , days before the coronavirus pandemic caused markets to plummet .
Burr has denied any wrongdoing .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the yearslong investigation that occasionally landed Burr , a North Carolina Republican , in trouble with his own party .
It had been the final known investigation of Trump ’ s 2016 campaign and Russia that was still active .
Burr worked closely with the top Democrat on the panel , Virginia Sen. Mark Warner , on a bipartisan basis to uncover Russia ’ s attempts to sow chaos in American elections .
The committee had particular success in pushing social media companies to publicly reveal that Russia had used their platforms for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent such interference in the future .
Committee members have remained quiet on the panel ’ s conclusion on whether Trump ’ s campaign co-ordinated with Russia .
But Burr has said several times that he has seen no evidence of such collusion , a conclusion that would be in line with the House Intelligence Committee ’ s own Russia report in 2018 .
It is unclear if the panel ’ s Democrats would endorse such a determination , even though the first four reports from the Senate committee were bipartisan .
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign co-ordinated with Russia .
Mueller ’ s report , released in April 2019 , identified substantial contacts between Trump associates and Russia but did not allege a criminal conspiracy between his campaign and the Kremlin .
Mueller also examined about a dozen possible instances of obstruction of justice and said he could not exonerate the president on that point .
The Senate panel also sent its other four reports to the intelligence community for declassification and in some cases waited years for a response .
In the other cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings first .
The prior reports looked at Russia ’ s social media interference , election security , the response of the Obama administration to the Russian meddling and the intelligence community ’ s 2017 assessment that Russia had intervened in Trump ’ s favour .
The committee endorsed that assessment in a bipartisan report this year .
Burr will continue to serve on the committee , and the panel ’ s work will continue as usual , including a vote next week to approve the nomination of Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will vote on Ratcliffe ’ s nomination Tuesday , according to a committee aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss it before it was announced .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not yet said who will temporarily replace Burr as chairman .
Next in seniority is Idaho Sen. James Risch , who told reporters on Thursday that he didn ’ t know whether he would keep his current perch as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee or move to the intelligence panel .
Following him is Florida Sen. Marco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Small Business Committee .
Maine Sen. Susan Collins , who chairs the Senate Aging Committee , is third in line .
Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report .

Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Kroger offers Fred Meyer workers extra pay after outcry

SPOKANE , Wash. - Kroger , the parent company of grocer Fred Meyer , announced Friday that it will provide “ thank you “ payments to hourly employees after a union outcry over the company ending a $ 2 per hour pay bump it implemented in March amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union held rallies Friday at Fred Meyer stores seeking additional pay for workers while the pandemic continues , KREM-TV reported .
Kroger officials said Friday that bonus payments of $ 400 and $ 200 for full- and part-time employees will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June .
Fred Meyer has locations in Washington , Oregon , Idaho , and Alaska .
“ Our associates have been instrumental in feeding America while also helping to flatten the curve during the initial phases of the pandemic , ” Rodney McMullen , Kroger ’ s chairman and CEO , said in statement .
“ As the country moves toward reopening , we will continue to safeguard our associates ’ health and well-being and recognize their work.
“ Testing for the coronavirus is available for Fred Meyer employees based on their symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson Jeffrey Temple .
Workers who are most directly affected by the virus or experiencing related symptoms have been provided with emergency leave or paid time off , he said .
Fred Meyer has also added safety measures throughout the stores including plexiglass partitions on check-out stands and masks for employees .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Federal court grants Missouri inmate 30-day execution stay

LIBERTY , Mo .
- A Missouri inmate scheduled to be executed next week was given a 30-day reprieve Friday when a federal court said it needed more time to consider issues raised by the man ’ s attorneys .
Walter Barton , 64 , was scheduled to die by injection Tuesday in the killing of 81-year-old trailer park operator Gladys Kuehler in 1991 .
She was beaten , sexually assaulted and stabbed more than 50 times in Ozark , near Springfield .
Barton ’ s attorneys filed a motion May 4 raising concerns about evidence used to convict Barton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene .
They said Barton couldn ’ t be executed because he suffered a brain injury as a teenager and was therefore incompetant .
The Western District Court of Missouri said in its order Friday that the 15 days between the May 4 filing and Barton ’ s scheduled execution was not long enough to consider all the issues raised by the petition .
The order said the court must assess whether Barton was likely to succeed in his petition and , if it can ’ t dismiss the petition on its merits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stay to prevent the case from becoming moot.
” Barton ’ s attorney , Fred Duchardt Jr. , said this week that three jurors involved in Barton ’ s 2006 trial now express misgivings , based on new blood spatter evidence .
A blood spatter expert hired by the defence found the assailant would have had far more blood on his clothing than was found on Barton ’ s clothing .
Duchardt said three jurors recently signed affidavits saying the new evidence would have affected their deliberations .
The jury foreman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been “ uncomfortable ” recommending the death penalty , Duchardt said .
The NAACP and Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty submitted more than 5,000 petition signatures Wednesday to Republican Gov .
Mike Parson , urging him to grant clemency to Barton .
The execution would have been the first in the U.S. since March 5 .
Other states have postponed executions after defence attorneys argued the coronavirus pandemic had made it more difficult to conduct thorough investigations .
Duchardt said his investigation had been hampered by having courthouses closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not address those concerns .

Margaret Stafford - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Report: Google facing onslaught of antitrust cases in US

MOUNTAIN VIEW , Calif. - Federal and state regulators in the U.S. are preparing to file antitrust lawsuits alleging Google has abused its dominance of online search and advertising to stifle competition and and boost its profits , according to a report published Friday .
The Wall Street Journal cited unidentified people familiar with the probes in a story about the upcoming offensive by the U.S. Justice Department and the attorneys general from several states .
The Justice Department may file its case as early as this summer while Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton may take action in the fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , according to the Journal .
U.S. Attorney General William Barr has previously said he hoped to decide whether to pursue an antitrust case against Google by the summer .
Texas and other states announced they were looking into Google ’ s business practices last September .
Google acknowledged it has ongoing discussions with the Justice Department and Paxton without elaborating on the nature of the talks .
“ Our focus is firmly on providing services that help consumers , support thousands of businesses , and enable increased choice and competition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This isn ’ t the first time Google has been thrust under the microscope of antitrust in the U.S .
The Federal Trade Commission closed an extensive investigation into Google ’ s alleged abuses in 2013 without taking any action because it concluded the Mountain View , California , company wasn ’ t hurting consumers .
Since then , Google has grown even more powerful under the umbrella of the corporate parent , Alphabet , that it spawned in five years ago .
When the FTC closed its case , Google was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last year , earned Alphabet raked in $ 162 billion in revenue .
Most of the money comes from a digital ad market that Google dominates along with social networking rival Facebook — another potential target of antitrust regulators .
There has been no word , though , whether Facebook might be sued .
Google is the bigger of the two online ad giants , thanks mostly to a search engine that has become synonymous with looking things up .
The company also owns the leading web browser in Chrome , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Android , the top video site in YouTube and the most popular digital mapping system .
Google has consistently maintained its services face ample competition and have unleashed innovations that help people manage their lives .
Most of the services are offered for free in exchange for personal information that helps Google sell its ads .
Antitrust regulators in Europe have attempted to crack down on Google by imposing multi-billion dollar fines and ordering changes to its practices .
But the company ’ s critics say those penalties haven ’ t been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be required to for Google to change its ways .
Those might include a government attempt to force Google to spin off its various services into separate businesses , an effort the company would be likely to fiercely oppose .


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Feds: Man charged in 2006 Iraq slayings should remain jailed

PHOENIX - Prosecutors say an Iraqi immigrant arrested three months ago in Arizona on charges of participating in the 2006 killings of two police officers in Iraq should remain jailed until his extradition case concludes because he is at risk of fleeing and poses a danger to the community .
Prosecutors also told a judge at a hearing Friday that he should reject Ali Yousif Ahmed Al-Nouri ’ s claim that he shouldn ’ t be extradited because his offence in Iraq was of a political nature .
Ahmed , an Iraqi native who came to the United States as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a U.S. citizen , is accused of leading an al-Qaida group that fatally shot the officers on the streets of Fallujah .
Ahmed ’ s attorney , Jami Johnson , disputed the prosecutors ’ arguments and questioned why it took nearly 13 years for the Iraqi criminal case to be filed and alleged that there is pervasive corruption in the Iraqi justice system .
She has said Ahmed could be killed if he is sent back to Iraq .
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Morrissey will make a ruling later on whether Ahmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operated a driving school in Phoenix before his arrest in late January , has denied involvement in the killings and being a member of a terror group .
Prosecutors argued Ahmed left Iraq after the killings to avoid prosecution .
They also questioned Ahmed ’ s credibility , saying he gave conflicting explanations on how he suffered gunshot wounds while in Iraq and that they could not determine why he spent time in a Syrian prison before moving to the United States .
In arguing for his release , Johnson cited Ahmed ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cultural adviser to military and said that her 42-year-old client , who suffers from heart and lung ailments , is vulnerable to being infected with coronavirus in the Florence , Arizona , detention centre where he is being held .
Prosecutors expressed skepticism about Ahmed ’ s claim that he is vulnerable to the coronavirus , saying the detention centre has taken preventive steps to protect inmates and that Ahmed lives alone in a cell and doesn ’ t have contact with other detained people .
In both attacks on the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , armed men emerged from cars , fired on the officers and fled .
In the first shooting , a masked attacker held a gun to a witness ’ head , while another masked man tried to open fire at a police officer .
But his gun malfunctioned .
Another attacker then killed police Lt. Issam Ahmed Hussein .
The witness later identified Ahmed , who was not wearing a mask , as the group ’ s leader , according to court records .
Four months later , Iraqi authorities say Ahmed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mohammad as the officer sat outside a store .
A witness recognized Ahmed , whose mask had fallen off , as one of the assailants , according to court records .
After settling in Arizona , Ahmed volunteered in Phoenix ’ s refugee community and worked as a military cultural advisor , travelling to bases in other states to help personnel as they prepared to deploy to the Middle East to fight the Islamic State , his attorney said .
Johnson has previously said the case emerged from information provided by informants who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration a supposed ‘ terrorist refugee ’ in an election year .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Shootout leaves US marshal hurt, murder suspect dead

OXFORD , Miss .
- A suspect in an Arkansas slaying was shot and killed by authorities Friday in Mississippi during a shootout in which a U.S. marshal was wounded , officials said .
Hunter Carlstrom , 33 , was fatally shot by authorities after he began firing at deputies attempting to pull him over in Oxford , Mississippi , news outlets reported .
Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Capt .
Johnny Poulos said marshals tried to stop Carlstrom on Friday morning , but he fled and later jumped out of the car and began shooting at authorities , hitting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired and Carlstrom was later pronounced dead .
The wounded marshal was expected to recover , authorities said .
Carlstrom ’ s wife was with him during the confrontation and was taken into custody .
It was not immediately clear whether she faces any charges .
Authorities in Lawrence County , Arkansas , said Carlstrom was wanted for the killing of James Sarotelli , 61 , who was found dead on May 7 in Smithville , about 150 miles ( 241 kilometres ) northwest of Oxford .
Details surrounding Sarotelli ’ s slaying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime weren ’ t immediately released .


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--10 dead in gunbattles during police raid on Rio slum complex

RIO DE JANEIRO - Police seeking a gang leader raided a cluster of poor neighbourhoods in northern Rio de Janeiro on Friday , and authorities said 10 people died during gunbattles that they said erupted when criminals attacked officers .
The state ’ s military police said in a statement that the local drug kingpin sought in the raid was among those killed during the operation , which was led by an elite unit known in Brazil by its Portuguese acronym BOPE .
The man ’ s identity was not released , but officials said he had escaped prison in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading drug traffickers in the Pavao-Pavaozinho and Cantagalo slums , which border Rio ’ s iconic Copacabana and Ipanema neighbourhoods .
Authorities said officers in the operation were investigating the whereabouts of the gang leader in the Alemao favela complex and trying to confirm intelligence on a house thought to be used as a hideout for weapons when armed criminals opened fire and threw grenades in their direction .
The statement said there were “ multiple clashes.
” The military police said officers seized eight rifles , 85 grenades and some narcotics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby hospital , while five other bodies were later carried by local residents to the entrance of the Alemao group of slums .
The bodies were laid next to one another on the street and drew a small crowd of people , some of whom were not wearing any masks despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Family members at the scene cried as they covered the bodies , already wrapped in fabrics , with cardboard boxes to shelter them from the rain .
From January through March , police killed 429 people during operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.6 % from the same period a year earlier .
Homicides have also gone down , declining 0.9 % this year to 1,044 victims .


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Work from home Congress? House OKs proxy votes

WASHINGTON - Neither Civil War nor Great Depression nor any other national crisis has pushed the House to allow lawmakers to vote by proxy — without being “ present , ” as the Constitution requires .
That ’ s about to change during the coronavirus pandemic .
The House approved Friday a package of historic rules changes so Congress can keep functioning even while it ’ s partly closed .
The shift will dramatically change the look , if not the operation , of the legislative branch — launching a 21st century WFH House , like others , “ working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue legislating , ” Rep. Jim McGovern , the chairman of the House Rules Committee , said during a lengthy session ahead of the vote .
“ And we have to do so in a way that is safe for all those around us.
” Debate over the changes has been fierce .
As President Donald Trump encourages Americans back to work , the 435-member House has stayed away due to health risks while the smaller Senate has resumed operations .
Democrats argue the House can rely on technology for remote work as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ objected to what they see as a power grab during the crisis .
The vote was 217-189 .
Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma , the top Republican on the rules panel , warned the changes will fundamentally alter the nature of the institution , “ and not for the better.
” One by one Republicans lined up Friday to speak against it .
“ We should all get to Washington , do our jobs , ” said Rep. Bradley Byre , R-Ala .
Under the new rules , House lawmakers will no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in floor votes .
They will be allowed to vote by proxy — assigning their vote to another lawmaker who will be at the Capitol to cast it for them .
Eventually , a provision allows for direct remote voting , once the technology is approved .
Just as important , the House committees — the bread and butter of legislative work — will be able to fully function remotely .
Committee hearings are prime-time for lawmakers — the chance to grill officials , spar with colleagues and have much of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to draft bills , conduct oversight and even issue subpoenas from the comfort of their homes .
“ This is about allowing the people ’ s House — and the people ’ s representatives in committees — to work , ” Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, who has helped lead the effort , testified before the Rules Committee .
With the Capitol physician warning it could be years before Congress resumes full operations , lawmakers are anxious to chart a new normal and not be sidelined .
An earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted she wanted any change of this significance to be bipartisan .
She tapped a task force to try to reach a bipartisan compromise .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy proposed a “ hybrid ” plan that would allow the committees to conduct work remotely but stopped short of allowing the proxy voting on the floor .
A key Trump ally , McCarthy argues if other Americans are at work , Congress should be , too .
“ It ’ s a very sad day inside this House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mocked Pelosi for having claimed the House would serve as the “ captain ” of the ship , last to leave during the crisis , only to go home .
The changes are expected to be temporary , only through the remainder of this session of Congress , at the end of the year .
Democrats insist the changes should be used only under times of crisis .
But Republicans warn there will be legal challenges to legislation passed during this period , questioning the constitutional legitimacy of proxy votes .
The House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even during some of the most challenging eras in the nation ’ s history .
Lawmakers convened during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic and only stayed away a short time after the 2001 terror attacks .
Proxy votes had been allowed in committees , but that ended decades ago .
Under the new rules , one lawmaker can carry up to 10 votes by proxy to the Capitol .
“ You got to be here , ” said another Trump ally , Rep. Jim Jordan , R-Ohio .
“ You can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quoting President Abraham Lincoln , told his colleagues , “ We must act and think anew .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Most US states fall short of recommended testing levels

WASHINGTON - As businesses reopened Friday in more of the U.S. , an overwhelming majority of states still fall short of the COVID-19 testing levels that public health experts say are necessary to safely ease lockdowns and avoid another deadly wave of outbreaks , according to an Associated Press analysis .
Rapid , widespread testing is considered essential to tracking and containing the coronavirus .
But 41 of the nation ’ s 50 states fail to test widely enough to drive their infections below a key benchmark , according to an AP analysis of metrics developed by Harvard ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falling short are Texas and Georgia , which recently moved aggressively to reopen stores , malls , barbershops and other businesses .
As health authorities expand testing to more people , the number of positive results should shrink compared with the total number of people tested .
The World Health Organization and other health researchers have said a percentage above 10 % indicates inadequate testing .
South Korea , a country praised for its rapid response , quickly pushed its positive cases to below 3 % .
Most governors are moving ahead with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they are not meeting broad guidelines recommended by the White House .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott has set a goal of 30,000 tests per day as his state launched one of the nation ’ s most aggressive reopenings on May 1 .
He never set a firm date on when the state would hit the 30,000 mark , but for most of May , the daily testing numbers have fallen well short of that .
Local leaders say tests are still in short supply .
El Paso officials have pleaded with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more business restrictions in light of the COVID-19 cases there surging 60 % over the past two weeks .
The first stage of Maryland ’ s reopening began Friday evening , when some retail stores were allowed to reopen and a stay-at-home order was lifted .
But some of the hardest-hit parts of the state , including the suburbs of Washington , D.C. , extended restrictions for residents and businesses .
Maryland averaged 4,265 tests per day this week , compared with about 4,900 the previous week .
Nearly 22 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the last seven days .
Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan made headlines last month when the state acquired 500,000 test kits from a South Korean company in a confidential deal , but Maryland has not had all the components needed for testing — like swabs — to meet demand .
Hogan said Maryland just received swabs this week from the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
“ We requested 350,000 , ” Hogan said Wednesday .
“ They ’ ve committed to 225,000 , and I think we got 75,000 yesterday with another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with the tubes and the stuff that goes with them .
So it ’ s not enough , but it helps us.
” Researchers at Harvard University have calculated that the U.S. needs to test a minimum of 900,000 people per day to safely reopen the economy , based on the 10 % positivity rate and several other key metrics .
That goal is nearly three times the country ’ s current daily testing tally of about 360,000 , according to figures compiled by the COVID Tracking Project website .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ heel that has made it hard for us to have a great national response to this pandemic is a tragedy , ” said Dr. Ashish Jha , director of Harvard ’ s Global Health Institute .
“ I ’ d like us to have a massive amount of ubiquitous testing so that , of all the things we need to worry about , testing isn ’ t one of them.
” President Donald Trump insisted again this week that his administration had “ met the moment ” and “ prevailed ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift responsibility for the effort to the governors .
Administration officials said they will provide states with enough testing supplies to conduct about 400,000 tests per day in May and June .
But that ’ s still less than half the total recommended by the Harvard team .
Only nine states met the daily rate recommended by Jha and his colleagues , according to the AP analysis .
Most of those states are large and rural , such as Montana , Alaska , North Dakota and Wyoming .
Meanwhile , states with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York and New Jersey , have signalled they will keep stay-at-home orders in place or only partially ease restrictions .
“ I really do feel there are dangers here to opening up without enough tests , but I don ’ t feel it ’ s a uniform danger everywhere in the country , ” Jha said .
In New York , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo will allow many smaller cities and rural regions of upstate New York to gradually reopen first , industry by industry , in areas that have been spared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first wave of businesses includes retail — though only for curbside or in-store pickup — along with construction and manufacturing .
Cuomo also announced that beaches would be allowed to open in time for the Memorial Day weekend .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy will let individual shore towns decide when it comes to reopening beaches .
His long-awaited guidance Thursday directed them to set occupancy limits , require 6 feet ( 2 metres ) of space between beachgoers , except family members or couples , and prohibit groups of 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced that the state ’ s testing reached 35,000 daily this week and that more than 1 million tests have been administered .
The state remains on lockdown , though Southern California ’ s beaches are open with restrictions .
North Carolina also has made testing progress , reporting on Friday an all-time high of more than 12,000 additional tests completed compared with the previous day .
But the state ’ s seven-day rolling average of just over 6,000 tests is still well below the 11,000 daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The testing increases over the past few weeks contributed in part to Gov .
Roy Cooper and state leaders feeling comfortable with easing his stay-at-home order May 8 .
Grand Canyon National Park reopened Friday to allow visitors in for day trips but not overnight .
By 7:30 a.m. , more than two dozen people were enjoying South Rim viewpoints .
Signs reminded tourists to keep their distance from one another and stay in groups of less than 10 .
Park employees also were giving friendly reminders .
“ It ’ s mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same guidelines “ as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Grand Canyon spokeswoman Lily Daniels said .
Volume of testing isn ’ t the only concern .
The Food and Drug Administration said late Thursday that it was investigating preliminary data that suggested a rapid COVID-19 test used daily to test Trump and key members of his staff can miss infections .
Trump expressed confidence in the test from Abbott Laboratories .
Worldwide , there have been more than 4.4 million coronavirus infections reported and 300,000 deaths , while nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Witte reported from Annapolis , Maryland .
Forster reported from New York City .
Associated Press writers Gary Robertson in Raleigh , North Carolina ; Michael Kunzelman in Silver Spring , Maryland ; Paul Weber in Austin , Texas ; Felicia Fonseca in Flagstaff , Arizona ; and Matt York at Grand Canyon National Park , Arizona , also contributed to this report .
This version corrects that Texas and Georgia recently moved to reopen businesses , not that both did so last month .

Matthew Perrone, Brian Witte And Nicky Forster - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Serb church priests freed from detention in Montenegro

PODGORICA , Montenegro - A Montenegrin prosecutor on Friday released from detention a Serbian Orthodox Church bishop and eight priests whose arrest sparked protests and clashes with police .
The priests were detained three days earlier after they led a service that was attended by few thousand people despite a ban on large gatherings due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The arrests have fueled tensions between the government and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro over a religious law that the church says would strip it of its property .
The government has denied this .
Several hundred people gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Niksic waiting for Bishop Joanikije and other priests as they came out of detention .
“ Thank you for your support and love !
“ the bishop told the crowd that surrounded him .
Niksic and other towns had seen protests when the priests were detained , and dozens of people were taken into custody and police officers were injured in the clashes .
A country of 620,000 people , Montenegro split from much larger Serbia in 2006 , but many in Montenegro and Serbia still remain opposed to the split .
Montenegro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from another historic Slavic ally , Russia .


thetorontostar--2020-05-15--Minnesota eases restrictions; honours victims of COVID-19

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota took further steps Friday to turn the dial on easing its restrictions meant to slow the coronavirus pandemic and to honour the victims of COVID-19 .
While restrictions ease , the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise .
The Minnesota Department of Health on Friday reported 20 more COVID-19 deaths , raising Minnesota ’ s death toll to 683 , and a new one-day high of 808 confirmed cases , raising the total count to 14,240 , which officials say is a big understatement of total infections .
The state ’ s infectious disease director , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department ’ s daily briefing that it ’ s important with the state ’ s stay-at-home order expiring Monday and some businesses reopening to continue to follow social distancing guidelines .
“ We want you to enjoy the weather , we want you to look forward to Monday , but we want you to stay 6 feet apart , wear a cloth mask when you ’ re outside of your home , and don ’ t gather in groups any larger than 10 , ” she said .
Gov .
Tim Walz ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday and on the 19th of every month through 2020 “ to remember , mourn , and honour lives lost due to COVID-19.
” He encouraged individuals , businesses , and other organizations to join in .
“ I think this is a wonderful way to remind us that these are not just numbers , ” Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told reporters as she reviewed the health department ’ s updated statistics .
“ Going through these numbers every day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that they represent — every one of them — a loved one and a family member and a neighbour.
” Young drivers will once again be able to take their license tests and other residents will once again be able to access most driver and vehicle services , the Department of Public Safety announced .
The department is opening 16 exam stations statewide beginning Tuesday and resuming standard road tests May 26 , with priority going to those who had their appointments cancelled during the stay-at-home , though it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver ’ s licenses or official state ID cards expired during the shutdown will now be able to renew them .
But the department said the stations will look different because of measures to protect customers and staff .
While campgrounds at Minnesota state parks remain closed , the federal Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will open Monday for both day and overnight use .
“ We ask that visitors please continue to follow local , state and federal guidelines on staying safe and practice good hygiene and social distancing wherever they choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supervisor of the Superior National Forest , said in a statement .
Other parts of the Superior and Chippewa National Forests in northern Minnesota will also open Monday for overnight camping at dispersed sites .
Voyageurs National Park will reopen to overnight camping and houseboat mooring on Monday , thought visitors centres will remain closed , so visitors must print their permits at home .


thetorontostar--2020-05-16--Pizzas (and haircuts) back on the menu, but with warnings

VENICE , Italy - Venice geared up to receive tourists , Milan ’ s pizzerias prepared to open and Australians headed out to eat for the first time in weeks Saturday , but the reopening of restaurants , pubs and cafes came with a warning : Don ’ t overdo it .
Public health experts are urging caution as governments ease restrictions on eateries , shops and parks in many countries and roll out measures to restart dormant factories .
The coronavirus pandemic , which has killed more than 300,000 people , has slowed in many places but could pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken or officials move too quickly to get people back to work .
“ The message is , yes , appreciate all the efforts , appreciate the opportunity to release some of those measures , but let ’ s not have a party , let ’ s not go to town , ” said Tony Bartone , president of the Australian Medical Association .
Most restaurants are limited to 10 customers at a time , and Bartone said people must maintain social distance , follow coughing etiquette , wash their hands regularly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill .
In New Zealand , even Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her fiance , Clarke Gayford , were initially turned away for Saturday brunch by a restaurant in the capital city , Wellington , because it was too full under coronavirus guidelines .
Gayford took responsibility , saying he hadn ’ t made reservations .
There was a happy ending , as a spot freed up and staff chased down the street to call the couple back .
Italy ’ s tourism industry is focused firmly on June 3 , when both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first prospect of tourists since Europe ’ s first lockdown went into place in early March .
In tourist-reliant Venice , occupancy of the city ’ s 50,000 hotel beds has hovered around zero ever since .
“ Venice lives on tourism , period , ’ ’ said Claudio Scarpa , head of the city ’ s hotel association .
’ ’ All the economic structures that operate in the city , including the port , are tied to tourism.
” While Venice hopes for some kind of restart , it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany — its border about a four-hour drive from Venice — is instructing citizens not to travel abroad for tourism until at least June 15 .
France was also being cautious , calling for a co-ordinated European effort on opening .
At the same time , it could make decisions “ that protect the French ” regarding countries “ where the virus is still active , ” Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said Saturday .
In Milan , Italy ’ s financial capital , 3,400 restaurants plan to open Monday , along with 4,800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores and 700 shoe shops .
“ After a long period at home , we will all want to go out and have a good coffee in a bar , eat a pizza in a pizzeria , buy a pair of jeans , or go to the hairdressers , ” Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said in a Facebook video Saturday .
Many restaurant owners , however , complained that the new rules for reopening were unclear and that the entire sector — including suppliers and food producers — was suffering .
Dozens protested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station in front of signs reading : “ I won ’ t open today to close tomorrow , ” and calling for an abolition of taxes and more concrete help .
In Britain , officials and tourism boards were discouraging people from visiting popular tourist spots — like beaches or country parks — on the first weekend since lockdown rules were eased in England .
Rules remain stricter in other parts of the U.K. and English daytrippers have been warned against crossing into Scotland or Wales .
In the United States , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s 50 states fall short of the COVID-19 testing levels that experts say are necessary to avoid another wave of outbreaks , even as some of those states move aggressively to allow businesses to reopen .
Rapid , widespread testing is considered essential to tracking and containing the coronavirus .
The AP analysis is based on metrics developed by Harvard University ’ s Global Health Institute .
Harvard researchers have calculated that the U.S. needs to test at least 900,000 people daily to reopen the economy safely , nearly three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to figures compiled by the COVID Tracking Project website .
Among the states falling short are Texas and Georgia , which have reopened shopping malls , barbershops and other businesses , although New York state is moving more cautiously .
“ I really do feel there are dangers here to opening up without enough tests , but I don ’ t feel it ’ s a uniform danger everywhere in the country , ” said.Dr .
Ashish Jha , director of Harvard ’ s Global Health Institute .
In South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of testing , a Health Ministry spokesman said Saturday that the country may have dodged a major outbreak after finding 162 cases linked to clubgoers in Seoul , the densely populated capital .
Son Young-rae said 46,000 people have been tested in the club-related outbreak .
India overtook China in the number of confirmed infections as Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s government is due to announce this weekend a decision whether to extend the 54-day-old lockdown .
India counted 85,940 infections and 2,752 deaths compared to China ’ s 82,941 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortening its annual legislative session , which begins late next week in Beijing , as small clusters of cases pop up elsewhere in the country .
The spread of the disease has largely stopped in the country where the pandemic started , but Jilin province in the northeast has reported 28 cases over nine days , the latest two on Friday .
In Mexico , the number of new confirmed cases hit a new daily high Friday , even as the government clarified guidelines for the construction , mining and automotive industries to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country recorded more than 2,000 cases for the second straight day , suggesting its outbreak has yet to peak .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador , straddling the issue , said Friday that “ we have to be more careful , not relax the discipline.
” Meanwhile , efforts to find effective testing methods for the new coronavirus now include man ’ s best friend .
British researchers are launching a trial to see whether dogs can use their noses to detect whether humans have COVID-19 before they show symptoms .
Britain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts are looking into whether dogs , which have been trained to sniff out certain cancers and malaria , can be potentially be used as a “ non-invasive , early warning measure ” to identify the coronavirus .
Six dogs , including labradors and cocker spaniels , have started basic training for the trial .
Passa reported from Brisbane , Australia , and Gorondi from Budapest , Hungary .
Associated Press journalists from around the world contributed to this story .

Colleen Barry, Dennis Passa And Pablo Gorondi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-16--Albanian psychologists ban so-called conversion therapy

TIRANA , Albania - Gay rights organizations on Saturday welcomed a decision by the governing body of psychologists in Albania to prohibit the so-called conversion therapy , which attempts to change a person ’ s sexual orientation , gender identity or gender expressions .
A statement from the Pink Embassy in Albania , the country ’ s main LGBT organization , said the decision “ places the Order of Psychologists in Albania in the forefront of the institutions respecting LGBTI rights , ” making Albania the sixth European country to apply such a ban following Spain , Switzerland , Malta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapists in Albania must be members of the Order of Psychologists .
The move is “ significantly important for LGBTI adolescents , whose parents often force them to undergo conversion therapy , in the hope of changing their sexual orientation or gender identity , “ the Pink Embassy said .
A day earlier , LGBT organizations held a virtual Tirana Pride 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic .
In a separate activity they distributed their multicolored flag to ministries and other top public institutions as part of their motto “ Be proud !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an anti-discrimination law in 2010 that grants legal rights to homosexuals but does not allow same-sex weddings .
There is still widespread anti-gay prejudice , discrimination and reports of violence against gays within families , though though there have been no attacks on pride parades .
“ Social attitudes toward the LGBT community are generally negative and among the most unfavourable at the European level , ” the statement said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-16--Asia Today: India overtakes China in number of cases

BANGKOK - India ’ s confirmed coronavirus cases have surpassed China ’ s , with the Health Ministry on Saturday reporting a spike to 85,940 infections and 2,752 deaths .
China has reported 82,941 confirmed case and 4,633 deaths since the virus was first detected late last year in the central city of Wuhan .
The worst-hit Indian states are Maharashtra with 29,100 cases , Tamil Nadu with 10,108 , Gujarat with 9,931 and New Delhi with 8,895 .
In the last 24 hours , India had confirmed 3,970 new cases and 103 fatalities .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision this weekend on whether to extend the 54-day-old lockdown .
Early this month , the government started gradually easing the restrictions to resume economic activity by allowing neighbourhood shops to reopen and manufacturing and farming to resume .
It also has resumed limited train services across the country to help stranded migrant workers , students and tourists .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — CHINA TO CUT SHORT ASSEMBLY : A Chinese official confirmed that the annual legislative session will be curtailed to protect public health during the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People ’ s Congress , did not indicate how much it would be shortened .
He told the official Xinhua News Agency that the agenda and schedule would be approved before the session starts in Beijing on May 22 .
The congress , delayed from March because of the outbreak , normally lasts about two weeks .
Police have announced a ban on drones and other low-flying objects from May 20-28 because of the meeting , so this year ’ s could run about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party decided to go ahead with the meeting of 3,000 delegates after largely stopping the spread of the virus .
But some government officials will join breakout sessions with deputies via video link , and news conferences will also be conducted remotely by video .
— NO SPECIAL FAVORS : New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern found out there are no exceptions when it comes to social distancing after she was initially turned away from a cafe because it was too full under coronavirus guidelines .
Ardern and her fiance , Clarke Gayford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olive , a restaurant in the capital , Wellington .
That was two days after the country relaxed many of its lockdown rules , including reopening restaurants .
But groups must remain at least 1 metre ( 3 feet ) apart from each other .
Many restaurants have limited their seating to comply with the rules .
What happened next played out on Twitter : “ Omg Jacinda Ardern just tried to come into Olive and was rejected cause it ’ s full , ” wrote one Twitter user , Joey .
Gayford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have to take responsibility for this , I didn ’ t get organized and book anywhere .
Was very nice of them to chase us down st ( street ) when a spot freed up .
A+ service.
” — SOUTH KOREA NIGHTCLUB CASES WANE : South Korean officials have so far confirmed 162 coronavirus cases linked to club goers in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , and are expressing cautious hope that infections are beginning to wane .
Health Ministry official Son Young-rae said Saturday that the country may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a region where half of its 51 million people live .
Son noted that the daily increase in infections has been within 30 over the past few days despite a jump in tests .
Son said 46,000 people have so far been tested following a slew of infections linked to clubs and other nightspots in Seoul ’ s Itaewon entertainment district .
“ It ’ s notable there were no new transmissions in churches , call centres and gyms where virus carriers went to , ” said Son .
Authorities have expanded anonymous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked to infections as catering to sexual minorities , which raised concern that people may be discouraged from coming forward in fear of homophobic backlash .
— WARNING AS AUSTRALIA EASES MEASURES : Restrictions put in place to stop the coronavirus from spreading across Australia have eased , but the public was warned to take their newfound freedoms carefully in order to prevent a second wave of the pandemic .
States and territories have begun the first of a three-stage process to lift restrictions on outdoor and indoor gatherings and business operations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cafes and restaurants for the first time in weeks after isolation and social distancing measures kept the lid on infections and COVID-19 deaths .
But Australian Medical Association President Tony Bartone urged people to remain vigilant because the virus is still present in the community and could flare up .
The number of confirmed cases passed 7,000 on Friday , but the death toll from the pandemic remains at a relatively low 98 .
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-05-16--Serbia deploys army near border to protect against migrants

BELGRADE , Serbia - Serbia has sent its army to a town near the border with Croatia where hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ of reaching the European Union .
The Defence Ministry said on Saturday that President Aleksandar @ @ @ @ @ to “ secure ” three migrant camps near the western town of Sid that are @ @ @ @ @ mostly from Syria , Afghanistan and Pakistan .
Vucic said he ordered the deployment to @ @ @ @ @ alleged harassment and robberies committed by the migrants .
He told TV Prva that after @ @ @ @ @ to fight the coronavirus spread in Serbia was lifted earlier this month , the migrants @ @ @ @ @ , committing “ petty crimes and illegal entries into houses.
” “ Because of that @ @ @ @ @ ” Vucic said .
There is increased popular resentment toward the migrants and frequent unsanctioned @ @ @ @ @ held in front of the camps .
There are an estimated 4,000 migrants stranded in @ @ @ @ @ main transit routes through the Balkans for people fleeing wars and poverty .


thetorontostar--2020-05-16--Truck collision on Indian highway kills 23 migrant workers

LUCKNOW , India - At least 23 migrant workers were killed Saturday when a truck they were travelling in crashed into a stationary truck on a highway in northern India , an official said .
Tens of thousands of migrant labourers have been returning from big cities to their villages after losing jobs because of a countrywide lockdown imposed in late March to contain the spread of the coronavirus .
The government has started a limited number of trains to facilitate their travel , but thousands are using trucks and buses or even riding bikes or walking long distances on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 other people were injured in the latest accident near Auraiya , a village in Uttar Pradesh state .
The cause of the crash is being investigated .
Local villagers were the first to reach the site and help the victims .
“ The injured have been rushed to hospitals where the condition of several people is said to be critical , ” Singh said .
The workers were on their way from New Delhi to their villages in Bihar , Jharkhand and West Bengal states , Singh said .
Auraiya is 230 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lucknow , the capital of Uttar Pradesh state .
In the past week , dozens of workers have been killed across India , On May 8 , a train plowed through a group sleeping on the tracks in western Maharashtra state , killing 16 .
Another 15 labourers were killed in three separate road accidents .


thetorontostar--2020-05-16--No special favours: New Zealand leader turned away from cafe

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - New Zealand ’ s leader found out there are no exceptions when it comes to social distancing after she was initially turned away from a cafe because it was too full under coronavirus guidelines .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her fiance , Clarke Gayford , decided to get brunch Saturday at Olive , a restaurant in the capital , Wellington .
That was two days after the country relaxed many of its lockdown rules , including reopening restaurants .
But social distancing rules still apply , requiring groups to remain at least 1 metre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other .
Many restaurants have limited their seating to comply with the rules .
What happened next played out on Twitter : “ Omg Jacinda Ardern just tried to come into Olive and was rejected cause it ’ s full , ” wrote one Twitter user , Joey .
Gayford took the time to respond : “ I have to take responsibility for this , I didn ’ t get organized and book anywhere .
Was very nice of them to chase us down st ( street ) when a spot freed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Joanne , chimed in : “ This has to be the most Kiwi tweet I ’ ve ever read ... love it , love NZ.
” Asked for comment , a spokesperson from Ardern ’ s office said in an email that waiting at a cafe is something that anyone can experience during New Zealand ’ s virus restrictions : “ The PM says she just waits like everyone else.
“ Ardern has been widely praised for her swift and decisive response to the pandemic .
New Zealand closed its borders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has been largely successful in its goal of eliminating the virus .
Health authorities have reported just a single new case over the past five days .
The country has confirmed a total of 1,498 cases , including 21 deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-05-16--Burundi defies COVID-19 for election ending a bloody rule

KAMPALA , Uganda - Burundi is pushing ahead with an election on Wednesday that will end the president ’ s divisive and bloody 15-year rule .
When President Pierre Nkurunziza hands over power , it could be the first truly peaceful transfer of authority in the East African nation since independence in 1962 .
But the coronavirus poses a threat to the May 20 vote .
Burundi has kicked out World Health Organization workers after concerns were raised .
The WHO Africa director messaged the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief about political rallies the day that Burundi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowds circulated online .
Authorities have been accused by critics of downplaying the pandemic and citing divine protection .
But the government appears to be using virus measures to limit election observers , warning the East African regional bloc on May 8 that arriving foreigners face a 14-day quarantine .
More than the virus , however , it ’ s the fear of violence that weighs on many of the more than 5 million people eligible to vote .
Government agents have been accused of harassing the main opposition party , the CNL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be in a close race with Nkurunziza ’ s chosen successor in the ruling CNDD-FDD , Evariste Ndayishimiye .
More than 145 CNL members have been arrested since campaigning began on April 27 , according to SOS Medias Burundi , a group of independent journalists .
Police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye has accused Rwasa of making “ incendiary and defamatory ” remarks and inciting revolt .
Rwasa , the deputy parliament speaker , has drawn large crowds despite the risks of openly supporting him , according to an online group of activists known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rigged election could spark the kind of street demonstrations that marked the previous vote in 2015 .
“ The ruling party was hoping to use this post-Nkurunziza election to gain a semblance of legitimacy , but given what ’ s happening we might end up with more violence , ” i-Burundi said in an interview .
“ People want change .
...
But the ruling party has the incumbent advantage and controls the electoral process.
” Rwasa told The Associated Press he feels it ’ s important not to boycott the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be fair .
“ Everything has its right time , “ he said .
“ Right now , it is not the time to give up and abandon our people.
” Ndayishimiye , a retired general , would be a weak president because he will be a front for Nkurunziza and other powerful ruling party members , said David Gakunzi , a Burundian political analyst : “ He consults but he will fear to take independent decisions.
” Ndayishimiye fought alongside Nkurunziza as a rebel in the civil war from 1993 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nkurunziza was chosen by lawmakers to be president during the peace process known as the Arusha Accords , which specified that a president ’ s term can be renewed only once .
But Nkurunziza , who won a second term in 2010 , said he was eligible for a third term in 2015 because he had not been chosen the first time by universal suffrage .
The deadly turmoil that followed badly damaged ties with the international community , and Burundi became the first country to leave the International Criminal Court after it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N. human rights office reported more than 300 extrajudicial killings and was kicked out of the country .
Nkurunziza survived a coup attempt shortly after the 2015 vote while travelling in Tanzania and has left Burundi only once since then .
Meanwhile international donors have cut support , leaving the government struggling .
It has ordered citizens to pay for the upcoming vote .
Many Burundians were surprised when the president announced in 2018 that he was serving his last term .
Skepticism persists .
The government has approved legislation that bestows upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” after he steps down .
“ It ’ s hard to know what ’ s going to happen ... Nkurunziza has a track record of being quite unpredictable , “ said researcher Lane Hartill of the Burundi Human Rights Initiative .
” Both the ruling party and the main opposition party , the CNL , are convinced their candidates are going to win the presidential election .
It ’ s telling , though , that government officials continue to arrest large numbers of CNL members.
” Even some senior members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the cratering economy but are afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs or being killed , Hartill said .
Burundi ’ s government has denied allegations it targets its people , calling them malicious propaganda by dissidents .
Memories of the 2015 violence are still raw .
Jean Baptiste Bakunzi said he remains traumatized by his brother ’ s death at the hands of the police and the Imbonerakure , a militarized youth group associated with the ruling party .
His brother , accused of participating in anti-government activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save his life , “ Bakunzi said .
“ Instead , one policeman pulled the trigger and shot him dead , ” he said .
“ Whoever opposes the ruling party becomes an enemy even today.
” The violence has dimmed hopes for those outside Burundi who will not be able to vote .
Over 330,000 refugees are sheltering in Tanzania , Uganda , Rwanda and Congo , according to U.N. figures .
“ These elections will not bring hope for us because we have lost so much , “ said Solange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The ruling party candidate can not alleviate our suffering.
” Sporadic violence persists .
Police said two people were killed and eight wounded in a grenade attack Sunday on a bar in Bujumbura that ’ s a popular hangout for ruling party supporters .
Opposition supporters worry the security services may retaliate .
Charles Nditije , a former government minister who lives in exile , described the election as a “ joke , ” calling the polls a formality aimed at installing Nkurunziza ’ s chosen successor .
“ What Burundians want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( an ) end the reign of CNDD-FDD .
But the ruling ( party ) candidate will fight tooth and nail to win fraudulently and set another round of crisis , ” he said .
Hartill , the Burundi researcher , said disputed election results could put the country back on edge .
The big question , he said , is whether the opposition leader will “ say enough is enough .
”

Rodney Muhumuza And Ignatius Ssuuna - The Associated Press