washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Iran oil tanker reaches Venezuela; no sign of U.S. threat

CARACAS , Venezuela — The first of five tankers loaded with gasoline sent from Iran reached Venezuelan waters late Saturday , expected to temporarily ease the South American nation ’ s fuel crunch while defying Trump administration sanctions targeting the two U.S. foes .
The oil tanker Fortune encountered no immediate signs of U.S. interference as it eased through Caribbean waters toward the Venezuelan coast and Venezuelan officials celebrated the arrival .
“ Iran and Venezuela have always supported each other in times of difficulty , ” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza tweeted .
“ Today , the first ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The tanker and four behind it were finishing a high seas journey amid a burgeoning relationship between Iran and Venezuela , both of which Washington says are ruled by repressive regimes .
Russ Dallen , head of the Miami-based investment firm Caracas Capital Markets , confirmed the Fortune ’ s location using ship tracking technology .
He said the Clavel , the last of the five ships , was about 3 1/2 days behind the lead tanker .
Venezuela sits atop the world ’ s largest oil reserves , but it must import @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last two decades .
Critics blame corruption and mismanagement by the socialist administration amid an economic crisis that has led to huge migration by Venezuelans seeking to escape poverty , shortages of basic goods and crime .
The Iranian tankers hold what analysts estimate to be enough gasoline to supply Venezuela for two to three weeks .
Deep gasoline shortages have plagued Venezuela for years , though the problem had until recently largely spared the capital of Caracas , the largest population center and political seat .
Drivers must wait for days in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with government-subsidized gasoline that costs less than a penny for a tank .
Wealthier drivers with U.S. dollars turn to the black market , where gas costs up to $ 12 a gallon .
That ’ s a small fortune in Venezuela , where the monthly minimum wage equals less than $ 5 .
The U.S. accuses Iran and other nations of propping up Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro .
It ’ s among nearly 60 nations that back opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela ’ s legitimate president , contending that Maduro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his most popular opponents .
In a new relationship between Caracas and Tehran , Iran recently also flew shipments of a key chemical needed to help jump start a Venezuelan oil refinery and produce gasoline .
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned Saturday that the United States should not to interfere with the shipment of oil bound for Venezuela .
In a statement , Rouhani said that the U.S. had created “ unacceptable conditions ” in different parts of the world , but that Iran would “ by no means ” be the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tankers in the Caribbean or anywhere in the world face any problems caused by the Americans , they will face problems as well , ” he added .
“ We hope the Americans will not make a mistake.
” U.S. officials had announced no plans to try to intercept Iran ’ s tankers .
However , the Trump administration has increased pressure on Maduro , recently offered a $ 15 million bounty for his arrest after a U.S. court indicted him as a narcotrafficker .
The U.S. also recently deployed a force of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat ships , to patrol the Caribbean on what U.S. officials call a drug interdiction mission .
The Maduro government considers it a direct threat .
Maduro holds on to power with support from Venezuela ’ s military and his international allies , also including Cuba , Russia , and China .
The U.S. says these nations are engaged in “ malign activities and meddling ” around the world .
“ We will not abide by their support of the illegitimate and tyrannical regime of Nicolás Maduro , ” the Trump administration said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum pressure ” campaign against the socialist leader .
“ Will continue until Maduro ’ s hold on Venezuela is over.
” A defiant Maduro appeared on state TV days ahead of the ships ’ arrivals , vowing a tough response to any U.S. aggression against the Iranian tankers .
He showed images of soldiers firing antiaircraft missiles streaking across the Caribbean .
“ They want to enslave us , ” Maduro said Thursday .
“ If you want peace , you must be prepared to defend it.
” Maduro ’ s defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela ’ s armed forces would welcome the five Iranian tankers , escorting them with ships and planes through the nation ’ s maritime territory and into port .
Eric Farnsworth , vice president of the Council of the Americas and Americas Society research center , said he didn ’ t expect the U.S. would act against the Iranian tankers .
Such an act could too easily escalate , he said , especially in the Persian Gulf where Iran could retaliate against U.S. ships .
“ ( That ) would needlessly undermine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s largest proven oil supply , has to import gasoline from Iran of all places because they have become such an international pariah , ” Farnsworth said .
“ If they don ’ t , Caracas claims a great victory for the fatherland and tries to portray the U.S. as impotent .
”

CARACAS, Venezuela — The first of five tankers loaded with gasoline sent from Iran reached Venezuelan waters late Saturday, expected to temporarily ease the South American nation’s fuel crunch while defying Trump administration sanctions targeting the two U.S. foes.
The oil tanker Fortune encountered no immediate signs of U.S. interference as it eased through Caribbean waters toward the Venezuelan coast and Venezuelan officials celebrated the arrival.
“Iran and Venezuela have always supported each other in times of difficulty,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza tweeted. “Today, the first ship with gasoline arrives for our people.”
The tanker and four behind it were finishing a high seas journey amid a burgeoning relationship between Iran and Venezuela, both of which Washington says are ruled by repressive regimes.
Russ Dallen, head of the Miami-based investment firm Caracas Capital Markets, confirmed the Fortune’s location using ship tracking technology. He said the Clavel, the last of the five ships, was about 3 1/2 days behind the lead tanker.
Venezuela sits atop the world’s largest oil reserves, but it must import gasoline because production has crashed in the last two decades. Critics blame corruption and mismanagement by the socialist administration amid an economic crisis that has led to huge migration by Venezuelans seeking to escape poverty, shortages of basic goods and crime.
The Iranian tankers hold what analysts estimate to be enough gasoline to supply Venezuela for two to three weeks.
Deep gasoline shortages have plagued Venezuela for years, though the problem had until recently largely spared the capital of Caracas, the largest population center and political seat.
Drivers must wait for days in lines that snake through neighborhood to fill up with government-subsidized gasoline that costs less than a penny for a tank. Wealthier drivers with U.S. dollars turn to the black market, where gas costs up to $12 a gallon. That’s a small fortune in Venezuela, where the monthly minimum wage equals less than $5.
The U.S. accuses Iran and other nations of propping up Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. It’s among nearly 60 nations that back opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president, contending that Maduro illegitimately won a 2018 election that banned his most popular opponents.
In a new relationship between Caracas and Tehran, Iran recently also flew shipments of a key chemical needed to help jump start a Venezuelan oil refinery and produce gasoline.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned Saturday that the United States should not to interfere with the shipment of oil bound for Venezuela. In a statement, Rouhani said that the U.S. had created “unacceptable conditions” in different parts of the world, but that Iran would “by no means” be the one to initiate conflict.
“If our tankers in the Caribbean or anywhere in the world face any problems caused by the Americans, they will face problems as well,” he added. “We hope the Americans will not make a mistake.”
U.S. officials had announced no plans to try to intercept Iran’s tankers. However, the Trump administration has increased pressure on Maduro, recently offered a $15 million bounty for his arrest after a U.S. court indicted him as a narcotrafficker.
The U.S. also recently deployed a force of ships, including Navy destroyers and other combat ships, to patrol the Caribbean on what U.S. officials call a drug interdiction mission. The Maduro government considers it a direct threat.
Maduro holds on to power with support from Venezuela’s military and his international allies, also including Cuba, Russia, and China. The U.S. says these nations are engaged in “malign activities and meddling” around the world.
“We will not abide by their support of the illegitimate and tyrannical regime of Nicolás Maduro,” the Trump administration said in a statement, citing its “maximum pressure” campaign against the socialist leader. “Will continue until Maduro’s hold on Venezuela is over.”
A defiant Maduro appeared on state TV days ahead of the ships’ arrivals, vowing a tough response to any U.S. aggression against the Iranian tankers. He showed images of soldiers firing antiaircraft missiles streaking across the Caribbean.
“They want to enslave us,” Maduro said Thursday. “If you want peace, you must be prepared to defend it.”
Maduro’s defense minister, Vladimir Padrino López, said Venezuela’s armed forces would welcome the five Iranian tankers, escorting them with ships and planes through the nation’s maritime territory and into port.
Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of the Americas and Americas Society research center, said he didn’t expect the U.S. would act against the Iranian tankers. Such an act could too easily escalate, he said, especially in the Persian Gulf where Iran could retaliate against U.S. ships.
“(That) would needlessly undermine the narrative that Venezuela, with the world’s largest proven oil supply, has to import gasoline from Iran of all places because they have become such an international pariah,” Farnsworth said. “If they don’t, Caracas claims a great victory for the fatherland and tries to portray the U.S. as impotent.”
___
Scott Smith on Twitter: @ScottSmithAP


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Kaitlan Collins, Weijia Jiang, Yamiche Alcindor team up, get under Donald Trump's skin

NEW YORK — To anyone who ’ s watched , there ’ s more that binds Yamiche Alcindor , Kaitlan Collins and Weijia Jiang than an impromptu display of teamwork at a recent White House news conference .
Each reporter has a knack for getting under President Donald Trump ’ s skin and an equal ability not to let it knock them off stride .
They symbolize the test of covering a White House like none other , with a president who views the press as an enemy yet is accessible almost daily .
A question may elicit a candid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - you never know what ’ s coming .
Trump has reacted to questions by Alcindor , Collins and Jiang by calling them nasty or racist , and effectively telling the journalists to pipe down .
“ How do you call out what ’ s happening without making yourself the story , and refocus on what the public policy should be ?
” said Jessica Yellin , a former CNN White House reporter who now does a daily Instagram newcast .
“ It ’ s incredibly challenging .
They ’ re showing us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it out at the same time.
” The unexpected cooperation came during an outdoor news conference when Jiang , of CBS News , asked Trump why his claims that the United States tested more than any country mattered at a time people were dying of COVID-19 .
Trump said that “ maybe that ’ s a question you should ask China .
Don ’ t ask me .
Ask China that question.
” He looked to move on but CNN ’ s Collins , in line to ask the next question , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was born in Xiamen , China , and emigrated with her family to West Virginia when she was 2 - wondered why the president directed that remark to her .
Trump said he would say it to “ anyone who asks a nasty question.
” He tried to wave off Collins and motion for the the next questioner - Alcindor .
The PBS “ NewsHour ” correspondent waited as Collins tried to ask a question before Trump , apparently frustrated , called an end to the news conference .
Jiang later tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was a good example - not always common - of reporters working together to prevent a president from dodging a question , said Lynne Adrine , a former Washington news producer and now professor for Syracuse University .
Not everyone has the same perspective .
Jiang was criticized for “ grandstanding ” and insinuating that Trump ’ s response to her question was racist .
“ Only a partisan hack could interpret Trump ’ s response as racist , ” Kylee Zempel wrote in The Federalist .
“ The president routinely shuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he should.
” Two years earlier , when Alcindor asked Trump about nationalism , the president labeled the question racist .
More recently , he objected during a coronavirus briefing when she prefaced a question about ventilators and masks by noting that he had said some governors didn ’ t actually need equipment that they requested .
When he denied having said it , Alcindor said she quoted him from an interview with Fox ’ s Sean Hannity .
Trump said she should be more positive .
Alcindor tried again to ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you didn ’ t hear me , ” Trump said .
“ That ’ s why you used to work for the ( New York ) Times and now you work for somebody else .
Look , let me tell you something .
Be nice .
Don ’ t be threatening.
” She proceeded to ask her question .
Alcindor , who , like the other White House reporters was not made available to the AP for an interview , later noted that she wasn ’ t the first human being , woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d been told to be nice and not threatening .
Alcindor ’ s roots are in print journalism , and she covered Trump ’ s campaign for The New York Times .
She joined PBS in 2018 .
“ It should never be about me , ” she said on “ Pod Save America ” earlier this year , “ because I ’ m so focused on all the people in this country who will never see the White House , who will never get to speak to the president .
And they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose my cool and to be so focused on the truth that I ’ m not wavering on anything else that goes on around me.
” CNN ’ s Collins pressed forward like an automaton in a recent exchange with Trump about a whistleblower ’ s accusations .
She completed her question on the fifth try despite Trump ’ s attempt to stop her .
“ CNN is fake news .
Don ’ t talk to me , ” he said .
“ I watch them and I say , ‘ these women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they ’ re asking questions that the public wants answers to , ’ ” said Jill Geisler , a professor on media and leadership at Loyola University in Chicago .
“ They ’ re not there to start a scene.
” Collins , who came to CNN from the conservative website Daily Caller in 2017 , has been tested repeatedly .
The administration barred her from an outdoor news conference in 2018 and last month to force her into a seat in the back of the White House briefing room .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week she responded to Trump ’ s critical retweet of a video that showed her removing a mask while leaving a news briefing by tweeting , “ Nearly 90,000 Americans have been killed by coronavirus , and the president is tweeting about me pulling my mask down for six seconds.
” A response that attacks rather than defends is dangerous , however .
Taking the bait - and becoming known for hostile exchanges with a president - can make a reporter a hero to some and a less effective showboater to others .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way television reporters try to create moments that they can use on the air , ” said Trump ’ s first press secretary , Sean Spicer .
“ You don ’ t see this problem with print reporters because , generally speaking , they ’ re not going to get on the air.
” He senses reporters trying to prove themselves to colleagues .
“ A reporter ’ s job is to get information and to hold people accountable , ” Spicer said .
“ They don ’ t have to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , did not respond to a request for comment .
“ It ’ s a reporter ’ s job to do what they need to do get answers and it ’ s a president ’ s job to try and remain above the fray if he wants to deliver his message , ” said Nedra Pickler , a former White House correspondent for The Associated Press .
“ This president doesn ’ t live by those rules.
” Jiang , Collins and Alcindor aren ’ t the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN ’ s Jim Acosta has turned his experiences into a book .
Some believe Trump is particularly angered by tough questions from women and minorities .
Spicer disagrees , noting Trump ’ s respect for Maggie Haberman of The New York Times .
“ The president is a fighter , ” Jiang told Syracuse University students recently .
“ Certain reporters I think get under his skin more than others , and you just have to be aware that you could be one of those that day .
”

NEW YORK — To anyone who’s watched, there’s more that binds Yamiche Alcindor, Kaitlan Collins and Weijia Jiang than an impromptu display of teamwork at a recent White House news conference.
Each reporter has a knack for getting under President Donald Trump’s skin and an equal ability not to let it knock them off stride.
They symbolize the test of covering a White House like none other, with a president who views the press as an enemy yet is accessible almost daily. A question may elicit a candid response, misdirection, falsehood or attack — you never know what’s coming.
Trump has reacted to questions by Alcindor, Collins and Jiang by calling them nasty or racist, and effectively telling the journalists to pipe down.
“How do you call out what’s happening without making yourself the story, and refocus on what the public policy should be?” said Jessica Yellin, a former CNN White House reporter who now does a daily Instagram newcast. “It’s incredibly challenging. They’re showing us how it’s done and figuring it out at the same time.”
The unexpected cooperation came during an outdoor news conference when Jiang, of CBS News, asked Trump why his claims that the United States tested more than any country mattered at a time people were dying of COVID-19.
Trump said that “maybe that’s a question you should ask China. Don’t ask me. Ask China that question.”
He looked to move on but CNN’s Collins, in line to ask the next question, let the exchange play out.
Jiang — who was born in Xiamen, China, and emigrated with her family to West Virginia when she was 2 — wondered why the president directed that remark to her. Trump said he would say it to “anyone who asks a nasty question.”
He tried to wave off Collins and motion for the the next questioner — Alcindor. The PBS “NewsHour” correspondent waited as Collins tried to ask a question before Trump, apparently frustrated, called an end to the news conference.
Jiang later tweeted thanks to both Collins and Alcindor.
It was a good example — not always common — of reporters working together to prevent a president from dodging a question, said Lynne Adrine, a former Washington news producer and now professor for Syracuse University.
Not everyone has the same perspective.
Jiang was criticized for “grandstanding” and insinuating that Trump’s response to her question was racist. “Only a partisan hack could interpret Trump’s response as racist,” Kylee Zempel wrote in The Federalist. “The president routinely shuts down reporters who ask bogus questions, as he should.”
Two years earlier, when Alcindor asked Trump about nationalism, the president labeled the question racist. More recently, he objected during a coronavirus briefing when she prefaced a question about ventilators and masks by noting that he had said some governors didn’t actually need equipment that they requested.
When he denied having said it, Alcindor said she quoted him from an interview with Fox’s Sean Hannity.
Trump said she should be more positive. Alcindor tried again to ask her question.
“Excuse me, you didn’t hear me,” Trump said. “That’s why you used to work for the (New York) Times and now you work for somebody else. Look, let me tell you something. Be nice. Don’t be threatening.”
She proceeded to ask her question.
Alcindor, who, like the other White House reporters was not made available to the AP for an interview, later noted that she wasn’t the first human being, woman, black person or journalist who’d been told to be nice and not threatening.
Alcindor’s roots are in print journalism, and she covered Trump’s campaign for The New York Times. She joined PBS in 2018.
“It should never be about me,” she said on “Pod Save America” earlier this year, “because I’m so focused on all the people in this country who will never see the White House, who will never get to speak to the president. And they deserve me to be professional and not lose my cool and to be so focused on the truth that I’m not wavering on anything else that goes on around me.”
CNN’s Collins pressed forward like an automaton in a recent exchange with Trump about a whistleblower’s accusations. She completed her question on the fifth try despite Trump’s attempt to stop her. “CNN is fake news. Don’t talk to me,” he said.
“I watch them and I say, ‘these women are smart and they’re stoic, and they’re asking questions that the public wants answers to,’” said Jill Geisler, a professor on media and leadership at Loyola University in Chicago. “They’re not there to start a scene.”
Collins, who came to CNN from the conservative website Daily Caller in 2017, has been tested repeatedly. The administration barred her from an outdoor news conference in 2018 and last month to force her into a seat in the back of the White House briefing room. She wouldn’t budge.
This week she responded to Trump’s critical retweet of a video that showed her removing a mask while leaving a news briefing by tweeting, “Nearly 90,000 Americans have been killed by coronavirus, and the president is tweeting about me pulling my mask down for six seconds.”
A response that attacks rather than defends is dangerous, however. Taking the bait - and becoming known for hostile exchanges with a president - can make a reporter a hero to some and a less effective showboater to others.
“There’s something unique about the way television reporters try to create moments that they can use on the air,” said Trump’s first press secretary, Sean Spicer. “You don’t see this problem with print reporters because, generally speaking, they’re not going to get on the air.”
He senses reporters trying to prove themselves to colleagues.
“A reporter’s job is to get information and to hold people accountable,” Spicer said. “They don’t have to be jackasses about it.”
Trump’s current press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, did not respond to a request for comment.
“It’s a reporter’s job to do what they need to do get answers and it’s a president’s job to try and remain above the fray if he wants to deliver his message,” said Nedra Pickler, a former White House correspondent for The Associated Press. “This president doesn’t live by those rules.”
Jiang, Collins and Alcindor aren’t the only reporters to tangle with Trump. CNN’s Jim Acosta has turned his experiences into a book. Some believe Trump is particularly angered by tough questions from women and minorities. Spicer disagrees, noting Trump’s respect for Maggie Haberman of The New York Times.
“The president is a fighter,” Jiang told Syracuse University students recently. “Certain reporters I think get under his skin more than others, and you just have to be aware that you could be one of those that day.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Allen West injured in motorcycle crash

Allen West injured in motorcycle crash

WACO , Texas — Former U.S. Rep. Allen West of Florida was injured in a motorcycle crash Saturday in Texas @ @ @ @ @ in stable condition after having been airlifted to a hospital , according to a Saturday @ @ @ @ @ s Facebook page .
The Facebook post said West was on his motorcycle when a @ @ @ @ @ causing him to collide with another motorcyclist .
West ’ s wife , Angela Graham-West @ @ @ @ @ that the crash occurred outside Waco .
The Dallas Morning News reported that West attended @ @ @ @ @ the Texas Capitol that was focused on reopening the state amid the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ told the newspaper West got in the accident on the way back from the rally @ @ @ @ @ , moved from Florida to Texas after leaving Congress in 2013 .
He served one @ @ @ @ @ then-President Barack Obama ’ s impeachment .
West is running for chair of the Republican @ @ @ @

WACO, Texas — Former U.S. Rep. Allen West of Florida was injured in a motorcycle crash Saturday in Texas.
The former congressman was in stable condition after having been airlifted to a hospital, according to a Saturday night post on West’s Facebook page.
The Facebook post said West was on his motorcycle when a car cut him off, causing him to collide with another motorcyclist.
West’s wife, Angela Graham-West, earlier wrote on Facebook that the crash occurred outside Waco.
The Dallas Morning News reported that West attended a rally Saturday morning at the Texas Capitol that was focused on reopening the state amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Former state Sen. Don Huffines told the newspaper West got in the accident on the way back from the rally.
West, a Republican, moved from Florida to Texas after leaving Congress in 2013. He served one term and once called for then-President Barack Obama’s impeachment.
West is running for chair of the Republican Party of Texas.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Eddie Sutton dies at 84

Eddie Sutton dies at 84

Eddie Sutton waited so long to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame .
He couldn ’ t hang on long enough to make it to the ceremony .
The man who led three teams to the Final Four and was the first coach to take four schools to the NCAA Tournament , died Saturday .
He was 84 .
Sutton ’ s family said in a statement he died of natural causes at home in the Tulsa , Oklahoma , area , surrounded by his three sons and their families .
His wife , Patsy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mom treated their players like family and always shared the belief that his teachings went beyond the basketball court , ” the family wrote .
“ He cherished the time he spent at every school and appreciated the support of their loyal fans .
He believed they deserved so much credit in the success of his programs.
” Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on April 3 , Sutton fell short as a finalist six times before finally being selected .
He had said he believed that a scandal that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the culprit for his lengthy wait .
The NCAA announced 18 allegations against the program in 1988 , and he resigned in 1989 .
He certainly had a worthy resume .
He was 806-328 in 37 seasons as a Division I head coach - not counting vacated victories or forfeited games — and made it to 25 NCAA Tournaments .
He led Final Four squads at Arkansas in 1978 and Oklahoma State in 1995 and 2004 .
He took Creighton , Arkansas , Kentucky and Oklahoma State to the NCAA Tournament .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1978 at Arkansas and in 1986 at Kentucky .
Former Kentucky star Rex Chapman appreciated his time under Sutton .
“ Eddie Sutton was a fascinating and complicated person , ” Chapman wrote in a tweet .
“ He also was an unbelievable teacher of the game of basketball .
I was fortunate and lucky to have learned from him .
Grateful.
” Sutton ’ s retirement at Oklahoma State in 2006 came roughly three months after he took a medical leave following a traffic accident that resulted in charges of aggravated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong side of the road .
He pleaded no contest to the charges , received a one-year deferred sentence and was ordered to pay a fine .
Through it all , he remained wildly popular at Oklahoma State , often attending games while confined to a wheelchair .
He would receive loud cheers as the camera panned to him and Aloe Blacc ’ s “ The Man ” played over the sound system .
“ Oklahoma State University is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Eddie Sutton , ” Oklahoma State president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A Hall of Fame Coach with more than 800 wins , he revived our historic basketball program and will always be revered and loved by the Cowboy family .
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Sutton family.
” Even rivals had the highest respect for Sutton .
“ Seems like just a few days ago we were celebrating the news that Coach Eddie Sutton had been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame , ” Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a Tweet .
“ Now this very sad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had a chance to get to know him & his family .
Thinking about Steve , Sean & Scott .
RIP Coach.
” Sutton was born in Bucklin , Kansas , in 1936 .
He played at Oklahoma State under Hall of Fame coach Henry Iba , then stayed there to begin his coaching career as an assistant under Iba in 1958 .
Sutton got his first Division I head coaching job at Creighton .
He led the Bluejays to an 82-50 mark in five seasons from 1969 to 1974 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Razorbacks went 17-9 and 19-9 before beginning a nine-year stretch of 20-win seasons .
He finished his run in Fayetteville nine straight trips to the NCAA basketball tournament .
His 1978 Final Four squad featured versatile stars Sidney Moncrief , Marvin Delph and Ron Brewer .
Sutton left his mark at Arkansas - the practice gym there is named for him .
Former President Bill Clinton , who was the governor of Arkansas for part of Sutton ’ s run there , once sent a video message for a ceremony honoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Your time as coach was a defining era in Razorback basketball , ” Clinton said .
“ You put our program on the map .
You helped mold a generation of student-athletes into winners on the court and after they left .
You made us think we could win again.
” Sutton moved on and replaced Joe B .
Hall at Kentucky in 1985 .
While there , he compiled a 90-40 record , including two Southeastern Conference titles .
But he slumped at the end , and his program endured NCAA scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2006 .
The Cowboys reached the Sweet Sixteen his first two seasons as head coach .
In 1995 , Bryant Reeves and Randy Rutherford led the Cowboys to the 1995 NCAA Final Four .
The Cowboys made it back to the Final Four in 2004 , with Tony Allen and Joey Graham leading the way .
Sutton ’ s final coaching stint came in 2007-08 as interim coach at San Francisco , where he earned his 800th win .

Eddie Sutton waited so long to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He couldn’t hang on long enough to make it to the ceremony.
The man who led three teams to the Final Four and was the first coach to take four schools to the NCAA Tournament, died Saturday. He was 84.
Sutton’s family said in a statement he died of natural causes at home in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area, surrounded by his three sons and their families. His wife, Patsy, died in 2013.
“Dad and Mom treated their players like family and always shared the belief that his teachings went beyond the basketball court,” the family wrote. “He cherished the time he spent at every school and appreciated the support of their loyal fans. He believed they deserved so much credit in the success of his programs.”
Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on April 3, Sutton fell short as a finalist six times before finally being selected. He had said he believed that a scandal that ended his stint at Kentucky was likely the culprit for his lengthy wait. The NCAA announced 18 allegations against the program in 1988, and he resigned in 1989.
He certainly had a worthy resume. He was 806-328 in 37 seasons as a Division I head coach - not counting vacated victories or forfeited games — and made it to 25 NCAA Tournaments. He led Final Four squads at Arkansas in 1978 and Oklahoma State in 1995 and 2004. He took Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma State to the NCAA Tournament. He was Associated Press Coach of the Year in 1978 at Arkansas and in 1986 at Kentucky.
Former Kentucky star Rex Chapman appreciated his time under Sutton.
“Eddie Sutton was a fascinating and complicated person,” Chapman wrote in a tweet. “He also was an unbelievable teacher of the game of basketball. I was fortunate and lucky to have learned from him. Grateful.”
Sutton’s retirement at Oklahoma State in 2006 came roughly three months after he took a medical leave following a traffic accident that resulted in charges of aggravated DUI, speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road. He pleaded no contest to the charges, received a one-year deferred sentence and was ordered to pay a fine.
Through it all, he remained wildly popular at Oklahoma State, often attending games while confined to a wheelchair. He would receive loud cheers as the camera panned to him and Aloe Blacc’s “The Man” played over the sound system.
“Oklahoma State University is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Eddie Sutton,” Oklahoma State president Burns Hargis said in a statement. “A Hall of Fame Coach with more than 800 wins, he revived our historic basketball program and will always be revered and loved by the Cowboy family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Sutton family.”
Even rivals had the highest respect for Sutton.
“Seems like just a few days ago we were celebrating the news that Coach Eddie Sutton had been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame,” Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a Tweet. “Now this very sad news of his passing. So grateful I had a chance to get to know him & his family. Thinking about Steve, Sean & Scott. RIP Coach.”
Sutton was born in Bucklin, Kansas, in 1936. He played at Oklahoma State under Hall of Fame coach Henry Iba, then stayed there to begin his coaching career as an assistant under Iba in 1958.
Sutton got his first Division I head coaching job at Creighton. He led the Bluejays to an 82-50 mark in five seasons from 1969 to 1974.
He took over at Arkansas in 1975, and the Razorbacks went 17-9 and 19-9 before beginning a nine-year stretch of 20-win seasons. He finished his run in Fayetteville nine straight trips to the NCAA basketball tournament. His 1978 Final Four squad featured versatile stars Sidney Moncrief, Marvin Delph and Ron Brewer.
Sutton left his mark at Arkansas - the practice gym there is named for him. Former President Bill Clinton, who was the governor of Arkansas for part of Sutton’s run there, once sent a video message for a ceremony honoring Sutton at Arkansas in 2016.
“Your time as coach was a defining era in Razorback basketball,” Clinton said. “You put our program on the map. You helped mold a generation of student-athletes into winners on the court and after they left. You made us think we could win again.”
Sutton moved on and replaced Joe B. Hall at Kentucky in 1985. While there, he compiled a 90-40 record, including two Southeastern Conference titles. But he slumped at the end, and his program endured NCAA scrutiny.
He led Oklahoma State from 1991 to 2006. The Cowboys reached the Sweet Sixteen his first two seasons as head coach. In 1995, Bryant Reeves and Randy Rutherford led the Cowboys to the 1995 NCAA Final Four. The Cowboys made it back to the Final Four in 2004, with Tony Allen and Joey Graham leading the way.
Sutton’s final coaching stint came in 2007-08 as interim coach at San Francisco, where he earned his 800th win.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Wang Yanyi, Wuhan Institute of Virology director, rejects coronavirus leak claims

NEW YORK — Claims promoted by the Trump administration that the global coronavirus pandemic originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in the central Chinese city are a “ pure fabrication , ” the institute ’ s director said .
Wang Yanyi was quoted by state media Sunday as saying the institute did not have “ any knowledge before that nor had we ever met , researched or kept the virus … We didn ’ t even know about the existence of the virus , so how could it be leaked from our lab when we didn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have repeatedly said they suspect the virus that was first detected in Wuhan was somehow released from the laboratory .
Most scientists say the pathogen that has infected 5.3 million and killed more than 342,000 , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University , was passed from bats to humans via an intermediary species likely sold at a wet market in Wuhan late last year .
The virus ’ toll continued to ebb in Asia and other parts of the world , with China on Sunday reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people remaining in treatment for COVID-19 .
The New York Times devoted Sunday ’ s entire front page to a long list of names of people who have died in the pandemic .
The names and brief descriptions culled from obituaries from around the country fill six columns under the headline “ U.S .
Deaths Near 100,000 , an Incalculable Loss.
” “ They Were Not Simply Names on a List .
They Were Us , ” read the subheadline .
In Australia , officials said 6 million residents have downloaded a mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infections .
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the COVIDSafe app is playing a strong role in Australia ’ s response to the disease .
The U.S. is continuing a cautious state-by-state reopening.A pasta company in Spokane , Washington , announced there was an outbreak at its plant , while the Alaska Baseball League canceled its summer season .
The five-team league is made up of college players from mostly the Lower 48 but also from places as far away as Taiwan .
Trump played golf at one of his courses Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged U.S. states to relax their lockdowns .
Yet many Americans remained cautious as the number of confirmed cases nationwide passed 1.6 million .
In California , where many businesses and recreational activities are reopening , officials in Los Angeles County said they would maintain tight restrictions until July 4 .
Statewide , New York reported its lowest number of daily coronavirus deaths - 84 - in many weeks in what Gov .
Andrew Cuomo described as a critical benchmark .
The daily death tally peaked at 799 on April 8 .
Parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with some restaurants and businesses opening for the first time in over two months .
Some remained closed , especially in the French Quarter , which relies largely on tourist dollars .
Many governments are easing restrictions as they face a political backlash and historic economic recessions .
Turkey , which has recorded over 155,000 infections , imposed its toughest lockdown measures yet for the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan .
Yemen ’ s Houthi rebels urged believers to use masks and stay inside , as authorities try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by multigenerational feasting and collective prayer .
In Germany , which has drawn praise for its handling of the virus , seven people appear to have been infected at a restaurant in the northwest of the country .
It would be the first such known case since restaurants started reopening two weeks ago .
And in Frankfurt , more than 40 people tested positive after a church service of the Evangelical Christian Baptist congregation May 10 .
A church leader said the congregation has canceled gatherings and is now holding services online .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his base ahead of November ’ s election , Trump on Friday called houses of worship “ essential ” and urged governors to let them reopen this weekend .
However , leaders of many denominations said they plan to move gradually and cautiously .
France allowed in-person services to resume Saturday after a legal challenge to a ban on gatherings in places of worship .
One of the world ’ s major pilgrimage sites is reopening Sunday : the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem , built on the site where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and resurrected .
Latin America is the latest epicenter of the virus , and experts note the limitations of government action in a region where millions have informal jobs and many police forces are unable to enforce restrictions .
Brazil and Mexico reported record numbers of infections and deaths almost daily this week , fueling criticism of their presidents for limited lockdowns .
But infections also rose and intensive care units were swamped in Peru , Chile and Ecuador , all lauded for imposing early and aggressive business shutdowns and quarantines .
Concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases showed another record jump Saturday , topping 6,000 for a second consecutive day as a two-month lockdown has eased .
While some countries are facing a second wave of infections , badly hit Russia is still struggling with its first and reported more than 9,000 new cases Saturday .
Forliti reported from Minneapolis , and Moulson from Berlin .
Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report .

NEW YORK — Claims promoted by the Trump administration that the global coronavirus pandemic originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in the central Chinese city are a “pure fabrication,” the institute’s director said.
Wang Yanyi was quoted by state media Sunday as saying the institute did not have “any knowledge before that nor had we ever met, researched or kept the virus … We didn’t even know about the existence of the virus, so how could it be leaked from our lab when we didn’t have it?”
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have repeatedly said they suspect the virus that was first detected in Wuhan was somehow released from the laboratory.
Most scientists say the pathogen that has infected 5.3 million and killed more than 342,000, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, was passed from bats to humans via an intermediary species likely sold at a wet market in Wuhan late last year.
The virus’ toll continued to ebb in Asia and other parts of the world, with China on Sunday reporting three new confirmed cases and just 79 people remaining in treatment for COVID-19.
The New York Times devoted Sunday’s entire front page to a long list of names of people who have died in the pandemic.
The names and brief descriptions culled from obituaries from around the country fill six columns under the headline “U.S. Deaths Near 100,000, an Incalculable Loss.”
“They Were Not Simply Names on a List. They Were Us,” read the subheadline.
In Australia, officials said 6 million residents have downloaded a mobile telephone app that helps health authorities trace coronavirus infections. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the COVIDSafe app is playing a strong role in Australia’s response to the disease.
The U.S. is continuing a cautious state-by-state reopening.A pasta company in Spokane, Washington, announced there was an outbreak at its plant, while the Alaska Baseball League canceled its summer season. The five-team league is made up of college players from mostly the Lower 48 but also from places as far away as Taiwan.
Trump played golf at one of his courses Saturday during the Memorial Day weekend as he urged U.S. states to relax their lockdowns. Yet many Americans remained cautious as the number of confirmed cases nationwide passed 1.6 million.
In California, where many businesses and recreational activities are reopening, officials in Los Angeles County said they would maintain tight restrictions until July 4.
Statewide, New York reported its lowest number of daily coronavirus deaths - 84 - in many weeks in what Gov. Andrew Cuomo described as a critical benchmark. The daily death tally peaked at 799 on April 8.
Parts of New Orleans stirred to back life, with some restaurants and businesses opening for the first time in over two months. Some remained closed, especially in the French Quarter, which relies largely on tourist dollars.
Many governments are easing restrictions as they face a political backlash and historic economic recessions.
Turkey, which has recorded over 155,000 infections, imposed its toughest lockdown measures yet for the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Yemen’s Houthi rebels urged believers to use masks and stay inside, as authorities try to contain infections at a time usually marked by multigenerational feasting and collective prayer.
In Germany, which has drawn praise for its handling of the virus, seven people appear to have been infected at a restaurant in the northwest of the country. It would be the first such known case since restaurants started reopening two weeks ago.
And in Frankfurt, more than 40 people tested positive after a church service of the Evangelical Christian Baptist congregation May 10. A church leader said the congregation has canceled gatherings and is now holding services online.
Mindful of evangelical Christians who are key to his base ahead of November’s election, Trump on Friday called houses of worship “essential” and urged governors to let them reopen this weekend. However, leaders of many denominations said they plan to move gradually and cautiously.
France allowed in-person services to resume Saturday after a legal challenge to a ban on gatherings in places of worship.
One of the world’s major pilgrimage sites is reopening Sunday: the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.
Latin America is the latest epicenter of the virus, and experts note the limitations of government action in a region where millions have informal jobs and many police forces are unable to enforce restrictions.
Brazil and Mexico reported record numbers of infections and deaths almost daily this week, fueling criticism of their presidents for limited lockdowns. But infections also rose and intensive care units were swamped in Peru, Chile and Ecuador, all lauded for imposing early and aggressive business shutdowns and quarantines.
Concerns are rising in India, where new cases showed another record jump Saturday, topping 6,000 for a second consecutive day as a two-month lockdown has eased.
While some countries are facing a second wave of infections, badly hit Russia is still struggling with its first and reported more than 9,000 new cases Saturday.
___
Forliti reported from Minneapolis, and Moulson from Berlin. Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel prime minister, heads to trial on corruption charges

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was heading to court Sunday to face corruption charges in the first criminal trial ever against a sitting Israeli leader .
Netanyahu is set to appear at the opening hearing at a Jerusalem district court , after his request to have his lawyers represent him instead was rejected .
The courthouse is expected to draw crowds of supporters , protesters and media hoping to witness Netanyahu enter the building , where he will hear the arraignment against him .
The dramatic scene comes just days after the long-serving leader swore in his new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of political stalemate following three inconclusive elections .
Netanyahu held his first Cabinet meeting with the new government just hours before heading to court .
Neither he nor any of his ministers addressed the looming trial but the country ’ s outgoing religious affairs minister wished Netanyahu that “ God will bring the truth out ” at his trial .
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud , breach of trust , and accepting bribes in a series of corruption cases stemming from ties to wealthy friends .
He is accused of accepting lavish gifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage of him and his family .
He denies the charges and has lashed out at the media , police , prosecution and courts of forging a conspiracy to oust him .
It comes after years of scandals swirling around the family .
Netanyahu and his allies have spent months lashing out the country ’ s law enforcement system , and the charges against him have deeply divided the nation .
Police were preparing for potential demonstrations in support of and against the prime minister outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Netanyahu ’ s Likud party ministers , including the newly appointed internal security minister who overseas the police , said they would arrive to back him .
Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused them of fomenting violence and trying to intimidate the judges .
“ Netanyahu is trying to drag us into a civil war to save himself from trial , ” he told the YNet website .
Netanyahu ’ s court appearance Sunday caps a three-year investigation .
It also comes after more than a year of political turmoil , with three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referendum on Netanyahu - finally ending last month when the Israeli leader and his main rival , former army chief Benny Gantz , came to a power-sharing deal .
As part of their power-sharing deal , Netanyahu will remain prime minister for the next 18 months , and alternative prime minister for the 18 months after , and will not be legally required to step down during what is expected to be a lengthy trial .
Netanyahu ’ s proceedings were supposed to begin in March , but were delayed by his justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the coronavirus crisis .

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was heading to court Sunday to face corruption charges in the first criminal trial ever against a sitting Israeli leader.
Netanyahu is set to appear at the opening hearing at a Jerusalem district court, after his request to have his lawyers represent him instead was rejected. The courthouse is expected to draw crowds of supporters, protesters and media hoping to witness Netanyahu enter the building, where he will hear the arraignment against him.
The dramatic scene comes just days after the long-serving leader swore in his new government, breaking more than a year of political stalemate following three inconclusive elections.
Netanyahu held his first Cabinet meeting with the new government just hours before heading to court. Neither he nor any of his ministers addressed the looming trial but the country’s outgoing religious affairs minister wished Netanyahu that “God will bring the truth out” at his trial.
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in a series of corruption cases stemming from ties to wealthy friends. He is accused of accepting lavish gifts and offering to grant favors to powerful media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage of him and his family. He denies the charges and has lashed out at the media, police, prosecution and courts of forging a conspiracy to oust him. It comes after years of scandals swirling around the family.
Netanyahu and his allies have spent months lashing out the country’s law enforcement system, and the charges against him have deeply divided the nation. Police were preparing for potential demonstrations in support of and against the prime minister outside the District Court in east Jerusalem. Several of Netanyahu’s Likud party ministers, including the newly appointed internal security minister who overseas the police, said they would arrive to back him.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused them of fomenting violence and trying to intimidate the judges. “Netanyahu is trying to drag us into a civil war to save himself from trial,” he told the YNet website.
Netanyahu’s court appearance Sunday caps a three-year investigation. It also comes after more than a year of political turmoil, with three inconclusive elections - each seen as a referendum on Netanyahu - finally ending last month when the Israeli leader and his main rival, former army chief Benny Gantz, came to a power-sharing deal.
As part of their power-sharing deal, Netanyahu will remain prime minister for the next 18 months, and alternative prime minister for the 18 months after, and will not be legally required to step down during what is expected to be a lengthy trial.
Netanyahu’s proceedings were supposed to begin in March, but were delayed by his justice minister who issued restrictions on the courts amid the coronavirus crisis.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Desperate Indian girl bikes 745 miles home with disabled dad

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - From her village in eastern India , 15-year-old Jyoti Kumari reflected on her desperate 1,200-kilometer ( 945-mile ) bicycle journey home with her disabled father that has drawn international praise .
“ I had no other option , ” she said Sunday .
“ We wouldn ’ t have survived if I hadn ’ t cycled to my village.
” Kumari said that she and her father risked starvation had they stayed in Gurugram , a suburb of New Delhi , with no income amid India ’ s coronavirus lockdown .
Her father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unable to walk , had earned a living by driving an auto rickshaw .
But with all nonessential travel banned , he found himself among millions of newly unemployed .
Their landlord demanded rent they couldn ’ t pay and threatened to evict them , Kumari said .
So she decided to buy a bicycle and , like thousands of other Indian migrant workers have done since March , make her way home .
As the temperature climbed , Kumari pedaled for 10 days , with her father riding on the back of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food and water given by strangers , and only once did Kumari give her legs a break with a short lift on a truck .
The daughter and father arrived in Darbhanga , their village in Bihar state , more than a week ago , reuniting with Kumari ’ s mother and brother-in-law , who ’ d left the capital region after the lockdown was imposed on March 25 .
Kumari , an eighth-grade student who moved from the village to Gurugram in January to take care of her dad , stayed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still exhausted from the trip .
“ It was a difficult journey , ” she said .
“ The weather was too hot , but we had no choice .
I had only one aim in my mind , and that was to reach home.
” Upon their arrival , village officials placed Kumari ’ s father in a quarantine center , a policy many state and local governments in India have implemented to try to keep returning migrants from spreading the coronavirus .
They are now all quarantining at home .
India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have staved off an immediate spike in virus cases , buying the country time to build up reserves of medical supplies and expand intensive care unit capacity .
India has confirmed 125,102 cases , including 3,867 deaths .
But the lockdown triggered a humanitarian crisis , with thousands of poor people heading back to distant villages on foot , carrying the elderly on shoulders and with small children slumped over rolling suitcases .
Dozens of people have died on the way , struck by trains or trucks , from hunger or suicide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s lifeline , was closed to passenger service as part of the lockdown .
Buses , planes and taxis were also banned .
But earlier this month , the government resumed limited train travel for migrants wishing to return home .
For India ’ s economy , mostly composed of informal sector jobs , the lockdown has been crippling .
The government has been easing restrictions in recent weeks to allow more people to go back to work .
Kumari heard about the special trains , but her father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been able to reach the railway platform .
So she decided they would bike .
Kumari ’ s journey caught the attention of the Cycling Federation of India .
The racing body , which sends teams to the Olympics , has offered to bring her back to New Delhi by train for a tryout next month .
It also resonated in Washington , with President Donald Trump ’ s daughter Ivanka Trump calling it “ a beautiful feat of endurance and love ” on Twitter .
Kumari said that while she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t cycled her father home in pursuit of fame .
“ It was a decision taken in desperation , ” she said .

NEW DELHI (AP) - From her village in eastern India, 15-year-old Jyoti Kumari reflected on her desperate 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) bicycle journey home with her disabled father that has drawn international praise.
“I had no other option,” she said Sunday. “We wouldn’t have survived if I hadn’t cycled to my village.”
Kumari said that she and her father risked starvation had they stayed in Gurugram, a suburb of New Delhi, with no income amid India’s coronavirus lockdown.
Her father, whose injury in an accident left him unable to walk, had earned a living by driving an auto rickshaw. But with all nonessential travel banned, he found himself among millions of newly unemployed. Their landlord demanded rent they couldn’t pay and threatened to evict them, Kumari said.
So she decided to buy a bicycle and, like thousands of other Indian migrant workers have done since March, make her way home.
As the temperature climbed, Kumari pedaled for 10 days, with her father riding on the back of the hot-pink bike. They survived on food and water given by strangers, and only once did Kumari give her legs a break with a short lift on a truck.
The daughter and father arrived in Darbhanga, their village in Bihar state, more than a week ago, reuniting with Kumari’s mother and brother-in-law, who’d left the capital region after the lockdown was imposed on March 25. Kumari, an eighth-grade student who moved from the village to Gurugram in January to take care of her dad, stayed on.
She said Sunday that she was still exhausted from the trip.
“It was a difficult journey,” she said. “The weather was too hot, but we had no choice. I had only one aim in my mind, and that was to reach home.”
Upon their arrival, village officials placed Kumari’s father in a quarantine center, a policy many state and local governments in India have implemented to try to keep returning migrants from spreading the coronavirus. They are now all quarantining at home.
India’s ongoing two-month lockdown appears to have staved off an immediate spike in virus cases, buying the country time to build up reserves of medical supplies and expand intensive care unit capacity. India has confirmed 125,102 cases, including 3,867 deaths.
But the lockdown triggered a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of poor people heading back to distant villages on foot, carrying the elderly on shoulders and with small children slumped over rolling suitcases. Dozens of people have died on the way, struck by trains or trucks, from hunger or suicide.
India’s expansive railway system, the country’s lifeline, was closed to passenger service as part of the lockdown. Buses, planes and taxis were also banned. But earlier this month, the government resumed limited train travel for migrants wishing to return home.
For India’s economy, mostly composed of informal sector jobs, the lockdown has been crippling. The government has been easing restrictions in recent weeks to allow more people to go back to work.
Kumari heard about the special trains, but her father, unable to walk, wouldn’t have been able to reach the railway platform. So she decided they would bike.
Kumari’s journey caught the attention of the Cycling Federation of India. The racing body, which sends teams to the Olympics, has offered to bring her back to New Delhi by train for a tryout next month. It also resonated in Washington, with President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump calling it “a beautiful feat of endurance and love” on Twitter.
Kumari said that while she was happy with the recognition, she hadn’t cycled her father home in pursuit of fame.
“It was a decision taken in desperation,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--No timeouts in rodeo: A few still planned despite pandemic

GRANGEVILLE , Idaho ( AP ) - Even though scores of rodeos across the country are canceling or postponing this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic , organizers of the White Bird Rodeo and Grangeville ’ s Border Days Rodeo say the show must go on .
White Bird organizers are planning to adhere to their slogan - “ Let ’ er rip ” - and stage their event June 19 and 20 at the rodeo grounds along the Salmon River .
That will be followed by the three-day Border Days Rodeo and Celebration on July 2-4 .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had around 100 ( contestants ) , ” Monty Baker , one of the organizers of the White Bird Rodeo , told The Lewiston Tribune .
“ This year , I ’ m thinking we ’ re probably going to double that with the responses we ’ ve been hearing.
” “ There ’ s no way to really nail that down , but in my mind , I think it ’ s going to be huge , ” Arnzen said of the expected cowboy turnout at the rodeo .
“ Oregon is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of Washington ) and ( cowboys ) don ’ t have anywhere to go .
The ( Idaho Cowboys Association ) has had a large amount of people asking them what rodeos are on in Idaho so they could plan on where they could go.
” Matt Askew , president of the Idaho Cowboys Association , said this rodeo season is still far from settled , but it ’ s likely events will be few and far between .
“ Nobody knows right now what rodeo ’ s going to look like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( National Pro-Rodeo Association ) for Oregon canceled all their shows and Washington has lost a lot as well .
The ICA is the only pro-rodeo sanctioning association holding rodeos ( in this region ) .
… We had fielded more calls from contestants across the board and we definitely see Grangeville and White Bird having the biggest shows they ’ ve ever had.
” The ICA-sponsored rodeos expect to draw a lot of professional cowboys this summer who don ’ t have anyplace else to go , he said , even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rodeos are small compared to the bigger professional rodeos .
“ Cowboys income - that ’ s a Catch-22 , ” Asker said .
“ I ’ ve fielded a lot of calls from some pro-rodeo guys and that ’ s how they make a living .
So they ’ re looking at coming to the ICA and they ’ re just going to have to make up a lot of money working at ranches and other jobs to fill in.
” Pam Queen of the International Professional Rodeo Association said the loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rodeoing during the summer “ is going to be devastating , especially for someone that ’ s a full time rodeo cowboy .
It ’ s just going to be devastating.
” Askew said he has made recommendations about how rodeo committees prepare for sanitization and social distancing protocols but because most of the rodeo grounds in the ICA are county- or city-owned , the government authorities are the main ones to set the standards .
“ Our recommendation falls into line with Gov .
( Brad ) Little ’ s stages , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Askew said .
“ I am telling committees I would like to see money handlers and secretaries in the offices wearing latex gloves and masks and providing more hand sanitizing stations than they ’ re used to .
Everybody calls it the new normal - I hate that term , but that ’ s the way it is .
We ’ re putting out our recommendations , but also if you ’ re a city or county facility , you ’ re going to have to follow their recommendations.
” Baker at White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing will be a problem at the rodeo grounds .
The rodeo is the only event that will be held there this year after the White Bird City Council voted earlier this month to cancel the adjoining White Bird Days celebration .
There also won ’ t be a parade to go along with the rodeo .
“ There ’ s plenty of room to move around out there , ” Baker said of the rodeo grounds .
“ We ’ ll have sanitizers around the office , but the food booths - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said the rodeo organizers will take what precautions they can , but in reality there ’ s not much they can do .
Besides the rodeo arena that seats about 3,000 people , there will also be the much-anticipated street sports and Super Egg Toss , which traditionally draws more than a thousand people each of the three days along Grangeville ’ s Main Street .
“ There might be a possibility we only have one parade instead of three , and for the street sports , that ’ s mainly kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re working on that now but it ’ s easy to stay far apart .
There ’ s a lot of room down there .
We hate to not have that because it ’ s a big deal for people.
” At the arena , he said , “ it ’ s pretty hard to stay 6 feet apart and people aren ’ t going to do it , no matter what you do .
They ’ re going to sit on top of each other , and to me that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why we live in America .
If that makes you nervous , don ’ t go .
It ’ s as simple as that .
But I think it ’ s going to be a big deal .
A large number of people will go .
They ’ re tired of this thing and it ’ s a personal choice .
”

GRANGEVILLE, Idaho (AP) - Even though scores of rodeos across the country are canceling or postponing this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers of the White Bird Rodeo and Grangeville’s Border Days Rodeo say the show must go on.
White Bird organizers are planning to adhere to their slogan - “Let ’er rip” - and stage their event June 19 and 20 at the rodeo grounds along the Salmon River. That will be followed by the three-day Border Days Rodeo and Celebration on July 2-4.
“The last few years, we’ve had around 100 (contestants),” Monty Baker, one of the organizers of the White Bird Rodeo, told The Lewiston Tribune. “This year, I’m thinking we’re probably going to double that with the responses we’ve been hearing.”
Brad Arnzen, spokesman for the Border Days committee, agreed.
“There’s no way to really nail that down, but in my mind, I think it’s going to be huge,” Arnzen said of the expected cowboy turnout at the rodeo. “Oregon is completely shut down (as well as most of Washington) and (cowboys) don’t have anywhere to go. The (Idaho Cowboys Association) has had a large amount of people asking them what rodeos are on in Idaho so they could plan on where they could go.”
Matt Askew, president of the Idaho Cowboys Association, said this rodeo season is still far from settled, but it’s likely events will be few and far between.
“Nobody knows right now what rodeo’s going to look like,” he said. “The (National Pro-Rodeo Association) for Oregon canceled all their shows and Washington has lost a lot as well. The ICA is the only pro-rodeo sanctioning association holding rodeos (in this region). … We had fielded more calls from contestants across the board and we definitely see Grangeville and White Bird having the biggest shows they’ve ever had.”
The ICA-sponsored rodeos expect to draw a lot of professional cowboys this summer who don’t have anyplace else to go, he said, even though the added purses in most of these rodeos are small compared to the bigger professional rodeos.
“Cowboys income - that’s a Catch-22,” Asker said. “I’ve fielded a lot of calls from some pro-rodeo guys and that’s how they make a living. So they’re looking at coming to the ICA and they’re just going to have to make up a lot of money working at ranches and other jobs to fill in.”
Pam Queen of the International Professional Rodeo Association said the loss of income to cowboys who depend on rodeoing during the summer “is going to be devastating, especially for someone that’s a full time rodeo cowboy. It’s just going to be devastating.”
Askew said he has made recommendations about how rodeo committees prepare for sanitization and social distancing protocols but because most of the rodeo grounds in the ICA are county- or city-owned, the government authorities are the main ones to set the standards.
“Our recommendation falls into line with Gov. (Brad) Little’s stages, as far as social distancing,” Askew said. “I am telling committees I would like to see money handlers and secretaries in the offices wearing latex gloves and masks and providing more hand sanitizing stations than they’re used to. Everybody calls it the new normal - I hate that term, but that’s the way it is. We’re putting out our recommendations, but also if you’re a city or county facility, you’re going to have to follow their recommendations.”
Baker at White Bird said he does not believe social distancing will be a problem at the rodeo grounds. The rodeo is the only event that will be held there this year after the White Bird City Council voted earlier this month to cancel the adjoining White Bird Days celebration. There also won’t be a parade to go along with the rodeo.
“There’s plenty of room to move around out there,” Baker said of the rodeo grounds. “We’ll have sanitizers around the office, but the food booths - I don’t know.”
Arnzen also said the rodeo organizers will take what precautions they can, but in reality there’s not much they can do. Besides the rodeo arena that seats about 3,000 people, there will also be the much-anticipated street sports and Super Egg Toss, which traditionally draws more than a thousand people each of the three days along Grangeville’s Main Street.
“There might be a possibility we only have one parade instead of three, and for the street sports, that’s mainly kids,” Arnzen said. “We’re working on that now but it’s easy to stay far apart. There’s a lot of room down there. We hate to not have that because it’s a big deal for people.”
At the arena, he said, “it’s pretty hard to stay 6 feet apart and people aren’t going to do it, no matter what you do. They’re going to sit on top of each other, and to me that’s a personal choice That’s why we live in America. If that makes you nervous, don’t go. It’s as simple as that. But I think it’s going to be a big deal. A large number of people will go. They’re tired of this thing and it’s a personal choice.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Netanyahu heads to court as 1st sitting Israeli PM on trial

JERUSALEM ( AP ) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was heading to court Sunday to face corruption charges in the first criminal trial ever against a sitting Israeli leader .
Netanyahu is set to appear at the opening hearing at a Jerusalem district court , after his request to have his lawyers represent him instead was rejected .
The courthouse was drawing crowds of supporters , protesters and media hoping to witness Netanyahu enter the building , where he will hear the arraignment against him .
The dramatic scene comes just days after the long-serving leader swore in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year of political stalemate following three inconclusive elections .
Netanyahu held his first Cabinet meeting with the new government just hours before heading to court .
Neither he nor any of his ministers addressed the looming trial but the country ’ s outgoing religious affairs minister wished Netanyahu that “ God will bring the truth out ” at his trial .
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud , breach of trust , and accepting bribes in a series of corruption cases stemming from ties to wealthy friends .
He is accused of accepting lavish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage of him and his family .
He denies the charges and has lashed out at the media , police , prosecution and courts of forging a conspiracy to oust him .
It comes after years of scandals swirling around the family .
Netanyahu and his allies have spent months lashing out the country ’ s law enforcement system , and the charges against him have deeply divided the nation .
Ahead of the trial , two sets of protests and counter-protests gathered outside the courthouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residence in Jerusalem .
Dozens of Netanyahu supporters outside the District Court in east Jerusalem wore masks with the prime minister ’ s face and held posters lambasting the attorney general who indicted him .
“ We won ’ t allow an image of Netanyahu being humiliated , ” said Ran Carmi Buzaglo , one of the protesters at the court .
“ The only reason that they forced him to come here , even though the law allows him to be absent , is to show an image of him in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , several hundred anti-Netanyahu demonstrators gathered outside his residence wearing face masks and t-shirts with the words “ crime minister ” and bearing posters calling for his resignation .
They faced off across police barricades with the prime minister ’ s backers .
Several of Netanyahu ’ s Likud party ministers , including the newly appointed internal security minister who overseas the police , said they would arrive to the court to back him .
Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused them of fomenting violence and trying to intimidate the judges .
“ Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil war to save himself from trial , ” he told the YNet website .
Netanyahu ’ s court appearance Sunday caps a three-year investigation .
It also comes after more than a year of political turmoil , with three inconclusive elections - each seen as a referendum on Netanyahu - finally ending last month when the Israeli leader and his main rival , former army chief Benny Gantz , came to a power-sharing deal .
As part of their power-sharing deal , Netanyahu will remain prime minister for the next 18 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 months after , and will not be legally required to step down during what is expected to be a lengthy trial .
Netanyahu ’ s proceedings were supposed to begin in March , but were delayed by his justice minister who issued restrictions on the courts amid the coronavirus crisis .
Associated Press writer Ilan Ben Zion contributed to this report .

JERUSALEM (AP) — To the sounds of his impassioned supporters chanting outside, a defiant Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strode into a Jerusalem courtroom Sunday to face corruption charges in a long-awaited trial that has overshadowed three inconclusive elections and deeply divided the country.
As he entered the courthouse to become the country’s first sitting prime minister to go on trial, Netanyahu launched into a lengthy tirade against the nation’s justice system in which he accused police, prosecutors, judges and the media of a deep state-type conspiracy aimed to oust him against the will of the people.
“I stand before you with a straight back and head raised high,” he said, surrounded by leading Cabinet ministers of his Likud party. “The objective is to depose a strong, right-wing prime minister, and thus remove the nationalist camp from the leadership of the country for many years.”
The standoff, and Netanyahu’s own fiery rhetoric, looked to worsen the nation’s deep divisions just after Netanyahu swore in what he called a “unity” government with a former rival. Critics have said Netanyahu’s repeated attacks on the legal system risk irreversible damage to citizens’ faith in state institutions.
Outside the courthouse, hundreds of supporters rallied in his defense, packing a narrow street while waving Israeli flags and banners denouncing what they called a corrupt prosecution seeking to topple a leader of historic proportion. Others gathered at his official residence to demonstrate against what they called a “crime minister” and carried posters calling for his resignation. They faced off across police barricades with more of the prime minister’s backers.
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of corruption cases stemming from ties to wealthy friends. He is accused of accepting lavish gifts and offering to grant favors to powerful media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage of him and his family. He denies the charges, which come after years of scandals swirling around the family.
Netanyahu entered the Jerusalem courtroom wearing a blue surgical mask, following public health restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. He refused to sit until TV cameras left the room, and remained in the front row throughout the session.
During the proceedings, the lawyers and judges also wore masks, with the three-judge panel sitting behind a glass divider. In a hint of what could lie ahead, his lawyer said the defense would need several months to study the hundreds of reams of evidence and to build its legal team.
Netanyahu did not speak during the one-hour session, rising just once to confirm he understood the charges. He will not be required to attend future hearings during a case that legal analysts expect to stretch over several years. The next hearing was scheduled for July 19.
Before the session, Netanyahu said police and prosecutors had conspired “to stitch up” a case against him, and said the evidence was “contaminated” and exaggerated. He called for the court proceedings to be broadcast live on TV to ensure “full transparency.”
“While the media continues to deal with nonsense, with these false, trumped up cases, I will continue to lead the state of Israel and deal with issues that really matter to you,” he said, including efforts to resuscitate the economy and prepare for a possible second wave of the coronavirus.
Netanyahu is not the first prime minister to go on trial. His predecessor, Ehud Olmert, went to prison for corruption but resigned long before the trial.
Netanyahu’s fitness for office was the key issue in the three deadlocked elections over the past year. After vowing never to sit with an indicted prime minister, Netanyahu’s challenger, Benny Gantz, agreed in March to form a power-sharing coalition with his rival, in part to prevent another election.
Gantz, who has made the defense of the legal system one his hallmarks, said he was sure Netanyahu would receive a fair trial.
“I repeat and emphasize that my colleagues and I have full faith in the justice system and law enforcement,” he tweeted.
Their new government was sworn in just last week for Netanyahu’s fourth consecutive term. Netanyahu held his first Cabinet meeting with the new government just hours before heading to court. Neither he nor any of his ministers addressed the looming trial.
Netanyahu and his allies have spent months lashing out at the law enforcement system, and a new round of attacks could test the new government.
Dozens of Netanyahu supporters outside the court in east Jerusalem wore masks and T-shirts depicting Netanyahu as a martyr and held posters lambasting the attorney general who indicted him.
“We won’t allow an image of Netanyahu being humiliated,” said Ran Carmi Buzaglo, one of the protesters. “The only reason that they forced him to come here, even though the law allows him to be absent, is to show an image of him in the defendant’s chair.”
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who recently filed a police complaint following anonymous threats against him, vowed that the case will be handled like any other — “in a professional, business-like manner and within the courtroom halls.”
“We will continue to act without fear, even against the preposterous attempts to associate non-professional interests to law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Several of Netanyahu’s Likud Cabinet ministers, including the newly appointed internal security minister who overseas the police, came to the court to back him.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said that Netanyahu’s “wild and inciteful outburst” at the courthouse was “final proof that a criminal defendant cannot continue to be prime minister.”
In a sign of the tensions, the prosecutor in the case left the courtroom accompanied by a state-issued bodyguard because of threats against her.
Under the coalition deal, Netanyahu will remain prime minister for the next 18 months, and “alternative prime minister” for the 18 months after. He will not be legally required to step down during what is expected to be a lengthy trial.
___
Associated Press writer Ilan Ben Zion contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--In fight against virus, South Africa expects a long wait

JOHANNESBURG ( AP ) - With her winning smile and outgoing nature , Fino Dlamini was a natural to succeed in South Africa ’ s booming tourism industry .
Her bicycle tours of Soweto took visitors to historic sites , including the homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu , and to restaurants where they could meet South Africans .
The tourists and locals would quickly connect over shared interests in sports or TV shows , forming instant bonds that were “ magic , ” she said .
Business was good in January and February , and projections for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then the coronavirus brought everything to an abrupt halt .
Dlamini was confined to her small home under a strict lockdown , with few options for earning money .
Millions of other South Africans share in the same misfortune .
The country with the continent ’ s most developed economy also has its highest number of confirmed infections - more than 21,000 , representing 20 % of Africa ’ s total .
And because the disease may not hit its peak for four more months , leaders expect to spend an especially long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the economic activity essential to the national welfare .
“ We must save lives and livelihoods , ” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said this month an address to the nation .
So far , South Africa has not seen the explosion of virus infections that emerged in Europe .
One possible contributing factor is the country ’ s youthful population , with just 3 % of people above the age of 60 , say several health experts .
Africa ’ s small elderly population may help explain why the disease is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa is still in the early stages of the pandemic , leading health experts to predict the peak could come as late as August or September .
A surge of cases in Cape Town suggests that city might reach its maximum near the end of June .
The forecasts portend a lengthy wait to resume normal activity .
Other African countries appear to be on a similar trajectory .
Forty-three of the continent ’ s 54 nations have imposed containment measures , including lockdowns , bans on public gatherings , school closures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 27 in South Africa is increasing tensions in Soweto , said Dlamini , who closed her tourism business .
“ People are destitute and feeling desperate , ” Dlamini said .
“ It ’ s heartbreaking and scary .
I tell friends that we must get through this hard time , that a vaccine will be found and we can get back to business .
… But right now , it ’ s hard.
” With 25 bicycles , a vehicle and a trailer sitting idle , Dlamini decided to move into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling meat products from her car to Soweto residents .
“ Ribs , pork trotters , beef bones - these are all popular , ” she said .
“ People are calling me for repeat orders , so business is looking good.
” Five weeks into the lockdown , South Africa began a gradual easing on May 1 , allowing selected mines , factories and businesses to reopen with up to 30 % of employees .
Restaurants can serve takeaway meals , and people are permitted to walk outside for exercise from 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy , already in recession , keeps plummeting .
The unemployment rate was at a staggering 29 % even before the virus hit , and the jobless rate could rise to 50 % , according to the Chamber of Commerce .
Lines of hungry South Africans stretch for miles at sites where the government or charities distribute food .
“ Our people need to eat .
They need to earn a living , ” Ramaphosa said when launching a $ 26 billion recovery package , the largest in Africa .
It includes increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welfare and monthly payments to the newly unemployed .
The economic downturn is expected to shrink Africa ’ s economies by more than 5 % , according to the NKC African Economics research firm .
Most punishing are the effects on the millions of Africans who rely upon daily trading to earn money to eat .
Ghana , in West Africa , was the first country to lift its restrictions , on April 20 , in response to economic pressures .
Ten days later , the country registered a spike in confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long way from full economic activity , and further easing will be determined by the spread of the disease and hospitalizations .
The country is “ taking a science-based approach , ” said Dr. Salim Abdool Karim , who leads the national coronavirus council .
Cape Town and the surrounding Western Cape province are at the center of the outbreak , with 65 % of the country ’ s total cases .
South Africa has screened more than 8 million of its population of 57 million and is now testing more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30,000 community health workers with experience in tracking contacts of tuberculosis patients are now doing the same for positive cases of COVID-19 .
In preparation for more infections , South Africa has built field hospitals with an estimated 20,000 beds and has created areas where people living in crowded conditions can be quarantined if they test positive .
However , the country is short of intensive care beds .
Amid the medical challenges , the imploding economy puts pressure on Ramaphosa to reopen more of the country .
Other African economies face the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blows : the virus outbreak and a slump in demand for key exports to Europe and Asia .
With the majority of Africans eking out their living on a day-to-day basis , any restrictive measures are quickly felt and “ risk civil disobedience if protracted , ” said Benedict Craven , the Economist Intelligence Unit ’ s country risk manager for Africa .
In the effort to balance health and economic needs , “ there is no way of successfully attending to the one issue without disregarding the other , ” said Pieter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African Economics .
He warned of an “ economic quagmire , ” including increased unemployment , widespread hunger and a humanitarian crisis .
South Africa is rated as one of the world ’ s most unequal countries , and the president has said in his evening addresses to the nation that his response to the pandemic aims to build a more equitable country .
Dlamini , the tour operator now selling meat , said she is inspired by Ramaphosa ’ s approach , which includes government deliveries of water to areas that did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible installation of toilets in schools that offered only pit latrines .
“ We are showing that we can doing something here in South Africa , that we can build a more equal society , ” Dlamini said .
“ We must work for that !
” Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - With her winning smile and outgoing nature, Fino Dlamini was a natural to succeed in South Africa’s booming tourism industry.
Her bicycle tours of Soweto took visitors to historic sites, including the homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and to restaurants where they could meet South Africans. The tourists and locals would quickly connect over shared interests in sports or TV shows, forming instant bonds that were “magic,” she said.
Business was good in January and February, and projections for the rest of 2020 were excellent. Then the coronavirus brought everything to an abrupt halt. Dlamini was confined to her small home under a strict lockdown, with few options for earning money.
Millions of other South Africans share in the same misfortune. The country with the continent’s most developed economy also has its highest number of confirmed infections - more than 22,000, representing 20% of Africa’s total. And because the disease may not hit its peak for four more months, leaders expect to spend an especially long time balancing the risks to public health with the economic activity essential to the national welfare.
“The risk of a massive increase in infections is now greater than ever,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told the nation Sunday night even as he announced a further loosening of the lockdown starting June 1 to allow some 8 million more people to return to work.
While South Africa has not seen the explosion of virus infections that emerged in Europe, cases “have now started to rise sharply,” Ramaphosa warned, with one-third of cases recorded in the past week alone.
Health experts have suggested that a contributing factor in the lower number in cases is the country’s youthful population, with just 3% of people above the age of 60. Africa’s small elderly population may help explain why the disease is spreading relatively slowly across the continent.
South Africa is still in the early stages of the pandemic, leading health experts to predict the peak could come as late as August or September. A surge of cases in Cape Town suggests that city might reach its maximum near the end of June. The forecasts portend a lengthy wait to resume normal activity.
Other African countries appear to be on a similar trajectory. Forty-three of the continent’s 54 nations have imposed containment measures, including lockdowns, bans on public gatherings, school closures and curfews.
The lockdown that began March 27 in South Africa is increasing tensions in Soweto, said Dlamini, who closed her tourism business.
“People are destitute and feeling desperate,” Dlamini said. “It’s heartbreaking and scary. I tell friends that we must get through this hard time, that a vaccine will be found and we can get back to business. … But right now, it’s hard.”
With 25 bicycles, a vehicle and a trailer sitting idle, Dlamini decided to move into something entirely new. She is now selling meat products from her car to Soweto residents. “Ribs, pork trotters, beef bones - these are all popular,” she said. “People are calling me for repeat orders, so business is looking good.”
Five weeks into the lockdown, South Africa began a gradual easing on May 1, allowing selected mines, factories and businesses to reopen with up to 30% of employees. Restaurants can serve takeaway meals, and people are permitted to walk outside for exercise from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
But the economy, already in recession, keeps plummeting. The unemployment rate was at a staggering 29% even before the virus hit, and the jobless rate could rise to 50%, according to the Chamber of Commerce. Lines of hungry South Africans stretch for miles at sites where the government or charities distribute food.
“Our people need to eat. They need to earn a living,” Ramaphosa said when launching a $26 billion recovery package, the largest in Africa. It includes increased payments to 16 million people already on welfare and monthly payments to the newly unemployed.
The economic downturn is expected to shrink Africa’s economies by more than 5%, according to the NKC African Economics research firm. Most punishing are the effects on the millions of Africans who rely upon daily trading to earn money to eat.
Ghana, in West Africa, was the first country to lift its restrictions, on April 20, in response to economic pressures. Ten days later, the country registered a spike in confirmed cases of COVID-19.
South Africa is still a long way from full economic activity, and further easing will be determined by the spread of the disease and hospitalizations.
The country is “taking a science-based approach,” said Dr. Salim Abdool Karim, who leads the national coronavirus council.
Cape Town and the surrounding Western Cape province are at the center of the outbreak, with 65% of the country’s total cases. South Africa has screened more than 8 million of its population of 57 million and is now testing more than 20,000 people per day. Tens of thousands of community health workers with experience in tracking contacts of tuberculosis patients are now doing the same for positive cases of COVID-19.
In preparation for more infections, South Africa has built field hospitals with an estimated 20,000 beds and has created areas where people living in crowded conditions can be quarantined if they test positive. However, the country is short of intensive care beds.
Amid the medical challenges, the imploding economy puts pressure on Ramaphosa to reopen more of the country. Other African economies face the same problem as they endure two simultaneous blows: the virus outbreak and a slump in demand for key exports to Europe and Asia.
With the majority of Africans eking out their living on a day-to-day basis, any restrictive measures are quickly felt and “risk civil disobedience if protracted,” said Benedict Craven, the Economist Intelligence Unit’s country risk manager for Africa.
In the effort to balance health and economic needs, “there is no way of successfully attending to the one issue without disregarding the other,” said Pieter du Preez, senior economist at NKC African Economics. He warned of an “economic quagmire,” including increased unemployment, widespread hunger and a humanitarian crisis.
South Africa is rated as one of the world’s most unequal countries, and the president has said in his evening addresses to the nation that his response to the pandemic aims to build a more equitable country.
Dlamini, the tour operator now selling meat, said she is inspired by Ramaphosa’s approach, which includes government deliveries of water to areas that did not have it and discussions about the possible installation of toilets in schools that offered only pit latrines.
“We are showing that we can doing something here in South Africa, that we can build a more equal society,” Dlamini said. “We must work for that!”
___
Bram Janssen in Johannesburg contributed.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-05-24--Guitar craftsman preserves history of The Red Bar

GRAYTON BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - Chris Alvarado was at The Red Bar the last night it was open before it burned down in February 2019 .
The longtime 30A musician and his wife , Naomi , went to see the band Heritage perform that Sunday night .
Alvarado had played a handful of gigs at The Red Bar and was where the couple had their first date .
“ It always was a special place for us , ” Alvarado said .
“ It literally is the beating heart of the culture of 30A , in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oliver Petit reached out to the community before its demolition .
The Alvarados were some of the first people to show up .
Alvarado , who builds acoustic guitars , already had a notion for why he was there .
“ For me , with my guitars , it ’ s always been , ‘ How can I build a guitar that has pieces of your history in it with my inlays ?
’ ” Alvarado said .
“ It was immediately evident ( Petit ) was going to rebuild , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and preserve some of the old building ?
’ ” Alvarado knew if he found a chunk of the floor in good enough condition , he could repurpose it .
He just didn ’ t know how yet .
While there , he spotted an area near the restrooms where a wall had fallen into the floor and protected it from damage .
Alvarado salvaged a small chunk of the floor , took it home and let it dry in his shed for the past year .
As the wood dried , Alvarado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because of The Red Bar ’ s musical nature , Alvarado decided to mimic the stage at the Grand Ole Opry .
When the Grand Ole Opry relocated , a square of wood was cut from a portion of the former stage and installed into a perfect six-foot circle in the new stage .
“ It ’ s kind of considered hallowed ground for anyone who performs on that stage , ” Alvarado said .
“ That was my thinking with The Red Bar .
It already is hallowed ground.
” Alvarado created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of wood that will be inlayed where musicians perform .
He didn ’ t want to inlay it , though , without people knowing what it stood for .
Petit helped him come up with an inscription .
“ On the bottom , it says , ‘ Happy days are here to stay ’ – that ’ s something Oli says , ” Alvarado said .
“ It ’ s something he says to cheer people up .
And then around the top , it says , ’ Original floor of the Old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13th 2019.
” Oli insisted I put my name on it as well – if he gives me free manicotti and a gig.
” Alvarado said he is excited to inlay the circle into the new floor , which will be installed in the next couple weeks .
“ It ’ s cool for me to be a part of bringing that back .
It ’ s like I do with the guitars : preserving some history so we can move it forward in time .
”

SAVANNAH EVANOFF, Northwest Florida Daily News

GRAYTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Chris Alvarado was at The Red Bar the last night it was open before it burned down in February 2019.
The longtime 30A musician and his wife, Naomi, went to see the band Heritage perform that Sunday night. Alvarado had played a handful of gigs at The Red Bar and was where the couple had their first date.
“It always was a special place for us,” Alvarado said. “It literally is the beating heart of the culture of 30A, in my opinion.”
After the fire, owner Oliver Petit reached out to the community before its demolition. The Alvarados were some of the first people to show up.
Alvarado, who builds acoustic guitars, already had a notion for why he was there.
“For me, with my guitars, it’s always been, ‘How can I build a guitar that has pieces of your history in it with my inlays?’ ” Alvarado said. “It was immediately evident (Petit) was going to rebuild, but it was, ‘How can we rebuild and preserve some of the old building?’ ”
Alvarado knew if he found a chunk of the floor in good enough condition, he could repurpose it. He just didn’t know how yet.
While there, he spotted an area near the restrooms where a wall had fallen into the floor and protected it from damage. Alvarado salvaged a small chunk of the floor, took it home and let it dry in his shed for the past year.
As the wood dried, Alvarado’s idea for it solidified.
Because of The Red Bar’s musical nature, Alvarado decided to mimic the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. When the Grand Ole Opry relocated, a square of wood was cut from a portion of the former stage and installed into a perfect six-foot circle in the new stage.
“It’s kind of considered hallowed ground for anyone who performs on that stage,” Alvarado said. “That was my thinking with The Red Bar. It already is hallowed ground.”
Alvarado created a three-foot circle from a colorful piece of wood that will be inlayed where musicians perform. He didn’t want to inlay it, though, without people knowing what it stood for.
Petit helped him come up with an inscription.
“On the bottom, it says, ‘Happy days are here to stay’ – that’s something Oli says,” Alvarado said. “It’s something he says to cheer people up. And then around the top, it says, ’Original floor of the Old Butler Store 1937-the Red Bar, Feb. 13th 2019.” Oli insisted I put my name on it as well – if he gives me free manicotti and a gig.”
Alvarado said he is excited to inlay the circle into the new floor, which will be installed in the next couple weeks.
“It’s cool for me to be a part of bringing that back. It’s like I do with the guitars: preserving some history so we can move it forward in time.”