washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Thousands participate in memorial parade for fallen Marine

SIMI VALLEY , Calif. ( AP ) - The family of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq last month had to postpone his memorial service because of restrictions on large gatherings in California to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
On Sunday morning , they were surprised with a parade outside their Simi Valley home that began with a police helicopter flyover , followed by about 1,500 law enforcement vehicles , fire engines and cars .
The Ventura County Star reports the huge turnout to honor Gunnery Sgt .
Diego D. Pongo , was an orderly affair .
Pongo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to surprise his parents and brothers .
The city ’ s police department helped out with traffic control .
Community members kept the parade going for more than two hours , and many of their cars blasted music while kids hung out of windows waving flags .
People who gathered on the sidewalk to watch the parade followed social distancing measures , Sgt .
Patrick Zayicek told the newspaper .
“ It was a great show of support in our community.
, ” he said .
Pongo , 34 , and another Marine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission to eliminate a stronghold for the Islamic State group in Iraq .
Pongo and Capt .
Moises A. Navas , also 34 , of Germantown , Maryland , were both assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion at Camp Lejeune , North Carolina .
Pongo was an advanced sniper , a foreign weapons instructor and a combat marksmanship leader who was fluent in multiple languages , Marine Raider Regiment Commanding Officer Col. John Lynch said .
Pongo is survived by his daughter and other family members .

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) - The family of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq last month had to postpone his memorial service because of restrictions on large gatherings in California to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
On Sunday morning, they were surprised with a parade outside their Simi Valley home that began with a police helicopter flyover, followed by about 1,500 law enforcement vehicles, fire engines and cars.
The Ventura County Star reports the huge turnout to honor Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, was an orderly affair.
Pongo’s sister-in-law helped organize the parade to surprise his parents and brothers. The city’s police department helped out with traffic control.
Community members kept the parade going for more than two hours, and many of their cars blasted music while kids hung out of windows waving flags. People who gathered on the sidewalk to watch the parade followed social distancing measures, Sgt. Patrick Zayicek told the newspaper.
“It was a great show of support in our community.,” he said.
Pongo, 34, and another Marine were killed on March 8 during a mission to eliminate a stronghold for the Islamic State group in Iraq. Pongo and Capt. Moises A. Navas, also 34, of Germantown, Maryland, were both assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Pongo was an advanced sniper, a foreign weapons instructor and a combat marksmanship leader who was fluent in multiple languages, Marine Raider Regiment Commanding Officer Col. John Lynch said.
Pongo is survived by his daughter and other family members.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--China 'mask diplomacy' falls flat as Africans slam debt repayments push

JOHANNESBURG , South Africa — China ’ s long-developing diplomatic drive in Africa has hit an unexpected speed bump , even as Beijing seeks to curry more favor on the continent with shipments of aid to deal with the mounting COVID-19 threat .
A hard line from Beijing on debt repayments for struggling African countries and a viral video depicting the apparent mistreatment of African natives in China are casting shadows over China ’ s “ mask diplomacy ” — politically targeted and highly publicized shipments of masks , ventilators and other equipment to vulnerable countries around the globe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ African National Congress has issued an unprecedented rebuke of China over “ ill treatment of African nationals , ” including forced quarantine based on skin color , “ even if they have not come into contact with infected persons.
” The statement , issued by the party ’ s subcommittee on foreign policy , follows graphic reports and images of black immigrants and students in China being shunned , harassed and forcibly tested for COVID-19 .
The ANC statement described the Chinese Communist Party as a “ friend and strategic economic partner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast-track investigation ” and “ appropriate action.
” Earlier this month , a group of African ambassadors in China protested the suspected mistreatment of African nationals in Guangzhou , which has the largest community of African expatriates in Asia .
Such mixed messages could signal a major missed opportunity for China and an opening for the U.S. and its allies that have warned African nations about the dangers of a close embrace of Beijing ’ s money and aid .
China , which holds an estimated 80 % of Nigeria ’ s bilateral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of foreign direct investment in Ethiopia in 2019 , has balked at broad repayment concessions even as the global economic meltdown accelerates .
“ China is absolutely trying to make the most of this moment , ” said Michelle D. Gavin , senior fellow for Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a former U.S. ambassador to Botswana .
“ What we see on the continent is that you have [ Chinese ] diplomats not just touting China ’ s assistance but casting aspersions on what others have done or failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think it ’ s seen as kind of a critical moment to pivot , to bolster support for the so-called Chinese model.
” Ms. Gavin cautioned , though , that China ’ s diplomatic offensive is “ going to be complicated as the question of debt in particular comes to the forefront.
” Cobus van Staden , a senior researcher with the South African Institute of International Affairs , told Politico last week that there was “ a lot of tension ” in the Chinese-African relationship on financial and racial grounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues are the newest manifestations of long-term problems , ” he said .
“ Africa ’ s official response [ to its citizens in China ] took into account popular sentiment a lot more than it usually would have.
” Chinese officials have scrambled to limit the diplomatic and public relations fallout .
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week that the government would adjust its restrictions on African nationals , end discrimination in the provision of health care services and give aid to those in financial trouble because of coronavirus-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well on its way to becoming the next major hot spot in the COVID-19 pandemic .
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa increased 43 % in seven days , and many countries on a continent with 1.3 billion people have a “ very , very limited ” and “ very , very strained ” testing capacity , John Nkengasong , director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , told reporters Thursday in Cape Town .
The real numbers are likely much higher , and The Associated Press reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that COVID-19 could kill more than 300,000 people and push 30 million into desperate poverty in Africa alone .
Despite the grim projections , public health experts see some intriguing developments in how the coronavirus that has staggered Europe and the United States is playing out in Africa .
They are puzzled about why infection rates are so low in South Africa , one of the few countries in the region with high levels of testing .
The local infection rate is less than 3 % , a tiny fraction of the rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries .
Doctors say it could be a result of a vaccine for tuberculosis given at birth in many African countries .
Only 2 % of Africa ’ s population is older than 65 , reducing the number of those most vulnerable to succumbing to the disease .
Others hypothesize that Africa ’ s lower average level of hygiene may , ironically , give people more resistance to new viruses .
Although the United Nations has warned of a possible 300,000 deaths in Africa , fewer than 15,000 cases have been identified so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Kenya , soldiers have killed 12 people for not complying with the rules .
Millions live in high-density “ townships ” around cities such as Cape Town , Durban , Johannesburg and Pretoria , the capital .
With youth unemployment approaching 60 % , and many now unable to sell products by the roadside or travel to jobs deemed nonessential , human rights groups warn that wide-scale food shortages could be imminent .
China may get a chance to repair its battered image or revive its investment push if and when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health threat and need to revive their moribund economies .
With a growing deficit , South Africa could be forced to approach Russia or China for loans in the absence of other funding , Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said .
In the past week , Washington has trebled its original assistance package to Pretoria during the pandemic .
Some $ 2.7 million is now available for medical and other needs .
But with 57 million people and a gross domestic product roughly equal to Atlanta ’ s , the monthlong shutdown is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Economists have pointed out that a virus-related ban on tobacco alone is costing the government $ 20 million a week in lost revenue .
South Africa has low infection numbers despite a casual attitude in much of the country to the government ’ s lockdown edicts .
In rural South Africa , life is relatively normal regardless of the new laws .
In cities , minibus taxis are still crowded .
Supermarkets , including a chain owned by Walmart , offer hand sanitizer at the entrance and limit the number of shoppers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KFC and McDonald ’ s have been closed .
President Cyril Ramaphosa , under pressure to reopen the economy , is considering his next efforts to halt the virus .
With a looming debt and growing unrest among the poor , experts warn it will be difficult to extend the lockdown .
More broadly , Africa watchers say , the crisis could be a model of great-power cooperation but early signs are bleak .
Some in the U.S. “ favor the approach of putting the virus in the context of U.S.-China rivalry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is cooperation between the U.S. and China in responding to the African crisis , ” said former U.S .
Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell , now the senior fellow for Africa policy studies at the Council on Foreign Relations .
“ As to what the African response is going to be , right now , my sense is that the Chinese are getting the worst part of the deal .
”

Geoff Hill - Special to The Washington Times

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — China’s long-developing diplomatic drive in Africa has hit an unexpected speed bump, even as Beijing seeks to curry more favor on the continent with shipments of aid to deal with the mounting COVID-19 threat.
A hard line from Beijing on debt repayments for struggling African countries and a viral video depicting the apparent mistreatment of African natives in China are casting shadows over China’s “mask diplomacy” — politically targeted and highly publicized shipments of masks, ventilators and other equipment to vulnerable countries around the globe.
In South Africa, the ruling leftist African National Congress has issued an unprecedented rebuke of China over “ill treatment of African nationals,” including forced quarantine based on skin color, “even if they have not come into contact with infected persons.”
The statement, issued by the party’s subcommittee on foreign policy, follows graphic reports and images of black immigrants and students in China being shunned, harassed and forcibly tested for COVID-19.
The ANC statement described the Chinese Communist Party as a “friend and strategic economic partner,” but it called for a “fast-track investigation” and “appropriate action.”
Earlier this month, a group of African ambassadors in China protested the suspected mistreatment of African nationals in Guangzhou, which has the largest community of African expatriates in Asia.
Such mixed messages could signal a major missed opportunity for China and an opening for the U.S. and its allies that have warned African nations about the dangers of a close embrace of Beijing’s money and aid. China, which holds an estimated 80% of Nigeria’s bilateral private debt and accounted for 60% of foreign direct investment in Ethiopia in 2019, has balked at broad repayment concessions even as the global economic meltdown accelerates.
“China is absolutely trying to make the most of this moment,” said Michelle D. Gavin, senior fellow for Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a former U.S. ambassador to Botswana.
“What we see on the continent is that you have [Chinese] diplomats not just touting China’s assistance but casting aspersions on what others have done or failed to do. So in that sense, I think it’s seen as kind of a critical moment to pivot, to bolster support for the so-called Chinese model.”
Ms. Gavin cautioned, though, that China’s diplomatic offensive is “going to be complicated as the question of debt in particular comes to the forefront.”
Cobus van Staden, a senior researcher with the South African Institute of International Affairs, told Politico last week that there was “a lot of tension” in the Chinese-African relationship on financial and racial grounds.
“I think both of these issues are the newest manifestations of long-term problems,” he said. “Africa’s official response [to its citizens in China] took into account popular sentiment a lot more than it usually would have.”
Chinese officials have scrambled to limit the diplomatic and public relations fallout. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week that the government would adjust its restrictions on African nationals, end discrimination in the provision of health care services and give aid to those in financial trouble because of coronavirus-related shutdowns.
New figures indicate Africa is well on its way to becoming the next major hot spot in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa increased 43% in seven days, and many countries on a continent with 1.3 billion people have a “very, very limited” and “very, very strained” testing capacity, John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters Thursday in Cape Town.
The real numbers are likely much higher, and The Associated Press reported that World Health Organization officials have warned that COVID-19 could kill more than 300,000 people and push 30 million into desperate poverty in Africa alone.
Lower rates
Despite the grim projections, public health experts see some intriguing developments in how the coronavirus that has staggered Europe and the United States is playing out in Africa. They are puzzled about why infection rates are so low in South Africa, one of the few countries in the region with high levels of testing.
The local infection rate is less than 3%, a tiny fraction of the rates reported in the U.S. and some European countries.
Doctors say it could be a result of a vaccine for tuberculosis given at birth in many African countries. Only 2% of Africa’s population is older than 65, reducing the number of those most vulnerable to succumbing to the disease. Others hypothesize that Africa’s lower average level of hygiene may, ironically, give people more resistance to new viruses.
Although the United Nations has warned of a possible 300,000 deaths in Africa, fewer than 15,000 cases have been identified so far.
Lockdowns have had varied success. In Kenya, soldiers have killed 12 people for not complying with the rules.
Millions live in high-density “townships” around cities such as Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria, the capital. With youth unemployment approaching 60%, and many now unable to sell products by the roadside or travel to jobs deemed nonessential, human rights groups warn that wide-scale food shortages could be imminent.
Image repair
China may get a chance to repair its battered image or revive its investment push if and when African nations get a handle on the health threat and need to revive their moribund economies. With a growing deficit, South Africa could be forced to approach Russia or China for loans in the absence of other funding, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said.
In the past week, Washington has trebled its original assistance package to Pretoria during the pandemic. Some $2.7 million is now available for medical and other needs.
But with 57 million people and a gross domestic product roughly equal to Atlanta’s, the monthlong shutdown is set to leave a hole in the budget. Economists have pointed out that a virus-related ban on tobacco alone is costing the government $20 million a week in lost revenue.
South Africa has low infection numbers despite a casual attitude in much of the country to the government’s lockdown edicts.
In rural South Africa, life is relatively normal regardless of the new laws. In cities, minibus taxis are still crowded. Supermarkets, including a chain owned by Walmart, offer hand sanitizer at the entrance and limit the number of shoppers per store. All local branches of KFC and McDonald’s have been closed.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, under pressure to reopen the economy, is considering his next efforts to halt the virus.
With a looming debt and growing unrest among the poor, experts warn it will be difficult to extend the lockdown.
More broadly, Africa watchers say, the crisis could be a model of great-power cooperation but early signs are bleak.
Some in the U.S. “favor the approach of putting the virus in the context of U.S.-China rivalry, where in fact what is desperately needed is cooperation between the U.S. and China in responding to the African crisis,” said former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell, now the senior fellow for Africa policy studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. “As to what the African response is going to be, right now, my sense is that the Chinese are getting the worst part of the deal.”
⦁ Madison Hirenesen contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Joe Biden urged to resist Justice Democrats far-left demands

Joseph R. Biden mowed down dozens of rivals , including liberal heavyweights , on the way to his party ’ s presidential nomination , but far-left groups are still treating the former vice president like a loser .
The presumptive Democratic Party nominee can kiss his chances of defeating President Trump goodbye , they say , unless he takes a hard left on issues including immigration , student debt and climate change .
Some Democrats are urging Mr. Biden to resist the threat .
“ I am a big fan of Democrats as the big tent party , but there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should feel the need to follow through on this long list of demands , ” said Jim Manley , a Democratic strategist .
“ After all , he has shown he best represents where the party is at this point in time.
” Justice Democrats , the group that helped give rise to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York , is among the most vocal groups pressuring Mr. Biden to kowtow to their demands .
They say they represent the young liberal voters he has failed to excite .
A year ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s bid as soon as it learned he was diving into the race .
They criticized his support for , among other things , the 1994 crime bill , the 2002 authorization for the war in Iraq and the 2005 overhaul of the nation ’ s bankruptcy laws .
“ We can ’ t let a so-called ‘ centrist ’ like Biden divide the Democratic Party and turn it into the party of ‘ No , we can ’ t , ” the group said at the time .
“ Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the center of energy is in the Democratic Party today.
” Most Democratic voters , it turned out , saw the election through a less liberal lens .
After a tough start , Mr. Biden gained momentum with a big win in South Carolina .
He ended up notching more than 20 primary wins while showcasing unmatched popularity with black and older voters .
The 77-year-old easily outpaced the far-left warriors .
Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont scored nine victories , and Sens .
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts was blanked .
Mr. Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Sanders in the March 17 contests in Arizona , Florida and Illinois .
The victories were sandwiched between massive wins in Michigan and Wisconsin , a pair of battleground states that President Trump put in the Republican column in 2016 for the first time in decades .
Still , when Mr. Sanders dropped out , Justice Democrats was among eight groups — including the Sunrise Movement , NextGen America and United We Dream Action — that responded by blasting off an open letter calling on Mr. Biden to “ champion the bold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given us hope in the political process.
” They called for Mr. Biden to bar current or former Wall Street executives or corporate lobbyists from serving on his campaign team or in his administration .
They demanded he promise to tap a Department of Homeland Security secretary committed to “ dismantling ” Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection “ as we know them , ” and surround himself with economic advisers who “ believe in the principles of the Green New Deal.
” As for policy , they said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back a wealth tax , legalize marijuana and abolish the legislative filibuster , which would allow bills to pass through the Senate on a simple majority vote .
The “ commitments are needed to earn the support of our generation and unite the party for a general election against Donald Trump , ” they said .
Mr. Biden hasn ’ t embraced the left ’ s most radical proposals but has extended an olive branch to liberals .
He has backed a watered-down version of Mr. Sanders ’ tuition-free college plan and supports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he wants to lower the Medicare eligibility age to 60 from 65 and forgive loans for students who attended public colleges and universities and private historically black colleges and universities .
That , along with a deep loathing for Mr. Trump , helped him win endorsements from Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren , which the Biden camp has used as a shield against his critics .
“ What voters and supporters , frankly , that backed other candidates in this primary race — particularly folks who identify themselves as my progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Biden understands , understands the issues , ” said Biden spokeswoman Symone Sanders .
Ms. Sanders , who worked on the Sanders campaign in 2016 , told listeners last week on SiriusXM ’ s “ Signal Boost , ” that “ the things that a number of my quote-unquote more progressive friends have been championing and talking about are issues that Vice President Biden has led on for a long time.
” The Trump campaign , meanwhile , has seized on the divisions in the Democratic ranks .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” saying the “ left-wing base is going nuts ” over the former vice president ’ s “ fake tough-on-China routine.
” Meanwhile , the dictates from liberal groups keep coming .
On Friday , Justice Democrats and the Sunrise Movement began circulating a petition demanding that Mr. Biden sever all ties with former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers after it was reported that he was serving as an economic adviser .
“ Larry Summers ’ legacy is advocating for policies that contributed to the skyrocketing inequality and climate crisis we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We hope Biden publicly rejects Summers ’ role as an economic adviser to better earn the trust of our generation.
” Mr. Manley , who shares some of the misgivings about Mr. Summers , said that if Mr. Biden loses the election , these liberal groups will be “ poised to claim the only reason it happened is that he didn ’ t fully embrace their agenda.
” “ The reality is what they are demanding is an anathema to a lot of Democratic voters across the country , ” he @ @

Joseph R. Biden mowed down dozens of rivals, including liberal heavyweights, on the way to his party’s presidential nomination, but far-left groups are still treating the former vice president like a loser.
The presumptive Democratic Party nominee can kiss his chances of defeating President Trump goodbye, they say, unless he takes a hard left on issues including immigration, student debt and climate change.
Some Democrats are urging Mr. Biden to resist the threat.
“I am a big fan of Democrats as the big tent party, but there is absolutely no reason the vice president should feel the need to follow through on this long list of demands,” said Jim Manley, a Democratic strategist. “After all, he has shown he best represents where the party is at this point in time.”
Justice Democrats, the group that helped give rise to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, is among the most vocal groups pressuring Mr. Biden to kowtow to their demands. They say they represent the young liberal voters he has failed to excite.
A year ago, the same group announced opposition to Mr. Biden’s bid as soon as it learned he was diving into the race. They criticized his support for, among other things, the 1994 crime bill, the 2002 authorization for the war in Iraq and the 2005 overhaul of the nation’s bankruptcy laws.
“We can’t let a so-called ‘centrist’ like Biden divide the Democratic Party and turn it into the party of ‘No, we can’t,’ ” the group said at the time. “Joe Biden stands in near-complete opposition to where the center of energy is in the Democratic Party today.”
Most Democratic voters, it turned out, saw the election through a less liberal lens.
After a tough start, Mr. Biden gained momentum with a big win in South Carolina. He ended up notching more than 20 primary wins while showcasing unmatched popularity with black and older voters.
The 77-year-old easily outpaced the far-left warriors. Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont scored nine victories, and Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts was blanked.
Mr. Biden essentially sewed up the nomination after sweeping Mr. Sanders in the March 17 contests in Arizona, Florida and Illinois. The victories were sandwiched between massive wins in Michigan and Wisconsin, a pair of battleground states that President Trump put in the Republican column in 2016 for the first time in decades.
Still, when Mr. Sanders dropped out, Justice Democrats was among eight groups — including the Sunrise Movement, NextGen America and United We Dream Action — that responded by blasting off an open letter calling on Mr. Biden to “champion the bold ideas that have galvanized our generation and given us hope in the political process.”
They called for Mr. Biden to bar current or former Wall Street executives or corporate lobbyists from serving on his campaign team or in his administration.
They demanded he promise to tap a Department of Homeland Security secretary committed to “dismantling” Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection “as we know them,” and surround himself with economic advisers who “believe in the principles of the Green New Deal.”
As for policy, they said, he should scrap student loan debt, back a wealth tax, legalize marijuana and abolish the legislative filibuster, which would allow bills to pass through the Senate on a simple majority vote.
The “commitments are needed to earn the support of our generation and unite the party for a general election against Donald Trump,” they said.
Mr. Biden hasn’t embraced the left’s most radical proposals but has extended an olive branch to liberals.
He has backed a watered-down version of Mr. Sanders’ tuition-free college plan and supports Ms. Warren’s bankruptcy plan.
He said he wants to lower the Medicare eligibility age to 60 from 65 and forgive loans for students who attended public colleges and universities and private historically black colleges and universities.
That, along with a deep loathing for Mr. Trump, helped him win endorsements from Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren, which the Biden camp has used as a shield against his critics.
“What voters and supporters, frankly, that backed other candidates in this primary race — particularly folks who identify themselves as my progressive friends — need to know is that Vice President Biden understands, understands the issues,” said Biden spokeswoman Symone Sanders.
Ms. Sanders, who worked on the Sanders campaign in 2016, told listeners last week on SiriusXM’s “Signal Boost,” that “the things that a number of my quote-unquote more progressive friends have been championing and talking about are issues that Vice President Biden has led on for a long time.”
The Trump campaign, meanwhile, has seized on the divisions in the Democratic ranks.
Last week, the Republican campaign ridiculed “Beijing Biden,” saying the “left-wing base is going nuts” over the former vice president’s “fake tough-on-China routine.”
Meanwhile, the dictates from liberal groups keep coming.
On Friday, Justice Democrats and the Sunrise Movement began circulating a petition demanding that Mr. Biden sever all ties with former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers after it was reported that he was serving as an economic adviser.
“Larry Summers’ legacy is advocating for policies that contributed to the skyrocketing inequality and climate crisis we’re living with today,” they said. “We hope Biden publicly rejects Summers’ role as an economic adviser to better earn the trust of our generation.”
Mr. Manley, who shares some of the misgivings about Mr. Summers, said that if Mr. Biden loses the election, these liberal groups will be “poised to claim the only reason it happened is that he didn’t fully embrace their agenda.”
“The reality is what they are demanding is an anathema to a lot of Democratic voters across the country,” he said.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Human remains found in canyon near Salt Lake CIty

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - Police are investigating decayed human remains found in a canyon near Salt Lake @ @ @ @ @ by a hiker up City Creek Canyon Saturday night in a “ severe state of @ @ @ @ @ .
Lt. Brett Olsen of Salt Lake City Police said authorities have little information about @ @ @ @ @ how they died .
Forensic investigators from the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner will @ @ @ @ @ caused the death .
Remains were also found at Memory Grove Park in the same @ @ @ @

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Police are investigating decayed human remains found in a canyon near Salt Lake City.
They were found by a hiker up City Creek Canyon Saturday night in a “severe state of decay,” KUTV reported. Lt. Brett Olsen of Salt Lake City Police said authorities have little information about who the person was or how they died.
Forensic investigators from the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner will look into what might have caused the death.
Remains were also found at Memory Grove Park in the same canyon last year.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Governor apologizes for delays in unemployment claims

PORTLAND ( AP ) - Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown apologized Sunday to people who have encountered problems trying to @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
A record number of people have applied for benefits , but many @ @ @ @ @ in the system .
A total of 334,000 people have lost their jobs in the @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s economy shut down to try and stop the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ “ If you ’ re waiting on an unemployment claim : I hear your frustration @ @ @ @ @ Democrat , wrote on Twitter .
“ I ’ m sorry for the delays.
” @ @ @ @ @ system weren ’ t as widespread Sunday as they have been over the past three @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities in Oregon have reported more than 2,300 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 91 deaths @ @ @ @ @ .

PORTLAND (AP) - Oregon Gov. Kate Brown apologized Sunday to people who have encountered problems trying to apply for unemployment during the coronavirus crisis.
A record number of people have applied for benefits, but many have been stymied by breakdowns in the system. A total of 334,000 people have lost their jobs in the past few weeks as the state’s economy shut down to try and stop the spread of the virus, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
“If you’re waiting on an unemployment claim: I hear your frustration,” Brown, a Democrat, wrote on Twitter. “I’m sorry for the delays.”
Reports of errors in the system weren’t as widespread Sunday as they have been over the past three weeks, the outlet reported.
Authorities in Oregon have reported more than 2,300 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 91 deaths, including four announced Sunday.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Andrew Cuomo: Coronavirus deaths drop below 400

NEW YORK — New York ’ s daily coronavirus death toll dropped to below 400 , less than half of the deaths recorded at the height of the coronavirus crisis in the state ’ s hospitals .
Details on developments in the coronavirus outbreak in New York : Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said the 367 deaths from the coronavirus that he reported Sunday were “ horrific , ” but the number was less than half the nearly 800 deaths that occurred in a single day during the pandemic ’ s peak in New York .
It is the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll has been below 400 .
He also reported that the number of hospitalizations , which still topped 1,000 , and the number of individuals put on a ventilator had dropped as well .
The deaths recorded Saturday and reported Sunday included 349 patients who died in hospitals and 18 individuals who died in nursing homes , the Democratic governor said .
On Saturday , Cuomo said there were 437 deaths on Friday .
“ Short term , the numbers are on the decline.
” Cuomo said .
“ Everything we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working .
There ’ s no doubt that at this point , we ’ ve gone through the worst.
” In another sign of the improving numbers , the final patient on the USNS Comfort was discharged on Sunday .
The 1,000-bed hospital ship , docked at a Manhattan pier since March 30 , has treated 182 patients .
Soon , it will depart for its homeport in Norfolk , Virginia .
Construction and manufacturing jobs that represent low risks for workers will be among the first to resume once New York state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s governor said Sunday .
Retail jobs and workers in the hospitality and hotel industry may be among the last to return , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said at his news conference .
And sports such as baseball probably will have to figure out if the economics work without fans in the stands , he said .
“ Everybody has to think outside the box because there is no box , ” he said .
The Democrat said determinations of when reopening begins will follow federal guidance that says reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional hospitalization rate has declined for two weeks .
He said which businesses reopen after the restart of construction and manufacturing will depend on how essential they are and how safe they can operate .
Once those businesses reopen , a two-week period would follow before more businesses reopen .
“ I don ’ t want to just reopen .
We learned a lot of lessons here , painfully , ” he said .
“ How do we take the lessons we learned and say when we reopen , we ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s not about a return to yesterday .
There is no return to yesterday in life.
” He compared New York ’ s upstate communities to the Midwest , saying some areas might be ready to reopen sooner than other areas .
But he said he had to consider the possibility that residents of areas that are still closed might flood toward any place that opens .
The reopening of New York state will be vital in the summer , particularly in crowded cities , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in a dense urban environmental all through the summer months : ‘ We don ’ t have anything for you to do , stay in your apartment with the three kids , ’ ” Cuomo said at his daily news conference .
“ You know , that doesn ’ t work .
There ’ s a sanity equation here also that we have to take into consideration , ” he said .
He said people have reason to feel better , saying “ the worst should be over ” as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
“ People need to know that there ’ s an opening , there ’ s a future , there ’ s hope , that somebody ’ s doing something .
And then you need a relief valve just on a day-to-day basis so people have some relief in their lives , some vent , ” he said .
Cuomo said trends indicate that the incidence of domestic violence , alcoholism and drug use and mental health issues were on the rise .
“ Do not underestimate the stress that this situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has created , ” he said , adding that a toxic mix of bad circumstances was pushing some people to the edge .
“ People need to know that there ’ s an opening , there ’ s a future , there ’ s hope , that somebody ’ s doing something .
And then you need a relief valve just on a day-to-day basis so people have some relief in their lives , some vent , ” he said .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday he hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how to rebuild the city after the coronavirus threat subsides .
The mayor , a Democrat , said at a news conference that city leaders he ’ s invited to help plan the city ’ s recovery should give him the roadmap by then .
He said a full rebuild will take about 20 months .
He also said the latest statistics on people being treated for COVID-19 continued to be stable or decline .
The number of people in the city ’ s hospital intensive care units had dropped from 785 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city can ’ t begin reopening until decreases continue for 10 to 14 days .
He said such a fall would signal it was time for the first steps in opening up .
“ The health indicators have to give us the all clear , ” de Blasio said .
“ We restart when we have evidence .
There ’ s no on-off switch here .
It ’ s a series of careful , smart moves.
” ––– - Brad Pitt portrayed Dr. Anthony Fauci in the second at-home episode of “ Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recast false assurances and misstatements pitched by President Donald Trump during the pandemic , for instance when Trump said there ’ d be a COVID-19 vaccine “ relatively soon.
” - Home care nurses , aides and attendants – who normally help an estimated 12 million Americans with everything from bathing to IV medications – are now taking on the difficult and potentially dangerous task of caring for coronavirus patients .
- A few states may have found a way to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in nursing homes by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers ” set aside mostly for residents who have left the hospital but still might be contagious or lack immunity .

NEW YORK — New York’s daily coronavirus death toll dropped to below 400, less than half of the deaths recorded at the height of the coronavirus crisis in the state’s hospitals.
Details on developments in the coronavirus outbreak in New York:
THE NUMBERS
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the 367 deaths from the coronavirus that he reported Sunday were “horrific,” but the number was less than half the nearly 800 deaths that occurred in a single day during the pandemic’s peak in New York.
It is the first time this month that the statewide daily death toll has been below 400.
He also reported that the number of hospitalizations, which still topped 1,000, and the number of individuals put on a ventilator had dropped as well.
The deaths recorded Saturday and reported Sunday included 349 patients who died in hospitals and 18 individuals who died in nursing homes, the Democratic governor said.
On Saturday, Cuomo said there were 437 deaths on Friday.
“Short term, the numbers are on the decline.” Cuomo said. “Everything we’ve done is working. The policies are working. There’s no doubt that at this point, we’ve gone through the worst.”
In another sign of the improving numbers, the final patient on the USNS Comfort was discharged on Sunday. The 1,000-bed hospital ship, docked at a Manhattan pier since March 30, has treated 182 patients. Soon, it will depart for its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia.
RESTARTING THE STATE
Construction and manufacturing jobs that represent low risks for workers will be among the first to resume once New York state begins reopening after the coronavirus shutdown, the state’s governor said Sunday.
Retail jobs and workers in the hospitality and hotel industry may be among the last to return, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at his news conference.
And sports such as baseball probably will have to figure out if the economics work without fans in the stands, he said.
“Everybody has to think outside the box because there is no box,” he said.
The Democrat said determinations of when reopening begins will follow federal guidance that says reopening should not begin until the state and regional hospitalization rate has declined for two weeks.
He said which businesses reopen after the restart of construction and manufacturing will depend on how essential they are and how safe they can operate.
Once those businesses reopen, a two-week period would follow before more businesses reopen.
“I don’t want to just reopen. We learned a lot of lessons here, painfully,” he said. “How do we take the lessons we learned and say when we reopen, we’re going to be the better for it? It’s not about a return to yesterday. There is no return to yesterday in life.”
He compared New York’s upstate communities to the Midwest, saying some areas might be ready to reopen sooner than other areas. But he said he had to consider the possibility that residents of areas that are still closed might flood toward any place that opens.
THE SANITY EQUATION
The reopening of New York state will be vital in the summer, particularly in crowded cities, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday.
“You can’t tell people in a dense urban environmental all through the summer months: ‘We don’t have anything for you to do, stay in your apartment with the three kids,’” Cuomo said at his daily news conference.
“You know, that doesn’t work. There’s a sanity equation here also that we have to take into consideration,” he said.
He said people have reason to feel better, saying “the worst should be over” as long as social distancing and other policies remain in place.
“People need to know that there’s an opening, there’s a future, there’s hope, that somebody’s doing something. And then you need a relief valve just on a day-to-day basis so people have some relief in their lives, some vent,” he said.
Cuomo said trends indicate that the incidence of domestic violence, alcoholism and drug use and mental health issues were on the rise.
“Do not underestimate the stress that this situation has created, the abnormal circumstances that it has created,” he said, adding that a toxic mix of bad circumstances was pushing some people to the edge.
“People need to know that there’s an opening, there’s a future, there’s hope, that somebody’s doing something. And then you need a relief valve just on a day-to-day basis so people have some relief in their lives, some vent,” he said.
NYC’S ROADMAP
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday he hopes to have a roadmap by June 1 on how to rebuild the city after the coronavirus threat subsides.
The mayor, a Democrat, said at a news conference that city leaders he’s invited to help plan the city’s recovery should give him the roadmap by then. He said a full rebuild will take about 20 months.
He also said the latest statistics on people being treated for COVID-19 continued to be stable or decline.
The number of people in the city’s hospital intensive care units had dropped from 785 to 768. De Blasio said the city can’t begin reopening until decreases continue for 10 to 14 days. He said such a fall would signal it was time for the first steps in opening up.
“The health indicators have to give us the all clear,” de Blasio said. “We restart when we have evidence. There’s no on-off switch here. It’s a series of careful, smart moves.” –––
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
- Brad Pitt portrayed Dr. Anthony Fauci in the second at-home episode of “Saturday Night Live,” where he tried to recast false assurances and misstatements pitched by President Donald Trump during the pandemic, for instance when Trump said there’d be a COVID-19 vaccine “relatively soon.”
- Home care nurses, aides and attendants – who normally help an estimated 12 million Americans with everything from bathing to IV medications – are now taking on the difficult and potentially dangerous task of caring for coronavirus patients.
- A few states may have found a way to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in nursing homes by converting some of them into “recovery centers” set aside mostly for residents who have left the hospital but still might be contagious or lack immunity.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--iTown Church resumes in-person services in Indianapolis

FISHERS , Ind .
– A church in suburban Indianapolis resumed in-person services for the first time in over a @ @ @ @ @ in Fishers limited the number of attendees to 10 on Sunday in order to adhere @ @ @ @ @ prohibits gatherings of over 10 people .
According to the Indianapolis Star , the 40-minute @ @ @ @ @ , with each service followed by a 20-minute period to allow cleaning crews to sterilize @ @ @

FISHERS, Ind. – A church in suburban Indianapolis resumed in-person services for the first time in over a month.
The iTown Church in Fishers limited the number of attendees to 10 on Sunday in order to adhere to a state order that prohibits gatherings of over 10 people. According to the Indianapolis Star, the 40-minute services began on the hour, with each service followed by a 20-minute period to allow cleaning crews to sterilize the area.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Deputy fatally shoots man accused of firing at neighbors

LA PLATA , Md .
( AP ) - A man in a camouflage hat fired a military-style rifle at his neighbors in their Maryland home on Sunday before he was fatally shot by a sheriff ’ s deputy , authorities said .
One of the neighbors was taken to a hospital for treatment of a graze wound that wasn ’ t life-threatening , according to Charles County Sheriff ’ s Office spokeswoman Diane Richardson .
No officers were injured in the confrontation , she said .
Investigators were trying to determine why the 59-year-old man opened fire on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their La Plata home while they were inside , Richardson said .
The suspect also shattered the glass on a front door to another neighbor ’ s home , she added .
“ To the best of our knowledge , nobody in the neighborhood had any issues with him ” before the shooting , she said .
Children were among the people inside the house that the man fired shots at , according to a sheriff ’ s office statement .
The gunman was fatally wounded by a deputy who responded to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the suspect , according to Richardson .
Officers tried to revive the gunman before paramedics arrived , Richardson said .
The suspect was pronounced dead at a hospital .
His name wasn ’ t immediately released .
The deputy , a five-year veteran of the sheriff ’ s office , will be placed on administrative leave , a standard procedure under the department ’ s policies .

LA PLATA, Md. (AP) - A man in a camouflage hat fired a military-style rifle at his neighbors in their Maryland home on Sunday before he was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy, authorities said.
One of the neighbors was taken to a hospital for treatment of a graze wound that wasn’t life-threatening, according to Charles County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Diane Richardson. No officers were injured in the confrontation, she said.
Investigators were trying to determine why the 59-year-old man opened fire on the neighbors from the front yard outside of their La Plata home while they were inside, Richardson said. The suspect also shattered the glass on a front door to another neighbor’s home, she added.
“To the best of our knowledge, nobody in the neighborhood had any issues with him” before the shooting, she said.
Children were among the people inside the house that the man fired shots at, according to a sheriff’s office statement.
The gunman was fatally wounded by a deputy who responded to a 911 call and fired a single shot at the suspect, according to Richardson. Officers tried to revive the gunman before paramedics arrived, Richardson said.
The suspect was pronounced dead at a hospital. His name wasn’t immediately released.
The deputy, a five-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, will be placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure under the department’s policies.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Tony Spell,  Life Tabernacle Church pastor, defies house arrest to hold services

CENTRAL , La .
– A Louisiana pastor is holding services in his church , defying house arrest orders that followed an assault charge related to his decision to hold mass gatherings in defiance of public health orders during the coronavirus pandemic .
A livestream from Life Tabernacle Church on Sunday showed Tony Spell walking among more than 100 congregants , often repeating the phrase , “ I ’ ve just got to get to Jesus .
… Come on America , let ’ s get back to Jesus.
” Nearly all parishioners were not wearing face masks , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The police department in Central , a suburb Baton Rouge , says on their Facebook page that Spell turned himself into the department last week on charges of aggravated assault and improper backing .
Trey Bennett has kept up a one-man demonstration in front of the church since Easter Sunday , when he noticed hundreds of parishioners still attending services in defiance of the state ’ s stay-at-home mandate , which bans gatherings of more than 10 people .
Houses of worship across Louisiana have turned to online services instead .
Last Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reverse in the direction of the sign-holding protester .
Spell already faces misdemeanor charges for holding in-person church services despite the ban on gatherings .
Dozens of Spell ’ s parishioners met him at the East Baton Rouge Parish prison , dressed in their Sunday best , arrived in church buses to show support .
In a livestream from the church , images including photos from Spell ’ s arrest , as well as information for a GoFundMe account to help with his legal costs , played over music being performed at the @ @

CENTRAL, La. – A Louisiana pastor is holding services in his church, defying house arrest orders that followed an assault charge related to his decision to hold mass gatherings in defiance of public health orders during the coronavirus pandemic.
A livestream from Life Tabernacle Church on Sunday showed Tony Spell walking among more than 100 congregants, often repeating the phrase, “I’ve just got to get to Jesus. … Come on America, let’s get back to Jesus.” Nearly all parishioners were not wearing face masks, and social distancing was not being practiced.
The police department in Central, a suburb Baton Rouge, says on their Facebook page that Spell turned himself into the department last week on charges of aggravated assault and improper backing.
Trey Bennett has kept up a one-man demonstration in front of the church since Easter Sunday, when he noticed hundreds of parishioners still attending services in defiance of the state’s stay-at-home mandate, which bans gatherings of more than 10 people. Houses of worship across Louisiana have turned to online services instead.
Last Sunday, Spell drove a church bus in reverse in the direction of the sign-holding protester. Spell already faces misdemeanor charges for holding in-person church services despite the ban on gatherings.
Dozens of Spell’s parishioners met him at the East Baton Rouge Parish prison, dressed in their Sunday best, arrived in church buses to show support. In a livestream from the church, images including photos from Spell’s arrest, as well as information for a GoFundMe account to help with his legal costs, played over music being performed at the church.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Kentucky set to reopen health-care businesses Monday

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - Kentucky is partially lifting restrictions in its fight against the coronavirus with the @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Tomorrow is the first day since this virus hit that , as opposed @ @ @ @ @ are reopening some areas , ” Gov .
Andy Beshear said at his daily briefing @ @ @ @ @ clinics , medical and dental offices , optometrists , and physical therapy and chiropractic offices @ @ @ @ @ , radiology and lab services .
Dr. Steven Stack , the state ’ s public @ @ @ @ @ waiting rooms are expected to be eliminated in favor of patients sitting in parking lots @ @ @ @ @ health-care settings will have to wear masks and practice social distancing .
The resumption of @ @ @ @ @ and prisons are not included .
Neither are elective surgeries and invasive procedures , which @ @ @ @ @ later , Stack said .
Beshear said he plans to discuss additional steps for other @ @ @ @ @ has seen at least 4,074 confirmed virus cases and 208 deaths .

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky is partially lifting restrictions in its fight against the coronavirus with the reopening of health-care businesses Monday.
“Tomorrow is the first day since this virus hit that, as opposed to adding restrictions, we are reopening some areas,” Gov. Andy Beshear said at his daily briefing Sunday.
Included are health-care clinics, medical and dental offices, optometrists, and physical therapy and chiropractic offices. Also covered are diagnostic, radiology and lab services.
Dr. Steven Stack, the state’s public health commissioner, said traditional waiting rooms are expected to be eliminated in favor of patients sitting in parking lots, and everyone in these health-care settings will have to wear masks and practice social distancing.
The resumption of such services in nursing homes and prisons are not included. Neither are elective surgeries and invasive procedures, which will be allowed to resume later, Stack said.
Beshear said he plans to discuss additional steps for other business reopenings Monday.
Kentucky has seen at least 4,074 confirmed virus cases and 208 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--Police: 1 officer dies, 2nd wounded in Louisiana shooting

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - A shooting in Louisiana ’ s capital city left one police officer dead and his wounded colleague fighting for his life Sunday , authorities said , adding a suspect was later taken into custody after an hourslong standoff in which shots were fired at a SWAT team .
Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul told The Advocate the two officers were shot in a northern residential district in the city , and that one of the officers later succumbed from his wounds .
Paul said a suspect , Ronnie Kato , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four-hour standoff in which he barricaded inside a house .
No one was reported hurt during the standoff and authorities didn ’ t immediately say what charges Kato might face .
Police said the officers who were shot had responded earlier in the day to reports of gunfire in the area .
At a news conference Sunday evening , the police chief said the slain officer was a 21-year law enforcement veteran and that the wounded colleague had seven years of police work , according to WBRZ-TV .
The chief did not immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ fighting for his life , ” Paul added at a news briefing Sunday evening .
“ Our officers - talk about being public servants and the responsibility that comes along with being a law enforcement officer , ” Paul said .
“ This is a call no chief wants to get.
” Police released few details about the shooting of the two officers or events that led up to it .
The chief said only that police continue to investigate .
On Sunday afternoon , neighbors and onlookers crowded street corners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , according to media reports .
Some of the bystanders wore masks against the coronavirus and others held up phones to record the crush of law enforcement vehicles at the site .
A different scene unfolded outside Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center , where the officers had been whisked by ambulance .
There , dozens of law enforcement officers held an impromptu vigil at the hospital , awaiting updates on the wounded officer ’ s condition .
A coroner ’ s van was seen Sunday afternoon being escorted away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it left the hospital , according to media reports .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A shooting in Louisiana’s capital city left one police officer dead and his wounded colleague fighting for his life Sunday, authorities said, adding a suspect was later taken into custody after an hourslong standoff in which shots were exchanged with a SWAT team.
Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul told The Advocate the two officers were shot in a northern residential district in the city, and that one of the officers later succumbed.
Paul said a suspect, Ronnie Kato, 36, was detained after a roughly four-hour standoff in which he barricaded inside a house. The chief didn’t immediately say what charges Kato might face. He added that SWAT team members had been fired on and they returned fire. No one was reported hurt during those exchanges.
Police said the officers who were shot had responded earlier in the day to reports of gunfire in the area.
At a news conference Sunday evening, the police chief said the slain officer was a 21-year law enforcement veteran and that the wounded colleague had seven years of police work, according to WBRZ-TV. The chief did not immediately identify the officers.
The second officer was “fighting for his life,” Paul added at a news briefing Sunday evening.
“Our officers - talk about being public servants and the responsibility that comes along with being a law enforcement officer,” Paul said. “This is a call no chief wants to get.”
Police released few details about the shooting of the two officers or events that led up to it. The chief said only that police continue to investigate.
On Sunday afternoon, neighbors and onlookers crowded street corners behind police tape that cordoned off the area, according to media reports. Some of the bystanders wore masks against the coronavirus and others held up phones to record the crush of law enforcement vehicles at the site.
A different scene unfolded outside Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where the officers had been whisked by ambulance. There, dozens of law enforcement officers held an impromptu vigil at the hospital, awaiting updates on the wounded officer’s condition.
A coroner’s van was seen Sunday afternoon being escorted away by dozens of law enforcement vehicles as it left the hospital, according to media reports.


washingtontimes--2020-04-26--New Mexico has at least 2,726 coronavirus cases and 99 dead

New Mexico now has at least 2,726 coronavirus cases with 99 known dead , health officials said Sunday .
Due @ @ @ @ @ reporting results from some labs to the state Department of Health have been delayed and @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s reporting Monday or as soon as they are received and lab-confirmed .
@ @ @ @ @ 66 more positive tests since Saturday and six additional deaths .
They said three of @ @ @ @ @ County , two in San Juan County and one in Sandoval County .
McKinley County @ @ @ @ @ Bernalillo County , the state ’ s most populous , has 688 cases .
The @ @ @ @ @ identified positive coronavirus cases in residents and-or staff at 12 congregate living and acute care @ @ @ @ @ Albuquerque and Farmington .
The other facilities are located in Santa Fe , Aztec , @ @ @ @ @

New Mexico now has at least 2,726 coronavirus cases with 99 known dead, health officials said Sunday.
Due to a technical lapse, reporting results from some labs to the state Department of Health have been delayed and will be included in the state’s reporting Monday or as soon as they are received and lab-confirmed.
Health officials said there were 66 more positive tests since Saturday and six additional deaths.
They said three of the deaths were in McKinley County, two in San Juan County and one in Sandoval County.
McKinley County has 720 COVID-19 cases while Bernalillo County, the state’s most populous, has 688 cases.
The Department of Health also has identified positive coronavirus cases in residents and-or staff at 12 congregate living and acute care facilities including four each in Albuquerque and Farmington.
The other facilities are located in Santa Fe, Aztec, Gallup and Rio Rancho.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Lebanon protests hinder virus testing by health teams

BEIRUT ( AP ) - Scattered anti-government protests broke out in several parts of Lebanon on Monday amid a crash in the local currency and a surge in food prices , leading to road closures that prevented medical teams from setting out from Beirut to conduct coronavirus tests across the country .
The Health Ministry said its teams would try again on Tuesday , urging protesters to let the paramedics work to evaluate the spread of the virus in the tiny country of 5 million people .
The protests came as the government began easing a weeks-long lockdown to limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon , which has reported 710 cases and 24 deaths so far .
The number of registered cases has dropped over the past two weeks , leading to the shortening of the nighttime curfew by one hour and allowing some businesses to resume work on Monday .
The Lebanese national currency hit a new record low over the weekend , with 4,000 pounds to the dollar on the black market while the official price remained at 1,507 pounds .
Coronavirus and the lockdown has worsened the most serious economic and financial crisis to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1975-90 civil war .
Around noon Monday , Lebanese troops forcefully removed dozens of protesters from a major highway in Zouk Mosbeh , north of Beirut , and traffic resumed .
Shortly afterward , it was blocked again with burning tires .
The Lebanese army said it respects the people ’ s right to protest as long as the protesters don ’ t close roads or attack public and private property .
“ Our demands are simple and we are not asking for the impossible , ” said protester George Ghanem in Zouk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an independent judiciary .
“ We want to live in dignity … we will continue and no one will remove us from the street.
” A woman carried a placard reading : “ My salary buys me two cartons of milk.
” On Sunday night , the Central Bank of Lebanon issued a circular instructing currency exchange shops not to sell the dollar for more than 3,200 pounds .
On Monday , most exchange shops were not selling dollars , saying clients who have dollars are refusing to exchange their hard currency at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekened , several banks in northern and southern Lebanon were attacked , some with firebombs , reflecting rising public anger against banks that have imposed capital controls on people ’ s accounts .
In a sign of the deepening crisis , Lebanon ’ s Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Friday accused the longtime Central Bank governor , Riad Salameh , of orchestrating the local currency ’ s crash , and criticized what he called the governor ’ s “ opaque ” policies that the premier said covered up major banking sector losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world ’ s most indebted countries and has been grappling with a liquidity crunch , an economic recession and rising unemployment .

BEIRUT (AP) - Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in northern Lebanon Monday amid a crash in the local currency and a surge in food prices. Dozens of young men smashed the fronts of local banks and set fire to an army vehicle, as the protests turned into riots.
The Red Cross said its teams were working on evacuating wounded people in Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city and one of the most neglected regions in Lebanon.
Scattered anti-government protests resumed last week as the government began easing the weeks-long lockdown to limit the spread of the new coronavirus in Lebanon, which has reported 710 cases and 24 deaths so far. The number of registered cases has dropped over the past two weeks, leading to the shortening of the nighttime curfew by one hour and allowing some businesses to resume work on Monday.
The virus outbreak has exacerbated a severe economic and financial crisis gripping the country since late last year, the most serious to hit Lebanon since the end of its 1975-90 civil war.
The Lebanese national currency hit a new record low over the weekend, with 4,000 pounds to the dollar on the black market while the official price remained at 1,507 pounds.
Tripoli is the capital of northern Lebanon, where unemployment is among the highest in the country and poverty is widespread.
Earlier Monday, scattered anti-government protests broke out in several parts of the country, leading to road closures that prevented medical teams from setting out from Beirut to conduct coronavirus tests across the country.
The Health Ministry said its teams would try again on Tuesday, urging protesters to let the paramedics work to evaluate the spread of the virus in the tiny country of 5 million people.
Around noon Monday, Lebanese troops forcefully removed dozens of protesters from a major highway in Zouk Mosbeh, north of Beirut, and traffic resumed. Shortly afterward, it was blocked again with burning tires.
The Lebanese army said it respects the people’s right to protest as long as the protesters don’t close roads or attack public and private property.
“Our demands are simple and we are not asking for the impossible,” said protester George Ghanem in Zouk Mosbeh, citing early parliamentary elections and an independent judiciary. “We want to live in dignity … we will continue and no one will remove us from the street.”
A woman carried a placard reading: “My salary buys me two cartons of milk.”
On Sunday night, the Central Bank of Lebanon issued a circular instructing currency exchange shops not to sell the dollar for more than 3,200 pounds. On Monday, most exchange shops were not selling dollars, saying clients who have dollars are refusing to exchange their hard currency at such a low price.
Earlier over the weekened, several banks in northern and southern Lebanon were attacked, some with firebombs, reflecting rising public anger against banks that have imposed capital controls on people’s accounts.
In a sign of the deepening crisis, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Friday accused the longtime Central Bank governor, Riad Salameh, of orchestrating the local currency’s crash, and criticized what he called the governor’s “opaque” policies that the premier said covered up major banking sector losses and capital flight.
Also Monday, Lebanon’s energy minister Raymond Ghajar said that initial results of drilling off the Lebanese coast show that there is gas on different depths in the first well ever dug in the country’s waters. The minister added that it has not been proven yet if there is a reservoir in bloc 4 where drilling is taking place.
Cash strapped-Lebanon has put high hopes on its first offshore exploratory drilling for oil and gas, launched in February.
In 2017, Lebanon approved the licenses for an international consortium led by France’s Total, Italy’s ENI and Russia’s Novatek to move forward with offshore oil and gas development for two of 10 blocks in the Mediterranean Sea, including one that is partly claimed by Israel.
Lebanon is one of the world’s most indebted countries and has been grappling with a liquidity crunch, an economic recession and rising unemployment.
___
Associated Press writer Fadi Tawil in Beirut contributed reporting.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Drive-thru COVID-19 testing in Des Moines to see increase

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - A drive-thru testing site for the new coronavirus in Des Moines expects to see nearly twice the number of people on Monday as it tested over the weekend , organizers said .
The site outside of the Wells Fargo Arena drew about 240 residents seeking to be tested over the weekend , television station KCCI reported .
Gov .
Kim Reynolds said she expected 200 more on Monday .
Lt. Col. Wesley Hall , deputy commander of administration at the Iowa Medical Department , said the process on Monday will be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite the planned increase .
That means people scheduled for a test should come at the appointed time , Hall said .
“ The Iowa National Guard , the Iowa Department of Health will ensure that we can get enough cars and have enough sites open to make sure those people get tested , ” he said .
State leaders have said the goal is to eventually test up to 3,000 people per day at different drive-thru sites around Iowa .
As of Saturday , the state ’ s online coronavirus tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa and 118 deaths from the disease .

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Iowa will allow restaurants and stores in most counties to reopen and church services to resume, even as the state sees a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths, the governor said Monday.
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an order allowing malls, restaurants, fitness centers, libraries and retail stores to reopen in 77 of Iowa’s 99 counties beginning Friday. The order requires they operate only at 50 percent capacity and implement social distancing rules, such as limiting tables at restaurants to six and banning buffets and child play areas.
Reynolds ordered that existing business closures and restrictions continue through May 15 in the other 22 counties, which include the two largest population centers of Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.
In all, the counties that will partially reopen have about 43 percent of the state’s 3.2 million residents. The largest cities in them include Ames and Council Bluffs.
Reynolds said 14 of the counties have no confirmed cases and the other 63 have seen a decline in virus activity over the last 14 days.
Bars in those 77 counties that prepare and serve food on site - beyond snacks or commercially prepared items like frozen pizzas - are considered restaurants and can reopen, the governor’s office said.
Reynolds also lifted restrictions on religious and spiritual gatherings statewide, allowing them to resume without regard to their size, citing the “significant constitutional liberties involved.” She said other community events would still be limited to 10 people or less.
The orders came as Iowa has seen an explosion of coronavirus cases that one study found was the fastest increase in the nation over a recent 7-day period. Waterloo, Sioux City and Des Moines have seen particularly fast-growing case counts, many tied to meatpacking plants and nursing homes. The state’s Latino and black populations have been particularly hard hit.
In Waterloo, Black Hawk County public health director Nafissa Cisse Egbuonye grew emotional Monday as she announced that confirmed infections have surged to 1,346 - or 1% of its population. She pleaded with residents not to give up the fight despite the governor’s push to reopen elsewhere.
Sheriff Tony Thompson said the exponential increase over the last two weeks has happened for “absolutely no reason,” blaming operations at a Tyson Foods pork plant that closed last week and citizens who failed to take precautions.
Iowa’s statewide cases grew by 349 to more than 5,800 on Monday, its death toll increased by nine to 127 and the number of patients hospitalized hit 300 for the first time.
Public health officials have said they don’t expect the pandemic in Iowa to peak for another two weeks and that an Iowa-specific forecast remains in development.
A University of Iowa researcher said that his team has submitted two reports to the state that project the pandemic based on other models and publicly available data. The school and the state were reviewing requests to make them public.
Iowa has increased its capacity to test citizens for the coronavirus, but is only beginning a program to operate drive-thru sites statewide.
Democrats denounced the Republican governor’s orders, which they said would exacerbate the spread of the virus from county to county.
“Iowa is experiencing staggering daily infections, record-high deaths, and it has yet to hit its peak,” said Senate Minority Leader Janet Petersen of Des Moines. “This is not the time to try to make people happy by randomly reopening segments of the economy like crowded farmers markets.”
The governor said that she had taken “significant mitigation measures to protect Iowans” but that they weren’t sustainable and have unintended consequences. She said it was time to shift toward managing the virus in a way that balances health and economic concerns.
“We can protect lives and secure livelihoods at the same time,” she said.
Reynolds said that she was urging vulnerable populations, such as people over age 60 and with underlying health conditions, to take precautions. She said everyone should “practice personal responsibility” when deciding whether to travel to reopened counties to eat or shop.
Theaters, casinos, barbershops, salons, museums, playgrounds and swimming pools remain closed statewide.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Germany, Britain call for 'green recovery' from pandemic

BERLIN ( AP ) - Germany and Britain said Monday that efforts to revive the global economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic must ensure a ‘ green recovery ’ that helps the world tackle climate change .
Speaking ahead of a virtual meeting of officials from some 30 countries , Germany ’ s environment minister said it was important for economic recovery programs to invest in future-proof jobs that would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in coming years , rather than aim for a return to business as usual .
“ We mustn ’ t invest in technologies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Associated Press , noting that some countries are holding onto plans to build new coal-fired power plants .
Some German politicians have called for stimulus money to be spent on subsidizing car purchases , to boost the country ’ s auto industry .
Schulze suggested that one way to do this would be to help care workers buy electric vehicles for house calls .
“ These are many , many vehicles , ” she told The AP .
“ It would help the economy and it would move us forward ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have warned that there ’ s little time left if the world wants to achieve the headline goal of the 2015 Paris climate accord - keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius ( 3.6 Fahrenheit ) , ideally 1.5 C ( 2.7 F ) .
Some have also likened the strategy adopted by countries in fighting the pandemic - the idea of flattening the curve of infections so health systems don ’ t collapse - to the need to bring down the rate of greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global warming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sharma , who is co-hosting the two-day talks , said that “ the world must work together , as it has to deal with the coronavirus pandemic , to support a green and resilient recovery , which leaves no one behind.
” Environmental campaigners have warned that heavily polluting industries are already seeking to tap into the vast sums being lined up by governments to stimulate the economy .
“ We are seeing the internal documents from industries indicating that they are trying to use this moment where public money is being put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their industries , whether it be the aviation industry… ( or ) the oil industry , ” said Jennifer Morgan , executive director of Greenpeace International .
“ It ’ s just really important , particularly with the oil industry , to note that this type of volatility that we ’ re seeing right now , it ’ s a rehearsal for what climate chaos will bring to the oil market in the future , ” she said .
“ These are risky investments .
They were risky investments before this crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will participate in the virtual climate meeting Tuesday .
Follow the AP ’ s pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

BERLIN (AP) - Germany and Britain said Monday that efforts to revive the global economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic must ensure a ‘green recovery’ that helps the world tackle climate change.
Speaking ahead of a virtual meeting of officials from some 30 countries, Germany’s environment minister said it was important for economic recovery programs to invest in future-proof jobs that would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in coming years, rather than aim for a return to business as usual.
“We mustn’t invest in technologies of the past,” Svenja Schulze told The Associated Press, noting that some countries are holding onto plans to build new coal-fired power plants.
Some German politicians have called for stimulus money to be spent on subsidizing car purchases, to boost the country’s auto industry.
Schulze suggested that one way to do this would be to help care workers buy electric vehicles for house calls. “These are many, many vehicles,” she told The AP. “It would help the economy and it would move us forward (in curbing emissions).”
Scientists have warned that there’s little time left if the world wants to achieve the headline goal of the 2015 Paris climate accord - keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit), ideally 1.5 C (2.7 F).
Some have also likened the strategy adopted by countries in fighting the pandemic - the idea of flattening the curve of infections so health systems don’t collapse - to the need to bring down the rate of greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global warming.
“Unlike in the fight against the coronavirus, we already know the vaccines for the climate crisis,” Schulze said, adding that they included renewable energy, electric mobility, recycling and low-energy housing.
Britain’s Business Secretary Alok Sharma, who is co-hosting the two-day talks, said that “the world must work together, as it has to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, to support a green and resilient recovery, which leaves no one behind.”
Environmental campaigners have warned that heavily polluting industries are already seeking to tap into the vast sums being lined up by governments to stimulate the economy.
“We are seeing the internal documents from industries indicating that they are trying to use this moment where public money is being put back into the economy to prop up their industries, whether it be the aviation industry… (or) the oil industry,” said Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International.
“It’s just really important, particularly with the oil industry, to note that this type of volatility that we’re seeing right now, it’s a rehearsal for what climate chaos will bring to the oil market in the future,” she said. “These are risky investments. They were risky investments before this crisis, and they are risky investments moving forward.”
Ahead of the two-day meeting, known as the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, 68 companies released a statement Monday saying they, too, support linking pandemic recovery with the fight against climate change. The companies include AIDA Cruises, insurance giant Allianz, Deutsche Telekom and sportswear firm Puma.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will participate in the virtual climate meeting Tuesday.
___
Follow the AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Deutsche Bank net profit falls due to pandemic

FRANKFURT , Germany ( AP ) - Deutsche Bank has reported that its net income fell to 66 million euros ( $ 72 million ) in the first quarter as the pandemic hurt its business .
The bank said it was letting its financial buffers fall so it can maintain lending to clients but said the easing was temporary and modest .
The net profit fell from 201 million euros in the first quarter of last year , while revenue dropped to 6.4 billion euros from 6.35 billion euros .
It said its common equity tier 1 ratio , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12.8 % from 13.6 % at year end .
But the bank said it would not restrict lending just to maintain its target for its capital cushion .
“ Management has made the clear decision to allow capital to fall modestly and temporarily below its target in order to support clients and the broader economy at this time of economic crisis , ” the company said in a statement .
The bank said it was maintaining buffers well above regulatory requirements in any case .
The European Central Bank has eased capital requirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it easier for them to keep lending .
Bank lending is key to the European economy because companies tend to get their financing from banks as opposed to from bond or stock markets .
The bank released partial first quarter earnings in an email just before midnight Sunday .
A more detailed report is due April 29 .

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - Deutsche Bank has reported that its net income fell to 66 million euros ($72 million) in the first quarter as the pandemic hurt its business. The bank said it was letting its financial buffers fall so it can maintain lending to clients but said the easing was temporary and modest.
The net profit fell from 201 million euros in the first quarter of last year, while revenue dropped to 6.4 billion euros from 6.35 billion euros. Money set aside to cover loans that are not being repaid grew to around 500 million euros from 140 million a year ago, one sign of business distress amid the shutdowns aimed at halting the spread of the virus.
It said its common equity tier 1 ratio, one measure of financial strength, fell to 12.8% from 13.6% at year end. But the bank said it would not restrict lending just to maintain its target for its capital cushion.
“Management has made the clear decision to allow capital to fall modestly and temporarily below its target in order to support clients and the broader economy at this time of economic crisis,” the company said in a statement. The bank said it was maintaining buffers well above regulatory requirements in any case.
The European Central Bank has eased capital requirements for banks during the pandemic to make it easier for them to keep lending. Bank lending is key to the European economy because companies tend to get their financing from banks as opposed to from bond or stock markets.
The bank released partial first quarter earnings in an email just before midnight Sunday. A more detailed report is due April 29.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Police seek 2 in shooting death of Vermont man

BURLINGTON , Vt. ( AP ) - A 38-year-old Burlington man was shot and killed late Sunday night and police @ @ @ @ @ spotted fleeing the scene , police said .
Police were called to the North Avenue @ @ @ @ @ Sunday after receiving a report of multiple gunshots .
The caller told police two men @ @ @ @ @ the home before the gunshots .
Additional callers reported a man had been shot .
@ @ @ @ @ Martin , was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington with gunshot @ @ @ @ @ dead .
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Burlington police .

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A 38-year-old Burlington man was shot and killed late Sunday night and police were searching for two men spotted fleeing the scene, police said.
Police were called to the North Avenue home at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday after receiving a report of multiple gunshots.
The caller told police two men had pushed their way into the home before the gunshots. Additional callers reported a man had been shot.
The victim, Steven C. Martin, was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington with gunshot injuries and was later pronounced dead.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Burlington police.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--An all-star virtual graduation awaits college students

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Though college students have seen their in-person graduations canceled or scaled back , one @ @ @ @ @ the Class of 2020 with a virtual all-star celebration featuring Eva Longoria , Andrew Yang @ @ @ @ @ .
Her Campus , a website geared to women in college , is putting on @ @ @ @ @ s calling “ I ’ m Still Graduating ” on May 15 that will feature @ @ @ @ @ , as well as words from select graduates .
Students can also create their own @ @ @ @ @ memories , and a minute-long video to share with family and friends .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ of a missed graduation experience on its head and bringing together the lineup of our @ @ @ @ @ and performances that will inspire , motivate , and uplift at a time that this @ @ @ @ @ and all of us , need it most , ” said Stephanie Kaplan Lewis , @ @ @ @ @ CEO and editor in chief .

NEW YORK (AP) - Though college students have seen their in-person graduations canceled or scaled back, one organization is promising to celebrate the Class of 2020 with a virtual all-star celebration featuring Eva Longoria, Andrew Yang, Liam Payne and more.
Her Campus, a website geared to women in college, is putting on an online ceremony it’s calling “ I’m Still Graduating” on May 15 that will feature speeches and performances from luminaries, as well as words from select graduates.
Students can also create their own graduation page and upload photo memories, and a minute-long video to share with family and friends.
“We’re turning the letdown of a missed graduation experience on its head and bringing together the lineup of our dreams to deliver commencement addresses and performances that will inspire, motivate, and uplift at a time that this year’s graduates, and all of us, need it most,” said Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, Her Campus Media’s CEO and editor in chief.
Others participating include Tamron Hall, Kenneth Cole, Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin and tennis legend Billie Jean King.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--AP-NORC poll: Rising support for mail voting amid pandemic

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Americans ’ support for mail-in voting has jumped amid concerns about the safety of polling places during the coronavirus pandemic , but a wide partisan divide suggests President Donald Trump ’ s public campaign against vote by mail may be resonating with his Republican backers .
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds Democrats are now much more likely than Republicans to support their state conducting elections exclusively by mail , 47 % to 29 % .
In 2018 , about half as many Democrats were in favor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views of Democrats and Republicans on the question .
The survey also found a partisan divide on support for no-excuse absentee voting , the system in place in most states , including almost all the top presidential battlegrounds , even as a majority of Americans say they favor that practice .
The increased partisanship in the debate over how America votes comes just as that question has been thrust into the forefront of American politics .
As health officials warn about the risk of spreading the coronavirus at polling places , some in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expansion of mail voting , with Trump and others openly fretting that it may enable too many people to cast their ballots for the GOP to win in November .
All states conduct elections differently , and only five states automatically mail ballots to every voter .
But in response to the virus , some states - including Ohio on Tuesday - have shifted their primaries to virtually all-mail elections .
The Republican National Committee has been fighting some of those moves .
Republicans successfully petitioned a New Mexico court to block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclusively by mail , forcing the state to open some polling places and only send applications for absentee ballots to voters .
The Republican Attorney General in Texas argued unsuccessfully in a legal case that the coronavirus should not be an automatically accepted excuse for people seeking absentee ballots in that state .
Most prominently , the Republican-controlled Wisconsin legislature rebuffed a last-minute request to hold that state ’ s April 7 primary and state court election by mail .
Democrats won a contested Supreme Court race , but not before shuttered polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polling places in Green Bay and Milwaukee , where only five of 183 stations were open .
But the debates over the primaries may only be a preview of the partisan battles ahead if the virus is still forcing stay-at-home orders and social distancing in November .
The poll finds that 39 % of Americans favor conducting all-mail elections , up from 19 % in 2018 .
Another 40 % are opposed .
But even more , 48 % , favor a move to voting only by mail if the coronavirus outbreak is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows 60 % of Americans support allowing people to vote via absentee ballot without requiring them to give a reason if the outbreak is still happening .
That includes 73 % percent of Democrats and 46 % of Republicans .
Some 40 % of Republicans are opposed .
The partisan differences could have a strong impact across the presidential battleground states .
Five of the top seven swing states - Michigan , New Hampshire , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - have divided government , and skirmishes over voting have already broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are signs that Democratic areas are moving faster than GOP ones to embrace mail voting .
In Wisconsin , Democrats have already started to bolster their mail voting operations for November .
Reliably Democratic Milwaukee , the state ’ s largest city , will send every one of its 300,000 voters a request for an absentee ballot .
Republicans , who have resisted a similar step statewide , acknowledge that Milwaukee ’ s move would put them at a disadvantage .
“ It makes winning Wisconsin harder , ” said Andrew Hitt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling for intervention to “ level the playing field.
” In Pennsylvania , Democratically-led areas are eager to expand absentee voting , but Republicans seem less so .
The second-most populous county in the state , the Democratic bastion of Allegheny , which includes Pittsburgh , is sending absentee ballot requests to all its voters in its June primary .
The poll found roughly two-thirds of Republicans worried that voter fraud would be a major problem with all-mail voting .
Two months ago , about as many described voter fraud as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Widespread voter fraud in mail-in voting is uncommon .
Brynn Alexander , 36 , who just moved with her husband to military housing in Alabama , is one of those who worries about security .
“ How do you even identify that the mail got to the right person ?
” Alexander asked .
She added that she favored exceptions for some , like her 70-year-old mother , but preferred votes at the polls .
“ It ’ s going to be better to make everybody feel confident with the results , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential election .
“ You don ’ t want one party or the other saying the other side cheated.
” Meanwhile , only 29 % of Democrats were worried about fraud being a major problem in an all-mail election , though another 41 % described it as a minor problem .
Rick Reinesch , a 59-year-old IT technician in Austin , Texas , said Republicans needlessly pump up worries about voter fraud .
“ It ’ s trying to kill a gnat with a sledgehammer , ” he said .
Paul Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is wary of voting by mail .
He ’ s accustomed to going to the polls on Election Day .
“ I ’ m just not sold on mail-in voting , ” the Republican and retired factory worker said .
But Miller may bow to the reality that he shouldn ’ t be face-to-face with poll workers anytime soon and cast his vote by absentee .
“ I ’ m not dead set against mail , ” Miller said .
“ I could be persuaded.
” The AP-NORC poll of 1,057 adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4 percentage points .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans’ support for mail-in voting has jumped amid concerns about the safety of polling places during the coronavirus pandemic, but a wide partisan divide suggests President Donald Trump’s public campaign against vote by mail may be resonating with his Republican backers.
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds Democrats are now much more likely than Republicans to support their state conducting elections exclusively by mail, 47% to 29%.
In 2018, about half as many Democrats were in favor, and there was little difference in the views of Democrats and Republicans on the question.
The survey also found a partisan divide on support for no-excuse absentee voting, the system in place in most states, including almost all the top presidential battlegrounds, even as a majority of Americans say they favor that practice.
The increased partisanship in the debate over how America votes comes just as that question has been thrust into the forefront of American politics. As health officials warn about the risk of spreading the coronavirus at polling places, some in the Republican Party have tried to limit the expansion of mail voting, with Trump and others openly fretting that it may enable too many people to cast their ballots for the GOP to win in November.
All states conduct elections differently, and only five states automatically mail ballots to every voter. But in response to the virus, some states - including Ohio on Tuesday - have shifted their primaries to virtually all-mail elections. On Monday, New York Democrats canceled their presidential primary, which had already been delayed until June 23.
The Republican National Committee has been fighting some of those moves. Republicans successfully petitioned a New Mexico court to block the state from holding its June primary exclusively by mail, forcing the state to open some polling places and only send applications for absentee ballots to voters.
The Republican Attorney General in Texas argued unsuccessfully in a legal case that the coronavirus should not be an automatically accepted excuse for people seeking absentee ballots in that state.
Most prominently, the Republican-controlled Wisconsin legislature rebuffed a last-minute request to hold that state’s April 7 primary and state court election by mail. Democrats won a contested Supreme Court race, but not before shuttered polling locations left voters in long lines at polling places in Green Bay and Milwaukee, where only five of 183 stations were open.
But the debates over the primaries may only be a preview of the partisan battles ahead if the virus is still forcing stay-at-home orders and social distancing in November.
The poll finds that 39% of Americans favor conducting all-mail elections, up from 19% in 2018. Another 40% are opposed. But even more, 48%, favor a move to voting only by mail if the coronavirus outbreak is ongoing in November.
The poll also shows 60% of Americans support allowing people to vote via absentee ballot without requiring them to give a reason if the outbreak is still happening. That includes 73% percent of Democrats and 46% of Republicans. Some 40% of Republicans are opposed.
The partisan differences could have a strong impact across the presidential battleground states. Five of the top seven swing states - Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - have divided government, and skirmishes over voting have already broken out in several. In some, there are signs that Democratic areas are moving faster than GOP ones to embrace mail voting.
In Wisconsin, Democrats have already started to bolster their mail voting operations for November. Reliably Democratic Milwaukee, the state’s largest city, will send every one of its 300,000 voters a request for an absentee ballot. Republicans, who have resisted a similar step statewide, acknowledge that Milwaukee’s move would put them at a disadvantage. “It makes winning Wisconsin harder,” said Andrew Hitt, chair of the state Republican Party, calling for intervention to “level the playing field.”
In Pennsylvania, Democratically-led areas are eager to expand absentee voting, but Republicans seem less so. The second-most populous county in the state, the Democratic bastion of Allegheny, which includes Pittsburgh, is sending absentee ballot requests to all its voters in its June primary.
The poll found roughly two-thirds of Republicans worried that voter fraud would be a major problem with all-mail voting. Two months ago, about as many described voter fraud as a major problem in U.S. elections in general. Widespread voter fraud in mail-in voting is uncommon.
Brynn Alexander, 36, who just moved with her husband to military housing in Alabama, is one of those who worries about security.
“How do you even identify that the mail got to the right person?” Alexander asked. She added that she favored exceptions for some, like her 70-year-old mother, but preferred votes at the polls.
“It’s going to be better to make everybody feel confident with the results,” she said of in-person voting in the presidential election. “You don’t want one party or the other saying the other side cheated.”
Meanwhile, only 29% of Democrats were worried about fraud being a major problem in an all-mail election, though another 41% described it as a minor problem. Rick Reinesch, a 59-year-old IT technician in Austin, Texas, said Republicans needlessly pump up worries about voter fraud. “It’s trying to kill a gnat with a sledgehammer,” he said.
Paul Miller, 81, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is wary of voting by mail. He’s accustomed to going to the polls on Election Day. “I’m just not sold on mail-in voting,” the Republican and retired factory worker said.
But Miller may bow to the reality that he shouldn’t be face-to-face with poll workers anytime soon and cast his vote by absentee.
“I’m not dead set against mail,” Miller said. “I could be persuaded.”
___
Riccardi reported from Denver.
___
The AP-NORC poll of 1,057 adults was conducted April 16-20 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
___
Online:
AP-NORC Center: http://www.apnorc.org/.


washingtontimes--2020-04-27--Bodies found in submerged car linked to missing persons case

GLADE HILL , Va. ( AP ) - Two bodies were discovered over the weekend in a submerged car that @ @ @ @ @ Virginia missing persons case , authorities said .
The vehicle was recovered from Smith Mountain @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night , the Rockbridge County Sheriff ’ s Office said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ identified .
They were taken to the medical examiner for autopsies , authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and additional agencies assisted in the recovery effort .
@ @ @ @ @ miles ( 48.28 kilometers ) south of Roanoke .

GLADE HILL, Va. (AP) - Two bodies were discovered over the weekend in a submerged car that matched the description in a Virginia missing persons case, authorities said.
The vehicle was recovered from Smith Mountain Lake in Glade Hill on Saturday night, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
The bodies were not immediately identified. They were taken to the medical examiner for autopsies, authorities said.
Virginia State Police, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and additional agencies assisted in the recovery effort.
Glade Hill is about 30 miles (48.28 kilometers) south of Roanoke.