washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Body in Swedish river was missing Pakistani journalist

HELSINKI ( AP ) - Swedish police say they have identified a body found late last month in a river as that of missing Pakistani journalist Sajid Hussain .
Police in Uppsala , a university town around 70 kilometers ( 43 miles ) north of Stockholm , said Friday that they had initially launched a murder investigation , but suspicions of foul play have weakened following an autopsy .
“ But we ’ re still waiting for a few more answers , ” police spokesman Jonas Eronen told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet .
Hussain , 39 , went missing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 23 in the Fyris river that runs through Uppsala .
A native of Pakistan ’ s Balochistan province , Hussain was the editor and publisher of the online magazine Balochistan Times that he founded in 2015 .
He fled Pakistan in 2012 after his reporting on corruption , forced disappearances and human rights violations in the region resulted in the police raiding his house and his receiving death threats .
Hussain had lived in Sweden since 2017 and was granted political asylum in the country a year later .
Swedish public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since January at the Uppsala University , the Nordic region ’ s oldest university , studying Arabic language and acting as a lecturer .
Hussain was openly critical of the Pakistani government , and the Swedish chapter of Reporters Without Borders had raised concerns that his disappearance could have been due to his work .
In a statement published on Friday , the Balochistan Times said its staff was “ deeply saddened by the demise of our dear friend and the founder of this magazine.
” “ As a journalist , he ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the suffering of the Baloch people .
His work often got him into trouble as the authorities did not like his reporting of Balochistan ’ s forbidden stories , the reason he had to leave and live in exile , ” the statement said .

HELSINKI (AP) - Swedish police say they have identified a body found late last month in a river as that of missing Pakistani journalist Sajid Hussain.
Police in Uppsala, a university town around 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of Stockholm, said Friday that they had initially launched a murder investigation, but suspicions of foul play have weakened following an autopsy.
“But we’re still waiting for a few more answers,” police spokesman Jonas Eronen told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
Hussain, 39, went missing on March 2 and his body was found on April 23 in the Fyris river that runs through Uppsala.
A native of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Hussain was the editor and publisher of the online magazine Balochistan Times that he founded in 2015.
He fled Pakistan in 2012 after his reporting on corruption, forced disappearances and human rights violations in the region resulted in the police raiding his house and his receiving death threats.
Hussain had lived in Sweden since 2017 and was granted political asylum in the country a year later. Swedish public broadcaster SVT said he had been registered since January at the Uppsala University, the Nordic region’s oldest university, studying Arabic language and acting as a lecturer.
Hussain was openly critical of the Pakistani government, and the Swedish chapter of Reporters Without Borders had raised concerns that his disappearance could have been due to his work.
In a statement published on Friday, the Balochistan Times said its staff was “deeply saddened by the demise of our dear friend and the founder of this magazine.”
“As a journalist, he (Hussain) was compassionate and wrote extensively on the suffering of the Baloch people. His work often got him into trouble as the authorities did not like his reporting of Balochistan’s forbidden stories, the reason he had to leave and live in exile,” the statement said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Spaniards pour out for 1st exercise in 7 weeks of lockdown

BARCELONA , Spain ( AP ) - Thousands of Spaniards woke up early on Saturday to lace up their running shoes for the first time in seven weeks after the government ended a prohibition on outdoor exercise .
At 6 a.m. early risers poured into the streets dressed in athletic gear to run , bike , and speed walk , with many taking extra caution to loosen up atrophied muscles and avoid a twisted ankle that would ruin the joy of release .
A few tried running with a face mask despite the difficulty it causes with breathing .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities for walkers and shoppers , to reduce the chance of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19 .
“ I feel good , but tired .
You sure notice that it has been a month and I am not in shape , ” 36-year-old Cristina Palomeque said in Barcelona after taking a break following a 20-minute jog .
She had grown tired of following Zumba and yoga classes online .
“ Some people think it may be too early ( to go out ) , as I do , but it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons , ” she said .
A brilliant sunny sky in Barcelona drew many to the maritime promenade to get as close as possible to the beach , which is still off-limits .
People are supposed to respect a 1-meter distance , but the crowds in some spots made that impossible .
“ We woke up very early so that we wouldn ’ t find it too full of people , but … it ’ s complicated , ” 37-year-old Eduardo Conte said after a run along the Mediterranean beachfront .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , but you have to take it easy so we don ’ t all end up with injuries.
” The scene was similar to that seen last weekend when Spain ’ s children were let out for a walk with a parent for the first time in six weeks .
After some chastising by local officials in the worst cases , the population behaved better throughout the week .
The government has set up time slots for age groups and activities to prevent crowds from forming and exposing the most at-risk elders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now go out for individual exercise , and couples in that age group who live together can go for walks , from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. People over 70 can go out from 10 a.m. to noon and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. , with one caregiver if needed .
Children under 14 are now allowed to go out between noon and 7 p.m. for walks with one parent , for up one hour , within 1 kilometer ( half a mile ) of home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Towns and villages with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants are exempt from the timetable dividing people by age groups .
“ Today we take a new step in the relaxation of the confinement , but we must take it with caution and responsibility , ” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on Twitter .
“ The virus is still with us .
We need to respect the rules as well as the guidelines for hygiene and social distancing.
” Since Spain ’ s lockdown started on March 14 , only adults have only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only for shopping for food , medicine and other essential goods , and to walk dogs close to home .
For two weeks all commuting was banned ; now only unavoidable commutes to and from work are allowed , with authorities encouraging people to work from home .
Spain has detailed a complex rollback plan that will vary by province .
Those with the fewest cases and with health care resources to handle a rebound of the virus will be the first to enjoy a further loosening of the measures .
The lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has succeeded in reducing daily increases of over 20 % in cases to under 1 % and saving Spain ’ s hospitals from collapse .
Spain has 25,100 confirmed deaths from the virus after a daily increase of 276 was reported on Saturday .
That is down from daily death tolls of over 900 a month ago .
Another 1,147 cases reported over the past 24 hours took the total of confirmed infections to 216,582 .
The huge field hospital the military helped set up in a convention center in Madrid was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed the makeshift morgue the army had established in an ice rink .
In Madrid , police reminded athletes that parks were still off-limits on town hall orders .
“ These are very strong restrictions , but it is what it is .
We have to follow the instructions from the Health Ministry because they know more than us , ” 52-year-old Manuel Garcia said in the capital .
“ This feeling of freedom is great .
When this gets back to normal , all of us will feel even better.
” Renata @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madrid contributed .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Thousands of Spaniards woke early and laced up their sports shoes Saturday after a prohibition on outdoor exercise during the coronavirus pandemic ended after seven weeks.
Morning people dressed in athletic wear poured into the streets at 6 a.m. to run, bike, and speed walk, with many taking extra care to loosen up atrophied muscles so a twisted ankle or pulled hamstring wouldn’t spoil the rush of release.
“I feel good, but tired. You sure notice that it has been a month, and I am not in shape,” Cristina Palomeque, 36, said following a 20-minute jog in Barcelona.
A few tried running with face masks despite the added difficulty breathing. Masks will be required on public transportation starting Monday to prevent infections from the virus that causes COVID-19, which has heavily affected Spain.
Despite slight trepidation and the physical challenge, Palomeque said she decided it was time to get moving again. She had grown tired of following Zumba and yoga classes online.
“Some people think it may be too early (to go out), as I do, but it is also important to do exercise for health reasons,” she said.
A brilliant sunny sky in Barcelona drew many to the maritime promenade to get as close as possible to the beach, which is still off-limits. People are supposed to respect a 2-meter distance, but the crowds in some spots made that impossible.
“We woke up very early so that we wouldn’t find it too full of people, but … it’s complicated,” Eduardo Conte, 37, said after a run along the Mediterranean beachfront. “I feel a rush (being back outside), but you have to take it easy so we don’t all end up with injuries.”
The images of crowds enjoying the good weather and coming too close to each other prompted the health chief of the Castilla León region to comment, “I think that even people who have never go on a run are running today.”
The regional health chief, Verónica Casado called for people to act responsibly so Spain doesn’t see a rebound of the virus that would require rolling back the additional freedom to go out in public.
The scene Saturday was similar to last weekend, when parents in Spain were allowed to take their children out for a walk for the first time in six weeks. After some chastising by local officials in the worst cases, the population behaved better throughout the week.
The government has set up time slots for age groups and activities to prevent crowds from forming and exposing the most at-risk elders.
People between 14 and 70 can now go out for individual exercise, and couples in that age group who live together can go for walks, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. People over 70 can go out from 10 a.m. to noon and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., with one caregiver if needed.
Children under 14 are now allowed to go out between noon and 7 p.m. for walks with one parent, for up one hour, within 1 kilometer (half a mile) of home. They cannot play with other children.
Towns and villages with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants are exempt from the timetable dividing people by age groups.
“Now we are finally seeing the results of all these weeks of confinement, (…) and we deserve some relief,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a televised address, while warning that citizens must not “let their guard down.”
“I am convinced that over the coming months, until we have a vaccine, we are going to see more outbreaks (of the virus),” Sánchez said. “What we need to guarantee is that these outbreaks do not put our national health system in danger.”
Since Spain’s lockdown took effect on March 14, only adults have been able to leave home, and only for shopping for food, medicine and other essential goods, and to walk dogs close to home. For two weeks all commuting was banned; now only unavoidable commutes to and from work are allowed, with authorities encouraging people to work from home.
Spain has detailed a complex rollback plan that will vary by province and will take effect on Monday. Those with the fewest cases and with health care resources to handle a rebound of the virus will be the first to enjoy a further loosening of the measures.
The lockdown, among the strictest in the world, has succeeded in reducing daily increases of over 20% in cases to under 1% and saving Spain’s hospitals from collapse.
Spain has 25,100 confirmed deaths from the virus after a daily increase of 276 was reported on Saturday. That is down from daily death tolls of over 900 a month ago. Another 1,147 cases reported over the past 24 hours took the total of confirmed infections to 216,582.
The huge field hospital the military helped set up in a convention center in Madrid was closed on Friday. Madrid had already closed the makeshift morgue the army had established in an ice rink.
In Madrid, police reminded athletes that parks were still off-limits on town hall orders.
“These are very strong restrictions, but it is what it is. We have to follow the instructions from the Health Ministry because they know more than us,” 52-year-old Manuel García said in the capital.
“This feeling of freedom is great. When this gets back to normal, all of us will feel even better.”
___
Renata Brito in Barcelona and Alicia León and Aritz Parra in Madrid contributed.
___
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--French soldier killed in anti-insurgent operations in Mali

PARIS ( AP ) - France ’ s Defense Ministry said Saturday that a French soldier has been killed in @ @ @ @ @ armed terrorist groups.
” A military tanker belonging to the French-led Operation Barkhane was hit @ @ @ @ @ on April 23 in the Liptako region of southeast central Mali .
Two soldiers were @ @ @ @ @ taken for care immediately .
One is currently in a stable condition but the other @ @ @ @ @ In a statement Saturday , Defense Staff Chief Gen. François Lecointre noted his “ deep @ @ @ @ @ this soldier who died for France.
” Operation Barkhane , which succeeded Operation Serval but @ @ @ @ @ scope , is targeting Islamist groups in Africa ’ s Sahel region .

PARIS (AP) - France’s Defense Ministry said Saturday that a French soldier has been killed in Mali during operations against “armed terrorist groups.”
A military tanker belonging to the French-led Operation Barkhane was hit by an improvised explosive device on April 23 in the Liptako region of southeast central Mali.
Two soldiers were wounded by device and were taken for care immediately. One is currently in a stable condition but the other died of his injuries.
In a statement Saturday, Defense Staff Chief Gen. François Lecointre noted his “deep sadness to the memory of this soldier who died for France.”
Operation Barkhane, which succeeded Operation Serval but has a much wider geographic scope, is targeting Islamist groups in Africa’s Sahel region.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Patter of tiny paws: Giant panda gives birth at Dutch zoo

THE HAGUE , Netherlands ( AP ) - A giant panda loaned by China to a Dutch zoo as part of a breeding pair has given birth to a cub , the zoo announced Saturday .
The mother , Wu Wen , and her cub “ are staying in the maternity den and are doing well , ” Ouwehands Zoo said in a statement .
The zoo said following Friday ’ s birth that it is “ delighted and proud to contribute to the protection of this endangered species in a natural way.
” The new cub ’ s gender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the maternity den , likely in a few months ’ time , with its mother .
Wu Wen and male panda Xing Ya arrived in the Netherlands from Sichuan province in 2017 , as part of a loan program .
The zoo said the new cub also belongs to China and can remain in the Netherlands for four years before going to China to join the breeding program there .
Around 420 pandas live in captivity in zoos and reserves , the majority within China , while an estimated 1,864 live in the @ @

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - A giant panda loaned by China to a Dutch zoo as part of a breeding pair has given birth to a cub, the zoo announced Saturday.
The mother, Wu Wen, and her cub “are staying in the maternity den and are doing well,” Ouwehands Zoo said in a statement.
The zoo said following Friday’s birth that it is “delighted and proud to contribute to the protection of this endangered species in a natural way.”
The new cub’s gender will not be known until it leaves the maternity den, likely in a few months’ time, with its mother.
Wu Wen and male panda Xing Ya arrived in the Netherlands from Sichuan province in 2017, as part of a loan program. The zoo said the new cub also belongs to China and can remain in the Netherlands for four years before going to China to join the breeding program there.
Around 420 pandas live in captivity in zoos and reserves, the majority within China, while an estimated 1,864 live in the wild.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Kazakhstan removes ex-president's daughter as senate speaker

MOSCOW ( AP ) - The daughter of Kazakhstan ’ s former president , once viewed as his heir-apparent , @ @ @ @ @ post as speaker of the country ’ s senate .
Dariga Nazarbayeva was removed Saturday @ @ @ @ @ Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ; she also lost her seat in the senate .
No reason was @ @ @ @ @ Nazarbayeva became senate speaker in March 2019 on the same day that her father , @ @ @ @ @ .
Nazarbayev had led Kazakhstan since independence in 1991 and many expected that his daughter @ @ @ @ @ Tokayev was named acting president and was elected to the presidency in June .

MOSCOW (AP) - The daughter of Kazakhstan’s former president, once viewed as his heir-apparent, has been dismissed from her post as speaker of the country’s senate.
Dariga Nazarbayeva was removed Saturday by an order from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; she also lost her seat in the senate.
No reason was stated for the dismissal. Nazarbayeva became senate speaker in March 2019 on the same day that her father, Nursultan Nazarbayev, unexpectedly resigned.
Nazarbayev had led Kazakhstan since independence in 1991 and many expected that his daughter would succeed him. But Tokayev was named acting president and was elected to the presidency in June.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Rise in virus cases in crowded Indian jails prompts concerns

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - The spreading of the coronavirus in India ’ s notoriously crowded prisons has prompted authorities to impose jail lockdowns and release thousands of pretrial detainees on parole , as health experts worry that the cramped facilities are serving as breeding grounds that will enable the virus to spread .
Although there are no official numbers on how many inmates have been infected by the virus countrywide , India ’ s correction facilities are slowly recording more and more coronavirus cases , leading authorities to temporarily ban relatives and friends from visiting prisoners .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jail in coastal Maharashtra , among the Indian states worst-hit by the pandemic .
It was the eighth prison in Maharashtra to be locked down .
The move came after 19 inmates in Indore Central Jail in central Madhya Pradesh state tested positive for the virus on Tuesday .
Around 250 others who came in contact with them were shifted to a temporary jail .
“ It is a terrifying situation .
If measures aren ’ t taken soon , then things can become extremely difficult , ” said Madhurima Dhanuka , head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative .
Considering its population of 1.3 billion , India has done relatively well in containing the coronavirus , confirming around 37,000 infections , including 1,223 deaths .
On Friday , the government extended the lockdown it had announced in late March for another two weeks , but eased restrictions in some low-risk areas and is now trying to gradually reopen some industries , including agriculture and manufacturing .
Health experts , however , fear that crowded facilities such as prisons can prove deadly , threatening the lives of detainees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside population .
The virus has spread rapidly in overcrowded prisons across the world , leading governments to release inmates en masse .
United Nations experts and the World Health Organization have urged governments to reduce their prison populations during the pandemic .
In March , India ’ s top court said that it was “ difficult for prisoners to maintain social distancing ” and ordered that detainees convicted of crimes with jail terms of no more than seven years be given parole .
Many states started releasing thousands of inmates .
Attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were not enough , critics say .
Indian prisons are highly overcrowded .
According to the latest data , put out by the National Crimes Record Bureau in 2018 , India has some 450,000 prisoners , exceeding the country ’ s official prison capacity by about 17 % .
Prisons in New Delhi and neighboring Uttar Pradesh state have the highest occupancy rates , at over 50 % above capacity .
Making matters worse , “ the health facilities in prisons are not up to the mark , ” said Dhanuka .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of total prison expenditure was spent on inmates ’ medical needs in 2018 .
It also shows a 40 % shortage of medical personnel in Indian prisons .
Dhanuka said the combination of a low health care budget , a shortage of doctors and “ horrible hygiene facilities ” has created ideal conditions for the coronavirus to spread in Indian prisons .
“ There is an urgent need to decongest them , ” she said .
While the government said it already has released thousands of prisoners and plans to set more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still in jail are distraught .
In April , the family of Mian Qayoom , a 73-year-old human rights lawyer from disputed Kashmir who is jailed in New Delhi ’ s Tihar jail , wrote to authorities to urge them to release him on parole due to his ailing health .
The family said that Qayoom was a diabetic and had a serious heart condition .
But on April 29 , the Indian government said that Qayoom ’ s potential release was not covered in the guidelines issued by the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August under the Public Safety Act , which allows people to be held for up to two years without trial .
“ He is most prone to this virus attack , ” said Qayoom ’ s nephew , Mian Muzaffar , who is also his lawyer .
“ It ’ s a death sentence to keep him inside India ’ s most notorious and one of the most crowded jails in these times.
” ___ Associated Press writer Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar , India , contributed to this report .

NEW DELHI (AP) - The spread of the coronavirus in India’s notoriously crowded prisons has prompted authorities to impose jail lockdowns and release thousands of pretrial detainees on parole, as health experts worry that the cramped facilities are serving as breeding grounds for the disease.
Although there are no official numbers on how many inmates have been infected by the virus, India’s correction facilities are slowly recording more infections and have temporarily banned visitors.
On Thursday, authorities locked down Nagpur Central Jail in coastal Maharashtra, among the Indian states worst hit by the pandemic. It was the eighth prison in Maharashtra to be locked down. The move came after 19 inmates in Indore Central Jail in central Madhya Pradesh state tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. Around 250 others who came in contact with them were shifted to a temporary jail.
“It is a terrifying situation. If measures aren’t taken soon, then things can become extremely difficult,” said Madhurima Dhanuka, head of the Prison Reforms Program for the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.
Considering its population of 1.3 billion, India has done relatively well so far in containing the coronavirus, confirming around 37,000 infections, including 1,223 deaths. On Friday, the government extended the lockdown it had announced in late March for another two weeks, but eased restrictions in some low-risk areas and is now trying to gradually reopen some industries, including agriculture and manufacturing.
Health experts, however, fear that crowded facilities such as prisons can prove deadly, threatening the lives of detainees and guards, as well as the outside population.
The virus has spread rapidly in overcrowded prisons across the world, leading governments to release inmates en masse. United Nations experts and the World Health Organization have urged governments to reduce their prison populations during the pandemic.
In the Philippines, which has some of the most congested jails in the world, a Supreme Court justice said Saturday that nearly 10,000 poor inmates had been temporarily freed by reducing the amounts of their bails.
Some of the inmates, who could not afford to post bail, were released to the custody of local officials, underscoring the urgency to ease overcrowding in jails.
In March, India’s top court said that it was “difficult for prisoners to maintain social distancing” and ordered that detainees convicted of crimes with jail terms of no more than seven years be given parole. Many states started releasing thousands of inmates.
Attempts to reduce the prison population, however, were not enough, critics say.
Indian prisons are highly overcrowded. According to the latest data by the National Crimes Record Bureau in 2018, India has some 450,000 prisoners, exceeding the country’s official prison capacity by about 17%. Prisons in New Delhi and neighboring Uttar Pradesh state have the highest occupancy rates, at over 50% above capacity.
Making matters worse, “the health facilities in prisons are not up to the mark,” said Dhanuka.
The official data shows that only 4% of total prison expenditure was spent on inmates’ medical needs in 2018. It also shows a 40% shortage of medical personnel in Indian prisons.
Dhanuka said the combination of a low health care budget, a shortage of doctors and “horrible hygiene facilities” has created ideal conditions for the coronavirus to spread in prisons.
While the government said it already has released thousands of prisoners and plans to set more free, worried families whose loved ones are still in jail are distraught.
In April, the family of Mian Qayoom, a 73-year-old human rights lawyer from disputed Kashmir who is locked up in New Delhi’s Tihar jail, wrote to authorities to urge them to release him on parole due to his ailing health. The family said that Qayoom was a diabetic with a serious heart condition.
But on April 29, the Indian government said that Qayoom’s release was not covered in the guidelines issued by the country’s top court.
Qayoom was arrested in August under the Public Safety Act, which allows people to be held for up to two years without trial.
“He is most prone to this virus attack,” said Qayoom’s nephew, Mian Muzaffar, who is also his lawyer. “It’s a death sentence to keep him inside India’s most notorious and one of the most crowded jails in these times.” ___ Associated Press writer Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar, India, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--1 Houston police officer killed, 1 injured in copter crash

HOUSTON ( AP ) - A Houston police officer died following a helicopter crash early Saturday , and another officer was critically injured , the city ’ s mayor and police chief said .
A pilot and tactical flight officer were aboard a police helicopter when it crashed at an apartment complex around 2 a.m .
They were flown to a hospital where the tactical flight officer died , Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said after 6 a.m. , in his second press conference of the day .
The pilot was still in surgery , Acevedo said , and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were hopeful he would survive .
“ We don ’ t have any idea why it went down at this time , ” Acevedo said at the first press conference near the north Houston crash scene , and reiterated that later in the morning .
There were no injuries to anyone on the ground at the apartment complex , a masked Acevedo told reporters .
The helicopter was supposed to assist with a search for bodies in a nearby bayou , which was prompted by a tip that the police chief characterized as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know.
” The officers were trapped in “ mangled ” wreckage before being cut out by city firefighters who worked for about an hour , Acevedo said , praising the fire department as “ phenomenal.
” Acevedo identified two silver linings at the first press conference : While the wreckage was “ pretty significant , ” it didn ’ t catch fire , and the helicopter avoided striking occupied apartment buildings .
It did clip the Biscayne at Cityview complex ’ s clubhouse , he said .
The department will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until their extended families are made aware , Acevedo said .
The tactical flight officer was survived by a wife and two young children , who were at the hospital along with the officer ’ s parents and in-laws , Acevedo said .
The police department is shutting down flights until it has a chance to reassess in the coming days , and will be relying on the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harris County Sheriff ’ s Office for flight support in the interim .
“ It ’ s pretty ironic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we had Fox fly out because we had COVID , so we couldn ’ t do your traditional graduation so we wanted to do something special , ” Acevedo said .
“ And if somebody had told me that a few hours later that we had an aircraft down and we ’ d lose a really good man , I would have said ‘ No way.
’ ” The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration will investigate , Acevedo said , while the police department conducts a parallel homicide investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second presser .
“ I want to ask the city of Houston to continue to lift up , number one , both families , but especially lift up the family of the police officer who has died this morning , ” Turner , also masked , said .
“ And then at the same time lift up the entire HPD family.
” Acevedo noted that shots rang out across the street from the scene around 3 a.m. Six people were taken into custody , he said , updating the number from three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information indicating the helicopter was taken down by hostile action .

HOUSTON (AP) - A Houston police helicopter crashed early Saturday, killing one of the two officers on board and critically injuring the other, while assisting a call to search for bodies in a nearby bayou, officials said.
A pilot and tactical flight officer were aboard a police helicopter when it crashed at an apartment complex around 2 a.m. They were flown to a hospital where the tactical flight officer died, police Chief Art Acevedo said hours after the crash during a news conference where he was joined by the city’s mayor, Sylvester Turner.
The department the officer who died as Tactical Flight Officer Jason Knox. He is survived by a wife and two young children, who were at the hospital along with his parents and in-laws, Acevedo said.
“We’re going to miss him,” Acevedo said. “He had a heart of gold, integrity second to none.”
No cause for the crash was given and Acevedo said the National Transportation Board and the Federal Aviation Administration would investigate while Houston police conduct a separate homicide investigation.
Acevedo noted that shots rang out across the street from the scene at around 3 a.m. and six people were taken into custody.
The crash investigation would explore whether the helicopter was struck by gunfire, Acevedo said, noting instances in his previous work in Austin and California when police helicopters were fired upon.
The pilot, Senior Police Officer Chase Cormier, was “very banged up,” and had serious injuries, but was conscious Saturday afternoon. There were no injuries to anyone on the ground at the apartment complex, a masked Acevedo told reporters.
The helicopter was supposed to assist with a search for bodies in a nearby bayou, which was prompted by a tip that the police chief characterized as “probably a bogus call - we don’t know.”
“No evidence to date of any bodies in the bayou,” Acevedo said.
The officers were trapped in “mangled” wreckage and it took firefighters about an hour to cut them out, Acevedo said. The helicopter did not catch fire and avoided striking occupied apartment buildings. It did clip the Biscayne at Cityview apartment complex’s clubhouse.
The police department is shutting down flights until it has a chance to reassess in the coming days, and will be relying on the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harris County Sheriff’s Office for flight support in the interim.
Acevedo identified the helicopter as “75 Fox.”
“It’s pretty ironic that yesterday we graduated a class and we had Fox fly out because we had COVID, so we couldn’t do your traditional graduation so we wanted to do something special,” Acevedo said. “And if somebody had told me that a few hours later that we had an aircraft down and we’d lose a really good man, I would have said ‘No way.’”
Turner, the mayor, called on the people of the city “to continue to lift up, number one, both families, but especially lift up the family of the police officer who has died this morning. And then at the same time lift up the entire HPD family.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--India says 2 soldiers killed in Pakistani firing in Kashmir

SRINAGAR , India ( AP ) - Two Indian soldiers were killed and another wounded in Pakistani firing in Kashmir , the Indian military said Saturday , as tensions continued to escalate along the volatile and highly militarized frontier between the archrivals in the disputed Himalayan region .
Pakistan ’ s military said a young woman was wounded when Indian soldiers fired rockets and mortars along the frontier on Friday .
In the past , the countries have accused each other of starting border skirmishes in the divided region , which both claim in its entirety .
Col. Rajesh Kalia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pakistani soldiers late Friday targeted forward posts in the western Uri area along the Line of Control dividing Kashmir between the two countries .
He said the attack was a violation of the 2003 cease-fire accord .
Kalia said three soldiers were wounded , with two of them dying at a hospital .
Indian soldiers “ retaliated strongly , ” he said , a phrase used after almost every such confrontation .
Pakistan ’ s foreign ministry said in a statement that it summoned an Indian diplomat on Saturday to protest alleged cease-fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said Indian forces “ have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire , heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons.
” It accused India of 940 cease fire violations this year .
According to Indian officials , Pakistan had violated the cease-fire over 800 times this year through the first week of March .
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since 1947 over their competing claims to Kashmir .
There has been almost daily fighting over last several months along the rugged and mountainous Line of Control , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch towers and bunkers that snake across foothills populated by ancient villages , tangled bushes and forests .
On Wednesday , a Pakistani soldier and three civilians on both sides of Kashmir were killed in border fighting .
The fighting has seen the use of heavy artillery targeting civilian areas this year , leading to the killing and wounding of civilians as well as soldiers on both sides .
India has continued its counterinsurgency operations across Kashmir despite a lockdown to combat the coronavirus .
Militants fighting against Indian rule also have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged informants .
Rebel groups in Indian-held Kashmir demand that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country .
India accuses Pakistan of arming and training anti-India rebels .
Pakistan denies this , saying it offers only moral and diplomatic support to the militants and to Kashmiris who oppose Indian rule .
Rebels have been fighting Indian rule since 1989 .
Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown .

SRINAGAR, India (AP) - Two Indian soldiers were killed and another wounded in Pakistani firing in Kashmir, the Indian military said Saturday, as tensions continued to escalate along the volatile and highly militarized frontier between the archrivals in the disputed Himalayan region.
Pakistan’s military said a young woman was wounded when Indian soldiers fired rockets and mortars along the frontier on Friday. In the past, the countries have accused each other of starting border skirmishes in the divided region, which both claim in its entirety.
Col. Rajesh Kalia, an Indian army spokesman, said Pakistani soldiers late Friday targeted forward posts in the western Uri area along the Line of Control dividing Kashmir between the two countries. He said the attack was a violation of the 2003 cease-fire accord.
Kalia said three soldiers were wounded, with two of them dying at a hospital. Indian soldiers “retaliated strongly,” he said, a phrase used after almost every such confrontation.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it summoned an Indian diplomat on Saturday to protest alleged cease-fire violations that wounded a young woman.
It said Indian forces “have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons.” It accused India of 940 cease fire violations this year.
According to Indian officials, Pakistan had violated the cease-fire over 800 times this year through the first week of March.
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since 1947 over their competing claims to Kashmir.
There has been almost daily fighting over last several months along the rugged and mountainous Line of Control, marked by coils of razor wire, watch towers and bunkers that snake across foothills populated by ancient villages, tangled bushes and forests. On Wednesday, a Pakistani soldier and three civilians on both sides of Kashmir were killed in border fighting.
The fighting has seen the use of heavy artillery targeting civilian areas this year, leading to the killing and wounding of civilians as well as soldiers on both sides.
India has continued its counterinsurgency operations across Kashmir despite a lockdown to combat the coronavirus. Militants fighting against Indian rule also have not ceased their attacks on government forces and alleged informants.
Rebel groups in Indian-held Kashmir demand that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training anti-India rebels. Pakistan denies this, saying it offers only moral and diplomatic support to the militants and to Kashmiris who oppose Indian rule.
Rebels have been fighting Indian rule since 1989. Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Crowds force Connecticut officials to close state parks

Ninety-seven more people died in Connecticut from COVID-19 and the state ’ s total number of cases rose to more than 29,000 , state officials reported Saturday .
More than 100,000 people have been tested in the state , a number that could increase soon .
Last week , state Epidemiologist Matthew Cartter said there could be 50,000 tests conducted in Connecticut per week by the end of May , compared to about 4,000 tests being done per week now .
Testing currently has focused heavily on front-line health care workers and ICU patients , but Gov .
Ned Lamont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on testing food service workers and other front-line employees , those working in factories and residents living in congested areas .
The highest number of cases in the state through Saturday , 2,491 , has been reported in the city of Stamford , followed by Bridgeport with 2,099 .
Connecticut ’ s death toll rose to 2,436 .
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 fell by 41 , to 1,551 .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness .
In other coronavirus-related developments around Connecticut : Beautiful spring weather brought people out to Connecticut ’ s parks on Saturday , forcing state officials to close many that became too crowded under the state ’ s guidelines for social distancing .
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection had closed at least 11 parks because their parking areas were at capacity .
Officials had urged residents to seek out lesser-used parks to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity were Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden , Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown and Talcott Mountain State Park in Simsbury .
The DEEP has implemented lower capacity limits at parks to support social distancing .
It says the closures are temporary and parks can be expected to open the following day .
Three family-owned restaurants that closed several weeks ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic have reopened with a special service for front-line workers .
Ristorante Luce in Hamden , Goodfellas in New Haven and Bin 100 in Milford reopened Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Register reports the three also will provide free meals to first responders .
Goodfellas is owned by Gerry Iannaccone , and his sister , Elena Fusco , owns Bin 100 .
Their nephew , Paul Iannaccone , handles daily operations at Ristorante Luce .
Lamont said last week that outdoor dining at restaurants can resume beginning May 20 , barring any significant flareups of the new coronavirus .

Ninety-seven more people died in Connecticut from COVID-19 and the state’s total number of cases rose to more than 29,000, state officials reported Saturday.
More than 100,000 people have been tested in the state, a number that could increase soon. Last week, state Epidemiologist Matthew Cartter said there could be 50,000 tests conducted in Connecticut per week by the end of May, compared to about 4,000 tests being done per week now.
Testing currently has focused heavily on front-line health care workers and ICU patients, but Gov. Ned Lamont has said there will be an emphasis on testing food service workers and other front-line employees, those working in factories and residents living in congested areas.
The highest number of cases in the state through Saturday, 2,491, has been reported in the city of Stamford, followed by Bridgeport with 2,099. Connecticut’s death toll rose to 2,436. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 fell by 41, to 1,551.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.
In other coronavirus-related developments around Connecticut:
___
POPULAR PARKS
Beautiful spring weather brought people out to Connecticut’s parks on Saturday, forcing state officials to close many that became too crowded under the state’s guidelines for social distancing.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection had closed at least 11 parks because their parking areas were at capacity. Officials had urged residents to seek out lesser-used parks to avoid crowding.
Among the parks to reach capacity were Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown and Talcott Mountain State Park in Simsbury.
The DEEP has implemented lower capacity limits at parks to support social distancing. It says the closures are temporary and parks can be expected to open the following day.
___
RESTAURANTS REOPEN, FOR A CAUSE
Three family-owned restaurants that closed several weeks ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic have reopened with a special service for front-line workers.
Ristorante Luce in Hamden, Goodfellas in New Haven and Bin 100 in Milford reopened Friday for takeout only. The New Haven Register reports the three also will provide free meals to first responders.
Goodfellas is owned by Gerry Iannaccone, and his sister, Elena Fusco, owns Bin 100. Their nephew, Paul Iannaccone, handles daily operations at Ristorante Luce.
Lamont said last week that outdoor dining at restaurants can resume beginning May 20, barring any significant flareups of the new coronavirus.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Amnesty reports chilling details of Egypt press crackdown

CAIRO ( AP ) - Journalism in Egypt has effectively become a crime over the past four years , as authorities clamp down on media outlets and muzzle dissent , Amnesty International said in a report released Sunday .
As the number of coronavirus infections in Egypt continues to rise , the government is strengthening its control over information , the London-based rights group said , instead of upholding transparency during the public health crisis .
“ The Egyptian authorities have made it very clear that anyone who challenges the official narrative will be severely punished , ” said Philip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and North Africa director .
Amnesty documented 37 cases of journalists detained in the government ’ s escalating crackdown on press freedoms , many charged with “ spreading false news ” or “ misusing social media ” under a broad 2015 counterterrorism law that has expanded the definition of terror to include all kinds of dissent .
An Egyptian press officer did not respond to multiple calls seeking comment , but authorities have previously denied rights violations and justified arrests on national security grounds .
Following general-turned-president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi ’ s rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Egypt ’ s television programs and newspapers have taken the government position and steered clear of criticism , or else disappeared .
Many privately owned Egyptian news outlets have been quietly acquired by companies affiliated with the country ’ s intelligence service .
But even a pro-government voice hasn ’ t spared 12 journalists working for state-owned media outlets , who have landed in jail for expressing various private views on social media , the report said .
One of them is Atef Hasballah , editor-in-chief of the AlkararPress website .
When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case count on his Facebook page last month , he was promptly bundled into a police van and detained on suspicion of “ joining a terrorist organization.
” Egypt ’ s public prosecutor warned in a recent statement that those who spread “ false news ” about the coronavirus may face up to five years imprisonment and steep fines .
At least 12 individuals have been caught up in the COVID-19-motivated crackdown so far , according to Amnesty .
Last month , authorities blocked a local news site that covered calls by activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus spreading in Egypt ’ s crowded prisons .
Separately , Egypt expelled a correspondent for The Guardian newspaper over an article that indicated the coronavirus infection rate may be higher than officially reported .
The journalists interviewed by Amnesty reported increasingly direct state intervention in their coverage .
Many working for government-owned or aligned papers said they receive specific instructions via WhatsApp on what to report and to omit .
For instance , a directive on how to handle President Trump ’ s proposal to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s violations of long-standing Arab policies , as Trump and el-Sissi have cultivated close ties .
Those who do not hew the official line , such as by praising prison conditions and smearing the state ’ s political opponents , “ lost their jobs , were interrogated or imprisoned , ” one journalist was quoted as saying .
“ I can not even imagine that someone could refuse to comply.
” Marking World Press Freedom Day , Amnesty urged Egyptian authorities to halt their censorship , harassment and intimidation of journalists - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for carrying out their work .
”

CAIRO (AP) - Journalism in Egypt has effectively become a crime over the past four years, as authorities clamp down on media outlets and muzzle dissent, Amnesty International said in a report released Sunday.
As the number of coronavirus infections in Egypt continues to rise, the government is strengthening its control over information, the London-based rights group said, instead of upholding transparency during the public health crisis.
“The Egyptian authorities have made it very clear that anyone who challenges the official narrative will be severely punished,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa director.
Amnesty documented 37 cases of journalists detained in the government’s escalating crackdown on press freedoms, many charged with “spreading false news” or “misusing social media” under a broad 2015 counterterrorism law that has expanded the definition of terror to include all kinds of dissent.
An Egyptian press officer did not respond to multiple calls seeking comment, but authorities have previously denied rights violations and justified arrests on national security grounds.
Following general-turned-president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s rise to power in 2013, most of Egypt’s television programs and newspapers have taken the government position and steered clear of criticism, or else disappeared. Many privately owned Egyptian news outlets have been quietly acquired by companies affiliated with the country’s intelligence service.
But even a pro-government voice hasn’t spared 12 journalists working for state-owned media outlets, who have landed in jail for expressing various private views on social media, the report said.
One of them is Atef Hasballah, editor-in-chief of the AlkararPress website. When he challenged the Health Ministry’s coronavirus case count on his Facebook page last month, he was promptly bundled into a police van and detained on suspicion of “joining a terrorist organization.”
Egypt’s public prosecutor warned in a recent statement that those who spread “false news” about the coronavirus may face up to five years imprisonment and steep fines. At least 12 individuals have been caught up in the COVID-19-motivated crackdown so far, according to Amnesty. Last month, authorities blocked a local news site that covered calls by activists to release political prisoners over fears of the coronavirus spreading in Egypt’s crowded prisons. Separately, Egypt expelled a correspondent for The Guardian newspaper over an article that indicated the coronavirus infection rate may be higher than officially reported.
The journalists interviewed by Amnesty reported increasingly direct state intervention in their coverage. Many working for government-owned or aligned papers said they receive specific instructions via WhatsApp on what to report and to omit. For instance, a directive on how to handle President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this year asked reporters not to mention the plan’s violations of long-standing Arab policies, as Trump and el-Sissi have cultivated close ties.
Those who do not hew the official line, such as by praising prison conditions and smearing the state’s political opponents, “lost their jobs, were interrogated or imprisoned,” one journalist was quoted as saying. “I cannot even imagine that someone could refuse to comply.”
Marking World Press Freedom Day, Amnesty urged Egyptian authorities to halt their censorship, harassment and intimidation of journalists - and to release those detained “solely for carrying out their work.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--National Guard will help test UP prisoners for virus

BARAGA , Mich. ( AP ) - The Michigan National Guard will test prisoners for the coronavirus in the Upper Peninsula .
The effort will start Monday at the Baraga prison and then move east to five other prisons in the U.P.
, the Corrections Department said Saturday .
All prisoners will be tested .
Results should be known within 48 hours .
Roughly 20 % of Michigan ’ s inmates , or 7,500 , are in the Upper Peninsula .
“ As a CEO who could be calling upon my staff to care for very sick infectious disease patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information as possible to be prepared for a surge , ” said David Jahn of War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste .
Marie .
At least 41 prisoners and two staff members have died from COVID-19 complications , but no one in the U.P.
, according to an online tally by the state .
Forty-five percent of 3,700 prisoners tested so far have turned out to be positive for the virus , the department said .
A lawsuit filed in federal court seeks testing of all prisoners and staff as well as protective @ @ @ @ @

BARAGA, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan National Guard will test prisoners for the coronavirus in the Upper Peninsula.
The effort will start Monday at the Baraga prison and then move east to five other prisons in the U.P., the Corrections Department said Saturday.
All prisoners will be tested. Results should be known within 48 hours. Roughly 20% of Michigan’s inmates, or 7,500, are in the Upper Peninsula.
“As a CEO who could be calling upon my staff to care for very sick infectious disease patients, I need to have as much information as possible to be prepared for a surge,” said David Jahn of War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie.
At least 41 prisoners and two staff members have died from COVID-19 complications, but no one in the U.P., according to an online tally by the state.
Forty-five percent of 3,700 prisoners tested so far have turned out to be positive for the virus, the department said.
A lawsuit filed in federal court seeks testing of all prisoners and staff as well as protective wear and cleaning supplies.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Eateries open despite order to be reported to town attorney

WICKENBURG , Ariz. ( AP ) - Two restaurants in a central Arizona community of Wickenburg that allowed people to eat in the establishments in violation of an order issued by Arizona ’ s governor to help stop the spread of the coronavirus will be reported to the town attorney for a decision on possible citations , police said Saturday .
Police Lt. Kenny Lutkiewicz said both establishments that will be reported based on officers ’ observations Saturday were on Friday presented copies of Gov .
Doug Ducey ’ s order barring dine-in eating during the coronavirus pandemic .
Nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lutkiewicz told The Associated Press in a telephone interview .
“ Our goal is to educate , ” Lutkiewicz said .
“ ” We are not going to place under arrest .
We are not going to do that .
However , we have to uphold what ’ s there.
” Lutkiewicz said there were strong feelings in the community about enforcement of Ducey ’ s order .
People crowded sidewalks and were inside several restaurants that were open for business Saturday , said Jack Howell , a Wickenburg resident who observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well mannered … but there was no social distancing , ” Howell said .

WICKENBURG, Ariz. (AP) - Two restaurants in a central Arizona community of Wickenburg that allowed people to eat in the establishments in violation of an order issued by Arizona’s governor to help stop the spread of the coronavirus will be reported to the town attorney for a decision on possible citations, police said Saturday.
Police Lt. Kenny Lutkiewicz said both establishments that will be reported based on officers’ observations Saturday were on Friday presented copies of Gov. Doug Ducey’s order barring dine-in eating during the coronavirus pandemic.
Nobody was arrested or issued a citation Saturday, Lutkiewicz told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.
“Our goal is to educate,” Lutkiewicz said. “”We are not going to place under arrest. We are not going to do that. However, we have to uphold what’s there.”
Lutkiewicz said there were strong feelings in the community about enforcement of Ducey’s order.
People crowded sidewalks and were inside several restaurants that were open for business Saturday, said Jack Howell, a Wickenburg resident who observed the scene.
“”Ëverybody was well mannered … but there was no social distancing,” Howell said.
-


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Maryland seeks probe of company that failed to deliver masks

BALTIMORE , Md .
( AP ) - Maryland officials are seeking an investigation into a politically connected company that contracted to provide the state with $ 12.5 million worth of personal protective equipment that never arrived .
The Wall Street Journal reported that the state signed a deal on April 1 with Blue Flame Medical LLC for 1.5 million N95 masks and 110 ventilators .
But the equipment never showed up and Maryland canceled the contract .
Blue Flame Medical was founded in late March by Mike Gula , a former Republican Party fundraiser , with John Thomas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple news reports .
“ We have determined that since it has been one month since the order was placed with no confirmation of shipment , we are in the process of cancelling the order and have referred this matter to the Attorney General , ” Nick Cavey , a spokesman for the state Department of General Services , said in a statement to The Baltimore Sun on Saturday .
A spokeswoman for Democratic Attorney General Brian Frosh confirmed receiving a referral about the contract , but declined to comment .
Republican Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions to the Department of General Services .
Officials at Blue Flame sent a text to The Baltimore Sun on Saturday saying the contract wasn ’ t canceled .
They promised to provide more details .
Gula told the Wall Street Journal that under the terms of the deal , the company has until June 30 to fulfill the order .
Hospitals around the country have scrambled to find suppliers as the demand for masks , gowns , gloves , ventilators and testing supplies has skyrocketed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Hogan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump for using his connections with South Korean officials to buy 500,000 coronavirus tests from a South Korean company .

BALTIMORE, Md. (AP) - Maryland officials are seeking an investigation into a politically connected company that contracted to provide the state with $12.5 million worth of personal protective equipment that never arrived.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the state signed a deal on April 1 with Blue Flame Medical LLC for 1.5 million N95 masks and 110 ventilators. But the equipment never showed up and Maryland canceled the contract.
Blue Flame Medical was founded in late March by Mike Gula, a former Republican Party fundraiser, with John Thomas, also a GOP consultant, according to multiple news reports.
“We have determined that since it has been one month since the order was placed with no confirmation of shipment, we are in the process of cancelling the order and have referred this matter to the Attorney General,” Nick Cavey, a spokesman for the state Department of General Services, said in a statement to The Baltimore Sun on Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Democratic Attorney General Brian Frosh confirmed receiving a referral about the contract, but declined to comment.
Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s office referred questions to the Department of General Services.
Officials at Blue Flame sent a text to The Baltimore Sun on Saturday saying the contract wasn’t canceled. They promised to provide more details.
Gula told the Wall Street Journal that under the terms of the deal, the company has until June 30 to fulfill the order.
Hospitals around the country have scrambled to find suppliers as the demand for masks, gowns, gloves, ventilators and testing supplies has skyrocketed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Hogan earned national acclaim and was criticized by President Donald Trump for using his connections with South Korean officials to buy 500,000 coronavirus tests from a South Korean company.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Hundreds demonstrate in Oregon against stay-at-home order

SALEM , Ore. ( AP ) - Hundreds of people opposed to Oregon ’ s stay-at-home order demonstrated at the state Capitol on Saturday as health officials announced dozens more cases and five additional deaths from COVID-19 .
Most of the protesters did not wear face masks , but they waved American flags and Trump campaign signs in the rain .
Other signs read “ Reopen Oregon ” and “ Let me earn a living.
” A group of healthcare workers demonstrated at the top of the Capitol steps , urging a phased plan to ease the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other protesters ignored them .
Public health officials say stay-at-home orders are essential for slowing the transmission of the novel coronavirus .
But protest organizers told The Oregonian/OregonLive that they view the social distancing mandates issued by Gov .
Kate Brown as government overreach .
Since mid-March , Brown ’ s orders have closed many businesses , put some parks and campgrounds off limits , and required public schools to adopt distance learning programs .
“ You can ’ t just place citizens under house arrest and enforce those orders , ” event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theories and fringe websites peppered the crowd , with one attendee accusing the U.S. government and pharmaceutical companies of preparing a “ mass vaccination campaign.
” Though governors generally have broad powers during declared emergencies , speakers claimed Brown lacked the authority to issue orders she laid out in mid-March banning groups of 25 or more from gathering if they could not keep six feet apart at all times and , later , shuttering public schools across the state .
Oregon Health Authority officials reported 57 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total to 2,635 , with five additional deaths , bringing the total toll to 109 .
The new deaths were a 64-year-old man from Polk County , two men ages 70 and 75 from Multnomah County , a 91-year-old woman from Marion County and a 76-year-old woman from Umatilla County .
Each had underlying medical conditions .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
But it can cause more severe illness , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older adults and people with existing health problems .

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Hundreds of people opposed to Oregon’s stay-at-home order demonstrated at the state Capitol on Saturday as health officials announced dozens more cases and five additional deaths from COVID-19.
Most of the protesters did not wear face masks, but they waved American flags and Trump campaign signs in the rain. Other signs read “Reopen Oregon” and “Let me earn a living.”
A group of healthcare workers demonstrated at the top of the Capitol steps, urging a phased plan to ease the state’s social distancing requirements. Most of the other protesters ignored them.
Public health officials say stay-at-home orders are essential for slowing the transmission of the novel coronavirus. But protest organizers told The Oregonian/OregonLive that they view the social distancing mandates issued by Gov. Kate Brown as government overreach.
Since mid-March, Brown’s orders have closed many businesses, put some parks and campgrounds off limits, and required public schools to adopt distance learning programs.
“You can’t just place citizens under house arrest and enforce those orders,” event organizer Adam Ellifritt said.
Nods to conspiracy theories and fringe websites peppered the crowd, with one attendee accusing the U.S. government and pharmaceutical companies of preparing a “mass vaccination campaign.”
Though governors generally have broad powers during declared emergencies, speakers claimed Brown lacked the authority to issue orders she laid out in mid-March banning groups of 25 or more from gathering if they could not keep six feet apart at all times and, later, shuttering public schools across the state.
Oregon Health Authority officials reported 57 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the state’s total to 2,635, with five additional deaths, bringing the total toll to 109.
The new deaths were a 64-year-old man from Polk County, two men ages 70 and 75 from Multnomah County, a 91-year-old woman from Marion County and a 76-year-old woman from Umatilla County. Each had underlying medical conditions.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. But it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, for some people, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--NH driver in fatal 2016 crash could be paroled early

NEWPORT , N.H. ( AP ) - A New Hampshire woman who killed one person and injured another in a @ @ @ @ @ , according to court records .
King , 40 , has been incarcerated since she @ @ @ @ @ and assault charges in 2017 .
Prosecutors said King was under the influence in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ and killed passenger Amanda Grasso , 32 , and injured passenger Jody Metcalf .
King @ @ @ @ @ to have the remaining six months of her 3 1/2 year sentence suspended .
Sullivan @ @ @ @ @ not object the motion .
Tucker wrote in his decision that King has shown remorse @ @ @ @ @ holding her in prison “ serves no sentencing purpose.
” Grasso ’ s mother said @ @ @ @ @ be released to spend time with her children , according to Hathaway .
Hathaway said @ @ @ @ @ not agree and said the injuries her daughter sustained resulted in “ permanent limitations .
@

NEWPORT, N.H. (AP) - A New Hampshire woman who killed one person and injured another in a crash could be paroled early, according to court records.
Superior Court Judge Brian Tucker signed an order Monday to suspend Amber King’s remaining sentence, Valley News reported.
King, 40, has been incarcerated since she pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and assault charges in 2017. Prosecutors said King was under the influence in 2016 when she crashed a car and killed passenger Amanda Grasso, 32, and injured passenger Jody Metcalf.
King submitted a motion in February to have the remaining six months of her 3 1/2 year sentence suspended. Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway did not object the motion.
Tucker wrote in his decision that King has shown remorse for her actions and that holding her in prison “serves no sentencing purpose.”
Grasso’s mother said she agrees that King should be released to spend time with her children, according to Hathaway.
Hathaway said Metcalf’s mother did not agree and said the injuries her daughter sustained resulted in “permanent limitations.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Trump declares disaster for 7 SC counties after storms

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - President Donald Trump has approved a disaster request from South Carolina Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ severe weather that hit the state last month , according to a Saturday news release @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina as a result of the storms that occurred on April 12 and 13 @ @ @ @ @ counties : Aiken , Colleton , Hampton , Marlboro , Oconee , Orangeburg and Pickens @ @ @ @ @ Residents who suffered storm damage in those areas are eligible for storm-related costs not covered @ @ @ @ @ for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov , or by calling 800-621-3362 .
@ @ @ @ @ assistance to state and local governments in Barnwell , Colleton , Georgetown , Hampton , @ @ @ @ @ counties for their recovery efforts .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - President Donald Trump has approved a disaster request from South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster following tornadoes and severe weather that hit the state last month, according to a Saturday news release.
Nine people died in South Carolina as a result of the storms that occurred on April 12 and 13.
The declaration covers seven counties: Aiken, Colleton, Hampton, Marlboro, Oconee, Orangeburg and Pickens, state officials said.
Residents who suffered storm damage in those areas are eligible for storm-related costs not covered by insurance and can register for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-3362.
Additionally, Trump approved federal assistance to state and local governments in Barnwell, Colleton, Georgetown, Hampton, Oconee, Orangeburg and Pickens counties for their recovery efforts.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Vermont WWII memorial to be carved with 3 fallen heroes

ST. JOHNSBURY , Vt. ( AP ) - A Vermont World War II memorial dedicated to St. Johnsbury men who @ @ @ @ @ will soon have three names added to it .
The names of three men whose @ @ @ @ @ will be added to the marble on Memorial Day , the Caledonian Record reported Friday @ @ @ @ @ honored are Sgt .
Paul D. Lacroix , SP4 Bruce A. Paquette and 2nd Lt. @ @ @ @ @ and Paquette were killed in Vietnam , and Fortin was killed in Iraq .
The @ @ @ @ @ 47 names and has not been carved since Memorial Day of 1955 .
The idea @ @ @ @ @ two residents who reached out to local veteran organizations to honor men who lost their @ @ @ @ @ My biggest fear is that these young men in these wars are just going to @ @ @ @ @ Martin Fortin , father of Joey Fortin and member of the committee that worked to @ @ @ @ @

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) - A Vermont World War II memorial dedicated to St. Johnsbury men who were killed in military action will soon have three names added to it.
The names of three men whose lives were lost since WWII will be added to the marble on Memorial Day, the Caledonian Record reported Friday.
The men to be honored are Sgt. Paul D. Lacroix, SP4 Bruce A. Paquette and 2nd Lt. Joseph D. Fortin. Lacroix and Paquette were killed in Vietnam, and Fortin was killed in Iraq.
The 9-foot slab of marble has 47 names and has not been carved since Memorial Day of 1955.
The idea to add names came from two residents who reached out to local veteran organizations to honor men who lost their lives since WWII.
“My biggest fear is that these young men in these wars are just going to be forgotten,” said Martin Fortin, father of Joey Fortin and member of the committee that worked to get the names carved.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Alabama's virus numbers rise as stores, other venues open

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Alabama ’ s number of coronavirus cases continued to rise Saturday as some cities eased the restrictions that had been in place since the global crisis began .
As of Saturday evening , more than 7,600 cases of COVID-19 had been reported in the state according to state health data .
Alabama ’ s death toll from the virus was at least 288 .
“ I think it ’ s good , I can bring my wife and grandkids out just to see the water , ” said Wayne Davis visiting the pier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people who love to come out here and enjoy the pier , I think that was a good idea , ” said Davis .
As Alabama beaches close amid restrictions put in place to slow the virus ’ s spread , the pier had been one of the last large public spaces in the county to remain open .
“ I mean they did what they had to do to keep things safe , I can ’ t complain about it , ” said Charlie Hadley , who was also visiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from around 8 in the morning until about 9:30 .
During those hours it was easy to keep your social distance when there were few people to keep your distance from .
A lot of people were expecting it to be busier before lunchtime on the first weekend of operations .
The only noticeable change is a sign reminding walkers to stay 6 feet apart or more.
” The pier was among other venues that opened for the first time in weeks due to Gov .
Kay Ivey ’ s “ safer at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some businesses in a limited way .
Wrapsody , a store in downtown Auburn , welcomed customers back inside on Friday , The Opelika Auburn News reported .
“ It almost feels like a brand new store opening , honestly to us , ” said Rachel Acosta , the store ’ s assistant store manager .
“ It ’ s been a great day.
” Fab ’ rik manager Kelsey Fuller said the wait to get back in the store has been difficult .
“ This past month was just kind of crazy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and wait to see when we ’ re going to be able to open up , ” she said .
“ We were praying and wishing that May 1 would have been it , and then luckily it was.
” For many businesses , the biggest challenge during the downtime was missing the face-to-face interaction with customers .
“ Our online business has done really well , but we don ’ t get that one-on-one customer experience , ” said Chloe Floyd , manager at Behind the Glass .
Behind the Glass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear face masks and to stay 6 feet apart while shopping .
Fab ’ rik has had sanitizer located throughout the store as part of its added safety measures for customers .
Most downtown businesses said customer turnout was better than expected.. “ As soon as we opened at 11 a.m. , we had a good bit of customers come in and all of them were able to find something , ” Fuller said .
Acosta said that Wrapsody is grateful for the community to be back out and supporting local stores .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our doors , it ’ s been busy and everyone ’ s just been great showing their support here with us , ” she said .
“ We really appreciate everyone ’ s that ’ s come and shopped with us even during the whole situation .
It ’ s been a great day .
”

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama’s number of coronavirus cases continued to rise Saturday as some cities eased the restrictions that had been in place since the global crisis began.
As of Saturday evening, more than 7,600 cases of COVID-19 had been reported in the state according to state health data. Alabama’s death toll from the virus was at least 288.
Fairhope Pier in Baldwin County officially reopened Saturday, WKRG-TV reported
“I think it’s good, I can bring my wife and grandkids out just to see the water,” said Wayne Davis visiting the pier with his family.
“With all the people who love to come out here and enjoy the pier, I think that was a good idea,” said Davis.
As Alabama beaches close amid restrictions put in place to slow the virus’s spread, the pier had been one of the last large public spaces in the county to remain open.
“I mean they did what they had to do to keep things safe, I can’t complain about it,” said Charlie Hadley, who was also visiting the pier Saturday. “I was there from around 8 in the morning until about 9:30. During those hours it was easy to keep your social distance when there were few people to keep your distance from. A lot of people were expecting it to be busier before lunchtime on the first weekend of operations. The only noticeable change is a sign reminding walkers to stay 6 feet apart or more.”
The pier was among other venues that opened for the first time in weeks due to Gov. Kay Ivey’s “safer at home” order which allowed reopenings of some businesses in a limited way.
Wrapsody, a store in downtown Auburn, welcomed customers back inside on Friday, The Opelika Auburn News reported.
“It almost feels like a brand new store opening, honestly to us,” said Rachel Acosta, the store’s assistant store manager. “It’s been a great day.”
Fab’rik manager Kelsey Fuller said the wait to get back in the store has been difficult.
“This past month was just kind of crazy just having to wait, and wait, and wait to see when we’re going to be able to open up,” she said. “We were praying and wishing that May 1 would have been it, and then luckily it was.”
For many businesses, the biggest challenge during the downtime was missing the face-to-face interaction with customers.
“Our online business has done really well, but we don’t get that one-on-one customer experience,” said Chloe Floyd, manager at Behind the Glass.
Behind the Glass is requiring customers in the store to wear face masks and to stay 6 feet apart while shopping.
Fab’rik has had sanitizer located throughout the store as part of its added safety measures for customers.
Most downtown businesses said customer turnout was better than expected..
“As soon as we opened at 11 a.m., we had a good bit of customers come in and all of them were able to find something,” Fuller said.
Acosta said that Wrapsody is grateful for the community to be back out and supporting local stores.
“Ever since we’ve opened our doors, it’s been busy and everyone’s just been great showing their support here with us,” she said. “We really appreciate everyone’s that’s come and shopped with us even during the whole situation. It’s been a great day.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Teen arrested with pot, weapon 'lost' in Florida 5 years ago

GLASTONBURY , Conn. ( AP ) - A Connecticut teen was arrested and charged with drug and gun offenses after @ @ @ @ @ small amount of marijuana and a handgun reported missing from Florida .
The Hartford Courant @ @ @ @ @ Bastos De Souza was arrested on April 24 and charged with a half-dozen offenses , @ @ @ @ @ a permit .
According to the East Central Narcotics Task Force , officers received information @ @ @ @ @ THC-infused products in Glastonbury and that he illegally carried a gun .
Task force members @ @ @ @ @ car , where they found the marijuana and a .380-caliber Ruger pistol , officials said @ @ @ @ @ the weapon found it was reported “ lost ” five years ago in Florida .
@ @ @ @ @ and posted a $ 20,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear May 27 before @ @ @ @ @ It isn ’ t immediately clear if he has retained an attorney .

GLASTONBURY, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut teen was arrested and charged with drug and gun offenses after authorities found him with a small amount of marijuana and a handgun reported missing from Florida.
The Hartford Courant reported that 19-year-old Wagner Vinicios Bastos De Souza was arrested on April 24 and charged with a half-dozen offenses, including carrying a pistol without a permit.
According to the East Central Narcotics Task Force, officers received information he was selling marijuana and THC-infused products in Glastonbury and that he illegally carried a gun.
Task force members pulled him over in his car, where they found the marijuana and a .380-caliber Ruger pistol, officials said said. A check of the weapon found it was reported “lost” five years ago in Florida.
Bastos De Souza was arrested and posted a $20,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear May 27 before a Manchester Superior Court judge..
It isn’t immediately clear if he has retained an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Northbound I-17 closed at New River because of brush fire

NEW RIVER , Ariz. ( AP ) - Northbound Interstate 17 was closed at New River north of metro Phoenix @ @ @ @ @ brush fire .
The state Department of Transportation said northbound traffic was backed up for @ @ @ @ @ fire east of the freeway and that drivers should avoid the area and delay travel @ @ @ @ @ was no estimated time to reopen the northbound lanes but that southbound lanes were unaffected @ @ @ @ @ miles ( 58 kilometers ) north of downtown Phoenix .

NEW RIVER, Ariz. (AP) - Northbound Interstate 17 was closed at New River north of metro Phoenix on Saturday due to a brush fire.
The state Department of Transportation said northbound traffic was backed up for miles due to the brush fire east of the freeway and that drivers should avoid the area and delay travel.
The department said there was no estimated time to reopen the northbound lanes but that southbound lanes were unaffected.
New River is 36 miles (58 kilometers) north of downtown Phoenix.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Mississippi reports 10 more COVID-19 deaths

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - Ten more people have died of the novel coronavirus in Mississippi , bringing the state ’ s death toll to at least 291 , state health officials announced Saturday .
The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 229 new cases of COVID-19 in the state , pushing the state ’ s total to 7,441 .
Nearly 400 new cases were reported statewide Friday - the state ’ s highest single-day increase since the pandemic began .
As the number of cases continues to rise , the state ’ s health department is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still waiting for results to remain at home .
“ Stay in a specific room at home and avoid contact with other family members as much as possible , ” the department said .
“ These steps are important to prevent the possible spread of disease.
” Meanwhile , some cities are announcing the end of their mandatory curfews put in place as the pandemic grew .
Biloxi Mayor Andrew “ Fofo ” Gilich announced Friday that the city ’ s nightly curfew - from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. - would end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the citywide curfew ended at 5 p.m. Friday .
And in Hattiesburg , Mayor Toby Barker has signed an order requiring people entering businesses to wear a mask to help slow the virus ’ s spread .
“ The benefit of a mask is if everyone wears them we protect each other , ” Barker told WDAM-TV .
The order went into effect Friday and will remain until 8 a.m. May 31 .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Ten more people have died of the novel coronavirus in Mississippi, bringing the state’s death toll to at least 291, state health officials announced Saturday.
The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 229 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, pushing the state’s total to 7,441. Nearly 400 new cases were reported statewide Friday - the state’s highest single-day increase since the pandemic began.
As the number of cases continues to rise, the state’s health department is warning those who have been tested and still waiting for results to remain at home.
“Stay in a specific room at home and avoid contact with other family members as much as possible,” the department said. “These steps are important to prevent the possible spread of disease.”
Meanwhile, some cities are announcing the end of their mandatory curfews put in place as the pandemic grew.
Biloxi Mayor Andrew “Fofo” Gilich announced Friday that the city’s nightly curfew - from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. - would end Sunday morning. Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes said the citywide curfew ended at 5 p.m. Friday.
And in Hattiesburg, Mayor Toby Barker has signed an order requiring people entering businesses to wear a mask to help slow the virus’s spread.
“The benefit of a mask is if everyone wears them we protect each other,” Barker told WDAM-TV.
The order went into effect Friday and will remain until 8 a.m. May 31.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Arkansas boy, 11, dies after being shot in hostage situation

LITTLE ROCK , Arkansas ( AP ) - An 11-year-old boy who was shot after being taken hostage by his @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said Saturday .
Little Rock police said the boy was found in a @ @ @ @ @ after his father , 32-year-old Brent Martin , was killed by police Friday evening .
@ @ @ @ @ after the child ’ s mother , Maranda Alford , showed up at a police @ @ @ @ @ had taken her son , Jordan Roberts , hostage .
Police sent a SWAT team @ @ @ @ @ home when they heard gunshots .
Police Chief Keith Humphrey said Martin shot the boy @ @ @ @ @ he confronted the officers .
The child died later at a hospital .
The officers @ @ @ @ @ administrative leave pending an internal investigation , which the department described as routine for any @ @ @

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (AP) - An 11-year-old boy who was shot after being taken hostage by his father in Arkansas has died, authorities said Saturday.
Little Rock police said the boy was found in a bedroom suffering from gunshot wounds after his father, 32-year-old Brent Martin, was killed by police Friday evening.
Officers went to the scene after the child’s mother, Maranda Alford, showed up at a police substation to report a man had taken her son, Jordan Roberts, hostage. Police sent a SWAT team and said officers entered the home when they heard gunshots.
Police Chief Keith Humphrey said Martin shot the boy, then was killed when he confronted the officers. The child died later at a hospital.
The officers involved have been place on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, which the department described as routine for any officer-involved shooting.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--'Sopranos' star Joe Pantoliano struck by car while walking

WILTON , Conn. ( AP ) - Actor Joe Pantoliano , known for his roles in movies and in HBO @ @ @ @ @ ” is recovering at his Connecticut home after being struck by a car while walking @ @ @ @ @ told Variety the 68-year-old actor was walking near his rural home in Wilton when two @ @ @ @ @ other .
The collision sent one of the cars sliding down the asphalt , where @ @ @ @ @ knocked him to the ground .
The impact left him with a gash on his @ @ @ @ @ His agent told Variety that Pantoliano was taken to a nearby hospital .
A post @ @ @ @ @ stitches in his head and giving a thumbs-up sign .
It read , “ Joey @ @ @ @ @ has a severe head injury and some chest trauma.
” Pantoliano played mobster Ralph Cifaretto @ @ @ @ @ has appeared in “ The Matrix , ” and other films including “ Bad Boys @ @ @ @ @ , ” “ The Fugitive ” and “ Midnight Run .
”

WILTON, Conn. (AP) - Actor Joe Pantoliano, known for his roles in movies and in HBO’s “Sopranos,” is recovering at his Connecticut home after being struck by a car while walking.
Pantoliano’s agent told Variety the 68-year-old actor was walking near his rural home in Wilton when two nearby cars crashed into each other. The collision sent one of the cars sliding down the asphalt, where it collided with Pantoliano and knocked him to the ground.
The impact left him with a gash on his head and other injuries. His agent told Variety that Pantoliano was taken to a nearby hospital.
A post on Instagram showed Pantoliano with stitches in his head and giving a thumbs-up sign. It read, “Joey is home recovering. He has a severe head injury and some chest trauma.”
Pantoliano played mobster Ralph Cifaretto on the HBO series and has appeared in “The Matrix,” and other films including “Bad Boys,” “Risky Business,” “The Fugitive” and “Midnight Run.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Trump: 'Glad to see' Kim Jong Un is 'back, and well'

President Trump on Saturday said he ’ s “ glad ” to see North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un is “ back , and well , ” a day after North Korean state media reported that Mr. Kim made his first public appearance in weeks .
“ I , for one , am glad to see he is back , and well !
” the president said on Twitter , sharing photos of Mr. Kim at the apparent opening of a fertilizer factory on Friday .
Mr. Kim had last been seen in public on April 11 and missed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s birthday , the reclusive country ’ s most important holiday .
As he departed for Camp David on Friday , Mr. Trump said he didn ’ t want to talk about the 36-year-old leader .
“ We ’ ll have something to say about it at the appropriate time , ” Mr. Trump said .
Mr. Trump had recently demurred when asked about Mr. Kim ’ s health amid speculation during the extended public absence that the leader might have been gravely ill , or even dead .
“ I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can ’ t talk about it now , ” the president said earlier this week .
“ I hope he ’ s fine .
I do know how he ’ s doing , relatively speaking .
We will see .
You ’ ll probably be hearing in the not-too-distant future .
”

President Trump on Saturday said he’s “glad” to see North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un is “back, and well,” a day after North Korean state media reported that Mr. Kim made his first public appearance in weeks.
“I, for one, am glad to see he is back, and well!” the president said on Twitter, sharing photos of Mr. Kim at the apparent opening of a fertilizer factory on Friday.
Mr. Kim had last been seen in public on April 11 and missed the April 15 celebration of his late grandfather’s birthday, the reclusive country’s most important holiday.
As he departed for Camp David on Friday, Mr. Trump said he didn’t want to talk about the 36-year-old leader.
“We’ll have something to say about it at the appropriate time,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump had recently demurred when asked about Mr. Kim’s health amid speculation during the extended public absence that the leader might have been gravely ill, or even dead.
“I do have a very good idea, but I can’t talk about it now,” the president said earlier this week. “I hope he’s fine. I do know how he’s doing, relatively speaking. We will see. You’ll probably be hearing in the not-too-distant future.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Durham Farmers' Market reopens after 6-week closure

DURHAM , N.C. ( AP ) - After a six-week closure amid coronavirus fears , the popular Durham Farmers ’ @ @ @ @ @ lines of mask-wearing customers .
The market closed in March because of the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ reports that people waited in long lines that stretched around the block as the market @ @ @ @ @ had several new safety rules in place , including social distancing guidelines and mandatory face @ @ @ @ @ hand-washing stations set up to help prevent the spread of germs .
In a Facebook @ @ @ @ @ and pre-pay are strongly encouraged .
“ We look forward to seeing you soon , @ @ @ @ @ of course !
” the posting said .

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - After a six-week closure amid coronavirus fears, the popular Durham Farmers’ Market reopened Saturday to long lines of mask-wearing customers.
The market closed in March because of the city’s stay-at-home order.
WRAL-TV reports that people waited in long lines that stretched around the block as the market reopened Saturday.
The market had several new safety rules in place, including social distancing guidelines and mandatory face masks. It also had hand-washing stations set up to help prevent the spread of germs.
In a Facebook posting, organizers said pre-orders and pre-pay are strongly encouraged.
“We look forward to seeing you soon, from a 6’ distance of course!” the posting said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Police: Homicide victim found after suspect tells of killing

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Phoenix police say they located a homicide victim after being told of a killing by @ @ @ @ @ female driver was wounded when stabbed through her car ’ s open window .
Sgt @ @ @ @ @ Alan Demond Clark was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in the killing of Christopher @ @ @ @ @ of aggravated assault in the stabbing of the 38-year-old driver .
Thompson said the woman @ @ @ @ @ man who reached in and stabbed her Friday night as she waited for a train @ @ @ @ @ downtown Phoenix .
She suffered a superficial injury and her identity wasn ’ t released @ @ @ @ @ officers quickly located and arrested Clark in the area of the stabbing and he blurted @ @ @ @ @ stabbed somebody in a motel room several miles away .
Thompson says police found Molinar @ @ @ @ @ that any relationship betwen Clark and Molinar wasn ’ t known .
Clark remained jailed @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t list an attorney who could comment on his behalf .

PHOENIX (AP) - Phoenix police say they located a homicide victim after being told of a killing by a man arrested after a female driver was wounded when stabbed through her car’s open window.
Sgt. Tommy Thompson said 43-year-old Alan Demond Clark was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder in the killing of Christopher Anthony Molinar and on suspicion of aggravated assault in the stabbing of the 38-year-old driver.
Thompson said the woman didn’t know the man who reached in and stabbed her Friday night as she waited for a train to cross a street in downtown Phoenix. She suffered a superficial injury and her identity wasn’t released.
According to Thompson, officers quickly located and arrested Clark in the area of the stabbing and he blurted out that he’d stabbed somebody in a motel room several miles away.
Thompson says police found Molinar dead at that location and that any relationship betwen Clark and Molinar wasn’t known.
Clark remained jailed Saturday and online court records didn’t list an attorney who could comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--COVID-19 death toll climbs by 105 in Illinois

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Officials announced Saturday that Illinois saw another 105 deaths in one day from the coronavirus pandemic , bringing the state ’ s total to 2,559 .
At a news conference with Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said 2,450 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 , putting the state ’ s total at 58,505 .
But after Ezike said the state had received more than 15,000 coronavirus test results on Friday and that the total number of people tested in the state stands about about 300,000 , Pritzker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optimism .
“ It is really a function of doing more testing , ” Pritzker said of the increase of cases , pointing out that the infection rate has dropped a bit .
The news conference also came a day after protests against the governor ’ s restrictions in downtown Chicago and at the Capitol in Springfield .
Pritzker said he was troubled that some protesters in Springfield carried signs with Nazi imagery , including swastikas .
“ The meaning of that swastika is unknown to people or if it is known , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , ” the governor said .
But , he added the number of people who have expressed similar views is a tiny fraction of the “ millions of people in this state who are helping each other.
” As he has done several times , Pritzker said he wants the restrictions removed as quickly as anyone else , but not until it is safe to do so .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .

CHICAGO (AP) - Officials announced Saturday that Illinois saw another 105 deaths in one day from the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the state’s total to 2,559.
At a news conference with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said 2,450 more people have tested positive for COVID-19, putting the state’s total at 58,505.
But after Ezike said the state had received more than 15,000 coronavirus test results on Friday and that the total number of people tested in the state stands about about 300,000, Pritzker suggested those numbers are cause for cautious optimism.
“It is really a function of doing more testing,” Pritzker said of the increase of cases, pointing out that the infection rate has dropped a bit.
The news conference also came a day after protests against the governor’s restrictions in downtown Chicago and at the Capitol in Springfield. Pritzker said he was troubled that some protesters in Springfield carried signs with Nazi imagery, including swastikas.
“The meaning of that swastika is unknown to people or if it is known, it was a demonstration of hate among us,” the governor said. But, he added the number of people who have expressed similar views is a tiny fraction of the “millions of people in this state who are helping each other.”
As he has done several times, Pritzker said he wants the restrictions removed as quickly as anyone else, but not until it is safe to do so.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.


washingtontimes--2020-05-02--Man arrested trying to quarantine on private Disney island

ORLANDO , Fla. ( AP ) - Florida deputies arrested a man who had been living out his quarantine on a shuttered Disney World island , telling authorities it felt like a “ tropical paradise.
” Orange County Sheriff ’ s deputies found Richard McGuire on Disney ’ s Discovery Island on Thursday .
He said he ’ d been there since Monday or Tuesday and had planned to camp there for a week , according to an arrest report .
The 42-year-old said he didn ’ t hear numerous deputies searching the private island for him on foot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was asleep in a building .
He told the deputy he didn ’ t know it was a restricted area , despite there being numerous “ no trespassing ” signs .
“ Richard stated that he was unaware of that and that it looked like a tropical paradise , ” according to the arrest report .
Orange County Marine deputies on Bay Lake used a public address system to tell McGuire he was not allowed to be on the property , but he remained on the island , anyway , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disney said she saw McGuire using a company boat Thursday , noting that the area had several “ no trespassing ” signs and two closed gates .
She asked the agency to press charges .
McGuire was arrested on a trespassing charge and taken to jail without incident .
It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could comment .
Previously called Treasure Island , Discovery Island had been the site of a zoological park before the island was closed to the public in 1999 .

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Florida deputies arrested a man who had been living out his quarantine on a shuttered Disney World island, telling authorities it felt like a “tropical paradise.”
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies found Richard McGuire on Disney’s Discovery Island on Thursday. He said he’d been there since Monday or Tuesday and had planned to camp there for a week, according to an arrest report.
The 42-year-old said he didn’t hear numerous deputies searching the private island for him on foot, by boat and by air because he was asleep in a building. He told the deputy he didn’t know it was a restricted area, despite there being numerous “no trespassing” signs.
“Richard stated that he was unaware of that and that it looked like a tropical paradise,” according to the arrest report.
Orange County Marine deputies on Bay Lake used a public address system to tell McGuire he was not allowed to be on the property, but he remained on the island, anyway, according to the arrest report.
A security representative for Disney said she saw McGuire using a company boat Thursday, noting that the area had several “no trespassing” signs and two closed gates. She asked the agency to press charges.
McGuire was arrested on a trespassing charge and taken to jail without incident. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could comment.
Previously called Treasure Island, Discovery Island had been the site of a zoological park before the island was closed to the public in 1999.