washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Polish government gets pushback on postal presidential vote

WARSAW ( AP ) - The Polish government ’ s determination to move forward with a scheduled presidential election next month by making it an all-postal vote has sparked anxiety and anger amid the coronavirus pandemic , with critics slamming the plan as a threat to the health of both the public and Poland ’ s democracy .
Health experts say that voting by mail is much safer than doing it in person at polling stations during the pandemic .
But with medical research ongoing , there is worry that mailed ballots may carry lingering traces of the virus that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and election officials tallying the returns .
Political concerns are probably even bigger than fears about safety in the run-up to Poland ’ s May 10 election .
Critics have voiced suspicions that the conservative ruling party insisted on holding the presidential vote because its candidate is strongly favored to win now but could lose support during a post-pandemic economic downturn .
The leader of Poland ’ s main opposition party , Civic Platform president Borys Budka , said “ the health and life of Poles ” are at stake in whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person would call for participation in such a vote.
” With little time for public agencies to prepare , it ’ s unclear if the switch to by-mail voting is legal or how the government intends to pull off a secure election that involves delivering ballot materials to around 30 million people and getting them back for counting .
If no candidate secures a majority , the already stretched postal service and election officials would need to repeat the process for a presidential runoff two weeks later .
The head of the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ validity of an election organized in a rushed way could be called into question .
Civic Platform is calling for the election to be postponed by a year .
A faction inside the government proposed extending the term of incumbent President Andrzej Duda by two years but not allowing him to run for reelection in 2022 .
The ruling Law and Justice party says the date of the election is dictated by the Polish Constitution and that going ahead with the mail-in voting would be a democratic victory that poses no health risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is regarded as the driving force behind the government , have argued their political opponents want a delay because they know they are going to lose the presidential race .
“ People always blame the authorities under such circumstances , ” Kaczynski recently said on state broadcaster Polish Radio 1 .
“ Today , the opposition probably sees its chances as very small but believes that a year from now the situation will be different.
” The political opposition argues that holding the election as planned would be undemocratic because Duda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online and can ’ t meet with voters at rallies due to social distancing measures in place to curb the spread of the virus .
Politicians from Poland ’ s opposition parties have pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin even postponed a referendum on proposed constitutional changes that would allow him to remain in power until 2036 if he keeps winning reelection .
The European Union , which has tangled with the Law and Justice government over its moves to assert more control of the judicial system , also has expressed doubts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short notice would be free and fair .
In a resolution approved last week , EU lawmakers called the Polish government ’ s plan “ totally incompatible with European values ” and said it “ may endanger the lives of Polish citizens and undermine the concept of free , equal , direct and secret elections as enshrined in the Polish Constitution.
” Maciej Pach , a constitutional law expert at Jagiellonian University in Krakow , also thinks the postal vote would be unconstitutional because election law changes must be made at least six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the home of every voter also constitutes an unlawful form of pressure to participate in the election , Pach said .
Postal workers have questioned whether they can deliver voting packages on time , especially when some 30 % of the country ’ s 26,000 mail carriers are quarantined or on sick leave .
Labor unions that represent postal workers say their members are afraid of handling the ballots and don ’ t have proper protection from the virus .
“ They don ’ t want to expose their own health or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Free Trade Union of Postal Workers chairman Piotr Moniuszko said .
The election still is not a done deal .
Poland ’ s Senate , which is controlled by the opposition , has not finished Senate Speaker Tomasz Grodzki has said that amid general public anxiety over the virus , senators should reject the bill .
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

WARSAW (AP) - The Polish government’s determination to move forward with a scheduled presidential election next month by making it an all-postal vote has sparked anxiety and anger amid the coronavirus pandemic, with critics slamming the plan as a threat to the health of both the public and Poland’s democracy.
Health experts say that voting by mail is much safer than doing it in person at polling stations during the pandemic. But with medical research ongoing, there is worry that mailed ballots may carry lingering traces of the virus that could potentially infect voters, postal workers and election officials tallying the returns.
Political concerns are probably even bigger than fears about safety in the run-up to Poland’s May 10 election. Critics have voiced suspicions that the conservative ruling party insisted on holding the presidential vote because its candidate is strongly favored to win now but could lose support during a post-pandemic economic downturn.
The leader of Poland’s main opposition party, Civic Platform president Borys Budka, said “the health and life of Poles” are at stake in whether the election takes place and “no responsible person would call for participation in such a vote.”
With little time for public agencies to prepare, it’s unclear if the switch to by-mail voting is legal or how the government intends to pull off a secure election that involves delivering ballot materials to around 30 million people and getting them back for counting.
If no candidate secures a majority, the already stretched postal service and election officials would need to repeat the process for a presidential runoff two weeks later. The head of the State Electoral Commission wrote on Twitter that the validity of an election organized in a rushed way could be called into question.
Civic Platform is calling for the election to be postponed by a year. A faction inside the government proposed extending the term of incumbent President Andrzej Duda by two years but not allowing him to run for reelection in 2022.
The ruling Law and Justice party says the date of the election is dictated by the Polish Constitution and that going ahead with the mail-in voting would be a democratic victory that poses no health risk. Duda and party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who is regarded as the driving force behind the government, have argued their political opponents want a delay because they know they are going to lose the presidential race.
“People always blame the authorities under such circumstances,” Kaczynski recently said on state broadcaster Polish Radio 1. “Today, the opposition probably sees its chances as very small but believes that a year from now the situation will be different.”
The political opposition argues that holding the election as planned would be undemocratic because Duda’s challengers are limited to campaigning online and can’t meet with voters at rallies due to social distancing measures in place to curb the spread of the virus.
Politicians from Poland’s opposition parties have pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin even postponed a referendum on proposed constitutional changes that would allow him to remain in power until 2036 if he keeps winning reelection.
The European Union, which has tangled with the Law and Justice government over its moves to assert more control of the judicial system, also has expressed doubts that a postal vote organized at such short notice would be free and fair.
In a resolution approved last week, EU lawmakers called the Polish government’s plan “totally incompatible with European values” and said it “may endanger the lives of Polish citizens and undermine the concept of free, equal, direct and secret elections as enshrined in the Polish Constitution.”
Maciej Pach, a constitutional law expert at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, also thinks the postal vote would be unconstitutional because election law changes must be made at least six months in advance. Delivering a ballot to the home of every voter also constitutes an unlawful form of pressure to participate in the election, Pach said.
Postal workers have questioned whether they can deliver voting packages on time, especially when some 30% of the country’s 26,000 mail carriers are quarantined or on sick leave. Labor unions that represent postal workers say their members are afraid of handling the ballots and don’t have proper protection from the virus.
“They don’t want to expose their own health or life or that of their families,” Free Trade Union of Postal Workers chairman Piotr Moniuszko said.
The election still is not a done deal. Poland’s Senate, which is controlled by the opposition, has not finished Senate Speaker Tomasz Grodzki has said that amid general public anxiety over the virus, senators should reject the bill.
___
Follow AP news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--AP PHOTOS: Veterans honor Italy's WWII uprising from home

ROME ( AP ) - Veterans of Italy ’ s anti-Fascist World War II resistance have held marches throughout Italy every April 25 since 1945 , to honor the uprising that helped end their country ’ s Nazi occupation .
This year ’ s 75th anniversary was long anticipated among the dwindling band of elderly survivors .
But lockdown measures in the coronavirus-afflicted country mean no marches can be held .
So the veterans have resorted to the inventiveness they once employed in sabotage missions and guerrilla tactics against the Germans .
At 3 p.m. on Saturday , when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where Italian Fascist ruler Benito Mussolini ’ s body was publicly displayed after his execution by resistance fighters , the National Association of Italian Partisans has invited all to sing “ Bella Ciao , ” the anthem of Italy ’ s communist resistance , a major component of the liberation efforts .
On the eve of the anniversary , Associated Press photographers portrayed 15 former partisans at their balconies and windows in several Italian cities .
Two display their arrays of medals , most drape the tricolored Italian flag around their necks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , aged 15 , killed a German paratrooper with a hand grenade to protect an escaping Italian officer , lamented the cancellation of the marches .
“ Never we would have imagined that after 75 years of our resistance against a visible enemy … today we would have found ourselves resisting an enemy … invisible and insidious , ’ ’ Lai said from his Rome apartment , referring to the novel coronavirus .
Silvio Anastasi , 88 , said life during the war “ was much easier for me .
The shrewdness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nazi-Fascists are of no help today in fighting the coronavirus .
I feel helpless.
” Elderly people are considered among the most vulnerable for potentially fatal complications of COVID-19 .
When Umberto Graziani , 96 , was asked how he will celebrate this year , he sounded resigned : “ Nothing , no march , I ’ ll stay home , how sad .
”

ROME (AP) - Veterans of Italy’s anti-Fascist World War II resistance have held marches throughout Italy every April 25 since 1945, to honor the uprising that helped end their country’s Nazi occupation.
This year’s 75th anniversary was long anticipated among the dwindling band of elderly survivors. But lockdown measures in the coronavirus-afflicted country mean no marches can be held. So the veterans have resorted to the inventiveness they once employed in sabotage missions and guerrilla tactics against the Germans.
At 3 p.m. on Saturday, when the traditional parade would have started in Milan, where Italian Fascist ruler Benito Mussolini’s body was publicly displayed after his execution by resistance fighters, the National Association of Italian Partisans has invited all to sing “Bella Ciao,” the anthem of Italy’s communist resistance, a major component of the liberation efforts.
On the eve of the anniversary, Associated Press photographers portrayed 15 former partisans at their balconies and windows in several Italian cities. Two display their arrays of medals, most drape the tricolored Italian flag around their necks.
Rodolfo Lai, 92, who, aged 15, killed a German paratrooper with a hand grenade to protect an escaping Italian officer, lamented the cancellation of the marches.
“Never we would have imagined that after 75 years of our resistance against a visible enemy … today we would have found ourselves resisting an enemy … invisible and insidious,’’ Lai said from his Rome apartment, referring to the novel coronavirus.
Silvio Anastasi, 88, said life during the war “was much easier for me. The shrewdness, courage and tactical skills we used against the Nazi-Fascists are of no help today in fighting the coronavirus. I feel helpless.”
Elderly people are considered among the most vulnerable for potentially fatal complications of COVID-19.
When Umberto Graziani, 96, was asked how he will celebrate this year, he sounded resigned: “Nothing, no march, I’ll stay home, how sad.”
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--AP Week in Pictures, Global

AP Week in Pictures, Global

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by The Associated Press from around the @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Patrick Sison in New York .

April 18 - 24, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by The Associated Press from around the world.
The selection was curated by AP photo editor Patrick Sison in New York.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--A boom for bean farmers: Pandemic spurs demand for legumes

GRANGEVILLE , Idaho ( AP ) - Toilet paper isn ’ t the only thing being whisked off the grocery store shelves these days .
Ever since the coronavirus pandemic settled in , agriculture producers have experienced a bean boom as consumers stock up on dry beans , peas , lentils and chickpeas .
Jeff VanPevenage , president and CEO of Columbia Grain International at Portland , told The Lewiston Tribune his company has seen a 40 % increase in demand for these products over the past couple of months , and processing plants are working around the clock to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ As the news started coming out , dry beans and shelf-stable foods were right in there with toilet paper , ” VanPevenage said .
“ If you started going to the grocery stores in early February , you started to see toilet paper was gone , but dry beans and lentils were wiped out , and it continues to be wiped out.
” VanPevenage said he took a personal tour of seven grocery stores in the Portland area about a month ago and the empty shelves of legumes confirmed his suspicions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the general public shops for , ” in bulk , he said .
At the same time , demand for legumes began escalating around the world .
Buyers began to call American producers , wanting to buy more product and “ wanting it shipped immediately , ” VanPevenage said .
Transportation , however , has been a problem in some parts of the world , delaying how quickly the products can be shipped .
“ I think what has happened , prices have been relatively cheap the last two or three years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want with immediate shipment , ” VanPevenage said .
“ When everybody in the world all of a sudden needed to restock , capacity ( to resupply ) was gone , just like that .
The Canadians have had worse transportation problems than the U.S. and then ( shipping ) containers got tied up in China when they were shut down .
So , with the lack of container availability to move this product , people could ship in June or July , but not now.
” The shipping capacity in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fine for the time being .
There have been enough containers to bring from Seattle and Tacoma to load at Lewiston and return to the coast , VanPevenage added .
“ It hasn ’ t been perfect , but OK for the most part , ” he said .
“ Unlike Canada ( that is ) 40 % in need of containers.
” The bean boom has brought about a nice increase in prices for farmers in the region .
VanPevenage said prices are up about 10 % to 15 % for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Friday , April 17 , the Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative listed cash bids for garbanzo beans at $ 18 a hundred weight ; $ 15 for small brown lentils and $ 12 for whole green peas .
And although many farmers have nearly finished spring seeding , VanPevenage said growers were aware a few weeks ago of the rising demand for legumes and had time to adjust their plans to grow more acres , if they so choose .
“ The Palouse is used to seeding a lot of chickpeas but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently ) , so prices have been lower , ” VanPevenage said .
“ So we ’ re seeing some switch from chickpeas toward peas and lentils this year.
” Other agriculture products that have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak include : Northwest Farm Credit Services recently released a snapshot of the effect of the pandemic on other agriculture commodities .
The 12-month outlook for cattle suggests variable profitability with strong domestic demand .
Dairy products are not as likely to be profitable , according to the study .
Much of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep up with demand .
The outlook for the nursery and greenhouse industry remains positive for 2020 with growers reporting strong orders and an early start to the spring shipping season .
Wheat growers are looking at break-even returns with the season ’ s average farm price on all varieties of wheat at $ 4.55 per bushel , down 61 cents from last year .
Apples , cherries and pears are expected to have slightly profitable returns for growers .
Improving export markets are positive for the industry , but domestic demand is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profits for wineries and vineyards .
With overproduction in two of the largest wine-producing areas in the Northwest , grape prices are falling and sales by volume are declining as consumers cut back on alcohol consumption , according to the study .
Twenty-one groups representing agriculture and food businesses recently sent a letter to congressional leaders demanding better support for independent farmers who have been impacted by COVID-19 .
The letter specifically addresses these businesses ’ eligibility for the Small Business Administration ’ s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program .
Among the signatories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

GRANGEVILLE, Idaho (AP) - Toilet paper isn’t the only thing being whisked off the grocery store shelves these days.
Ever since the coronavirus pandemic settled in, agriculture producers have experienced a bean boom as consumers stock up on dry beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas.
Jeff VanPevenage, president and CEO of Columbia Grain International at Portland, told The Lewiston Tribune his company has seen a 40% increase in demand for these products over the past couple of months, and processing plants are working around the clock to fulfill an ever-increasing number of orders.
“As the news started coming out, dry beans and shelf-stable foods were right in there with toilet paper,” VanPevenage said. “If you started going to the grocery stores in early February, you started to see toilet paper was gone, but dry beans and lentils were wiped out, and it continues to be wiped out.”
VanPevenage said he took a personal tour of seven grocery stores in the Portland area about a month ago and the empty shelves of legumes confirmed his suspicions.
“That’s not just something the general public shops for,” in bulk, he said.
At the same time, demand for legumes began escalating around the world. Buyers began to call American producers, wanting to buy more product and “wanting it shipped immediately,” VanPevenage said.
Transportation, however, has been a problem in some parts of the world, delaying how quickly the products can be shipped.
“I think what has happened, prices have been relatively cheap the last two or three years and buyers have become accustomed to buying what they want with immediate shipment,” VanPevenage said.
“When everybody in the world all of a sudden needed to restock, capacity (to resupply) was gone, just like that. The Canadians have had worse transportation problems than the U.S. and then (shipping) containers got tied up in China when they were shut down. So, with the lack of container availability to move this product, people could ship in June or July, but not now.”
The shipping capacity in the Pacific Northwest, however, appears to be fine for the time being. There have been enough containers to bring from Seattle and Tacoma to load at Lewiston and return to the coast, VanPevenage added.
“It hasn’t been perfect, but OK for the most part,” he said. “Unlike Canada (that is) 40% in need of containers.”
The bean boom has brought about a nice increase in prices for farmers in the region. VanPevenage said prices are up about 10% to 15% for pulses from a year ago.
As of Friday, April 17, the Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative listed cash bids for garbanzo beans at $18 a hundred weight; $15 for small brown lentils and $12 for whole green peas.
And although many farmers have nearly finished spring seeding, VanPevenage said growers were aware a few weeks ago of the rising demand for legumes and had time to adjust their plans to grow more acres, if they so choose.
“The Palouse is used to seeding a lot of chickpeas but the whole world decided to seed chickpeas (recently), so prices have been lower,” VanPevenage said. “So we’re seeing some switch from chickpeas toward peas and lentils this year.”
Other agriculture products that have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak include:
Northwest Farm Credit Services recently released a snapshot of the effect of the pandemic on other agriculture commodities. The 12-month outlook for cattle suggests variable profitability with strong domestic demand. Dairy products are not as likely to be profitable, according to the study. Much of the profitability will depend on producers ability to keep up with demand.
The outlook for the nursery and greenhouse industry remains positive for 2020 with growers reporting strong orders and an early start to the spring shipping season.
Wheat growers are looking at break-even returns with the season’s average farm price on all varieties of wheat at $4.55 per bushel, down 61 cents from last year.
Apples, cherries and pears are expected to have slightly profitable returns for growers. Improving export markets are positive for the industry, but domestic demand is sluggish.
The 12-month outlook anticipates slight profits for wineries and vineyards. With overproduction in two of the largest wine-producing areas in the Northwest, grape prices are falling and sales by volume are declining as consumers cut back on alcohol consumption, according to the study.
Twenty-one groups representing agriculture and food businesses recently sent a letter to congressional leaders demanding better support for independent farmers who have been impacted by COVID-19. The letter specifically addresses these businesses’ eligibility for the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Among the signatories was the Idaho Organization of Resource Councils.


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Pandemic gives megaphone to the oft-maligned New York accent

With New York City at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. and its native-born among those offering crucial information to the nation in televised briefings , the New York accent has stepped up to the mic - or maybe the megaphone .
Holly Kelsey , for one , is charmed .
“ I think it ’ s because my accent is so opposite from theirs , it ’ s intriguing to me , ” said Kelsey , 59 , of Denton , Texas , who ’ s been watching New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both sons of New York City .
Fauci ’ s science-based way of explaining the crisis at White House briefings has attracted untold numbers of fans , and Cuomo ’ s news conferences have become must-see TV .
What matters most is what ’ s being said , of course , said Kelsey , who ’ s got a definite Texas tone to her own speech , but also , “ I just like the way they speak.
” That hasn ’ t usually been the sentiment for the various fast-talking , final-letter-dropping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boroughs , often mocked in movies and television as the purview of miscreants and meatheads - and maybe a neurotic or two .
Researchers who have studied how the country ’ s various accents are perceived by those in other parts of the U.S. have found when it comes to a New York sound , well , just fuggedaboutit .
“ People opinion ’ s about accents are really opinions about the people who use those accents , ” said Laurel MacKenzie , assistant professor of linguistics at New York University .
Studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think New Yorkers sound aggressive , ” she said .
“ Pretty much no matter where you go , people don ’ t like the New York accent.
” What ?
Archie Bunker and George Jefferson aggressive ?
Mona Lisa Vito ?
Oh , fine .
But in this frightening , chaotic moment , there ’ s been an appreciation for the straightforward , no-holds-barred approach to speaking of the likes of Cuomo and Fauci , and that may be changing perceptions , MacKenzie said .
“ Where ’ s the fine line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked .
“ It ’ s the same qualities .
… People are seeing them in a more positive light than a negative one.
” Daniel Keough is one of those people .
“ In a crisis like this , it ’ s nice to have people speaking so bluntly , ” said the 27-year-old San Jose , California , resident who grew up in Idaho and has spent time listening to Queens-born Cuomo and Brooklyn native Fauci .
“ You listen when you hear very real numbers and stories coming from those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , there is no singular New York accent - there are variations that depend on factors like socioeconomic status and ethnic group , said Gregory Guy , also a linguistics professor at NYU .
And even among New Yorkers , it ’ s less common than it was in the middle part of the 20th century , in part because of the mockery from non-New Yorkers .
“ The impact of this kind of stereotyping and stigma has led to dramatic change over the last 50 to 70 years , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Yorkers would like to get a word in .
They note that the accents may also evoke a directness and steadfastness commonly associated with the city and its dwellers - and that might be comforting in these uncertain times .
“ One thing that gets associated with those accents is authenticity , there ’ s no filter there , ” said Mike Mavrides , 52 , who grew up in Queens but lives with his family in Brooklyn .
“ New Yorkers are known for their grit and their hanging in there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Rockville Centre , New York , resident who grew up in Brooklyn .
“ Maybe the accent is a little reflective of that.
” If New Yorkers are taking back their accent , Nico Heller is doing his part : He ran an online competition for the best one earlier this month .
“ It soothes me .
It makes me feel calm , ” said Heller , 31 , a filmmaker and “ the self-proclaimed talent scout of New York.
” “ I get anxious when I ’ m on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment , ” he said .
“ I ’ m at ease when I ’ m amongst the chaos of New York City.
” Of course , these days with self-quarantining and social distancing as the orders of the day , it ’ s been harder to connect with the energy .
So Heller urged native New Yorkers to showcase their quintessential New York accents on video .
There were hundreds of submissions , from everyday New Yorkers as well as some famous ones , including Alec Baldwin and Debi Mazar .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was eventually awarded best Brooklyn accent , was holding an iguana as she said , “ You could tell I ’ m from New York just through my facial expressions , ” and ended with the important question , “ If you don ’ t use your hands when you talk , is it even a New York accent ?
” Perlongo , 34 , wasn ’ t always as comfortable with how she sounded , especially when others outside of her Brooklyn neighborhood teased her about it .
“ People will look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way where you feel like they don ’ t think you ’ re that intelligent , ” she said .
But these days , she embraces it , and can see why others would be drawn to it when they hear Cuomo and Fauci speak .
“ New Yorkers are stereotyped as rude or a little abrasive , which we can be , ” she acknowledged .
But “ the flip to that is there ’ s so much love in New York .
We ’ re always willing to help each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York for The Associated Press for 20 years .
Follow her on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/dhajela .

Hey, they’re talkin’ here!
With New York City at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. and its native-born among those offering crucial information to the nation in televised briefings, the New York accent has stepped up to the mic - or maybe the megaphone.
Holly Kelsey, for one, is charmed.
“I think it’s because my accent is so opposite from theirs, it’s intriguing to me,” said Kelsey, 59, of Denton, Texas, who’s been watching New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and top infectious disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci, both sons of New York City.
Fauci’s science-based way of explaining the crisis at White House briefings has attracted untold numbers of fans, and Cuomo’s news conferences have become must-see TV.
What matters most is what’s being said, of course, said Kelsey, who’s got a definite Texas tone to her own speech, but also, “I just like the way they speak.”
That hasn’t usually been the sentiment for the various fast-talking, final-letter-dropping, middle-vowel-stretching speech patterns of the five boroughs, often mocked in movies and television as the purview of miscreants and meatheads - and maybe a neurotic or two.
Researchers who have studied how the country’s various accents are perceived by those in other parts of the U.S. have found when it comes to a New York sound, well, just fuggedaboutit.
“People opinion’s about accents are really opinions about the people who use those accents,” said Laurel MacKenzie, assistant professor of linguistics at New York University.
Studies have shown “people around the country think New Yorkers sound aggressive,” she said. “Pretty much no matter where you go, people don’t like the New York accent.”
What? Archie Bunker and George Jefferson aggressive? Mona Lisa Vito? Oh, fine.
But in this frightening, chaotic moment, there’s been an appreciation for the straightforward, no-holds-barred approach to speaking of the likes of Cuomo and Fauci, and that may be changing perceptions, MacKenzie said.
“Where’s the fine line between aggressive and assertive?” she asked. “It’s the same qualities. … People are seeing them in a more positive light than a negative one.”
Daniel Keough is one of those people. “In a crisis like this, it’s nice to have people speaking so bluntly,” said the 27-year-old San Jose, California, resident who grew up in Idaho and has spent time listening to Queens-born Cuomo and Brooklyn native Fauci.
“You listen when you hear very real numbers and stories coming from those voices,” Keough said.
Of course, there is no singular New York accent - there are variations that depend on factors like socioeconomic status and ethnic group, said Gregory Guy, also a linguistics professor at NYU. And even among New Yorkers, it’s less common than it was in the middle part of the 20th century, in part because of the mockery from non-New Yorkers.
“The impact of this kind of stereotyping and stigma has led to dramatic change over the last 50 to 70 years,” he said.
But hold on, the New Yorkers would like to get a word in. They note that the accents may also evoke a directness and steadfastness commonly associated with the city and its dwellers - and that might be comforting in these uncertain times.
“One thing that gets associated with those accents is authenticity, there’s no filter there,” said Mike Mavrides, 52, who grew up in Queens but lives with his family in Brooklyn.
“New Yorkers are known for their grit and their hanging in there,” said Marty Brennan, 73, a Rockville Centre, New York, resident who grew up in Brooklyn. “Maybe the accent is a little reflective of that.”
If New Yorkers are taking back their accent, Nico Heller is doing his part: He ran an online competition for the best one earlier this month.
“It soothes me. It makes me feel calm,” said Heller, 31, a filmmaker and “the self-proclaimed talent scout of New York.”
“I get anxious when I’m on a beach and in a typically peaceful environment,” he said. “I’m at ease when I’m amongst the chaos of New York City.”
Of course, these days with self-quarantining and social distancing as the orders of the day, it’s been harder to connect with the energy. So Heller urged native New Yorkers to showcase their quintessential New York accents on video.
There were hundreds of submissions, from everyday New Yorkers as well as some famous ones, including Alec Baldwin and Debi Mazar.
In her entry, Nicole Perlongo, who was eventually awarded best Brooklyn accent, was holding an iguana as she said, “You could tell I’m from New York just through my facial expressions,” and ended with the important question, “If you don’t use your hands when you talk, is it even a New York accent?”
Perlongo, 34, wasn’t always as comfortable with how she sounded, especially when others outside of her Brooklyn neighborhood teased her about it.
“People will look at you and talk to you in a way where you feel like they don’t think you’re that intelligent,” she said.
But these days, she embraces it, and can see why others would be drawn to it when they hear Cuomo and Fauci speak.
“New Yorkers are stereotyped as rude or a little abrasive, which we can be,” she acknowledged. But “the flip to that is there’s so much love in New York. We’re always willing to help each other out.”
___
Hajela has covered New York for The Associated Press for 20 years. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dhajela.


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Drive-in movie night returns as new outdoor cinema

FORT PIERCE , Fla. ( AP ) - Connie DeGolier always wanted to organize an outdoor movie night .
She and her husband , Kevin , have been talking about it ever since they opened Tipsy Tiki outdoor bar and restaurant nearly three years ago .
But the coronavirus pandemic changed their plans .
With movie theaters closed since mid-March and a stay-at-home order in place since April 1 - all to prevent people from spreading COVID-19 - the idea morphed into a drive-in movie night .
Last weekend featured “ The Goonies ” both nights , and scheduled this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday and “ Overboard ” on Saturday .
“ We wanted to do something safe for the community to get out , because everybody is stir-crazy , ” DeGolier said .
City and police officials gave their blessings for a drive-in movie night in the Tipsy Tiki parking lot .
She and partner Kyle Kneifel created Treasure Coast Park and Watch .
“ It started rolling , ” DeGolier said , “ and it rolled very quickly and got very out-of-hand.
” They created a Facebook event to get the word out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the parking lot .
But about 2,500 people responded they wanted to come .
“ It was insane , ” DeGolier said .
“ The page was blowing up .
It went viral .
We kind of went into a state of panic.
” DeGolier reached out to her friend Harold “ Buzz ” Smyth , manager of Causeway Cove Marina just east of the South Causeway Bridge , and she got the OK to use the entertainment venue .
They had two days to turn a 50-vehicle show into one that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Good Times in St. Lucie West , which DeGolier and her husband also own , volunteered to help park vehicles .
“ We just made it happen , ” DeGolier said .
“ It was amazing to see all of this come together so quickly and so efficiently.
” They planned on having only one drive-in movie night per weekend .
When Friday night sold out days in advance , they added Saturday , which also sold out .
Bad weather moved the second night to Sunday .
She issued refunds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescheduled night , including to a couple who came from out of town .
“ They said there ’ s nothing to do , ” DeGolier said , “ so they drove an hour and a half to come.
” The grand opening weekend wasn ’ t perfect , she said , but they ’ ve been working out the kinks for the second weekend .
One problem was the 16-by-7-foot LED screen was too small and too low , so people in vehicles in the back couldn ’ t see the movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - 19-by-11 feet - and it ’ s double-sided , allowing them to double the number of vehicles , from 250 to 500 .
“ With having the two screens now , ” DeGolier said , “ we have really increased our volume of vehicles.
” They ’ re using donated projectors , and moviegoers get the sound on their vehicle radios .
Other problems also have been ironed out , such as online ticketing and a smoother , more efficient system for ordering food and having it delivered .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off this , ” DeGolier said , explaining the need to license the showings .
“ We ’ ll be lucky if we just break even with our cost.
” They want to make drive-in movie night a permanent entertainment option , even after the coronavirus pandemic , she said .
Until then , they plan to continue every weekend , and possibly expand to other venues on the Treasure Coast .
“ Once it ’ s all over and we ’ re in the clear , it ’ ll be that much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our goal is to have people , instead of in their vehicles , actually sit outside on a blanket or in a lounge chair and enjoy the evening under the stars with a great movie .
”

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) - Connie DeGolier always wanted to organize an outdoor movie night.
She and her husband, Kevin, have been talking about it ever since they opened Tipsy Tiki outdoor bar and restaurant nearly three years ago.
But the coronavirus pandemic changed their plans.
With movie theaters closed since mid-March and a stay-at-home order in place since April 1 - all to prevent people from spreading COVID-19 - the idea morphed into a drive-in movie night.
Last weekend featured “The Goonies” both nights, and scheduled this weekend are “Captain Ron” on Friday and “Overboard” on Saturday.
“We wanted to do something safe for the community to get out, because everybody is stir-crazy,” DeGolier said.
City and police officials gave their blessings for a drive-in movie night in the Tipsy Tiki parking lot. She and partner Kyle Kneifel created Treasure Coast Park and Watch.
“It started rolling,” DeGolier said, “and it rolled very quickly and got very out-of-hand.”
They created a Facebook event to get the word out, knowing they could fit about 50 vehicles in the parking lot.
But about 2,500 people responded they wanted to come.
“It was insane,” DeGolier said. “The page was blowing up. It went viral. We kind of went into a state of panic.”
They needed a bigger location.
DeGolier reached out to her friend Harold “Buzz” Smyth, manager of Causeway Cove Marina just east of the South Causeway Bridge, and she got the OK to use the entertainment venue.
They had two days to turn a 50-vehicle show into one that could hold 250 vehicles.
Loyal customers from Good Times in St. Lucie West, which DeGolier and her husband also own, volunteered to help park vehicles.
“We just made it happen,” DeGolier said. “It was amazing to see all of this come together so quickly and so efficiently.”
They planned on having only one drive-in movie night per weekend. When Friday night sold out days in advance, they added Saturday, which also sold out.
Bad weather moved the second night to Sunday.
She issued refunds to people who couldn’t make the rescheduled night, including to a couple who came from out of town.
“They said there’s nothing to do,” DeGolier said, “so they drove an hour and a half to come.”
The grand opening weekend wasn’t perfect, she said, but they’ve been working out the kinks for the second weekend.
One problem was the 16-by-7-foot LED screen was too small and too low, so people in vehicles in the back couldn’t see the movie.
Now, they have bigger screen - 19-by-11 feet - and it’s double-sided, allowing them to double the number of vehicles, from 250 to 500.
“With having the two screens now,” DeGolier said, “we have really increased our volume of vehicles.”
They’re using donated projectors, and moviegoers get the sound on their vehicle radios.
Other problems also have been ironed out, such as online ticketing and a smoother, more efficient system for ordering food and having it delivered.
“We’re not making a ton of money off this,” DeGolier said, explaining the need to license the showings. “We’ll be lucky if we just break even with our cost.”
They want to make drive-in movie night a permanent entertainment option, even after the coronavirus pandemic, she said.
Until then, they plan to continue every weekend, and possibly expand to other venues on the Treasure Coast.
“Once it’s all over and we’re in the clear, it’ll be that much more successful,” DeGolier said. “Our goal is to have people, instead of in their vehicles, actually sit outside on a blanket or in a lounge chair and enjoy the evening under the stars with a great movie.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--After 30 years, two murder victims identified through DNA

DAYTONA BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - A man and woman violently killed in separate Volusia homicides who have remained nameless for at least 30 years , their cases going cold , have finally been identified through their DNA , officials said this week .
Volusia County sheriff ’ s spokesman Andrew Gant said that John Doe 1986 has been identified as Howard “ Kip ” Evans , and Jane Doe 1991 was identified as Doris Regina Chavers .
“ I hope this sends a message that we never ever stop working on homicide cases , ” said Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them until the science comes along that may give the victims ’ families closure.
” Many years have passed since Evans ’ and Chavers ’ murders , but with the identification of the victims it is possible that new leads may come in to investigators , Chitwood said .
“ I ’ m not aware of any new leads but you never know , ” Chitwood said .
Evans ’ skeletal remains were found on Jan. 18 , 1986 , off Pump House Road near Jones Island Road in the Ormond Beach area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an undetermined amount of time , Gant said .
A forensic examination of Evans ’ skeleton revealed violent trauma and that he was murdered .
Volusia County sheriff ’ s investigators worked Evans ’ case , following various leads and tips throughout the years , but were unable to get his identification so Evans ’ case went cold and became known only as “ John Doe 1986 , ” Gant said .
Between 2006 and 2011 , DNA was obtained from Evans ’ skeletal remains and sent to several laboratories for comparison to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNA Index System ( CODIS ) , but there were no matches .
Not giving up , investigators in 2014 generated facial reconstruction models through the Florida Institute of Forensic Anthropology and Applied Science at the University of South Florida , Gant said .
And in 2019 , the Major Case Unit received information about social media posts generated in a Missing Persons group , discussing that a woman ’ s son , Howard Evans , had been missing since 1984 and was last known to be in Volusia County .
Evans was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he went missing , Gant said .
No formal missing person ’ s report was done on Evans and since he had been missing for six years , his family had him legally declared deceased in 1990 , investigators said .
As the follow-up investigation continued , detectives obtained a DNA sample from Evans ’ mother , who resided in South Carolina .
The DNA analysis performed by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification ( UNTCHI ) and the FBI , this month , determined that John Doe 1986 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son , Evans , authorities said .
Evans would have been 65 on March 3 , Gant indicated .
Evans ’ mother was notified that her son , who she last had contact with nearly 36 years ago , had been located .
The Medical Examiner ’ s Office is working with Evans ’ family for the release of his remains , Gant said .
In Chavers ’ case , the woman was last seen alive at her mother ’ s Sanford home in August 1989 .
She was 32 , Gant said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , 1990 to the Seminole County Sheriff ’ s Office .
Then , on Aug. 19 , 1991 , Volusia County deputies were called by two fishermen who found skeletal remains in a heavily wooded area off the 400 block of Enterprise Osteen Road in Osteen .
Due to the condition of the remains , identification was not possible .
At that time , DNA technology was not what it is today , Gant said .
In September 1991 , an autopsy determined that the remains were that of a woman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that she had died from violent trauma .
Jane Doe 1991′s death was ruled a homicide , investigators said .
As the death investigation progressed , detectives searched databases at their disposal for any and all means to identify the victim .
Detectives entered the case into an FBI database in an effort to identify Jane Doe and to generate possible leads .
Unfortunately , these efforts were unsuccessful , and the case went cold , according to a news release from Gant .
In August 2018 , the Seminole County Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chavers missing person case and detectives were able to track down Chavers ’ biological daughter and obtain a familial DNA sample , which was sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification ( UNTCHI ) .
On Jan. 21 of this year , both Volusia and Seminole detectives were notified by UNTCHI that the familial DNA sample collected from Chavers ’ biological daughter was a match to the skeletal remains found in Volusia County in 1991 , Gant said .
Volusia detectives contacted Chavers ’ daughter to deliver the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her mother had been found , authorities said .
The daughter said she always felt that something terrible must have happened , and that her mother would have never just abandoned her , Gant ’ s news release states .
“ I ’ m really proud of my detectives .
They have the passion to solve the cases in hopes of locking up the bad guys , ” Chitwood said .
“ They are the only link to families and what happened to their loved ones.
” The investigations into Evans ’ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with information about either case is encouraged to contact the Volusia Sheriff ’ s Office Major Case Unit at 386-254-1537 .

PATRICIO G. BALONA, The Daytona Beach News-Journal

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A man and woman violently killed in separate Volusia homicides who have remained nameless for at least 30 years, their cases going cold, have finally been identified through their DNA, officials said this week.
Volusia County sheriff’s spokesman Andrew Gant said that John Doe 1986 has been identified as Howard “Kip” Evans, and Jane Doe 1991 was identified as Doris Regina Chavers.
“I hope this sends a message that we never ever stop working on homicide cases,” said Sheriff Mike Chitwood. “We keep working them until the science comes along that may give the victims’ families closure.”
Many years have passed since Evans’ and Chavers’ murders, but with the identification of the victims it is possible that new leads may come in to investigators, Chitwood said.
“I’m not aware of any new leads but you never know,” Chitwood said.
Evans’ skeletal remains were found on Jan. 18, 1986, off Pump House Road near Jones Island Road in the Ormond Beach area. His remains had been there for an undetermined amount of time, Gant said.
A forensic examination of Evans’ skeleton revealed violent trauma and that he was murdered.
Volusia County sheriff’s investigators worked Evans’ case, following various leads and tips throughout the years, but were unable to get his identification so Evans’ case went cold and became known only as “John Doe 1986,” Gant said.
Between 2006 and 2011, DNA was obtained from Evans’ skeletal remains and sent to several laboratories for comparison to DNA in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), but there were no matches.
Not giving up, investigators in 2014 generated facial reconstruction models through the Florida Institute of Forensic Anthropology and Applied Science at the University of South Florida, Gant said.
And in 2019, the Major Case Unit received information about social media posts generated in a Missing Persons group, discussing that a woman’s son, Howard Evans, had been missing since 1984 and was last known to be in Volusia County. Evans was about 29 years old at the time he went missing, Gant said.
No formal missing person’s report was done on Evans and since he had been missing for six years, his family had him legally declared deceased in 1990, investigators said.
As the follow-up investigation continued, detectives obtained a DNA sample from Evans’ mother, who resided in South Carolina. The DNA analysis performed by the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) and the FBI, this month, determined that John Doe 1986, was the South Carolina woman’s son, Evans, authorities said.
Evans would have been 65 on March 3, Gant indicated.
Evans’ mother was notified that her son, who she last had contact with nearly 36 years ago, had been located. The Medical Examiner’s Office is working with Evans’ family for the release of his remains, Gant said.
In Chavers’ case, the woman was last seen alive at her mother’s Sanford home in August 1989. She was 32, Gant said.
Chavers was reported missing on Aug. 1, 1990 to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
Then, on Aug. 19, 1991, Volusia County deputies were called by two fishermen who found skeletal remains in a heavily wooded area off the 400 block of Enterprise Osteen Road in Osteen.
Due to the condition of the remains, identification was not possible. At that time, DNA technology was not what it is today, Gant said.
In September 1991, an autopsy determined that the remains were that of a woman, potentially in her 30s or 40s, and that she had died from violent trauma. Jane Doe 1991′s death was ruled a homicide, investigators said.
As the death investigation progressed, detectives searched databases at their disposal for any and all means to identify the victim. Detectives entered the case into an FBI database in an effort to identify Jane Doe and to generate possible leads. Unfortunately, these efforts were unsuccessful, and the case went cold, according to a news release from Gant.
In August 2018, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office conducted further investigation into the Chavers missing person case and detectives were able to track down Chavers’ biological daughter and obtain a familial DNA sample, which was sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI).
On Jan. 21 of this year, both Volusia and Seminole detectives were notified by UNTCHI that the familial DNA sample collected from Chavers’ biological daughter was a match to the skeletal remains found in Volusia County in 1991, Gant said.
Volusia detectives contacted Chavers’ daughter to deliver the news and said she was relieved that her mother had been found, authorities said.
The daughter said she always felt that something terrible must have happened, and that her mother would have never just abandoned her, Gant’s news release states.
“I’m really proud of my detectives. They have the passion to solve the cases in hopes of locking up the bad guys,” Chitwood said. “They are the only link to families and what happened to their loved ones.”
The investigations into Evans’ and Chavers’ cases are ongoing and anyone with information about either case is encouraged to contact the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit at 386-254-1537.


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Man guilty of threatening, sending dead rat to ex-wife

TAMPA , Fla. ( AP ) - An Indiana man faces up to fives years in federal prison for threatening his ex-wife over several years and mailing a dead rat to her Florida home .
Romney Christopher Ellis , 55 , of Indianapolis , Indiana , pleaded guilty Thursday in Tampa federal court to making interstate threats and mailing injurious articles , according to court records .
According to a criminal complaint , Ellis had engaged in a four-year-long campaign of harassment against his ex-wife , who lives in Tampa , through text messages , photographs , videos and mailings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her on fire , investigators said .
He routinely made racially and sexually charged statements in the text messages , including sending sexually explicit images of himself .
Ellis sent text messages stating that he had traveled from Indiana to Florida to see his ex-wife .
On one occasion , Ellis mailed a package to the victim ’ s home containing a dead rat and black rose .
Postal inspectors executed a search warrant at Ellis ’ s Indianapolis home in February .
Prosecutors said they recovered a handwritten note containing the names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as her family and friends .

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - An Indiana man faces up to fives years in federal prison for threatening his ex-wife over several years and mailing a dead rat to her Florida home.
Romney Christopher Ellis, 55, of Indianapolis, Indiana, pleaded guilty Thursday in Tampa federal court to making interstate threats and mailing injurious articles, according to court records.
According to a criminal complaint, Ellis had engaged in a four-year-long campaign of harassment against his ex-wife, who lives in Tampa, through text messages, photographs, videos and mailings. He threatened to decapitate and set her on fire, investigators said. He routinely made racially and sexually charged statements in the text messages, including sending sexually explicit images of himself. Ellis sent text messages stating that he had traveled from Indiana to Florida to see his ex-wife. On one occasion, Ellis mailed a package to the victim’s home containing a dead rat and black rose.
Postal inspectors executed a search warrant at Ellis’s Indianapolis home in February. Prosecutors said they recovered a handwritten note containing the names and addresses of his ex-wife, as well as her family and friends.


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Deputies: Man made bomb threat to avoid work

WELLINGTON , Fla. ( AP ) - A Florida construction worker called in a bomb threat to a water treatment @ @ @ @ @ off work , authorities said .
Richard Hamilton , 36 , was arrested Thursday and @ @ @ @ @ threat , the Palm Beach Post reported .
More than 20 people evacuated Wellington ’ @ @ @ @ @ after the threatening 911 call around 7 a.m. Thursday , according to the Palm Beach @ @ @ @ @ .
Hamilton had been working with a construction crew at the facility and later told @ @ @ @ @ threat because he was having a bad day and didn ’ t want to work @ @ @ @ @ bomb squad , a bomb dog and drones searched Hamilton ’ s vehicle and the @ @ @ @ @ evidence of a bomb , the sheriff ’ s office said .
Wellington ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , village officials said .
Hamilton was being held on $ 10,000 bond .
Jail @ @ @ @ @ an attorney .

WELLINGTON, Fla. (AP) - A Florida construction worker called in a bomb threat to a water treatment facility to get a day off work, authorities said.
Richard Hamilton, 36, was arrested Thursday and charged with making a bomb threat, the Palm Beach Post reported.
More than 20 people evacuated Wellington’s water treatment plant shortly after the threatening 911 call around 7 a.m. Thursday, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Hamilton had been working with a construction crew at the facility and later told deputies that he made the threat because he was having a bad day and didn’t want to work.
The sheriff’s bomb squad, a bomb dog and drones searched Hamilton’s vehicle and the surrounding area and found no evidence of a bomb, the sheriff’s office said. Wellington’s water service was not affected, village officials said.
Hamilton was being held on $10,000 bond. Jail records didn’t list an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--A rarity: cricket goes live in Vanuatu in the South Pacific

PORT VILA , Vanuatu ( AP ) - Some overnight rain couldn ’ t prevent Vanuatu from producing a rarity in these coronavirus-restricted times - a live sporting event .
The tropical island in the South Pacific was likely the only venue in the world hosting a competitive sports final on Saturday , as most international sport remains shuttered around the globe .
Vanuatu Cricket Association chief executive Shane Deitz invited anyone missing live action to tune in to a live stream .
And more than 3,000 did at various times during a men ’ s 10-over exhibition match and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Mele Bulls .
“ It ’ s one of the only live sports around the world at the moment .
We can showcase a bit of cricket for everyone who is in lock down , ” Deitz told the Associated Press on Friday The matches were played at the Vanuatu Cricket Grounds in the capital Port Vila , on the island of Efate .
Officials set up four cameras and commentary for the online stream on Vanuatu Cricket ’ s Facebook site .
The commentators had a bit of fun as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few fans were getting rowdy “ now that the red wine has kicked in.
” Play was delayed for minute or two when a few children ran on the field , and the commentators apologized for not having many security people at the ground .
Vanuatu went into lock down late last month as a precaution during the coranavirus pandemic , and was then hit hit by a destructive cyclone on April 6 .
Spectators who came to the ground on Saturday were asked to bring food or clothing donations for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down and closed borders meant there were no reported cases of COVID-19 in Vanuatu .

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (AP) - Some overnight rain couldn’t prevent Vanuatu from producing a rarity in these coronavirus-restricted times - a live sporting event.
The tropical island in the South Pacific was likely the only venue in the world hosting a competitive sports final on Saturday, as most international sport remains shuttered around the globe.
Vanuatu Cricket Association chief executive Shane Deitz invited anyone missing live action to tune in to a live stream. And more than 3,000 did at various times during a men’s 10-over exhibition match and the women’s Twenty20 final won by the Mele Bulls.
The rain meant a scheduled morning women’s semifinal wasn’t played due to wet grounds.
“It’s one of the only live sports around the world at the moment. We can showcase a bit of cricket for everyone who is in lock down,” Deitz told the Associated Press on Friday
The matches were played at the Vanuatu Cricket Grounds in the capital Port Vila, on the island of Efate. Officials set up four cameras and commentary for the online stream on Vanuatu Cricket’s Facebook site.
The commentators had a bit of fun as well, with one of them suggesting a few fans were getting rowdy “now that the red wine has kicked in.” Play was delayed for minute or two when a few children ran on the field, and the commentators apologized for not having many security people at the ground.
Vanuatu went into lock down late last month as a precaution during the coranavirus pandemic, and was then hit hit by a destructive cyclone on April 6. Spectators who came to the ground on Saturday were asked to bring food or clothing donations for those affected by the cyclone.
The lock down and closed borders meant there were no reported cases of COVID-19 in Vanuatu.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Outbursts, panic: Lockdown ordeal for special-needs families

PARIS ( AP ) - After weeks of France ’ s strict lockdown , Mohammed , a 14-year-old with autism , took a pickax and started hitting the wall of his house , hoping that he could finally go out .
His explanation : “ Too long at home , too hard to wait.
” Coronavirus lockdown is proving a particularly trying ordeal for children with disabilities and their families who are struggling to care for them at home now that special schools and support programs have been shut down .
Mohammed hasn ’ t picked up the ax again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father Salah says with relief .
But his son still gets exasperated , and says , “ I want to break the house down.
” The family , like others who spoke to The Associated Press about what they ’ re going through , spoke on condition they be identified by first name only , out of privacy concerns for their children .
Making matters worse , Mohammed ’ s mother , who works in a nursing home , has been on sick leave after testing positive for COVID-19 .
She had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor of their house in the Paris suburb of Mantes-la-Jolie , and was forced to keep distance from her family .
Her health has since improved .
That was particularly hard for Mohammed , who has a close relationship with his mother .
“ We kept telling him that there ’ s the disease .
He took note .
Then he tried again to go up and see her , ” Salah said .
Violent outbursts , incomprehension , disputes , panic attacks : Lockdown is a shock to many children with special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and teachers , deprived of their reassuring routine .
And France ’ s virus lockdown measures - now in their second month and not set to end until at least May 11 - are among Europe ’ s strictest .
At home , Mohammed requires constant attention so that he won ’ t put himself in danger .
“ That ’ s tough on him .
We reprimand him , saying no .
… We need to repeat and repeat , ” Salah said .
The father admits to his own fatigue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while also taking care of his two other sons , ages 12 and 8 .
Salah knows how to detect signs on Mohammed ’ s face when he is under too much pressure and may get angry : “ I don ’ t let things get heated.
” Mohammed ’ s teacher at the Bel-Air Institute near Versailles , Corentin Sainte Fare Garnot , is doing his best to help .
“ If you remove crutches from someone who needs them from one day to the next , it gets very complicated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of loneliness and lack of activity can be very deep ” for people with autism , he said .
Mohammed calls him several times a day .
Aurelie Collet , a manager at the Bel-Air , which provides specialized educational and therapeutic services for dozens of children with different types of disabilities , said some teenagers just didn ’ t understand the lockdown rules at first , and kept going out .
Others who used to be well-integrated in their class turned inward , isolating themselves in their bedrooms .
So the staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with the children , including through social networks , she said .
Thomas , 17 , and Pierre , 14 , brothers with intellectual disabilities who also go to the Bel-Air , are similarly destabilized by lockdown .
“ I feel worried about how long the lockdown will last , what ’ s going to happen next ” , Thomas said .
The teenager has lots of questions about “ how many people will get the virus , when the epidemic will stop.
” At first , their parents recalled , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacation , playing all day and calling their friends .
Then the family , which lives near Versailles , west of Paris , organized activities to keep their lives more structured .
Another big concern for Thomas is his future , as the internship he was planning to do this summer is likely to be postponed .
His younger brother Pierre says he ’ s having more nightmares than usual , adding that the lockdown is also prompting more family quarrels .
Pierre especially misses the gardening he used to do at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pots to grow radishes .
Under nationwide restrictions , the French can only leave home for essential services , like buying food or going to the doctor , and must stay close to home .
Physical activity in public is strictly limited to one hour , and within a nearby radius .
Police routinely fine violators .
Recognizing the burden this places on people with autism , French President Emmanuel Macron announced in early April an exception that allows them to go out in places where they are accustomed to go , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no limit of time and distance .
The challenges are familiar to millions of families around the world .
Across the U.S. , teachers are exploring new ways to deliver customized lessons from afar , and parents of children with disabilities are not only home-schooling but also adding therapy , hands-on lessons and behavioral management to their responsibilities .
Salah has started again to take Mohammed do some biking outside , something he used to do before .
“ This is like a safety valve to him , he needs it .
… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following him , he ’ s going ahead , happily shouting , ” Salah said with a smile in his voice .
Sainte Fare Garnot is helping the family to find concrete solutions .
Because playing soccer with his brothers in the garden has proven difficult for Mohammed because the rules of team games are too complex for him , he suggested that the three boys instead take shots at goal in turn .
France is still playing catch-up with some developing-country peers in terms of educational opportunities for children with autism spectrum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also have to spend months relearning skills they may have lost during the lockdown period .
The president has announced that schools will be “ progressively ” reopened starting from May 11 , but authorities have not provided details yet about special-needs children .
France counts more than 350,000 school students with disabilities , including 70,000 in the special education system that includes the Bel-Air .
The uncertainty is specially hard for young people like Mohammed .
“ I know he will ask me again , ” his teacher said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

PARIS (AP) - Weeks into France’s strict coronavirus lockdown, Mohammed, a 14-year-old with autism, took a pickax and started hitting the wall of his family’s house.
His explanation: “Too long at home, too hard to wait.”
The disruptions in daily life caused by the virus pandemic are a particularly trying ordeal for children with disabilities and the people who love and are caring for them confined at home while special-needs schools and support programs remain closed.
Mohammed hasn’t picked up the ax again since the incident last month, his father, Salah, says with relief. But the boy still gets frustrated being stuck inside and says, “I want to break the house down.”
The family, like others who spoke to The Associated Press about what their experiences, spoke on the condition of being identified by first name only out of concern for the privacy of their children.
Making matters worse, Mohammed’s mother, who works in a nursing home, has been on sick leave after testing positive for COVID-19. She had to live for weeks isolated on the top floor of their house in the Paris suburb of Mantes-la-Jolie. Her health has since improved.
The physical distance from her family was particularly hard for Mohammed, who has a close relationship with his mother.
“We kept telling him that there’s the disease. He took note. Then he tried again to go up and see her,” Salah said.
Violent outbursts, incomprehension, disputes, panic attacks: Life under lockdown has been a shock to many children with special needs who suddenly lost their reassuring routines, cut off from friends and teachers. And France’s virus lockdown measures - now in their second month and set to run until at least May 11 - are among Europe’s strictest.
At home, Mohammed requires constant attention so he won’t injure or endanger himself.
“That’s tough on him. We reprimand him, saying no. … We need to repeat and repeat,” Salah said. The father admits to his own fatigue, working at home as a telecoms engineer while caring for Mohammed and his two brothers, ages 12 and 8.
Salah knows how to detect signs on Mohammed’s face when he is under too much pressure and may get angry: “I don’t let things get heated.”
Mohammed normally attends the Bel-Air Institute near Versailles, which provides specialized educational and therapeutic services for dozens of children with different types of disabilities. His teacher. Corentin Sainte Fare Garnot, is doing his best to help.
“If you remove crutches from someone who needs them from one day to the next, it gets very complicated,” he said.
“The feeling of loneliness and lack of activity can be very deep” for people with autism, the teacher said. Mohammed calls him several times a day.
Aurelie Collet, a manager at the Bel-Air Institute, said some teenagers at first didn’t understand the lockdown rules keeping them stuck at home and kept going out. Others who had been well-integrated in their classes turned inward, isolating themselves in their bedrooms.
The staff developed creative tools to keep communicating and working with the children, including through social networks, she said.
Thomas, 17, and Pierre, 14, brothers with intellectual disabilities who also go to the Bel-Air, are similarly destabilized by lockdown restrictions.
“I feel worried about how long the lockdown will last, what’s going to happen next”, Thomas said. The teenager has lots of questions about “how many people will get the virus, when the epidemic will stop?”
Another big concern for Thomas is his future; an internship he planned to do this summer is likely to be postponed.
Pierre says he’s having more nightmares than usual, adding that the lockdown is also prompting more family quarrels.
At first, their parents recalled, the boys acted as if they were on vacation, playing all day and calling their friends. The parents organized activities to give Pierre and Thomas more structure amid the public health crisis.
Pierre especially misses the gardening he used to do at the Bel-Air, so he planted seeds in pots to grow radishes.
Under nationwide restrictions, the French can only leave home for essential services, like buying food or going to the doctor, and must stay close to home. Physical activity in public is strictly limited to one hour and within a nearby radius. Police routinely fine violators.
Recognizing the burden the regulations place on people with autism, French President Emmanuel Macron announced announced an exception that allows them to go out to customary places without having to observe time or distance limits.
The new challenges the pandemic presents to children with special needs are familiar to millions of families around the world. Across the U.S., teachers are exploring new ways to deliver customized lessons from afar, and parents of children with disabilities are not only home-schooling but also adding therapy, hands-on lessons and behavioral management to their responsibilities.
Salah has started taking Mohammed out again for bike riding, an activity his eldest son enjoyed before the pandemic.
“This is like a safety valve to him. He needs it. … We’re having a hard time following him, he’s going ahead, happily shouting,” Salah said with a smile in his voice.
Sainte Fare Garnot is helping the family to find concrete solutions. Because playing soccer with his brothers in the garden has proven difficult for Mohammed because the rules of team games are too complex for him, he suggested that the three boys instead take shots at goal in turn.
France is still playing catch-up with some developing-country peers in terms of educational opportunities for children with autism spectrum disorders, and teachers fear that some will also have to spend months relearning skills they may have lost during the lockdown period.
The president has announced that schools will be “progressively” reopened starting from May 11, but authorities have not provided details yet about special-needs children. France counts more than 350,000 school students with disabilities, including 70,000 in the special education system that includes the Bel-Air.
The uncertainty is specially hard for young people like Mohammed. “I know he will ask me again,” his teacher said. “‘When is it ending?’”


washingtontimes--2020-04-25--Gaza factories roar back to life to make protective wear

GAZA CITY , Gaza Strip ( AP ) - For the first time in years , sewing factories in the Gaza Strip are back to working at full capacity - producing masks , gloves and protective gowns , some of which are bound for Israel .
It ’ s a rare economic lifeline in the coastal territory , which has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt since the Hamas militant group seized power from rival Palestinian forces in the strip in 2007 .
The blockade , and three wars between Hamas and Israel , have devastated the local economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the sudden opportunity also shows how Gaza ’ s economy is at the mercy of those enforcing the blockade - and how depressed wages have become .
Workers earn as little as $ 8 a day .
So far , Gaza appears to have been largely spared from the coronavirus pandemic , with only 17 cases detected , all within quarantine facilities set up for those returning from abroad .
Many still fear an outbreak in the impoverished territory , which is home to 2 million people and where the health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict .
But for now , authorities are cautiously allowing most businesses to stay open .
Rizq al-Madhoun , owner of the Bahaa garment company , said he has produced more than 1 million masks in the past three weeks , “ all for the Israeli market.
” Gaza may not have the advanced machinery seen in other places , but he said residents ’ sewing skills are unmatched .
“ Gaza workers are distinguished in handiwork and they are better than workers in China or Turkey , ” he said .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to employ 800 workers across two shifts to produce protective equipment around the clock .
Both factories import fabric and other materials from customers in Israel and then produce items like masks , gloves and surgical gowns .
Unipal makes about 150,000 pieces a day , and demand is high as countries around the world grapple with shortages .
Asked about doing business with Israeli customers , both factory owners said they did not want to discuss politics and framed their work in terms of business and humanitarian needs .
“ Despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and protective clothes to the whole world without exception , ” Bashir Bawab , the owner of Unipal 2000 , said .
“ We feel we are doing a humanitarian duty.
” In recent years , Tamer Emad , a skilled textile worker , was able to work one week per month at best .
But over the past month , he has been on the Unipal factory floor every day , earning around $ 8 per shift .
“ This has provided us with a good opportunity ahead of Ramadan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslim holy month , which began Thursday , when families traditionally splurge on food and shopping .
Such wages are typical in the depressed Gazan economy , but would barely keep a family afloat .
It costs around $ 250 a month to rent a two-bedroom apartment .
Omar Shaban , an economist who heads a local think tank , said the conditions created by the blockade allow for “ exploitation , ” but that low-wage jobs still provide income for many people .
Unipal 2000 first opened in an industrial zone along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace process was in full swing .
But like many other Gaza businesses , it was forced to shut down after the Hamas takeover and the blockade .
Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas , an Islamic militant group that opposes Israel ’ s existence , from arming itself .
Israel began easing some restrictions after the 2014 Gaza war , and the factory reopened two years later .
But by then most of its clients had found suppliers elsewhere , so it only operated intermittently .
Its fortunes could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outbreak .
Gisha , an Israeli group that advocates for easing the blockade on Gaza , appealed to Israeli leaders to do more to promote economic activity in the territory .
“ The pandemic has created demand for these products , ” it said .
“ But Israel must lift restrictions on trade entirely so that Gaza residents can work and so that Gaza ’ s faltering economy can brace itself as much as possible against the wider global crisis caused by the pandemic.
” The virus causes mild to moderate flu-like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a few weeks .
But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness or death , particularly in older patients or those with underlying conditions .
Israel has reported more than 14,800 cases and nearly 200 deaths .
The Palestinian Authority , which governs parts of the occupied West Bank , has reported around 260 cases and two deaths .
Both imposed strict lockdowns more than a month ago .
Elsewhere in Gaza , a startup has produced hundreds of medical face shields using 3D printers .
The Glia project , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physician based in Canada , has previously used 3D printers to produce inexpensive stethoscopes in the isolated territory .
Last year it produced tourniquets for first responders to treat Palestinians shot and wounded by Israeli forces during weekly protests along the frontier .
“ Because of the global shortages , we are trying to provide a resupply with alternatives from the local market , ” said Mohammed Attar , of Glia team in Gaza .
The initiative currently produces 30 face shields a day and hopes to one day export them .

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - For the first time in years, sewing factories in the Gaza Strip are back to working at full capacity - producing masks, gloves and protective gowns, some of which are bound for Israel.
It’s a rare economic lifeline in the coastal territory, which has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt since the Hamas militant group seized power from rival Palestinian forces in the strip in 2007. The blockade, and three wars between Hamas and Israel, have devastated the local economy, with unemployment hovering around 50%.
But the sudden opportunity also shows how Gaza’s economy is at the mercy of those enforcing the blockade - and how depressed wages have become. Workers earn as little as $8 a day.
So far, Gaza appears to have been largely spared from the coronavirus pandemic, with only 17 cases detected, all within quarantine facilities set up for those returning from abroad. Many still fear an outbreak in the impoverished territory, which is home to 2 million people and where the health care system has been battered by years of conflict. But for now, authorities are cautiously allowing most businesses to stay open.
Rizq al-Madhoun, owner of the Bahaa garment company, said he has produced more than 1 million masks in the past three weeks, “all for the Israeli market.”
Gaza may not have the advanced machinery seen in other places, but he said residents’ sewing skills are unmatched. “Gaza workers are distinguished in handiwork and they are better than workers in China or Turkey,” he said.
Another factory, Unipal 2000, is able to employ 800 workers across two shifts to produce protective equipment around the clock.
Both factories import fabric and other materials from customers in Israel and then produce items like masks, gloves and surgical gowns. Unipal makes about 150,000 pieces a day, and demand is high as countries around the world grapple with shortages.
Asked about doing business with Israeli customers, both factory owners said they did not want to discuss politics and framed their work in terms of business and humanitarian needs.
“Despite the siege in Gaza, we export these masks and protective clothes to the whole world without exception,” Bashir Bawab, the owner of Unipal 2000, said. “We feel we are doing a humanitarian duty.”
In recent years, Tamer Emad, a skilled textile worker, was able to work one week per month at best. But over the past month, he has been on the Unipal factory floor every day, earning around $8 per shift.
“This has provided us with a good opportunity ahead of Ramadan,” he said, referring to the Muslim holy month, which began Thursday, when families traditionally splurge on food and shopping.
Such wages are typical in the depressed Gazan economy, but would barely keep a family afloat. It costs around $250 a month to rent a two-bedroom apartment.
Omar Shaban, an economist who heads a local think tank, said the conditions created by the blockade allow for “exploitation,” but that low-wage jobs still provide income for many people.
Unipal 2000 first opened in an industrial zone along the frontier in 1998, when the peace process was in full swing. But like many other Gaza businesses, it was forced to shut down after the Hamas takeover and the blockade. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas, an Islamic militant group that opposes Israel’s existence, from arming itself.
Israel began easing some restrictions after the 2014 Gaza war, and the factory reopened two years later. But by then most of its clients had found suppliers elsewhere, so it only operated intermittently.
Its fortunes could change again - especially if there is an outbreak.
Gisha, an Israeli group that advocates for easing the blockade on Gaza, appealed to Israeli leaders to do more to promote economic activity in the territory.
“The pandemic has created demand for these products,” it said. “But Israel must lift restrictions on trade entirely so that Gaza residents can work and so that Gaza’s faltering economy can brace itself as much as possible against the wider global crisis caused by the pandemic.”
The virus causes mild to moderate flu-like symptoms in most patients, who recover within a few weeks. But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness or death, particularly in older patients or those with underlying conditions.
Israel has reported more than 14,800 cases and nearly 200 deaths. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank, has reported around 260 cases and two deaths. Both imposed strict lockdowns more than a month ago.
Elsewhere in Gaza, a startup has produced hundreds of medical face shields using 3D printers.
The Glia project, established by Tarek Loubani, a Palestinian physician based in Canada, has previously used 3D printers to produce inexpensive stethoscopes in the isolated territory. Last year it produced tourniquets for first responders to treat Palestinians shot and wounded by Israeli forces during weekly protests along the frontier.
“Because of the global shortages, we are trying to provide a resupply with alternatives from the local market,” said Mohammed Attar, of Glia team in Gaza.
The initiative currently produces 30 face shields a day and hopes to one day export them.