| AG Barr Assures Faith Leaders Administration Will Shield Them from Being ‘Singled Out’ By State, Local Lockdowns Posted: 24 Apr 2020 09:35 AM PDT  During a White House conference call with more than 500 faith leaders on Thursday, Attorney General William Barr assured the participating priests, rabbis, and ministers that the administration is on guard against overzealous state governments intent on "singling out" religious groups with punitive coronavirus lockdown measures.Barr, who spoke for roughly ten minutes, told the religious leaders that, while "Draconian measures" were initially necessary to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, the administration is now working to ensure that those measures are not extended unnecessarily, and will be particularly aggressive in combating efforts to apply them disproportionally to religious organizations."Standing up for liberty is one of our highest priorities, my highest priorities," Barr said, according to a transcript of his remarks provided to National Review by a participant on the call. When reached for comment, the Department of Justice confirmed the participant's description of the call.The attorney general cited his intervention in the case of a Mississippi church as an example of legal action the administration will take to shield religious groups from being targeted by overzealous state and local authorities.The Department of Justice filed a statement of interest last week in a lawsuit brought against the local police department by the Temple Baptist Church in Greenville, Miss. Church officials claim that police officers were dispatched to their April 8 drive-in service and began "knocking on car windows, demanding drivers' licenses and writing citations with $500 fines."The service was held one day after the city banned all drive-in events, in a move that seemed to violate the state's designation of religious services as "essential" so long as they complied with Center for Disease Control social distancing guidelines."So this was a case of singling out a religious community," Barr said.A number of other states, including North Carolina and Indiana, have joined Mississippi in deeming religious services "essential," provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines that are in some cases stricter than those applied to other essential businesses, such as grocery stores. Both states have limited the number of congregants to ten or fewer and in Indiana, the Eucharist must be "pre-packaged" if it is to be distributed at all.Barr told the faith leaders that he has been in close contact with state attorneys general in recent days in an effort to identify any state or local ordinances that place a "special burden" on religious groups, though it's not clear whether the aforementioned restrictions would qualify. After spending the first weeks of the crisis insisting on the importance of social distancing and praising governors for implementing stringent lockdown regimes, the administration began this week to shift its messaging to accommodate the growing sense of frustration among many Americans — particularly those who live in less densely populated areas — who feel they should not be subject to the same kind of comprehensive regulations that have been applied to the residents of major cities.Barr's comments to conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt earlier this week seemed to reflect that growing frustration."We're looking carefully at a number of these rules that are being put into place," Barr said. "And if we think one goes too far, we initially try to jawbone the governors into rolling them back or adjusting them. And if they're not and people bring lawsuits, we file statement of interest and side with the plaintiffs."During the Thursday call, Barr extended that line of thinking to religious groups, telling the participants that he believes they will soon be able to hold outdoor services — and even return to indoor worship in certain parts of the country that have not been hit as hard as the major cities. He did not, however, provide any specific timelines."It may be possible to be a bit more liberal about how many people can gather inside…we hope to see a loosening of the restrictions community by community and based on diminution of infection rate," he said.Surgeon general Jerome Adams, who took over the call after Barr finished up, echoed his predecessors' optimistic tone, saying he was "surprised at how well the American people did following guidelines.""It saved lives," he added.
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| Navy wants to reinstate fired captain of coronavirus-hit aircraft carrier, sources say Posted: 24 Apr 2020 12:17 PM PDT  In an extraordinary reversal, the U.S. Navy has recommended reinstating the fired captain of the coronavirus-hit aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, whose crew hailed him as their hero for risking his job to safeguard their lives, officials said on Friday. The Navy's leadership made the recommendation to reinstate Captain Brett Crozier to Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday, just three weeks after Crozier was relieved of command after the leak of a letter he wrote calling on the Navy for stronger measures to protect the crew, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Pentagon issued a statement acknowledging Esper received the results of the Navy's preliminary inquiry into the Roosevelt incident.
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| Meghan McCain asks if George and Kellyanne Conway's 'gross' feuding is their 'kink' Posted: 24 Apr 2020 10:32 AM PDT  Meghan McCain has criticised Kellyanne Conway's marriage, saying that she and her husband shouldn't disagree in public.Ms Conway is a counsellor to president Donald Trump and one of his most high-profile advisors, but her husband, George Conway III, an attorney, often publicly criticises the president.
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| Antarctica's A-68: Is the world's biggest iceberg about to break up? Posted: 23 Apr 2020 05:31 AM PDT  The 5,100 sq km behemoth which broke away from Antarctica in 2017 drops its own large chunk of ice.
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| Stained sheets, pills but no clarity on Gillum hotel run-in Posted: 23 Apr 2020 11:26 AM PDT  Photos released by Miami Beach police show what a luxury hotel room looked like when officers found former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum drunk and with two other men. Fire rescue crews and officers were called to the Miami Beach hotel March 13 for a suspected drug overdose. Police say Gillum and two other men were in the hotel room and Gillum was inebriated.
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| Hawaiian tourism groups will pay to fly visitors who violate self-quarantine rule home Posted: 24 Apr 2020 09:27 AM PDT  The Hawaiian tourism industry, which normally welcomes visitors, is now offering them a financial incentive to leave in the form of airfare.
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| In Taiwan, the pandemic is playing out very differently. What does life look like? Posted: 23 Apr 2020 09:43 AM PDT  Cellphones tracked, restaurants with X's taped on every other chair, thermometers to enter a building. Taiwan shows that the post-virus normal is different.
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| China to prosecute Belize national for Hong Kong 'interference' Posted: 23 Apr 2020 10:17 PM PDT  A Belize national detained in China will be prosecuted on charges of colluding with foreign forces in protest-wracked Hong Kong and funding "hostile elements in the United States", Chinese authorities confirmed Friday. It follows a roundup of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, which last year was rocked by months of massive demonstrations and clashes with police. Authorities in the southern city of Guangzhou told AFP that preliminary investigations into Lee Henley Huxiang -- for financing criminal activities against national security -- had been completed a day earlier.
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| 2 notoriously unstable regions of Russia could be sitting on a coronavirus outbreak far worse than they admit Posted: 24 Apr 2020 05:51 AM PDT  Russia's neighbours fear Russia's regions of Ingushetia and Chechnya could be concealing worse outbreaks than what the country is reporting.
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| Pelosi says Republicans reject science and governance Posted: 24 Apr 2020 10:09 AM PDT  In a press conference on Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized President Trump's suggestion that disinfectant could be used to treat the coronavirus, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's comments that bankruptcy could be an option for states and local governments trying to finance their response to the pandemic. Pelosi said it shows how "Republicans reject science and reject governance."
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| In win for Trump, U.S. Supreme Court makes deporting immigrants for crimes easier Posted: 23 Apr 2020 07:15 AM PDT  The court ruled 5-4 to uphold a lower court decision that found a legal permanent resident from Jamaica named Andre Martello Barton ineligible to have his deportation canceled under a U.S. law that lets some longtime legal residents avoid expulsion. Barton, a 42-year-old car repair shop manager and father of four, was targeted for deportation after criminal convictions in Georgia for drug and gun crimes. The decision could affect thousands of immigrants with criminal convictions - many for minor offenses - who reside legally in the United States.
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| Hubble Turns 30: How the Famous Space Telescope Went From Idea to Launch Posted: 24 Apr 2020 09:14 AM PDT |
| Fox News' Sean Hannity says Americans 'dying to get back to work,' but polls say otherwise Posted: 23 Apr 2020 11:05 AM PDT  Fox News host Sean Hannity said that Americans are "dying to get back to work" on both his talk radio and television shows on Wednesday, despite evidence pointing to the contrary.The comment was made while Mr Hannity was discussing pockets of anti-lockdown protests organised by far-right Facebook groups.
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| Iraqi on genocide charges in Germany for IS killing of child Posted: 24 Apr 2020 07:03 AM PDT  An Iraqi man went on trial in Frankfurt on Friday for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, on allegations that as an Islamic State member he was part of an effort to exterminate the Yazidi religious minority, and killed a five-year-old girl he purchased as a slave by chaining her in the hot sun to die of thirst. Taha Al-J., 27, whose full last name wasn't given in line with German privacy laws, faces a possible life in prison if convicted of the charges, and others including murder for the death of the Yazidi girl and membership in a terrorist organization. Al-J.'s wife, a German convert to Islam identified only as 28-year-old Jennifer W., has been on trial separately in Munich since last April on charges of murder, war crimes and membership in a terrorist organization.
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| Turkey’s Covid-19 Recoveries Surpass New Cases for First Time Posted: 24 Apr 2020 10:54 AM PDT  (Bloomberg) -- Turkey's daily recoveries surpassed new cases for the first time since the first coronavirus case was reported on March 10, suggesting that the outbreak in the country may be reaching a peak.In the last 24 hours, 3,246 people have been discharged from hospitals in Turkey, about 15% of the total number of people who have recovered, compared with 3,122 new coronavirus cases. Total cases are up 3.1% on a daily basis to 104,912 in all. Total fatalities now stand at 2,600 with the 109 new deaths reported.Turkey is targeting a gradual opening of its economy in late May, as Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said citizens must comply with restrictions during Ramadan. Erdogan's government has declared a lockdown on 31 cities, including Istanbul, the epicenter of outbreak in Turkey, during weekends and national holidays.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
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| Kentucky lawyer arrested for allegedly threatening governor over lockdown Posted: 23 Apr 2020 05:38 AM PDT  Attorney James Gregory Troutman allegedly said on Facebook that he hopes Gov. Andy Beshear would see the same fate as a former governor, William Goebel, who was assassinated in 1900.
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| Coronavirus: China rejects call for probe into origins of disease Posted: 24 Apr 2020 12:59 PM PDT  Beijing's deputy ambassador to the UK tells the BBC the demands are politically motivated.
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| 12 rangers among 17 killed in attack in DR Congo's Virunga park Posted: 24 Apr 2020 02:47 PM PDT  At least 17 people, including 12 rangers were killed on Friday in an attack in Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, an official said. It said that civilians were the apparent target of the attack. Virunga is a UNESCO-listed site which is spread over 7,800 square kilometres (3,000 square miles) over the borders of DR Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.
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| 'We need to listen to the experts': Climate activist Greta Thunberg says coronavirus has proven the dependence society has on scientific data Posted: 22 Apr 2020 10:31 PM PDT  Thunberg spoke with earth systems scientist Johan Rockström in a digital conversation to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
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| Republican governor of Maryland says he has 'no idea why' Trump blasted him at briefing Posted: 23 Apr 2020 02:27 PM PDT  Gov. Larry Hogan has implored the federal government to help states increase their capacity to test for the virus.
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| Mystery of India's lower death rates seems to defy coronavirus trend Posted: 24 Apr 2020 12:43 AM PDT |
| To Those Who Want to Open the Economy Because 'There Are More Important Things Than Living' Posted: 24 Apr 2020 04:03 PM PDT  A man with chronic illness responds to Lt. Dan Patrick who said, "there are more important things than living" when he was arguing for reopening the economy.
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| Tons of sanitizer: Retailer charged with hoarding, gouging Posted: 24 Apr 2020 10:55 AM PDT  Federal prosecutors charged a New York retailer Friday with hoarding tons of disposable masks, surgical gowns and hand sanitizer in a Long Island warehouse and selling the items at huge markups. Amardeep "Bobby" Singh, 45, was charged with violating the Defense Production Act of 1950 in what authorities described as the first such prosecution during the coronavirus pandemic. Singh is expected to surrender to authorities next week in the case around what is known as personal protective equipment, which has become a hot commodity during the outbreak.
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| Members of congress advocate for coronavirus relief on behalf of those who have contracted the virus Posted: 23 Apr 2020 12:18 PM PDT  During a speech on the House floor, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., dedicated a coronavirus relief bill to her sister, who she said is "dying in a hospital" of COVID-19. Later Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., advocated for the passage of the legislation on behalf of a 5-year-old who died from the coronavirus.
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| New York man and girlfriend quarantining in Mexico are shot and killed Posted: 24 Apr 2020 06:42 AM PDT  Police said at least 20 gunshots were fired at the couple's car as they were driving down a street in Juarez.
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| High-Seas Energy Fight Off Malaysia Draws U.S., Chinese Warships Posted: 23 Apr 2020 03:58 AM PDT |
| Coronavirus chokes the drug trade — from Wuhan, through Mexico and onto U.S. streets Posted: 24 Apr 2020 03:00 AM PDT  The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted many industries, both legal and illicit. Production of fentanyl, which relies on chemical ingredients sourced mainly from Wuhan, China, has been particularly hard hit.
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| The CEO of Ryanair, one of the world's biggest airlines, says it won't fly if middle seats have to stay empty for 'idiotic' social-distancing rules Posted: 23 Apr 2020 03:14 AM PDT  Not having passengers in the middle seat is not profitable, and passengers would still be too close anyway, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said.
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| Overwhelming majority of Americans think Trump shouldn't encourage stay-at-home protests, poll finds Posted: 23 Apr 2020 05:31 AM PDT  A majority of Americans opposes recent protests against stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus crisis and feels President Trump should not encourage them, a new poll has found.In a CBS News poll released on Thursday, 62 percent of respondents said they oppose those protesting coronavirus lockdowns in state capitals recently, with 23 percent saying they support them. A plurality of Republicans, 46 percent, said they oppose the protesters.Asked if Trump should encourage these kinds of protests, just 7 percent of respondents said he should, while 55 percent said he should discourage them and 38 percent said he shouldn't say anything about the protests at all. Only 13 percent of Republicans said Trump should encourage the protesters."In fact, only a quarter of people who support the protesters think the president should encourage the protests," CBS writes.> TRUMP AND THE PROTESTERS: Very few Americans – only 7% - feel President Trump should encourage these protests. Only 13% of Republicans think he should encourage them. Only a quarter of people who support the protesters think the President should encourage the protests. pic.twitter.com/B1WUPJiQ8D> > — Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) April 23, 2020Trump last week tweeted calls to "liberate" numerous states with stay-at-home orders, although on Wednesday, he criticized Georgia's governor for his plan to begin reopening some nonessential businesses, saying it's "too soon."In the new CBS poll, 63 percent said their concern is reopening too fast rather than too slowly, and 70 percent said the country's priority should be keeping up with social distancing even if it hurts the economy in the short term. This is consistent with other recent polls, and on Wednesday, an Associated Press poll found that 61 percent say current social distancing measures are about right, with another 26 percent saying they don't go far enough.The CBS poll was conducted by speaking to a sample of 2,112 U.S. residents from April 20-22. The margin of error is 2.5 percentage points. Read more at CBS.More stories from theweek.com Trump reportedly comes into work as late as noon after a morning of 'rage viewing' TV Cuomo rips McConnell's 'blue state bailout' by noting 'your state is living on the money that we generate' The U.S. has a quarter of the world's confirmed coronavirus deaths despite having less than 5 percent of its population
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| Italy's daily coronavirus death toll lowest since March 19, but new cases rise Posted: 24 Apr 2020 09:06 AM PDT  Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 420 on Friday, the smallest daily tally since March 19, the Civil Protection Agency said, but the number of new infections rose to 3,021 from 2,646 on Thursday. Friday's death toll was down from 464 the day before.
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| Coronavirus FAQ and What You Really Need to Know Posted: 23 Apr 2020 10:53 AM PDT  The virus has been deemed a global health emergency as it continues to spread.
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| Unprecedented virus lockdown as Muslims mark sombre Ramadan Posted: 24 Apr 2020 10:08 AM PDT  Mosques stood empty and fast-breaking feasts were cancelled as Muslims around the world began marking Ramadan under coronavirus lockdown on Friday, while a pushback in some countries sparked fears of a surge in infections. Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, was among those devoid of worshippers as the holy month got under way amid unprecedented bans on family gatherings and mass prayers. A stunning emptiness enveloped the sacred Kaaba -- a large cube-shaped structure in the Grand Mosque towards which Muslims around the world pray -- in the most potent sign of how the daytime fasting month will be a sombre affair across Muslim-majority nations.
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| After months of norovirus outbreaks at sea, a smoothie is implicated Posted: 23 Apr 2020 10:21 AM PDT  CDC investigators finally traced the norovirus - not coronavirus - illnesses last year back to a smoothie made with frozen raspberries.
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| China buys crude as prices collapse, adding to stockpiles Posted: 22 Apr 2020 07:37 PM PDT  China, the world's biggest energy consumer, is building up stockpiles of crude oil as global prices plunge due to the coronavirus outbreak. The price collapse is battering state-owned oil producers and possibly disrupting official plans to develop the industry but is a boon to Chinese drivers and factories. It gives Beijing a chance to add to a strategic petroleum reserve that is meant to insulate the country against possible supply disruptions.
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| Cruise Ship Infamous for Triggering Virus Surge Leaves Australia Posted: 23 Apr 2020 12:43 AM PDT  (Bloomberg) -- A coronavirus-stricken cruise ship that's been linked to hundreds of cases and at least 20 deaths in Australia, leading to a criminal investigation, has began its departure from the country.The Princess Cruises-operated Ruby Princess left Port Kembla in New South Wales state on Thursday and is expected to sail to the Philippines where it will offload its crew, weeks after its passengers were allowed to disembark in Sydney before test results were known.After docking in Sydney on March 19, some 2,647 passengers left the ship even as 13 individuals on board suffered flu-like symptoms. With the first infections confirmed the next day, state and federal leaders blamed each other for the lapse, and health authorities raced to track down and isolate the thousands who had left the boat and dispersed across Australia.The health department of New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, assessed Ruby Princess as "low risk" when she berthed. The medics on board couldn't test for the virus themselves and passengers were allowed off pending official results. The state later announced it was conducting a criminal probe into the debacle.Many countries have become increasingly reluctant to grant entry to cruise ships after the infection of more than 700 people on the Carnival Corp.'s Diamond Princess berthed off Japan in February showed how quickly the virus could spread.On Tuesday, Carnival Corp.'s Costa Deliziosa, reached Italy, becoming the operator's last vessel to reach port.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
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| Joe Biden campaign refunds donation from comedian Louis CK Posted: 23 Apr 2020 08:31 AM PDT  Former vice-president Joe Biden has returned a donation from Louis CK.Mr CK's $2,800 donation was not welcome by the Democratic hopeful, with a campaign spokesman saying it has since been refunded and would be reflected in the next report filed to the Federal Election Commission in May.
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| Cuomo Slams McConnell: ‘I Dare You’ to Let States Declare Bankruptcy Posted: 24 Apr 2020 10:02 AM PDT  New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for suggesting states should be able to declare bankruptcy amid the coronavirus pandemic."Pass that bill if you weren't just playing politics," Cuomo said Friday at his daily press conference in Albany, calling the idea "really dumb." "Pass the law. I dare you, And then go to the president and say, 'Sign this bill'...I dare you to do that, and then we'll see how many states actually take you up on it. I know I wouldn't."On Tuesday, the top Republican lawmaker suggested that states most affected by the pandemic should consider filing for bankruptcy rather than seeking additional financial aid from the federal government. McConnell, who made the suggestion during an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, said any additional federal assistance to state and local governments needs to be "thoroughly evaluated."Cuomo Slams Protesters: 'Get a Job as an Essential Worker'"I think this whole business of additional assistance for state and local governments needs to be thoroughly evaluated," McConnell said. "There's not going to be any desire on the Republican side to bail out state pensions by borrowing money from future generations."Cuomo slammed the "absurd" suggestion on Friday, pointing out that states cannot even legally declare bankruptcy unless a federal law is passed. He then assured residents that New York is not planning to file for bankruptcy, even though the state is suffering a $13.3 billion shortfall since the outbreak began in March. But while the state is projected to lose another $61 billion as a result of the public health crisis in the next four years, Cuomo said that New York is resilient enough to bounce back from the "economic tsunami," and he's more appalled that the federal government does not want to fund local economies during a pandemic. "You want to send a signal to the markets that this nation is in real trouble, you want to send an international message that the economy is in turmoil, do that," Cuomo said of the bankruptcy suggestion.Turning his attention directly to McConnell, Cuomo said that New York has given the most money to the federal government, while Kentucky—the senator's home state—is among the top three states that receive more funding than they contribute. "You're not bailing out New York. New York has bailed you out every year. Mitch McConnell is a taker, not a giver. New Yorkers are givers, Senator McConnell, you're a taker," Cuomo said. "Just give me my money back, senator."The political squabble comes as New York officials are starting to shift their attention to reopening the economy after COVID-19. To date, 16,162 residents have died and 263,460 more have been infected with the coronavirus across the state. Cuomo said that 422 people died in the last 24 hours, and the state has officially surpassed officials' original prediction that 16,000 New Yorkers would die from the outbreak. "Again, this is at an unimaginable level, and it's dropping somewhat but still devastating news," Cuomo said. Cuomo Praises Trump Target on His Way to Oval Office MeetingDespite the grim milestone, Cuomo said that "all evidence suggests" New York is on "the downside of the curve" as hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths have all decreased over the last week. He added that while the state is past the worst of the pandemic, he is wary about lifting shelter-in-place restrictions too quickly to avoid a second wave of the disease. "All the progress we made is gone, and all experts, or virtually all experts, will say not only does the virus spread increase, but it increases to a higher point than we had increased the first time," Cuomo said. "Let's not put our heads in the sand and think this is the only pandemic we'll ever have."Cuomo said that diagnostic testing continues to be critical in determining when and how individuals will return to work. He added he will announce next week whether to keep schools closed for the rest of the year and if New York will extend its stay-at-home order. As the New York governor said Friday that the federal government needs to lend a hand, President Donald Trump signed a $484 billion COVID-19 relief package in an unprecedented attempt to rescue the U.S. economy and health system. The package will put a majority of the funds—$370 billion—into relief for small businesses that had to shutter their doors under public health emergencies to slow the spread of the virus. Hospitals that have been most affected by the virus will also receive $75 billion, leaving about $25 billion to ramp up testing efforts across the nation. But while the stimulus package notably does not provide funding for state and local governments reeling from the pandemic, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised Friday the next economic package would provide them with economic relief. "There will not be a bill without state and local" aid, Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol, adding that the "the feds should be doing that anyway." "There will be a bill, and it will be expensive."The top Democratic lawmaker also took a jab at McConnell on Friday, asking, "What's gotten into him?""The president is asking people to inject Lysol into their lungs and Mitch is saying that states should go bankrupt," she added. "It's [become] clear, visible within 24 hours of how the Republicans reject science and reject governance."Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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| Modelo's New Sweet-Spicy Beer Combines Mango Flavor and Chili Peppers Posted: 24 Apr 2020 08:35 AM PDT |
| World leaders launch plan to speed COVID-19 drugs, vaccine; U.S. stays away Posted: 24 Apr 2020 04:17 AM PDT  World leaders pledged on Friday to accelerate work on tests, drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 and to share them around the globe, but the United States did not take part in the launch of the World Health Organization (WHO) initiative. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa were among those who joined a video conference to launch what the WHO billed as a "landmark collaboration" to fight the pandemic. The aim is to speed development of safe and effective drugs, tests and vaccines to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID-19, the lung disease caused be the novel coronavirus - and ensure equal access to treatments for rich and poor.
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| Coronavirus vaccine may come sooner rather than later, Bill Gates says Posted: 24 Apr 2020 05:33 AM PDT  "Many countries decided that at the national level, they would orchestrate the testing," Gates said. "That hasn't happened in the United States."
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| Chechen strongman's strategy against virus -- fear and threats Posted: 23 Apr 2020 09:20 PM PDT  Elena Milashina had received death threats before. The erratic and iron-fisted leader of Chechnya in southern Russia, unhappy with her journalism about the coronavirus, put out an unambiguous call for violence against the reporter on social media this month. Kadyrov's response to the coronavirus pandemic is hardening his reputation as a strongman intolerant of dissent or criticism, with fresh allegations of police intimidation and press censorship emerging from his isolated fiefdom.
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| China Sends Team to North Korea to Advise on Kim, Reuters Says Posted: 24 Apr 2020 04:26 PM PDT |
| Trump suggests the US could buy plane tickets and fuel in advance as a way to help struggling airlines and oil companies Posted: 24 Apr 2020 11:53 AM PDT  US airlines are receiving aid under the CARES Act, but oil companies have been hit by reduced demand in recent weeks.
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| Deaths and desperation mount in Ecuador, epicenter of coronavirus pandemic in Latin America Posted: 24 Apr 2020 05:21 AM PDT  Dead bodies are lying at home and in the streets of Guayaquil, Ecuador, a city so hard-hit by coronavirus that overfilled hospitals are turning away even very ill patients and funeral homes are unavailable for burial.Data on deaths and infections is incomplete in Ecuador, as it is across the region. As of April 22, Ecuador – a country of 17 million people – had reported almost 11,000 cases, which on a per capita basis would put it behind only Panama in Latin America. But the true number is likely much higher. The government of Guayas Province, where Guayaquil is located, says 6,700 residents died in the first half of April, as compared to 1,000 in a normal year. A New York Times analysis estimates Ecuador's real coronavirus death toll may be 15 times the 503 deaths officially tallied by April 15.In a pandemic that has largely hit wealthy countries first, Ecuador is one of the first developing countries to face such a dire outbreak. Wealth is no guarantee of safety in an epidemic. Italy and the United States have both run short of necessary medical equipment like ventilators and dialysis machines. But experts agree poorer countries are likely to see death rates escalate quickly. Our own academic research on Ecuadorean politics and human security in past pandemics suggests that coronavirus may create greater political and economic turmoil in a country that already struggles with instability. Ecuador's swift responseThe coronavirus outbreak in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city and economic engine, began in February, apparently with infected people returning from Spain. Its rapid escalation prompted panicked officials to impose social isolation quickly as a containment strategy. Ecuador's restrictions on movement are strict and getting stricter. Ecuadorians may not leave their homes at all between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 a.m. Outside of curfew, the may only go out to get food, for essential work or for health-related reasons. They must wear masks and gloves.President Lenín Moreno has opened shelters to get homeless people off the streets and commandeered hotels to isolate those infected. Public transport is canceled. In Quito, Ecuador's capital, people may only drive one day a week as determined by their license plate. This is the second time in a year Quito residents have found themselves under lockdown. In October 2019, a nighttime curfew was established quell massive protests against austerity measures that were imposed in exchange for a large loan from the International Monetary Fund. The protests, led by indigenous groups, dissipated after President Moreno backed away from austerity – but not before at least eight people were killed. Latin America's looming epidemicEcuador has been more proactive in responding to the epidemic than many neighboring countries. In Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has largely downplayed the severity of the coronavirus, despite thousands of new COVID-19 infections reported every day. In Venezuela the power struggle between the government of Nicolás Maduro and the opposition government of Juan Guaidó impedes any coordinated pandemic response. Most Latin American leaders who have taken decisive action against coronavirus see stay-at-home orders as the only way to avoid collapse of their fragile, underfunded health systems. Panama is limiting outings based on gender, allowing men and women to leave their homes three days each. Everyone stays home on Sundays. El Salvador's president sent soldiers to enforce a 48-hour full lockdown of the city of La Libertad that prohibited residents from leaving home for any reason – including to get food or medicine.It's unclear how such restrictions can persist in a region with considerable poverty and social inequality. Large numbers of Latin Americans live day-to-day on money they make from street trading and other informal work, which is now largely banned. Hunger threatens across the region. Limits of Ecuador's responseIn Ecuador, where the average annual income is US$11,000, the Moreno government is giving emergency grants of $60 to families whose monthly income is less than $400. And an active network of community organizations is working to provide basic food and shelter the needy, which includes most of the quarter million Venezuelan refugees who entered Ecuador in recent years. Despite its active coronavirus response, Ecuador is unlikely to cope well if the epidemic spreads quickly from Guayaquil into the rest of the country. Ecuador has a quarter as many ventilators per person as the United States. Testing for COVID-19 has largely been outsourced to private corporations, making it prohibitively expensive for most. President Moreno's expulsion of 400 Cuban doctors from Ecuador last year – part of his emphatic shift rightward for Ecuador – has left big holes in its already understaffed hospitals.Ecuador's economy is in crisis after the collapse in oil prices and tourism. And while last year's deadly protests are over, politics – and political unrest – continue to polarize the nation. On April 7 Ecuador's highest court sentenced the popular but divisive leftist former President Rafael Correa to eight years in prison on corruption charges. Correa, who now lives in Belgium, says the charges are fabricated to ensure he cannot run for office again. His conviction increases political divisions during a crisis that calls for unity.Ecuador's death rate is starting to slow after more than a month of lockdown. But the specter of COVID-19 victims lying unburied at home, in hospital hallways, and on the streets, hangs as a specter across Latin America. Guayaquil is a grim forecast of how this pandemic kills in the less wealthy world.[Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research. Sign up for The Conversation's newsletter.]
Este artículo se vuelve a publicar de The Conversation, un medio digital sin fines de lucro dedicado a la diseminación de la experticia académica. Lee mas:
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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| Judge blocks California law that required background checks to buy ammunition Posted: 24 Apr 2020 02:27 AM PDT  U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez in San Diego issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday halting the law, ruling in favor of lobby group California Rifle & Pistol Association, which asked him to stop the checks. "California's new ammunition background check law misfires and the Second Amendment rights of California citizens have been gravely injured," Benitez wrote in the order granting the group's motion for a preliminary injunction. California Governor Gavin Newsom had supported such legislation from before he took office.
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