2020年5月30日星期六

Yahoo! News: Terrorism

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yahoo! News: Terrorism


Former Justice Department official says Trump is 'basically calling for the shooting of protesters'

Posted: 29 May 2020 01:43 PM PDT

Former Justice Department official says Trump is 'basically calling for the shooting of protesters'Vanita Gupta, head of the department's Civil Rights Division in the Obama administration, said the Minneapolis Police Department was on her "radar" during her tenure.


Lessons from Japan on containing coronavirus could help U.S. reopen safely

Posted: 29 May 2020 09:01 AM PDT

Lessons from Japan on containing coronavirus could help U.S. reopen safelyIn many ways, Japan's experience of the coronavirus pandemic has paralleled America's, and yet Japan's outbreak has stalled — at much lower levels of infection and death.


How should the U.S. respond to China's Hong Kong power grab?

Posted: 29 May 2020 12:46 PM PDT

How should the U.S. respond to China's Hong Kong power grab?The Chinese government passed a law giving it sweeping new powers to stamp out dissent on the semiautonomous island of Hong Kong. Should the U.S. and others nations push back?


NASA is broadcasting live radio chatter from the astronauts on Saturday's historic SpaceX launch. Here's how to listen.

Posted: 30 May 2020 10:25 AM PDT

NASA is broadcasting live radio chatter from the astronauts on Saturday's historic SpaceX launch. Here's how to listen.Listen to the NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon as they launch into orbit.


India announces major easing of coronavirus lockdown

Posted: 30 May 2020 08:04 AM PDT

India announces major easing of coronavirus lockdownIndia said Saturday it would begin a major relaxation of the world's biggest coronavirus lockdown from early June, even as the country saw another record rise in confirmed infections. Prime Minister Narenda Modi conceded that much of the country had since "undergone tremendous suffering" in an open letter to the public on Saturday. The end of the lockdown will be staged and for now will not include some "containment zones" where high infection rates have been detected, according to the home ministry.


Amy Klobuchar's position on 2006 shooting by officer in George Floyd death 'could cost her VP role'

Posted: 29 May 2020 09:57 AM PDT

Amy Klobuchar's position on 2006 shooting by officer in George Floyd death 'could cost her VP role'Amy Klobuchar's decision as a Minneapolis prosecutor in 2006 not to bring charges against the police officer filmed kneeling on the neck of George Floyd could cost her the role of vice president, critics have said.With Joe Biden asking Ms Klobuchar to undergo official vetting to be his running mate in November, the death of Mr Floyd has renewed scrutiny of her record as a district attorney that reportedly brought zero charges against police involved in 40 deaths during her tenure.


Twitter flags Trump tweet on Minneapolis protests for 'glorifying violence'

Posted: 29 May 2020 04:43 AM PDT

Twitter flags Trump tweet on Minneapolis protests for 'glorifying violence'The social media platform added a warning to his tweet encouraging violence against unarmed civilians protesting the death of George Floyd.


As Minneapolis rioters set buildings ablaze, grocer pleads to save his stores

Posted: 30 May 2020 05:26 PM PDT

Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket launches into space

Posted: 30 May 2020 01:16 PM PDT

 Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket launches into spaceA Falcon 9 rocket with two U.S. astronauts aboard lifted off Saturday en route to the International Space Station. It had been nine years since NASA astronauts had been sent into space.


Hong Kong: China fury amid global pressure over security law

Posted: 29 May 2020 11:02 AM PDT

Hong Kong: China fury amid global pressure over security lawThe UK and US condemn plans for a new security law at the UN Security Council, drawing Beijing's ire.


Airlines schedule major increase in flights in July as pressure mounts on ministers to ease quarantine

Posted: 30 May 2020 11:44 AM PDT

Airlines schedule major increase in flights in July as pressure mounts on ministers to ease quarantineAirlines have scheduled a dramatic increase in flights in July in anticipation that Governments will lift travel restrictions for holidaymakers and save the industry from potential collapse, according to data seen by The Sunday Telegraph. The companies which have already laid off tens of thousands of workers are banking on a "V-shaped" recovery by scheduling 161,200 passenger flights and 29.5 million seats for July, just eight per cent down on last year's July timetables. The strategy to open up business travel and holiday routes to hotspot favourites like Greece, Italy, France and Spain comes as most European countries are preparing to lift their quarantines or open their borders in mid June or at least by July 1. It will increase pressure on Boris Johnson to make good his suggestion last week that the UK's quarantine - to be introduced on June 8 - could be replaced with "air bridges" to low-risk holiday destinations when it is reviewed on June 29. One senior industry source claimed: "The sense is that they might quietly do a U-turn after the first review period. Grant Shapps [the Transport Secretary] is against quarantine, the Treasury are against it, Beis is against it and DCMS hate it." The exclusive data, from Cirium, a travel analytics firm, shows how the coronavirus pandemic devastated the aviation industry as it tore across the world. Scheduled passengers were 22.5 million in February, 10 per cent up on last year before it slumped by 93 per cent in April and May. It has risen in June to 38.5 per cent down on last year, as the Far East has opened up, and rises to just minus eight per cent in July as airlines anticipate Europe unlocking. June and July are "scheduled" rather than actual flights, which will depend on quarantines easing in June and July. Germany has lifted restrictions, Italy wants to resume travel on June 15, and Spain and Portugal are aiming for July 1. France hopes to drop border controls to and from EU countries after June 15 except with countries that impose quarantine on a "reciprocal" basis, namely the UK. Greece has excluded the UK from a "white list" of 29 countries it judges are low-risk enough from which to accept tourists from June 15 without quarantine although it will open up to more countries after it reviews their infection rates at the end of June. British Airways says it is aiming for a "meaningful return" to flying in July, RyanAir plans to ramp up flights to at least 40 per cent of its normal July schedule and EasyJet, which has laid off one in three staff, hopes to operate 30 per cent of its pre-crisis timetable from July to September. Paul Charles, chief executive of PC Consultancy, which advises the tourist industry, said Britain's quarantine risked "killing" the economy. "Travel companies have not had any bookings for April or May. They are worried that if they don't get them in June, they will go under," he said. The Airport Operators' Association (AOA) has urged ministers to aim for the first "air bridges" to "low risk" destinations by June 8 so that holidaymakers can sidestep quarantine and the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days on their return to the UK. The Department for Transport will shortly publish new guidelines for "safe" travel which will include face coverings or masks throughout the journey, temperature checks, social distancing in airports and contactless travel including for check-ins and payments. An AOA spokesman said: "Once these guidelines are agreed and given that they are based on a common European baseline, this puts in place the right conditions for opening up air bridges to low-risk countries." The Home Office which has led the moves to introduce quarantine has, however, warned that it will block attempts to lift the quarantine unless it is safe and there is no risk of it sparking a second wave of coronavirus. A Department for Transport source said: "There is certainly a willingness in Government to do as much for this Summer as is safe." Post-coronavirus air travel: No travel if you have symptoms If ill, no cost re-booking or refunds up to six hours before flying Face masks or coverings from arrival at airport to leaving terminal at destination Only passengers in the terminal, no tearful goodbyes at departure gates Contact-less electronic check-in and boarding Social distancing and one-way systems for waiting and queuing passengers Airports' association pressing for temperature checks Exemption from two-metre rule on plane No on-board duty free, reduced food and drink service, pre-packaged food and cashless payments


Israel police kill Palestinian they mistakenly thought was armed

Posted: 30 May 2020 12:53 PM PDT

Israel police kill Palestinian they mistakenly thought was armedIsraeli police in annexed east Jerusalem on Saturday shot dead a disabled Palestinian they mistakenly thought was armed with a pistol, prompting furious condemnation from the Palestinians. The incident happened in the alleys of the walled Old City near Lions' Gate, an access point mainly used by Palestinians. "Police units on patrol there spotted a suspect with a suspicious object that looked like a pistol," an Israeli police statement said.


Louis Sheldon, anti-gay Christian group founder, dies at 85

Posted: 29 May 2020 03:51 PM PDT

Grimes shares nickname for son with Elon Musk X Æ A-Xii

Posted: 30 May 2020 01:49 AM PDT

Grimes shares nickname for son with Elon Musk X Æ A-XiiGrimes has revealed what she calls her son, X Æ A-Xii.The singer gave birth to her first child with Tesla billionaire Elon Musk earlier this month.


Biden demands justice in George Floyd death

Posted: 29 May 2020 11:43 AM PDT

Biden demands justice in George Floyd deathFormer Vice President Joe Biden on Friday called for justice in the death of a black man in Minneapolis police custody that has inspired days-long, citywide protests.


Exclusive: U.S. warns governments, firms against aiding Iran fuel shipments to Venezuela - envoy

Posted: 29 May 2020 12:38 PM PDT

Exclusive: U.S. warns governments, firms against aiding Iran fuel shipments to Venezuela - envoySeeking to deter further shipments of Iranian fuel to Venezuela, the Trump administration has quietly warned foreign governments, seaports, shipping companies and insurers that they could face stiff U.S. sanctions if they aid the tanker flotilla, the U.S. envoy on Venezuela told Reuters on Friday. Elliott Abrams, Washington's special representative on Venezuela, said the pressure campaign targeting heavily sanctioned U.S. foes Iran and Venezuela was being waged "to be sure everyone recognizes this would be a very dangerous transaction to assist."


5 ways to watch SpaceX's historic first rocket launch of NASA astronauts live online

Posted: 30 May 2020 05:30 AM PDT

5 ways to watch SpaceX's historic first rocket launch of NASA astronauts live onlineSpaceX will broadcast live video of its first human mission, called Demo-2, but so will NASA, National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, and more.


The U.S. Might Revoke Hong Kong's 'Special Status.' Here's What That Means for Business in the Global Financial Hub

Posted: 28 May 2020 11:44 PM PDT

The U.S. Might Revoke Hong Kong's 'Special Status.' Here's What That Means for Business in the Global Financial HubHong Kong risks becoming a casualty in the emerging cold war between Washington and Beijing


Thirteen years later, mother of Fort Drum soldier found dead after disappearing from bar seeks answers

Posted: 30 May 2020 08:09 AM PDT

Thirteen years later, mother of Fort Drum soldier found dead after disappearing from bar seeks answersPatrick Rust, 24, was last seen on March 16, 2007, at a bar in Watertown, New York, called "Clueless." The soldier had just finished two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was stationed in New York at Fort Drum and had just received news he was being assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington, where he'd be trained to become a staff sergeant. Six months later, a farmer found Patrick's skeletal remains in a field about five miles from the bar. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is inves


GOP eyes flipping Michigan senate seat

Posted: 29 May 2020 10:27 PM PDT

GOP eyes flipping Michigan senate seatAs Republicans work to maintain their control of the Senate in November, they're looking to flip seats in some key battleground states. That includes Michigan, where two challengers are looking to unseat incumbent Democratic Senator Gary Peters. Riley Beggin, a political reporter for Bridge Magazine, spoke with CBS News about the contest.


New report alleges killings, mass detentions in Ethiopia

Posted: 29 May 2020 01:32 AM PDT

New report alleges killings, mass detentions in EthiopiaA new report by the rights group Amnesty International accuses Ethiopia's security forces of extrajudicial killings and mass detentions even as the country's reformist prime minister was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The report issued Friday says security forces killed at least 25 people in 2019 in the East Guji and West Guji zones of the restive Oromia region amid suspicions of supporting a rebel group, the Oromo Liberation Army, and a once-exiled opposition group. The government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was awarded the peace prize in December for sweeping political reforms and restoring ties with neighboring Eritrea after two decades of hostilities, acknowledged that "the reform process has at times experienced bumps" but called the report "a one-sided snapshot security analysis that fails to appropriately capture the broader political trajectory and security developments."


Back off, Trump. Germany wants to Make Europe Strong Again.

Posted: 30 May 2020 05:57 AM PDT

Back off, Trump. Germany wants to Make Europe Strong Again.Berlin's EU presidency motto has echoes of MAGA.


George Floyd death puts spotlight on 'warrior training' for police

Posted: 29 May 2020 12:56 PM PDT

George Floyd death puts spotlight on 'warrior training' for policeAfter the killing of George Floyd, the controversial practice of imbuing police cadets with a readiness to kill, known as "warrior training," receives fresh scrutiny.


Trump’s campaign tries to recapture its magic on the virtual campaign trail. Will it succeed? 

Posted: 30 May 2020 02:00 AM PDT

Trump's campaign tries to recapture its magic on the virtual campaign trail. Will it succeed? Trump's virtual campaign rallies feature a 3D animated venue designed to make a big splash, in contrast to Biden's rec room. But Biden is still ahead in the polls.


France, Britain, Germany 'regret' U.S. end to Iran nuclear waivers

Posted: 30 May 2020 01:46 AM PDT

France, Britain, Germany 'regret' U.S. end to Iran nuclear waiversFrance, Germany and Britain on Saturday criticised a U.S. decision to end sanctions waivers allowing work on Iranian nuclear sites designed to prevent weapons development. "We deeply regret the U.S. decision to end the three waivers," the three European countries said in a joint statement. "These projects, endorsed by U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, serve the non-proliferation interests of all and provide the international community with assurances of the exclusively peaceful and safe nature of Iranian nuclear activities."


'A lot of nurses don't have a work ethic': An Atlanta drug rehab clinic is accused of firing its nursing staff during the pandemic

Posted: 29 May 2020 08:12 AM PDT

'A lot of nurses don't have a work ethic': An Atlanta drug rehab clinic is accused of firing its nursing staff during the pandemicThe clinic's director described the staff as lazy and questioned why nurses were being hailed as heroes.


Los Angeles restaurants reopen as virus lockdown eases

Posted: 29 May 2020 03:40 PM PDT

Los Angeles restaurants reopen as virus lockdown easesLos Angeles restaurants and hair salons were granted permission to reopen immediately Friday, as restrictions were eased despite fears the city has become a coronavirus hotspot. Restaurants in Los Angeles county -- which has suffered more than half of California's virus deaths -- will be allowed to offer dine-in services with capacity limited to 60 per cent. "This further brings our communities together and resumes a sense of normalcy, representing monumental progress for Los Angeles County on the path toward recovery," Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Kathryn Barger said.


Revealed: the worrying links between Huawei, our universities and China

Posted: 29 May 2020 11:20 AM PDT

Revealed: the worrying links between Huawei, our universities and ChinaWith its cast iron replica of Budapest's Liberty Bridge and its pale-stoned version of Versailles, visitors to Huawei's research centre in Dongguan could be forgiven for thinking they were in Europe. It is a benign – if eccentric – tribute. But other attempts to forge close ties to the Western culture have much more serious implications. The Telegraph can disclose today that the controversial Chinese telecoms giant backed 17 scientific papers with UK universities, about cutting-edge "dual use" technologies – which can have civilian applications but can also be used in military technology. At least 15 of the papers focused on technology that experts claim could be used to communicate with swarms of drones or on highly advanced image recognition software that experts claim could be used for extreme levels of surveillance. All of them involve collaborations between British universities, including at Edinburgh and Exeter, and Chinese universities heavily involved in military research and named as "high risk" by an Australian think tank.


Dragon-riding astronauts join exclusive inner circle at NASA

Posted: 30 May 2020 01:06 PM PDT

Dragon-riding astronauts join exclusive inner circle at NASAAstronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken join NASA's exclusive inner circle by catching a ride on a SpaceX rocket and capsule. It's only the fifth time that NASA has put people aboard a brand new spacecraft line for liftoff. And it's the first time the spacecraft belongs to a for-profit company in charge of the launch. The retired Marine colonel and former fighter pilot flew on NASA's last space shuttle flight in 2011, closing out a 30-year era.


George Floyd autopsy shows no signs of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation, attributes death to 'being restrained, his underlying health conditions, and any potential intoxicants in his system'

Posted: 30 May 2020 07:58 AM PDT

George Floyd autopsy shows no signs of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation, attributes death to 'being restrained, his underlying health conditions, and any potential intoxicants in his system'Floyd was "non-responsive" for nearly three minutes before the police officer took his knee off his neck, the report said.


Trump justice department forces out top FBI lawyer in Flynn case – report

Posted: 30 May 2020 02:52 PM PDT

Trump justice department forces out top FBI lawyer in Flynn case – report* NBC News: general counsel Dana Boente forced out on Friday * Fox News host Lou Dobbs slammed lawyer in April * Flynn transcripts show he discussed sanctions with RussianA top FBI lawyer who was criticised on Fox News for his role in the investigation of Michael Flynn has resigned after being asked to do so by senior figures at the Department of Justice, NBC News reported on Saturday.The FBI confirmed to NBC that Dana Boente, its general counsel and a former acting attorney general, announced his resignation on Friday after a near-40-year career. NBC cited two sources anonymous sources as saying the decision came from "Attorney General William Barr's justice department".Boente joined the DoJ in 1984 and in 2015 became the US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, after being nominated by Barack Obama.In January 2017, he briefly served as acting attorney general, after Trump fired Sally Yates, an Obama-era deputy, for refusing to defend an executive order on immigration.Temporarily overseeing the investigation of Russian election interference, Boente signed a warrant authorising FBI surveillance of Flynn.The retired general, Donald Trump's first national security adviser, was fired for lying to the vice-president about contacts with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition.Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about the conversations and cooperated with the special counsel Robert Mueller as he took over the investigation of Russian election interference and links between Trump and Moscow.Flynn sought to withdraw his guilty plea before sentencing. Earlier this month, Barr said the justice department would drop the case, although a federal judge put that decision on hold.On Friday, the same day Boente was forced out of the FBI, Trump's new director of intelligence and Senate Republicans released transcripts of the calls in question, between Flynn and the Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.Opponents of the president said the transcripts proved that Flynn had been treated fairly. Supporters of Trump said they showed Flynn had been treated unfairly.As Trump attempts to construct a scandal called "Obamagate", with the surveillance of Flynn at its centre, his administration is releasing material it hopes will put Obama officials in a bad light.Boente also wrote a leaked memo concerning material put into the public domain about Flynn, which he said was not exculpatory.Trump is notoriously open to the views of key Fox News contributors.On 27 April, the Fox News host Lou Dobbs told viewers: "Shocking new reports suggest FBI general counsel Dana Boente was acting in coordination with FBI director Christopher Wray to block the release of that evidence that would have cleared General Flynn."Trump has reportedly been urged to fire Wray, whom he appointed to replace James Comey, the man he fired in May 2017 in an attempt to close the Russia investigation.Comey's firing led to the appointment of Mueller, who concluded a near-two year investigation without proving criminal conspiracy between Trump and Russia.Mueller did, however, obtain convictions of Trump aides and say in his report the campaign was receptive to Russian help. He also laid out extensive evidence of attempts by the president to obstruct his investigation.Trump has fired or forced out FBI and DoJ figures including Andrew McCabe, Comey's deputy, lawyer Lisa Page and Peter Strzok, an FBI agent who worked on the case.On Friday, Wray issued a statement about Boente."Few people have served so well in so many critical, high-level roles at the department," he said. "Throughout his long and distinguished career as a public servant, Dana has demonstrated a selfless determination to ensure that justice is always served on behalf of our citizens."


EU urges U.S. to reconsider decision to cut ties with WHO

Posted: 30 May 2020 06:20 AM PDT

EU urges U.S. to reconsider decision to cut ties with WHOThe European Union urged the United States on Saturday to reconsider its decision to cut ties with the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. "In this context, we urge the U.S. to reconsider its announced decision," they said a day after President Donald Trump announced the move, accusing the U.N. agency of becoming a puppet of China. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also condemned the move and pledged intensive talks with Washington on the issue.


How Germany tackled the coronavirus: 9 people tell us they are thankful for good leadership and a robust health system

Posted: 30 May 2020 01:58 AM PDT

How Germany tackled the coronavirus: 9 people tell us they are thankful for good leadership and a robust health systemGermany's Chancellor Merkel, a former scientist, instilled confidence. A national tendency to follow rules also helped mute the effects of COVID-19.


Historic SpaceX launch set for Saturday, weather permitting

Posted: 30 May 2020 04:45 AM PDT

Historic SpaceX launch set for Saturday, weather permittingSpaceX and NASA's joint effort to fly U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station is expected to happen Saturday, weather permitting. The initial launch date, Wednesday, was scrubbed due to poor outside conditions. Mark Strassmann takes a look at Saturday's outlook, and the work leading up to the historic moment.


China home-built aircraft carrier conducting sea trials

Posted: 29 May 2020 08:56 PM PDT

China home-built aircraft carrier conducting sea trialsChina's Defense Ministry said the navy's only entirely home-built aircraft is carrying out sea trials to test weapons and equipment and enhance training of the crew.


Wife of officer charged with murder in George Floyd's death files for divorce

Posted: 30 May 2020 07:15 AM PDT

Wife of officer charged with murder in George Floyd's death files for divorceKellie Chauvin's lawyer said she is "devastated" over Floyd's death.


President is slammed for leaving ‘press conference’ without addressing Minnesota as he disbands US relationship with WHO

Posted: 29 May 2020 05:05 AM PDT

President is slammed for leaving 'press conference' without addressing Minnesota as he disbands US relationship with WHODonald Trump held a "press conference" on Friday to discuss the United State's relationship with China, but then left the Rose Garden without taking questions or addressing the mounting situation in Minnesota following the death of George Floyd.The president announced during his statement the US would disband its relationship with the World Health Organisation (WHO) amid the coronavirus pandemic.


North Carolina Democrats 'dragging their feet' on convention rules, RNC chief says

Posted: 29 May 2020 08:30 AM PDT

North Carolina Democrats 'dragging their feet' on convention rules, RNC chief saysThe comments by RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on a popular North Carolina radio show came a day after her letter to Governor Roy Cooper setting a June 3 deadline to approve safety and logistical measures - such as how many people can gather together - to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during the August convention. Cooper's office responded by asking the RNC to spell out how many people will attend each night and how they will adhere to social distancing and other protocols, such as mask coverings.


Cemeteries braced for surge in Covid-19 dead as Mexico readies to reopen

Posted: 30 May 2020 02:15 AM PDT

Cemeteries braced for surge in Covid-19 dead as Mexico readies to reopenThe president says the pandemic has been tamed but experts, and those who must bury the dead, fear an alarming rise in casesFour generations of Enrique Ruvalcaba's family have worked at the Mezquitán cemetery in the Mexican city of Guadalajara. None of them ever saw anything like this. Before the coronavirus, the burial ground was open to the public, and the deceased were honoured by flower-carrying mourners and mariachis. Now the dead arrive in silence and alone."Only the box came, not a single relative, just the coffin," Ruvalcaba, 32, said of the first Covid-19 burial he witnessed last month. "Absolutely everything has changed."The Guadalajara graveyard, which has added 700 tombs for an anticipated wave of Covid deaths, has yet to see a major increase of victims – but Ruvalcaba said gravediggers had been advised to prepare. "They've told us a more intense phase is coming," he said.Yet as Mexico's daily death toll rises to become one of the highest in the world – a record 501 fatalities were reported on Tuesday alone – the country is simultaneously preparing to reopen and weathering a politically charged battle over the true scale of the crisis."We're doing well, the pandemic has been tamed," Mexico's populist president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, claimed on Thursday as he announced he would resume touring the country when a period of nationwide quarantine was wound down next week.Alejandro Macías, a leading infectious diseases specialist, said he understood and supported the need to plot out a return to some kind of normality for Mexico's 129 million citizens.Covid deaths in Mexico"It's good to have a plan and it is good for this plan to constantly put people's lives first," he said.But Macías, who was Mexico's influenza chief during the 2009 swine flu pandemic, said he was worried things were moving too fast, when the extent of the crisis remained unclear and different parts of the country were at different stages of transmission."The risk is that there will be another substantial rise in the number of cases and that this could cause some hospitals to collapse – and if the hospitals collapse this could put the security and governance of some regions at risk," Macías warned."In many parts of the republic the curve has barely started to rise."Macías said he suspected political pressure from López Obrador's year-old government and the United States – which is highly reliant on Mexican supply chains – explained the authorities' desire to promote the idea the crisis was under control."It is exactly like what is happening in the United States. The government there is also putting pressure on to show a certain normality and tranquillity when clearly they can't yet say they have the situation under control" and were still suffering "terrifying" Covid figures, Macías said."I feel there is a great deal of political pressure – much more in Mexico than in other parts of Latin America – because Mexico's industrial production is so tightly connected to industry in the United States. And they want to reopen but can't do so if Mexican industry doesn't reopen, because we are so integrated."Latin America's number two economy registered its first Covid case in late February and has since recorded more than 9,000 deaths and 81,400 cases, although the government admits the true number is probably considerably higher.One report this week found Mexico City had issued 8,000 more death certificates than usual between January and late May, suggesting a significantly higher death toll.López Obrador, who was criticized for his initially dismissive attitude to the pandemic, has been bullish about Mexico's response. On 26 April, with 1,351 deaths and 14,677 infections, he claimed it had managed "to tame" the coronavirus. But many are not so sure. A month after those claims, Mexico had suffered 9,044 deaths and 81,400 cases.Macías said it was likely many more had died. "Right now we have less than 10,000 recognized deaths. But it's very probable the true figure is substantially bigger – probably double that."Behind those statistics lie thousands of grieving families – some of which have lost multiple members to Covid-19.Karlo Colín, who works at a funeral home in Mexico City, said he and his colleagues had handled 60 coronavirus cases in the last three weeks. One family had lost five members, another four. "Every week a family member dies," Colín said.Despite the rising death toll, many Mexicans seem in denial. Even Colín, on the frontlines of the pandemic, admitted having doubts."A lot of people don't believe in the virus," the undertaker said. "There are times where I say, how is it possible that the guy giving me the body, at the centre of the infection, doesn't have protective equipment? Is this real or isn't it?"Adrián Carranza, a nursing student, has been conducting Covid-19 evaluations at Mexico City's main market, the Central de Abasto – and referring suspected patients for testing. He said that many vendors remained skeptical despite the deaths of several vendors."They'll say, sure, that guy over there died, but we don't know why," Carranza said.Carranza and his colleagues have faced harassment at the market, where about 40% of the stalls have shut down."Because of misinformation, more than anything else, they think we're hurting them, that we're going to inject them with the virus," he said. "They yell that we're murderers."As Mexico prepares to reopen, Guadalajara's gravediggers are readying themselves for the dead.Ruvalcaba, whose father, grandfather and great-grandfather all worked in the same cemetery, called his colleagues the hidden heroes of the Covid-19 crisis."It's a really noble line of work. People talk about the doctors and the nurses but nobody thinks about the people who are laying Covid's victims to rest," said Ruvalcaba, who has been digging tombs since he was 12."It's like doctors' work – only from the moment when the patient has gone to a better life," Ruvalcaba added. "And someone has to do it."


A partygoer who attended the now-infamous Lake of the Ozarks pool party has tested positive for COVID-19, meaning hundreds could have been exposed

Posted: 29 May 2020 11:10 PM PDT

A partygoer who attended the now-infamous Lake of the Ozarks pool party has tested positive for COVID-19, meaning hundreds could have been exposedThe individual began showing symptoms on Sunday and was likely "incubating illness and possibly infectious at the time of the visit."


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