Congressional Democrats say the State Department watchdog fired by President Donald Trump last week was investigating possible impropriety in a massive arms sales to Saudi Arabia last year, adding new questions to the watchdog's abrupt dismissal.
Democrats said Monday that ousted Inspector General Steve Linick was probing how the State Department pushed through a $7 billion Saudi arms sale over congressional objections. Democrats previously suggested the dismissal might have been tied to Linick's investigation of allegations that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo may have improperly ordered staff to run personal errands for him.
Neither the White House nor the State Department has provided specific reasons for Linick's dismissal, which comes amid broader concerns over Trump's removal of numerous inspectors general at various executive branch departments.
Eliot Engel, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was troubled that Linick was sacked before the completion of .

Democrats: Fired watchdog was looking into Saudi arms sales

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Investigators on Monday began combing the wreckage of a fire and explosion at a downtown Los Angeles hash oil manufacturer as eight burned firefighters remained in the hospital.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is sending in special agents from around the country to help with the criminal investigation. They are expected to help reconstruct the scene, identify where the fire started and determine what caused it.
The blaze began late Saturday afternoon at a one-story commercial building in the city's Toy District. Firefighters entered the building amid light to moderate smoke and went on the roof, normal procedures to try to quickly knock down any flames, officials said.
One of the firefighters noticed that the pressure from the smoke and heat coming from the rear of the building were increasing. He ordered everyone to get out but a thunderous explosion rocked the building. Firefighters on the roof scrambled down ladders through a fireball, with their protective .

ATF joins probe of LA blast that injured 12 firefighters

Harnessing today's technology to the task of fighting the coronavirus pandemic is turning out to be more complicated than it first appeared.
The first U.S. states that rolled out smartphone apps for tracing the contacts of COVID-19 patients are dealing with technical glitches and a general lack of interest by their residents.
A second wave of tech-assisted pandemic surveillance tools is on its way, this time with the imprimatur of tech giants Apple and Google. But those face their own issues, among them potential accuracy issues and the fact that they won't share any information with governments that could help track the spread of the illness.
Contact tracing is a pillar of infection control. It's traditionally conducted by trained public health workers who interview those who may have been exposed, then urge them to get tested and isolate themselves. Some estimates call for as many as 300,000 U.S. workers to do the work effectively, but so far those efforts have lagged.
Other tech ...

Tech-assisted COVID-19 tracking is having some issues

As Walt Disney World prepares to allow some third-party shops and restaurants to open at its entertainment complex later this week, it's posting a warning.
While enhanced safety measures are being taken at Disney Springs, an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present," the company said Monday on a website for the entertainment complex.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable," the warning said.
By visiting Disney Springs you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19." The opening of some shops and restaurants at Disney Springs on Wednesday marks the latest baby steps Orlando's theme park resorts are taking toward reopening since mid-March when the spread of the new coronavirus forced them to shut their gates.
Last week, Universal Orlando allowed the opening of about a half-dozen restaurants and eateries, as well .

Disney Springs reopening comes with a warning about risk

Small businesses hoping for more leeway in using coronavirus loan money were disappointed as the government released instructions for seeking forgiveness for the loans.
Forms the Small Business Administration released late Friday didn't address two concerns shared by many owners about the $659 billion Paycheck Protection Program. According to the instructions, loans can still be forgiven in full only if the money is spent within eight weeks of receiving it. And businesses must use at least 75% of it for workers' pay, with the remaining amount limited to rent, mortgage interest and utility expenses.
Many small businesses say the eight-week period is too restrictive. Those who laid off workers are afraid they'll have to let them go again if business hasn't returned to pre-virus outbreak levels at the end of the eight weeks, a situation likely for many restaurants whose revenue is down due to social distancing requirements.
Small businesses need flexibility on when the eight-week period .

SBA leaves businesses still hoping for more leeway on loans

Gunmen fired into a crowd of hundreds at a memorial for a Louisiana homicide victim, injuring 12 men and a woman, and people who were there need to tell police who did it, officials said Monday.
Satan has taken over in Bogalusa, and it's time we take it back by reporting who shot up the crowd, Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Country Seal said at a livestreamed news conference.
Five of the city's 28 officers were on duty when the first calls about a crowd came in Saturday evening. With accidents and other disturbances to deal with at the same time, the crowd estimated then at 500 people was beyond their power to disperse, Bogalusa police Maj. Wendell O'Berry said.
People were still shooting when police arrived several hours later in response to 911 calls about gunfire, he said. By then, he said, the crowd had swelled to as many as 800.
O'Berry said one or two people were critically wounded but their lives did not appear in danger Monday. The victims were 22 to 45 years old, he said, ...

Sheriff: 'Satan has taken over' after 13 shot at memorial

Rome's blockbuster exhibition of masterpieces by Renaissance artist Raphael will reopen to the public on the day it had been due to close.
Only three days after it had opened in early March, the exhibition at the Scuderie was forced to hastily lock its doors as part of pandemic containment measures ordered by the Italian government.
Organizers said on Monday that art lovers can see the works, including 120 paintings, drawings and sketches by Raphael, starting on June. 2. That day, a national holiday, was supposed to be the final date of the run.
Instead, lenders, including the Uffizi Galleries in Florence, which has the world's largest collections of Raphael works, agreed to let their pieces stay until Aug. 30, allowing for a significant extension of the show.
Under gradual easing of COVID-19 lockdown measures, Italians can resume traveling between regions on June 3. With tourism a key revenue-maker, Italy hopes other countries will allow their citizens to soon travel for pleasure. ...

Raphael exhibit in Italy to reopen, stay longer

Germany and France jointly proposed a 500 billion-euro ($543 billion) recovery fund Monday to boost European economies hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
In a joint statement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron said the fund would see European Union budget money used to help sectors and regions that are particularly affected by the outbreak.
Macron said that under the proposal, the 27 EU countries would use their collective weight to borrow money on financial markets.
We are proposing to do real transfers (of money) ... that's a major step, he said Monday.
The two leaders said they will seek a swift agreement from other EU members for the proposed recovery fund, which is likely to run into resistance from fiscal hawks in the bloc such as the Netherlands.
Germany, too, has long resisted the idea of joint borrowing, but Merkel said that because of the unusual nature of the crisis we are choosing an unusual path."
There has been concern in European ...

Germany, France propose recovery fund for pandemic-hit EU

The Taliban clarified on Monday that a statement circulated on social media regarding India and attributed to it does not belong to the Islamic emirate whose policy is very clear not to interfere in the internal affairs of others.
"The statement that has been circulated in certain media regarding India does not belong to Islamic emirate," tweeted Suhail Shaheen, the spokesperson the Taliban Political Office based in Doha, Qatar.
He said that the "policy of Islamic emirate regarding neighbour states is very obvious that we don't interfere in the domestic issue of other countries."
His remarks comes after tweets attributed to the Taliban spokespersons claimed that friendship between the group and India is impossible unless the Kashmir issue is resolved.
The Deputy of Qatar-based Taliban political office, Mula Abas Stanekzai, recently alleged that during the last two decades, India has only cooperated and kept ties with those who are corrupt and have been put in power by foreigners not ..

Taliban rejects as fake statement on India attributed to it

European airlines are planning for a return to the skies this summer after being grounded almost completely for weeks over the coronavirus pandemic.
The outlook, however, remains uncertain, with companies forecasting a slow recovery even next year due to public health restrictions and concerns.  Finland's national airline, a major carrier between Europe and China, said Monday it will add more flights and routes beginning in July if governments ease their lockdowns enough for travel to resume.
It will restart in phases, with a strong focus on Asia, which is strategically important for the state-controlled airline. The Helsinki-based company said it will fly to Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, adding it was pending government approval, but also to Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo Narita in Japan; and to Singapore, Seoul and Bangkok.
We expect aviation to recover gradually, starting in July, Finnair Chief Commercial Officer Ole Orver said in a statement. "Our intention is to operate ...

European airlines hope to resume flights but outlook is dim

China on Monday announced 80.5 percent tariffs on Australian barley, days after suspending beef imports from the country -- a move that could escalate tensions between the countries.
Following a government investigation into Australian grain exports, China found Australian subsidies and dumping had "substantially damaged domestic industry," the commerce ministry said in a statement.
A 73.6 percent anti-dumping tariff and 6.9 percent anti-subsidy tariff on imports of Australian barley will take effect Tuesday, the ministry said.
Last week, China suspended imports from four major Australian beef suppliers, amid a diplomatic standoff between the two countries over Canberra's push to probe the origins of the coronavirus.
China's foreign ministry has denied a link between restrictions on trade with Australia and the inquiry, saying they are "two completely different things." But Beijing's ambassador Cheng Jingye told the Australian Financial Review last month that Australia's push for an ..

China says to levy 80.5 percent in tariffs on Australian barley

Tropical Storm Arthur brought heavy rain to North Carolina's coast on Monday as forecasters warned that the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season could also spread life-threatening surf and rip currents along U.S. East coast beaches in the days ahead.
It's another early start for the Atlantic hurricane season: Arthur formed Saturday in waters off Florida, marking the sixth straight year that a named storm has developed before June 1.
With Arthur's center passing off North Carolina, towns near the coast including Newport and Havelock recorded more than 4 inches (10 cm) of rain Monday morning as others approached that number, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts of at least 40 mph (64 kph) were recorded in at least two places on the Outer Banks, the weather service said.
The Hurricane Center said Arthur was moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 kph) Monday on a path expected to take its center away from the North Carolina coast, as it takes a more eastward ..

Tropical Storm Arthur hits North Carolina coast with rain

Western New York, including the city of Buffalo, met the state's coronavirus containment goals and can begin to reopen its economy, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.
Hospitals will be able to schedule elective surgeries as the region enters the first phase of reopening on Tuesday, but gatherings such as church services and sports events will still be banned, Cuomo said.
Personal disclosure  I want to watch the Buffalo Bills," said Cuomo, who held Monday's briefing in Buffalo. "But I'm still objective, I'm acting as governor.
Most of upstate New York will have started reopening by the end of this week, but it will likely be weeks before New York City and its suburbs meet metrics for reopening including the availability of hospital beds and the hiring of enough contact tracers to contain the spread of the virus.
As part of the reopening, judges and staff members will return courthouses in 30 upstate counties starting this week, Cuomo said.
The governor said 106 people died of COVID-19 ...

Western NY, including Buffalo, to start phased reopening

Italy has registered its lowest daily increases in both deaths and new cases of COVID-19 since before the national lockdown began in early March.
According to data from the Health Ministry, 99 deaths of persons with coronavirus infections were registered in a 24-hour period ending Monday evening.
That same period saw 451 confirmed new cases.
On Monday, Italians enjoyed a first day of regained freedoms, including being able to sit down at a cafe or restaurant, shop in all retail stores or attend church services such as Mass.
But until next month they still can't travel outside their regions except for work or other strict necessities, as lockdown rules are gradually lifted.
Italy now officially has 32,007 deaths, although many in nursing homes who died during the lockdown period weren't tested for coronavirus as the tests were mainly given to hospitalized patients.
Overall, there are 225,886 confirmed cases of COVID-in Italy, where Europe's outbreak began.

Italy has its fewest daily deaths in 2 months

The Treasury Department and Federal Reserve have lent hardly any money under a $500 billion fund created by economic rescue law passed in response to the coronavirus crisis, a congressional oversight panel says in a new report.
The Treasury fund is being used to guarantee new, expansive Federal Reserve lending programs to companies, states and cities that could be leveraged to reach as much as $4.5 trillion.
So far only one of the new Fed programs has started operating, a lending fund likely to be tapped by large public companies, the report by the Congressional Oversight Commission said. The program was started on May 11 with $37.5 billion from Treasury.
The oversight panel issued its first report Monday even though it still does not have a chairman. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have not agreed on a chair, leaving the five-member commission without a leader.
The commission has four other members appointed by congressional ...

Report: Treasury fund to ease virus crisis off to slow start

Local governments across Mexico pushed back Monday against President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador's call to reopen the economy in some 300 townships that do not have active cases of coronavirus, with leaders saying they preferred to wait until June before resuming normal activities.
Mexico, which has reported nearly 50,000 total cases and some 5,000 deaths, has seen a steep climb in new infections. Front-line doctors fear that a premature reopening could lead to a second wave of infections  a scenario that recently played out in Chile and Guatemala, where governments had to roll back reopening plans.
But Lpez Obrador has been pushing to reactivate the economy. In addition to opening virus-free communities, his health advisers have said that the mining, construction and automotive industries could resume operations as early as Monday.
The country's lockdown  which began in March  will remain in place, but those industries will be allowed to return to production because Mexico's top ...

Local leaders resist Mexico president's push for reopening

Uber has cut 3,000 jobs from its workforce, its second major wave of layoffs in two weeks as the coronavirus slashed demand for rides.
The San Francisco company has cut a quarter of its workforce since the year began, eliminating 3,700 people from the payroll earlier this month.
Uber will be re-focusing on its core business, moving people and delivering food and groceries, said CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, in a note to employees.
The ride-hailing giant will be closing or consolidating 45 offices globally, and almost all departments will be affected by layoffs. The company is closing its Incubator and AI Labs and will pursue strategic alternatives for its job recruiting app, Uber Works, Khosrowshahi said.
This is a decision I struggled with, Khosrowshahi said. Our balance sheet is strong, Eats is doing great, Rides looks a little better, maybe we can wait this damn virus out...I wanted there to be a different answer...but there simply was no good news to hear. The rides business, Uber's main 

Uber cuts 3,000 jobs as virus slashes payroll by 25%

Turkey's president has announced a new four-day curfew during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr to be applied across the country to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he hoped the restrictions would no longer be needed after the next round of lockdowns between May 23 and 26. Previous weekend and national curfews were applied to a maximum of 31 provinces but this round will restrict people to their homes in all 81 provinces.
The country has opted to impose short weekend and holiday curfews, instead of full lockdowns, fearing possible negative effects on the already troubled economy.
Turkey's health ministry announced 31 new deaths in the past 24 hours, the lowest since the end of March, bringing the death toll to 4,171. The data also showed 1,158 confirmed new infections, with the total now at 150,593.
People aged over 65 and under 20 have been under full lockdown. Erdogan announced that older people will be allowed out ...

Turkey's president declares nationwide Eid al-Fitr lockdown

Ten more Guatemalans deported from the United States last week have tested positive for COVID-19 upon their return.
A Guatemalan health official who was not authorized to discuss the information publicly and requested anonymity said Sunday they had been aboard a May 13 flight from Alexandria, Louisiana. Last week, health authorities had said three people from that flight had tested positive for the virus.
The remaining 52 deportees aboard that flight will now be tested, the official said.
It's the latest example of an ongoing problem that now accounts for at least 115 infected Guatemalans. The government has suspended the deportation flights on several occasions to pressure the U.S. government to certify that the deportees do not carry the virus.
The U.S. government started testing them, but this is at least the second flight where deportees who apparently tested negative before their departure have tested positive upon arrival in Guatemala. In some cases the deportees are tested ...

More Guatemalans deported from US test positive for virus

The US attorney who oversaw the reversal of a sentencing recommendation for Trump ally Roger Stone and the motion to dismiss charges against ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn will become the nation's top drug enforcement official, according to an administration official.
The official says Tim Shea, a former senior adviser to Attorney General William Barr, will become the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Shea will be replaced be Justin Herdman, the U.S. attorney in Cleveland, who will move into the role as top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia.
The current DEA administrator, Uttam Dhillon, will take on a role as a senior official at the Justice Department, the official said.
The official could not discuss the matter publicly before a formal announcement and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Shea has led the U.S. attorney's office in Washington, the largest in the country, since February. The office has historically been 

Source: Trump admin. to name new DEA head, US attorney in DC

Pakistan Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Monday warned against lifting the coronavirus lockdown, saying the pandemic in the country would reach its peak by mid-June.
Chaudhry expressed his fears about the spread of the virus in a tweet as the Supreme Court on Monday ordered to open markets and shopping malls through out the week across the country.
Markets and shopping malls in Pakistan were shut down during the lockdown to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
The minister said that a committee at the Ministry of Science and Technology stressed that COVID-19 cases would peak by mid-June, while it rejected the theory of herd-immunity, claiming that it could be too dangerous and risky for the nation.
The experts also believe that the coronavirus is not just a flu but far more complicated than that, he said.
A lot of damage could be done if lockdown was lifted with precautions, he said.
The minister also said that the smart lockdown policy of Prime Minister Imran Khan was 

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