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3 nabbed at Johannesburg airport with gold in carry-on bags

In this photo supplied by the South African Police Services (SAPS), gold bars weighing 73.5 kilograms (162 pounds) are photographed at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Police are investigating a possible international gold smuggling syndicate after three suspects were arrested with the gold bars in their carry-on luggage. (South African Police Services via AP)JOHANNESBURG – South African police are investigating a possible international gold smuggling syndicate after three suspects were arrested at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg with gold bars weighing 73.5 kilograms (162 pounds) in their carry-on luggage. “Upon questioning of the suspects and further inspection of their hand luggage, officials discovered the gold bars and some foreign currency,” said police spokeswoman Col. Athlenda Mathe.

Florida’s top regulator looking at how to open bars safely

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s top business regulator said Saturday that he planned to set up meetings with bar owners to discuss how they can reopen their businesses again safely, as the Sunshine State surpassed New York State in the total number of coronavirus cases. Next week starting Friday, I’m going to set meetings throughout Florida with breweries and bars to discuss ideas on how to reopen. The Florida Department of Health reported 12,199 new cases Saturday, bringing the state’s total since March 1 to 414,511 cases. By comparison, New York State has had more than 25,100 deaths. The state health department has recorded 892 COVID-19 deaths over the past week, an average of 127 per day.

State seeks citizens’ help in policing bars

Since the June 26 order, the state has received 625 citizen complaints. “So we try and go at the time we think that violation may occur.”The agency has set a date of July 16 to reconsider the bar closure order. “There was a direct correlation, we thought, from the time the governor opened the bars to the spike,” Beshears said. On the day the bar closure was ordered, Restaurant and Lodging Association CEO Carol Dover warned her members they could be next. But Beshears said it’s not an action the state wants to take.

Florida bars, pubs, theaters, more reopen as part of Phase 2

Ron DeSantis announced this week that most of Florida can enter Phase 2 of economic recovery beginning on Friday. This next phase would allow bars and pubs to reopen at 50% capacity inside and full capacity outside. RELATED: Florida movie theaters can reopen doors Friday under DeSantis’ Phase 2 planIn May, Tom Whittingslow, the owner of Pete’s Bar in Neptune Beach, said he was frustrated that his business had to remain closed while restaurants could reopen. He said the owners of the bar sent two letters to the governor, asking him to reopen bars. More than 50 counties have since received the go-ahead for a step the task force recommended be limited to Florida residents, under Phase II.

Mayor wants Jacksonville bars to reopen soon

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Mayor Lenny Curry said Wednesday that he would like to see Jacksonville's bars reopened in the near term.Bars were ordered to shut their doors as part of Florida Gov. Even as the state begins to reopen some businesses, bars are not scheduled to reopen until phase two of DeSantis reopening plan. Bars that get more than 50% of their revenue from liquor sales are not permitted to reopen under phase one of the plan. Curry said he's had conversations with DeSantis about allowing bars to reopen in a safe and responsible way with capacity restrictions. The co-owner of Petes Bar, the oldest bar in Neptune Beach, has sent letters to DeSantis asking him to allow bars to reopen.