thetorontostar--2020-07-27--Hawaii battles complacency after another hurricane near-miss

HONOLULU - Hurricane Douglas joined a long list of hurricanes that have come near the Hawaiian Islands but didn ’ t cause major damage .
Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said such experiences unfortunately help people become complacent and think disaster will never strike them .
“ What we ’ re really concerned about is Mother Nature — there ’ s no way you can control her .
And the one time that she does decide to not send a message but really impact our island , it ’ s going to be when certain people have taken it lightly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 miles ( 72 kilometres ) north of Maui and possibly even closer to Oahu as a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday .
Despite earlier warnings that Douglas could pass directly over the islands , surfers hit the waves and selfie-takers flocked to the shoreline on Oahu .
Kawakami said Kauai ’ s history of getting hit by major hurricanes and floods have left a strong impression on the island ’ s residents who do take weather threats seriously .
“ Even people that are relatively newcomers , in a sense will hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people getting prepared .
And they ’ ll just follow suit , “ Kawakami said .
In 1992 , Hurricane Iniki damaged or destroyed 41 per cent of the island ’ s homes .
Just two years ago , heavy rains triggered landslides that cut off entire communities on Kauai ’ s north shore for months .
Talmadge Magno , civil defence administrator for Hawaii County , said he thinks most people heed warnings and won ’ t test nature .
He said Hurricane Douglas offered residents a way to learn how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for such storms .
“ I think this was a good kind of test for the community as well to see where they are at in preparedness , “ he said .
Meteorologists said Douglas would have been a lot worse for Hawaii if it had tracked just 20 or 30 miles ( 32 to 48 kilometres ) to the south .
“ Not only did it did it not make landfall , it skirted by the islands , ” National Weather Service meteorologist Chevy Chevalier said .
It ’ s rare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively small compared to the vastness of the Pacific Ocean .
“ You ’ re not going to see them get hit that often , ” Chevalier said .
Oahu did not receive much rainfall , but heavy rain and wind lashed Maui , downing a small tree on the Hana Highway .
Duke Stevens , who lives in Hana on Maui ’ s eastern tip , said there was no longer any wind by Sunday afternoon and the light rain that fell persistently through the night had subsided .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Stevens , who has lived on Maui since 1987 .
Antonia Hall , from the city of of Kihei on western Maui , said she took her porch furniture inside , bought nonperishable food and filled her bathtub for an emergency water supply , but the storm spared her area .
“ Maui has skirted so many hurricanes , ” she said .
“ This is just kind of something we go through here.
” Associated Press journalists Mark Thiessen in Anchorage , Alaska , Brian P.D .
Hannon in Phoenix , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--Feds launch Minnesota office on missing Indigenous cases

MINNEAPOLIS - Ivanka Trump and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt visited a Minneapolis suburb on Monday to open an office dedicated to investigating cold cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous peoples .
The new office in Bloomington is part of the Operation Lady Justice Task Force created via executive order by President Donald Trump in November to address violence against Native Americans , particularly women and girls , which advocates say are often overlooked by law enforcement across the country .
The task force , co-chaired by Bernhardt and U.S. Attorney General William Barr , aims to develop protocols for law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Native American persons cases and to improve data and information collection .
“ Since his earliest days in office , President Trump has fought for the forgotten men and women of this country , ” Ivanka Trump said .
“ Today is another fulfilment of that promise as this new office will work to ensure that the challenges American Indians and Alaskan Natives face do not go unseen or unresolved.
” Of the more than 1,400 currently unresolved American Indian and Alaskan Native missing person cases nationwide , 136 are in Minnesota , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crime Information Center .
The office will be led by a special agent-in-charge from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services , and will co-ordinate efforts by local , federal and tribal law enforcement personnel to solve cold cases .
It ’ s the first of seven that will be opened across the country in coming weeks , including in Phoenix , Nashville , Tennessee and Anchorage , Alaska .
Dozens of protesters gathered outside of the new office , waving an American Indian Movement flag and carrying signs that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ No More Stolen Sisters.
” State Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein , who is of Standing Rock Lakota descent , joined protesters outside the new office .
“ Our women are not photo opportunities , ” she told protesters .
“ Our women are not for show.
” Minnesota lawmakers established a state Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls task force last year of elected officials , law enforcement and tribal representatives to make recommendations for the Legislature .
Minnesota Democrats said Monday the creation of the federal office is politically motivated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration to deny tribal nations COVID-19 relief funding .
Kunesh-Podein , a co-chair and author of the bill that established the state task force , said the Trump administration didn ’ t reach out to the task force or other Native American state officials before the visit Monday , and that she only learned of the cold case office after it was announced .
The new office evokes “ historic trauma ” carried by Indigenous peoples of the federal government “ setting things up and putting things in order for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into consideration their viewpoints , their wants and their needs , ” she said .
“ It sort of has the feeling of a pop-up department from the federal government , and without knowing exactly what it is about , it just feels very inauthentic , ” she said .
Ivanka Trump did not take questions at the office opening .
Bernhardt said state officials weren ’ t invited due to the small size of the venue and the focus on federal efforts , though he said they are open to working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions of lack of support by Native American communities to the Trump campaign .
Earlier this month , Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington state sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy urging two pieces of legislation to address the violence against Indigenous women be considered by the House before its August recess .
The two bills — Savanna ’ s Act and the Not Invisible Act — passed unanimously in the House judiciary committee in March .
Mohamed Ibrahim is a corps member for the Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .
This story has been corrected to show that proper title is Interior Secretary David Bernhardt .

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thetorontostar--2020-07-27--Trade, technology and security at risk in US-China feud

BEIJING - They have the largest economies in the world .
They spend more than anyone else on their militaries .
From high-tech chips to control of the high seas , their interests are closely intertwined .
The ongoing sharp deterioration in U.S.-China ties poses risks to both countries and the rest of the world .
In the latest escalation , a U.S. consulate in Chengdu in southwestern China shuttered Monday , ordered by China to close in retaliation for the U.S. shutting down its consulate in Houston last week .
With the U.S. presidential campaign heating up , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only get worse .
A look at what ’ s at stake : Both countries already have suffered heavy losses in a tariff war that erupted in 2018 over Beijing ’ s technology ambitions and trade surplus .
If talks on ending the dispute fail , the world could face downward pressure on trade at a time when the global economy is already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic .
The United States is China ’ s biggest single-country export market , even after President Donald Trump imposed punitive tariffs on Chinese goods .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ market for American exporters , as well as a huge market for goods and services produced in China by U.S. companies ranging from General Motors Co. to Burger King .
Chinese purchases of American farm goods , semiconductors and other goods declined 11.4 % last year but still exceeded $ 100 billion .
Exports to China support just under 1 million American jobs , according to the U.S.-China Business Council , though that was down 10 % from 2017 ’ s peak .
China is the biggest export market for Iowa and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Beijing suspended imports of soybeans and raised tariffs on pork and other goods .
That briefly boosted sales for soybean exporters in Brazil and Argentina , though China resumed buying lower-priced American beans under the “ Phase 1 ” trade truce signed in January .
But if the two can ’ t resolve broader differences on trade , it will be a blow not only to their exporters but also to other Asian economies that supply China ’ s factories with raw materials and components .
U.S. and Chinese producers of telecom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their markets are tightly interwoven .
Apple , Dell , Hewlett-Packard and others rely on Chinese factories to assemble most of their smartphones , computers and other consumer electronics .
Those factories need processor chips and other components from the United States , Japan , Taiwan and Europe .
The disruption caused by moves including the Trump administration ’ s curbs on Chinese tech giant Huawei ’ s access to U.S. components and technology threatens to disrupt those flows and cost suppliers , including Silicon Valley companies , billions of dollars in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top market for Apple and other U.S. tech brands , and is increasingly becoming a technology competitor with its own brands in smartphones , medical equipment and other fields .
The United States often is the top market for China ’ s highest-value-added goods .
Beijing has been urging exporters to find other markets , but many say Asian and even European markets won ’ t buy such high-value goods .
While the U.S. has long been the predominant military power in the Pacific , China now has two operational aircraft carriers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to U.S. vessels and bases in the region .
Military tensions have largely focused on the South China Sea , a crucial waterway that is the subject of overlapping territorial claims by China and several smaller Asian nations .
In 2018 , a Chinese destroyer came perilously close to colliding with a U.S. destroyer , the USS Decatur , while executing what the Navy called an “ unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvr ” in the South China Sea .
A Chinese fighter jet collided with a U.S. Navy surveillance plane in international airspace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading to major diplomatic incident after the U.S. plane made an emergency landing on a Chinese island .
Taiwan is another potential flashpoint .
China claims the self-governing island as its territory , to be taken by force if necessary .
The U.S. is bound by its own law to ensure the island has a credible defence and has approved military sales to Taiwan under Trump .
Taiwan ’ s foreign minister said last week that Chinese military flights near the island have been taking place on a near-daily basis , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ante earlier this month by declaring that it did not recognize most of China ’ s maritime claims in the South China Sea , a break with its previous policy of not taking a stance on the sovereignty disputes .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--New Zealand suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - New Zealand announced Tuesday it will follow the lead of its intelligence allies by suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong .
The move comes in response to China passing a sweeping new security law for the semi-autonomous territory .
New Zealand is the final member of the “ Five Eyes ” intelligence-sharing alliance to take such action after the U.S. , Australia , Canada and the U.K. previously announced similar measures .
New Zealand relies on China as its largest trading partner and in the past has often tried to avoid direct political confrontation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars worth of New Zealand ’ s agricultural goods , including its lucrative milk powder which is used in infant formula .
But Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the new law went against commitments China had made to the international community .
“ New Zealand can no longer trust that Hong Kong ’ s criminal justice system is sufficiently independent from China , “ Peters said in a statement .
He said there would be other changes to the relationship .
New Zealand would now treat military and technology exports to Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such exports to China , he said , and had updated its travel advice to warn New Zealanders about the risks they faced under the new law .
“ New Zealand remains deeply concerned at the imposition of this legislation , and we will continue to monitor the situation in Hong Kong as the law is applied , “ Peters said .
” As a result , the review of our co-operation settings with Hong Kong will be ongoing.
” China says the new security law is needed to combat terrorism and separatism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base for undermining Chinese state power .
In general , cases would be tried in Hong Kong , but the law allows for mainland jurisdiction in some circumstances .
China ’ s embassy in Wellington , led by ambassador Wu Xi , said Tuesday it was preparing a response to the announcement .
Earlier this month , as New Zealand considered such a move , the embassy put out a statement urging the nation to “ stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China ’ s internal affairs , and refrain from going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--US won’t expel migrant children detained in Texas hotel

HOUSTON - The Trump administration has agreed not to expel a group of immigrant children it detained in a Texas hotel under an emergency declaration citing the coronavirus and will instead allow them to seek to remain in the U.S. , the administration said Monday .
The move comes days after The Associated Press first reported on the U.S. government ’ s secretive practice of detaining unaccompanied children in hotels before rapidly deporting them during the virus pandemic .
Government data obtained by AP showed the U.S. had detained children nearly 200 times over two months in three Hampton Inn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas border cities .
But the Trump administration has not said it will stop using hotels to detain children .
The legal groups that sued Friday night said they still plan to fight the larger practice in court .
Their agreement only covers 17 people known to have been detained as of Thursday at the Hampton Inn in McAllen .
After the hotel ’ s owner said Friday it would end reservations of rooms used for child detention , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed the children from the hotel but refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , immigration authorities will transfer the children to shelters operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , where they will have access to lawyers and should eventually be placed with family sponsors as they pursue asylum cases or other immigration relief to try to remain in the country .
The legal groups withdrew their request Sunday for a temporary restraining order .
“ The children in this hotel averted disaster only because we happened to hear about them before they were deported , yet hundreds if not thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm in secret , “ said Lee Gelernt , a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union .
” The government must stop expelling children in secret without giving them asylum hearings.
” Federal anti-trafficking laws and a two-decade-old court settlement that governs the treatment of migrant children normally require that most children be sent to shelters operated by HHS .
The shelters are licensed by the states where they ’ re located and generally have bedrooms , recreation areas , and schooling .
Instead , more than 2,000 children have been expelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention issued a declaration allowing immigration agencies to effectively shut down the asylum process out of concern about the spread of COVID-19 .
The AP found that contractors paid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have held children as young as 1 in Hampton Inns .
ICE called the contractors from MVM Inc. “ transportation specialists ” and refused to confirm whether they had passed FBI background checks or had backgrounds in child care .
Instead , it said the contractors were “ non-law enforcement staff members trained to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspects of the transport or stay are compliant ” with the court settlement known as the Flores agreement .
An advocate with the Texas Civil Rights Project who walked through the Hampton Inn in McAllen on July 17 saw people in scrubs going room to room on the fourth and fifth floors of the hotel caring for children .
The advocate , Roberto Lopez , said he saw one small child holding onto a gate in a doorway as an adult on the other side played with him .
On Thursday , video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its lawyers trying to enter the fourth floor to find children .
The video shows three men in plainclothes confronting him , then shoving him back and slamming him into an elevator wall .
The records indicate the children were not accompanied by a parent but don ’ t say more about the circumstances of their crossing the border .
In the past , some very young children have been brought by older siblings or other relatives .
Others have been sent by parents waiting for their court dates in refugee camps on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be placed with relatives .
A spokeswoman for Hilton , which owns the Hampton Inn brand , said franchisees owned all three Hampton Inns and the others in Phoenix and El Paso , Texas , would also stop child detention in its hotels .
Hilton said in a statement that the company expected all of its franchisees “ to reject business that would use a hotel in this way.
” Andrea Ordin , a monitor appointed by the federal judge who oversees the Flores agreement , called on the U.S. government last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing the lack of oversight and standards and the threat that children could suffer emotional and physical harm .
The Trump administration responded by questioning Ordin ’ s authority to issue the report .
Ordin ’ s report was “ wholly outside the scope ” of her responsibility , wrote Sarah Fabian , a U.S. government lawyer who was previously criticized for suggesting in court that the government may not have to provide children with toothbrushes in Border Patrol custody .
Judge Dolly Gee , who oversees the Flores settlement , wrote Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scope of Ordin ’ s duties .
This story has been corrected to show that the agreement only covers 17 people known to have been detained as of Thursday .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--US attorney: Feds will stay in Portland until attacks end

PORTLAND , Ore. - U.S. militarized officers will remain in Portland until attacks on a federal courthouse cease , a top official said Monday after another night of violence .
And more officers may soon be on the way .
“ It is not a solution to tell federal officers to leave when there continues to be attacks on federal property and personnel , “ U.S. Attorney Billy Williams said .
” We are not leaving the building unprotected to be destroyed by people intent on doing so.
” Local and state officials said the federal officers are unwelcome .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ five other major U.S. cities appealed Monday to Congress to make it illegal for the federal government to deploy militarized agents to cities that don ’ t want them .
“ This administration ’ s egregious use of federal force on cities over the objections of local authorities should never happen , ” the mayors of Portland , Seattle , Chicago , Kansas City , Albuquerque , New Mexico , and Washington wrote to leaders of the U.S. House and Senate .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Secretary Chad Wolf to discuss a cease-fire and removal of heightened federal forces from Portland .
The city has had nightly protests for two months since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May .
President Donald Trump said he sent federal agents to Portland to halt the unrest , but state and local officials said they are making the situation worse .
Trump ’ s deployment of the federal officers over the July 4 weekend stoked the Black Lives Matter movement .
The number of nightly protesters had dwindled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deployment , and now has swelled to the thousands .
Early Monday , U.S. agents repeatedly fired tear gas , flash bangs and pepper balls at protesters outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland .
Some protesters had climbed over the fence surrounding the courthouse , while others shot fireworks , banged on the fence and projected lights on the building .
Trump said on Twitter that federal properties in Portland “ wouldn ’ t last a day ” without the presence of the federal agents .
The majority of people participating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But a few have been pelting officers with objects and trying to tear down fencing protecting the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse .
Williams , whose office is inside the courthouse , called on peaceful protesters , community and business leaders and people of faith to not allow violence to occur in their presence and to leave downtown before violence starts .
He said federal agents have made 83 arrests .
Demonstrations in support of racial justice and police reform in other cities around the U.S. were marred by violence over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Oakland , California , courthouse ; vehicles were set ablaze in Richmond , Virginia ; an armed protester was shot and killed in Austin , Texas ; and two people were shot and wounded in Aurora , Colorado , after a car drove through a protest .
The U.S .
Marshals Service has lined up about 100 people they could send to hotspots , either to strengthen forces or relieve officers who have been working for weeks , agency spokesperson Drew Wade said .
Kris Cline , principal deputy director of Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Portland and teams from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice discuss what force is needed every night .
Cline refused to discuss the number of officers currently present or if more would be arriving .
Some protesters have accused Wheeler of hypocrisy for speaking out against the federal presence because , under his watch , Portland police have used tear gas and other riot-control weapons on protesters , including peaceful ones .
Cline said Portland police should take over the job of dispersing protesters from the courthouse area from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portland Police Bureau were able to do what they typically do , they would be able to clear this out for this disturbance and we would leave our officers inside the building and not be visible , ” Cline said .
He said relations between the federal officers , some of whom live in Portland , and city police were good .
Portland police responded Sunday evening to a shooting at a park close to the site of the protests .
Two people were detained and later released , police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital in a private vehicle and was treated for a non-life-threatening wound .
Also late Sunday , police said someone pointed out a bag in the same park , where officers found loaded rifle magazines and Molotov cocktails .
The shooting was not related to the items , police said .
Associated Press writer Mike Balsamo contributed to this report from Washington .
Selsky reported from Salem , Oregon .

Andrew Selsky And Aron Ranen - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--Video of Texas police shooting released by Austin officials

AUSTIN , Texas - Police in Austin , Texas , released video Monday of an officer fatally shooting an unarmed man in April as he drove away .
The video shows the killing of Mike Ramos , a Black and Hispanic man , on April 24 and recounts what police had previously described : After officers address him by name multiple times , Ramos follows orders given by police and gets out of the car with his hands and shirt raised .
Ramos turns around once in a circle toward the open driver ’ s side door , as if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his waistband , and twice says , “ Don ’ t shoot.
” While leaning against his open door , Ramos later tells police he does not have a gun .
After imploring him multiple times to step away from the vehicle , police shoot Ramos , 42 , with a less lethal beanbag bullet , the video shows , before he gets back into his car .
Officers immediately tell him to turn off the vehicle : “ Turn off the car .
Michael , don ’ t do it.
” Ramos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer fires multiple times , striking him fatally .
Officers Mitchell Pieper and Christopher Taylor were involved in the shooting , according to the video .
“ Officer Pieper fired one less-lethal round at Mr. Ramos , striking him in the upper thigh , hip area , “ Austin police said in the video .
” Officer Taylor fired three rounds from his rifle as Mar .
Ramos drove forward.
“ A 911 caller had told police people were in a car doing drugs , and that there was a man in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dispatcher transcript included at the beginning of the video .
Ramos was later found to be unarmed .
The video was posted Monday to the City of Austin ’ s YouTube channel and was made in accordance to a newly adopted policy requiring that Austin police produce videos of critical incidents with context for the community .
City Manager Spencer Cronk delayed release of the video in June because it did not fully comply with the new policy .
The new policy is part of a broader effort to overhaul the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice .
Austin Mayor Steve Adler called the shooting “ disturbing ” after viewing previously released video captured by a bystander .
Adler said Ramos did not appear to pose a threat to police .
At the time of the incident , Pieper had been with the Austin department for three months and was in his field training phase , police said .
Taylor had been with the department for five years .
Both officers have been placed on administrative duty .
Demonstrators in Austin invoked Ramos ’ nam e when they took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police .
Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore announced on July 22 that Ramos ’ case would not be seen by a grand jury until 2021 .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--Hilary Mantel, Anne Tyler among Booker Prize contenders

LONDON - Bestselling British novelist Hilary Mantel and American author Anne Tyler are among 13 writers on a U.S.-dominated list of contenders for the prestigious Booker Prize for fiction .
Mantel was named among competitors for the 50,000-pound ( $ 63,000 ) literary prize Tuesday for the “ The Mirror and the Light , ” the third installment in her trilogy about Tudor power broker Thomas Cromwell .
She won the Booker for both its predecessors , “ Wolf Hall ” and “ Bring up the Bodies.
” American contenders include Tyler for “ Redhead by the Side of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The New Wilderness , ” Avni Doshi for “ Burnt Sugar , ” Kiley Reid for “ Such a Fun Age , ” Brandon Taylor for “ Real Life , ” and C. Pam Zhang for “ How Much of These Hills is Gold.
” British writers on the list are Gabriel Krauze for “ Who They Was , ” Douglas Stuart for “ Shuggie Bain ” and Sophie Ward for “ Love and Other Thought Experiments.
” Rounding out the longlist are “ Apeirogon ” by Ireland ’ s Colum McCann ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Tsitsi Dangarembga and “ The Shadow King ” by Ethiopian-American writer Maaza Mengiste .
The prize , subject to intense speculation and a flurry of betting , usually brings the victor a huge boost in sales and profile .
Eight of the nominees are for first novels — an unusually high number for the prize .
The award ’ s literary director , Gaby Wood , said it was “ heartening to know that some authors who have launched their careers in the midst of COVID-19 may now have a chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Founded in 1969 , the prize is open to English-language authors from around the world , but until 2014 only British , Irish and Commonwealth writers were eligible .
That year ’ s change sparked fears among some Britons that it would become a U.S-dominated prize .
That hasn ’ t happened , yet .
Since then there have been two American winners , Paul Beatty ’ s “ The Sellout ” in 2016 and George Saunders ’ “ Lincoln in the Bardo ” in 2017 .
A six-book shortlist will be announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be revealed in November .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--At least 3 MLB games postponed amid Marlins’ virus outbreak

MIAMI - The Marlins scrambled for roster replacements as they coped with a coronavirus outbreak .
The New York Yankees had an unscheduled day off in Philadelphia while the home team underwent COVID-19 tests .
The Baltimore Orioles were flying home from Miami without playing a game .
And Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez summed up the situation in a season barely underway .
“ I ’ m going to be honest with you : I ’ m scared , ” Martinez said .
More than a dozen Marlins players and staff members tested positive for COVID-19 in an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrupting Major League Baseball ’ s schedule on the fifth day of the pandemic-delayed season .
Miami ’ s home opener against Baltimore was postponed as was Tuesday ’ s finale of the two-game series at Marlins Park .
Also postponed was the Yankees ’ series opener Monday at Philadelphia , where New York would have been in the same clubhouse the Marlins used last weekend .
“ Obviously , we don ’ t want any player to get exposed .
It ’ s not a positive thing , “ baseball Commissioner Rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” But I don ’ t see it as a nightmare .
We built the protocols to allow us to continue to play .
That ’ s why we have the expanded rosters , that ’ s why we have the pool of additional players .
And we think we can keep people safe and continue to play.
” Nine Marlins players on the 30-man roster , two taxi squad players and two staff members tested positive , a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press , speaking on condition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been publicly disclosed .
The Yankees are staying in Philadelphia and have their own clubhouse staff with the team there , a person familiar with their plans said , also speaking on condition of anonymity because details were not disclosed .
The Marlins postponed their flight home Sunday night after their series finale against the Phillies .
The Orioles planned to fly to Baltimore from Miami on Monday night .
They are scheduled to host the Marlins in a two-game series starting Wednesday .
“ If the testing results are acceptable , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday against the Orioles , ” Manfred said .
Meanwhile , Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria will be kept away from his team after experiencing a “ slight cough and nasal congestion , ” general manager Rick Hahn said .
Tests were planned .
The Marlins ’ outbreak was the talk of baseball , and Martinez choked on his words as he discussed the situation .
Martinez missed time last season because of a heart condition , and the Nationals are scheduled to play in Miami this weekend .
“ My level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a 12 .
I mean this thing really hits home now , ” Martinez said .
“ I got guys in our clubhouse that are really concerned , as well.
“ MLB announced the postponement of the two Monday games about eight hours before the scheduled first pitch and said additional COVID-19 testing was being conducted .
That included Phillies players being tested Monday .
“ The members of the Marlins ’ travelling party are self-quarantining in place while awaiting the outcome of those results , ” MLB said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , the Marlins ’ outbreak raised anew questions about Manfred ’ s plan for navigating the pandemic .
“ Now we REALLY get to see if MLB is going to put players health first , ” tweeted Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price , who opted out of playing this season .
“ Remember when Manfred said players health was PARAMOUNT ?
!
Part of the reason I ’ m at home right now is because players health wasn ’ t being put first .
I can see that hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be available late Monday and there likely will be a public update Tuesday .
He said there are factors that would force MLB to alter plans .
“ A team losing a number of players that rendered it completely non-competitive would be an issue that we would have to address and have to think about making a change , “ he said .
” Whether that was shutting down a part of the season , the whole season , that depends on the circumstances .
Same thing with respect to league-wide .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it does become a health threat , and we certainly would shut down at that point.
” Dr. Andrew Morris , a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Toronto , said the Marlins ’ outbreak isn ’ t a surprise because MLB ’ s plan was seriously flawed .
“ Baseball is in huge trouble , ” Morris said .
“ It makes me wonder if they are listening to the advice of experts or whether their experts are giving them good advice .
This was not a plan anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have conceived .
It ’ s playing out like it was supposed to play out.
” The Marlins placed infielder Garrett Cooper , outfielder Harold Ramírez and right-hander José Ureña on the injured list .
They claimed right-hander Justin Shafer and left-hander Josh Smith off waivers from Cincinnati , and will likely rely heavily on reinforcements from their training camp in Jupiter , Florida .
Because there are no minor league games this season , teams are allowed to retain 60 players each .
They have 30-man rosters during the first two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ squad of up to three players for every road trip , giving them immediate options to replace ailing players .
The Marlins could bus from Philadelphia to Baltimore .
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter released a statement saying the health of players and staff was his organization ’ s primary focus .
“ Postponing tonight ’ s home opener was the correct decision to ensure we take a collective pause and try to properly grasp the totality of this situation , ” Jeter said .
Ureña was scratched from his scheduled start in Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alfaro went on the injured list Friday .
No reasons were given for the moves , and it was unclear when the Marlins received the latest positive test results .
Atlanta might have been the source of the Marlins ’ outbreak .
They played exhibition games there Tuesday and Wednesday against the Braves , who have since been without their top two catchers , Tyler Flowers and Travis d ’ Arnaud , after both showed symptoms of COVID-19 .
MLB and the union held talks Monday after aspects of the protocols were widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four days , such as the prohibitions on high-fives and other physical celebrations .
Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that in the wake of Marlins ’ outbreak , his team will double down on efforts to be safe .
“ This was a huge punch to the face , a realization that we have to be perfect , ” Counsell said .
“ It feels like a tough task , but we ’ re going to try and get it right.
” The NBA and NHL plan to resume their seasons in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buena Vista , Florida , and hockey at Edmonton , Alberta , and Toronto .
“ The NBA and the NHL have an advantage : smaller numbers of players , shorter period of time , ” Manfred said .
“ I understand why they did what they did .
I ’ m just not sure it was workable for us.
” AP Sports Writers Ronald Blum in New York , David Ginsburg in Baltimore , Howard Fendrich in Washington , Rob Maaddi in Philadelphia , Janie McCauley in Oakland , California , Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto dies at 76

TOKYO - Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto , known for his avant-garde and colorful work that included flamboyant costumes of the late rock icon David Bowie , has died of leukemia , his company said Monday .
He was 76 .
Yamamoto developed leukemia in February and was determined to recover and come back with renewed energy , said the company , Kansai Yamamoto .
He died last Tuesday .
Born in 1944 in Yokohama , near Tokyo , Yamamoto debuted in 1971 , becoming the first Japanese fashion designer to hold a show in London .
He became internationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brilliant colours and bold designs .
Yamamoto designed the costume for Bowie ’ s Ziggy Stardust alter ego , and also developed friendships with top artists including Elton John and Stevie Wonder , his company said .
He contributed to collections in Tokyo , New York and Paris for nearly two decades until 1992 and produced the “ Kansai Super Show ” and “ Nippon Genki Project.
“ Yamamoto , who sought a career in engineering before turning to fashion , also demonstrated his talent in designing venues and organizing social events for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern Japan .
He also won awards for his interior and exterior design of the Keisei Skyliner train connecting Tokyo and Narita International Airport .
“ ’ Human energy is limitless ’ was his motto he would never let go , and he bravely kept challenging no matter how hard the situation , “ his company said in a statement .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--Support in House for $32B more for airlines but fate unclear

WASHINGTON - A majority of the U.S. House of Representatives has endorsed a provision calling for $ 32 billion to protect aviation workers from layoffs though next March , as airlines fight to survive a huge downturn in travel caused by the virus pandemic .
House backers of the aid provision released a letter Monday in which 195 Democrats and 28 Republicans endorsed further payroll aid to the airline industry .
“ Without further relief from Congress , mass layoffs among airline industry workers are inevitable —and their magnitude will eclipse those of any furloughs the industry has ever seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeFazio and other lawmakers wrote in the letter to House and Senate leaders .
The fate of the proposal is unclear , however .
Republicans who hold the majority in the Senate released a new coronavirus-relief measure that did not include the airline provision .
Thirteen airline unions endorsed the House letter .
They have been lobbying Congress for the additional payroll aid , warning of massive job cuts in October , when money approved this spring runs out .
Airlines that took the money agreed not to furlough workers or cut their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , president of the Association of Flight Attendants , said the unions ’ effort got a boost this month when United Airlines sent furlough notices to 36,000 employees and American Airlines notified 25,000 workers .
“ This is getting people ’ s attention , and that will lead to action , ” Nelson said .
In late March , with U.S. air travel down more than 90 % , Congress provided $ 32 billion to help aviation companies cover their payrolls for six months .
Passenger airlines got the lion ’ s share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — along with up to $ 29 billion more for loans to passenger and cargo airlines — was designed to help the industry until travel returned closer to normal levels .
But air travel remains down more than 70 % from a year ago .
The nation ’ s four biggest airlines lost a combined $ 10 billion from April through June .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--26 Rohingya feared drowned found hiding on Malaysian islet

KUALA LUMPUR , Malaysia - Malaysian authorities said Monday they found 26 Rohingya Muslims , including women and children , hiding on a northern islet after they were initially feared drowned after jumping off a fishing boat .
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency launched a search for the group after one Rohingya migrant found Saturday on the islet off the northern resort island of Langkawi told investigators that at least 24 other Rohingya were missing .
Following further interrogation , the agency found 26 Rohingya refugees hiding on the islet on Sunday , said senior agency official Zawawi Abdullah .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ women and four children , officials said .
Zawawi said the Rohingya were believed to have been transported by local fishermen from a main vessel further out at sea and let off near Langkawi so they could sneak in undetected .
The Rohingya have been detained for further investigation and will be handed to the immigration department , he said in a statement .
Two other Rohingya migrants were also arrested for suspected trafficking .
Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar due to a military crackdown , and many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bangladesh .
Muslim-dominated Malaysia has been a common destination of boats arranged by traffickers who promise the refugees a better life abroad .
Last month , Malaysian authorities detained 269 Rohingya and found a body on board a suspected smuggling boat off Langkawi that they said had been intentionally damaged so it couldn ’ t be turned back to sea .
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency later said that the 269 were transferred from a larger vessel on which dozens of people were believed to have died and their bodies thrown into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malaysia can not accept any more Rohingya refugees as it struggles with an economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
But he said those already in the country will not be sent back to sea .
Malaysia is home to over 2 million illegal immigrants as well as some 180,000 refugees and asylum seekers — including 101,000 Rohingya — who are registered with the U.N. refugee agency .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--Swimmer killed in apparent shark attack off Maine coast

HARPSWELL , Maine - A woman was killed in an apparent shark attack off the coast of Maine on Monday @ @ @ @ @ has only been recorded once before in the state by an unprovoked shark .
Maine @ @ @ @ @ saw the woman swimming off the shore of Bailey Island when she was injured in @ @ @ @ @ shark attack .
Two kayakers helped the person get to shore , and an ambulance @ @ @ @ @ she was pronounced dead at the scene , Marine Patrol said .
The name of @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
There has only been one recorded unprovoked shark attack in Maine , @ @ @ @ @ Sulikowski told the Portland Press Herald .
Sulikowski , who researches for Arizona State University @ @ @ @ @ possible the shark mistook the person for food .
The state Marine Patrol is urging @ @ @ @ @ caution near Bailey Island and to avoid swimming near schooling fish or seals .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--Vegas police to pay record $2.2M to end custody death case

LAS VEGAS - Police in Las Vegas on Monday finalized a record $ 2.2 million settlement for the family of a man who died after being chased , punched , hit with stun gun jolts and put in a neck restraint by a police officer outside a Las Vegas casino in 2017 .
A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department statement said officials hoped the payment to settle the excessive force and negligence lawsuit would bring “ closure ” to the children of 40-year-old Tashii Farmer Brown .
“ While there are still other legal matters pending , this is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the department said .
Boris Treyzon , an attorney representing the family , did not immediately respond to messages .
The settlement of the case filed in federal court was outlined July 17 pending approval by the police Fiscal Affairs Committee , and officials acknowledged it was the largest in department history .
Kenneth Lopera , the officer who used the unapproved chokehold on Brown , was fired after the department said he violated use-of-force policies .
Lopera became the first Las Vegas police officer since 1990 to face a manslaughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and uses of force drew reform recommendations in 2012 from the U.S. Justice Department .
Charges against Lopera , including oppression under colour of office , came after the Clark County coroner ruled that Brown was asphyxiated as a result of the police neck restraint .
Medical examiners noted also that Brown had an enlarged heart and methamphetamine in his system when he died .
In 2018 , criminal charges against Lopera were dropped after police union legal representatives presented evidence to a criminal grand jury that Brown ’ s death was due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The grand jury refused to indict .
A separate lawsuit filed by Brown ’ s mother , Trinita Farmer , is pending in federal court .


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--White House Rose Garden is getting a face-lift

WASHINGTON - One of the most famous gardens in America is getting a face-lift .
Melania Trump on Monday announced details of a plan already underway to spruce up the White House Rose Garden , an iconic outdoor space famous for its proximity to the Oval Office .
The current garden design has been around since the Kennedy years , but the first lady says a “ comprehensive renovation ” is needed after decades of use for weddings , state dinners and countless presidential news conferences , statements and Thanksgiving turkey pardons .
She used the Rose Garden to announce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May 2018 .
Mrs. Trump said the redesign will increase the garden ’ s “ beauty and functionality ” and blend the past with the present in “ complete harmony.
” “ Protecting the historic integrity of the White House landscape is a considerable responsibility , and we will fulfil our duty as custodians of the public trust , “ she wrote in the opening of a detailed report on the project , which is expected to be completed in about three weeks .
Early signs of the work ahead were visible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ padding had been hung to protect the West Wing colonnade , including in front of the Oval Office .
The most visually striking change to the garden will be the addition of a 3-foot ( 0.91-meter ) -wide limestone walking path bordering the central lawn , according to Perry Guillot , the landscape architect working on the project .
Less noticeable changes include improved drainage and infrastructure , and making the garden more accessible for people with disabilities .
Audiovisual , broadcasting and other technical fixes are part of the plan , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rose Garden more lately for open-air statements and news conferences in the age of coronavirus , a trend he ’ s likely to continue until the virus is brought under control and as the November presidential election nears .
Mrs. Trump said the plan will return the Rose Garden to its original 1962 footprint .
President John F. Kennedy was so inspired by the gardens he saw during a 1961 state visit to France , and other stops in Europe , that he enlisted his friend Rachel Lambert Mellon to design the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inspiration came to Mellon as she walked along New York ’ s Fifth Avenue on a cold October afternoon in 1961 , she wrote for the White House Historical Association .
First ladies are largely in charge of ensuring upkeep of the White House and its grounds , and they often endeavour to leave something behind for future presidential families to enjoy .
Michelle Obama planted a produce garden on the South Lawn that Mrs. Trump has continued .
Mrs. Trump has overseen several renovation projects , including refurbishment of Red Room wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House bowling alley .
She faced sharp criticism for announcing , around the time of the virus outbreak earlier this year , that construction had begun on a privately funded tennis pavilion on the south grounds .
She pushed back in a tweet that encouraged those “ who choose to be negative & question my work ” to “ contribute something good & productive in their own communities.
” The Rose Garden renovation plan , which is also to be paid for with private donations , has been approved by the Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which offers advice on preservation projects .
The White House did not provide a cost estimate .
Associated Press writer Jonathan Lemire contributed to this report .

Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-27--Orca who carried her dead calf for 1,000 miles is pregnant

SEATTLE - An orca known as Tahlequah , who raised worldwide concern when she carried her dead calf for 17 days and more than 1,000 miles almost two years ago , is pregnant , scientists said .
Scientists John Durban , senior scientist of Southall Environmental Associates and Holly Fearnbach , marine mammal research director for the non-profit SR3 , recently finished recording drone images of the endangered southern resident whales and discovered pregnancies amid the J , K and L pods , The Seattle Times reported .
The pregnancies are not unusual but Tahlequah ’ s pregnancy carries special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of her calf with her .
The southern residents frequent Puget Sound , are struggling to survive , and most pregnancies are not successful .
Tahlequah ’ s baby was the first for the whales in three years .
The southern residents have since had two more calves , in J pod and L pod .
Both are still alive .
The current population of the southern resident orcas is 72 .
About two-thirds of all southern resident pregnancies are typically lost , researcher Sam Wasser of the Center for Conservation Biology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Stress from hunger because of a lack of salmon is linked to the whales ’ poor reproductive success , according to his research .
Several of the juveniles in the pods also are looking thin , Fearnbach said .
“ There are stressed whales out there , critically stressed , ” she said .
Boaters should respect the whales ’ space and give them the quiet they need , Fearnbach and Durban said .
Whales use sound to hunt , and boat disturbance and underwater vessel noise is one of the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to lack of adequate , available salmon and pollution .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Moderna and Pfizer begin late-stage vaccine trials

The first large study of safety and effectiveness of a coronavirus vaccine in the United States began Monday morning , according to the National Institutes of Health and biotech company Moderna , which collaborated to develop the vaccine .
A volunteer in Savannah , Georgia , received the first shot at 6:45 a.m. , Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said at a news briefing .
The study , a Phase 3 clinical trial , will enrol 30,000 healthy people at about 89 sites around the country this summer .
Half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 28 days apart , and half will receive two shots of a saltwater placebo .
Neither the volunteers nor the medical staff giving the injections will know who will get the real vaccine .
Researchers will then monitor the subjects , looking for side effects .
And their main goal will be to see if significantly fewer vaccinated people contract COVID-19 , to determine whether the vaccine can prevent the illness .
The study will also try to find out if the vaccine can avert severe cases of COVID and death ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , based on lab tests ; and if just one shot can prevent the illness .
A second company , Pfizer , announced late Monday afternoon that it had also begun a late-stage study of a coronavirus vaccine .
Pfizer has been working with a German company , BioNTech .
Their study will also include 30,000 people , from 39 states in the United States , and from Brazil , Argentina and Germany .
The first subjects received injection at the University of Rochester on Monday .
The government announced last week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( U.S. ) deal to buy 100 million doses of Pfizer ’ s vaccine by the year ’ s end , but only if the trial proves it safe and effective .
Fauci estimated that the full enrolment of 30,000 people in the Moderna trial would be completed by the end of the summer and that results might be available by November .
Dr. Mark Mulligan , the director of the NYU Langone Vaccine Center in New York , which will begin giving injections of the Pfizer vaccine Tuesday , said he thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that it would take four to six months to determine whether the vaccine worked .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Turkey to suspend research in waters disputed with Greece

ISTANBUL - Turkey will suspend research for oil and gas exploration in disputed waters in the Eastern Mediterranean that abruptly raised military tensions with neighbouring Greece , a top Turkish official said Tuesday .
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his aides to “ be constructive and put this on hold for some time , ” presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told Turkish broadcaster CNN Turk .
Last week , Turkey announced plans to dispatch research vessel Oruc Reis and two support ships to carry out operations through Aug. 2 south of the Greek islands of Rhodes , Karpathos , and Kastellorizo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism by the United States , France , and other European countries .
NATO allies Greece and Turkey are at odds over drilling rights in the Eastern Mediterranean .
Turkey has accused Greece of trying to exclude it from the benefits of potential oil and gas finds in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean , arguing that sea boundaries for commercial exploitation should be divided between the Greek and Turkish mainlands and not include the Greek islands on an equal basis .
Athens counters that Turkey ’ s position is a violation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on their own continental shelves and conduct joint work in contested areas , ” Kalin said .
He also said that bilateral issues with Greece should be solved through dialogue rather than through threats on Turkey ’ s bid for European Union membership .
In Athens , Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas welcomed Turkey ’ s decision .
He described the latest research mission as “ illegal ” but added that he hoped the two countries could have substantive talks .
“ This is a positive development , ” Petsas told private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have open channels of communication with Turkey and to discuss the issue that has been plaguing the two sides for many decades now : The demarcation of maritime zones .
This is the issue , which of course needs the proper framework to move forward.
” The two historic regional rivals have come close to war three times since the early 1970s , including over offshore exploitation rights , ownership of an uninhabited Aegean Sea islet .
The most serious confrontation was in 1974 , when Turkey invaded the Eastern Mediterranean island nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by supporters of union with Greece .
Germany has led a diplomatic effort between the two sides , and earlier this month hosted a meeting that included Kalin and the head of the Greek prime minister ’ s diplomatic office .
The meeting , held in Berlin , was revealed several days later by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu .
___ Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--UN says Libyan authorities shot dead 3 Sudanese migrants

CAIRO - Libyan authorities shot dead three Sudanese migrants in a western coastal town who tried to escape after they were intercepted by the coast guard in the Mediterranean Sea and returned to shore , the United Nations said Tuesday .
The three were among over 70 Europe-bound migrants , mostly from Sudan , who were returned late Monday to the town of Khoms , said Safa Mselhi , a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration .
Khoms is about 120 kilometres ( 75 miles ) east of Tripoli .
The shooting underscores the perils that migrants face in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major transit point for African and Arab migrants fleeing war and poverty to Europe amid years-long chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi .
The IOM said local authorities started shooting when the migrants attempted to escape from the disembarkation point .
There was no immediate comment from the U.N.-supported government in the capital , Tripoli .
Several calls to a spokesman for the coast guard went unanswered .
Two migrants died at the site of the shooting and a third died of his wounds while being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.N. refugee agency , which called for an urgent investigation .
Two other migrants were wounded and were taken to local hospitals while survivors were moved to detention , the IOM said .
“ This is not the first time people are subjected to this senseless violence and confirms yet again that no one should be returned to Libya , ” Mselhi said .
IOM Libya Chief of Mission Federico Soda said the shooting came “ amid a lack of action to change a system that often fails to provide any degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last week , an Eritrean asylum-seeker died after arriving at the U.N. refugee centre in Tripoli from a trafficking centre in Bani Walid in the northwest , UNHCR , the U.N. human rights agency , said .
The young Eritrean arrived at the centre with another Eritrean earlier this month .
They appeared to be severely malnourished , and one died before it was possible to transport him to a hospital , the agency said .
Since June , more than 100 people have arrived in Tripoli from trafficking centres in Bani Walid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical condition and in dire need of assistance , the agency said .
In May , the family of a slain Libyan human trafficker attacked a group of migrants in a smuggling warehouse in the desert town of Mizdah , killing at least 26 Bangladeshi and four African migrants .
Most migrants in Libya attempt to make the perilous journey to European shores in ill-equipped and unsafe rubber boats .
The IOM said earlier this year its estimated death toll among migrants who tried to cross the Mediterranean passed the “ grim milestone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years , the European Union has partnered with the coast guard and other Libyan forces to stop the flow of migrants .
Rights groups say those efforts have left migrants at the mercy of brutal armed groups or confined in squalid and overcrowded detention centres that lack adequate food and water .
The EU agreed earlier this year to end an anti-migrant smuggler operation that inolved only surveillance aircraft and instead deploy military ships to concentrate on upholding a widely flouted U.N. arms embargo that ’ s considered key to winding down @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--2 arrested for attacking senator during Wisconsin protests

MADISON , Wis. - Two women have been arrested for attacking a Wisconsin state senator during a chaotic night of @ @ @ @ @ last month .
The women , ages 26 and 33 , turned themselves in Monday @ @ @ @ @ Dane County Jail , Madison police said .
Democratic Sen. Tim Carpenter was beaten after @ @ @ @ @ the night of June 23 .
His phone and glasses were taken and later returned @ @ @ @ @ a group of 200 to 300 people protested the arrest of a Black man who @ @ @ @ @ a megaphone while carrying a baseball bat .
Protesters toppled two statues outside the state @ @ @ @ @ cocktail into a government building .
Police spokesman Joel DeSpain said the two Madison women @ @ @ @ @ charges of substantial battery and robbery with use of force , the State Journal reported @ @ @ @ @ but he decided against going to the hospital .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Germany: over a quarter of population has immigrant roots

BERLIN - More than a quarter of Germany ’ s inhabitants are immigrants or have immigrant roots , according to official data for 2019 released Tuesday .
Some 21.2 million , or 26 % of the total population , have a “ migrant background , ” according to figures from a 2019 microcensus , the Federal Statistical Office said .
That is an increase of 2.1 % compared to a year earlier — the smallest percentage increase since 2011 , the office said .
The largest single group , some 13 % of all people who have a migrant background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roots there , the office said .
People with origins or roots from Poland and Russia followed .
Overall , 65 % of all immigrants have European roots .
In Germany , somebody is considered to have a “ migrant background ” if they , or at least one of their parents , were born a non-German citizen .
Some 11.1 million people , or 51 % of the total with a migrant background , were born as German citizens .
There is still a big difference between the numbers of immigrants living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northwestern city-state of Bremen has the highest immigration-rooted population — 36.5 % of the total population — while in the eastern state of Thuringia the figure is only 7.8 % .
Following the division of Germany into east and west after World War II , West Germany invited millions of so-called guest workers to help rebuild the country , many of whom stayed for good .
Relatively few foreigners were allowed to live and work in communist East Germany .
Thirty years after German unification in 1990 , these differences are still visible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with immigrant roots are still over-represented in low-paying jobs and underrepresented in professions that require an academic training .
They account for more than half , or 55 % , of cleaning workers and 30 % of geriatric care workers , but only 11 % of teachers .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--German police dig through garden in McCann investigation

BERLIN - German police investigating the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007 searched a garden plot Tuesday in the northern city of Hannover in connection with their probe , prosecutors said .
Julia Meyer , a spokeswoman for the prosecutor ’ s office in Braunschweig confirmed local media reports that police investigators had been at the site since Monday with an excavator in connection with the case .
Investigators with shovels and rakes could be seen on the plot putting possible evidence into plastic bags .
Some were wearing white overalls and others were guiding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news agency dpa reported .
“ The procedure is taking place in connection with our investigation regarding Maddie McCann , ” Meyer told The Associated Press .
Meyer said she could not give any further details on the procedure , adding only that police would “ still need some more time to finish.
” McCann was 3 at the time of her 2007 disappearance from an apartment while her family vacationed in the seaside town of Praia da Luz in Portugal ’ s Algarve region .
German authorities said last month they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect in the McCann case and are investigating him on suspicion of murder .
The suspect , who is currently in prison in Germany , spent many years in Portugal , including in Praia da Luz around the time of McCann ’ s disappearance , and has two previous convictions for “ sexual contact with girls , ” authorities have said .
Authorities have not released the suspect ’ s name , but he has been widely identified by German media as Christian B .
He was last registered living in Germany in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 70 kilometres ( 40 miles ) from Hannover .
Between 2013 and 2015 , the suspect spent time in both Portugal and Germany .
He ran a kiosk in Braunschweig and also lived in Hannover for several years , dpa reported .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine tighten regional co-operation

WARSAW , Poland - Poland , Lithuania and Ukraine on Tuesday announced a new platform for increasing co-operation in security , economy , and political matters , as well as for fighting COVID-19 .
The foreign ministers of the three neighbouring nations launched the so-called Lublin Triangle during their meeting in the eastern Polish city of Lublin .
It is meant to help their mutual ties and also their ties with the European Union and NATO .
Poland and Lithuania are EU and NATO members , while Ukraine is aspiring to join both organizations , with strong backing from its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ministers highlighted security threats to the region and condemned Russia ’ s “ aggression ” in eastern Ukraine , calling on Moscow to respect Ukraine ’ s borders and territory .
Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz hosted the talks attended also by his counterparts from Lithuania , Linas Linkevicius , and Ukraine , Dmytro Kuleba .
The countries also pledged to join up in the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic , while Czaputowicz hinted that the closing of borders might not be used in the future to prevent the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second wave of infections .
Czaputowicz cited opinions that closing borders against the virus might not be a good approach .
“ We live in a world of interdependence , we must co-operate and we hope that such radical steps as making travel to our countries impossible will not be implemented , “ Czaputowicz told a news conference following the talks .
The three ministers also visited the Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian military brigade , known by its acronym LITPOLUKRBRIG , stationed in Lublin .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller: US home prices rose 3.7% in May

WASHINGTON - U.S. home prices grew more slowly in May , but continued to show resilience in the face of @ @ @ @ @ S & P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index rose 3.7 % in in May @ @ @ @ @ a drop from a 3.9 % increase in April and a smaller gain than economists @ @ @ @ @ home prices have risen steadily despite the pandemic and lockdowns that have badly damaged the @ @ @ @ @ the way with a 9 % annual gain in home prices , followed by Seattle @ @ @ @ @ and Tampa ( up 6 % ) .
Chicago registered the smallest increase : 1.3 @ @ @ @ @ released Tuesday excluded prices from the Detroit metropolitan area index because of delays at the @ @ @ @ @ , which includes Detroit .
The Case-Shiller index is composed of a three-month average of @ @ @ @ @ month ’ s data includes figures from March , April and May .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Lebanese party leader blames Hezbollah, allies for crisis

BEIRUT - The leader of a major Christian group in Lebanon on Tuesday blamed the militant group Hezbollah and its local allies led by President Michel Aoun for the rapidly deteriorating economy and worsening relations with neighbouring Arab countries , saying the only solution is for them to leave power .
Samir Geagea , leader of the Lebanese Forces Party , told The Associated Press that Monday ’ s military activity along the border with Israel was a clear indication the current Lebanese government , which Hezbollah supports , doesn ’ t have sovereignty in the south , along Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N. peacekeepers are based .
The Israeli military said it thwarted an infiltration attempt Monday by Hezbollah militants , setting off one of the heaviest exchanges of fire along the volatile Israel-Lebanon frontier since a 2006 war between the bitter enemies .
Hezbollah denied its members were involved in any activity along the border while the Lebanese government commented only a day later .
“ Yesterday ’ s incident gives a clear idea about the state of sovereignty for the Lebanese state .
Is that acceptable ?
” Geagea said in the telephone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries want to deal with a government that considers itself nonexistent at a time when there is a security danger along its border ?
” Hezbollah and its allies of the Free Patriotic Movement of President Aoun control majority seats in parliament and are the main backers of the current government that took office earlier this year .
Prime Minister Hassan Diab replaced Western-backed Saad Hariri who resigned in October , following nationwide protests against widespread corruption and mismanagement by Lebanon ’ s rulers .
Since then , the government has struggled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the pandemic .
The government defaulted on paying back its debt for the first time in March , and the past few months have seen the Lebanese currency lose more than 80 % of its value .
The government has requested a bailout from the International Monetary Fund but negotiations with the lender that started in mid-May have stalled because of divisions within the Lebanese leadership .
Oil-rich gulf nations as well as international donors are refusing to give Lebanon a hand before major reforms are carried out within state institutions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in successive governments for the past decade and has 15 legislators in the 128-member parliament , said Lebanon received much assistance from Arab and Western countries in the past but all was wasted .
Only a new , independent government would be able to win back the international community ’ s confidence , he said .
Geagea warned the alliance between of Hezbollah and Aoun ’ s party “ has brought Lebanon to where it is and they will continue to do the same in the months to come.
” “ As long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue in the crisis .
It is a very simple and clear equation , ” Geagea said .
“ They are living on a different planet.
” The state ’ s strategic decisions are in Hezbollah ’ s hands , leading to deteriorating Lebanon ’ s relations with Arab states , he also said .
Geagea , whose party played a major role in Lebanon ’ s 1975-90 civil war , said that once Hezbollah withdraws its fighters from Yemen , Syria and Iraq , and stops implementing Iran ’ s policy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Lebanon .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--New statues stoke sensitivity between South Korea, Japan

SEOUL , KOREA , REPUBLIC OF—A pair of new statues in South Korea of a man kneeling in front of a girl symbolizing a victim of sexual slavery by Japan ’ s wartime military is the latest subject of diplomatic sensitivity between the countries , with Tokyo ’ s government spokesperson questioning whether the male figure represents the Japanese prime minister .
Kim Chang-ryeol , owner of a botanic garden in the mountain town of Pyeongchang , told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he cancelled an unveiling ceremony for the bronze statues that was to take place on Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwanted controversy .
Kim said the statues were his idea , but that he didn ’ t specifically intend the male figure to be Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe .
Since his inauguration in 2012 , Abe has stoked anger among South Koreans over his nationalistic stance on Japan ’ s wartime past and his demands that South Korea remove similar statues symbolizing sexual slavery victims in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul and other sites .
But the statues at Kim ’ s garden also drew criticism among some South Koreans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excessively provocative on social media .
Kim defended the statues , saying they reflect his wish for the countries to resolve their conflicts over history .
He didn ’ t expect the statues to trigger political debates .
“ The man could be Abe and also couldn ’ t be Abe , ” said Kim , who will keep the statues at his garden .
“ The man represents anyone in a position of responsibility who could sincerely apologize to the victims of sexual slavery , now or in the future .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father .
... That ’ s why the statues were named ‘ Eternal Atonement.
’ ’ ’ Relations between South Korea and Japan sank to their lowest point in decades last year as they allowed their decades-long disputes over wartime history to spill over into issues related to trade and military co-operation .
During a briefing in Tokyo , Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said it would be unacceptable under “ international courtesy ” if the statues ’ male figure did indeed represent Abe .
“ I think such a thing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Kim In-chul , South Korea ’ s foreign ministry spokesperson , acknowledged that countries should consider “ international comity ” in regard to foreign heads of state , but he didn ’ t provide a clear answer when asked whether private citizens should be asked to follow such practices .
Disputes over sex slaves are a legacy of Japan ’ s 1910-45 colonial occupation of the Korean Peninsula .
Historians say tens of thousands of women from around Asia , many of them Korean , were sent to front-line military brothels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War II .
Under South Korea ’ s previous conservative government , the countries attempted to settle the dispute over sexual slavery in a 2015 agreement for Tokyo to provide 1 billion yen ( $ 9 million ) to a Seoul-based foundation to help support victims .
The deal was hugely unpopular in South Korea , where many people criticized their government for settling for too little and accused Tokyo of attempting to silence the victims with money .
The liberal government of current South Korean President Moon Jae-in , who took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissolve the foundation , saying the deal lacked legitimacy because officials failed to properly communicate with the victims before reaching it .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Malaysian ex-PM Najib given 12 years in jail in 1MDB scandal

KUALA LUMPUR , Malaysia - A Malaysian court sentenced former Prime Minister Najib Razak to serve 12 years in prison on Tuesday after finding him guilty in the first of several corruption trials linked to the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund that brought down his government two years ago .
Najib was calm and stone-faced as he became the first Malaysian leader to be convicted .
He took an oath in brief remarks in the dock that he was innocent .
Judge Mohamad Nazlan Ghazali sentenced Najib to 12 years in jail on one count of abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three counts of criminal breach of trust , and 10 years each for three counts of money laundering , as well as a fine of 210 million ringgit ( $ 49.4 million ) .
But he ordered the sentences to run concurrently , meaning that Najib will face only up to 12 years in jail .
The judge allowed a stay of the jail sentence and fine pending Najib ’ s planned appeal .
But he raised the bail amount and ordered Najib to report to the police twice a month .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will continue to believe in me and believe in our struggle , ” Najib said at a news conference after the sentencing .
Najib ’ s father and uncle were Malaysia ’ s second and third prime ministers .
Shortly after he took office in 2009 , he set up 1MDB to ostensibly accelerate Malaysia ’ s economic development .
But the fund accumulated billions in debt , and U.S. investigators allege that at least $ 4.5 billion was stolen from it and laundered by Najib ’ s associates to finance Hollywood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yacht , artwork , jewelry and other extravagances .
More than $ 700 million from the fund allegedly landed in Najib ’ s bank accounts .
The judge read out an elaborate two-hour ruling on Tuesday that convicted Najib of all seven charges .
He said the sentence was ” appropriate and proportionate ” taking into account that Najib had committed the crime from a “ position of trust ” as prime minister , his final plea and the need to deter others from committing the same crime .
The ruling in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five months after Najib ’ s Malay party returned to government as the biggest bloc in an alliance that took power from the reformist government that ousted Najib ’ s in 2018 elections .
Analysts said the ruling would bolster the prosecution ’ s case in Najib ’ s other trials and would signal to the business community that Malaysia ’ s legal system has strength in tackling international financial crimes .
But others cautioned the ruling could be overturned as his political party remains in office .
Prosecutors earlier said the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sought a sentence that would remind those in high public office that “ no one is above the law.
” Najib asked the court to take into account his achievements during his nine-year tenure and gave an oath that he wasn ’ t aware of the 42 million ringgit ( $ 9.8 million ) channeled into his bank accounts from SRC International , a former unit of 1MDB .
“ I did not demand the 42 million , I did not plan for the 42 million , nor was the 42 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no evidence nor witness to this .
And I also like to say that I have no knowledge of the 42 million , “ Najib insisted .
Some of Najib ’ s supporters outside the courthouse cried when they learned of the verdict while others chanted “ free bossku ” and “ long live bossku.
“ The nickname meaning “ my boss ” was coined for Najib in his social media campaign to reinvent himself as a working-class leader .
Najib , 67 , has vowed to fight to the end .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankers and the case against him is political .
“ I want justice .
I want to clear my name , “ he wrote on Facebook late Monday .
“ After this , we will go to the Court of Appeal .
I am ready.
” He faces 42 charges in five separate trials .
“ The conviction would serve as a solid foundation for the prosecution in ensuing 1MDB-related trials , ” said Oh Ei Sun , a senior fellow with Singapore ’ s Institute of International Affairs .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin , even though he now relies on Najib ’ s party for support .
Muhyiddin was fired as Najib ’ s deputy exactly five years ago for speaking out on the 1MDB scandal .
Najib ’ s party is the biggest bloc in the current Malay nationalist alliance that has governed since March with a shaky , wafer-thin majority in parliament .
The ruling was “ absolutely ” good for Malaysia , said analyst Bridget Welsh , honorary research associate with the University of Nottingham Malaysia .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of euphoria among the citizens that justice is being served , among the majority of Malaysians , ” Welsh said .
“ Keep in mind that majority of Malaysians voted ( in 2018 ) for political change , and the 1MDB case was a catalyst in that .
The 1MDB case damaged Malaysia ’ s reputation , and I think today worked towards restoring that.
” During the trial , Najib was accused of using his position to receive a bribe for approving a government guarantee for billions in loans to SRC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceeds from unlawful activities .
Evidence showed a complex trail of ill-gotten money paid for his home renovation , credit card purchases including a Chanel watch bought in Hawaii as a birthday gift for his wife , and disbursements to political parties .
The judge agreed with prosecutors on Tuesday that Najib had “ overarching control ” of SRC and failed to rebut allegations that he misappropriated money for his own use .
The judge said the defence ’ s argument that Najib , as prime minister , was duped by rogue bankers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jho was “ too far-fetched “ as the two had a close relationship .
Investigators have identified Low as the mastermind behind the looting of 1MDB and he remains at large .
Najib testified he assumed the money was part of a donation by the Saudi royal family arranged by Low as a guise to keep Najib from being suspicious of his plundering of the 1MDB fund .
The judge debunked that argument in the guilty verdict , finding it an “ elaborate but weak fabrication.
” Najib ’ s second and third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ongoing .
His wife and several officials from his party and previous government have also been charged with graft related to 1MDB corruption .
“ People should not really be celebrating now ... we know in Malaysia , many of these politically charged cases , once they get to the appeals court , they get reversed , “ said James Chin , professor of Asian studies at Australia ’ s University of Tasmania .
“ So the fact that we have today ’ s guilty verdict doesn ’ t mean things will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MP ( member of parliament ) and we have to wait for the appeal court system , “ Chin added .
Prosecutors said they expect the appeals process to be completed within a year .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Danish prince recovering after France brain surgery

COPENHAGEN - Prince Joachim , the younger son of Queen Margrethe of Denmark , who underwent emergency surgery for a blood clot in his brain won ’ t suffer any long-term effects , the royal palace said Tuesday .
The 51-year-old prince , who had been on vacation in France , was admitted to the Toulouse University Hospital late Friday and was operated on early Saturday .
“ The blood clot in the brain was due to a sudden dissection of an artery , and the hospital ’ s medical team assesses that the risk of recurrence is very small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lene Balleby , a spokeswoman for the royal household , said in a statement .
“ It is the doctors ’ assessment that Prince Joachim will not have any physical effects or other injuries as a result of the blood clot , ” Balleby said .
“ Prince Joachim is expected to be moved out of the intensive care unit as soon as possible but will continue to be hospitalized for some time to come.
” Joachim married Marie Cavallier , with whom he has two children , in 2008 , and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two children from his first marriage to Hong-Kong born Alexandra Manley , who became Countess of Frederiksborg after their divorce in 2005 , the first split in nearly 160 years in Europe ’ s oldest monarchy .
Joachim is sixth in the line to Denmark ’ s throne after his elder brother , Crown Prince Frederik , and his brother ’ s four children .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Fresh comedy faces, ‘Modern Family’ farewell seek Emmy nods

LOS ANGELES - “ The Morning Show “ and “ Ramy ” are among the series vying for Emmy nominations as TV ’ s top honours strive to keep Hollywood ’ s awards tradition going despite the pandemic .
The 72nd prime-time Emmys are the first major entertainment honours to unfold amid the coronavirus ’ disruption , and Tuesday ’ s virtual announcement makes clear how much improvising is required .
The nominations , typically unveiled with fanfare at the TV academy ’ s Los Angeles headquarters , will be announced online Tuesday by host Leslie Jones ( “ Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cox ( “ Orange is the New Black ” ) , Josh Gad ( “ Frozen ” ) and Tatiana Maslany ( “ Orphan Black ” ) .
Last year ’ s best series winners “ Game of Thrones ” and “ Fleabag ” called it a wrap , clearing the path for others to prevail .
With the downtime forced on academy TV voters by the virus , the field could include underdogs that benefited from more attention .
Something else to look for : Whether recent social justice tumult affects the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender inclusivity in nominations and awards .
On the drama side , “ The Morning Show ” is aiming for best series and actress bids for Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon .
It ’ s the flagship entry from Apple TV+ , one of the new kids on the increasingly competitive streaming block .
“ The Handmaid ’ s Tale , ” which took the best drama trophy in 2017 , is vying for its third nomination in the category .
“ Big Little Lies , ” last year ’ s winner for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drama series nod for its second season .
Among the previously nominated drama contenders asking for more : “ Succession ” ; “ Better Call Saul ” ; “ The Crown ” ; “ Ozark ” ; “ Stranger Things ” ; “ Westworld “ ; “ This Is Us ” ; “ Pose , ” and the eighth and final season of past winner ” Homeland.
” The comedy categories hold the promise of fresh faces , including the Muslim American series “ Ramy.
” Its star and co-creator , Ramy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January for his performance .
Others seeking their first top comedy nod include the female-led comedies “ Insecure ” ; “ Dead to Me ” ; “ Better Things ” and “ The Great , ” with past winner “ The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ” also in the running .
Previous nominees “ Schitt ’ s Creek , “ “ The Good Place ” and “ Silicon Valley ” are pursuing recognition for their farewell seasons , as is “ Modern Family ” — which aired for 11 seasons and has five wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record it shares with “ Frasier.
” The Emmy Awards , hosted by Jimmy Kimmel , will be presented Sept. 20 on ABC .


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Depp lawyer says Amber Heard lied during tabloid libel case

LONDON - Johnny Depp ’ s libel case against a British tabloid that accused him of abusing ex-wife Amber Heard was wrapping up Tuesday , with the star ’ s lawyer insisting Depp had never hit a woman and branding Heard “ a compulsive liar.
” The “ Pirates of the Caribbean ” star is suing News Group Newspapers , publisher of The Sun , and the newspaper ’ s executive editor , Dan Wootton , at the High Court in London over an April 2018 article that called him a “ wife-beater.
” In closing arguments at the three-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Sherborne , said the actor strongly denied “ this reputation-destroying , career-ending allegation.
” “ He has never hit a woman in his entire life -- period , full stop , nada , “ Sherborne said .
Judge Andrew Nicol will retire later to consider his verdict .
He is expected to hand down his ruling in several weeks .
WHAT IS THE JUDGE DECIDING ?
Neither Depp nor Heard is on trial , though it has been easy to forget that during a case that dissected their toxic celebrity love affair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil case , NGN and Wootton are the defendants and Heard is their main witness .
To defeat Depp ’ s libel claim , the newspaper must persuade the judge that , on the balance of probabilities , its story was accurate .
NGN ’ s lawyer , Sasha Wass , said in her summing-up that there was no doubt Depp “ regularly and systematically abused his wife “ and so the “ wife-beater ” label was justified .
But Sherborne said The Sun ’ s article — which urged J.K. Rowling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her book “ Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them “ — gave the false impression Depp had been “ tried , convicted and sentenced ” for domestic violence .
“ Acting as both judge and jury , the defendants plainly and squarely state that Mr. Depp is guilty ( of a ) series of serious and violent criminal offences , “ he said .
WHAT IS IN DISPUTE ?
The two sides agree that the relationship between Depp and Heard , which began after they met on the set of 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soured long before they divorced in 2017 .
Texts , emails and recordings attest to the increasingly bitter relations between Depp , now 57 , and the 34-year-old model and actress .
But they disagree completely over who started and escalated their fights .
Heard claims Depp turned into a violent alter ego he called “ The Monster ” under the influence of alcohol and drugs .
She alleges 14 separate incidents in which he hit , slapped and shoved her , pulled her hair and threw bottles at her “ like grenades.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heard with black eyes , red marks on her face and an injured scalp — alleged evidence of Depp ’ s violence .
Depp called the allegations a “ hoax ” and claimed that Heard hit him , even severing the tip of his finger with a thrown vodka bottle .
Under cross-examination Depp admitted headbutting Heard during a tussle , but said it was by accident as he tried to stop her punching him .
Heard acknowledged having a short temper and said she punched Depp once in March 2015 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitting her sister .
Sherborne accused Heard of repeatedly changing her story as the case went on .
He said she was “ a wholly unreliable witness and frankly a compulsive liar — and I don ’ t say that lightly.
“ WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ?
The trial has provided an up-close and often unflattering look at Hollywood stardom , revealing details of Depp ’ s life of wealth , luxury , emotional turmoil and substance abuse .
Depp acknowledged heavy drug use , saying he took marijuana , cocaine , ecstasy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to opioid painkillers .
But he denied drugs made him violent .
The couple ’ s relationship disintegrated against a glamorous international backdrop .
Depp ’ s private island in the Bahamas , a Los Angeles penthouse , a luxury train and a private jet were all locations for violence , according to Heard .
Depp said in the witness box that he had made $ 650 million since he joined the lucrative “ Pirates of the Caribbean ” franchise — and ended up $ 100 million in debt after his financial advisers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
Friends described Depp as a generous big spender , and he said he ’ d spent $ 5 million sending the ashes of his literary hero , drug-fueled journalist Hunter S. Thompson , into space .
The couple ’ s relationship also left a costly trail of destruction .
Damage to a rented house in Australia after one altercation was estimated at more than $ 100,000 .
The couple ’ s downtown L.A. penthouse was trashed during another argument .
At one point , excrement was left in their bed — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is disputed .
WHO ARE THE WINNERS AND LOSERS ?
British libel law is widely considered to favour claimants over defendants , but Depp could end up a loser even if he wins .
Depp said he sued The Sun because his career had been harmed by Heard ’ s allegations .
But the lawsuit has given the claims a huge global audience .
“ It almost beggars belief that anyone rational has taken this case to court , ” said Mark Stephens , a media lawyer at legal firm Howard Kennedy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people say it ’ s all about vindication .
It ’ s all about proving he ’ s not a wife beater .
But the stakes are very , very high for everybody .
And at some level , mud sticks.
” Heard also has had her character questioned and has been accused of fabricating evidence .
A # MeToo activist , Katherine Kendall , alleged that Heard appropriated a violent rape that happened to Kendall for her own ends .
The most likely winners are Wass and Sherborne , tough lawyers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sherborne also has a starring role in another big celebrity trial — he ’ s representing the Duchess of Sussex in her lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday newspaper over publication of a private letter to her father Thomas Markle .
WILL THE VERDICT BE THE END OF THE STORY ?
Not likely .
Depp is suing Heard for $ 50 million in Virginia over a Washington Post story about domestic violence .
The trial is due to be held next year .
Stephens said that if Depp “ loses in London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose that American case .
So this is in some ways a dress rehearsal for the second case .
”

Jill Lawless And Danica Kirka - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Tenor Bocelli, who had COVID, says lockdown humiliated him

ROME - Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli , who had COVID-19 , said the pandemic lockdown made him feel “ humiliated and offended ” by depriving him of his freedom to come and go as he wanted .
Bocelli spoke at a panel Monday in a Senate conference room , where he was introduced by right-wing opposition leader Matteo Salvini , who has railed against the government ’ s stringent measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
The singer ’ s announcement in May that he had recovered from the virus came weeks after his Easter Sunday performance in Milan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bocelli said that when he learned on March 10 that he had tested positive , just as the nation was going into lockdown , “ I jumped into the pool , I felt well ” and had only a slight fever .
He apparently was referring to a private pool at his residence , as public gym pools were closed by then .
Bocelli told the conference at the Senate that he resented not being able to leave his home even though he “ committed no crime ” and revealed , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown restriction .
At the height of lockdown , Italians could only leave home to go to essential jobs , walk dogs or buy food or medicine .
Dismayed , Health Ministry Undersecretary Pierpaolo Sileri on Tuesday said that perhaps Bocelli “ wanted to express the inconvenience of every Italian who , because of lockdown , stayed home.
” “ I wouldn ’ t have said those words , but I imagine he ’ ll be able to explain it somehow , ” Sileri added .
The conference was held on the eve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate , set for later Tuesday , where he was expected to lay out his centre-left government ’ s case for extending a state of emergency for the pandemic , which expires on July 31 .
The emergency status allowed Conte to bypass Parliament or even his Cabinet in decreeing a string of measures aimed at slowing the spread of the outbreak in the country where it first emerged in Europe , and would go on to claim more than 35,000 lives .
Bocelli told the conference that at first his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus when he first started having doubts about its severity , “ but as time passed , I know lots of people , but I didn ’ t know anyone who went into intensive care.
” At the worst point of the outbreak , as many as 4,000 people were in intensive care in Italy , a country of 60 million , with several hundred virus-linked deaths on some days .