thetorontostar--2020-05-01--Epstein frequented Harvard, had own office, report finds

CAMBRIDGE , Mass .
- Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein visited Harvard University ’ s campus more than 40 times after his 2008 sex crimes conviction and was given his own office and unfettered access to a research centre he helped establish , according to a review of his ties to the school .
The review , completed at the request of Harvard ’ s president , also found that the university accepted more than $ 9 million from Epstein during the decade leading up to his conviction but barred him from making further donations after that point .
About $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school said , and will be given to groups that support victims of sexual violence .
The report found that while Harvard ’ s top leaders cut ties with Epstein in 2008 , he maintained close ties with Martin Nowak , a math professor and director of the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics , a research centre created in 2003 with $ 6.5 million from Epstein .
Nowak gave Epstein an office at the program ’ s building in Harvard Square , the review found , and circumvented campus security rules to grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlimited ” access to the facility .
Epstein frequently visited Office 610 , which was known as “ Jeffrey ’ s Office , ” and met with scholars to hear about their work , the review found .
He brought his own rug and hung his own photos on the wall .
Nowak argued that the office was Epstein ’ s in name only , the report says , but others in the building said it was commonly known to be reserved for the financier .
Harvard announced Friday that Nowak had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review allegations of misconduct detailed in the report .
A message seeking comment was left with Nowak .
“ We do not take this step lightly , but the seriousness of the matter leads us to believe it is not appropriate for Professor Nowak to continue in his role , ” wrote Claudine Gay , dean of Harvard ’ s Faculty of Arts and Sciences .
Epstein killed himself in his New York City prison cell in August after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges .
He had pleaded not guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and young women in New York and Florida in the early 2000s .
In lawsuits , women say the abuse spanned decades .
Among other allegations against Nowak , the report alleged that he allowed his program ’ s website to be used to burnish Epstein ’ s reputation after his 2008 conviction .
In 2013 , at the request of Epstein ’ s publicist , Nowak agreed to post links to the financier ’ s websites , which had flattering descriptions of Epstein and made false claims about his level of giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nowak is also accused of devoting a page on the program ’ s website to Epstein , also at the request of the financier ’ s publicist .
There ’ s no evidence that Harvard ’ s top officials knew about the postings , the report says .
Epstein ’ s page on the website was removed in 2014 after Harvard received complaints from a sexual assault survivor ’ s group .
The report concludes that Harvard ’ s senior leaders acted appropriately in their dealings with Epstein .
Former President Drew Faust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his conviction , the review says , and a university dean rejected a 2013 request from some faculty to reconsider the decision , saying it would be inconsistent with Harvard ’ s values .
Some professors beyond Nowak appear to have enjoyed close ties with Epstein , the review found .
The report says “ a number ” of faculty members visited Epstein at his homes in New York , Florida , New Mexico and the Virgin Islands .
Some said they visited him in jail or took trips on his planes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity , the report said , and do not appear to violate Harvard rules .
In total , Epstein made more than 20 donations to Harvard , the largest of which was the $ 6.5 million to Nowak ’ s research group .
Smaller shares supported faculty research in psychology , economics , art and education .
Although his gifts were blocked after 2008 , the report found that Harvard accepted $ 736,000 between his arrest and conviction .
Most went to Harvard ’ s medical school , while $ 150,000 went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harvard President Lawrence Bacow called for the review in September 2019 amid public outcry over the university ’ s relationship with Epstein .
Other schools have faced similar scrutiny , including nearby Massachusetts Institute of Technology , which revealed in January that Epstein donated $ 750,000 and visited the campus at least nine times after his conviction .
The former director of MIT ’ s famed Media Lab , Joi Ito , resigned last year amid uproar over his ties to Epstein .
He issued a public apology and vowed to raise money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s report urges the university to develop clearer procedures for reviewing “ potentially controversial gifts , ” and for enforcing bans on certain donors .
Bacow said he has instructed top officials to implement the suggestions as soon as possible .
“ We will always do our best to improve , ” Bacow said in a campus message on Friday .
“ The report issued today describes principled decision-making but also reveals institutional and individual shortcomings that must be addressed — not only for the sake of the university but also in recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring Epstein to justice .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--UN: COVID-19 deaths for people over 80 are 5 times average

TANZANIA , Tanzania - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing “ untold fear and suffering ” for older people around the world who are dying at a higher rate , and especially for those over age 80 , whose fatality rate is five times the global average .
The U.N. chief said that beyond the health risks , “ the pandemic is putting older people at greater risk of poverty , ” with an especially devastating impact on the elderly in developing countries .
Guterres issued a 16-page policy briefing on the impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages , most importantly that “ no person , young or old , is expendable ” and “ older people have the same rights to life and health as everyone else.
” The secretary-general , who celebrated his 71st birthday Thursday , said : “ As an older person myself , with responsibility for an even older mother , I am deeply concerned about the pandemic on a personal level , and about its effects on our communities and societies.
“ He called for improved social support and “ smarter efforts ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who may face great suffering because of isolation and restrictions on their movements .
Guterres said all social , economic and humanitarian responses to the pandemic must take the needs of older people into account , noting that the majority are women who are more likely to enter their later years in poverty , without access to health care .
He also said older people must not be treated as “ invisible or powerless , ” pointing out that many are working and fully engaged in family life , teaching , learning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through this pandemic together , we need a surge in global and national solidarity and the contributions of all members of society , including older people , ” Guterres said in a video message accompanying the policy report that also stressed the importance of building “ age-friendly societies.
” The report warns that not only are those over 80 dying at five times the average rate from the new coronavirus but “ an estimated 66 % of people aged 70 and over have at least one underlying condition , placing them at increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the report , over 95 % of fatalities due to COVID-19 in Europe have been people 60 and older .
In the United States , 80 % of deaths are among adults 65 and over , it said , and in China , approximately 80 % of deaths occurred among adults aged 60 or older .
The report warned that “ the mortality rate for older persons could climb even higher ” as COVID-19 spreads to developing countries , “ likely overwhelming health and social protection systems.
” In the midst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , overburdened hospitals and medical facilities face difficult decisions around the use of scarce resources .
Human rights experts have noted with concern that decisions about using these resources , including ventilators , “ have in some cases been made based on age , or on generalized assumptions about the impact of a particular diagnosis , such as dementia , on overall health , life expectancy or chances of survival , ” the report said .
“ Less visible but no less worrisome , ” it said , “ are the broader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrelated to COVID-19 ; neglect and abuse in institutions and care facilities ; an increase in poverty and unemployment ; the dramatic impact on well-being and mental health ; and the trauma of stigma and discrimination .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-05-01--Oklahoma AG refiles opioid litigation in rural county

DURANT , Okla. - Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter refiled lawsuits Friday against three opioid distributors in one of the @ @ @ @ @ hardest by the opioid epidemic .
The litigation previously filed as one case in Cleveland @ @ @ @ @ separate cases in Bryan County in southeast Oklahoma against AmerisourceBergen Corp. , Cardinal Health and @ @ @ @ @ three companies were responsible for supplying nearly 70 % of the pain pills distributed in @ @ @ @ @ 2014 .
Messages seeking comment left Friday afternoon with all three companies weren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ secured a $ 465 million judgment against consumer products giant Johnson & Johnson in the @ @ @ @ @ an opioid manufacturer .
That case is currently on appeal .
He also secured multimillion-dollar @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s opioid crisis .
From 2007 to 2017 , more than 4,600 @ @ @ @ @ opioid overdoses , state statistics show .


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--Trump’s new press secretary pledges not to lie from podium

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s new spokeswoman , Kayleigh McEnany , vowed Friday not to lie to reporters from the podium as she made her debut at the first White House briefing by a press secretary in more than a year .
“ I will never lie to you , ” McEnany told reporters .
“ You have my word on that.
” But the briefing that followed included several misstatements and mischaracterizations nonetheless .
McEnany , who joined the White House last month , took the stage behind a podium that had quite literally been collecting cobwebs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding his own daily briefings because of the coronavirus .
McEnany said she spends most of the day with the president and is “ constantly with him , absorbing his thinking.
” She said she sees it as her “ mission to bring you the mindset of the president , deliver those facts , so this president gets fair and accurate reporting and the American people get fair and accurate information.
“ During past administrations , a formal briefing by a White House press secretary would hardly be news .
But it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 , when Sarah Sanders took to the podium for the first time in more than a month and was pressed on comments Trump reportedly made at a fundraiser claiming that Democrats hated Jewish people .
Sanders left her post that summer , and her successor , Stephanie Grisham , never held a briefing during her entire nine-month tenure .
The briefings were must-see TV during the early days of the Trump administration , when viewers would tune in to see Trump ’ s first press secretary , Sean Spicer , spar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , who sees himself as his best spokesman , communications director and strategist , came to the conclusion last year that the spectacle had diminishing returns , people close to him said at the time .
The White House has long made the case that the briefings are less important in the Trump administration because the president is so accessible , answering reporters ’ questions on an often-daily basis .
Trump had been holding his own daily briefings through much of the pandemic , but scaled back this week amid concerns that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the White House tries to pivot toward a focus on reopening .
Spicer got off to a contentious early start with reporters when he used his first press briefing to falsely claim that Trump ’ s inauguration had drawn the biggest crowd ever .
Sanders ’ briefings were also heated , and she drew criticism for her own false statements , despite once telling reporters , “ I don ’ t think it ’ s appropriate to lie from the podium or any other place.
“ McEnany took a more genial approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter in the room at least once and avoiding personal attacks .
Still , she made clear she was there to defend the president and grew more adamant as she brought up newly released documents related to former national security adviser Michael Flynn that she said should “ scare every American citizen.
“ Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to the FBI .
“ We have a handwritten FBI note that says , quote , ‘ We need to get Flynn to lie , ’ quote , ‘ And get him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But that ’ s not what it said .
The message , included on a page of handwritten notes that appeared to recap an internal debate about how best to approach Flynn , reads : “ What ’ s our goal ?
Truth/admission or to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” The notes also say : “ If we ’ re seen as playing games , WH will be furious .
Protect our institution by not playing games.
” McEnany also deflected questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Trump over the years after his likely Democratic challenger , former Vice-President Joe Biden , on Friday emphatically denied allegations from a former Senate staffer that he sexually assaulted her in the early 1990s .
“ The president has swiftly denied all of these allegations that were raised four years ago , “ McEnany said .
“ He has always told the truth on these issues .
He ’ s denied them immediately , ” she said , adding that “ the American people had their say in the matter when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States.
” At least one new allegation , however , has surfaced since then .
McEnany ’ s performance drew praise from other Republicans who have held the job , including Spicer , who called it a “ Great debut.
” Ari Fleischer , press secretary for President George W. Bush , said being a successful presidential spokesperson requires both substance and style .
“ It matters how you come across on TV , ” Fleischer said on Fox News Channel after the briefing .
“ On the substance , she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boy , is she articulate.
“ He added : “ On the style , I mean she was just comfortable .
You always listen for : Is there a hiccup in the voice ?
Is she nervous ?
Is there something about being in that room where you think the pressure might get to her ?
She was cool and calm throughout it all.
” Trump and his new chief of staff , Mark Meadows , shook up the White House communications team in early April , at the height of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the titles of both press secretary and White House communications director , rejoined the first lady ’ s office in a new role as Melania Trump ’ s chief of staff .
Grisham , who succeeded Sanders and Spicer , was arguably the nation ’ s least visible press secretary in modern history .
While she made occasional appearances on Fox News Channel , she preferred to tape her interviews in a studio to avoid having to speak to reporters who gather on the White House driveway to interview officials after they appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the executive mansion .

Jill Colvin And Deb Riechmann - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--Riot hits Venezuelan prison; wounded warden among casualties

CARACAS , Venezuela - A riot erupted at a prison in central Venezuela on Friday , leaving about 20 casualties , including a National Guard officer who was wounded by an explosion and the warden , who suffered a knife wound , authorities said .
Officials indicated there were some deaths , but gave no figures .
The violence at the Llanos Penitentiary Center resulted in an armed confrontation between inmates and guards , lawmaker María Beatriz Martínez told The Associated Press .
It was unclear what sparked the violent unrest .
Martínez said she did not have exact figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison , which is in the city of Guanare , 450 kilometres ( 280 miles ) south-west of the capital of Caracas .
The National Guard officer was injured by a grenade explosion , said Martínez , who had access to an early report prepared by the town ’ s security forces .
Venezuela ’ s minister of penitentiary services , Iris Varela , confirmed the riot , telling the local newspaper Ultimas Noticias that a group of inmates attacked officers standing guard outside the prison .
The warden was injured by at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Varela said .
A once-wealthy oil nation , Venezuela is gripped by a deepening political and economic crisis .
Street violence is common in the nation that has had nearly 5 million residents flee in recent years as public services crumble .
Venezuela has roughly 30 prisons and 500 jails that can holds an estimated 110,000 inmates .
Human rights officials say the prisons are violent and badly overcrowded , with gangs that traffic weapons and drugs in control .
A similar riot occurred a year ago in a nearby jail also in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates died at a police jail that housed several hundred detainees .
Violence broke out when armed inmates objected to officers entering the jail .


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--Abortion clinic challenges Arkansas coronavirus testing rule

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
- Arkansas ’ only surgical abortion clinic on Friday challenged a state rule requiring coronavirus tests before elective surgeries , saying it ’ s preventing women from having the procedure .
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas , which represents Little Rock Family Planning Services , asked a federal judge to prevent the state from enforcing the requirement on three women nearing the state ’ s limit on when abortions can be performed .
The clinic had been prohibited from performing abortions under a rule that banned elective procedures during the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state requires a negative coronavirus test within 48 hours of the procedure .
According to the lawsuit , the clinic has contacted more than 15 testing locations but has been unable to find that will test asymptomatic people and able to have results within 48 hours .
The ACLU said one of the three patients was recently tested twice but did not get her results within 48 hours of her procedure .
“ The directive ’ s rapid-testing requirement not only is a substantial barrier to pre-viability abortion care in itself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care in Arkansas , “ the lawsuit said .
“ This requirement is consistent with that public health emergency and applies across the board to all elective procedures , “ Hutchinson said .
Other states had used similar bans on elective procedures to restrict abortions during the pandemic .
A judge last month had blocked the state ’ s order that Little Rock Family Planning Services stop performing surgical abortions , but a federal appeals court lifted that decision .


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--`Like I just got out of jail!’: States ease their lockdowns

GRETNA , La .
- More than a dozen states let restaurants , stores or other businesses reopen Friday in the biggest one-day push yet to get their economies up and running again , acting at their own speed and with their own quirks and restrictions to make sure the coronavirus doesn ’ t come storming back .
People in Louisiana could eat at restaurants again but had to sit outside at tables 10 feet ( 3 metres ) apart with no waiter service .
Maine residents could attend church services as long as they stayed in their cars .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ barriers and hand-sanitizing stations but few shoppers .
“ I feel like I just got out of jail !
” accountant Joy Palermo exclaimed as she sat down with a bacon-garnished bloody Mary at the Gretna Depot Cafe outside New Orleans .
Meanwhile , the first drug shown to help fight COVID-19 won emergency approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
In a major study , remdesivir shortened patients ’ recovery time from 15 days to 11 on average and may have also reduced deaths .
The virus has killed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 64,000 in the U.S. and more than 20,000 each in Italy , Britain , France and Spain , forcing lockdowns that have shuttered factories and businesses , thrown tens of millions out of work and throttled the world ’ s economies .
President Donald Trump said Friday that he ’ s hoping the total number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States will be below 100,000 , which he acknowledged is a “ horrible number.
” Trump ’ s predictions of the expected U.S. death toll have changed over time , with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he said at a White House event that “ maybe millions of lives ” have been saved by shutting down the economy .
With the crisis stabilizing in Europe and in many places in the U.S. , countries and states are gradually easing their restrictions amid warnings from health experts that a second wave of infections could hit unless testing for the virus is expanded dramatically .
In much of Colorado , people could get their hair cut and shop at stores again , though stay-at-home orders remained in place in Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nail salons , gyms and daycare centres reopen .
In Maine , golf courses , hairdressers and dentists opened .
Hotels near South Carolina beaches opened and state parks unlocked their gates for the first time in more than a month .
But in Myrtle Beach , the state ’ s most popular tourist destination , hotel elevators will be restricted to one person or one family — a potential inconvenience at the area ’ s 15- and 20-story resorts .
Texas ’ reopening got underway with sparse crowds at shopping malls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though only at 25 % capacity .
A video posted on social media showed a city park ranger in Austin getting shoved into the water Thursday while asking people in a crowd to keep 6 feet ( 2 metres ) apart from each other .
Police charged a 25-year-old man with attempted assault .
At Gattuso ’ s Restaurant in Gretna , Louisiana , Kent and Doris Alimia and their daughters , Molly and Emily , celebrated Molly Alimia ’ s 22nd birthday at one of the outdoor tables , which were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet high .
“ It ’ s a nice change of scenery to actually get out of the house , ” Molly Alimia said .
Outside Omaha , Nebraska , Jasmine Ramos was among a half-dozen shoppers wandering the open-air Nebraska Crossing mall .
Most wore masks .
“ I do think it ’ s a little soon , but it ’ s kind of slow and there aren ’ t a lot of people here , so I ’ m not too worried , ” Ramos said .
Restrictions were still in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and health officials didn ’ t stop Debbie Thompson from serving food Friday inside her Horseshoe Cafe in Wickenburg , a town of 6,300 people about 65 miles ( 105 kilometres ) west of Phoenix .
Cheered on by a few customers , Thompson was not arrested , but she later received a call from the state Department of Health Services telling her to stop violating Gov .
Doug Ducey ’ s stay-at-home order .
Around the country , protesters have demanded governors reboot the battered economy .
More than 100 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago ’ s Thompson Center , where Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has an office , to call for an end to the statewide lockdown .
New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham invoked the state ’ s Riot Control Act as she sealed off all roads to nonessential traffic in the city of Gallup , population 70,000 , to help control a surging coronavirus outbreak in the former trading post on the outskirts of the Navajo reservation.
“ In the hardest-hit corner of the U.S. , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the rest of the academic year .
In Washington state , where the nation ’ s first COVID-19 case was confirmed in January , Gov .
Jay Inslee said Friday that he is extending the state ’ s coronavirus stay-at-home order through at least May 31 and that he will ease the restrictions in four stages .
Washington also had the first deadly cluster of cases in the U.S. , at a Seattle-area nursing home .
Elsewhere around the world , Beijing ’ s Forbidden City , the imperial palace turned museum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest tourist attractions , started welcoming visitors again , and Bangladesh began reopening factories .
Across Europe and Asia , millions of workers marked May Day , or international labour day , struggling without jobs or worried they don ’ t have enough workplace protections against the virus .
In the U.S. , Shani and Sergei Oveson were excited to resume dine-in seating at their small Salt Lake City restaurant , which has seen an 85 % drop in sales since mid-March .
Their place , the Ramen Bar , had only half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements .
“ We ’ re really excited to be open , but at the same time we ’ re scared that the virus will reignite and we ’ ll have to close again , which would be so hard for us , ” Shani Oveson said .
“ Owning your own business can be so scary financially , we have to risk getting sick to survive.
” Schulte reported from Gretna , Nebraska .
AP journalists around the world contributed to this report .

Janet McConnaughey And Grant Schulte - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--Black robes or bathrobes? Virus alters high court traditions

WASHINGTON - The coronavirus pandemic is forcing big changes at the tradition-bound Supreme Court .
The justices will hear arguments this month by telephone for the first time since Alexander Graham Bell patented his invention in 1876 .
Audio of the arguments will be broadcast live by the news media , another first .
This will be just the second time that the justices will meet outside the court since the Supreme Court building opened in 1935 .
( The discovery of anthrax in a court mailroom in 2001 forced a temporary relocation to another federal courthouse less than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Monday , and the court will hear a total of 10 cases over six days .
Among the cases to be argued : President Donald Trump ’ s bid to keep certain financial records private and whether presidential electors are required to cast their Electoral College ballots for the candidate who won their state .
Here are a few things to know ahead of the arguments : Supreme Court arguments are generally freewheeling affairs , with rapid-fire questions coming at advocates .
That often means the justices trip over each other trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , the justices will ask questions in order of seniority , with Chief Justice John Roberts going first and Justice Brett Kavanaugh , the last to speak .
Doing things in seniority order is routine at the court .
The justices sit according to the length of their court service both at the bench and when they meet for private conferences , where discussion also proceeds in seniority order .
One justice you probably won ’ t hear much from is Clarence Thomas , who is the longest-serving member of the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he ’ s said he thinks his colleagues interrupt the lawyers before them too much .
Before taking the bench , the justices gather just behind the courtroom to put on their black robes and shake hands , another tradition upended by the virus outbreak .
But with no one to see them , they could just as easily wear their bathrobes .
The same goes for lawyers who argue before the Supreme Court .
Appropriate court attire for lawyers , the court says , is “ conservative business dress in traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or charcoal gray .
Sweatpants come in those colours , don ’ t they ?
Meanwhile , the Justice Department says the government ’ s lawyers will wear their traditional long-tailed formal morning coats and present their arguments from the conference room of the solicitor general , the government ’ s top Supreme Court lawyer .
Five minutes before the justices take the bench , a buzzer sounds in the courtroom .
It sounds again right before they emerge from behind the courtroom ’ s red velvet curtains .
No warnings are likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it ’ s not as though the lawyers need any .
They ’ ll get a call at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time , 30 minutes before arguments begin .
And right at 10 , the court ’ s marshal , Pamela Talkin , will call the court to order .
It ’ s possible there will be some variation on her usual cry that begins with the phrase “ Oyez !
Oyez !
Oyez !
” Another courtroom cue will be missing .
Typically lawyers arguing before the court get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expire : a white light that goes on at the podium where they are arguing .
A red light goes on when it ’ s time to stop talking .
“ Arguing counsel have been encouraged to keep their own time for argument , so that they can independently determine how much time is remaining , ” court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said .
Chief Justice William Rehnquist used to cut lawyers off mid-sentence when the red light went on .
Roberts is more lenient , and this month , he will thank lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signalling that they should wrap up with a sentence or two , “ Arberg said .
If you ’ re a member of the public , getting a ticket to watch a Supreme Court argument is like winning the lottery .
The tickets are free , yes , but there are fewer than 100 seats typically available to the public and to get one you have to line up before dawn .
And that ’ s just for cases that are snoozers .
Watching a real blockbuster can mean spending days in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on your behalf .
People waited through a rainy night and falling temperatures for arguments in November over legal protections for young immigrants .
This time , with arguments beginning at the traditional 10 a.m. in Washington , D.C. , even West Coasters can stay in bed past dawn and still have time to tune in to C-SPAN to hear the proceedings .
Many state Supreme Courts and one federal appeals court , in San Francisco , regularly have live video of their courtroom sessions , and have continued to do so even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the virus .
But that ’ s a bridge too far for the Supreme Court .
The justices won ’ t even have any internal video link that would allow them to see each other during the arguments , Arberg said .

Mark Sherman And Jessica Gresko - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--Accused embassy gunman said he feared Cuban organized crime

WASHINGTON - A Cuban man who sought asylum in the U.S. opened fire with an AK-47 at the Cuban Embassy in Washington , spraying the front of the building with nearly three dozen rounds because he wanted to “ get them before they could get him , ” according to court papers .
Alexander Alazo , 42 , of Aubrey , Texas , was taken into custody shortly after the shooting early Thursday morning in northwest Washington .
Rounds from the gunman pierced the bronze statue of Jose Marti , the Cuban writer and national hero , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a busy street in the Adams-Morgan section of the city .
There were several bullet holes in the glass around the door , which cause spider webs of cracks in the panes and scattered glass and wood from the door from along the marble floored interior of the entryway .
Cuban Ambassador Jose Cabañas said there were seven people inside the embassy , mainly security personnel , at the time of the shooting .
He noted that around 50 people would be there on a typical day and that rounds came close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign dignitaries and other visitors gather in the foyer .
“ If this had happened in the middle of the day there would have been carnage , ” Cabañas said Friday , as he showed the damage to journalists from The Associated Press .
Alazo , who told investigators he was born in Cuba and served in the Cuban Army , had moved to Mexico in 2003 before claiming political asylum in the U.S. a few years later .
He went back to Cuba in 2014 to preach at a church and began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he told police .
Alazo , who had been living in his car and moving from state to state for several months , drove to Washington on Wednesday to target the Cuban Embassy “ because he wanted to get them before they got him , referring to the Cuban government , for the constant threats from the organized Cuban criminal organization , ” according to court papers .
Police believe Alazo had been sleeping at rest stops and in parking lots for at least nine months because he said he believed Cuban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wanted to protect his family .
Alazo told investigators that he had been treated at a psychiatric hospital and his wife , a nurse , had told him to seek treatment when he was hearing voices in his head , he said .
He was prescribed medication in March after a visit to a psychiatric facility but hasn ’ t been “ completely compliant with his medication , ” court papers said .
He bought a Glock 19 handgun in Texas but traded it about a month ago for an AK-47 because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better protection for his family , he told investigators .
He drove to Washington and when he arrived at the embassy around 2 a.m. Thursday morning , he began yelling and tried to light a Cuban flag on fire but wasn ’ t successful , the documents said .
Alazo then grabbed an American flag and was continuing to shout that he “ was a Yankee ” before he grabbed the AK-47 from his car and opened fire toward the embassy , court papers said .
Investigators recovered 32 shell casings from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
There were employees inside the embassy at the time , including the Chief of Mission , police said .
No one was hurt .
When officers arrived , they found Alazo holding a Cuban flag — which had writing on it and was doused in what they believe was an accelerant — and “ yelling nonsensical statements , ” the court papers said .
Officers recovered the rifle , ammunition and after he was bought to a police station , they discovered a white powdery substance that was found in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a patrol car that tested positive for cocaine , according to the court papers .
He was charged with a violent attack on a foreign official or premises , wilfully damaging property of a foreign government and firearms charges .
Alazo remained in custody on Friday and the name of his attorney was not immediately known .
Cuba built the embassy in 1917 .
It closed in January 1961 as Cold War tensions between the two countries escalated and then re-opened as an “ interests section ” in 1977 .
In July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again as the two countries restored relations under then President Barack Obama and President Raul Castro .
It is on a busy street in Washington , between the embassies of Poland and Lithuania .
Cabañas , who was called to the scene in the middle of the night , praised the Washington D.C. police and Secret Service for their “ very professional ” response to the situation .
But he said that U.S. co-operation has since slowed and American authorities had provided no information about the suspect .
The ambassador said he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but noted that opponents of the Cuban government have committed violence in the past .
“ It is important to remember that several groups and individuals have operated for many years and are still operating inside the U.S. territory with impunity , ” he said .
Associated Press Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report .
Follow Balsamo and Fox on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MikeBalsamo1 and www.twitter.com/benfoxatap

Michael Balsamo And Ben Fox - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--Indiana governor eyes big rollback of virus restrictions

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Gov .
Eric Holcomb announced Friday the steps toward relaxing business and activity restrictions imposed to slow the coronavirus spread for much of the state , allowing more manufacturers , retailers and shopping malls to open their doors , starting Monday , under health and social distancing guidelines .
The Republican governor ’ s plan aims to gradually ease rules with the goal of allowing nearly all activities to resume on July 4 , potentially opening the way for major summer events such as the rescheduled Indianapolis 500 on Aug. 23 .
The new directive lifts travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took effect March 25 , but doesn ’ t allow restaurants to resume in-person dining or hair salon reopenings for another week .
Fitness centres , movie theatres , bars and casinos are among businesses that will remain closed until at least late May .
A decision on whether schools will reopen in the fall won ’ t be made until later .
Holcomb said he decided to ease restrictions in 89 of the state ’ s 92 counties because he believes Indiana ’ s COVID-19 spread has stabilized enough that hospitals are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously ill. “ Our effort going forward will be all about managing through this crisis , ” Holcomb said .
“ I ’ m praying for a vaccine but we got ta do what we can do right now .
And we ’ re taking the responsible steps and allowing folks to responsibly and safely return to some normal aspects of their life.
” The new state order comes as Indiana officials have reported nearly 1,200 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 deaths since mid-March , including 55 new fatalities announced Friday by health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge of nearly 570,000 people filing in jobless claims the past six weeks with widespread business closures .
The governor ’ s directive encourages people to wear masks when in public and continue working from home if possible , while also raising the size of allowed gatherings from the current 10 people to 25 people .
It removes religious services from gathering sizes limits effective May 8 , allowing them to resume in-person observances .
Holcomb said he hoped churches and other religious sites would continue virtual and outdoor services .
“ Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your congregations safe , ” he said .
Perhaps 200 protesters gathered Friday afternoon outside the Statehouse as Holcomb prepared to make his announcement .
Most were not wearing masks or observing distancing guidelines as they shouted and held signs , with sayings that included “ Freedom is essential ” and “ Liberate Indiana.
” Holcomb ’ s plan will allow retailers and malls that have been closed as nonessential businesses to reopen Monday at 50 % capacity .
Restaurants can reopen at half capacity on May 11 , with servers and kitchen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments may still impose tougher restrictions to deal with outbreaks in their communities .
Holcomb ’ s new order keeps previous restrictions in place for Marion and Lake counties , which are the state ’ s largest and lead Indiana in COVID-19 deaths , and Cass County in rural northern Indiana , which had a large outbreak that prompted the closing of a Tyson meatpacking plant last week .
Indianapolis officials have extended the city ’ s stay-at-home order that keeps many business limits in place through May 15 , saying the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to safely relax restrictions .
“ The governor understands the terrible predicament that small business owners are in , ” said Barbara Quandt , state director for the National Federation of Independent Business .
“ They ’ ve been hit with a double whammy : first they were forced to shut their doors , and then they were given a horrific federal plan that filled them with hopes of recovery but left them with nothing.
” Holcomb highlighted state statistics showing a gradual decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations since April 1 and steady availability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state for feeling safe to ease restrictions .
Republican legislative leaders credited Holcomb for balancing public health concerns with the need to allow the reopening of businesses .
The state Senate ’ s top Democrat , however , said he worried the actions were too soon .
“ The key has to be the containment and decrease of the spread of the virus , not just whether we can treat those who continue to fall ill , ” said Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane .
“ Just because hospitals have the capacity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean the state should be creating them.
” For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
For some , especially older adults and those with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness and be life-threatening .
The governor ’ s plan projects allowing movie theatres and fitness centres opening with limited capacities beginning May 24 .
Bars and nightclubs , along with venues such as museums and water parks , could opening at half capacity in mid-June .
Holcomb said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits on gathering sizes and business operations on July 4 , although warnings for those 65 and older and anyone with high-risk medical conditions would remain in place .
A key part of Holcomb ’ s plan is a promise of increased testing and tracking outbreaks , including building a team of 500 contact tracers for a state program set to start May 11 .
The brakes could be put on the relaxed regulations if the state sees a new surge of COVID-19 cases , Holcomb said .
“ If people look for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus won ’ t affect them like it does other , then we may slip , ” he said .
“ And that will force us as a state to come over top and start suppressing again .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--The Latest: Minntac to lay off 260 due to slowed demand

DULUTH , Minn. - The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Minnesota ( all times local ) : U.S. Steel has announced it will lay off 260 workers at its Minntac operation in Mountain Iron as the coronavirus pandemic has cut demand for steel .
The layoffs were announced Friday .
The Star Tribune reported they will start May 10 and are expected to last from eight to 11 weeks .
“ We all knew it was probably coming , unfortunately , ” United Steelworkers Local 1938 President Steve Bonach said .
“ We could go back sooner , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus.
” Minntac is the fourth Iron Range mine to lay off workers during the coronavirus pandemic .
Hibtac , Keetac and Northshore Mining previously announced layoffs , meaning about 1,750 miners will be out of work over the next several months .
Minntac is the largest taconite operation in the state with a capacity of 16 million tons of iron ore annually .
Minnesota ’ s largest pediatric hospital has a plan to furlough the equivalent of 181 full-time nurses as it struggles financially with fewer patients due to COVID-19 .
Members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting on a furlough agreement with Children ’ s Minnesota Friday .
The furloughs affect about 17 % of nurses at the hospital .
The Star Tribune reports Children ’ s announced earlier this week that it would stop offering some medical and surgical services at its St. Paul campus because of a decrease in patients .
A number of health care groups in Minnesota are dealing with declining revenue because elective surgeries have been cancelled due to an expected surge of coronavirus patients .
Gov .
Tim Walz on Thursday said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on elective surgeries in the coming days .


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--Anheuser-Busch wins latest round of beer wars against Molson

MADISON , Wis. - A federal appeals court on Friday struck down a lower court ’ s ruling in favour of brewing giant Molson Coors , determining that Anheuser-Busch can advertise and use packaging implying that its rival beers contain corn syrup .
The order from a three-judge panel on the 7th U.S. Court of Appeals overturns a federal judge ’ s ruling from September in Wisconsin .
The judge had ordered Anheuser-Busch , which makes Bud Light , to stop making the corn syrup claims about Miller Lite and other Molson Coors products .
“ If Molson Coors does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ads , it can mock Bud Light in return , ” the appeals court ruled .
“ Litigation should not be a substitute for competition in the market.
” Molson Coors sued its rival in March 2019 , saying Anheuser-Busch had spent as much as $ 30 million on a “ false and misleading ” campaign , including Super Bowl ads that showed Bud Light knights delivering a barrel of corn syrup to a Miller Lite castle .
Cardboard packaging on Bud Light six-packs , 12-packs and 24-packs said “ No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invited customers to visit a website where it lists its ingredients .
Bud Light is brewed with water , barley , rice and hops .
Molson Coors uses corn syrup in the fermentation process for Miller Lite and Coors Lite , but the final product doesn ’ t contain corn syrup .
It argued Anheuser-Busch ’ s campaign is false , illegal and bad for the industry .
The appeals court said it was up to consumers to decide what is best .
“ By choosing a word such as ‘ ingredients ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought this problem on itself , ” the appeals court said .
“ It is enough for us to hold that it is not ‘ false or misleading ’ for a seller to say or imply , of a business rival , something that the rival says about itself.
” Whether that “ something ” is good or bad “ is for consumers rather than the judiciary to decide , ” the court said .
Anheuser-Busch said in a statement that it was pleased with the decision .
“ We have said since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Molson Coors is baseless , “ the company said .
” Right now our focus is on supporting our employees , our communities , and our business partners during this unprecedented crisis.
” Molson Coors spokesman Martin Maloney said the brewer was disappointed with the ruling .
“ We are exploring our options to continue holding Anheuser-Busch accountable , “ he said .
Ironically , Anheuser-Busch , which is owned by Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV , brews some of its beers — including Natural Light , Busch Light and Rolling Rock — with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its beers without corn syrup , including Blue Moon Belgian White and Pilsner Urquell .


thetorontostar--2020-05-01--White House blocking Fauci testimony, panel spokesman says

WASHINGTON - A spokesman for a key House panel said Friday that the White House has blocked Dr. Anthony Fauci from testifying next week at a hearing on the coronavirus outbreak .
House Appropriations Committee spokesman Evan Hollander said the panel sought Fauci — the highly respected director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — as a witness for a subcommittee hearing on the government ’ s response to the pandemic , but was denied .
Hollander said the panel was informed by an administration official that Fauci ’ s testimony was blocked by the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed the committee that Fauci would not appear .
The White House said Fauci is busy dealing with the pandemic and will appear before Congress later .
“ While the Trump Administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19 , including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development , it is counter-productive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at Congressional hearings , “ said White House spokesman Judd Deere .
” We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time.
” Fauci is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coronavirus task force and is no stranger to testifying before Congress .
He has sometimes contradicted Trump ’ s optimistic misstatements about the virus and how much it is under control after claiming more than 64,000 lives in the U.S. Fauci has warned against relaxing social distancing rules that have helped slow the spread of the virus but caused a major hit to the economy .
That has earned him criticism from some of Trump ’ s most ardent supporters , and Trump himself has retweeted a supporter who called for @ @ @ @ @

Andrew Taylor And Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--Believe women? Sure, say Democrats, but vet their claims

WASHINGTON - “ Believe women ” was never a call to believe all women automatically .
That ’ s what leading Democrats , including the prominent figures of the # MeToo movement , are suggesting as they stand behind former Vice-President Joe Biden and his bid to unseat President Donald Trump .
From House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the female senators who ran for president and prominent Hollywood activists , they ’ re not backing down after Biden on Friday publicly denied a former aide ’ s accusation that he assaulted her in 1993 .
“ It never happened , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Morning Joe.
” “ Believing women means taking the woman ’ s claim seriously when she steps forward , and then vet it , look into it .
That ’ s true in this case as well .
...
But in the end , the truth is what matters , and in this case , the truth is the claims are false.
” It was largely the denial Democrats were hoping for .
Even so , there was a clear discomfort and perhaps resentment with being on defence on the issue while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two dozen women of sexual misconduct .
( Trump has denied the allegations . )
Especially galling to some is the charge by Republicans that Democrats are giving Biden a pass they didn ’ t afford Justice Brett Kavanaugh when he denied Christine Blasey Ford ’ s accusation of sexual assault when they were teenagers .
Pelosi , the nation ’ s highest-ranking Democrat , recognized the maw and curtly stepped around it .
“ I don ’ t need a lecture or a speech , ” she said at her weekly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter ’ s question about a double standard .
“ With all the respect in the world for any woman who comes forward , I have the highest regard for Joe Biden .
And that ’ s what I have to say about that.
” Others have been less succinct .
Actress and leading # MeToo activist Alyssa Milano sat behind Kavanaugh during his televised confirmation hearings , a position she sought as a way to stand in “ solidarity ” with Blasey Ford .
But as the Reade allegations swirled around Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Milano penned an essay for Deadline.com in which she acknowledged “ shades of gray ” and reiterated her support for the former vice-president .
“ Believing women was never about ‘ Believe all women no matter what they say , ’ it was about changing the culture of NOT believing women by default , ” Milano wrote .
Karen Finney , a prominent Democratic strategist and message-maker who worked for Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 campaign , rejected the Kavanaugh comparison outright .
In the context of sexual assault allegations , Finney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t mean accepting as fact any assertion , but instead means affording women the default credibility to take claims seriously .
“ If you start from the premise that this person is telling the truth , then you do the investigation and look at the facts , ” she said , “ and if the facts tell a different story , then that ’ s an important conversation to have.
” Biden ’ s supporters in the Senate , too , have stood by him , including some who challenged him for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his short list for a running mate .
But a few hours after his appearance on MSNBC , Trump ’ s campaign posted a video featuring many of them — Kirsten Gillibrand of New York , Kamala Harris of California and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii — saying in the past that female accusers should be believed .
The reel begins and ends with Biden and Clinton , the 2016 Democratic nominee whose husband , Bill Clinton , was impeached in connection with his extramarital affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode remains one of the party ’ s fraught chapters in its advocacy for women .
Biden appeared Friday to recognize the need to reinforce his commitment .
During an evening virtual fundraiser with hundreds of veterans from the Obama administration , he addressed the matter again , repeating his assertions that Reade ’ s account “ didn ’ t happen , ” but explaining that his reaction doesn ’ t amount to hypocrisy because of how Democrats have approached the # MeToo movement .
“ My knowledge that it isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that women have to be able to be heard and that all the claims be taken seriously , ” Biden said .
“ It isn ’ t enough just to simply take my word for it and dismiss it out of hand .
Frankly , that shouldn ’ t be enough for anyone because we know that sort of approach is how the culture of abuse has been allowed to fester for so long.
” Unreleased document troves — Biden ’ s at the the University of Delaware and other Senate files at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what might be found in them .
Reade says she filed a complaint about Biden with the Senate .
Biden says such a document , if it exists , would be stored in the archives .
A dozen times on MSNBC , Biden said he knew of no complaint Reade had filed against him and got somewhat mired in the details of where such a document might be stored .
Biden was asked if he is “ absolutely certain ” and “ absolutely positive , that there is no record of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His answer was highly qualified : “ I ’ m absolutely positive that no one that I ’ m aware of , ever , was —been made aware of any complaint , a formal complaint , made by or a complaint by Tara Reade against me at the time this allegedly happened , 27 years ago , “ until he announced his campaign for president .
Then Biden tried again : “ I know of no one who ’ s aware that any complaint was made.
” Follow Kellman and Barrow on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : //www.twitter.com//BillBarrowAP

Laurie Kellman And Bill Barrow - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--Rangers’ videos share Yellowstone’s wonders during crisis

BOZEMAN , Mont .
- In the middle of the 17th minute of the Facebook Live video , Mark Miller reached for his guitar .
The park ranger , fully clad in green and gray , had been laying out the history of Yellowstone National Park , which he was standing in .
He had talked about the Native American tribes that called the park home , the Lewis and Clark expedition and John Colter , the first European to explore what would become the world ’ s first national park .
Miller had talked about how some didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future Yellowstone and how the mountain man was ridiculed .
And Miller had asked the audience — stuck at home all over the world — to contemplate why people explore new places .
Now it was time for a song .
“ Once there was a mountain man with strange stories to tell ... , ” Miller sang , beginning a tune he wrote called the “ Mountain Man Tribute Song.
” It ’ s meant to honour the likes of Colter and Jim Bridger and the tribes who called the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the value of Yellowstone .
Two-and-a-half joyful minutes later , he put the guitar down and picked up his history lecture somewhere in the 1860s .
The video , posted to Yellowstone ’ s Facebook page in early April , was the second in a series the park ’ s education rangers have been producing while the park is closed to visitors .
Twice a week , rangers have used the videos to explain complex science and history to people , giving them a window into the park .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yellowstone in this time we ’ re all in , ” Miller said .
The series grew out of the ashes of cancelled educational programs .
Bob Fuhrmann , supervisor of Yellowstone ’ s youth programs , said 30 school groups were scheduled for programs in the park this spring and would have encountered rangers like Miller .
But with the closure , the programs were all cancelled .
So Fuhrmann and the staff who were going to work on those programs had to adapt .
They shifted their focus to enhancing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offerings , including live virtual visits with classes on different online platforms and recording some of their programs .
Facebook Live became one of the tools they were using for that .
Fuhrmann said it gets their work in front of more eyes — not just teachers and students .
“ It ’ s a great way to engage with a larger audience in an easy way , ” Fuhrmann said .
The first Facebook Live video featured two rangers standing in the snow outside the Albright Visitor Center , talking about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , rangers have given presentations on birds , geysers , bison , the microbes inside the park ’ s thermal features and more .
A lot of people tune in .
The video of Miller talking and singing through the park ’ s history has been viewed more than 120,000 times , and the comments come from all over the world .
“ Thank you for bringing Yellowstone to Germany !
” wrote another .
“ Your Mom and Dad watched you from Minnesota , Ranger Mark !
” Miller has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He lived a couple different lives before that .
The native Minnesotan first worked in the wood products industry for about a dozen years , then in ministry and Christian music for about a dozen years .
He worked on staff at a few large churches and produced records and wrote songs under the label Vineyard Music .
He and his wife hit “ empty nesthood ” in their 40s and decided to move west .
He picked up seasonal ranger jobs at a few different parks before landing in Yellowstone three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ever since .
He ’ s been stationed at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone the past few summers .
He ’ d been hired as a seasonal education ranger for the spring educational programs , which is how he finds himself in front of the camera for some of the Facebook Live videos .
His songwriting talent has been handy .
He had written part of the “ Mountain Man Tribute Song ” to sing at evening programs at the canyon and developed it further this spring .
He has another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a few Facebook commenters requested that song during his live video .
“ It ’ s part of my creativity , and like all of us education rangers , we ’ re in a period where we ’ re needing to get more and more creative in providing educational opportunities for people all around the planet , ” Miller said .
The sight of a park ranger holding a guitar surely convinces more people to stop scrolling .
At the end of the video , after he ’ d traced Yellowstone ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park in 1872 , Miller was asked what his favourite song is .
He picked the guitar back up and launched into one just about everybody would know .


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--Saudi Arabia eyes more moves in time of pandemic, oil woes

WASHINGTON - A beleaguered Saudi Arabia is taking modest steps to improve its human rights record as it tries to navigate the coronavirus pandemic and the fallout from plunging oil prices that have rankled the United States and the Trump administration .
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , the force behind Saudi Arabia ’ s sweeping changes and risky gambles , is eyeing further steps he hopes will improve the kingdom ’ s international image , which was badly damaged by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by government agents in 2018 and the war in Yemen .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two changes to the law : banning flogging as a punishment and doing away with the death penalty for crimes committed by minors .
People familiar with the crown prince ’ s plans say future steps are likely to be announced within weeks and months and will involve penal reform so that punishments meted out for specific crimes are no longer the sole purview of judges .
Still , it may not be enough to win Riyadh fresh support in Washington or praise from human rights groups .
The crown prince , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseen a parallel crackdown on activists and perceived critics .
Among those detained in the prince ’ s quest to solidify power are dual U.S.-Saudi nationals , women ’ s rights activists , writers , moderate clerics and senior princes .
Saudi Arabia ’ s already strained relationship with Congress has worsened in past weeks , including among members of President Donald Trump ’ s party .
Republicans have accused Saudi Arabia of exacerbating instability in the oil market .
That came after the kingdom ramped up oil production and slashed prices following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production cuts before a new deal was reached .
The volatility and price crash in oil , amid already weakened demand due to the coronavirus pandemic , pummeled U.S. shale producers , leading to layoffs in the industry , particularly in Republican-run states .
Some Republican senators warned in late March that if Saudi Arabia does not change course , it risks losing American defence support and facing a range of potential “ levers of statecraft ” such as tariffs and other trade restrictions , investigations and sanctions .
The backlash couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the kingdom as tensions remain high with rival Iran .
The crown prince may be hoping that continuous reforms can revive what had largely been a warm relationship with the Trump administration , which has deployed U.S. troops to the kingdom to deter Iranian attacks .
Positive headlines could also help maintain support from Washington even if Trump is defeated in November .
Domestically , the crown prince ’ s reform efforts are aimed at modernizing the country and creating millions of jobs to stave off an upswell in unemployment and discontent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are under the age of 35 .
To do this , the crown prince has forged a friendship with Trump , his influential son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner , courted foreign investors and used the country ’ s sovereign wealth fund to scoop up investments abroad .
It has paid millions of dollars to Western public relations firms and consultancies to revamp Saudi Arabia ’ s image and put together a plan to diversify the oil-dependent economy .
That ’ s meant pivoting Saudi Arabia away from its ultraconservative Islamic roots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country closely adhere to .
There are , however , hard limits on the kingdom ’ s reforms , which the prince is dribbling out with the blessing of his father , King Salman .
Executions for crimes committed as minors have been relatively rare , so ending that practice isn ’ t a major change .
It appears only one of the 184 executions in 2019 was for a crime committed as a minor .
In addition , the reforms are expected to spare the lives of at least six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalty for crimes committed as minors .
Many minority Shiites in the Sunni-ruled country complain of discrimination as sectarian tensions have soared regionally .
There ’ s also no indication that Saudi Arabia is curbing the crackdown on perceived critics .
The killing of Khashoggi , a Saudi critic and Washington Post columnist , in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by agents who worked for Prince Mohammed cast a pall over the reforms the 34-year-old prince had been lauded for .
It also complicated his ability to court foreign investment needed to transform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted unanimously to hold the crown prince responsible for Khashoggi ’ s death , despite his insistence that he had no knowledge of the operation .
Not long after , Congress voted to end U.S.-assistance in Saudi Arabia ’ s war in Yemen , a conflict that has killed thousands of civilians , displaced millions and pushed people to the brink of famine .
Trump vetoed the bill .
Since Khashoggi ’ s killing , few U.S. lawmakers have travelled to Saudi Arabia to meet Prince Mohammed .
It wasn ’ t always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been highly praised in Washington before Khashoggi ’ s killing for decisions on ending the ban on women driving , allowing concerts and movie theatres and curtailing the powers of the religious police .
These moves allowed young Saudis to mix publicly without strict gender segregation rules .
They gave Saudi women more freedom in how they wear the floor-length abaya in public .
Women were also encouraged to play sports and work in greater numbers .
Last year , Saudi Arabia allowed women to travel abroad and obtain a passport without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years before this change , women of all ages had to rely on the whims of husbands , fathers , brothers or sometimes their own sons to travel .
It led to women fleeing Saudi Arabia t o escape abusive homes .
Progress on women ’ s rights , however , coincided with the arrest of more than a dozen Saudi women right ’ s activists in mid-2018 .
Several remain imprisoned and face trial on crimes related to national security and their human rights outreach .
Some have testified of being tortured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men .
At least one of the women attempted suicide .

Matthew Lee And Aya Batrawy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--‘I died and came back’: 12-year-old recovers from virus

COVINGTON , La .
- As her desperately sick daughter was being airlifted to a hospital , Jennifer Daly was thinking about all the parts of life that still lay ahead for her 12-year-old and whether she ’ d ever experience them : Would she get to fall in love ?
Would she get the chance to get married and have her own children ?
Driving across the causeway that separates the family ’ s home north of Lake Pontchartrain from the New Orleans hospital where their daughter was taken — with what was later determined to be a coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a life without her Juliet .
“ She ’ s the sweetest girl .
She ’ s the sweetest girl in the whole world .
And she does not deserve this .
And I was praying to God ... just please , please help , please help me , ” said Jennifer , speaking from the family ’ s Covington home Thursday , with her husband Sean and their now-recovered daughter .
As Juliet and her 5-year-old brother spar with each other using pool noodles , it ’ s hard to imagine that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her life .
At one point she had a heart attack and doctors had to perform CPR for two minutes before she came back .
“ I died and came back , ” Juliet said .
Her coronavirus journey didn ’ t start with many of the symptoms that have affected adults — breathing problems , for example .
She had stomach pain and vomiting , and her mother , who ’ s a radiologist , thought maybe it was appendicitis or some type of stomach problem .
But Juliet ’ s lips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were cold .
Juliet quickly ended up in the emergency room of the local hospital .
There , she had a heart attack , underwent CPR , and was eventually airlifted to Ochsner Medical Center .
Dr. Jake Kleinmahon was one of the doctors who was there to meet her and care for her over the next ten days .
“ Juliet came in as one of the sickest children we ’ ve taken care of with COVID-19 , ” said Kleinmahon .
The top chamber of her heart was not working correctly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was developing “ multisystem organ failure , ” he said .
Kleinmahon said children with coronavirus infections often have different symptoms than adults , such as the abdominal problems Juliet had , or rashes in other cases .
He said many children also have another virus besides the coronavirus and that was the case with Juliet .
For most people , the virus causes no , mild or moderate symptoms , but some suffer severe disease and even death .
Juliet was on a ventilator for four days , during which she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathe on her own .
She was discharged on April 15 .
The doctor said her heart function is now completely normal .
Although she likely has a little trauma to her heart that should decrease over time , he expects she ’ ll have a “ totally normal life.
” When she regained consciousness , her parents said she immediately worried about missing school .
Her mother said that when she told Juliet what had happened , her eyes got as big as saucers .
“ At first I was freaking out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And then she was worried about whether there were any lasting effects to her body .
Jennifer said she and her husband hadn ’ t known anyone who ’ d even been infected with coronavirus until their daughter became so drastically ill .
If they hadn ’ t gotten her to the hospital in time , they don ’ t know if she ’ d be alive today .
She ’ s glad Juliet doesn ’ t remember those four days on a ventilator — days Jennifer will never forget .
“ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to go to sleep .
‘ They ’ re going to put a tube down your throat .
You ’ re gon na go on a helicopter ride .
You ’ re gon na wake up in a new hospital and mommy will be there ’ ” said Jennifer .
“ Well , that ’ s what happened.
” Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .
This story has corrected the time element in the fourth paragraph to last month instead @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--1 Houston police officer killed, 1 injured in copter crash

HOUSTON - A Houston police officer was killed following a helicopter crash early Saturday , and another officer was critically injured , the city police chief said .
The pilot and tactical flight officer aboard a police helicopter were critically injured when the aircraft crashed at an apartment complex around 2 a.m. , the department initially said .
They were flown to a hospital where the tactical flight officer died , Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said after 6 a.m. , in his second press conference of the day .
The pilot was still in surgery , Acevedo said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but police were hopeful he would survive .
“ We don ’ t have any idea why it went down at this time , ” Acevedo said at the first press conference , near the north Houston crash scene , and reiterated that later in the morning .
There were no injuries to anyone on the ground at the apartment complex , a masked Acevedo told reporters .
The helicopter was supposed to assist with a search for bodies in a nearby bayou , which was prompted by a tip that the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call — we don ’ t know.
“ The officers were trapped in the wreckage “ for an extended period of time ” before being cut out by city firefighters .
Acevedo identified two silver linings at the first press conference : While the wreckage was “ pretty significant , ” it didn ’ t catch fire , and the helicopter avoided striking occupied apartment buildings .
It did clip the complex ’ s clubhouse , he said .
Residents of the Biscayne at Cityview complex weren ’ t evacuated .
The police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a chance to reassess in the coming days , and will be relying on the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harris County Sheriff ’ s Office for flight support in the interim .
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have been notified and will be investigating , Acevedo said , while the police department conducts a parallel investigation .
The department will not release the names of the officers until their extended families are made aware , Acevedo said .
He said police had picked up immediate family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner joined Acevedo at the second press conference .
Acevedo noted that shots rang out across the street from the complex around 3 a.m. , while police were investigating the crash .
Six people were taken into custody and no injuries were reported , he said , updating the number of people from three .
Acevedo stressed that police had no information indicating the helicopter was taken down by hostile action .


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--Spaniards pour out for 1st exercise in 7 weeks of lockdown

BARCELONA , Spain - Thousands of Spaniards woke up early on Saturday to lace up their running shoes for the first time in seven weeks after the government ended a prohibition on outdoor exercise .
At 6 a.m. early risers poured into the streets dressed in athletic gear to run , bike , and speed walk , with many taking extra caution to loosen up atrophied muscles and avoid a twisted ankle that would ruin the joy of release .
A few tried running with a face mask despite the difficulty it causes with breathing .
The masks are highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shoppers , to reduce the chance of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19 .
“ I feel good , but tired .
You sure notice that it has been a month and I am not in shape , ” 36-year-old Cristina Palomeque said in Barcelona after taking a break following a 20-minute jog .
She had grown tired of following Zumba and yoga classes online .
“ Some people think it may be too early ( to go out ) , as I do , but it is also important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
A brilliant sunny sky in Barcelona drew many to the maritime promenade to get as close as possible to the beach , which is still off-limits .
People are supposed to respect a 1-meter distance , but the crowds in some spots made that impossible .
“ We woke up very early so that we wouldn ’ t find it too full of people , but … it ’ s complicated , ” 37-year-old Eduardo Conte said after a run along the Mediterranean beachfront .
“ I feel a rush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to take it easy so we don ’ t all end up with injuries.
” The scene was similar to that seen last weekend when Spain ’ s children were let out for a walk with a parent for the first time in six weeks .
After some chastising by local officials in the worst cases , the population behaved better throughout the week .
The government has set up time slots for age groups and activities to prevent crowds from forming and exposing the most at-risk elders .
People between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for individual exercise , and couples in that age group who live together can go for walks , from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. People over 70 can go out from 10 a.m. to noon and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. , with one caregiver if needed .
Children under 14 are now allowed to go out between noon and 7 p.m. for walks with one parent , for up one hour , within 1 kilometre ( half a mile ) of home .
They can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ villages with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants are exempt from the timetable dividing people by age groups .
“ Today we take a new step in the relaxation of the confinement , but we must take it with caution and responsibility , ” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on Twitter .
“ The virus is still with us .
We need to respect the rules as well as the guidelines for hygiene and social distancing.
” Since Spain ’ s lockdown started on March 14 , only adults have only been able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for food , medicine and other essential goods , and to walk dogs close to home .
For two weeks all commuting was banned ; now only unavoidable commutes to and from work are allowed , with authorities encouraging people to work from home .
Spain has detailed a complex rollback plan that will vary by province .
Those with the fewest cases and with health care resources to handle a rebound of the virus will be the first to enjoy a further loosening of the measures .
The lockdown , among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in reducing daily increases of over 20 % in cases to under 1 % and saving Spain ’ s hospitals from collapse .
Spain has 25,100 confirmed deaths from the virus after a daily increase of 276 was reported on Saturday .
That is down from daily death tolls of over 900 a month ago .
Another 1,147 cases reported over the past 24 hours took the total of confirmed infections to 216,582 .
The huge field hospital the military helped set up in a convention centre in Madrid was closed on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morgue the army had established in an ice rink .
In Madrid , police reminded athletes that parks were still off-limits on town hall orders .
“ These are very strong restrictions , but it is what it is .
We have to follow the instructions from the Health Ministry because they know more than us , ” 52-year-old Manuel Garcia said in the capital .
“ This feeling of freedom is great .
When this gets back to normal , all of us will feel even better.
” Renata Brito in Barcelona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--Body in Swedish river was missing Pakistani journalist

HELSINKI - Swedish police say they have identified a body found late last month in a river as that of missing Pakistani journalist Sajid Hussain .
Police in Uppsala , a university town around 70 kilometres ( 43 miles ) north of Stockholm , said Friday that they had initially launched a murder investigation , but suspicions of foul play have weakened following an autopsy .
“ But we ’ re still waiting for a few more answers , ” police spokesman Jonas Eronen told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet .
Hussain , 39 , went missing on March 2 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Fyris river that runs through Uppsala .
A native of Pakistan ’ s Balochistan province , Hussain was the editor and publisher of the online magazine Balochistan Times that he founded in 2015 .
He fled Pakistan in 2012 after his reporting on corruption , forced disappearances and human rights violations in the region resulted in the police raiding his house and his receiving death threats .
Hussain had lived in Sweden since 2017 and was granted political asylum in the country a year later .
Swedish public broadcaster SVT said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Uppsala University , the Nordic region ’ s oldest university , studying Arabic language and acting as a lecturer .
Hussain was openly critical of the Pakistani government , and the Swedish chapter of Reporters Without Borders had raised concerns that his disappearance could have been due to his work .
In a statement published on Friday , the Balochistan Times said its staff was “ deeply saddened by the demise of our dear friend and the founder of this magazine.
” “ As a journalist , he ( Hussain ) was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Baloch people .
His work often got him into trouble as the authorities did not like his reporting of Balochistan ’ s forbidden stories , the reason he had to leave and live in exile , ” the statement said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--Rise in virus cases in crowded Indian jails prompts concerns

NEW DELHI - The spreading of the coronavirus in India ’ s notoriously crowded prisons has prompted authorities to impose jail lockdowns and release thousands of pretrial detainees on parole , as health experts worry that the cramped facilities are serving as breeding grounds that will enable the virus to spread .
Although there are no official numbers on how many inmates have been infected by the virus countrywide , India ’ s correction facilities are slowly recording more and more coronavirus cases , leading authorities to temporarily ban relatives and friends from visiting prisoners .
On Thursday , authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maharashtra , among the Indian states worst-hit by the pandemic .
It was the eighth prison in Maharashtra to be locked down .
The move came after 19 inmates in Indore Central Jail in central Madhya Pradesh state tested positive for the virus on Tuesday .
Around 250 others who came in contact with them were shifted to a temporary jail .
“ It is a terrifying situation .
If measures aren ’ t taken soon , then things can become extremely difficult , ” said Madhurima Dhanuka , head of the Prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initiative .
Considering its population of 1.3 billion , India has done relatively well in containing the coronavirus , confirming around 37,000 infections , including 1,223 deaths .
On Friday , the government extended the lockdown it had announced in late March for another two weeks , but eased restrictions in some low-risk areas and is now trying to gradually reopen some industries , including agriculture and manufacturing .
Health experts , however , fear that crowded facilities such as prisons can prove deadly , threatening the lives of detainees and guards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The virus has spread rapidly in overcrowded prisons across the world , leading governments to release inmates en masse .
United Nations experts and the World Health Organization have urged governments to reduce their prison populations during the pandemic .
In March , India ’ s top court said that it was “ difficult for prisoners to maintain social distancing ” and ordered that detainees convicted of crimes with jail terms of no more than seven years be given parole .
Many states started releasing thousands of inmates .
Attempts to reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough , critics say .
Indian prisons are highly overcrowded .
According to the latest data , put out by the National Crimes Record Bureau in 2018 , India has some 450,000 prisoners , exceeding the country ’ s official prison capacity by about 17 % .
Prisons in New Delhi and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state have the highest occupancy rates , at over 50 % above capacity .
Making matters worse , “ the health facilities in prisons are not up to the mark , ” said Dhanuka .
The official data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison expenditure was spent on inmates ’ medical needs in 2018 .
It also shows a 40 % shortage of medical personnel in Indian prisons .
Dhanuka said the combination of a low health care budget , a shortage of doctors and “ horrible hygiene facilities ” has created ideal conditions for the coronavirus to spread in Indian prisons .
“ There is an urgent need to decongest them , ” she said .
While the government said it already has released thousands of prisoners and plans to set more free , worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail are distraught .
In April , the family of Mian Qayoom , a 73-year-old human rights lawyer from disputed Kashmir who is jailed in New Delhi ’ s Tihar jail , wrote to authorities to urge them to release him on parole due to his ailing health .
The family said that Qayoom was a diabetic and had a serious heart condition .
But on April 29 , the Indian government said that Qayoom ’ s potential release was not covered in the guidelines issued by the country ’ s top court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Public Safety Act , which allows people to be held for up to two years without trial .
“ He is most prone to this virus attack , ” said Qayoom ’ s nephew , Mian Muzaffar , who is also his lawyer .
“ It ’ s a death sentence to keep him inside India ’ s most notorious and one of the most crowded jails in these times.
“ ___ Associated Press writer Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar , India , contributed to this report .

Sheikh Saaliq And Ashok Sharma - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--French soldier killed in anti-insurgent operations in Mali

PARIS - France ’ s Defence Ministry said Saturday that a French soldier has been killed in Mali during operations @ @ @ @ @ ” A military tanker belonging to the French-led Operation Barkhane was hit by an improvised @ @ @ @ @ in the Liptako region of southeast central Mali .
Two soldiers were wounded by device @ @ @ @ @ immediately .
One is currently in a stable condition but the other died of his @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , Defence Staff Chief Gen. François Lecointre noted his “ deep sadness to the @ @ @ @ @ died for France.
” Operation Barkhane , which succeeded Operation Serval but has a much @ @ @ @ @ targeting Islamist groups in Africa ’ s Sahel region .


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--Did Donald Trump cancel the arms deal with Iran or not? It turns out the answer is not so simple

Is the United States participating in the Iran nuclear arms deal or not ?
This week , it appeared to be trying to have it both ways in maneuverings at the United Nations that could provoke significant international tension this fall .
President Donald Trump has made it unmistakably clear that he pulled his country out of the multilateral arms deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) that was negotiated by his predecessor , Barack Obama .
Trump signed an order formally withdrawing from it in May 2018 , and continues to insist that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been made in the first place is one of his signature accomplishments .
But two years later , his administration is claiming to be a “ participant ” in the deal for the purposes of triggering a provision at the UN to either extend an arms embargo against Iran or reimpose harsh predeal international sanctions .
On Wednesday , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denied this was “ fancy lawyering.
” Pompeo explained that the UN resolution ’ s language gives participants in the deal rights , even though it doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the deal .
“ It ’ s just reading , ” he said .
On Thursday , U.S. State Department Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook explained the logic further : “ ‘ Participant ’ has two meanings , and I think the people that sort of haven ’ t really stared at this long enough don ’ t understand that there are two ‘ participant ’ meanings.
” Hook told reporters that one meaning is participation in the deal itself .
But in UN Resolution 2231 , which outlines dispute-resolution mechanisms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said the U.S. is defined as a “ participant ” by name .
“ And so , for the purposes of resolving issues , we are — we have certain rights that are clearly there , ” he said .
Whether that ’ s plain reading or fancy lawyering , it is the argument Hook and the State Department have been making to the members of the UN Security Council at the same time as they ’ re suggesting a resolution extending a conventional arms embargo banning sales of weapons to or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It certainly looks like trying to be two things at once to many members of the international community .
You can pick your metaphor : having cake and eating it , too ; demanding work from a former employee after you fire them ; Schrödinger ’ s treaty participant .
The U.S. is making this argument because , under the UN resolution giving force to the nuclear deal , a conventional arms embargo against Iran expires this fall .
As Hook and Pompeo repeated this week , such a ban on weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often funnels those weapons to terrorist organizations .
A U.N. Security Council resolution would be required to extend the embargo .
Which is where it gets tricky : Russia and China — which are still active participants in the deal — are reportedly preparing to sell arms to Iran , and each has a veto over any security council motions .
Which is where that Resolution 2231 comes in .
Under it , any of “ JCPOA participant states ” — who are named explicitly — can notify the security council of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another state .
This would trigger a mandatory extension of the arms embargo within 30 days — and if such an extension is not passed , then full predeal UN economic sanctions on Iran would automatically be reimposed .
Those sanctions are what drove Iran to negotiate the deal in the first place .
In effect , all of the benefits to Iran of participating in the nuclear deal would be repealed .
This extreme “ snapback ” option was considered a big victory when the Obama administration negotiated it specifically as insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a U.S. attempt to enforce the deal .
At the time , no one contemplated that the U.S. would have withdrawn from a deal it was still trying to enforce .
Hook suggested it shouldn ’ t have to come to that .
“ I know that there is a desire to try to jump right over our diplomatic efforts and go right to the possibilities of snap back , but that ’ s not our focus , ” he said .
“ Our focus is on engaging in thoughtful and measured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successfully negotiate a renewal of the UN arms embargo.
” Recently , Iran has scoffed at the U.S. manoeuvre — Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted Monday that Pompeo “ and his boss ” had withdrawn from the deal trying to bring Iran to its knees : “ Given that policy ’ s abject failure , he now wants to be JCPOA participant .
Stop dreaming : Iranian Nation always decides its destiny.
” Pompeo dismissed those comments on Fox News .
“ Yeah , I don ’ t pay much attention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ He is a professional disinformation campaigner.
” Harder to wave away might be objections from Russia and other members of the security council .
Russian diplomat Mikhail Ulyanov told the Russian newspaper Kommersant this week that his country has a “ negative attitude ” to extending the arms embargo , and characterized the U.S. ’ s potential snap back triggering move as both “ cynical ” and “ ludicrous.
” He said he didn ’ t think the UN would allow the U.S. to succeed , but predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Everyone sees the absurdity of this formula , ” Ulyanov said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--Patter of tiny paws: Giant panda gives birth at Dutch zoo

THE HAGUE , Netherlands - A giant panda loaned by China to a Dutch zoo as part of a breeding @ @ @ @ @ a cub , the zoo announced Saturday .
The mother , Wu Wen , and @ @ @ @ @ in the maternity den and are doing well , ” Ouwehands Zoo said in a @ @ @ @ @ following Friday ’ s birth that it is “ delighted and proud to contribute to @ @ @ @ @ species in a natural way.
” The new cub ’ s gender will not be @ @ @ @ @ maternity den , likely in a few months ’ time , with its mother .
@ @ @ @ @ Xing Ya arrived in the Netherlands from Sichuan province in 2017 , as part of @ @ @ @ @ zoo said the new cub also belongs to China and can remain in the Netherlands @ @ @ @ @ to China to join the breeding program there .
Around 420 pandas live in captivity @ @ @ @ @ the majority within China , while an estimated 1,864 live in the wild .


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--Facebook video pries open rift within Syria’s ruling family

BEIRUT - A cousin who has been a bulwark of support for President Bashar Assad posted a video on Facebook late Thursday pleading with the Syrian leader to prevent the collapse of his major telecommunication company through what he called excessive and “ unjust ” taxation .
The unprecedented video pries open what has been rumoured as a major rift in the tight-knit Assad family , which has ruled Syria for nearly 50 years .
Disputes and intrigue are not new to the family , including feuds and defections within its inner circle , particularly in the course of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public airing of grievances is extremely rare , perhaps a reflection of the multitude of players vying for influence in the fractured country .
The cousin , Rami Makhlouf , was once described as central to Syria ’ s economy and a partner to the president .
His video , posted on a new Facebook page , seems to be a running public diary of the widening rift — and the fall from grace of a once-powerful tycoon .
Media reports by pro and anti-government sites suggested a campaign was being pursued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Russia , a powerful patron of Assad that sought to undermine an influential businessman .
Russian media reports in recent weeks have published criticism of corruption in Syria .
Others view the rift through the lens of the Assad family .
“ The dispute is between Makhlouf and Bashar ’ s wife , Asma Assad , over who controls the economy , ” said a former Syrian diplomat , Bassam Barabandi , who defected in 2012 .
Barabandi said Makhlouf ’ s financial holdings and charities have played a central role during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly among Syria ’ s minority Alawite community — from which Assad hails .
Assad ’ s wife has her own charity and has built herself a major public role .
Others researching Syria ’ s complex business networks say the rivalry is with Assad ’ s younger brother , Maher , an army general who also has expansive financial dealings and ties with Iran .
Makhlouf , who is four years younger than the 54-year-old Assad , had declared that he was stepping aside from business to focus on charity work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria ’ s conflict .
But he remained associated with the government .
For the opposition , he has been the face of government hard-liners and the decision to crack down on dissent .
The European Union and the United States have imposed sanctions on Makhlouf for his role in supporting Assad ’ s regime .
In his 15-minute video , Makhlouf denied allegations that he evaded paying taxes for one of his largest business ventures , Syriatel , the biggest telecommunication company in the country .
Syriatel has 11 million subscribers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
“ By God we are not evading tax or cheating the country and the state , ” Makhlouf said .
“ How can someone steal from his own family ?
” Makhlouf complains about a campaign pursued by people he doesn ’ t name who he says always paint him “ as the one who has done wrong , who is bad.
” At times he pleads , halts and repeats himself .
And in an indication Makhlouf has no access to Assad , he addresses the leader : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is the truth.
” “ Here I want to address the president , to explain to him the circumstances of what is happening , to explain to him some of the sufferings that we are going through , “ Makhlouf said , remarks that could be considered tone-deaf in a country where nearly 80 % of the people are poor .
A Western diplomat who follows Syria , and who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations , said the video reflects a deepening family feud in which Makhlouf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overplayed his hand.
” Reports first surfaced last year of troubled relations as news of a government campaign against Makhlouf and his businesses began to trickle out .
Initial reports said he was under house arrest , and then a series of stories appeared about him being fined and having his holdings confiscated .
Last month , a shipment of dairy products from one of Makhlouf ’ s businesses was confiscated in Egypt , reportedly with drugs hidden in the cargo .
On his Facebook page , Makhlouf called the incident a set-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then , in late April , Makhlouf was told to pay the equivalent of $ 180 million purportedly owed to the government by his telecom companies , according to The Syria Report , which follows the country ’ s economy .
That claim appeared to be the trigger for Thursday ’ s video .
In response to Makhlouf ’ s video , the claiming authority said the money was for overdue operational costs since 2015 and urged him to reach a restructuring deal .
Tax evasion , the statement said , is handled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come .
At the end of the video , Makhlouf says he will pay what he is asked but calls on Assad to oversee how it is spent .
Barabandi said Makhlouf appeared to be trying to remind Assad that he still holds some influence .
“ In other words , if you lose me you lose the Alawite community , ” the former diplomat said .
“ This is something unheard of before , for someone ( from the family ) to speak out in this manner publicly.
” Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-05-02--India says 2 soldiers killed in Pakistani firing in Kashmir

SRINAGAR , India - Two Indian soldiers were killed and another wounded in Pakistani firing in Kashmir , the Indian military said Saturday , as tensions continued to escalate along the volatile and highly militarized frontier between the archrivals in the disputed Himalayan region .
Pakistan ’ s military said a young woman was wounded when Indian soldiers fired rockets and mortars along the frontier on Friday .
In the past , the countries have accused each other of starting border skirmishes in the divided region , which both claim in its entirety .
Col. Rajesh Kalia , an Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday targeted forward posts in the western Uri area along the Line of Control dividing Kashmir between the two countries .
He said the attack was a violation of the 2003 cease-fire accord .
Kalia said three soldiers were wounded , with two of them dying at a hospital .
Indian soldiers “ retaliated strongly , ” he said , a phrase used after almost every such confrontation .
Pakistan ’ s foreign ministry said in a statement that it summoned an Indian diplomat on Saturday to protest alleged cease-fire violations that wounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces “ have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire , heavy-calibre mortars and automatic weapons.
” It accused India of 940 cease fire violations this year .
According to Indian officials , Pakistan had violated the cease-fire over 800 times this year through the first week of March .
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since 1947 over their competing claims to Kashmir .
There has been almost daily fighting over last several months along the rugged and mountainous Line of Control , marked by coils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bunkers that snake across foothills populated by ancient villages , tangled bushes and forests .
On Wednesday , a Pakistani soldier and three civilians on both sides of Kashmir were killed in border fighting .
The fighting has seen the use of heavy artillery targeting civilian areas this year , leading to the killing and wounding of civilians as well as soldiers on both sides .
India has continued its counterinsurgency operations across Kashmir despite a lockdown to combat the coronavirus .
Militants fighting against Indian rule also have not ceased their attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rebel groups in Indian-held Kashmir demand that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country .
India accuses Pakistan of arming and training anti-India rebels .
Pakistan denies this , saying it offers only moral and diplomatic support to the militants and to Kashmiris who oppose Indian rule .
Rebels have been fighting Indian rule since 1989 .
Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown .