thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Russia is hacking virus vaccine trials, US, UK, Canada say

WASHINGTON - Western governments on Thursday accused hackers believed to be part of Russian intelligence of trying to steal valuable private information about a coronavirus vaccine , calling out the Kremlin in an unusually detailed public warning to scientists and medical companies .
The alleged culprit is a familiar foe .
Intelligence agencies in the United States , United Kingdom and Canada say the hacking group APT29 , also known as Cozy Bear , is attacking academic and pharmaceutical research institutions involved in COVID-19 vaccine development .
The same group was implicated in the hacking of Democratic email accounts during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unclear whether any useful information was stolen .
But British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said , “ It is completely unacceptable that the Russian Intelligence Services are targeting those working to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
” He accused Moscow of pursuing “ selfish interests with reckless behaviour.
” Sticking to more general language , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said , “ We worked very closely with our allies to ensure that we would take measures to keep that information safe and we continue do so so.
“ The allegation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempting to siphon secret research during the pandemic is not entirely new .
U.S. officials as recently as Thursday have accused China of similar conduct .
But the latest warning was startling for the detail it provided , attributing the targeting by name to a particular hacking group and specifying the software vulnerabilities the hackers have been exploiting .
Also , Russian cyberattacks strike a particular nerve in the U.S. given the Kremlin ’ s sophisticated campaign to influence the 2016 presidential election .
And the co-ordination of the new warning across continents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the announcement and to prompt the Western targets of the hackers to protect themselves .
“ I think ( the governments ) have very specific intelligence that they can provide , ” said John Hultquist , senior director of analysis at Mandiant Threat Intelligence .
“ The report is full of specific operational information that defenders can use ” to protect their networks .
Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s spokesman , Dmitry Peskov , rejected the accusations , saying , “ We don ’ t have information about who may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain.
“ “ We may say one thing : Russia has nothing to do with those attempts , ” Peskov said , according to the state news agency Tass .
The accusations come at a tenuous time for relations between Russia and both the U.S. and U.K .
Besides political ill will , especially among Democrats , about the 2016 election interference , the Trump administration is under pressure to confront Russia over intelligence information that Moscow offered bounties to Taliban fighters to attack allied fighters .
The Democratic chairman of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ it ’ s clear that Russia ’ s malign cyber operations and other destabilizing activities — from financial and other material support to non-state actors in Afghanistan to poisoning dissidents in democratic countries — have persisted , even when exposed.
” He urged President Donald Trump to condemn such activities .
The vaccine assessment came two years to the day after Trump met with Putin in Helsinki and appeared to side with Moscow over U.S. intelligence agencies about the election interference .
The U.K. did not say whether Putin knew about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials believe such intelligence would be highly prized .
Relations between Russia and the U.K. , meanwhile , have plummeted since former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with a Soviet-made nerve agent in the English city of Salisbury in 2018 , though they later recovered .
Britain blamed Moscow for the attack , which triggered a round of retaliatory diplomatic expulsions between Russia and Western countries .
More broadly , Thursday ’ s announcement speaks to the cybersecurity vulnerability created by the pandemic and the global race for a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cybersecurity agency warned in April that cybercriminals and other groups were targeting COVID-19 research , noting at the time that the increase in people teleworking because of the pandemic had created potential avenues for hackers to exploit .
Profit-motivated criminals have exploited the situation , and so have foreign governments “ who also have their own urgent demands for information about the pandemic and about things like vaccine research , “ Tonya Ugoretz , a deputy assistant director in the FBI ’ s cyber division , said at a cybersecurity conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are using their cyber capabilities to , for example , attempt to break into the networks of those who are conducting this research as well as into nongovernmental organizations to satisfy their own information needs , “ Ugoretz said .
The alert did not name the targeted organizations themselves or say how many were affected .
But it did say the organizations were in the U.S. , U.K. and Canada , and said the goal was to steal information and intellectual property related to vaccine development .
Britain ’ s NCSC said its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agency , the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and by the Canadian Communication Security Establishment .
A 16-page advisory prepared by Western agencies and made public Thursday accuses Cozy Bear of using custom malicious software to target a number of organizations globally .
The malware , called WellMess and WellMail , has not previously been associated with the group , the advisory said .
“ In recent attacks targeting COVID-19 vaccine research and development , the group conducted basic vulnerability scanning against specific external IP addresses owned by the organizations .
The group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services identified , ” the advisory said .
Cozy Bear is one of two hacking groups suspected of separate break-ins of computer networks of the Democratic National Committee before the 2016 U.S. election .
Stolen emails were then published by WikiLeaks in what U.S. intelligence authorities say was an effort to aid Trump ’ s campaign over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton .
A report on Russian election interference by former special counsel Robert Mueller called out another group , Fancy Bear , in the hack-and-leak operation .
Cozy Bear , though , operates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Hultquist of the Mandiant cybersecurity firm .
Their goal , he said , is “ good old-fashioned espionage.
” Separately , Thursday , Britain accused “ Russian actors ” of trying to interfere in December ’ s U.K. national election by circulating leaked or stolen documents online .
Unlike in the vaccine report , the U.K. did not allege that the Russian government was involved in the political meddling .
Lawless and Kirka reported from London .
Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Jonathan Lemire and Ben Fox @ @ @ @

Eric Tucker, Jill Lawless And Danica Kirka - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Mexico governor seeks unity with president on facing crime

MEXICO CITY - President Andrés Manuel López Obrador heard frank disagreement Thursday during his tour of three opposition-governed states that are among Mexico ’ s most violent .
In a visit to western Jalisco state , Gov .
Enrique Alfaro told López Obrador that he disagrees with the president on some points , but distanced himself from a public letter circulated Wednesday by writers and intellectuals .
That letter accused the populist president of “ concentrating power in his hands , to the detriment of the other branches of government and the states.
” Alfaro noted he disagrees with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favours fossil fuels and in May his administration cited the coronavirus pandemic as a justification for new rules to reduce the role of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power — a policy that is being challenged in the courts by Alfaro and others .
But the governor said he wants to join with Mexico ’ s leader in confronting the problem of crime and killings caused in large part by the violent Jalisco New Generation drug cartel .
“ In Jalisco , there is unity with the president .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the good of the country , and we understand there is no other path to undertaking the enormous challenge of regaining peace , ” the governor said .
The two leaders face a major challenge in Jalisco , which is the home base of the cartel of Jalisco New Generation .
The state leads the nation in the number of bodies found in mass graves and clandestine burial pits .
“ In the face of threats , intimidations , we say to Governor Alfaro that he is not alone , that we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime , “ López Obrador said .
But the president defended his policy of avoiding direct confrontations with the cartels .
He prefers to address social problems like poverty and unemployment that he says contribute to the crime problem .
“ This problem can not be solved with massacres .
It is going to be done more with intelligence than force , ” said López Obrador , who stopped in Guanajuato state Wednesday and was heading to Colima state .
Alfaro and López Obrador also have had differences over how to handle the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more tough measures to enforce social distancing and mask wearing .
López Obrador seldom wears a mask and does not favour the use of force or fines in health measures .
Mexico reported 6,406 more confirmed coronavirus cases Thursday , and 668 more deaths — in line with the daily numbers in recent weeks .
Mexico now has had 324,041 confirmed cases and 37,574 deaths related to COVID-19 , though both numbers are clearly undercounts as Mexico has performed very little testing .
The country , with a population of nearly 130 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a million tests since the pandemic began .

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thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Oakland to pay $32.7M to settle deadly warehouse fire suits

OAKLAND , Calif. - Oakland will pay $ 32.7 million to settle lawsuits filed over a 2016 fire at an illegally converted warehouse dubbed the Ghost Ship that killed 36 people , the city announced Thursday .
The City Council authorized settlements of lawsuits filed by the families of 32 victims .
The amount also includes more than $ 9 million for Sam Maxwell , who survived the blaze but “ will live with severe , lifelong injuries and major medical expenses , ” a city statement said .
“ This was a horrific tragedy that deeply impacted every corner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement from the city attorney ’ s office .
The settlement is one of the largest in city history but Paul Matiasic , an attorney for five families , called it “ insignificant.
” “ There ’ s no amount of money in the world that can bring their loved ones back , ” he told the East Bay Times .
His clients contended the city was negligent and should have red-tagged the building .
The city doesn ’ t acknowledge any liability in the agreement but decided to settle because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The settlement does not include about a dozen people who lived at the warehouse and were a part of the lawsuit , attorney Mary Alexander told the newspaper .
“ These people are like wildfire victims , they had to run for their lives through smoke and flames and lost their homes , many of them displaced for a long time , ” Alexander said .
On Dec. 2 , 2016 , fire swept through the warehouse during an electronic music party .
The industrial building had illegally been turned into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The building was packed with furniture , extension cords and other flammable material but had only two exits and no smoke detectors , fire alarms or sprinklers , authorities said .
Prosecutors contend that Derick Almena , the master tenant on the warehouse lease , was criminally negligent when he converted and sublet the space .
They charged him with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter but a judge declared a mistrial last fall .
His retrial is scheduled for October .
The blaze killed many young people trapped on the illegally constructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received no warning and had little chance to escape down a narrow , ramshackle staircase .
The cause of the fire hasn ’ t been determined , although some lawsuits said there were serious electrical problems with the building .
Almena ’ s attorneys argued city workers were to blame for not raising concerns about fire hazards in the warehouse .
City officials had said the building hadn ’ t been inspected for three decades , and when inspectors did visit the site in November 2016 , they were unable to enter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Almena , who had been jailed since 2017 , was released earlier this year over coronavirus concerns after dozens of cases were reported at the facility where he was held .
He is confined to home without written court approval .
A co-defendant , Max Harris , was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter charges last year and no longer lives in the state .


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Struggling India set to cross 1 million coronavirus cases

NEW DELHI - India inched closer to 1 million coronavirus cases on Friday , third only to the United States and Brazil , prompting concerns about its readiness to confront an inevitable surge that could overwhelm hospitals and test the country ’ s feeble health care system .
The Health Ministry has reported nearly 25,000 deaths and 612,814 recoveries so far .
The grim milestone comes at a time when several Indian states are imposing focused lockdowns to stem the outbreak amid frantic efforts by local governments to protect the economy .
So far , three states — Maharashtra , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than half of total cases .
But in India ’ s vast countryside , which is much less prepared and with weaker health care , the pandemic is clearly growing .
“ The acceleration in cases remains the main challenge for India in the coming days , ” said Dr. Ashish Jha , director of the Harvard Global Health Institute , adding that a vast majority of cases were still being missed .
The continuing surge has forced authorities to reinstate lockdowns in some cities and states .
In Bangalore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre of of Indian technology innovation , the government ordered a weeklong lockdown that began Tuesday evening after the cases surged exponentially .
In Bihar , an eastern state with a population of 128 million and a fragile health system , a two-week lockdown was announced Thursday .
In Uttar Pradesh , the most populous state with more than 200 million people , authorities have started placing residents under strict weekend curfews , which will remain in place until the end of the month .
Other local governments are increasingly focusing on smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dozen states have imposed restrictions on “ containment zones ” — areas that can be as small as a few houses or a street .
Dr. Anant Bhan , a global health researcher , said that India was likely to see “ a series of peaks , ” as the infection spread in rural areas .
He pointed out that the capital of New Delhi and the financial capital , Mumbai , had already seen surges , while infections have now shifted to smaller cities .
India ’ s response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bought time by locking down its entire population of 1.4 billion people when Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed a nationwide lockdown for three weeks on March 24 .
“ If ( the ) situation is not handled in these 21 days , the country and your family could go back 21 years , ” Modi said then in a televised address to Indians , many of whom were still unaware of the scale of the crisis in the country .
The nationwide lockdown , then extended for five more weeks , came at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanitarian crisis when millions of impoverished migrant workers were forced to return to the countryside due to job losses and hunger .
Aimed at increasing the capacity of the health care system , the lockdown slowed down the virus , but it wasn ’ t enough .
Cases kept increasing while testing still remained abysmally low and the virus rocketed through India ’ s vast landscape — from high up in the Himalayan Kashmir to the sprawling beaches of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu .
“ Slowdown isn ’ t eradication , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian Medical College in Vellore .
Muliyil said that India had to try and slow down the virus because it didn ’ t have enough beds but was only partly successful since the “ requirement was quite large.
” India ’ s public health care system is one of the most chronically underfunded in the world and access to hospitals in rural areas is very low .
Experts say the challenge for India will be to tightrope the opening up of the economy while trying to restrict the increase in cases to manageable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ India ’ s strategy going forward will revolve around containment zones , ” said Rajesh Bhushan of India ’ s federal Health Ministry .
Once more zones are mapped out , health care workers will go from house to house and test those with symptoms , he said .
Dr. Ujjwal Parakh , a senior consultant at the department of respiratory medicine at Ganga Ram Hospital , New Delhi , said authorities could have been more transparent about testing guidelines .
Initially , India had some of the world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a third of its testing capacity .
After months of sluggishness , it has now ramped up testing , from a single lab in January to over 1,200 .
Over 300,000 samples are being tested every day .
In some cities , it has also allowed tests without a doctor ’ s prescription .
“ The battle plan is to do all the things we know work .
Open the economy , as much as it is safe .
Track things very closely , ” said Jha .
“ But don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Associated Press journalist Rishabh R. Jain contributed to this report .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Sheikh Saaliq And Aniruddha Ghosal - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Indonesia jails 2 police in acid attack on graft official

JAKARTA , Indonesia - An Indonesian court on Thursday sentenced two elite police officers to 18 months and two years in prison for attacking a senior anti-corruption investigator with acid , in a verdict slammed by rights groups and anti-graft activists .
Novel Baswedan , a leading investigator at the Corruption Eradication Commission , known by its Indonesian abbreviation KPK , was almost blinded when two men on a motorbike threw acid at him as he left dawn prayers at a mosque in April 2017 .
The attack drew condemnation across Indonesia , which suffers from endemic corruption .
KPK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective institutions in the nation of more than 270 million people , is frequently under legislative attack by lawmakers who want to reduce its powers .
A panel of three judges in North Jakarta District Court delivered the verdict after a trial that was held remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The two members of an elite police mobile brigade , Rahmat Kadir Mahulette and Ronny Bugis , were arrested in December on the outskirts of Jakarta almost three years after the attack .
The indictment said the motive for the attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s position as a corruption investigator , and prosecutors argued that the defendants did not intend to throw acid on Baswedan ’ s face , just his body .
Mahulette , who was found guilty of throwing the acid at Baswedan , was sentenced to two years in jail , while Bugis , who allegedly drove the motorbike in the attack , was given 18 months ’ imprisonment .
Prosecutors had recommended only one-year sentences for each of the defendants .
They were widely criticized by anti-corruption activists and international rights groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 years ’ imprisonment for premeditated attacks that cause permanent disability .
Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid called for a new independent investigation into the attack .
Baswedan investigated police corruption and was also leading the probe into a case in which 80 people , mostly officials and legislators , and several companies allegedly used the introduction of a $ 440 million electronic identity card system in 2011 and 2012 to steal more than a third of the funds .
Senior Golkar party politician and former Speaker of Parliament Setya Novanto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 years in prison for co-ordinating the $ 170 million theft of public money .
After the attack , Baswedan underwent months of medical treatment of his damaged eyes in Singapore .
He criticized the police investigation of his case because no one had been arrested when he returned to work in 2018 , 16 months after the attack .
He doubted that the defendants were the real attackers , saying they did not fit their description .
“ Many say that this trial is like a theatrical performance .
I also believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of the verdict Thursday , “ With many oddities and problems , what do you want to expect ?
Instead , it proves that Indonesia is a dangerous place for people who want to fight corruption.
” The attack underlined the country ’ s challenges in fighting graft and threatened the credibility of President Joko Widodo , who won a second term after campaigning for clean governance .
Indonesia , Southeast Asia ’ s largest economy , ranked 85th out of 180 countries in the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Alabama steers money for preservation of last slave ship

MOBILE , Ala. - Alabama is spending $ 1 million to preserve the remnants of the last slave ship known to have landed in the United States more than 150 years ago .
The Alabama Historical Commission said Thursday that the money will be used to begin Phase 3 of preservation efforts for the Clotilda .
The agency said that will include targeted artifact excavation and an engineering study to evaluate what is needed for site protection as well as the integrity of the riverbed for consideration of erecting a memorial on site .
Legislators included the money in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Clotilda is a priceless and significant artifact very much deserving of our respect and remembrance , ” Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey said in a statement released by the agency .
The schooner named the Clotilda was sailed to West Africa in 1860 after a wealthy businessman wagered he could bring a shipload of people from Africa to the United States in defiance of laws against slave importation .
The ship was burned in a bayou in 1860 to hide evidence of the crime .
After the Civil War , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Africatown where some of their descendants still live .
“ With the confirmation of the vessel , there is no denying the brutality they suffered , and the reality of how they survived and built a community in Alabama in spite of all the things they endured , ” state Sen. Vivian Davis Figures of Mobile said .
The remains of the ship were discovered in 2019 .
A federal judge granted ownership of the Clotilda shipwreck to the Alabama Historical Commission .


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Utility’s power lines caused huge 2019 California wildfire

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - Pacific Gas & Electric transmission lines sparked a wildfire in Northern California wine country last year that destroyed hundreds of homes and caused nearly 100,000 people to flee , fire officials said Thursday .
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection , or Cal Fire , said investigators determined that lines northeast of Geyserville were responsible for igniting the Kincade Fire last October that ripped through a wide swath of Sonoma County .
Tinder-dry brush and strong winds combined with warm temperatures and low humidity helped the fire spread at extreme rates , the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not release details of its investigation but said its report had been sent to the county district attorney ’ s office , which will decide whether to file criminal charges .
The fire burned 374 homes and other buildings and injured four people before it was doused two weeks later .
PG & E said Thursday it did not have access to the agency ’ s investigative report or the evidence collected , and that it looked forward to reviewing both .
The utility told regulators last year that its lines were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PG & E is the nation ’ s largest utility and recently emerged from bankruptcy caused by the financial fallout from its role in several devastating wildfires that destroyed more than 27,000 homes and other buildings in 2017 and 2018 .
Last month , PG & E took the extraordinary step of pleading guilty to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter for a November 2018 wildfire that largely destroyed the city of Paradise .
The inferno , known as the Camp Fire , was the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire found that PG & E repeatedly ignored warnings about its failing power lines , performed inadequate inspections to focus on profits and refused to learn from past catastrophes .
The utility has faced furious criticism from lawmakers and fire victims .
It also was blasted for efforts to prevent wildfires last year by turning off power in vast portions of its service territory during high-risk fire weather to avoid winds from knocking down lines or blowing tree branches into them .
The planned blackouts affected more than 2 million people at certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so badly that it had to publicly apologize and give $ 86 million in customer refunds .
PG & E has said it expects to have to turn off power in parts of its service territory later this year to reduce wildfire risks during hot , windy weather .


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Georgia gov sues to end cities’ defiance on mask rules

ATLANTA - Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp is suing Atlanta ’ s mayor and city council to block the city from enforcing its mandate to wear a mask in public and other rules related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Kemp and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr , in a suit filed in state court late Thursday in Atlanta , argue that Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has overstepped her authority and must obey Kemp ’ s executive orders under state law .
“ Governor Kemp must be allowed , as the chief executive of this state , to manage the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ void and unenforceable orders which only serve to confuse the public , ” the lawsuit states .
Kemp on Wednesday clarified his executive orders to expressly block Atlanta and at least 14 other local governments across the state from requiring people to wear face coverings .
Kemp ’ s order was met with defiance Thursday by Bottoms and some other mayors , who said they would continue enforcing the order .
The lawsuit forces that showdown , resolving an ambiguous situation with Kemp denying local governments could order masks , but local governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bottoms said Thursday during a video news conference that the city ’ s order is still in effect .
“ As of today , 3,104 Georgians have died and I and my family are amongst the 106,000 who have tested positive for COVID-19 , ” Bottoms said in a statement after the lawsuit was filed .
“ A better use of taxpayer money would be to expand testing and contact tracing .
If being sued by the state is what it takes to save lives in Atlanta , then we will see them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge to overturn Bottoms ’ orders that are more restrictive than Kemp ’ s , block her from issuing any more such orders , instruct the City Council not to ratify Bottoms ’ actions or adopt any ordinances inconsistent with Kemp , to force Bottoms not to make any public statements claiming she has authority that exceeds Kemp ’ s , and to require city officials to enforce “ all provisions ” of Kemp ’ s existing orders .
In filing the lawsuit , Kemp combined a previous dispute with Bottoms over policing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he was suing to protect business owners and employees in the same way he called out the National Guard last week to protect state office buildings and the governor ’ s mansion after an 8-year-old girl was fatally shot July 4 by armed men at a site where a white Atlanta police officer shot and killed a Black man who had grabbed a stun gun and ran .
The shooting of Rayshard Brooks prompted unrest , including the burning of the fast food restaurant at the site , and complaints that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police intervention .
The city struggled at times to provide officers after many called in sick when a prosecutor , over Bottoms ’ objection , criminally charged the officers involved .
Kemp also alleged in his lawsuit that Bottoms has forbidden police from enforcing Kemp ’ s earlier orders against gatherings of more than 50 people .
Officials in at least 15 Georgia cities and counties had ordered masks during the coronavirus pandemic , and many were angry at Kemp for swatting down their efforts .
“ How can we take care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our hands behind our back and then says ‘ Ignore the advice of experts ?
’ ” Savannah Mayor Van Johnson asked in a news conference .
Bottoms last week made statements that people had to return to sheltering at home and forcing restaurants to return to only offering takeout and delivery .
Kemp quickly swatted those claims down , and Bottoms on Thursday described them as guidelines .
But Kemp ’ s lawsuit says the court should set Bottoms straight on those statements as well , and forbid her from making more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kemp says he strongly supports mask-wearing to combat the spread of COVID-19 infections .
He travelled the state this month to encourage face coverings .
But he has maintained for weeks that cities and counties can ’ t require masks in public places , saying local actions can ’ t be more or less restrictive than his statewide orders .
Wednesday , in an otherwise routine renewal of rules governing business operations and ordering medically vulnerably people to stay home , Kemp made that prohibition explicit .
He also said local governments could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which would include Atlanta ’ s massive airport .
Although national health officials have called on people to use masks , President Donald Trump ’ s administration has not issued any nationwide guidance .
Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia now require masks .
Kemp ’ s stance — not only shying away from a statewide order but trying to bar local governments from instituting their own — leaves him standing virtually alone .
In the South , Republican governors in Tennessee , South Carolina and Florida have resisted statewide mandates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Republican governors in Alabama , Arkansas and Texas and Democrats in Kentucky , Louisiana and North Carolina have issued statewide mask requirements .
Thursday ’ s numbers showed more than 2,800 people hospitalized statewide with the COVID-19 respiratory illness , the highest on record .
The state reported that 84 % of hospitals ’ critical beds were filled .
Georgia overall had more than 131,000 confirmed infections and more than 3,100 deaths overall as of Thursday .
Some business groups are supporting Kemp .
Georgia Restaurant Association Executive Director Kelly Bremer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t appropriate considering Georgia ’ s size and diversity .
But she also said local rules would be confusing and businesses should make their own decisions about requiring customers to wear masks .
“ For businesses to grapple with 535 different municipal ordinances and 159 different county ordinances is madness , “ Bremer said .
“ Having one set of guidelines is very important.
” Nadler reported from Marietta , Georgia .
Associated Press writer Haleluya Hadero contributed to this report .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and @ @ @ @

Jeff Amy And Ben Nadler - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--After 4 days, 2 explosions, Navy warship fire extinguished

SAN DIEGO - A fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard at a San Diego naval base has been extinguished after a four-day battle against one of the worst infernos to rip through a U.S. warship outside of combat in recent years , the Navy said Thursday .
Rear Adm. Philip E. Sobeck called the last 24 hours of the firefight aboard the amphibious assault ship “ amazing , “ with the fire reaching up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the vessel .
The ship also shifted and tilted toward the pier late Wednesday under the weight of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , forcing a brief evacuation of sailors .
On Thursday , it listed in the opposite direction , but Sobeck , commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3 , said the ship was stable and “ survivable , “ though it will take time to assess the damage .
“ The ship can be repaired , whether or not it will be repaired , that will be determined , “ he said .
It could cost an estimated $ 4 billion to replace the ship if it is deemed un-salvageable .
While the flames @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so sailors were undertaking the “ painstaking “ process of inspecting every space to ensure there were no smouldering spots that could flare up on the 840-foot ( 255-meter ) ship , Sobeck said .
They also intended to carefully remove 1,500 bucket-loads of water dumped from helicopters to ensure the change in weight does not throw off the ship ’ s balance .
The Bonhomme Richard was nearing the end of a two-year upgrade estimated to cost $ 250 million when the fire broke out Sunday .
About 160 sailors had moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuated .
The Navy investigation will examine various possibilities of what might have sparked the blaze in the ship ’ s lower storage area , where cardboard boxes , rags and other maintenance supplies were stored .
It also will look at what caused two explosions on board after the blaze was reported .
Officials have said no foul play was s suspected and the blasts could have been from pressure building up inside the ship .
The fire travelled upward to the well deck — a wide hangar-type area — and took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flames was compounded because there was scaffolding , along with other equipment and debris in the way of firefighters .
In addition , one of the ship ’ s fire suppression systems was deactivated because of the maintenance project .
More than 60 sailors and civilians were treated for minor injuries , heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation since Sunday .
The Navy has a history of bringing back to life warships that have been badly damaged by enemy attacks , but it is rare that vessels that have burned extensively from non-combat-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle ready , according to experts .
The amphibious assault ships are among the few in the U.S. fleet that can act as a mini aircraft carrier .
Even if the Bonhomme Richard is ultimately repaired , it will likely be out of operation for years .
“ There ’ s no doubt there will be an impact , ” Sobeck said , adding that “ we can fill those gaps.
” This week the Navy commissioned its newest amphibious assault ship — the USS Tripoli — in an low-key administrative ceremony in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid gatherings that could spread the coronavirus .
It ’ s slated to head to San Diego later this summer .


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Anniversary of world’s 1st atomic test fuels nuclear debate

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. - Transported in the backseat of a blacked-out Plymouth sedan was the culmination of years of feverish work — a hefty plutonium core that would soon be used to trigger the world ’ s first atomic explosion .
Within days of being taken in 1945 from a top secret installation in the mountains of northern New Mexico to a desert outpost more than 200 miles away , the core and other components were assembled for what was code-named the Trinity test .
Scientists weren ’ t entirely sure whether the “ Gadget ” would work as intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth ’ s atmosphere or maybe lead to the evaporation of the planet .
They found out in the early morning hours of July 16 , 1945 .
The detonation forever changed the course of history , ensuring the end of World War II and marking the dawn of the atomic age .
After 75 years , the test is both revered for the scientific advancements it helped to usher in and vilified for the moral and diplomatic implications that still linger in its wake .
Lisa Gordon-Hagerty , head of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alamos National Laboratory on Thursday to commemorate the anniversary .
The lab is known as the birthplace of the atomic bomb — where Robert Oppenheimer and a disparate collection of physicists went about untangling the theoretical and practical challenges of what came to be known as the Manhattan Project .
The immediacy of their work was fueled by word in the late 1930s that German chemists had discovered fission through their work with uranium and that the possibility of the Nazis setting up nuclear chain reactions had become more real and could lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of scientists that included Albert Einstein pressed then-U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt about the importance of the United States getting the jump on Germany .
Gordon-Hagerty , a self-described science and history geek , said she often has thought about what it would have been like to stand in Oppenheimer ’ s shoes the morning of the Trinity test .
“ I look to the good of what happened 75 years ago , ” she told The Associated Press in an interview .
“ It has saved us from world wars .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ billions — of lives over the past 75 years through its application in nuclear medicine and science .
To me , that can ’ t be glossed over.
” For others , the atomic test in southern New Mexico and subsequent tests elsewhere have left a painful legacy .
From uranium miners , truck drivers and government workers to those living in communities near test sites , thousands were exposed over the years to radiation that resulted in cancer , birth defects and other illnesses .
Members of New Mexico ’ s congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority communities , including those in the shadow of that first test .
They lawmakers have been pushing to expand the federal government ’ s compensation program to include “ downwinders “ in Tularosa Basin .
The program currently covers workers who became sick as a result of the radiation hazards of their jobs and those who lived downwind of the Nevada Test Site .
Tina Cordova , a cancer survivor and co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium , says many people who lived near the Trinity Site weren ’ t told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. dropped bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and World War II ended .
“ It ’ s horribly disheartening and unforgivable to be relegated to nothingness , like we don ’ t count for anything while other people are being taking care of , “ she said , accusing the federal government of looking the other way for decades .
She said the sacrifices of those who lived near the Trinity Site go beyond health implications from the fallout .
At that time , she said many women who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own , taking care of their children , while their husbands were fighting in the war .
Her grandfather was among them ; he was buried in Europe .
Cordova and others also have concerns about New Mexico ’ s continued ties to nuclear research , bomb making and the resulting waste , saying the state already has made enough sacrifices for the good of the country .
Los Alamos is preparing to resume production of the plutonium cores that serve as triggers for the nation ’ s nuclear arsenal .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build an interim storage site in southern New Mexico for spent nuclear fuel from power plants across the U.S. , and there has long been talk about the federal government ’ s underground nuclear waste repository near Carlsbad possibly taking on more waste .
“ They tell you it ’ s safe and it is right until the minute it ’ s not .
And then when it ’ s not , it ’ s catastrophic.
” Cordova said .
“ If you think they ’ re going to come back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ ve been waiting for 75 years.
” For those who witnesses that first test , it was shock and awe as a searing light flashed across a 200-mile span of the New Mexico desert .
One of the biggest concerns at the time was radioactive fallout .
The bomb released energy equivalent of 21 kilotons of TNT — four times as much as had been predicted by most at Los Alamos .
It was the culmination of making something from speculation and a theoretical design into a real thing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History .
“ There were just tremendous technical problems to be overcome , ” he said .
“ This was 1945 so we didn ’ t have circuits yet .
...
Yet this was a device that had to set off charges in a spherical way and they had to be absolutely simultaneous .
So very tough to do.
” And then there was the challenge of transporting the nuclear material from the Hanford reactor in Washington state to Los Alamos and then down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the backseat of an Army sedan .
The museum has one of the cars on display along with the 1942 Packard limo that ferried Oppenheimer and other scientists from Los Alamos to the test site .
Nearby is the 48-star American flag that flew over Trinity Base Camp and a replica of the “ Gadget , ” with insulated wires looping around its aluminum hull to each detonation plug .
Gordon-Hagerty says she ’ s amazed to think about how far science has come since then , equating the drive and focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission her agency has before it in modernizing the nuclear stockpile and maintaining global deterrence .
“ If not us , then who ?
If not now , then when ?
” she says .

Susan Montoya Bryan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Kentucky Democratic party stalwart sentenced to prison

FRANKFORT , Ky. - Kentucky businessman and Democrat Party stalwart Jerry Lundergan was sentenced on Thursday to 21 months in prison for making illegal contributions to the failed U.S. Senate campaign of his daughter , former Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes .
Prosecutors said Lundergan , 73 , orchestrated a scheme to funnel more than $ 200,000 in illegal contributions to Grimes ’ 2014 campaign against Republican Mitch McConnell .
They alleged he either paid for campaign services directly and didn ’ t seek reimbursement or paid costs through a co-defendant , Dale Emmons .
Lundergan was convicted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , he was sentenced in federal court , while Emmons was sentenced to three years of probation , nine months of which will be served in a halfway house .
Lundergan was fined $ 150,000 and Emmons $ 50,000 .
Lundergan was found guilty of all 10 counts he faced and Emmons was convicted on all six of his counts .
The men are longtime friends and well-known political figures in Kentucky .
Lundergan is an ex-state lawmaker and former state Democratic Party chairman .
Emmons has worked on campaigns for offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men broke “ important laws that regulate the integrity of our elections , “ Robert Duncan , U.S. attorney for Kentucky ’ s eastern district , said in a news release Thursday .
Grimes finished her second and final term as secretary of state in January .
This version corrects the spelling of Grimes ’ first name .


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--US official visits Portland, calls protesters ‘anarchists’

PORTLAND , Ore. - The head of the Department of Homeland Security visited Portland , Oregon , on Thursday , just hours after issuing a scathing statement that called the protesters who have taken to the streets every night for nearly two months “ violent anarchists “ and a ” violent mob ” that have kept the liberal Northwest city under siege .
Acting Secretary Chad Wolf , whose visit was met with anger from local officials , said state and city authorities are to blame for not putting an end to 47 days of protests in Portland that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests in Oregon ’ s largest city following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis have often devolved into violent clashes between smaller groups and the police .
The unrest has caused deep divisions in a city that prides itself on its activism and progressive reputation .
“ Each night , lawless anarchists destroy and desecrate property , including the federal courthouse , and attack the brave law enforcement officers protecting it , ” Wolf wrote .
“ Instead of addressing violent criminals in their communities , local and state leaders are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement and requesting fewer officers in their community .
This failed response has only emboldened the violent mob as it escalates violence day after day , ” his statement said .
Federal officers recently sent to Portland by President Donald Trump have escalated tensions in the past two weeks , particularly after an officer with the U.S .
Marshals Service fired a less-lethal round at a protester ’ s head on July 11 , critically injuring him .
Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local officials have said they didn ’ t ask for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked them to leave .
“ A number of people have asked if I know DHS leadership is in town , and if I ’ m going to meet with them .
We ’ re aware that they ’ re here .
We wish they weren ’ t .
We haven ’ t been invited to meet with them , and if we were , we would decline , “ Wheeler tweeted Thursday .
Democratic Gov .
Kate Brown called Wolf ’ s visit “ political theatre from President Trump ” and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Oregon in the hopes of winning political points in Ohio or Iowa.
“ The state ’ s four Democratic federal lawmakers also sent a letter this week to Wolf and U.S. Attorney General William Barr to oppose the federal deployment in Portland .
Demonstrators have set fires , launched fireworks and sprayed graffiti on public buildings , including police precincts and the U.S. courthouse .
Federal and local authorities have responded with tear gas and dozens of arrests .
A temporary federal court order banned Portland police from using tear gas unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it multiple times to dispel crowds .
Federal agents have used tear gas at least twice since their arrival over the Fourth of July weekend , prompting concerns that they are being used to circumvent the court order .
Before Wolf arrived , Portland police arrested nine people early Thursday as they cleared protesters from two parks near the courthouse .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear if the parks were cleared because of the visit .


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Investigators list potential crimes in Indiana assault case

INDIANAPOLIS - State investigators identified six potential crimes Thursday in an incident report concerning the reported assault on a Black man at a southern Indiana lake .
Vauhxx Booker , a local civil rights activist and member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission , said five white men pinned him against a tree , shouted racial slurs and one of them threatened to “ get a noose ” at Monroe Lake near Bloomington over Independence Day weekend .
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources responded to the scene on the day of the alleged assault and released the 68-page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public records act request .
In it , potential crimes committed by four people — on both sides of the altercation — are indicated .
Sean Purdy , whose lawyer spoke out Monday saying Booker has been “ putting forth a false narrative ” about what happened , is listed as facing potential charges of felony criminal confinement and misdemeanour battery against Booker .
Booker himself is named as potential victim , as well as a suspect on charges of battery and criminal trespassing against Purdy and another man involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also face misdemeanour battery charges , according to the DNR recommendations .
Ian Watkins , who was with Booker at the lake that day , could also face a criminal trespass charge .
Investigators “ determined there was evidence of multiple crimes ” after conducting more than a dozen interviews with witnesses and those involved in the physical altercation .
Video footage from cellphones was also gathered and reviewed .
Purdy ’ s lawyer , David Hennessy , claims that Booker was on private property on the day of the incident .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that after Purdy and his associates informed Booker of the property line , the situation was assumed to be resolved .
Hennessy contends that hours later , however , Booker again approached Purdy and a group of others .
Witnesses told DNR investigators that Booker threatened them , claiming to be a county commissioner .
That ’ s when Booker allegedly “ got in the face ” Purdy ’ s girlfriend and proceeded to punch Purdy three times .
An emailed statement Thursday from Booker and attorney Katherine Liell said the information released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resources was done improperly and follows a refusal by the officers to make any arrests after the incident .
“ This is inappropriate conduct by a law enforcement agency to publicly release documents which are generally denied even under Indiana public access laws , ” the statement said .
“ Why are they doing it ?
Because they are threatened and embarrassed , since they didn ’ t do the right thing two weeks ago.
” Booker and Liell also wrote that references to Booker possibly facing charges is “ inexcusable , immoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic.
” “ Vauhxx Booker has not committed any crimes and is a free man , ” the statement said .
“ He refused to be subjected to an interview with the same DNR officers who refused to listen to him July 4 when he was attacked.
” Cox , a friend of Purdy ’ s who told investigators he had permission to be on the property that day , said he was also punched in the face by Booker .
Cox additionally said he “ was pretty sure ” that he hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a different story about what happened .
He said he was pinned to a tree at the lake just south of Booker ’ s hometown of Bloomington and that the group of five men accused him of trespassing on private property .
After he tried to apologize , he said the situation got physical .
Booker said the men threatened to break his arms and said , “ get a noose , ” while telling his friends to leave the area .
Booker also said one of the men had a hat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the men made statements about “ white power.
” Witnesses who were with Booker that day told investigators they heard racial slurs being shouted and that someone said “ get a noose “ and ” leave the boy here , we will take care of him ” .
The DNR investigation shows Cox and Booker both sustained minor injuries .
No charges have been filed yet , but the Monroe County Prosecutor ’ s Office is now reviewing the evidence and weighing potential charges , said Deputy Prosecutor Jeff Kehr .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident as a possible hate crime .
Casey Smith is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Police capture kangaroo hopping through Fort Lauderdale

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - Police officers captured an unlikely suspect bouncing through a Florida neighbourhood Thursday morning .
After receiving a call about a kangaroo running loose , Fort Lauderdale police officers managed to capture him and place him in a squad car .
The marsupial was taken to a barn where the agency keeps its horses .
Anthony Macias , who claims to be the kangaroo ’ s owner , told the Sun Sentinel he had been hoping to bring his pet , Jack , home , but police told him the animal won ’ t be returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zoned for kangaroos .
Macias said he was at work when he learned Jack had escaped .
“ I was taking out the recycle bin , and I didn ’ t shut the gate all the way , ” Macias said .
“ I guess he just punched his way through.
” Jack was first spotted about a block from Macias ’ s home around 9:30 a.m. , officials said .
Officers followed him for three blocks before grabbing him .
Macias said he got Jack about four months ago from a Davie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want the animal anymore .
Macias also has a Corgi named Max .
“ They love each other , ” he said .
“ They play and run around.
” Officials weren ’ t sure where Jack would end up , but Macias said he has friends in Palm Beach County who are permitted to house kangaroos .


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Netflix promotes content chief to co-CEO; adds 10M new subs

NEW YORK - Netflix added a flood of new subscribers amid the coronavirus pandemic and also offered clues to a possible successor for founding CEO Reed Hastings , who on Thursday named the company ’ s chief content officer , Ted Sarandos , as co-CEO .
But it was investor disappointment in the outlook for new subscribers that helped drive down the stock 9 % to $ 480.70 in after-hours trading .
Sarandos , who joined Netflix over 20 years ago , will also join the Netflix board of directors .
“ Ted has been my partner for decades .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ informal — that Ted and I share the leadership of Netflix , ” said Hastings in a statement .
In a post-earnings video conference , Hastings nonetheless said he plans to stay with the company for the next decade and added the setup means the pair will serve as “ full-time ” executives , rather than two part-time CEOs splitting the role .
The company picked up 10.1 million worldwide subscribers during the April-June period , more than triple what it usually adds in that period .
The increase announced Thursday with Netflix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 8.3 million subscribers projected among analysts polled by FactSet .
Netflix ended June with 193 million worldwide subscribers , including 70 million in the U.S. and Canada , its largest geographic market .
Nearly 26 million of those subscribers have joined Netflix during the first six months of this year — more than double the number compared with last year — as the pandemic curtailed travel and even nights out on the town .
The restrictions have turned out to be a boon for Netflix , which also faces a slew of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and HBO Max .
Netflix Inc. , however , said its subscriber growth has begun to slow following the “ initial shock of Covid and social restrictions ” after it added just 2 million fewer customers in the past six months as it did for all of 2019 .
It forecasts just 2.5 million new additions for the current quarter .
The pandemic has shut down Hollywood , limiting the ability of TV and movie studios to produce more entertainment to feed Netflix and other video streaming services .
That could limit their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things to watch .
Netflix said Thursday that it is slowly resuming production , mostly in Asia and Europe , and its 2020 lineup remains intact .
Shooting delays mean big shows and movies slated for next year will come out more in the second half of 2021 .
People spending more time at home due to the pandemic has “ massively accelerated the shift ” from traditional TV to streaming video , “ said eMarketer analyst Eric Haggstrom in an email .
That bodes well for Netflix , the streaming pioneer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new competitors begin to scale their services , Netflix will extend its lead as the first stop for entertainment.
” He predicts that Netflix will get one-third of streaming subscribers globally in 2020 .
The Los Gatos , California , company ’ s extraordinary expansion helped Netflix earn $ 720 million on revenue of $ 6.15 billion during the second quarter .
Investors have been betting the pandemic will make Netflix more popular than ever .
Since public health experts officially declared the pandemic on March 11 , Netflix ’ s stock has @ @ @ @ @

Michael Liedtke And Tali Arbel - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-16--Ex-New Mexico officer facing murder charge over chokehold

RIO RANCHO , N.M. - A former police officer in New Mexico was charged Thursday with second-degree murder after authorities say he killed a Latino detainee he had placed in a chokehold .
State Attorney General Hector Balderas said he filed the charges against former Las Cruces police Officer Christopher Smelser in the death of Antonio Valenzuela .
Police say Smelser applied the chokehold after a foot chase in February when Valenzuela fled during a traffic stop .
After the chase , Smelser can be heard on police video saying , “ I ’ m going to ( expletive ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was pronounced dead at the scene .
The coroner determined he died from asphyxial injuries .
Smelser , who is white , was initially charged with manslaughter and later fired .
In a statement , Balderas said he was taking over the prosecution of Smelser from the Third Judicial District Attorney ’ s office in Las Cruces and “ focusing on appropriate charges for violent and dangerous chokeholds.
” The revised charge came as Black Lives Matter protests have swept the nation in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police departments to change policies involving the use of force and interactions with Black , Latino and Native American residents .
The death of Valenzuela generated similar protests in Las Cruces , just 46 miles north of the Mexico border .
Family members of Valenzuela had called for an upgraded charge against Smelser .
Some protesters said the killing illustrated the violence some Mexican Americans face from police and compared it to Floyd ’ s killing .
Last month , Balderas called for uniform use of force policies that would be codified in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban chokeholds , among other things .
As chairman of the state Law Enforcement Academy Board , Balderas in 2016 called on a committee of experts to review how each of New Mexico ’ s municipal and county law enforcement agencies investigates the use of deadly force by their own officers .
At the time , the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that the move seemed to offer the prospect of establishing a statewide standard for handling shootings by police .
A report with recommendations was drafted in 2017 but failed to gain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year later that they hadn ’ t even received the policy recommendations .
Associated Press journalist Russell Contreras is a member of the AP ’ s race and ethnicity team .
Follow Contreras on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/russcontreras

Russell Contreras - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--Taliban make big changes ahead of expected talks with Kabul

ISLAMABAD - The Taliban have put the son of the movement ’ s feared founder in charge of their military wing and added several powerful figures to their negotiating team , Taliban officials said .
The shake-up , one of the most significant in years , comes ahead of expected talks with Kabul aimed at ending decades of war in Afghanistan .
As head of a newly united military wing , 30-year-old Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob brings his father ’ s fiercely uncompromising reputation to the battlefield .
Equally significant is the addition of four members of the insurgent group ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team , Taliban officials told The Associated Press .
The shuffle , overseen by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhunzada , is meant to tighten his control over the movement ’ s military and political arms , the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the inner workings of the Taliban .
Analysts say the shake-up could be good news for negotiations with the Afghan political leadership , and a sign of how seriously the Taliban are taking this second — and perhaps most critical — step in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February .
“ I ’ d say it appears to be a positive development because the Taliban are creating a delegation that seems more senior and more broad-based than they ’ ve used to date , or than might be strictly necessary for the opening stages of talks , ” said Andrew Wilder , vice-president of the Asia Program at the Washington-based U.S. Institute of Peace .
“ If you want to see the glass as half full , this strengthened Taliban delegation could be interpreted as a sign that the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
When the U.S. signed the deal with the Taliban on Feb. 29 , after more than a year and a half of negotiations , it was touted as Afghanistan ’ s best chance at peace in four decades of war .
It was also seen as a road map for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan , ending America ’ s longest war .
On Monday , four-and-a-half months since the signing , chief U.S. negotiator and peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted that “ a key milestone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” had been reached as American troop numbers dropped to 8,600 from about 12,000 and five bases were closed in Afghanistan .
Even as Khalilzad chastised increased insurgent attacks on Afghan security forces , he said the Taliban had been true to their word not to attack U.S. and NATO troops .
“ No American has lost his/her life in Afghanistan to Taliban violence .
Regional relations have improved , ” he tweeted .
The Taliban have stepped up their military activity against Afghan government forces since Yaqoob ’ s appointment in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership may see battlefield wins as upping their leverage at the negotiating table .
“ I can see a lot of reasons for the Taliban to be pushing the envelope — perhaps as a negotiation tactic , but equally likely as a means to test U.S limits , ” said Daniel Markey , a senior research professor at Johns Hopkins University ’ s School of Advanced International Studies .
“ So far , the Trump administration looks like it is heading for the exit , no matter what .
Why not ratchet up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be won ?
” Surprisingly , the shuffle also sidelined senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi , removing him from the negotiating committee .
Seen as close to neighbouring Pakistan , his removal could limit Pakistan ’ s influence and buttress their position with Kabul , which is deeply suspicious of Islamabad .
Already a deputy head of the movement , the sudden appointment of the son of Mullah Mohammed Omar as the Taliban military chief reportedly ruffled feathers among members of the leadership council , who had not been consulted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ council and won over the dissenters , said the Taliban officials .
“ Yaqoob ’ s appointment appears to be , at least in part , an effort by Mullah Akhundzada to shore up oversight of battlefield operations at a key moment ... as the insurgents ramp up violence to strengthen their negotiating position in preparation for potential peace talks with the Afghan government , ” said Michael Kugelman , deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center .
In recent weeks , hopes have been raised of a July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Kabul government seem bogged down in the final release of prisoners , a prerequisite to the start of negotiations .
The United Nations had expressed hope the negotiations could begin this month .
Countries have been lining up to host the talks , with Germany being the latest to put in an offer and Turkey , Iran , Indonesia , Japan and Norway reportedly among the nations volunteering .
However , the Taliban and Afghan government officials say the first round is likely to be held in Doha , the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political office .
The newly strengthened negotiating team includes Abdul Hakeem , a former Taliban chief justice and confidant of Akhunzada , as well as Maulvi Saqib , chief justice during the Taliban rule .
Under the U.S.-Taliban deal , the Taliban — who during their rule of Afghanistan hosted al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden as he planned the 9-11 attacks — have pledged to no longer host any terror groups .
They also guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used as a launching arena for future attacks against America .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ more progress is needed on counter-terrorism , ” without elaborating .
This week , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also spoke about the controversy surrounding the White House over reports of Russian money being paid to Afghan militias — reportedly with links to the Taliban — to kill U.S. troops .
“ There ’ s a lot of Russian footprint ; there are Russian weapon systems there .
We have made clear to our Russian counterparts that we ought to work together to get a more sovereign , more independent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--Federal officers use gas to clear protesters in Portland

PORTLAND , Ore. - Federal officers deployed tear gas and fired less-lethal rounds into a crowd of protesters in Oregon , hours after the the head of the Department of Homeland Security visited Portland and called the demonstrators “ violent anarchists.
” Video showed many protesters leaving the area near the federal courthouse late Thursday as smoke filled the air .
Protests have taken place for nearly two months in Portland , since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 .
During a visit to Portland earlier Thursday , Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for not putting an end to the protests , angering local officials .
Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local officials have said they didn ’ t ask for help from federal law enforcement and have asked them to leave .
A few hundred people had gathered near the federal courthouse Thursday night , news outlets reported .
Police told protesters to leave after announcing they heard some chanting about burning down the building , according to The Oregonian .
A short time later , federal officers fired rounds and deployed tear gas to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained in the area early Friday and were detained , but it was unclear whether any arrests were made , the newspaper reported .
Homeland Security acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said Friday morning on “ Fox & Friends ” that the federal government has a responsibility to protect buildings such as the courthouse .
“ What we ’ ve seen around the country is where responsible policing is advanced , violence recedes , “ Cuccinelli said .
” And Portland hasn ’ t gotten that memo .
Nor have a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined to do what we can , within our jurisdiction , to help restore peace to these beleaguered cities.
” President Donald Trump recently sent the federal officers to the city .
Tensions have escalated in the past two weeks , particularly after an officer with the U.S .
Marshals Service fired a less-lethal round at a protester ’ s head on July 11 , critically injuring him .


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--1 quest for justice helps fuel Black rights fight in France

IVRY-SUR-SEINE , France - Assa Traoré has been fighting for justice ever since her brother Adama died in the custody of French police on his 24th birthday four years ago .
And she ’ s determined to keep fighting until “ the end , ” she says : until someone is convicted for his death .
But recently , her goal has grown larger .
She ’ s now at the forefront of a new movement to wipe out what activists deem to be systemic racism in policing , fight for Black rights and to challenge France ’ s official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We became soldiers in spite of ourselves , ” Assa Traoré , whose family is of Malian origin , told The Associated Press this week .
“ There ’ s a movement today .
We call it the Adama generation , these people who are not afraid anymore , and these youth who will not shut up.
” The 35-year-old , who gave up her job as a special education teacher in a small Paris suburb to lead a movement demanding justice for her brother , has renewed purpose since George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police .
“ George Floyd is our brother here in France , too , ” Traoré said in an interview ahead of a demonstration Saturday marking the anniversary of Adama ’ s death — her speech determined , her energy palpable .
“ When you see George Floyd ’ s death , you imagine the death of my brother Adama Traoré.
” It is not the first time that France has reckoned with its colonial history and relationship with its Black and North African citizens .
Deaths involving police often lead to protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide unrest in 2005 sparked by the deaths of two boys who were electrocuted while hiding in an electric substation after fleeing police .
But now France is seeing a growing pushback against police violence , and against racism that many activists say is exacerbated by the country ’ s official doctrine of colorblindness , which encourages immigrants to integrate and bans the government from collecting census data on race .
While four officers involved in Floyd ’ s arrest have been charged — including one with murder who is behind bars — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Traoré ’ s death .
It wasn ’ t filmed , and the cause of death is still the subject of fierce debate .
On July 19 , 2016 , police approached Adama and his brother for an identity check in the town of Beaumont-sur-Oise north of Paris , where the large family grew up .
Adama ran away because he didn ’ t have his ID .
Gendarmes caught up with him and arrested him .
Within hours he was declared dead .
One gendarme initially said three officers jumped on Traoré @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early police reports .
The gendarme later denied any of them pinned him down .
The exact cause of death is not even clear .
A dozen court-ordered medical reports found various cardiac diseases were responsible .
The Traoré family countered those with an independent autopsy and medical reports pointing to asphyxiation instead .
Lawyers for the officers deny police were at fault .
The family ’ s lawyer Yassine Bouzrou said Friday that since early June , investigators have made 17 new requests for information , including a new medical examination by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcaster France-Info , Bouzrou called that a sign that the investigation is being taken more seriously than before Floyd ’ s death thrust it back into the spotlight .
In her quest for justice for her brother , Assa Traoré has met with families of those who died at the hands of police , toured struggling French suburbs where most of the population is immigrant or non-white , and organized activists across racial , geographical and economic lines .
In June , as France was reopening from virus lockdown and videos of Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she rallied tens of thousands of protesters to call attention to French racial minorities ’ own problems with police .
“ We have to change everything , this systemic racism , we need to break it , ” Traoré said .
She called for banning dangerous techniques that police use to immobilize people that “ overwhelmingly kill Black , Arabs and non-whites.
” She also thinks France needs to scrap the police oversight agencies , which are currently composed of police themselves , in favour of independent bodies .
In 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens ’ rights , Jacques Toubon , reported that Black and Arab French people were 20 times more likely to be stopped by police than others were .
In 2020 , Toubon published a study detailing systemic racism in the Paris police .
The government has pledged to root out racism in police forces but blames the problem on a few bad apples .
Traoré has built bridges with other social movements — like the yellow vest one against economic injustice and the climate crisis movement .
“ It ’ s been four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in France , ” Traoré said .
“ We ’ ve been in the most remote places in France , in small villages , it ’ s been four years of alliances with domestic workers , undocumented people , yellow vests , climate groups.
” This Saturday ’ s march was organized with climate activists under the slogan : “ We want to breathe.
” “ Today the fight for Adama Traoré does not belong to the Traoré family anymore , ” Traoré said .
“ It ’ s representative of a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so it ’ s a struggle we take on together .
”

Arno Pedram And Jeffrey Schaeffer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--Ex-head of Mexico state oil company returned, hospitalized

MEXICO CITY - The former head of Mexico ’ s state-run oil company landed in Mexico early Friday after being extradited from Spain to face corruption charges and was immediately hospitalized , the Attorney General ’ s Office said .
Emilio Lozoya landed shortly before 1 a.m. in Mexico City and received a medical check-up in the Attorney General ’ s Office hangar .
The doctor found he was suffering from anemia , problems with his esophagus and generally poor health .
Lozoya ’ s family had requested a review by a private doctor as well , who found the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unspecified location .
Lozoya had been scheduled to make his first appearance before a judge Friday , but it appeared unlikely that would proceed .
The Attorney General ’ s Office said the judiciary had been advised of the situation and prosecutors were waiting to hear about the dates for his initial appearance .
Lozoya ’ s arrival was accompanied by great anticipation not only because he spent months on the lam , but because he dropped his fight against extradition and agreed to co-operate with prosecutors .
His assistance could potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of former President Enrique Peña Nieto , who governed from 2012 to 2018 .
He was extradited to face charges equivalent to money laundering , bribery and conspiracy .
Spanish police arrested him in the southern city of Malaga in February at Mexico ’ s request .
Prosecutors are pursuing two cases against him .
In one , he allegedly accepted millions of dollars in bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht .
Prosecutors claim Lozoya took corruption to such lengths during his tenure as the head of the oil company known as Pemex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 million in bribes for the ruling party ’ s 2012 election campaign and then diverted some of that to buy a $ 1.9 million house for his family .
Prosecutors also say Lozoya was involved in the 2015 purchase of a fertilizer plant by Pemex from a Mexican company at an inflated price .


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--US home construction jumps 17.3% in June

SILVER SPRING , Md .
- Construction of U.S. homes jumped 17.3 % in June as some states reopened , @ @ @ @ @ last year after this spring ’ s massive slowdown in building activity due to the @ @ @ @ @ Department reported Friday that new homes were started at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of @ @ @ @ @ modest recovery in May followed steep declines in April and March .
Even after a @ @ @ @ @ , construction activity remains 4 % below last year ’ s pace .
Applications for @ @ @ @ @ indication of future activity , rose 2.1 % to 1.24 million units .
Home builders @ @ @ @ @ would recover as the nation reopens , spurred by the lowest mortgage rates in 50 @ @ @ @ @ whether the rebound is sustainable as infections have spiked , especially in the South , @ @ @ @ @ people have been increasingly venturing outside of their homes .


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--Internet disrupted in Iran province as police disperse rally

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Police dispersed protesters in southwestern Iran angry over the Islamic Republic ’ s anemic economy amid a U.S. sanctions campaign , a news report said on Friday , and internet access to the wider region was disrupted as demonstrators shared videos of the rally .
The outage coincided with videos being published online of protesters gathering in the city of Behbahan , some 570 kilometres ( 355 miles ) southwest of the capital , Tehran .
Those videos showed demonstrators chanting slogans heard at other protests in Iran over the last year , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are all together.
” Others targeted Iran ’ s foreign policy , shouting : “ No Gaza , no Lebanon , I will die for Iran.
” One video verified by The Associated Press shows a crowd of dozens of people in a square in Behbahan , shouting : “ An Iranian will die , but will never accept humiliation.
” Behbahan ’ s police chief , Col. Mohammad Azizi , later was quoted by Iranian website jamaran.news as confirming a protest took place beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrators , who rallied over the economy .
He said there were no injuries .
Iran shut down the country ’ s internet for days in November to halt protests that swept across the country , fueled by anger over the country ’ s anemic economy .
Amnesty International reported at least 300 people were killed in the unrest , many shot dead by security forces .
The November demonstrations showed the widespread economic discontent gripping Iran since May 2018 , when President Donald Trump imposed crushing sanctions after unilaterally withdrawing the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struck with world powers .
That decision has seen Iran begin to break limits of the deal , as well as a series of attacks across the Mideast that America has blamed on Tehran .


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--Jumbos retired: British Airways bids farewell to Boeing 747s

LONDON - The “ queen of the skies ” will no longer don the red , white and blue of the Union Jack after British Airways retired its fleet of Boeing 747s on Friday as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
The airline , which was the world ’ s biggest operator of the 747-400 model , had already planned to ground its fleet of 31 of the iconic wide-bodied jets in 2024 .
But the pandemic , which has seen most of the world ’ s planes grounded for the best part of three months , has hastened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecasters predict that passenger numbers will remain lower than normal , potentially for years to come .
BA ’ s predecessor , BOAC , first used the 747 in 1971 and as with many airlines , the plane — affectionately referred to as either the “ jumbo jet ” or the “ queen of the skies ” — became a symbol of the new age of mass travel to all corners of the planet .
Its days have been numbered , though , in light of new , modern , fuel-efficient aircraft such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 787 .
“ It is with great sadness that we can confirm we are proposing to retire our entire 747 fleet with immediate effect , “ BA said in a statement .
“ It is unlikely our magnificent ‘ queen of the skies ’ will ever operate commercial services for British Airways again due to the downturn in travel caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“ More than 1,500 jumbos were produced by Boeing , and it has historically been a commercial success for the manufacturer and the airlines .
But its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any sight of the jet , with its distinctive hump at the top , is now a rarity .
Just 30 of the planes were in service as of Tuesday , with a further 132 in storage , according to aviation data firm Cirium .
British Airways ’ 747-400s have a capacity of 345 passengers and can reach a top speed of 614 mph ( 988 kph ) .
“ While the aircraft will always have a special place in our heart , as we head into the future we will be operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ BA said .
Airlines around the world have struggled to cope with the collapse in demand caused by the pandemic .
In the U.K. , British Airways , easyJet and Virgin Atlantic have all announced job cuts and reduced operations .
Unite , a union that represents many workers in the aviation industry , urged the government to use the retirement of the 747 to bring forward an aircraft scrappage scheme to boost investments in greener aircraft as well as aerospace manufacturing .
Earlier this week , Prime Minister Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a scrappage scheme for old and highly polluting aircraft .
“ British Airways ’ retirement of the 747 should be the impetus he needs to put such a scheme into action , ” Unite national officer Rhys McCarthy said .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--Blaze on pier at English resort destroys fairground ride

LONDON - A fairground ride at a 152-year-old pier in the northwest England seaside resort of Blackpool was destroyed by an overnight fire that was swiftly brought under control .
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said 10 fire engines were used to bring the fire under control at the Central Pier after they were called just after 3 a.m. Friday .
A fairground ride and a significant portion of the outside of a workshop-type building were destroyed .
There were no apparent injuries .
Incident commander Mark Winder told BBC Radio Lancashire that firefighters had conditions in their favour .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tide was out , “ so we were able to tackle the fire below from the beach as well.
” An investigation is underway and a couple of firefighting crews remain on hand to monitor any potential flare-up .
Blackpool relies heavily on tourism , so the blaze is a particular blow just weeks after coronavirus restrictions on the sector were eased .
The three piers , with their attractions , amusements , shows and shopping , play a key role in the town ’ s tourist offering .
The Central Pier @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--Far apart: EU holds masked budget summit in pandemic times

BRUSSELS - European Union leaders acknowledged Friday they are about as far apart from reaching a deal on an unprecedented 1.85 trillion euro ( $ 2.1 trillion ) EU budget and virus recovery fund as the seating distance imposed upon them for health reasons at their summit .
“ The differences are still very , very big and so I can ’ t predict whether we will achieve a result this time , ” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel as she arrived at the Europa summit site .
“ So I expect very , very difficult negotiations.
” The challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whom arrived masked , some unmasked — are formidable .
The bloc is suffering through the worst recession in its history and member states are fighting over who should pay the most to help other countries and which nations should get the most to turn around their battered economies .
As the summit got underway all leaders were wearing masks .
The usual hugs , handshakes and kisses were replaced by friendly nods and elbow bumps .
The jovial atmosphere was not expected to last long at what will likely be one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of recent times .
What is slated as a two-day meeting could go even longer , if necessary , to bridge the differences between leaders .
After addressing the leaders , European Parliament President David Sassoli said the stakes could not be higher and urged leaders to reach agreement as Europe is buffeted by the economic headwinds of the coronavirus crisis .
“ Any postponement could trigger new storms and imperil the European scene .
We know that forecasts are very negative , “ he said .
” If Europe does not decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit public finances and , therefore , it ’ s very important that there should be a decision , an agreement.
” French President Emmanuel Macron led the early negotiations , arriving Thursday and using the the pre-summit hours to meet with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte , a stringent budget hardliner and considered one of the biggest obstacles to reaching a deal at the two-day meeting .
“ I am not optimistic , but you never know .
Nobody wants another meeting , ” said Rutte .
Macron underscored the importance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be absolutely decisive , “ he said .
“ It is our project Europe that is at stake.
” The urgency is such that the leaders have ended a string of coronavirus-enforced videoconference summits and are meeting in person for the first time since the pandemic began its devastating sweep around the globe .
The usual summit venue , an intimate room high up in the urn-shaped Europa centre , was deemed too snug to be safe and instead the leaders have been sent down to meeting room EBS-5 , whose 850 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normally fits 330 people .
Delegations were cut to a minimum , leaving leaders more dependent on their own knowledge of complicated dossiers .
It should put a smile on the face of Merkel , who has been in office for 15 years and seen countless leaders come and go .
Since the pandemic struck , she is seen as a safe pair of hands to lead her country through the crisis and now that Germany holds the rotating six-month EU presidency her stature will be even greater at the summit .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her 66th birthday on Friday .
Macron , her geopolitical equal at the table , gave her a fine bottle of Burgundy .
There may be cake later but the summit will hardly be a cakewalk for Merkel .
The members were already fighting bitterly over the seven-year , 1-trillion-euro EU budget when COVID-19 was still a local story in Wuhan , China , late last year .
Then the virus hit the EU head-on and estimates are now that the economy of the 19 countries that use the euro currency will contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent the EU into a panic as it was at a loss on how to co-ordinate policies of its member states early on .
Now , the EU ’ s executive is proposing a 750-billion-euro recovery fund , partly based on common borrowing , to be sent as loans and grants to the most needy countries .
Merkel , who is in her last term and has her political legacy at stake , already got Germany to agree to join in a common debt program to alleviate the economic suffering in mostly southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has agreed to include grants and not just loans in the recovery package to avoid overburdening member states with high debt already .
Rutte doesn ’ t like that and Dutch officials said they would stick to their tough line , raising the spectre that a further summit might be needed .
There are also plans to link budget funds to respect for basic democratic rights that the European Parliament says are under threat in nations like Hungary and Poland .
Some eastern European nations will be objecting to having that as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viktor Orban was clear upon departure that he would fight any such strings attached to the plan .
“ The Hungarian position is clear : Hungarians should decide about Hungarians ’ money , “ he said .
Corder reported from The Hague , Netherlands ; Pablo Gorondi contributed from Budapest , Hungary ; Geir Moulson from Berlin ; and Angela Charlton from Paris .

Raf Casert And Mike Corder - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--Mandela biggest influence for Africa’s youth, survey says

JOHANNESBURG - Former South African President Nelson Mandela ’ s fight for freedom and human rights makes him the most influential person among Africa ’ s youth , according to a survey conducted across the continent .
Mandela ’ s legacy is alive seven years after his death , according to the poll of young people in 14 African countries in which 86 % of respondents said his values are still relevant today .
The results of the survey were released Friday , on the eve of Mandela ’ s birthday , by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation .
Mandela ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping Africans combat COVID-19 , which is surging across South Africa and the continent , said the Nelson Mandela Foundation , which welcomed the findings .
“ The pandemic has exposed the gross inequalities around the world , the glaring gaps between the haves and the have nots , and many in Africa are finding their survival under threat because of lack of access to health care , ” said Luzuko Koti , the foundation ’ s spokesman .
According to the survey ’ s findings , 55 % of respondents said Mandela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Africa .
The poll asked 4,200 young men and women aged 18 to 24 in Republic of Congo , Ethiopia , Gabon , Ghana , Kenya , Nigeria , Mali , Malawi , Rwanda , Senegal , South Africa , Togo , Zambia and Zimbabwe .
The United Nations secretary-general will give the annual Mandela lecture on Saturday , the Nobel Peace Prize winner ’ s birthday .
Separately on Friday there are commemorations for Mandela ’ s daughter Zindzi , who died in a Johannesburg hospital this week .
Although her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her son told South Africa ’ s state broadcaster that she tested positive for COVID-19 on the day of her death .
President Cyril Ramaphosa praised her family for disclosing it .
“ This is a virus that affects us all , and there should never be any stigma around people who become infected , ” he said in a statement .
In disclosing her status , “ you are helping encourage social acceptance for sufferers.
” South Africa now has the world ’ s sixth largest confirmed virus caseload with nearly 325,000 @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--LL Bean inks first wholesaler partnerships in US

FREEPORT , Maine - L.L .
Bean is expanding from its original model of direct-to-customer catalogue sales and in-stores sales with an agreement to sell products in Nordstrom , Staples and sporting goods chain SCHEELS .
The company ’ s first wholesale agreements in the U.S. represent a push to get L.L .
Bean products in front of more consumers .
The Maine-based retailer believes its products are underrepresented in the marketplace and that there ’ s an opportunity to expand while other retailers contract , said Charlie Bruder , vice-president for merchandising .
The first phase started with L.L @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on sale in more than 1,000 Staples stores two weeks ago .
The business products retailer is a leader for back-to-school shopping .
In the fall , L.L .
Bean gear will be sold in a half-dozen SCHEELS stores in the Midwest and in 20 Nordstrom stores across the U.S. Nordstrom will offer classics like the famous Bean Boot , fleece and flannel , both in the stores , and online .
It ’ s a smart strategy for retailers like L.L .
Bean to reach more consumers without the risks that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signing long leases , said Marshal Cohen , chief retail analyst at The NPD Group .
The trend is expected to continue , Cohen said .
“ When you select the right retail partners , it gives you the ability to bring the product to the people ” without being a sellout , he said .
The move is not unprecedented for the 108-year-old retailer : L.L .
Bean inked an agreement in 2018 to sell products in Sporting Life , Hudson ’ s Bay and Mountain Equipment Co-Op stores in Canada .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago to expand sales in Japan beyond company-branded stores .
L.L.Bean has dealt with flat sales and a difficult era of belt-tightening that included a previous reduction in workforce , a tightening of its generous return policy , and a paring of product lines .
Sales dipped 3 % last year to about $ 1.5 billion for the privately owned company .
During the pandemic , L.L .
Bean closed its stores temporarily but its online and catalogue sales thrived with strong sales of comfort items like slippers in March , outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bikes , kayaks and canoes in May , said spokesperson Amanda Hannah .
The company believes that it can win over customers for life , if it can just get them to try the products , Bruder said .
The key was finding a handful of retailers who share the company ’ s customer service philosophy .
Nordstrom , which is family-owned , and SCHEELS , which is employee-owned , are known for their customer service , he said .
Despite online sales growth , most retail sales in the U.S. are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
L.L .
Bean remains committed to its own stores , as well , and will press forward with opening stores in select markets .
“ When people come into our stores , our staff is incredible .
There ’ s no substitute for that , “ Bruder said .
“ We want to continue to have a thoughtful expansion plan .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--UK’s Johnson nudges workers back to office as lockdown eases

LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday that people will no longer be told to work from home and avoid public transit in a major easing of lockdown restrictions — even as he said the government was “ preparing for the worst ” in case of a new coronavirus spike this winter .
Johnson said the government ’ s advice to avoid non-essential use of public transit was being lifted immediately , and that from Aug. 1 workers would no longer be told to do their jobs from home , if possible .
He said it will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether they can bring employees back to workplaces in a “ COVID-secure ” way .
The U.K. ’ s official pandemic death toll , which stood at more than 45,000 as of Friday , has for several weeks been the highest in Europe and the third-highest in the world behind the United States and Brazil .
Johnson is trying to walk a tightrope , avoiding a resurgence of the virus while also encouraging a return to shops , restaurants and workplaces to kick-start a moribund economy that has shrunk by a quarter since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers return in previous stages of lockdown easing , those that rely on office workers struggling , and Johnson is keen to see more people go back to city-centre workplaces .
But the prime minister ’ s move to give employers “ more discretion ” about whether to ask their staffs to return to regular work locations appears at odds with the views of his chief scientific adviser , Patrick Vallance , , who said Thursday that there was “ absolutely no reason ” to change the work-from-home advice .
Johnson said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
“ Obviously it ’ s not for government to decide how employers should run their companies and whether they want their workers in the office or not , ” he said .
The announcements apply only in England .
Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland all have their own public health systems and are reopening at slightly different speeds .
At a news conference , Johnson set out more details of the U.K. ’ s road out of a nationwide lockdown that was imposed in March but is gradually being eased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hair salons have already reopened in England , and Johnson said they can be joined as of Aug. 1 by beauticians , casinos , bowling alleys and skating rinks .
Nightclubs will remain closed .
He said indoor performances would be able to restart in August “ subject to the success of pilots ” and sports fans should be able to return to stadiums in October .
Johnson said the measures could be reversed if coronavirus infection rates begin to climb again .
A report commissioned by scientific adviser Vallance said this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a “ reasonable worst-case scenario ” if a virus outbreak coincided with a bad flu season over the winter , though it stressed that was not a prediction .
Johnson said the government was preparing for winter by expanding capacity to test people for the virus , even if they have no symptoms .
Currently , some 200,000 tests are performed a day , and Johnson said capacity would hit 500,000 a day by the end of October .
He also said local authorities would be given new powers to impose restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also announced 3 billion pounds ( $ 3.8 billion ) to help the country ’ s health service cope with a possible second wave of the virus .
The money will allow the state-funded National Health Service to buy up space in private hospitals and maintain a string of temporary hospitals that were built rapidly around the country as the outbreak accelerated in the spring .
The “ Nightingale hospitals ” ended up treating few patients , but the government wants to keep the spare capacity in case a new wave of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s possible that the virus will be more virulent in the winter months , and it ’ s certain that the NHS will face the usual annual winter pressures , ” Johnson said .
He said the government ’ s strategy was to “ hope for the best but to plan for the worst .
”

Jill Lawless And Danica Kirka - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-17--Rev. C.T. Vivian, key civil rights leader, has died at 95

ATLANTA - The Rev .
C.T .
Vivian , a civil rights veteran who worked alongside the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. and later led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference , has died .
Vivian died at home in Atlanta of natural causes Friday morning , his friend and business partner Don Rivers confirmed to The Associated Press .
Vivian was 95 .
His civil rights work stretched back more than six decades , to his first sit-in demonstrations in the 1940s in Peoria , Ill .
He met King soon after the budding civil rights leader ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Vivian helped organize the Freedom Rides to integrate buses across the South and trained waves of activists in non-violent protest .
It was Vivian ’ s bold challenge of a segregationist sheriff while trying to register Black voters in Selma , Alabama , that sparked hundreds , then thousands , to march across the Edmund Pettus bridge .
“ He has always been one of the people who had the most insight , wisdom , integrity and dedication , ” said Andrew Young , who also worked alongside King .
President Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freedom in 2013 .
The reverend had continued to advocate for justice and equality in recent years .
Speaking with students in Tennessee 50 years after the Voting Rights Act was signed into law , he explained that the civil rights movement was effective because activists used strategies to make sure that their messages were amplified .
“ This is what made the movement ; our voice was really heard .
But it didn ’ t happen by accident ; we made certain it was heard , ” Vivian said .
Cordy Tindell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Howard County , Mo.
, but moved to Macomb , Ill. , with his mother when he was still a young boy .
As a young theology student at the American Baptist College in Nashville , Tenn. , Vivian helped organize that city ’ s first sit-ins .
Under King ’ s leadership at SCLC , Vivian was national director of affiliates , travelling around the South to register voters .
In 1965 in Selma , he was met on the Dallas County courthouse by Sheriff Jim Clark , who listened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then punched him in the mouth .
Vivian stood back up and kept talking as the cameras rolled before he was stitched up and jailed .
His mistreatment , seen on national television , eventually drew thousands of protesters , whose determination to march from Selma to Montgomery pressured Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act later that year .
Vivian continued to serve in the SCLC after King ’ s assassination in 1968 , and became its interim president in 2012 , lending renewed credibility and a tangible link to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for years due to financial mismanagement and infighting .
“ There must always be the understanding of what Martin had in mind for this organization , ” Vivian said in a 2012 interview .
“ Nonviolent , direct action makes us successful .
We learned how to solve social problems without violence .
We can not allow the nation or the world to ever forget that.
” Vivian had a stroke about two months ago but seemed to recover , Rivers said .
Then , “ he just stopped eating , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was 21 when he met Vivian at Shaw University in Raleigh , North Carolina .
Back then , he worked as an audio director when Vivian was the dean of the university ’ s divinity school .
The two remained close over the years and Rivers said he handled the business side of Vivian ’ s work .
“ He ’ s such a nice , gentle , courageous man , ” Rivers said , adding that the reverend wasn ’ t in it for the money but , “ he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”