thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Top US military officer reaches out to Capitol leaders

WASHINGTON - The nation ’ s top military officer , Gen. Mark Milley , has spoken privately with key congressional leaders as Pentagon officials come under fire for the Defence Department ’ s role in containing protests following the police killing of George Floyd .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , to express her concerns Tuesday , according to a person who was unauthorized to publicly discuss the private conversations and was granted anonymity .
That was the day after authorities cleared protesters near the White House so President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearby church .
Milley and Defence Secretary Mark Esper were sharply criticized for accompanying Trump .
Milley also reached out Tuesday to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York , said another person granted anonymity to discuss the situation .
The outreach comes as Milley and Defence Secretary Mark Esper have tried to contain damage in the aftermath of Monday ’ s walk with Trump .
Federal authorities used smoke canisters and pepper balls to clear peaceful protesters from a park so the president and his entourage could walk to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bible .
Late Friday , Esper and Milley declined a request from Democrats to appear before the House Armed Services Committee next week .
“ This is unacceptable , ” Rep. Adam Smith , D-Wash. , the committee chairman , said in a statement Friday , joined by the panel ’ s 30 Democrats .
“ Our military leaders are sworn to be accountable to the people of this country , and Congress is constitutionally responsible for oversight , ” the Democrats wrote .
“ They must appear and testify on these crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” An informal briefing Friday with the Secretary of the Army was also cancelled , according to a congressional aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that had not been publicly disclosed .
The White House has prohibited officials from the administration from testifying before the House unless they have cleared any appearances with the White House chief of staff .
The protests in Washington were among those nationwide following the death of Floyd , a black man who died when a white police officer pressed his knee into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the call with Milley , Pelosi raised a number of issues that were spelled out in a subsequent letter to Trump seeking an accounting of “ increased militarization ” in response to the protests .
Schumer on Tuesday warned Milley and Esper , in a speech on the Senate floor , not to allow the U.S. military to engage in “ ugly stunts ” like the event the night before outside the White House .
Esper told reporters Wednesday he was not aware of the operation to clear the park and did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ op .
He also distanced himself from Trump ’ s threat to step up the military ’ s role in quelling protests , arguing against invoking the Insurrection Act , which would allow Trump to use active-duty troops in a law enforcement role .
Milley released a message this week to military leaders stating that the Constitution “ is founded on the essential principle that all men and women are born free and equal and should be treated with respect and dignity “ and that it ” also gives Americans the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee , James Inhofe , R-Okla. , defended Milley ’ s handling of the protest .
In his own Senate speech Tuesday morning , Inhofe said he wanted to “ set the record straight ” after conferring with Milley before and after Monday ’ s events .
Inhofe said Milley “ told me that he intends to honour his oath and uphold the delicate balance between civilians and the military , and I fully believe him.
” In her letter to Trump on Thursday , Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chain of command the troops were operating in the nation ’ s capital , warning the approach “ may increase chaos.
” The House Armed Services Committee members said they expect a briefing from the Defence Department by Monday .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Mexico alleges some doctors sold false death certificates

Mexico City officials said Friday that prosecutors are investigating several doctors who allegedly issued false death certificates for people who may have died of the coronavirus .
As deaths mount in Mexico , the need to quickly dispose of corpses has apparently led to a black market in death certificates .
Mexico reported 625 newly confirmed COVID-19 deaths Friday , down from a peak of 1,092 on Wednesday and 816 on Thursday .
The country now regularly adds more than 4,000 confirmed infections each day , and the cumulative case total stands at over 110,000 , though officials acknowledge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In describing the investigation , Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum alleged the doctors “ were involved in charging for these services , ” despite the fact that death certificates are supposed to be free but the process to obtain them can sometimes be lengthy and bureaucratic .
“ They sold these certificates when they should not have , ” Sheinbaum said .
The scheme purportedly involved at least one city government employee and around 10 doctors , none of whom were city hospital employees , the mayor said .
There are also indications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of death other than COVID-19 for bodies they had never seen or examined , though the reasons were unclear , officials said .
But bodies had been piling up at hospitals in Mexico City as the pandemic worsened , and some relatives may have simply wanted to get their deceased family members released more quickly .
In addition , bodies of people who died from COVID-19 have to be cremated or buried under stricter rules so some families may have paid for a false certificate to avoid that or the social stigma the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed in the case .
It would not be the first scandal in Mexico involving businesses that have grown up around the pandemic .
In May , authorities found 3.5 tons of hospital waste illegally dumped in the woods on the outskirts of Mexico City .
Officials also discovered 6,000 cubic yards ( meters ) of medical waste piled ceiling high at a warehouse in Puebla state .
Teetering piles of discarded coffins , meanwhile , have piled up outside Mexico City ’ s overworked crematoriums .
Specialized waste incinerators are over-taxed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infectious tissue being generated amid the pandemic .
Mexico is plagued by widespread problems with unregulated firms in both the waste disposal and funeral industries .
According to the Senate , 60 % of funeral agencies in Mexico are either unregistered or not fully registered .

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Lamont moves up second phase of state’s reopening by 3 days

HARTFORD , Conn. - Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont announced Friday he is moving up the second phase of reopening many businesses and activities by three days so the changes don ’ t conflict with Father ’ s Day weekend .
In a statement posted on Twitter , the Democrat said Phase 2 will now happen on June 17 , instead of June 20 .
That ’ s when movie theatres , tattoo parlours , spas , gyms , fitness studios , bowling alleys and amusement parks and nail salons will be allowed to open again and restaurants can resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports programs will also be allowed to reopen .
Bars , however , will not .
“ Our public health professionals are continuing to monitor test results for possible links to large demonstrations , but as long as COVID hospitalizations and infection rates remain low , we will be in a very good position for a June 17 Phase 2 , “ Lamont tweeted .
The Connecticut Restaurant Association this week urged Lamont to allow restaurants to restart indoor dining on June 10 , warning the industry is facing serous financial challenges because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoor dining and takeout is allowed .
Indoor service has been closed for more than 80 days .
While he ’ d prefer the earlier date , Scott Dolch , the association ’ s executive director , said the June 17 date “ will thankfully put us ahead of neighbouring Massachusetts and New York in this regard .
Given that Connecticut restaurants make up ten per cent of our state economy , it ’ s critical that we not fall behind regionally and every day counts.
” On Thursday , Chief Operating Officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting ” June 20 to possibly allow up to 50-person outdoor events , such as weddings , with larger events to follow , possibly a month later .
It ’ s unclear whether Lamont ’ s revamped executive order will affect those outdoor events .
Lamont said he decided to change the date to avoid having the second reopening “ take effect during a busy Father ’ s Day weekend.
” Lamont said his administration will release additional safety guidance in the next couple of days for businesses that fall under the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of positive cases of COVID-19 grew by more than 200 , to nearly 43,500 .
The number COVID-associated deaths is 4,038 , an increase of 31 since Thursday .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or lead to death .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--DC paints huge Black Lives Matter mural near White House

WASHINGTON - The city of Washington capped nearly a week of demonstrations against police brutality Friday by painting the words Black Lives Matter in enormous bright yellow letters on the street leading to the White House , a highly visible display of the local government ’ s embrace of protests that has put it further at odds with President Donald Trump .
Mayor Muriel Bowser said the painting by city workers and local artists that spans two blocks is intended to send a message of support and solidarity to Americans outraged over the killing of George Floyd by police in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has sparred with Trump over the response to the protests and as D.C. prepared for a demonstration on Saturday that was expected to bring tens of thousands of people into a city still under coronavirus restrictions .
“ We know what ’ s going on in our country .
There is a lot of anger .
There is a lot of distrust of police and the government , “ the mayor said at a news conference .
“ There are people who are craving to be heard and to be seen and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opportunity to send that message loud and clear on a very important street in our city.
” The letters and an image of the city ’ s flag stretch across the entire width of 16th Street to the north of Lafayette Square .
The mural ends near St. John ’ s Episcopal Church , where Trump staged a photo op on Monday after officers in riot gear fired tear gas and charged demonstrators to make way for the president and his entourage .
A sign now identifies that section of 16th Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter Plaza.
” Bowser has complained about the heavy-handed federal response to the protests and called for the removal of out-of-state National Guard troops .
She says the differences with the Trump administration highlight the need for the District of Columbia to be a state and have more control over its affairs .
They may also reflect the fact that Trump is deeply unpopular in the district , where Democrat Hillary Clinton won about 90 % of the vote in the 2016 presidential election .
While not addressing the painted mural , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweets Friday .
“ The incompetent Mayor of Washington , D.C. , @ MayorBowser , who ’ s budget is totally out of control and is constantly coming back to us for ‘ handouts , ’ is now fighting with the National Guard , who saved her from great embarrassment over the last number of nights , “ he tweeted .
” If she doesn ’ t treat these men and women well , then we ’ ll bring in a different group of men and women !
” She shrugged off his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the pot and the kettle , ” the mayor said .
The local chapter of Black Lives Matter said it did not support painting the street and took a swipe at Bowser , whom they see as insufficiently supportive of their efforts to combat abuses by the police .
“ This is performative and a distraction from her active counter organizing to our demands to decrease the police budget and invest in the community , ” it said on Twitter .
D.C. officials have long-standing grievances against the federal government .
Bowser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress , which retains the right to alter and even reverse any city law .
It was Congress , not Trump , that cost the District of Columbia more than $ 700 million in federal funding earlier this year by classifying it as a territory rather than a state in the first big coronavirus relief package .
But with Trump in office , Bowser ’ s relations with the White House seem to have eroded steadily , finally developing into open public antipathy over the handling of the current protests .
Trump criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department for taking a soft touch with the protesters .
He warned after the first night of protests that the Secret Service was ready to unleash “ the most vicious dogs and the most ominous weapons I have ever seen ” if protesters managed to breach the security fence around the White House .
Bowser called Trump ’ s remarks “ gross ” and said the reference to attack dogs conjures up the worst memories of the nation ’ s fight against segregation .
The public feud escalated from there , with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordering multiple federal agencies and the entire 1,700-member D.C. National Guard contingent into the streets .
On Thursday , as the protests remained peaceful , Bowser ended a curfew imposed after people damaged buildings and broke into businesses over the weekend and Monday .
In recent days , thousands of demonstrators have marched peacefully between the White House , Capitol and Lincoln Memorial .
Volunteers make their way through the mostly masked crowds offering spritzes of hand sanitizer , free water and snacks .
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said there had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to the demonstrations .
Bowser said she would decide Saturday morning if they would reinstate the curfew for the weekend demonstrations .
Associated Press writer Ashraf Khalil in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Venezuela jails 3 DirecTV executives as US firm cuts service

CARACAS , Venezuela - Venezuelan authorities have jailed three local DirecTV executives under an arrest warrant issued after the Dallas-based company abruptly cut off services to the South American country last month , citing U.S. sanctions against the socialist government , the men ’ s lawyer said Friday .
Carlos Villamizar , one of the three men , told reporters in his attorney ’ s office before surrendering that he had no prior knowledge that the services were being ended and that he was innocent of any crimes .
“ It was a total surprise , ” he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family and two young children .
“ I ’ m innocent.
” Villamizar said he was a victim along with at least 600 fellow DirecTV employees in Venezuela who lost their jobs under the decision made by the company ’ s executives in the U.S. Villamizar then left the lawyer ’ s office and surrendered at a feared Caracas jail called the Helecoide , where the other two men were believed to be held .
The two other executives , Héctor Rivero and Rodolfo Carrano , were arrested Thursday , said lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trio .
He called their detention unjust , saying the men had co-operated with authorities , appearing this week first at chief prosecutor ’ s office and then the Venezuelan Supreme Court .
All three of the men are Venezuelan citizens , said Loreto , adding that he didn ’ t know the charges .
Whatever the men were accused of was “ senseless , “ he said .
DirecTV , which is owned by Dallas-based AT & T , abruptly ditched its popular satellite TV service on May 19 .
It cited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ channels that were required by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro .
The administration of President Donald Trump has increased political pressure on Maduro in what it calls a “ maximum pressure ” campaign aimed at ending the socialist leader ’ s rule , which it says has led the once wealthy oil nation into ruin .
The abrupt end to DirecTV service caused an uproar among leaders in Maduro ’ s government , who accused the company of denying its citizens rights to information .
Residents of Caracas for at least two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside their homes , banging pots and pans in unison .
They lost service in the middle of a quarantine order for the coronavirus pandemic , and many people in poor neighbourhoods have no other form of receiving movies , news and sports .
Days after AT & T cut the service , Venezuela ’ s high court ordered the nation ’ s telecommunications agency to seize satellite dishes and office space at transmission centres .
It also said DirecTV programming should immediately return to the airwaves , in an order that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Maduro ’ s government didn ’ t comment on the arrests .
Lori Lee , CEO of AT & T Latin America , said in a statement that the arrests were “ inexplicable ” considering that the three executives in Venezuela had nothing to do with the shutting down of the service .
“ To the contrary , this decision was taken by AT & T executives in the United States , without the knowledge or participation of these individuals or any other former Venezuelan employees , ” Lee said .
AT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. companies — General Motors , Kellogg and Kimberly-Clark — that have abandoned Venezuela due to shrinking sales , government threats and the risk of U.S. sanctions .
Around 700 Venezuelans depended on DirecTV for employment .
AT & T hadn ’ t made money from its Venezuelan operations for years due to strict government controls that keep the price of its packages artificially low — a few pennies per month .
The situation has become so dire that DirecTV in 2012 stopped importing set-top boxes , choking its growth .
In 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country by $ 1.1 billion .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--California man gets life in prison in race-related killings

FRESNO , Calif. - A man convicted of killing four white men in 2017 in a race-related rampage in California ’ s Central Valley was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole , prosecutors said .
Kori Ali Muhammad ’ s sentence comes three years after he said he was fed up with racism against black people and shot several people in Fresno , killing four white men .
He was convicted by a Fresno County jury in April of first-degree murder , second-degree murder , attempted murder and other crimes , the Fresno County district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrew a previous plea of not guilty by reason of insanity , and prosecutors said they wouldn ’ t seek the death penalty .
Muhammad , a black man whose defence said he was mentally ill , was accused of a series of shooting attacks on white men in April 2017 in Fresno .
In a recorded confession to investigators that was played at his trial , Muhammad said he shot Motel 6 security guard Carl Williams III and tried to kill another guard on April 13 because he felt he had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend .
A security camera recording showed Muhammad coming up behind Williams , 25 , and shooting him .
“ It starts taking its toll on you , and you get fed up with the racism , ” Muhammad said .
“ You get tired of letting things slide.
” While on the run after the shooting , Muhammad learned that he was wanted for Williams ’ killing .
On the recording , Muhammad said that if he was “ going down for murder ” the best thing was to “ kill as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On April 18 , 2017 , Muhammad drove through downtown shooting at white men , he said .
He surrendered to police after , at one point , firing nearly 20 shots in less than a minute , authorities said .
“ When I walked up to the truck , I saw a Mexican driver and a white guy , ” Muhammad said .
“ I didn ’ t want to target the driver because he was Mexican so I shot the white dude.
” He also was convicted of killing Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 58 , and trying to shoot three other men .
Muhammad was convicted of first-degree murder for Jackson ’ s slaying ; second-degree murder for Williams , Randalls and Gassett ; four counts of attempted murder ; one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle ; and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--8 more die in Mexico from methanol-tainted liquor

MEXICO CITY - At least eight more people in Mexico have died from drinking alcohol adulterated with methanol , the latest round of mass alcohol poisoning incidents that have cost around a hundred lives in the country .
Authorities in the southern state of Guerrero said Friday the deaths occurred near the mountain city of Tlapa de Comonfort , after inhabitants drank a tequila-type drink of a little-known brand called “ Rancho Escondido.
” The Guerrero Health Department said the liquor was labeled as “ distilled agave , ” the cactus-like plant from which both tequila and mescal are made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to certain regions , drinks made outside those areas are sometimes labelled “ agave Liquor.
” The department said the victims were admitted to hospitals in such serious condition that they rapidly died .
Authorities seized 505 bottles of the liquor from four stores in the area .
Such deaths have mounted in Mexico since coronavirus lockdowns began and many towns banned legitimate liquor sales .
Many people also lost their jobs and apparently became unable to buy more professionally made liquors .
But officials have not said whether the poisonings have arisen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May , authorities said as many as 40 people died after drinking methanol in two states in central Mexico .
The suspect liquor in that case was a little-known brand called “ Refino , ” which translates roughly as “ very fine.
” In late April , 25 people died in the state of Jalisco after drinking a cheap brand of cane alcohol known as “ El Chorrito.
” Local media reported seven people died of methanol poisoning recently in the Yucatan village of Acanceh .
Methanol is a poisonous cousin of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be smelled or tasted in drinks .
It causes organ and brain damage , and its symptoms include chest pain , nausea , hyperventilation , blindness and even coma .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--A death in Nicaraguan baseball puts pandemic in public eye

MANAGUA , Nicaragua - As the new coronavirus spread and economies shut across Latin America , Nicaragua stayed open — schools , stores , concert halls and baseball stadiums , all operating uninterrupted on orders of a government that denied the gravity of the disease .
On a road trip last month , the San Fernando Beasts of the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League played a full schedule with fans in the stands and no personal protective equipment .
Then , during a May 16 game in the capital , Managua , manager Norman Cardoze Sr. and coach Carlos Aranda felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. , the team ’ s star slugger , was so weak and achy he didn ’ t play .
Within two days all three men were hospitalized .
The Cardoze father and son , who tested positive for the virus , spent a week in the hospital .
Aranda , 58 , arrived there unconscious , was not tested and died .
Eight other players quarantined at home .
For a country that has refused to acknowledge the severity of the coronavirus , the death of a well-known sports figure and infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call .
Nicaragua ’ s Sandinista government has been trying to ignore and even actively obscure the impact of COVID-19 on baseball by threatening bans from the sport for those who refused to play .
But so many players refused to take the field after Aranda died May 21 that the league was forced to suspend the playoffs that same day , first until June 5 and then until June 26 .
The national league has said only that it suspended the playoffs “ at teams ’ request.
” Nicaragua ’ s government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 46 COVID-19 deaths , numbers that it now shares only weekly .
But Nicaraguan activists , opposition figures and international health officials have been pressuring President Daniel Ortega to acknowledge the true toll of the disease , obscured by a lack of testing and “ express burials ’ ’ of people suspected to have had COVID-19 .
Ortega ’ s critics have also demanded tougher measures against the disease in line with those of other countries in the region .
On Friday , U.S .
Ambassador Kevin Sullivan said via Twitter that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affecting everyone , including U.S. citizens and diplomats .
He urged people to self-quarantine and go out as little as possible .
While the government is unyielding , the cancellation of baseball in Nicaragua is adding to the pressure , offering the country ’ s 6.4 million people a daily reminder that the disease is present .
“ I didn ’ t think the situation was that serious and I was always going to the stadium , ” said Eliécer López , a 27-year-old construction worker from Masaya , the Beasts ’ hometown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( of the season ) was the best thing they could have done , ” said López , adding that he knows six people who have died of suspected infections in recent weeks and two of his friends are hospitalized .
“ It ’ s not easy to see people suffocating and die right there , ” said Cardoze Sr. , a 48-year-old Hall of Fame manager .
“ In just my room like 10 died .
And from there we listened to the hammering ... whack , whack , whack ... the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other room.
” At the Cardoze home , Fátima Ruiz monitors her husband ’ s and son ’ s recovery .
She was infected too , but her son , 29 , continues to be the weakest .
She cooks them iguana soup to strengthen their immune systems and fumes that the season was allowed to continue .
Aranda ’ s death “ could have been avoided if they had suspended the games in time , ” she said .
“ No one from the team was careful , they didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay attention to it .
I think they were all too trusting because they saw that games kept being played as if there was nothing.
” Photos from the final game in Bonanza show fans in the stands and no one wearing masks .
At the May 17 doubleheader that the Cardozes and Aranda missed , several players wore masks .
Earlier in the epidemic , players who had said they wanted to wear masks or stop playing were threatened with bans from the game .
Attendance dwindled in Managua , but in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still thronged to the stadiums .
Coach Aranda ’ s father , Carlos Aranda Salazar , 77 , said his son had been told to keep coaching .
“ His sister told me she had advised him to stop going to games , but he answered that he had to go , because they had warned him that if he didn ’ t show up he ’ d lose his salary and he ’ d be banned from baseball for two years , ” said the elder Aranda .
A nongovernmental effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 1,000 deaths due to pneumonia or suspected COVID-19 through May 23 and some 4,200 infections .
The Pan-American Health Organization continues to urge the government to immediately implement social distancing measures to slow the virus ’ spread and says that the government recently shared information for the first time allowing it to conclude there is local spread in the country .
That is not something the government has said publicly , but the number of sick and the “ express burials ” of those who perish have become more difficult to hide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I saw him die , ” Cardoze Sr. said of Aranda .
“ I don ’ t desire that for anyone.
” “ They say that they don ’ t die from the virus , but every once in awhile we saw the sick pass on stretchers , suffocating , ” he said .
“ And then coffins and more coffins went by .
I watched the bodies lying there when they wrapped them in plastic , they tied them with knots at their feet and head and sealed the caskets with nails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Aranda ’ s father said he has no doubt his son died of COVID-19 , saying he was healthy and “ didn ’ t suffer from anything.
” But when he returned from that road trip , Aranda complained of pains in his body and an exhaustion that made it difficult to breathe .
“ The hospital called us before dawn and told us my uncle Carlos had died and that we had to bury him immediately , ” said the coach ’ s nephew , Tommy Aranda .
“ We went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to go ourselves to dig the grave.
” “ We didn ’ t get anything more than gloves because the hospital was pressuring us to get him out of there fast , ” Tommy Aranda said .
“ We were digging the grave until 5 a.m. ” But when they got to the hospital there was a problem .
“ They asked for my uncle ’ s identification and when they saw the photo they told us they had made a mistake , that they had given us another body ... they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and returned it to us all poorly nailed shut , cracked , looking so sad , ” Tommy Aranda said .
Cardoze Sr. and Aranda ’ s father agree that there ’ s no way teams should return to the field until the epidemic is over .
“ We ’ re like the circus clowns , while a ton of people without heart or conscience are risking the lives of the players and the fans , ” Carlos Aranda Sr. said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Trump jabs Maine’s Democratic governor; she hits back

GUILFORD , Maine - President Donald Trump on Friday laced into Maine ’ s Democratic governor for not moving quickly enough to reopen the state ’ s economy and urged his supporters to help him win the rest of the state in November if they want to see the country rebound from the coronavirus shutdown .
Referring to Maine ’ s electoral votes , Trump said : “ Get that other half to go with Trump.
” He spoke in the small town of Guilford , home to Puritan Medical Products , one of only two major companies producing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up coronavirus testing .
At stops in Guilford and Bangor , Trump used his first visit to the state as president to lob jabs at Gov .
Janet Mills for not reopening businesses more quickly .
Trump won just one of Maine ’ s four electoral votes in 2016 .
“ When are you going to open the state up ?
” Trump demanded as he spoke at Puritan Medical Products .
“ What ’ s she doing ?
“ Earlier in Bangor , Trump compared Mills to a “ dictator ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaping money from Maine ’ s busy summer tourist season .
“ She ’ s going to destroy your state , ” he said .
“ I ’ m not a fan.
” “ Yesterday , I asked the president to check his rhetoric at the door and to lead us with courage and compassion through this difficult time , “ she said .
“ Sadly , but unsurprisingly , he continues to prove himself incapable of doing so.
” “ What Maine people heard today was more of the same incendiary rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divide us and to stoke tension and fear .
What Maine people heard today was largely devoid of fact and absent of reality .
What Maine people saw today was a rambling , confusing , thinly veiled political rally.
” She rebuffed Trump ’ s claim that Maine remained shuttered by the virus , saying 13 of Maine ’ s 16 counties have been reopened and that the state was the first in New England to allow indoor dining at restaurants .
Ahead of Trump ’ s visit , Mills had urged him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns given the civil unrest over the death of George Floyd and Trump ’ s heavy-handed response to protests .
During Trump ’ s call earlier this week with governors , Mills criticized him for urging governors to “ dominate ” protesters and toss perpetrators of violence in prison and for his administration ’ s move to forcibly clear out peaceful protesters near the White House so the president could walk to a nearby church to pose for photos holding up a Bible .
Trump ’ s caravan rolled through Guilford during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheers from supporters and “ boos ” from detractors .
The crowd alternated between “ Black Lives Matter !
” and “ We Love Trump !
” chants as his limousine approached .
There was some shouting back and forth among the factions , but the crowd was peaceful .
Trump did not reference Floyd or the protests during his stops in the state .
Supporters heavily outnumbered anti-Trump demonstrators in Guilford .
But there were numerous other anti-Trump demonstrations around the state , and some organizers had dissuaded protesters from coming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pam Chamberlain of Brewer from coming to Guilford with a sign that said “ The Bible Is Not A Prop.
” She said it was important for opponents of Trump and police brutality to have a presence .
“ I said , I need to go down there and represent the people who are afraid to be there , ” she said .
“ And maybe the people who are afraid to come out of their house right now.
” Paul Layman drove more than two hours from the Portland area to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he thinks of them .
He said rural Maine supports Trump because of his work on the economy .
“ I ’ m just tired of all these losers and their stupidity , ” Layman said before describing protesters as “ imps.
” Trump is anxious to get beyond the unrest and the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus and focus on his reelection .
His visit to Puritan had the feel of a campaign rally .
The official White House event showcased the fact that his administration is providing $ 75.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to double production to 40 million swabs a month , and the company plans to open a second production site by July 1 .
More than 350 workers in Guilford have been working long hours since the coronavirus pandemic began .
“ We ’ re doing our best to supply the needs .
It ’ s critical that our country is taken care of , “ co-owner Timothy Templet told The Associated Press .
In Maine , the nation ’ s whitest state , there have been multiple days of demonstrations .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people gathered in Portland , stopping traffic , setting trash cans afire and pelting police with objects .
More than 30 people have been arrested .
Trump began his visit in Bangor , where he met commercial fishermen and signed an order to reopen fishing waters that were closed in 2016 when the Obama administration designated the first and only national marine monument in the Atlantic Ocean .
The president also used the visit to warn the European Union and China that if tariffs aren ’ t cut on Maine lobsters , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher than those hurting the state ’ s fishermen .
AP writer David Sharp contributed to this report from Portland .
This story has been corrected to say Maine has four electoral votes , not three .

Jill Colvin And Patrick Whittle - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Gillette museum exhibit focuses on Wyoming women during WWII

GILLETTE , Wyo .
- The Rockpile Museum ’ s women serving in World War II exhibit is more than a glimpse back to a time when the “ Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy ” and “ I ’ ll Be Home for Christmas ” were popular on the radio as American soldiers were fighting for democracy across the globe .
“ We are now in this war .
We are in it all the way , ” states an exhibit poster from the era .
“ Every single man , woman and child is a partner in the most tremendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must share together the bad news and the good news , the defeats and the victories — the changing fortunes of war.
” While many men were off fighting the Nazis , fascist Italy and the Japanese , women on the home front were changing the fortunes of World War II by playing pivotal roles .
More than 30 women from the Campbell County area served in all branches of the military stationed at home and abroad .
Their roles ranged from being supply clerks and pharmacist mates to yeoman and flight nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of them , the Gillette News Record reports .
Fitch grew up in Douglas before moving to Gillette , where she ranched .
She joined the Women ’ s Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II before transferring to the Women ’ s Army Corps .
Fitch was chosen to attend the Women ’ s Army Corps officers candidate school and received her commission in June 1943 .
Months later in December 1943 , Fitch attempted to recruit her husband ’ s aunt , Vivian Sutherland Edwards .
“ How about joining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked her in a letter .
“ We are desperately in need of them .
This field has been trying to get a company of WAC ’ s since July , but there just aren ’ t any to be had .
The manpower shortage is terrible .
You ’ d like the WAC too , I know.
” Fitch would go on to serve as a member of the Women ’ s Army Corps in Brownsville , Texas , before moving to the 2520th Army Air Force Base Unit in Frederick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montana , in 2003 .
Others who served their country during the war include Mary Gayl Gibson , the first local woman to enlist in the Women ’ s Reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard , and Rachel Hemenway , who was reportedly the first war nurse from Campbell County .
They are part of the “ She Served Too : Campbell County Women in World War II ” exhibit , which features the role local women played in World War II .
“ The research takes months typically , ” Rockpile Museum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The posters and uniforms for this exhibit directly connect to the branches of service that Campbell County women served in , including the Women ’ s Army Corps , Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service , Marine Corps Women ’ s Reserve and the Women ’ s Reserve of the Coast Guard.
” The idea to focus on Campbell County women who served in World War II came from last year ’ s celebration of the 150th anniversary of women ’ s suffrage in the Cowboy State .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roles women served during that time , ” Beenken said .
Rockpile visitors also will have an opportunity to see a travelling display from the National WASP WWII Museum of Sweetwater , Texas .
Only 1,830 women pilots ages 18-35 with a private or commercial pilot ’ s license and more than 500 hours of cockpit time joined the WASP from fall 1942-44 .
They got their training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater , and those who graduated received their wings and were deployed to bases all over the United States .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue through the end of the year while the WASP display runs through June 30 .
It will then return to the National WASP WWII Museum in Texas .
In addition to the World War II displays , the Rockpile Museum also has a Medal of Honor exhibit that features Wyoming recipients who earned their medals during the Native American campaigns of the 19th century .
It will be on display through August .
The museum is open under the first phase of its re-opening plan as the county and Wyoming emerge from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adhering to social distancing guidelines like being at least 6 feet apart and no more than 10 people are allowed in each exhibit room .
People also need to use hand sanitizer when they come in and sign a sheet for coronavirus contact tracing purposes .
People who are medically vulnerable or are sick are encouraged not to visit .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Egypt announces initiative to end war in Libya

CAIRO - Egypt ’ s president on Saturday announced an initiative to end the civil war in neighbouring Libya , a move accepted by the commander of the eastern Libyan forces that had suffered heavy defeats in recent weeks .
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi declared the initiative at a ceremony in Cairo attended by military commander Khalifa Hifter and Aguila Saleh , speaker of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives .
El-Sissi said the initiative , which included a cease-fire starting Monday , was meant to pave the way for elections in oil-rich Libya .
He called for the withdrawal of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no immediate comment from the U.N.-supported government in the capital , Tripoli .
Hifter ’ s east-based Libyan Arab Armed Forces had launched an offensive last year to capture Tripoli .
But he recently lost several strategic spots in western Libya after Turkey increased its support to an array of militias loosely allied with the Tripoli-based government .
Hifter ’ s forces are supported by France , Russia , Jordan , the United Arab Emirates and other key Arab countries .
Along with Turkey , the government in Tripoli is backed by Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turmoil since 2011 when a civil war toppled long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi , who was later killed .
The country has split between rival administrations in the east and the west , each backed by armed groups and foreign governments .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Gondola 1 of 3 options to ease congestion in mountain canyon

SALT LAKE CITY - Future visitors to Little Cottonwood Canyon may not just enjoy ski lifts at Alta and Snowbird resorts — it ’ s possible they could travel up the canyon by public gondola to reduce traffic congestion .
Building a gondola is one of three final solutions to canyon congestion — pared down from 105 original proposals — that officials said Thursday will receive more in-depth study during the next phase of an environmental impact statement , scheduled for completion late next year .
The other two options include enhanced Utah Transit Authority bus service , arriving as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus option would include widening the canyon road to allow bus-only lanes on shoulders during ski season and use by bicyclists and hikers in summer .
Notably not making the cut for the final three options is building a transit train up the canyon , which had been promoted by such people as gubernatorial candidate Greg Hughes , the former Utah House speaker and former chairman of UTA .
The various remaining proposals would cost an estimated $ 283 million to $ 470 million to build .
While a rail spur up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 680 million in 2013 , would now likely cost well over $ 1 billion .
Officials said that the source of funding for the final project chosen has not yet been identified .
Each of the main alternatives may include some other elements previously proposed , including charging tolls to reduce vehicle traffic ; snowsheds over the highway to keep it clear of snow from avalanches ; banning roadside parking near resorts ; widening and other improvements on Wasatch Boulevard in the Salt Lake Valley ; and new hubs for parking and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may view details and submit comments on plans for the final in-depth review online at littlecottonwoodeis.udot.utah.gov .
The Utah Department of Transportation is accepting comments on the proposals from June 8 through July 10 .
It also has scheduled several public meetings online , and one that is in person for people without internet .
A schedule of the meetings also is on the project website .
“ Public participation is a vital component of the study and helps support the decision-making process , ” said Josh Van Jura , UDOT project manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users , residents , and the public as a whole to get involved and let us know their feedback.
” • Gondola .
It would run an estimated $ 393 million in capital costs , or in the middle of the final three options .
The gondola itself would stretch from a base station at the mouth of the canyon with stations at Snowbird and Alta .
Thirty gondolas , which could hold 35 people each , would come every two minutes and transport up to 1,050 people per hour — the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about another 2,249 people travelling in cars per hour up the canyon .
Taking the gondola up the canyon , plus a bus from the transportation hub , would take 63 minutes .
But by helping to remove cars from the canyon road , the average estimated travel time for all canyon visitors would be about 46 minutes ( the same as enhanced bus option without bus-only lanes ) .
Van Jura said not building any of the transit options would result in average ski season travel times of 80 to 85 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that down to a 46 minute average is really a significant accomplishment and will provide great benefit to people looking to go up on those busy ski days.
” No parking would be permitted at the gondola base station .
As for all three options , buses would be provided from a mobility hub in the valley on Wasatch Boulevard near Fort Union Boulevard .
That hub would have parking for 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles .
Wasatch Boulevard would be widened and would give signal priority to buses .
Annual winter operation costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cheapest of the three alternatives .
Van Jura said UDOT would like public comments on whether the agency should evaluate if a gondola should also operate during summer months for recreational opportunities .
Also as with all options , this one may include tolling or requiring car pooling to reduce vehicle traffic .
Van Jura said no decisions have been made whether or where to toll , how much to charge or whether and where to ban single occupant vehicles .
All options also would ban roadway parking near resorts and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unlike the bus options , this gondola would not include building snowsheds on the canyon road to protect against avalanches .
• Enhanced bus .
This is the cheapest option , running an estimated $ 283 million in capital costs .
The travel time up the canyon for bus users would be about 54 minutes , but create an average travel time for all visitors ( including those in cars ) of 46 minutes .
It would have 12 buses per hour from the mobility hub on Wasatch Boulevard near Fort Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hub at 9400 S. Highland Drive .
“ So another bus would show up every five minutes , ” Van Jura said .
“ It would be direct service ... .
For example , a bus for Alta would not stop at Snowbird.
” The option could carry 1,008 people via bus per hour and allow another 2,249 by personal car up the canyon .
Its estimated annual winter operation costs of $ 9 million is the most expensive of any option .
The bus options would include construction of snowsheds over key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from avalanches , and tolling or requirements for car pooling to reduce vehicle traffic .
• Enhanced bus in a dedicated shoulder lane .
This option would add bus-only lanes from North Little Cottonwood Canyon Road to Alta Bypass Road .
Buses would use it during peak periods in ski season ; bicyclists and pedestrians would use it during the summer , offering them more safety .
It is the most expensive option , with capital costs of $ 470 million .
But it would have the quickest bus trip up the canyon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the average time for all trips — including cars — would be 37 minutes in this option .
It would offer the same number of buses and frequency as the other enhanced bus option .
Its annual winter operation costs are estimated at $ 6.2 million a year , in the middle of the three options .
The Little Cottonwood Canyon environmental impact statement was initiated in 2018 by UDOT in partnership with UTA and the U.S. Forest Service .
It began with 105 preliminary concepts proposed during scoping meetings and in earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to improve canyon transportation , feasibility and environmental impacts , and were pared down to the final three draft alternatives .
After public review of the alternatives , more study will lead eventually to selection of a preferred alternative in a draft EIS next spring , followed by a final EIS and record of decision in late 2021 .
One environmental group expressed concern that the study has been too narrow .
“ These alternatives certainly seem focused on wintertime challenges in the canyons and might be overlooking some of the other challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , executive director of Save Our Canyons , adding that a gondola and buses that stop only at ski resorts may limit opportunities elsewhere .
“ Should we be focused on just the skiing aspects of the canyons ?
” he asked .
“ Or … be focused on enhancing the watershed in the face of climate change ?
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Black Lives Matter protests in Australia, Asia and Europe

BERLIN - Thousands of people rallied across Australia to honour George Floyd and voice their support for the Black Lives Matter movement Saturday , part of a worldwide wave of solidarity that has also sought to highlight racial discrimination outside the United States .
Further protests were planned over the weekend in European cities , some defying restrictions imposed by authorities because of the coronavirus pandemic .
In Sydney , protesters won a last-minute appeal against a Friday ruling declaring their rally unauthorized .
The New South Wales Court of Appeal gave the green light just 12 minutes before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those taking part could not be arrested .
Up to 1,000 protesters had already gathered in the Town Hall area of downtown Sydney ahead of the decision .
Floyd , a black man , died in handcuffs on May 25 while a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck even after he pleaded for air and stopped moving .
His death has struck a chord with minorities protesting discrimination elsewhere , including deaths of indigenous Australians in custody .
In Sydney , there was one early scuffle when police removed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protester carrying a sign reading , “ White Lives , Black Lives , All Lives Matter.
“ The rally appeared orderly as police handed out masks to protesters and other officials provided hand sanitizer .
“ If we don ’ t die from the ( coronavirus ) pandemic , then we will die from police brutality , ” Sadique , who has a West African background and said he goes by only one name , said in Sydney .
Bob Jones , 75 , said it was worth the risk to rally for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officer saying the event could help spread the coronavirus .
“ If a society is not worth preserving , then what are you doing ?
You ’ re perpetuating a nonsense , ” Jones said .
In Brisbane , the Queensland state capital , organizers said about 30,000 people gathered , forcing police to shut down some major downtown streets .
The protesters demanded to have Australia ’ s Indigenous flag raised at the police station .
“ Whether you ’ re talking about the U.S. or right here in Australia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Black lives matter today .
Black lives matter every day.
” Indigenous Australians make up 2 % of the the country ’ s adult population , but 27 % of the prison population .
They are also the most disadvantaged ethnic minority in Australia and have higher-than-average rates of infant mortality and poor health , as well as shorter life expectancies and lower levels of education and employment than other Australians .
In South Korea ’ s capital , Seoul , protesters gathered for a second straight day to denounce Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black shirts , dozens of demonstrators marched through a commercial district amid a police escort , carrying signs such as “ George Floyd Rest in Peace ” and “ Koreans for Black Lives Matter.
” “ I urge the U.S. government to stop the violent suppression of ( U.S. ) protesters and listen to their voices , ” said Jihoon Shim , one of the rally ’ s organizers .
“ I also want to urge the South Korean government to show its support for their fight ( against racism ) .
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a peaceful protest .
“ Even if we are far apart , we learn of everything instantly on social media , ” “ Can we really dismiss it all as irrelevant ?
” Taichi Hirano , one of the organizers , shouted to the crowd gathered outside Tokyo ’ s Shibuya train station .
He stressed that Japanese are joining others raising their voices against what he called “ systematic discrimination.
” In Paris , police banned a protest planned for Saturday , citing the risk of spreading COVID-19 and fears of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that social distancing regulations ban gatherings of more than 10 people .
Preparing for the eventuality that protesters would ignore the ban , French police sealed off roads around the U.S. Embassy early Saturday .
The British government urged people not to gather in large numbers and police have warned that mass demonstrations could be unlawful .
Though the demonstrations — such as one planned Saturday on Parliament Square in central London — have not been banned directly , they could fall foul of lockdown restrictions .
In England , for example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not permitted .
That restriction didn ’ t stop thousands gathering on Wednesday in a largely peaceful protest in central London over Floyd ’ s death .
“ The reason that it is vital that people stick to the rules this weekend is to protect themselves and their family from this horrific disease , ” British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said .
“ So please , for the safety of your loved ones , do not attend large gatherings including demonstrations of more than six people.
” In Berlin , where a Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon , police said several store windows were smashed overnight and walls were painted with slogans referring to George Floyd ’ s death .
Rycroft reported from Sydney .
Associated Press journalists Dennis Passa and John Pye in Brisbane , Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul , South Korea , John Leicester in Paris , Pan Pylas in London and Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report .

Rick Rycroft And Frank Jordans - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--UK’s rapid-fire changes on face coverings advice criticized

LONDON - The British government faced criticism Saturday for another sudden change in its advice on face coverings that has left those running hospitals in England scrambling to work out how they will be able to meet the new requirements .
On Friday , as the World Health Organization broadened its recommendations for the use of masks , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said all hospital staff in England will have to wear surgical face masks from June 15 while visitors and outpatients will need to don some sort of face covering .
His announcement came a day after the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made from any fabric , would be mandatory on public transport in England , from the same date to coincide with the planned reopening of nonessential shops such as department stores and electronic retailers .
The government , which notably did not recommend their use at the height of the pandemic , now says face coverings can provide some limited protection to others and help people avoid unknowingly spreading the virus .
The change in advice echoed developments elsewhere in Europe , where the guidance through the pandemic has often been confused and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it is now advising that in areas where the virus is spreading , people should wear fabric masks when social distancing is not possible , such as on public transport and in shops .
Chris Hopson , chief executive of NHS Providers , which represents NHS organizations including hospitals , said the British government appeared to be making last-minute decisions “ on the hoof “ that seem “ overly influenced ” by political considerations .
“ I think it ’ s the latest in a long line of announcements that have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS operates , in which those frontline organisations feel they have been left completely in the dark and they are then expected to make significant and complex operational changes either immediately or with very little notice , “ he told the BBC .
His criticism was echoed by the British Medical Association , which warned there was “ little detail ” on how the policy would be implemented , where the masks would come from or how outpatients and visitors would be given them .
While acknowledging that face coverings will play an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , the BMA ’ s consultants committee chair Dr .
Rob Harwood pointed to the consistent lack of personal protective equipment through the pandemic , which has seen more than 40,000 people die in the U.K. across all settings , including hospitals and care homes — the second-highest figure in the world .
“ It is absolutely crucial that the government ensures there are enough supplies of face masks for staff , and adequate provision of face coverings for outpatients and the public by June 15 , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said NHS England , which oversees budget and planning issues , had been informed and that hospitals have all of next week to implement the changes .
Britain hasn ’ t been the only country in Europe grappling with the merits of face coverings , unlike many countries in Asia where people are used to wearing masks .
In Germany , the federal government changed its message in April after the country ’ s 16 states made wearing basic fabric masks — also known in German as “ mouth-nose-covers ” or “ everyday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in stores and public buildings such as libraries and local government offices .
They have now become ubiquitous , as has the debate over how to deal with refuseniks .
And in Italy , where the pandemic in Europe took root , the public health messaging over masks has been mixed between regional and national authorities and seemingly more conditioned on the fact that during the peak of the outbreak , they were exceedingly hard to find .
Masks are now compulsory on public transport and in closed public spaces , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants customers are supposed to put them on , for example , if they get up from the table to use the restroom .
And even though they are not required by law nationwide , most Italians are wearing them outdoors .
Frank Jordans in Berlin and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Separate attacks kill 14 Afghan forces in Kabul, northeast

KABUL - Two separate militant attacks killed 14 Afghan security personnel on Saturday in the northeastern Badakhshan province and the capital of Kabul , officials said .
A roadside bomb killed 11 security force members in Badakhshan when it tore through a security vehicle responding to attacks on checkpoints in Khash district .
Sanaullah Rohani , spokesman for Badakhshan ’ s provincial police chief , said a local commander was among the dead , and that four militants were killed in the fighting .
An hour-long gunbattle also erupted in Kabul ’ s Gul Dara district when insurgents attacked a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian .
Both Afghan officials said the Taliban had carried out the attacks , although no one immediately claimed responsibility .
The Taliban on Saturday claimed an attack a day earlier that killed 10 policemen in the southern Zabul province .
Afghan government officials said the Taliban ambushed an Afghan police convoy on Friday after setting off a roadside bomb .
U.S. forces had carried out two sets of airstrikes Friday against the Taliban in western and southern Afghanistan .
These were the first U.S. strikes following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a major Muslim holiday last month .
Since the signing of a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement at the end of February , U.S. forces have only once before announced a strike against the Taliban , in defence of Afghan forces .
The uptick in fighting comes as U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad embarked on a new round of diplomatic trips to Qatar , Pakistan and Afghanistan , according to a U.S. State Department statement Friday .
The U.S.-Taliban agreement was signed to allow American soldiers to return home , ending America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls for Afghans in Kabul and the Taliban to start negotiations to decide the country ’ s future .
Those negotiations have been delayed because of political feuding between Afghanistan ’ s President Ashraf Ghani and his rival in last year ’ s presidential polls , Abdullah Abdullah .
Associated Press writer Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Asia Today: Indonesia records single-day high in new cases

JAKARTA , Indonesia - Indonesia reported nearly 1,000 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday , a new single-day high for the country that brought its total caseload past 30,000 , as the government unveiled an enhanced stimulus package worth $ 47.6 billion to anchor the virus-battered economy .
The health ministry said there were 993 newly infected people over the past 24 hours .
Indonesia has confirmed 30,514 cases , including 1,801 deaths , the most in Southeast Asia .
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said a 677.2 trillion rupiah ( $ 47.6 billion ) stimulus package aims to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more spending toward social protection to boost consumption , and provide incentives to rescue Indonesian businesses from bankruptcy and workers from layoffs .
The package is bigger than the one worth 641.17 trillion rupiah initially allocated in late April .
“ We are hoping that this stimulus can maintain our economic growth at above zero per cent , ” Indrawati said at a live-streamed news conference .
She said Indonesia ’ s GDP growth could be lower than the government ’ s protection of 2.3 % this year .
In the worst-case scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract 0.4 % , she added .
Indonesia ’ s economy grew just 2.9 % in January-March , the slowest growth in almost two decades , as the pandemic made its effects felt in exports , investment and consumption in Southeast Asia ’ s largest economy .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — ANOTHER SPIKE IN INDIA : India surpassed Italy as the sixth worst-hit by the coronavirus pandemic after another biggest single-day spike in confirmed infections .
The Health Ministry reported 9,887 new cases on Saturday , bringing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases are in rural areas following the return of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who left cities and towns after the lockdown in late March .
The lockdown is now largely being enforced in high-risk areas while authorities have partially restored train services and domestic flights and allowed shops and manufacturing to reopen .
Shopping malls and religious places are due to open on Monday with restrictions to avoid large gatherings .
— BEIJING LOWERS EMERGENCY : China ’ s capital lowered its emergency response level for the coronavirus pandemic to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move lifts most restrictions on people travelling to Beijing from Wuhan and surrounding Hubei province , where the virus first appeared late last year .
They will no longer face 14-day mandatory quarantines and other forms of monitoring , and those currently in such situations will be allowed to return to their normal lives .
Beijing residential compounds will not be required to conduct temperature checks and masks no longer must be worn for outdoor activities .
Kindergartens will reopen and other grades still suspended will restart classes .
Beijing has reported no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 50 days and as many as 90 days in some districts .
— PANGOLIN GETS TOP PROTECTION IN CHINA : China has accorded the highest level of protection to the armadillo-like pangolin as part of its crackdown on the wildlife trade following the coronavirus pandemic .
Most scientists say the virus was most likely transmitted from bats to humans via an intermediary animal such as the pangolin .
That has placed the focus on a wet market in Wuhan , the origin of the pandemic where wildlife was sold for food .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grassland Administration did not explicitly mention the outbreak as a reason for the measure .
The one-sentence notice said the action was needed “ in order to strengthen the protection of pangolins.
” The wild population of three species of pangolins found in China has crashed as a result of habitat loss and overhunting , despite a 2007 hunting ban .
Pangolin meat is considered a delicacy by some Chinese and its scales are used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine .
— SOUTH KOREA REPORTS 51 NEW CASES : South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , mostly in the densely populated capital region , as authorities scramble to stem transmissions among low-income workers who can ’ t afford to stay home .
At least 42 of the new cases were linked to door-to-door sellers hired by Richway , a Seoul-based health product provider .
Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said the spread of the virus among Richway sellers was particularly alarming as most of them are in their 60s and 70s .
He called for officials to strengthen their efforts to find and examine workplaces vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed 11,719 cases , including 273 deaths .
Follow AP news coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--One man lays wreaths in Normandy on this unusual D-Day

BENOUVILLE , France - The essence of war remembrance is to make sure the fallen are never forgotten .
All it takes is a wreath , a tiny wooden cross , a little token on a faraway grave to show that people still care about their fallen hero , parent or grandparent .
This year , though , the pandemic stepped in , barring all travel for families to visit the World War II graves in France ’ s Normandy , where Saturday marks the 76th anniversary of the epic D-Day battle , when allied troops successfully stormed the beaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So anguished families turned to the next best thing — an Englishman living on D-day territory , a pensioner with a big heart and a small hole in his agenda .
For years , Steven Oldrid , 66 , had helping out with D-Day events around the beaches where British soldiers had landed — and often left their lives behind — be it organizing parking , getting pipers to show or getting sponsors for veterans ’ dinners .
Laying wreaths though , seemed something special , reserved for families and close friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic rules apply .
Oldrid was first contacted in March .
“ I was actually choked up when I got the first request , “ Oldrid said .
“ I ’ m always on the other side .
Always in the background , ” he said .
“ They asked ‘ Steven , can you lay our wreath ?
Well , they sent me five , and then another one said , ‘ Can you lay one for my granddad ?
’ ‘ Can you lay one for my dad ’ ?
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary year , he had become the extraordinary wreathlayer — proof that kindness can not be counted in pounds , euros or dollars , but in time and effort to organize a day around the wishes of others .
As June 6 approached , the boxes of wreaths and grave markers piled up in his garage .
And to soothe the nerves of families , he has also been filming live for Facebook several ceremonies and wreathlayings .
Among those struggling with not being able to go to Normandy this year was Jane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regiment Society , whose father participated in the D-day landings .
“ It makes me feel physically sick because you feel as though you ’ re letting everybody down , ” she said .
“ I feel so strongly that it is our right and our duty to go.
” Still , whatever Oldrid is asked “ I know he ’ ll say ‘ yes ’ because he actually doesn ’ t know the word ‘ no.
’ It is not in his vocabulary , “ said Barkway-Harney .
Through it all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not ever , never will be a burden , he said “ It ’ s a pleasure and an honour.
“ What does he get in return ?
On the internet it is “ Thank you , Steve .
A big hearts and thumbs up , “ he said .
And from his previous work helping out families and friends of veterans , he knows something else is coming too .
“ They do actually bring me some English products like teabags and salad cream , baked beans and crisps for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effects of the coronavirus has become commonplace , so , too , have tales of kindness .
“ One Good Thing ” is a series of AP stories focusing on glimmers of joy and benevolence in a dark time .
Read the series here : https : //apnews.com/OneGoodThing

Raf Casert And Alex Turnbull - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Indonesian army helicopter crashes, killing 3, report says

JAKARTA , Indonesia - An Indonesian army helicopter crashed in Central Java province on Saturday , killing three of the @ @ @ @ @ a TV report said .
There was no immediate confirmation from the army on the @ @ @ @ @ passengers aboard the helicopter , Kompas TV reported .
Six passengers were injured and evacuated @ @ @ @ @ district , where the crash occurred , the report said .
“ The helicopter was @ @ @ @ @ lower until it crashed with a very loud sound , “ said Eka , a @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Two passengers escaped before it crashed and after that there were three or @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--German lawmakers criticize reported US troop withdrawal plan

BERLIN - Two conservative German lawmakers have criticized the reported U.S. decision to withdraw more than a quarter of American troops stationed in Germany .
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Germany by 9,500 .
Currently there are 34,500 American service members permanently assigned in Germany as part of a long-standing arrangement with America ’ s NATO ally .
In an interview published Saturday by Germany ’ s Funke Media Group , lawmaker Norbert Roettgen said such a troop withdrawal would be “ very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s centre-right Union bloc who chairs the German parliament ’ s foreign policy committee , was quoted as saying that he couldn ’ t see “ any factual reason for the withdrawal “ and that U.S. soldiers were welcome in Germany .
Johann Wadephul , the deputy chairman of the Union ’ s parliamentary caucus , said the U.S. decision to withdraw troops without consulting with its NATO allies “ shows once again that the Trump administration is neglecting basic leadership tasks.
” German news agency dpa quoted Wadephul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit from discord within the Western alliance .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--The loneliest of D-Day remembrances is hit by pandemic

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER , France - At daybreak on Saturday , Charles Shay stood lonesome without any fellow veteran on the very same beach where he waded ashore 76 years ago , part of one of the most epic battles in military historic that came to be known as D-Day and turned the tide of World War II .
Compared to last year , when many tens of thousands came to the northern French beaches of Normandy to cheer the dwindling number of veterans and celebrate three-quarters of a century of liberation from Nazi oppression , the coronavirus lockdown turned this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eeriest ever .
“ I am very sad now , “ said Shay , who was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach under horrific machine-gun fire and shells .
“ Because of the virus , nobody can be here .
I would like to see more of us here , ” he told The Associated Press .
Normally , 95-year-old Shay would be meeting other survivors of the 1944 battle and celebrating with locals and dignitaries alike , all not far from his home close to the beaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , I am one of the very few that is probably here , “ he said , adding that other U.S. veterans could not fly in because of the pandemic .
When a full moon disappeared over land and the sun rose the other side over the English Channel , there was no customary rumble of columns of vintage jeep and trucks to be heard , roads still so deserted hare sat alongside them .
Still the French would not let this day slip by unnoticed , such is their attachment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Britain , Canada and other countries who spilled their blood to free foreign beaches and fight on to finally defeat Nazism almost one year later .
“ It ’ s a June 6 unlike any other , “ said Philippe Laillier , the mayor of Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer , who staged a small remembrance around the Omaha Beach monument .
“ But still we had to do something .
We had to mark it.
” The moment the sun broke over the ocean , the Omaha Beach theme from Saving Private Ryan blared across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and visitors dressed in vintage clothing .
The lack of a big international crowd was palpable , though .
The pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world , infecting 6.6 million people , killing over 391,000 and devastating economies .
It poses a particular threat to the elderly — like the surviving D-Day veterans who are in their late nineties or older .
It has also affected the younger generations who turn out every year to mark the occasion .
Most have been barred from travelling to the windswept coasts of Normandy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 62 , a local fisherman who catches sea bass around the wrecks that still litter the seabed nearby .
He was holding an American flag in tribute even before dawn .
“ There is not nobody here .
Even if we are only a dozen , we are here to commemorate , “ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Zimbabwe’s security guards have lonely jobs, but get paid

HARARE , Zimbabwe - One says he constantly talks to the cash machine he guards — never mind that it can ’ t answer back .
Another whiles away the time by staring at pictures of semi-nude women on the walls of a closed nightclub as he waits for rats and cats to come out and entertain him .
Security guards in Zimbabwe , often a derided and underpaid lot , are counting themselves as some of the few lucky ones to still hold jobs in a country where most economic activity has been shut down by a lockdown that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are now fearing for their mental stability , as the loneliness that comes with guarding empty , eerily quiet building complexes is taking its toll .
By 6 p.m. , the time Patrick Runde starts his night shift , Harare is almost deserted and for the next 12 hours he has no-one to talk to .
In the past he would count on the nightclub ’ s loud music and noisy patrons for company , but now it is closed .
“ The cats and rats are coming out more than before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They have become my friends who keep me company at night , ” he said .
“ This is one of the loneliest jobs in the world , ” said Patson Chimire , a guard at a shopping complex on the outskirts of the capital city .
“ We hardly hear any sounds of either traffic or some music coming from a nightclub .
I end up talking to myself , or to things such as the ATM , ” he said .
Others simply doze off as soon as they take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for up to 30 kilometres ( 19 miles ) to work .
“ People need security and we are there to protect them and their premises .
With most people away from work , our jobs have become more essential , ” said Chimire .
Despite the weariness and loneliness , Chimire said he is grateful to have employment with a regular income .
Unemployment is rife in Zimbabwe , where more that 60 % of the country ’ s 14 million people work in the informal sector , selling goods on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus lockdown regulations .
Huge numbers of people are struggling to put food on the table due to lack of incomes .
“ A lot of people used to laugh at our job , “ he said .
” Now they wish they were like us .
”

Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi And Farai Mutsaka - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--India, China military commanders meeting on frontier dispute

SRINAGAR , India - Indian and Chinese military commanders are meeting Saturday to try to resolve a bitter standoff along their disputed frontier high in the Himalayas where thousands of troops on both sides are facing off .
The meeting at a border post is the highest-level so far attended by senior commanders .
Local border commanders held a series of meetings in the past four weeks but failed to break the impasse .
On Friday , Indian and Chinese foreign ministry officials also discussed the border tensions .
Indian officials say the standoff began in early May when large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indian-controlled territory at three places in Ladakh , erecting tents and posts .
They said the Chinese soldiers ignored repeated verbal warnings to leave , triggering shouting matches , stone-throwing and fistfights .
India also mobilized thousands of soldiers and armoury .
Chinese and Indian soldiers also faced off along the frontier in India ’ s northeastern Sikkim state in early May .
Experts in India cautioned that there was little expectation of any immediate resolution in the military meeting .
In the past , most disputes between China and India have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required diplomatic intervention .
Though skirmishes aren ’ t new along their long-disputed frontier , the standoff at Ladakh ’ s Galwan Valley , where India is building a strategic road connecting the region to an airstrip close to China , has escalated in recent weeks .
The Chinese “ ingress into the Galwan River valley opens up a new and worrying chapter , ” Ajai Shukla , a former Indian military officer and a defence commentator , wrote on his website .
India unilaterally declared Ladakh a federal territory while separating it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China was among the handful of countries to strongly condemn the move , raising it at international forums including the U.N. Security Council .
The China-India border dispute covers nearly 3,500 kilometres ( 2,175 miles ) of frontier that the two countries call the Line of Actual Control .
They fought a bitter war in 1962 that spilled into Ladakh .
The two sides have been trying since the early 1990s to settle their dispute without success .
The most serious dispute is over China ’ s claims that India ’ s northeastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tibet , which India rejects .
China claims about 90,000 square kilometres ( 35,000 square miles ) of territory in India ’ s northeast , while India says China occupies 38,000 square kilometres ( 15,000 square miles ) of its territory in the Aksai Chin Plateau in the Himalayas , a contiguous part of the Ladakh region .
Lt. Gen. D.S .
Hooda , who retired as head of the Indian military ’ s Northern Command under which Kashmir and Ladakh fall , said the level of physical violence in the current standoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past.
” “ The tensest of standoffs between soldiers of the two sides in the past have been marked by a remarkable degree of restraint and an understanding of not using force .
If this restraint breaks down , each transgression could become a flash point , “ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Sahel force fighting terrorism faces growing threat

TANZANIA , Tanzania - Mauritania ’ s foreign minister said Friday the five-nation African force fighting terrorism in the Sahel is facing a growing security threat sweeping the region that is not only local but a global problem that demands an international response .
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed , whose country holds the presidency of the G5 Sahel force , told the U.N. Security Council the security situation “ is deteriorating visibly and with rare constancy ” as a result of a “ diabolical alliance of terrorist and drug trafficking groups , ” with violence spreading every day to new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic , the lack of rainfall , terrorism , and “ melting prices of our export products.
” “ Certainly we all suffer on equal terms from the COVID-19 attack , but it also reveals to us the cruel inequality of our world when it comes to facing it , ” the Mauritanian minister said .
Leaders of Mauritania , Burkina Faso , Chad , Mali and Niger launched the joint force in 2017 with support from the United Nations , the African Union and the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council to authorize the G5 under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter , which is militarily enforceable , and finance its operation — an appeal reiterated Friday by the Mauritanian minister .
But the United States has opposed council authorization , and so far the U.N. has only been providing operational and logistical support through its peacekeeping mission in Mali .
Cheikh Ahmed said that while waiting for council action , each country at home and the five nations together have undertaken “ a vigorous action ” to retake land taken by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ’ s lives , starting with schools and hospitals .
He cautioned that “ the challenge is titanic and the victories always provisional and reversible.
” But Cheikh Ahmed also cited “ the brilliant victories “ in the past few weeks of the Chadian army against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad area , which he said show that ” terrorists can be defeated and that fear has now changed sides.
” He also highlighted an ongoing large-scale G5 operation called Sama in the area of the Mali-Burkina Faso-Niger borders , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and neutralize “ the armed terrorist groups which proliferated there.
” Cheikh Ahmed said Mauritania ’ s G5 Sahel presidency aims to strengthen the operational capacities of the force and the interoperability of air forces — and to pursue additional contributions and long-term funding .
U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the council that providing water , rations and fuel from the U.N. force in Mali to the G5 force has been “ critical , ” but he said transporting these items to G5 contingents remains the biggest challenge .
Lacroix said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ is operating at maximum capacity and can not go further in support ” of the G5 force with its current mandate and resources .
He said a recent assessment of MINUSMA ’ s assistance to the G5 concluded that international support to the five-nation force “ remained crucial , ” but the current operation wasn ’ t suited to addressing the transport and equipment shortages of the joint force .
“ Strengthening the joint force is only one strand in a comprehensive international approach required to tackle the root causes of instability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ Improving governance , eradicating poverty and protecting the human rights of all citizens , including the most disenfranchised , remain critical and more needs to be done to ensure that such efforts are given the same weight as military operations.
” A press statement from the Security Council “ commended the G5 Sahel joint force for its increased operational tempo and encouraged the continuation of these efforts.
” Council members condemned “ the continuation of terrorist attacks and inter-communal violence in the Sahel ” and emphasized the importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their efforts to achieve peace and security and “ combat terrorism.
” The council reaffirmed the importance of MINUSMA ’ s support to the force and “ took note ” of the U.N. assessment , but it made no decision on how future support will be provided and didn ’ t mention the financing of the G5 operation .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--No ‘silver lining’: Trump faces voter backlash amid crises

MADISON , Wis. - At the end of one of his most turbulent weeks in office , President Donald Trump was eager on Friday to boast of a better than expected jobs report to argue the country is poised for a booming recovery .
Benjamin Lund was not moved .
The 45-year-old Milwaukee man is a longtime Republican who was raised in a conservative family in the political battleground of Wisconsin .
At the onset of 2020 , he had little doubt that he would support Trump ’ s reelection .
Then the pandemic hit and Lund lost his restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went two months without unemployment benefits .
He later watched with dismay Trump ’ s hard-line response to the police killing of George Floyd and the civil unrest that followed .
Lund , who is white , now plans to vote a straight Democratic ticket and rejects any effort by Trump to put a “ silver lining ” on the nation ’ s pain .
“ The people living the economic reality of what ’ s soon to be a recession , it ’ s a very different set of numbers , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost , in a sense , disrespectful to try and put a positive spin on where we are as a nation right now.
” That ’ s a stinging warning sign for Trump in a state that ’ s crucial to his bid to keep the White House .
Though the president would rather voters focus on an unemployment situation that ’ s less catastrophic than some economists predicted , Trump ’ s whipsaw ways are colliding with a pandemic and civil unrest of a scale the country has not seen since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , Trump has time to solidify his standing .
But some Republicans fear voters are simply worn out by Trump .
“ People are just so disgusted with how things are , “ said Republican strategist Terry Sullivan , who managed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio ’ s 2016 presidential campaign .
” Even the most die-hard Trump supporters are exhausted.
” Trump is leading a nation grappling with unemployment rates not seen since the Great Depression .
More than 1,000 Americans are still dying each day from COVID-19 .
Millions have taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice .
And the National Guard was on the ground this week to help quell the social unrest , rioting and related violence .
Just 21 % of voters believe the United States is on the right track , Monmouth University found in a poll released this week that marked a seven-year low .
Trump ’ s defeat is far from certain .
He has repeatedly demonstrated the rules that have long governed presidential politics rarely apply to him .
Almost his entire first term has been plagued by scandal , yet his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ albeit consistently weak .
He continues to command extraordinary media attention and , with it , the ability to define the national conversation .
Such skills helped him overcome dire predictions four years ago , when his victory surprised even some of his own advisers .
There is a key difference between 2016 and 2020 , however , says conservative attorney George Conway , husband of Trump chief counsellor Kellyanne Conway and a fierce Trump critic .
“ He ’ s the incumbent this time .
He ’ s the one with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being judged here , “ Conway said in an interview .
” Four years ago that wasn ’ t the case .
And people could project on him characteristics that he didn ’ t have , precisely because he didn ’ t have a record .
Now , we know who he is .
He can ’ t escape that .
And he ’ s going to get worse as he gets more and more desperate.
“ Still , the president inspires tremendous loyalty among Republican elected officials and many rank-and-file voters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fueled his 2016 victory and are convinced Trump is fighting for them .
Many are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt at a difficult time .
Steve Beaver , a 56-year-old commercial cable installer from the Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , area , said he values Trump ’ s conservatism and handling of the economy .
He sees the protests as unrelated to Trump .
“ It really has nothing to do with the way the country ’ s being run right now , “ Beaver said .
“ It has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now.
” Trump and his team are betting they can shift attention away from his own divisive leadership toward a shrinking minority of violent protesters .
The president has advocated sending active-duty troops into American cities despite resistance from the governors involved and his own Cabinet members .
Defence Secretary Mark Esper this week shot down Trump ’ s idea to dispatch military forces on American soil .
On the same day , his predecessor at the Pentagon , Jim Mattis , chastised Trump for violating protesters ’ constitutional rights .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many current Republican officeholders declined to defend Trump ’ s actions this week , preferring to say nothing at all .
Former South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford , who ran a short-lived Republican primary campaign against the president , said Trump ’ s willingness to ignore constitutional safeguards “ is a threat to our way of life.
” The degree to which he doesn ’ t seem to get , like or care for limits on power I think is disturbing , “ Sanford said .
Trump ’ s loudest defenders this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Tim Murtaugh noted the president “ expressed horror “ at Floyd ’ s killing at the hands of police and quickly launched a civil rights investigation .
He then shifted his attention to the violent protesters , even as reports of violence across the country begin to subside .
“ Rioters have burned businesses to the ground , destroying the life ’ s work of countless people , many of them in minority communities , ” Murtaugh said .
“ The president has made a clear , unequivocal stand for law and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe in their communities to live and return to work.
” Questions remain about whether Trump ’ s brazen push to inflame racial tensions will ultimately boost his standing with white voters , particularly those with college degrees .
At the same time , Trump ’ s approach is helping to energize African American voters against him .
Detroit resident Richard Grundy said that , just a few weeks ago , he was considering not voting in November for the first time in his life to protest what he saw as a lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38 , who leads the non-profit organization JOURNi , supported Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primary and felt the remaining candidates failed to truly address issues facing black Americans .
But after Trump ’ s recent actions , Grundy said he and many other African Americans feel like they have no choice but to vote for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ The entire country , the entire world is desperate to get Trump out of office , ” Grundy said .
“ Just seeing the reaction of the inaction to everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to vote him out now.
“ There are also signs of suburban women moving away from Trump .
In Texas , 48-year-old Lisa Gerodimos attended a protest for racial justice this week with dozens of neighbours outside a gated golf community in Round Rock .
The Austin suburb is among many shifting left and making the GOP anxious about their grip on the nation ’ s biggest Republican state .
Trump won this district by 13 points in 2016 .
Two years later , Republican Rep. Jon Carter eked out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This neighbourhood ?
I got tears in my eyes , ” Gerodimos , a white educational assistant , said of the turnout .
She said she wasn ’ t going to support Trump before Floyd ’ s death but is now considering recruiting new Democratic voters .
Republicans on the ballot this year fear that another blue wave could extend the Democrats ’ House majority and help them reclaim the majority in the Senate .
Yet the head of House Republicans ’ campaign organization predicted the protests and Trump ’ s reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The law and order issue is huge , ” Rep. Tom Emmer , R-Minn. , said in an interview .
“ Whether it ’ s in communities that are getting destroyed every night and that people are watching on TV or in the suburbs .
These people want law and order.
” Emmer , chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee , said there ’ s a difference between “ peaceful protest and thugs and criminals , people who loot.
“ He said “ decades of failed liberal policies ” were to blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Trump narrowly carried four years ago , the restaurant worker Lund isn ’ t so sure .
He said he ’ s been closely following the protests , one of which passed by his house .
He and his wife , whose mother is black , have been talking nightly about race issues .
“ In typical fashion , the Republicans are focusing on the looting and crime aspect , which has nothing to do with the legitimate political movement in this country , ” Lund said .
“ I was already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he continued .
“ Now I would take a day off of work if I had to in order to do it .
There ’ s no question the Republicans need voting against.
” Associated Press writers Alan Fram in Washington ; Kat Stafford in Detroit ; Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pa. ; Paul Weber in Round Rock , Texas ; and Jonathan Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report .

Steve Peoples And Scott Bauer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--By the numbers: Trump reads economic boom into jobs data

CHICAGO - President Donald Trump has always been a big numbers guy .
He ’ s proven himself adept at taking even the most grim numbers and giving himself a pat on the back or employing a creative use of data to make himself look good .
But his declaration that an unexpected dip in the unemployment rate marked probably “ the greatest comeback in American history ” was a remarkable level of hyperbole even for him .
“ This is a particularly clear example of his lack of cognitive complexity , ” said Brian Ott , incoming director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ The Twitter Presidency : Donald J. Trump and the Politics of White Rage.
” The Labor Department ’ s report on Friday that 2.5 million Americans were added to payrolls in May was clearly good news .
In advance , economists had been projecting the loss of 8.3 million jobs , continuing the economic bloodletting caused by the coronavirus pandemic that has spurred the highest unemployment levels since the Great Depression .
But economists say the notion that the coronavirus-battered economy is now on a glide path to recovery glosses over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers will face for months , if not years .
Justin Wolfers , a University of Michigan economist , notes that coronavirus pushed the economy into a massive hole and that it remains in a bad place .
“ This month ’ s rise in non-farm payrolls of +2.5 million is ( easily ! )
the largest monthly rise ever recorded , ” Wolfers tweeted .
“ But it ’ s still only one-eighth of last month ’ s monstrous decline of -20.7 million .
( Also a record . )
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory reflects an artful relationship with numbers that Trump has long displayed .
Trump has repeatedly responded to the still-rising American death toll from the coronavirus — exceeding 109,000 — by saying that if not for his decision to restrict travel from China and Europe and other steps , the U.S. could have lost “ maybe even 2.5 million or more lives , “ as he put it Friday .
Earlier this week , Trump took to Twitter to point to a Washington Post -- ABC News poll that showed Trump supporters are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are people likely to vote for likely Democratic presidential nominee , Joe Biden .
Left unsaid was that the same poll showed Biden held a 10 percentage point lead among respondents as their choice in November .
Trump ’ s tendency to get creative with numbers started early .
In his 1987 book about his rise in the New York real estate world , “ The Art of the Deal , ” Trump wrote that a “ little hyperbole never hurts.
” He framed his bankruptcies as smart legal manoeuvrs .
“ People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular .
...
It ’ s an innocent form of exaggeration — and a very effective form of promotion , ” Trump wrote in his book .
As he toyed with making a White House run in 2011 , Trump said his reluctance to run was due in part to having the “ No .
1 show on NBC.
” That was a stretch : Trump had been the network ’ s top- rated show the week prior to the interview , but ran third for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On his first day in the White House , Trump dispatched his press secretary at the time , Sean Spicer , to inaccurately insist to reporters that Trump had drawn “ the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration , period.
” The economy is one of Trump ’ s favourite places to spin up a swirl of good numbers attributed to his stewardship .
With 2.5 million workers added to the payroll in May , Trump said , the once-shuttered economy is coming back with “ a bang.
” But with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — significantly higher than the low point of the Great Recession of 2008 — the president ’ s ebullience doesn ’ t reflect the reality that the climb back will take time and could be bumpy .
“ This was a good day for him , “ said Claudia Sahm , who served as a senior economist on the Council of Economic Advisers during the the Obama administration .
“ But he took what was a good day and made it hyperbolic.
” Mark Zandi , chief economist at Moody ’ s Analytics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exuberance could backfire .
“ If the White House takes from this and Congress takes from this that we don ’ t need another round of stimulus , that ’ s going to be a problem , “ Zandi said .
“ On the other side of Labor Day , the economy is going to go sideways or even go back into recession , because all of the rescue money is going to be spent by Labor Day.
” Trump used a Rose Garden event on Friday to showcase the new jobs report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribute to racial equality .
Left unsaid by the president was that African American unemployment inched up to 16.8 % last month , the highest it ’ s been in more than a decade .
Asian American workers ’ unemployment rate also rose from 14.5 % to 15 % .
Hispanic unemployment dropped from 18.9 % to 17.6 % .
Trump scoffed at an African American reporter who noted the disconnect between Trump ’ s comments and what minority workers are enduring .
Biden , for his part , said Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ hanging a Mission Accomplished banner , ” a reference to President George W. Bush ’ s premature declaration of victory in the Iraq war less than six weeks into a conflict that would go on for years .
“ He ’ s out there spiking the ball , completely oblivious to the tens of millions of people who are facing the greatest struggle of their lives , ” Biden said of Trump .
Ott , the Missouri State analyst , said that Trump ’ s rosy take on the unemployment situation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark numbers into gold .
“ If the sun comes up , Trump is responsible , and it ’ s the most beautiful sunrise in the history of the planet , ” Ott said .
“ Conversely , when something negative happens , Trump blames others even if he is directly responsible for it .
”