thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Lebanese take to the streets as currency hits a new low

BEIRUT - Hundreds of Lebanese poured into the streets to protest the tumbling of the national currency to a new low against the dollar Thursday , blocking roads and highways in several places across the small country that had started slowly opening up after months of coronavirus restrictions .
In Beirut and other cities , protesters burned tires and pieces of wood and chanted against government officials to protest the economic crisis while waving the Lebanese flags .
Shortly after midnight , growing numbers of protesters advanced in central Beirut pelting police and soldiers with rocks , while drawing volleys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stones at offices of private banks in an expression of anger at their perceived role in deepening their economic malaise .
In response to rising public anger and flattering local currency , Prime Minister Hassan Diab cancelled his meetings for Friday and called for an emergency session to discuss the financial crisis .
The governor of the central bank urged foreign exchange bureaus to stick to the rate he had ordered .
Despite efforts to control the currency depreciation in recent weeks , the Lebanese pound tumbled to more than 6,000 to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the black market in recent days .
The pound had maintained a fixed rate of 1,500 to the dollar for nearly 30 years .
The crash appeared to reflect the growing shortage of foreign currency on the market amid the crisis — but also signalled panic over new U.S. sanctions that will affect neighbouring Syria in the coming days as well as lack of trust in the government ’ s management of the crisis .
The heavily indebted Lebanese government has been in talks for weeks with the International Monetary Fund after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there are no signs of an imminent deal .
By late Thursday , hundreds of protesters poured into the streets of the capital , Beirut , blocking main intersections in various districts .
In Beirut , some demonstrators drove on motorcycles by the central bank while others gathered at the downtown epicenter of the anti-government protests that had lasted for months before coronavirus restrictions prompted authorities to break up their encampment .
Protesters gathered in the southern city of Nabatiyeh and other cities in Lebanon .
“ We tell everyone , come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are you waiting for to take to the streets to say this government has not been able to do anything , “ said Ali Abbas , a Beirut protester .
” This government must fall ... and we must have a true independent government.
” Tensions grew late into the night , with clashes erupting in central Beirut .
Demonstrators threw rocks at soldiers and police , and security forces responded with tear gas in an effort to disperse the crowd , but protester numbers continued to increase in the early hours of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directed their rage at financial institutions — some pelting private banks with rocks .
Videos posted online showed protesters throwing stones at bank branches in the southern city of Nabatiyeh and in Tripoli and Akkar in northern Lebanon , breaking their glass exteriors .
Fire raged in at least one empty branch of a private bank near the epicenter of the protests in Beirut .
Lebanon ’ s financial crisis predates the coronavirus pandemic that saw the country in a total lockdown for months .
Years of corruption and mismanagement have left the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while shrinking investment in the war-riddled region and falling remittances from Lebanese abroad only increased the shortage of foreign capital .
Nationwide protests broke out in October , forcing the incumbent government to resign .
The new government , sworn in at the start of 2020 , had put together a reform program , decided to default on Lebanon ’ s sovereign debts and began talks with the IMF .
But Lebanon ’ s economy is also closely tied to the country ’ s complex sectarian politics , where jockeying for power is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group is dominant in the government and parliament and is already facing U.S. sanctions .
Associated Press writer Fadi Tawil in Beirut contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Turkey says US is ‘safe harbour’ for group blamed for coup

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkey on Friday accused the United States of becoming a “ safe harbour ” for members of a network that it blames for a coup attempt in 2016 , after Washington criticized the conviction of a U.S. Consulate employee on terror charges .
Metin Topuz , a translator and assistant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in Istanbul , was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison on Thursday , convicted of aiding the network led by U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen .
The Turkish government blames Gulen for the 2016 coup attempt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization .
Topuz ’ s arrest in 2017 and subsequent prosecution caused tensions between NATO allies Ankara and Washington .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement Thursday criticizing the conviction .
Pompeo said : “ U.S .
officials observed every hearing in the trial of Mr. Topuz in Istanbul , and we have seen no credible evidence to support this decision .
As a result , this conviction undermines confidence in Turkey ’ s institutions and the critical trust at the foundation of Turkish-American relations.
” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other people with links to Gulen had “ infiltrated ” U.S. missions in Turkey and accusing U.S. authorities of ignoring requests for the extradition of Gulen-affiliated individuals .
“ We are concerned that the United States has become a safe harbour for members of ( Gulen ’ s ) terrorist organization , ” Aksoy said in a written statement .
Aksoy also called on the United States to respect the “ judicial independence ” of Turkey ’ s courts and to refrain from attempts “ to influence the judiciary.
” Topuz has maintained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to appeal the verdict .
Gulen , who has been in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999 , denies involvement in the coup attempt

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thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Official: Bomb explodes in Kabul mosque, at least 4 killed

KABUL - A bomb exploded Friday inside a mosque in west Kabul killing at least four people , including the prayer leader , and wounding eight others , an Afghan government official said .
Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said a bomb had been placed inside the mosque but had no additional details .
Police cordoned off the area and helped move the wounded to ambulances and nearby hospitals .
No one took immediate responsibility but a mosque attack earlier this month was claimed by the Islamic State group affiliate .
Mofleh Frotan was among the city ’ s more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent weeks in Afghanistan with most of the attacks claimed by the IS affiliate , headquartered in eastern Afghanistan ’ s Nangarhar province .
Earlier this month , IS planted explosives at a mosque in Kabul ’ s posh Wazir Akbar Khan neighbourhood , killing the prayer leader and wounding eight others .
The United States blamed the IS affiliate for a horrific attack last month on a maternity hospital in the capital that killed 24 people , including two infants and several new mothers .
The hospital was located in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dasht-e-Barchi .
The IS group , which reviles Shiites as heretics , has declared war on the country ’ s minority Shiite Muslims , but has also attacked Sunni Muslim mosques .
The mosque targeted Friday is Sunni .
The IS affiliate also took responsibility for an attack on a bus carrying journalists in Kabul on May 30 , killing two .
Also it claimed credit for an attack on the funeral of a warlord loyal to the government last month that killed 35 people .
Washington ’ s peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to resuscitate a U.S. peace deal with the Taliban , which is expected to eventually be enlisted in the fight against the IS affiliate .
The peace deal signed in February to allow U.S. and NATO troops to leave Afghanistan includes a commitment by the Taliban to fight terrorism and a vow that Afghanistan would not be used to attack the United States or its allies .
Washington previously said the Taliban have been instrumental — along with Afghanistan ’ s National Security and Defence Forces and U.S. air strikes — in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern Afghanistan .
Associated Press writer Kathy Gannon in Islamabad contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Extremist group al-Shabab sets up COVID-19 centre in Somalia

NAIROBI , Kenya - The al-Qaida-linked extremist group in Somalia has unveiled a COVID-19 isolation and care facility , a sign that the group is taking seriously the pandemic that continues to spread in the fragile country .
Al-Shabab announced Friday that the facility , which includes a round-the-clock hotline , has been set up in Jilib , a major stronghold of the extremist group in southern Somalia .
“ I am urging people with the disease symptoms to come to the medical facility and avoid infecting other Muslims , ” Sheikh Mohamed Bali , a senior al-Shabab official and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad hoc COVID-19 response committee , said in a speech broadcast by the extremist group ’ s radio arm Andalus .
When The Associated Press called al-Shabab ’ s COVID-19 hotline , a man who answered said the care facility is “ open for all people.
” He declined to say whether they had any virus cases but said the facility — set up in a building that once housed the United Nations children ’ s agency in Jilib — has all necessary equipment to isolate and treat patients .
For months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled by al-Shabab in central and southern Somalia could be at high risk for the virus ’ spread .
The extremist group has resisted assistance from the government and international health organizations in this and past crises including drought .
No information was immediately available about any virus cases in al-Shabab strongholds that remain off-limits for health workers and authorities , or how COVID-19 cases would be confirmed .
The Horn of Africa nation has more than 2,500 confirmed virus cases and has one of the world ’ s least-equipped health systems after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fears that untold numbers of cases might be going undetected .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Statues boarded up in London as more protests expected

LONDON - Authorities in London boarded up a war memorial and a statue of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill ahead of expected rival demonstrations by anti-racism and far-right protesters , as the city ’ s mayor urged protesters Friday to stay home because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Monuments have become major focuses of contention in demonstrations against racism and police violence after the May 25 death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his neck .
A statue of slave trader Edward Colston was hauled from its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Bristol on Sunday and dumped in the harbour .
Several other statues have been defaced during mass protests around the country , including Churchill ’ s , which was daubed with the words “ was a racist.
” Police now fear far-right groups plan to seek confrontation under the guise of protecting statues .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who cites Churchill as a personal hero , said it was “ absurd and shameful ” that his statue was “ at risk of attack by violent protesters.
” Churchill , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War II and again during 1951-55 , is revered by many in the U.K. as the man who led the country to victory against Nazi Germany .
But he was also a staunch defender of the British Empire and expressed racist views .
In a series of tweets , Johnson said that Churchill “ sometimes expressed opinions that were and are unacceptable to us today , but he was a hero , and he fully deserves his memorial.
” He said tearing down statues would be to “ censor our past ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson has repeatedly declined to apologize for his own past offensive statements .
He has called Papua New Guineans cannibals , used the derogatory term “ piccaninnies ” to refer to members of the Commonwealth and compared Muslim women who wear face-covering veils to “ letter boxes.
” Anti-racism protests in Britain have been predominantly peaceful , though small groups have scuffled with the police and thrown projectiles near Parliament and the prime minister ’ s residence in London .
The toppling of Colston ’ s statue in Bristol has reinvigorated calls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated with imperialism and racism .
Authorities this week removed a statue of slave owner Robert Milligan from its perch in London ’ s docklands , and campaigners in Oxford are pressing for a likeness of Victorian imperialist Cecil Rhodes to be withdrawn from view at Oxford University .
At Cambridge University , environmental protesters from Extinction Rebellion defaced a memorial window honouring geneticist and statistician Ronald Fisher , a proponent of eugenics , with the words “ Eugenics is genocide .
Fisher must fall.
“ With more demonstrations expected over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around Churchill ’ s statue outside Parliament .
Authorities also fenced off other statues in Parliament Square , including memorials to Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln , as well as the nearby Cenotaph , a memorial to Britain ’ s war dead .
A Black Lives Matter group in London said it was calling off a planned protest on Saturday because the presence of far-right activists would make it unsafe , though some anti-racism demonstrators are still likely to gather .
Another anti-racism protest Friday looked set to go ahead .
Authorities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the continued risk of spreading the coronavirus .
Gatherings of more than six people are currently barred in England , though police have allowed previous demonstrations to take place .
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “ extremely concerned that further protests in central London not only risk spreading COVID-19 , but could lead to disorder , vandalism and violence.
” He said far-right groups planned to “ provoke violence , and their only goal is to distract and hijack this important issue .
“ Staying home and ignoring them is the @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Aid groups ‘alarmed’ by little US coronavirus assistance

JOHANNESBURG - More than two dozen international aid organizations have told the U.S. government they are “ increasingly alarmed ” that “ little to no U.S. humanitarian assistance has reached those on the front lines ” of the coronavirus pandemic , as the number of new cases picks up speed in some of the world ’ s most fragile regions .
The letter obtained by The Associated Press and signed by groups including Save the Children , Mercy Corps , World Vision and others says that “ in spite of months of promising conversations with USAID field staff , few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 humanitarian assistance.
” It calls the delays “ devastating ” and says the window is closing for the U.S. to help mitigate the worst impacts of the pandemic around the world .
The letter to U.S. Agency for International Development acting administrator John Barsa is dated June 4 — the same day that other USAID officials were touting the U.S. government ’ s “ global leadership ” in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ To date , we have committed more than $ 1 billion to benefit the global COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader of the USAID COVID-19 task force , told reporters covering Africa .
But much of that aid has been tied up in “ uncharacteristic delays ” nearly three months after the passage of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act , the letter from aid groups says .
“ The long delays in COVID-19 awards — and as a result , U.S. response to a dynamic global emergency — stands in stark contrast to our experience in crises where ( the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance ) is known to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , if not days , ” the letter says .
Other aid organizations signing the letter include CARE USA , the Norwegian Refugee Council USA , American Jewish World Service , WaterAid and Physicians for Peace .
The letter makes clear the aid problem is a global one , pointing out the exponential rise in cases in Pakistan , and saying “ the time to move is now.
” “ The U.S. has basically been missing in action on the global front , which is very heartbreaking for me to see , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance during the Obama administration , Jeremy Konyndyk , said Thursday during a Center for Strategic and International Studies discussion .
“ In the absence of U.S. leadership , in the absence of others stepping up , what we have is kind of a vacuum and a lot of chaos on the international level.
” For months while promoting U.S. coronavirus assistance , U.S. officials have not given details on the number of crucial items — such as ventilators and testing kits — delivered to countries in Africa , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for months .
And the need is growing .
Cases on the African continent are accelerating , the World Health Organization warned Thursday , saying it took 98 days to reach 100,000 cases and just 18 to reach 200,000 .
Cases are now above 216,000 with more than 5,000 deaths .
Just 3 million tests for the virus have been conducted across Africa , a continent of 1.3 billion people , far short of the goal of testing at least 1 % of that population , or 13 million .
“ One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response continues to be the availability of supplies , particularly test kits , ” WHO Africa chief Matshidiso Moeti told reporters on Thursday .
Another growing problem is infected health workers - nearly 5,000 in the 47-country WHO Africa region — amid shortages of protective gear .
U.S. President Donald Trump in recent weeks has spoken of deliveries of ventilators to African countries , saying 1,000 of the machines were being sent to Nigeria alone .
But Nigeria ’ s government has said none has arrived .
In fact , just 50 ventilators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , all of them going to South Africa in recent days .
That country has about a quarter of Africa ’ s virus cases .
A State Department official on Thursday said the U.S. has pledged ventilator assistance to Congo , Ethiopia , Ghana , Kenya , Mozambique , Nigeria and Rwanda as well .
The U.S. is supplying ventilators as soon as the domestic supply chain and vendors can produce and deliver orders , the official said .
Some African officials have expressed open dismay or signalled quiet frustration over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have called for a “ Made in Africa ” push to reduce reliance on imports , amid efforts across the continent to create homemade ventilators and repurpose factories .
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been quick to praise assistance from the Jack Ma Foundation and others for deliveries of ventilators , testing kits and other badly needed items .
But asked about just how many of those items the U.S. has delivered , Africa CDC chief John Nkengasong on Thursday said that “ unfortunately , I can not give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a challenging time for many countries to fight their own pandemic .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Lebanese central bank to inject dollars as currency tumbles

BEIRUT - Lebanon ’ s money changers said the country ’ s central bank agreed Friday to inject fresh dollars into the market to prop up the national currency following a night of protests spurred by the dramatic plunging of the Lebanese pound .
The protests , which degenerated into attacks on several bank branches , and the tumbling of the currency prompted an emergency Cabinet meeting Friday .
Despite previous efforts to control the currency depreciation , the Lebanese pound sold for more than 6,000 to the dollar Thursday on the black market , down from 4,000 in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixed rate of 1,500 to the dollar for nearly 30 years .
Mahmoud Halawa , head of the money changers union , said the central bank governor promised to inject a sufficient amount of dollars into the market for importers and regular citizens .
Security forces would also crack down on the black market or any money changers selling above a set rate of 3,940 to the dollar , Halawa said .
It was not clear whether there are enough dollars available to stop the local currency depreciation .
Halawa said fresh dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The currency crash comes during a historic economic and financial crisis facing the small Mediterranean country and appeared to reflect the growing shortage of foreign currency .
It also signalled panic over new U.S. sanctions that will affect neighbouring Syria in the coming days and a lack of trust in the government ’ s management of the crisis .
Protesters poured into the streets Thursday over the rising dollar price in a country dependent on imports and where people have for years used the dollar and the local currency interchangeably .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country and burned tires .
In central Beirut , they pelted police and soldiers with rocks and smashed some storefronts , drawing volleys of tear gas .
Some protesters set fire to a private bank nearby .
In the country ’ s north and south , others threw stones at the offices of some private banks in an expression of anger at their perceived role in deepening their economic malaise .
“ Three glass windows were broken in the front and the back , the fridge and the phones .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairs .
...
I am not sure yet what is the estimated material loss , “ said the owner of a travel agency in downtown Beirut .
Security forces reopened blocked roads early Friday and calm was restored .
Prime Minister Hassan Diab cancelled his schedule and called for an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis .
Riad Salameh , the central bank governor who has been singled out by Diab for his mishandling of the situation , was taking part .
The renewed demonstrations amid calls for Diab ’ s resignation are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who took over after his predecessor , Saad Hariri , resigned amid nationwide protests late last year .
Diab ’ s government is supported by the Shiite group Hezbollah and its allies and has been weakened by the crisis .
Other protesters called for Salameh to resign .
The heavily indebted Lebanese government has been in talks for weeks with the International Monetary Fund after it asked for a financial rescue plan but there are no signs of an imminent deal .
Lebanon ’ s financial problems predate the virus pandemic that put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further compounding the crisis .
Years of corruption and mismanagement have left Lebanon with depleted resources , while shrinking investment in the war-riddled region and falling remittances from Lebanese abroad only increased the shortage of foreign capital .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Prosecutors question Italy’s Conte over slow virus lockdowns

ROME - Prosecutors went to question Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte on Friday about the lack of a coronavirus lockdown on two towns in northern Italy ’ s Lombardy region that became one of the hardest-hit areas of the country ’ s outbreak .
Doctors and virologists have said the two-week delay in quarantining Alzano and Nembro helped allow the virus to spread in Bergamo province , which saw a 571 % increase in excess deaths in March compared with the average of the previous five years .
Lead prosecutor Maria Cristina Rota arrived with a team of aides morning at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Palazzo Chigi , on Friday morning .
In addition to Conte , she is expected to question the health and interior ministers .
In previous days , Rota has interviewed the head of the Superior Institute of Health .
To date , no one has been placed under investigation and it ’ s unclear what , if any , criminal responsibility might be assigned to public officials for decisions taken or not in the onetime epicenter of Europe ’ s outbreak .
Among other things , the probe is looking into whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rome , or the Lombardy regional authorities , to create a so-called “ red zone “ around the two towns .
After interviewing Lombardy regional officials last month , Rota said it appeared it was the national government ’ s responsibility .
But Conte ’ s office has pointed to norms that delegate such authority to regions , and noted that other regions have instituted “ red zones “ on their own .
Italy registered its first domestic positive case Feb. 21 in the Lombardy province of Lodi .
Ten towns in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contain the spread .
Alzano and Nembro registered their first positive cases two days later , on Feb. 23 , but the government didn ’ t quarantine them for two weeks until all of Lombardy was locked down March 7 .
Asked if , in hindsight , he should have locked down sooner , Conte told La Stampa daily Friday that he was at peace with the decisions taken .
“ I acted based on science and conscience , “ he was quoted as saying .
On March 3 , the Superior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone “ around Alzano and Nembro .
But in those same days , the Bergamo branch of Italy ’ s leading business lobby , Confindustria , promoted an English-language social media campaign meant to reassure Bergamo ’ s international industrial partners .
The # BergamoIsRunning campaign insisted the outbreak was no worse than elsewhere , that the “ misleading sensation ” of its high number of infections was due to aggressive testing , and that production in steel mills and other industries was unaffected .
Bergamo Mayor Giorgio Gori initially supported the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked down sooner .
But he said at the time , no one knew the extent of contagion or that the virus had been circulating widely in Bergamo as early as January .
“ We didn ’ t lose five days , we lost two months , ” Gori told the foreign press association this week .
He noted that Italy ’ s health ministry on Jan. 22 issued a circular instructing local health authorities to flag any cases of anomalous pneumonia as possible coronavirus cases that should be tested .
On Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruction to only test pneumonia patients who had visited China or been in direct contact with someone who had .
The narrowing of criteria “ restricted the field of observation and impeded Italy , Lombardy and Bergamo from recognizing that the epidemic was already here many weeks before it was officially recognized , “ he said .
In a separate tangent of the investigation , at least 50 families who lost loved ones to the virus have provided Bergamo prosecutors with formal legal complaints to seek clarity if there was wrongdoing in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who helped organize a Facebook group at the peak of the epidemic that collected stories of loss , said the testimony is not aimed at prosecuting individual health care workers but revealing where the system might have failed .
Fusco said the industrial importance of Alzano and Nembro to Lombardy ’ s economy , which accounts for some 21 % of Italy ’ s gross domestic product , clearly impacted the decision to not lock down .
“ There are more than 300 businesses and thousands and thousands of jobs .
If Lombardy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Nembro are the pistons of this motor , “ he said .
Cristina Longhini , a pharmacist whose father died March 19 , said the group is seeking answers from prosecutors as to whether the national government , regional officials , local health care officials or the industrial lobby bore any blame for the deaths .
Longhini said her 65-year-old father had diabetes but was otherwise healthy when he fell sick at the beginning of March .
She said his doctor refused to see him in person and he wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respiratory problems .
Only once he was taken to Bergamo ’ s Pope John XXIII hospital was it confirmed that he had the virus .
But the hospital told the family they didn ’ t have a bed for him in the intensive care unit , Longhini said .
“ Tell us who is responsible , because in Italy everyone tends to lay the blame on someone else , “ she told reporters .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Houston bar heavily damaged in early morning explosion

HOUSTON - An early morning explosion heavily damaged a bar near downtown Houston on Friday , but there were no @ @ @ @ @ The explosion was reported shortly before 5 a.m. at Bar 5015 in the Houston Museum @ @ @ @ @ KHOU reported that the bar had closed at 11 p.m. the night before and that @ @ @ @ @ unoccupied at the time of the blast .
Damage was reported to nearby buildings , @ @ @ @ @ .
A food truck was also destroyed , KHOU reported .
Video from the scene @ @ @ @ @ street .
Authorities were investigating the cause of the explosion .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Sweden’s Sami people to set up commission on discrimination

STOCKHOLM - The Sami ethnic group in Sweden ’ s Arctic region is getting 1.2 million kronor ( $ 130,000 ) from the Scandinavian country to set up a truth commission that will shed light on injustices against indigenous people carried out by the Swedish state .
Matti Blind Berg , who heads the working group for the Sami Truth Commission , said that “ it is an extremely important job to clarify the Swedish state ’ s abuse of the Sami people.
” Asa Lindhagen , a member of the government in Stockholm in charge of anti-discrimination and anti-segregation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout history , Sami have been subjected to racism and are still exposed to it today .
Sweden must be a country free of racism and efforts are needed to get there.
” A year ago , Sweden announced that it would finance a process to establish an independent truth commission on the Swedish state ’ s abuse of the Sami people .
The money will finance the preparatory work , including a collection of discrimination stories and creating the format of the commission .
Swedish Culture Minister Amanda Lind called it “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the violations and abuses that the Sami have been exposed to throughout history and which are far too little known.
” The work will be done by the Samediggi , an elected , indigenous 31-seat assembly that protects the rights of northern Sweden ’ s estimated 35,000 people with Sami heritage .
It also acts as an institution of cultural autonomy for the indigenous people .
The Sami today live in Lapland , which stretches from northern parts of Norway through Sweden and Finland to Russia .
They once faced oppression of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their native tongue .
Today the nomadic people live mostly modern lifestyles but still tend reindeer and some still wear their traditionally bright-colored national dress .
In 1977 , the Riksdag — Sweden ’ s Parliament — recognized the Sami as an indigenous people in Sweden .
Sweden announced the move to finance the setting up of the truth commission on Tuesday .
Similar steps to set up truth commissions have been made in Norway and Finland .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Asia Today: India’s virus cases now 4th highest in world

NEW DELHI - India ’ s coronavirus caseload has become the fourth-largest in the world , overtaking Britain , by adding 10,956 new cases in yet another biggest single-day spike .
India ’ s two-month lockdown kept transmissions low but in a large population of 1.3 billion , people remain susceptible and the campaign against the virus is likely to go on for months , said Balram Bhargava , director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research .
India ’ s lockdown was imposed nationwide in late March but has eased since , and it is now largely being enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came after India allowed the reopening of shops , shopping malls , factories and religious places .
The increase reported Friday raised India ’ s total cases to 297,535 , including 8,498 deaths , according to the Health Ministry .
The death toll increased 396 in the past 24 hours .
India ’ s number of confirmed cases is behind only the United States , Brazil and Russia .
Mumbai , New Delhi and Chennai are the worst-hit cities in the country , and Bhargava said urban residents have a greater chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas have surged , however , after migrant workers who left cities and towns after they lost jobs returned to their hometowns .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — MORE JAPAN ECONOMIC MEASURES : Japan ’ s parliament approved more money to soften the economic blow from the pandemic .
The 32 trillion yen ( $ 300 billion ) second supplementary budget includes support for small businesses , including programs to finance their rents and adjust employment .
It also has funding for dealing with future waves of infections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan ’ s economy , the world ’ s third largest , slipped into recession in the last quarter .
Business activity has slowly resumed after a state of emergency was lifted in late May .
The country has confirmed 17,332 cases and 922 deaths as of Thursday .
— SCHOOL OPENING SUSPENDED IN BEIJING : China ’ s capital is suspending plans to restart classes for the first three years of elementary school next week amid reports of new cases of local transmission in the city .
Beijing ’ s municipal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safety of students and teachers .
Local authorities announced on Thursday a 52-year-old man had become the city ’ s first confirmed case of local transmission in weeks after he arrived at a clinic complaining of fever .
The official Xinhua News Agency said two other cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Beijing on Friday .
The man whose diagnosis was announced Thursday had reportedly visited a market on June 3 .
The hall where he shopped has now been closed for disinfection , state media reported .
It wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three new cases .
— THAILAND LOOSENS RESTRICTIONS : Thailand has announced a further easing of restrictions that were imposed to fight the spread of the coronavirus , including allowing some schools to reopen and scrapping a curfew .
The new measures , which take effect Monday , follow more than six weeks in which the daily increase in COVID-19 cases was usually less than 10 , and almost all new infections originated abroad .
Restaurants will no longer be banned from serving alcohol , though bars remain shut .
International flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month while the government considers how to gradually reopen the tourism sector , a major pillar of the economy .
— RESURGENCE IN SEOUL : South Korea ’ s top infectious disease expert has raised alarm over the speed of coronavirus transmissions in the densely populated capital area , where around 30 to 50 new infections have been reported each day since late May .
Jung Eun-kyeong , director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said the average infectiousness of virus carriers in the Seoul metropolitan area was about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country .
She said a measure of the number of infections caused by a sick individual in the capital area reached as high as 1.7 or 1.8 in recent weeks .
Any number above 1 indicates a growing epidemic .
She pleaded with Seoul residents to stay home over the weekend , saying there is “ high concern ” that increased public activity will lead to a massive circulation of the virus .
Health workers have struggled to trace hundreds of infections linked to e-commerce workers , church gatherings , elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA : Prime Minister Scott Morrison said international students will be allowed to begin returning to Australia in July as states reopen their borders .
Morrison said he expected all state borders to reopen in July , with the possible exception of Western Australia .
He said states could only welcome back international students if they opened their borders to interstate travel as well .
International students have been Australia ’ s most lucrative industry after mining , with China the largest source of foreign students .
China this week warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism in Australia , which Foreign Minister Marise Payne called “ disinformation.
” —- CHINA GIVES PHILIPPINES VACCINE ASSURANCE : President Rodrigo Duterte has been promised by his Chinese counterpart that the Philippines “ as a friendly neighbour ” will be prioritized when China is able to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus .
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Friday that Duterte got the assurance from Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a late Thursday telephone call .
Roque said Xi assured Duterte of “ his country ’ s commitment to make the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philippines , as a friendly neighbour , would certainly be a priority.
” — MALDIVES LOOSENS RESTRICTIONS : Maldives will relax more coronavirus restrictions on Monday to allow people to leave their homes during daytime .
People will be able to go out without permits from 5 a.m to 10 p.m .
Parks and public spaces will also be reopened , and workouts will be allowed for three hours every evening .
Shops will reopen and restaurants will be able to sell food for delivery or takeaway .
Previously , each family received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two hours outside each week .
The government plans to reopen schools , government offices , mosques , international travel , gyms and dine-in restaurants next month .
Maldives has reported 1,976 COVID-19 cases , including eight deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Syria economic meltdown presents new challenge for Assad

BEIRUT - In scenes not witnessed for years in government-controlled parts of Syria , dozens of men and women marched through the streets this week , protesting a sharp increase in prices and collapse of the currency , some even calling for the downfall of President Bashar Assad and his ruling Baath party .
“ He who starves his people is a traitor , ” some of the protesters chanted at the protest in the southern city of Sweida .
In Syria nowadays , there is an impending fear that all doors are closing .
After nearly a decade of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weight of years-long Western sanctions , government corruption and infighting , a pandemic and an economic downslide made worse by the financial crisis in Lebanon , Syria ’ s main link with the outside world .
Syria faces near complete isolation as the toughest U.S. sanctions yet start to come into effect next week .
While Assad may have won the military war against his opponents with the help of allies Russia and Iran , he now faces an even bigger challenge of governing while more than 80 % of his people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prices go up several times a day , forcing many shops to close , unable to keep up with the chaos .
This week the Syrian currency dropped to a record 3,500 pounds to the dollar on the black market — compared to 700 at the beginning of the year .
Some staples such as sugar , rice and medicine are becoming hard to find .
“ The Syrian economy has spiraled out of control and the regime can not control the Syrian pound anymore , ” said Osama Kadi , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely to grow under the new U.S. sanctions , which Washington says aim to punish Assad and his top lieutenants for crimes committed during the country ’ s conflict .
Effectively , the sanctions prevent anyone around the world from doing business with Syrian officials or state institutions or participate in the war-ravaged country ’ s reconstruction .
They also target anyone involved in smuggling to Syria , mostly from Iraq and Lebanon .
The U.S. has already imposed sanctions on Assad and a number of his top officials .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria Civilian Protection Act , allows foreign companies to be targeted , including in neighbouring Lebanon , Jordan and Iraq .
“ This legislation will close all the doors on the Syrian regime and any person that deals with it , ” said Nizar Zakka , a Lebanese citizen who is a member of the Caesar Act team , a group that advises U.S. authorities on implementing the sanctions .
The first wave of sanctions will be imposed on June 17 .
Three other stages will follow before the end of August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name of a Syrian forensic photographer who graphically exposed the brutality of the government crackdown by smuggling out thousands of photos of torture victims .
Experts say the new sanctions will be a heavy blow to a country where eight out of 10 people make less than $ 100 a month , according to the United Nations .
The Syrian government called the sanctions “ economic terrorism.
” Some of the repercussions have already been profound .
Bread prices increased nearly 60 % in the rebel-held northwestern province of Idlib , even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 million is not included in the new sanctions .
Its population , many of them unemployed and living in displaced camps , have also been hit hard by the collapse of the pound , since it is the main currency used in Idlib .
As a result , protests erupted this week calling for the ouster of the “ Salvation Government ” administering Idlib , led by al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham .
The Syrian pound — which had been at 47 to the dollar at the start of the conflict — had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollar from 2014 until last year .
It started crumbling from a number of factors : the coronavirus lockdown , Lebanon ’ s financial crisis , new rules requiring use of the Syrian pound and a feud between Assad and his cousin Rami Makhlouf , one of Syria ’ s richest men .
The Syrian government has lost major income from resources in areas outside its control , including oil fields in the east held by U.S.-backed fighters and farmlands that produced much of the country ’ s wheat .
Most damaging , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Lebanon .
Banks there have served as a gateway to the world for Syrian businessmen , officials and average people .
Now Lebanon ’ s tight capital controls lock away billions of dollars in their accounts .
“ Lebanon was not only Syria ’ s economic get-out-of-jail card , but it is the beating heart of Syria ’ s business community , ” Danny Makki , a Britain-based Syrian journalist and political analyst , wrote recently for the Middle East Institute .
Lebanon is also panicking about losing Syria , particularly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
In recent weeks , the Lebanese army has begun closing some smuggling routes to and from Syria where fuel , diesel , medicine and other goods flow .
Syria and its allies say the Caesar Act aims at starving the Syrian people .
The U.S. Embassy in Syria — closed since the beginning of the conflict — tweeted on Sunday : “ The regime ’ s destructive war has crushed the Syrian economy , not U.S. or EU sanctions.
” Amid the turmoil , Assad fired Prime Minister Imad Khamis on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at deflecting public anger .
Khamis told parliament this week that the government was discussing with allies ways to boost the pound ’ s value .
He said the government was also taking steps to avoid any shortage of pharmaceuticals .
Samer Aftimos , a pharmacist in Damascus , said shortages are already taking place , in part because of people hoarding medicine .
Drug companies have stopped supplying some medicines , he said .
Syrian legislator Muhannad Haj Ali , who has been under European and American sanctions for years , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overcome the Caesar Act .
“ What the terrorists and the Americans couldn ’ t take on the battlefield , where we paid with our blood and wounds , they won ’ t be able to gain politically , no matter how much pressure they exert , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--French police stage banned demo to demand government support

PARIS - French police defied a ban on mass gatherings to protest what they see as a lack of government support , marching shoulder to shoulder on Friday on the Champs-Elysees to show their anger against new limits on arrest tactics and criticism of racism in their ranks .
France this week announced a ban on chokeholds is part of government efforts to stem police brutality and racism in the wake of global protests over George Floyd ’ s death in the U.S .
But police have especially taken issue with any implication of systemic racism among French police .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week any “ strong suspicion ” of racism would be punished , in response to investigations into racist comments on closed Facebook and WhatsApp groups for police .
Friday ’ s protest was small but highly visible , with honking , flags and blue smoke blowing under rainy skies .
As officers marched close together , with hardly a mask in sight , Paris police issued a bulletin confirming that anti-police protests planned this weekend were banned because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Friday ’ s group walked unimpeded to the interior ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ palace and has been barricaded against demonstrators since the 2018 yellow-vest protests that frequently ended in violent clashes .
Uniformed guards appeared startled at the arrival of the protest but did not intervene .
After a minute of silence for dead police officers , they sang the French national anthem , spoke briefly and dispersed .
“ French police are the most controlled in the world , so when there are certain lapses by a tiny minority , don ’ t stigmatize all police , ” said Fabien Vanhemelryck of the Alliance union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a crisis in the United States “ that has nothing to do with us.
“ Police unions met Thursday and Friday with Castaner to discuss changes to police tactics after the minister announced Monday that police would no longer be taught to seize suspects by the neck or push on their necks .
Castaner stopped short of banning another technique — pressing on a prone suspect ’ s chest — that also has been blamed for leading to asphyxiation and possible death .
Such immobilization techniques have come under growing criticism since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police say the new restrictions go too far .
“ He doesn ’ t even know what he ’ s talking about , ” said Jean-Paul Megret , another police union leader .
“ Sometimes you can ’ t just ask people to follow you to be arrested .
Every day , you ’ re dealing with people who are completely insane.
” Unions floated the idea this week of widening the use of stun-guns , which are only available to a handful of specialized officers .
France has seen several anti-police protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and another is planned Saturday .
Friday ’ s protest began on the Champs-Elysees avenue , which was repeatedly the scene of violence between police and the “ yellow vest ” protesters last year .
Last week , the Paris prosecutor ’ s office opened a preliminary investigation into racist insults and instigating racial hatred based on comments allegedly written in a private police Facebook group .
Website Streetpress published a string of offensive messages that it said were published within the group , though acknowledged that it is unclear whether the authors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police .
Some of the reported comments mocked young men of colour who have died fleeing police .
Separately , six police officers in the Normandy city of Rouen are under internal investigation over racist comments in a private WhatsApp group .
Both incidents have prompted public concerns about extreme views among French police .

Arno Pedram And Lori Hinnant - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--German court sentences ‘cyber jihadi’ to 5 years in prison

BERLIN - A court in western Germany has convicted a 39-year-old man of providing support to Islamist groups in Syria @ @ @ @ @ on Friday sentenced the German-Tunisian defendant , whose name wasn ’ t released for privacy @ @ @ @ @ in prison .
Judges concluded that the man had sent night vision devices , firearms-cleaning @ @ @ @ @ the militia group Ahrar al-Sham .
He is also accused of having provided propaganda support @ @ @ @ @ .
The defendant ’ s lawyers had sought to have their client acquitted .
German @ @ @ @ @ the defendant had described himself as a “ cyber jihadist ” on social media platforms @ @ @ @ @ training video on his laptop showing the killing of people .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Police disrupt planned anti-racism rally in Sydney

SYDNEY , Australia - Hundreds of police disrupted plans for an anti-racism rally in downtown Sydney on Friday , but protest organizers vowed that other rallies will continue around Australia over the weekend despite warnings of the coronavirus risk .
Police ringed Sydney Town Hall hours before around 3,000 people were expected to attend a rally inspired by the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minnesota .
Police vans were parked in side streets in preparation for mass arrests for breaching a 10-person limit on public gatherings because of the pandemic .
Protesters instead split , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few hundred converged on nearby Hyde Park .
Protesters in the park held a banner reading “ Stand up Australia “ near a statue .
Those near the hall chanted “ Too many coppers , not enough justice.
” They appeared to obey police directions to leave or be arrested .
Government leaders have urged activists not to attend anti-racism and other rallies planned for the weekend due to the pandemic risk .
Rallies are planned for Australian cities this weekend over Floyd , the coronavirus risk posed to asylum-seekers held in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic threat created by eating meat .
Police largely did not enforce social distancing rules during peaceful anti-racism rallies attended by thousands in Australian cities last weekend that focused on the high incarceration rate of indigenous Australians .
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged police to charge protesters with breaching pandemic restrictions during the coming weekend .
“ The very clear message is that people should not attend those events , because it is against the health advice to do so , ” Morrison told reporters .
A court on Thursday ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday is illegal because of the pandemic threat , increasing the range of powers available to police to block it .
Organizer Ian Rintoul said the protest would continue because asylum seekers are in urgent need .
“ The point has come , even in terms of the COVID-19 experience in Australia , where the street protests are possible .
They can be held safely , and I think we need to insist on that , ” Rintoul told Ten Network television .
Animal rights group PETA plans to limit numbers at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police attention .
PETA blames the consumption of wildlife sold in Chinese wet markets for the pandemic .
“ If a pandemic born out of animal abuse is not the best time to talk about and protest animal abuse , then when is ?
” PETA spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis said .
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann suggested demonstrators could lose government welfare payments if they attend rallies , but Morrison later ruled out any such federal retaliation .
The government pays a wage subsidy to 3.5 million Australians to keep them in work during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick after attending a Melbourne rally on Saturday and later tested positive for COVID-19 .
Authorities suspected he was infected before the rally and might have spread the virus to other protesters .
Authorities say any disease cluster caused by last weekend ’ s rallies might not become apparent for weeks .
Australia is relaxing its pandemic restrictions , with 2,000 fans allowed in Adelaide for an Australian rules football match on Saturday , but no protest rallies .
Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria , which is alone among Australia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community spread of COVID-19 in recent weeks .
Most cases involve people who have returned from overseas .
Australia has not recorded any COVID-19 deaths since May 23 , when the toll rose to 102 .
The country has confirmed 7,285 coronavirus cases and 524 cases remain active .
Associated Press writer Rod McGuirk in Canberra , Australia , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Spanish police smash sub-Saharan human trafficking ring

MADRID - Spanish police said Friday they have dismantled a major human-trafficking organization that smuggled Africans into Europe .
The @ @ @ @ @ around 1,000 people , including children and pregnant women , from sub-Saharan Africa to Spain @ @ @ @ @ were distributed between France , Germany and Belgium , a police statement said .
Each @ @ @ @ @ the gang at least 500 euros ( $ 566 ) .
The ring was organized @ @ @ @ @ Catalonia region and run mostly by sub-Saharan Africans .
The police operation , involving authorities @ @ @ @ @ Germany , the Netherlands , Belgium and Portugal , led to the arrest of 12 @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--US naval buildup in Indo-Pacific seen as warning to China

WASHINGTON - For the first time in nearly three years , three American aircraft carriers are patrolling the Indo-Pacific waters , a massive show of naval force in a region roiled by spiking tensions between the U.S. and China and a sign that the Navy has bounced back from the worst days of the coronavirus outbreak .
The unusual simultaneous appearance of the three warships , accompanied by Navy cruisers , destroyers , fighter jets and other aircraft , comes as the U.S. escalates criticism of Beijing ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak , its moves to impose greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to militarize human-made islands in the South China Sea .
“ There have been some indications in Chinese writings that the United States was hit hard by COVID-19 , that military preparedness was low , so perhaps there is an effort by the United States to signal China that it should not miscalculate , ” said Bonnie Glaser , director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies .
“ The Chinese will definitely portray this as an example of U.S. provocations , and as evidence that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region.
“ President Donald Trump , criticized for his own handling of the coronavirus outbreak , has condemned China for what he sees as a failure to adequately warn the world about the COVID-19 threat .
The administration has also moved to ban Chinese graduate students and researchers with links to the People ’ s Liberation Army or other security services from the United States .
The convergence of three carrier strike groups in the region is unusual because of the limited number of carriers and the fact that they are often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , training or deployments to other parts of the world .
This week , however , Navy commanders said they were able to take advantage of the timing , particularly during this period of great power competition with China .
The U.S. national defence strategy cites China as a top security concern , and Pentagon leaders have been working to shift more resources and military assets to the region to battle what they see is Beijing ’ s growing economic influence and military might .
“ The ability to be present in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And as I always tell my guys here , you ’ ve got to be present to win when you ’ re competing , ” said Rear Adm. Stephen Koehler , director of operations at Indo-Pacific Command .
“ Carriers and carrier strike groups writ large are phenomenal symbols of American naval power .
I really am pretty fired up that we ’ ve got three of them at the moment.
” Speaking to The Associated Press from his office in Hawaii , Koehler said China is slowly and methodically building up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , putting missile and electronic warfare systems on them .
The U.S. and other allies and partners in the region have beefed up operations near the human-made islands to try to blunt China ’ s development , but none of that has appeared to work .
Koehler said that most recently China deployed aircraft to Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands and is now operating them out of there .
On Thursday , the strike group warships were spread out across the Indo-Pacific .
The USS Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guam .
The USS Nimitz strike group is in the Pacific off the U.S. West Coast .
The USS Ronald Reagan has left port in Japan and is operating in the Philippine Sea south of there .
Navy commanders were quick to point out that dozens of other Navy ships had been operating around the Pacific , but the three strike groups put a bit of an exclamation point on America ’ s commitment to the region and its allies .
The Roosevelt has just returned to duty after spending more than two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 outbreak among its crew .
And small numbers of sailors on the Nimitz and the Reagan tested positive for the virus , triggering quarantines and extensive new health and safety procedures that had to be instituted before the ships could deploy .
As they deploy , sailors ’ daily lives on the ships and to some degree their operations at sea have been altered by the virus and the new precautions they must take to ensure the ships remain clear of infection and able to continue operations .
Onboard the Nimitz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been no positive cases of the virus on the ship since it set out , and he is confident of all the changes put in place to keep it that way .
On the Nimitz and the other Pacific ships , crew members are screened daily , they wear masks where needed , meal hours have been extended to allow for more social distancing , and specific routes are designated on the ship to prevent sailors from bumping into one another in the narrow passageways and stairs .
“ As we head out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I have is that this is the end of the beginning ” for the crew , said Kirk , commander of Carrier Strike Group 11 .
“ Now it ’ s time to go about doing our job to the best of our abilities.
” Koehler said the ships will continue to work with allies and partners in the region , conducting exercises at sea and patrolling contested regions .
One key change , however , will be their ability to stop in foreign ports .
The port visits have been largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies when necessary .
Guam has been designated the only safe harbour for port stops in the Pacific so far , and sailors have only limited freedom to go to the pier and can not travel freely in the city .
Navy leaders are looking into establishing other safe havens but haven ’ t approved them yet .
This is , said Koehler , “ the new normal.
” And he said that while it ’ s not likely there will be three carrier strike groups consistently in the Pacific over the long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can do when we want to .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--International Criminal Court condemns US sanctions order

THE HAGUE , Netherlands - The International Criminal Court has condemned the Trump administration ’ s decision to authorize sanctions against court staff , saying it amounted to “ an unacceptable attempt to interfere with the rule of law and the Court ’ s judicial proceedings.
” An executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday authorizes sanctions against ICC staff investigating American troops and intelligence officials and those of allied nations , including Israel , for possible war crimes in Afghanistan and elsewhere .
Trump ’ s order would block the financial assets of court employees and bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
The court , which has 123 member states , said in a statement released early Friday that it “ stands firmly by its staff and officials and remains unwavering in its commitment to discharging , independently and impartially , the mandate ” laid down in its founding treaty , the Rome Statute .
It said an attack on the Hague-based court also constitutes “ an attack against the interests of victims of atrocity crimes , for many of whom the Court represents the last hope for justice.
” O-Gon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s management and oversight mechanism , the Assembly of States Parties , also criticized the U.S. measures .
“ They undermine our common endeavour to fight impunity and to ensure accountability for mass atrocities , ” he said in a statement .
“ I deeply regret measures targeting Court officials , staff and their families.
” The Hague-based court was created in 2002 to prosecute war crimes and crimes of humanity and genocide in places where perpetrators might not otherwise face justice .
The U.S. has never been an ICC member .
U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denounced the tribunal as a “ kangaroo court ” that has been unsuccessful and inefficient in prosecuting war crimes .
He said that the U.S. would punish the ICC employees for any investigation or prosecution of Americans in Afghanistan and added that they could also be banned for prosecuting Israelis for alleged abuses against Palestinians .
“ It gives us no joy to punish them , ” Pompeo said .
“ But we can not allow ICC officials and their families to come to the United States to shop and travel and otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek to prosecute the defender of those very freedoms.
” Last year , Pompeo revoked the visa of the court ’ s chief prosecutor , Fatou Bensouda , after she asked ICC judges to open an investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan .
The judges initially rejected the request , she appealed and the the court authorized the investigation in March .
Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said in a tweet Friday he was “ very disturbed by the United States ’ measures ” and called on Washington not to sanction ICC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the fight against impunity and in upholding international rule of law , ” Blok tweeted .
Senior U.N. and EU officials also spoke out against the decision .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Trump ’ s order “ is a matter of serious concern ” and he described EU members as “ steadfast supporters ” of the tribunal.
” Borrell said “ it is a key factor in bringing justice and peace , ” and that “ it must be respected and supported by all nations.
” The United Nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about reports of Trump ’ s order , said Stephane Dujarric , spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres .
The American Civil Liberties Union suggested it might seek legal recourse and said the order was “ a dangerous display of his contempt for human rights and those working to uphold them.
” Israel ’ s prime minister , Benjamin Netanyahu , backed the U.S. action , accusing the court of fabricating “ outlandish charges ” against his country , and praising the U.S. for standing up for what he called truth and justice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lee in Washington contributed to this story .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Hong Kong protest marks anniversary of violent police clash

HONG KONG - More than 100 protesters in Hong Kong marched and shouted slogans during a lunchtime protest Friday in a luxury shopping mall marking the one-year anniversary of a clash with police outside the semi-autonomous Chinese city ’ s legislature .
The protesters marched through the mall in the Admiralty business district holding flags that read “ Hong Kong independence ” and shouting “ Stand for freedom , stand with Hong Kong.
” They sang the protest anthem “ Glory to Hong Kong ” and laid out a large banner with a Chinese saying meaning “ The people fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ?
” The demonstrators were commemorating a demonstration last year in which tens of thousands of protesters surrounded the legislative building , delaying the start of debate on an extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial .
Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters in one of the first violent clashes in what would become a monthslong push for greater democracy .
The protest movement quieted down earlier this year as the coronavirus pandemic began , but picked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ceremonial parliament agreed to enact a new national security law for Hong Kong , a former British colony .
The government says the law is aimed at curbing secessionist and subversive behaviour in the city , as well as preventing foreign intervention in its internal affairs .
Critics say it is an attack on the freedoms promised to Hong Kong when it was handed over to China in 1997 .
Hong Kong operates under a “ one country , two systems ” framework that gives the city rights not found on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and assembly .
In a separate demonstration Friday , more than 100 students in the Kowloon district formed a human chain to protest the removal of a music teacher for allegedly allowing students to sing protest songs .
On Thursday , three pro-democracy activists and a media tycoon who owns the Apple Daily newspaper , Jimmy Lai , were charged with “ inciting others to participate in an unauthorized assembly ” over a candlelight vigil last week marking Beijing ’ s 1989 crackdown on protesters in Tiananmen Square .
Police banned the annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades , citing public health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic .
Thousands of people turned up anyway .
In Beijing on Friday , foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying lashed out at the U.K. for issuing a regular six-month report on developments in Hong Kong .
“ Hong Kong affairs are China ’ s internal affairs .
No foreign organization or individual has the right to intervene .
The British side has no sovereignty , governance , supervision or so-called responsibility over Hong Kong , “ Hua said .
Hua also defended the proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ face up to reality , respect China ’ s sovereignty , security and integrity , and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs in any way.
“ “ The more external forces intervene in Hong Kong affairs , the more determined China is to advance the national security legislation in Hong Kong , “ Hua said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Firefighters grapple with triple-digit heat against wildfire

TUCSON , Ariz. - Hundreds of Arizona residents under an evacuation notice were allowed to return home Friday but were told to remain ready to leave at a moment ’ s notice as a wildfire burns in a national forest near Tucson .
Firefighters are trying to keep the blaze in canyons and ridges and prevent it from moving downhill .
“ The fire activity near the homes has dropped down due to the good work of our firefighters , ” said Adam Jarrold , public information officer for the fire management team .
Most of the western United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating challenging conditions for wildfire season , Bryan Henry , meteorologist with the National Interagency Fire Center , said in a recent fire season outlook .
Authorities have said southern Arizona ’ s dry , hot weather and the steep , rocky topography have been the main challenges in fighting the fire .
Friday was the hottest day yet for crews battling the blaze , with temperatures forecast to reach 107 ( 41.6 Celsius ) in the afternoon .
National Weather Service forecasters said temperatures were projected to remain in the triple digits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance of dry thunderstorms or potentially dangerous downbursts that bring only a trace of moisture but can kick up gusts of wind that feed flames .
“ We do have some weather concerns , “ said incident meteorologist Gary Zell , who was stationed Friday at now-closed Catalina State Park .
“ These guys are heroes , working all day in up to 107 degrees ( 41.6 Celsius ) , “ said Zell , who has worked wildfires around the West for two decades .
“ This is the first time I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so I ’ m pretty vested in making sure everything goes well.
” Authorities said the fire ’ s growth slowed overnight Thursday but that it remained a threat .
Flames have been visible from Tucson at night , and smoke from the fire plumed over a suburb Friday morning .
Later in the day , an air tanker was seen spreading red fire retardant over the flames .
The firefighting effort will get help from Federal Emergency Management Agency , which officials say has granted Arizona ’ s request for federal funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by lightning , was only 10 % contained as of Friday morning .
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group said in its daily operation plan that containment may not be achieved for weeks .
Pima County officials on Thursday issued an evacuation notice for approximately 300 homes in a area south of the Coronado National Forest .
But the notice was pulled back late Friday afternoon after fire officials determined it was safe for them to return home , said Deputy James Allerton , a sheriff ’ s department spokesman .
Horses at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the area for their safety .
As of Friday , the fire had burned 11 square miles ( 29 square kilometres ) of mostly brush and tall grass .
Specialized crews were assessing potential threats to homes and other structures to identify access routes and develop contingency plans in case the fire spreads into residential areas .
In the neighbourhoods closest to the fire , sheriff ’ s deputies checked IDs to confirm that people trying to enter were residents , as helicopters dropped water on hot spots .
Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbourhoods on Thursday to notify residents of the evacuation notice , which a sheriff ’ s spokesman said Friday wasn ’ t mandatory .
“ People are not required to leave , however we are telling people we may not be able to come back and assist if things start to burn , “ said Deputy James Allerton .
No injuries or structural damage was reported , Allerton said .
Travis Mayberry , an operations section chief for the fire management team , said Friday much of the fire was burning in terrain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely , particularly if they needed to escape quickly .
” Ït ’ s not a great place for us to put people in to safely work , “ he said .
“ Ït ’ s just too steep.
” “ In Oro Valley , on another side of the Santa Catalina mountains , dozens of people parked their vehicles Friday afternoon alongside State Route 77 to watch three helicopters battling flames descending the slopes as smoke poured into the sky .
The Pima County Sheriff ’ s Department has been asking people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless they live or have business there to prevent traffic congestion and roadway dangers .
Anita Snow reported from Phoenix .
Paul Davenport in Phoenix also contributed .

Matt York And Anita Snow - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Judge orders Seattle to stop using tear gas during protests

SEATTLE - A U.S. judge on Friday ordered Seattle police to temporarily stop using tear gas , pepper spray and flash-bang devices to break up largely peaceful protests , a victory for groups who say authorities have overreacted to recent demonstrations over police brutality and racial injustice .
The liberal city with a lengthy history of massive , frequent protests has taken hits from all sides — from demonstrators , some city officials , the president and now a judge — over the way it ’ s responded to crowds taking to the streets following George Floyd ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those on the right say the mayor and police chief aren ’ t being tough enough on protesters who have taken over part of a neighbourhood near downtown Seattle , while those on the left say police tactics have been far too harsh .
U.S. District Judge Richard Jones sided with a Black Lives Matter group that sued the Seattle Police Department this week to halt the violent tactics it has used to break up protests .
Last weekend , officers used tear gas , pepper spray and other force against crowds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tactics for two weeks , though demonstrations this week have been calm .
Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Carmen Best have apologized to peaceful protesters who were subjected to chemical weapons .
But Best has said some demonstrators violently targeted police , throwing objects and ignoring orders to disperse .
Both have faced calls to resign , which they have rejected .
The judge said those objecting to the police tactics make a strong case that the indiscriminate use of force is unconstitutional .
Jones said weapons like tear gas and pepper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agitator or criminal ” and they are especially problematic during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Because they are indiscriminate , they may even spill into bystanders ’ homes or offices as they have done before , ” Jones wrote .
Durkan , a former U.S. attorney , “ believes the court struck the right balance to protect the fundamental constitutional right to exercise protest , with the need to also ensure public safety , ” spokeswoman Kamaria Hightower said in an email .
Durkan also has requested reviews of police actions from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s inspector general .
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste also said Friday the agency will stop using gas until further notice , particularly amid the pandemic .
This week , demonstrators have turned part of Seattle ’ s Capitol Hill neighbourhood into a protest centre with speakers , drum circles and Black Lives Matter painted on a street near a police station .
Police largely left the station after the chaos last weekend , when officers tear-gassed protesters and some demonstrators threw objects at them .
Police sprayed tear gas just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief said they were temporarily halting its use .
Durkan tweeted that on Friday she visited the so-called autonomous zone — which has been criticized by President Donald Trump and where people , including officers , come and go freely .
She said she spoke with organizers about moving forward and noted that she ’ s always known Capitol Hill as a place for people to express themselves .
Trump has slammed her and Gov .
Jay Inslee for not breaking up the occupation by “ anarchists ” and threatening to take action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have assailed his comments and say they ’ re focusing on a peaceful resolution .
The demonstrations have been calm since police left the area .
Michele Storms , executive director of the ACLU of Washington , said the group was pleased with the judge ’ s ruling .
“ The city must allow for freedom of speech and freedom of assembly , and it must address police accountability and excessive use of force , ” Storms said in a statement .
The ruling came as massive crowds marched in the rain and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a call from Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County to launch a statewide general strike .
“ As tens of thousands of people were gathering today to march silently and in solidarity against police brutality and misconduct , the U.S. District Court affirmed their right to protest , free from state violence .
That is a victory for today , “ the group said in a statement .
Black Lives Matter encouraged supporters not go to work or to work from home Friday and to learn about local elected officials and issues .
Organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state that include cutting at least $ 100 million from the Seattle police budget , ending cash bail and declaring racism a public health crisis .
Durkan tweeted that she and the police chief participated in the march , saying Best and her Police Department leaders have been working “ incredibly hard to adjust and improve every day.
” Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste also said Friday his personnel will stop using gas until further notice , particularly amid the pandemic .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Trump administration revokes transgender health protection

WASHINGTON - In a move applauded by President Donald Trump ’ s conservative religious base , his administration on Friday finalized a rule that overturns Obama-era protections for transgender people against sex discrimination in health care .
The Department of Health and Human Services said it will enforce sex discrimination protections “ according to the plain meaning of the word ‘ sex ’ as male or female and as determined by biology.
” This rewrites an Obama-era regulation that sought a broader understanding shaped by a person ’ s internal sense of being male , female , neither or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are needed for people seeking sex-reassignment treatment , and even for transgender people who need care for common illnesses such as diabetes or heart problems .
But conservatives say the Obama administration exceeded its legal authority in broadly interpreting gender .
The reversal comes in the middle of LGBTQ Pride Month .
Activists and Democratic lawmakers noted that Friday was also the four-year anniversary of the mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando , Florida , in which 49 people were killed .
Behind the dispute over legal rights is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” — discomfort or distress caused by a discrepancy between the gender that a person identifies as and the gender at birth .
Consequences can include severe depression .
Treatment can range from sex-reassignment surgery and hormones to people changing their outward appearance by adopting a different hairstyle or clothing .
Many social conservatives disagree with the concept .
“ Under the old Obama rule , medical professionals could have been forced to facilitate gender reassignment surgeries and abortions — even if they believed this was a violation of their conscience or believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mary Beth Waddell of the religious conservative Family Research Council .
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said , “ Religious freedom is no justification for hatred or bigotry , and every American has the right to seek and receive care without intimidation or fear.
” The American Medical Association strongly criticized the Trump administration ’ s action .
“ The federal government should never make it more difficult for individuals to access health care — during a pandemic or any other time , “ said Dr. Susan Bailey , the group ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a hospital could be required to perform gender-transition procedures such as hysterectomies if the facility provided that kind of treatment for other medical conditions .
The rule was meant to carry out the anti-discrimination section of the Affordable Care Act , which bars sex discrimination in health care but does not use the term “ gender identity.
” Women ’ s groups say the new regulations also undermine access to abortion , which is a legal medical procedure .
“ No one should fear being turned away by a medical provider because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health decisions they have made , ” said Fatima Goss Graves , president of the National Women ’ s Law Center .
The ACLU says it has already moved to try to prevent the rollback of protections for transgender people .
The LGBTQ civil rights group Lambda Legal said it will sue .
More than 1.5 million Americans identify as transgender , according to the Williams Institute , a think-tank focusing on LGBT policy at the UCLA School of Law .
A bigger number — 4.5 % of the population— identify as lesbian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Gallup .
Roger Severino , head of the HHS unit that enforces civil rights laws , said transgender people continue to be protected by other statutes that bar discrimination in health care on account of race , colour , national origin , age , disability and other factors .
“ Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and according to the law , ” said Severino .
“ Our dedication to our civil rights laws is as strong as ever.
” He cited recent actions to safeguard access to treatment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For the Trump administration it ’ s the latest in a series of steps to revoke newly won protections for LGBTQ people in areas ranging from the military to housing and education .
The administration also has moved to restrict military service by transgender men and women , proposed allowing certain homeless shelters to take gender identity into account in offering someone a bed for the night , and concluded in a 2017 Justice Department memo that federal civil rights law does not protect transgender people from discrimination at work .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of patients get in multiple languages about their rights to translation services .
Such notices often come with insurer “ explanation of benefits ” forms .
The Trump administration says the notice requirement has become a needless burden on health care providers , requiring billions of paper notices to be mailed annually at an estimated five-year cost of $ 2.9 billion .

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Police: Assault-style rifles seized near Lee monument

RICHMOND , Va. - Police arrested a man and seized three assault-style rifles and one handgun after a late-night confrontation @ @ @ @ @ statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee , authorities said Friday .
Drivers in several @ @ @ @ @ bikes exchanged words early Friday near the Lee statue before one of the trucks ran @ @ @ @ @ the area , police said in a news release .
Officers made three traffic stops @ @ @ @ @ multiple assault-style rifles , handguns and body armour .
Some of the guns were seized @ @ @ @ @ and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon .
Police did not @ @ @ @ @ s name .
The Lee statue is one of the country ’ s most iconic @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Ralph Northam ordered last week that it be taken down amid widespread civil @ @ @ @ @ black men by police .
A local judge has temporarily blocked its removal .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--3 test positive for COVID-19 at Alaska assisted living home

HOMER , Alaska - A resident at an Alaska assisted living home where two employees have tested positive for COVID-19 has also tested positive , an official said .
Homer Senior Citizens Inc. Executive Director Keren Kelley confirmed the positive tests at the Friendship Terrace home , The Homer News reported .
A positive test of the first worker , who underwent testing after complaining about not feeling well , resulted in testing of workers and residents who were close contacts , Kelley said in an email Thursday .
That round of testing resulted in an additional positive test among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of remaining staff and residents revealed the positive case of a resident , the newspaper reported .
Kelley said by email that remaining residents have tested negative .
Kelley said the resident who tested positive was moved to an “ Isolation Zone.
” “ All residents have been asked to remain in their apartments , ” she said .
“ We have increased our sanitizing efforts to minimize the risk of the spread.
” Staff will wear protective gear when interacting with residents , Kelley said , and residents will be asked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can tolerate doing so .
Homer Senior Citizens operates the assisted living home as part of the Homer Senior Citizens Center complex .
The Homer Senior Citizens Center has adhered to state health mandates issued in March and no visitors have been allowed into the facility except qualified medical workers , Kelley said .
“ We ’ ve tested so many employees .
They all come back negative .
This is the first time , ” Kelley said .
“ It might be because the state opened up .
You ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t see anybody wearing masks.
” For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Kelley .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Airman may face death penalty in California cop killing

SANTA CRUZ , Calif. - The sheriff ’ s deputy reached a house at the end of the narrow Northern California dirt road and decided getting help from more deputies would be a good idea .
The terrain was steep , the redwood forest thick .
The deputy turned the patrol car around and headed back down the hill , just as a van passed by heading up .
It was a close call .
The van ’ s driver , officials say , was U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt .
Steven Carrillo , who lay in wait for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the steep hillside above in a barrage of gunfire and explosives .
Carrillo , 32 , was charged with 19 offences , including murder and attempted murder of peace officers , and was calm and unflinching Friday during his first appearance in Santa Cruz Superior Court .
The charges include the possibility of life in prison without parole or the death penalty .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom has put a moratorium on executions but Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell said Friday he hadn ’ t yet decided whether he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot and killed Santa Cruz County sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Damon Gutzwiller on Saturday and wounded four other officers in Ben Lomond , an unincorporated area outside the beachfront city of Santa Cruz south of San Francisco .
He was armed with homemade bombs , an AR-15 rifle and other weapons and was intent on killing police , authorities said .
The FBI is investigating whether Carrillo , a leader of an elite military security force , has links to the killing of a federal security officer outside the U.S. courthouse in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 29 .
Federal authorities have not confirmed whether Carrillo is a suspect in the Oakland case .
On Friday , Carrillo appeared via video from jail in Monterey County .
He is being held without bail and is scheduled to enter a plea Wednesday .
Defence attorney Jeffrey Stotter said his client has a traumatic brain injury , though he would not elaborate beyond saying it was not related to his active-duty military service .
Carrillo had no record of disciplinary issues during his service , according to the Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Kuwait for four months in 2019 , but his attorney stated he served in Syria , Iraq and Afghanistan .
Justin Ehrhardt , a former friend of Carrillo who served in the Air Force with him before his retirement , told The Mercury News that Carrillo considered himself a libertarian and may have been pushed over the edge following police use of force during protests over the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes in Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unarmed civilians — that was a huge thing for him , ” Ehrhardt told The Mercury News .
“ It was a mental tipping point for him.
” Ehrhardt imagined it was Carrillo ’ s way of saying , “ If I ’ m going to fight for something , it ’ s going to be against the establishment.
” Ehrhardt told the newspaper that Carrillo shared memes on Facebook about the right-wing extremist “ boogaloo ” movement , a loosely organized internet-rooted network of gun enthusiasts expressing support for overthrowing the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement were arrested last month in Nevada and accused of planning a terror attack during recent Las Vegas protests over Floyd ’ s death .
Ehrhardt did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press .
Rosell would not discuss Carrillo ’ s potential links to the “ boogaloo ” movement and said the investigation to any possible connections is ongoing .
The district attorney also did not know why Carrillo was not wearing a mask .
On Saturday , someone called 911 to report a suspicious white van in Boulder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were inside .
The van ’ s registration led a sheriff ’ s deputy up Carrillo ’ s steep driveway to his Ben Lomond home , roughly 8 miles ( 13 kilometres ) away from Boulder Creek .
Carrillo arrived in a second white van and ambushed the deputies , showering gunfire and explosives down a hillside from the high ground onto police who scrambled to find cover and defend themselves .
Gutzwiller , 38 , was shot and killed .
Another deputy was shot in the chest — his bulletproof vest saving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an explosive and then was struck by Carrillo ’ s vehicle as the suspect fled the home .
A California Highway Patrol officer was wounded in the hand .
Carrillo escaped , carjacked a vehicle and tried to carjack several others before being subdued through the herculean efforts of a heroic resident , who managed to tackle and detain him as Carrillo , toting an AR-15 , pulled a pipe bomb and pistol from his pants .
A CHP officer shot Carrillo during the gun battle .
Carrillo was treated for a non-life-threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear where he was struck .

Martha Mendoza And Stefanie Dazio - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Atlantic City OKs booze on the Boardwalk to boost crowds

ATLANTIC CITY , N.J. - Many folks could use a drink right about now , and they ’ re now able to do it while strolling the Atlantic City Boardwalk .
Searching for ways to boost business and tourism amid the coronavirus pandemic in a resort whose casinos remain closed and restaurants still can ’ t offer indoor dining , the city on Friday dropped a longtime prohibition on drinking on the Boardwalk to try to capture the party spirit of places like New Orleans .
Mayor Marty Small issued an executive order on Monday allowing for public consumption of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boardwalk , the non-residential areas of Gardner ’ s Basin , and some local streets just off the Boardwalk in an area known as the “ Orange Loop ” after the streets designated with orange markings in the Monopoly board game .
“ This is awesome , ” said Eileen Kasunich of Galloway as she hoisted a cocktail with friends on the sidewalk outside the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall .
“ We ’ ve been inside so long , stuck indoor for 100 days .
We want our city back.
” Kelsey Tierney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imbibing in the sunshine of a warm June evening .
“ I could have skipped down the Boardwalk , I was so excited , ” she said .
Owners or bars and eateries on and near the Boardwalk were delighted by the change , hoping to create a party atmosphere to rival famous nightspots around the country like New Orleans and Key West .
“ It ’ s the Bourbon Street vibe we ’ re going for , ” said Pat Fasano , who owns a restaurant on the Boardwalk and another just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He and other merchants said offering to-go drinks will help businesses that were devastated by virus-related closures since March .
“ Having the ability to sell drinks to go is definitely helpful because : Who ’ s in the bars now ?
No one , “ he said .
” You go from 100 to zero during the pandemic.
” The move stems from a measure New Jersey enacted a few weeks ago allowing towns to temporarily serve alcohol for consumption in designated public areas during the pandemic .
Several towns have taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long wanted to allow people to take beer and cocktails onto its Boardwalk as part of the long association of the iconic place with strong drink : The introduction of the hit HBO series “ Boardwalk Empire , “ about corruption in the seaside resort during prohibition , ended with hundreds of bottles of bootleg liquor washing up on Atlantic City ’ s shoreline .
For Ronnie Rinker , sipping a beer from a Boardwalk bench , it was just another Friday evening in Atlantic City .
“ I ’ ve been doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quipped .
“ Nothing has changed for me .
But this should have been done 20 years ago.
“ “ Everybody just wants to get back to normal , ” said Mike Allen of Pleasantville , nursing his own beer .
“ Life is not easy right now with everything going on .
People need to have a little fun.
” The current experiment will end either in November , or when Gov .
Phil Murphy ends restrictions on bars , whichever comes sooner .
Various measures that would have allowed Atlantic City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gone in the state Legislature .
It requires drinks to have been purchased at a licensed establishment ; cups must bear the name or logo of that establishment and be no larger than 16 ounces .
Steve Callender , a senior vice-president with Eldorado Gaming , which owns Atlantic City ’ s Tropicana casino , is also president of the Casino Association of New Jersey , which supports the measure .
“ It ’ s going to be difficult to ramp back up and regain the momentum we had , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Boardwalk my whole life , and I have customers constantly asking me , ‘ Why can ’ t I go out onto the Boardwalk to watch fireworks with a cold beverage ?
’ ”


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Some states hit pause, others press on amid spike in virus

AUSTIN , Texas - Utah and Oregon put any further reopening of their economies on hold amid a spike in coronavirus cases , but there was no turning back Friday in such states as Texas , Arkansas and Arizona despite flashing warning signs there , too .
One by one , states are weighing the health risks from the virus against the economic damage from the stay-at-home orders that have thrown millions out of work over the past three months .
And many governors are coming down on the side of jobs , even though an Associated Press analysis this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly half the states — a trend experts attributed in part to the gradual reopening of businesses over the past few weeks .
Texas hit highs this week for hospitalizations and new COVID-19 cases , prompting Houston ’ s top county official , Lina Hidalgo , to warn that “ we may be approaching the precipice of a disaster.
” Meanwhile , the state went ahead with allowing restaurants to expand eat-in dining Friday to 75 % of capacity , up from 50 % .
“ Oh , yeah , I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said as she settled in front of a plate of brisket at Black ’ s Barbecue in Austin and the number of people now hospitalized with COVID-19 in Texas climbed to its highest level yet , at more than 2,100 .
But “ it just feels I can finally breathe a little bit.
” Alabama , which began reopening in early May , has seen more than a quarter of the state ’ s 23,000 cases come in the past two weeks as Republican Gov .
Kay Ivey emphasized personal responsibility .
Arkansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active cases more than double since Memorial Day , reported its largest one-day spike in new coronavirus cases Friday .
Gov .
Asa Hutchinson said at least 11,547 people in the state have tested positive for the virus , an increase of 731 cases over Thursday .
Hutchinson said he expected more increases in the coming week but would press ahead with plans to further ease virus restrictions on businesses starting Monday .
Capacity limits will be increased for restaurants , bars , theatres and other businesses while other social distancing restrictions remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we see in the next week , we made the right decision to go ahead and lift some of these restrictions so we don ’ t cause more damage to people ’ s lives and their livelihood , ” Hutchinson said .
Arizona has become one of the most troubling hot spots in the U.S. as new cases have surged to more than 1,000 a day , up from fewer than 400 before stay-at-home orders expired in mid-May .
Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey has given assurances the health care system can handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cara Christ said : “ We are not going to be able to stop the spread , and so we can ’ t stop living as well.
” California , which implemented the country ’ s first statewide stay-at-home order , entered the most expansive phase of its gradual reopening Friday .
Wineries started uncorking their bottles and welcoming people back to their tasting rooms , and hotels , zoos , museums and aquariums were also allowed to reopen .
San Francisco restaurants resumed outdoor dining , and the San Diego Zoo opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising as the state expands testing , but health officials say key metrics to watch are the positivity rate among those tested and hospitalizations , and both have remained relatively steady in recent weeks as businesses gradually reopened .
The state has “ guardrails and cautions ” in place that give officials confidence to continue reopening , said Mark Ghaly , the state ’ s health and human services secretary .
Health officials in Oklahoma warned Friday that a spike in coronavirus cases in the Tulsa area is linked to indoor events and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health precautions .
Tulsa Health Department spokesperson Leanne Stephens said an undetermined number of cases were linked to two recent indoor gatherings but declined to name them .
The warning comes a week before President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a campaign rally at the city ’ s BOK Center , which has a listed seating capacity of more than 19,000 .
Stephens said the warning was unrelated to the rally .
So far , only a small number of governors have shown a willingness to retreat , or at least hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Utah and Democratic Gov .
Kate Brown of Oregon said they would halt lifting further restrictions for the time being as new cases flare .
“ As I ’ ve said before , reopening comes with real risk , ” Brown said in announcing a one-week pause that will affect , among other places , Portland , the state ’ s biggest city .
She said the increase in positive test results was caused in part by the reopening of some counties .
Oregon reported 178 new cases Thursday , the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , Iowa allowed bars , restaurants , theatres and other businesses to pack in more customers .
Swimming pools , senior centres and adult day care centres were also cleared to open back up .
Iowa is still seeing hot spots , especially near meatpacking plants .
In Texas , Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott “ is making pretty clear at this point he wants the economy to open , ” a worried Austin Mayor Steve Adler said .
“ My hope is that when he sees what kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he does act at a state level.
” DeMillo reported from Little Rock , Ark .
Associated Press writers Andrew Selsky in Salem , Ore. ; Kimberly Chandler in Montgomery , Ala. ; Bob Christie in Phoenix ; and Tammy Webber in Fenton , Mich. , contributed to this report .

Paul J. Weber And Andrew Demillo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Alaska dividend set at $992, to be paid starting July 1

JUNEAU , Alaska - The state announced Friday that it will begin sending checks of $ 992 to residents , starting July 1 , as their share of Alaska ’ s oil wealth .
Alaska Permanent Fund dividends typically are paid in the fall , but Gov .
Mike Dunleavy last month ordered they be distributed early , citing economic hardships caused by the coronavirus .
The Department of Revenue in a release said payments will begin going out July 1 .
Payments will be made later for others as their eligibility is confirmed , the department said .
Lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calculation for paying checks amid a budget deficit .
They appropriated funds this year in an amount that was expected to yield a roughly $ 1,000 check .
Had the formula been followed , the department estimates the dividend would have been around $ 3,060 .
Lawmakers in 2018 began using earnings from the state ’ s oil-wealth fund , the Alaska Permanent Fund , to help pay for government .
That is the same pot of money that traditionally has been used to pay dividends .
This year ’ s check is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state savings account .