thetorontostar--2020-05-31--Notre Dame forecourt opens to public after long cleanup

PARIS—Notre Dame Cathedral ’ s forecourt is being opened up to the public for the first time since the devastating @ @ @ @ @ year .
The body overseeing the Gothic structure ’ s restoration issued a statement Sunday @ @ @ @ @ finally made possible after several deep clean operations took place to remove toxic lead dust @ @ @ @ @ Dozens of tons of lead went up in flames during the fire , sending tons @ @ @ @ @ the surrounding ground .
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo will join senior clergy on a visit @ @ @ @ @ afternoon .
To protect public health , the site will continue to “ be regularly @ @ @ @ @ ” for monitoring and analysis .
The cathedral is still closed , and will be @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-05-31--India reports over 8,000 new virus cases

NEW DELHI—India reported more than 8,000 new cases of the coronavirus in a single day , another record high that topped the deadliest week in the country .
Confirmed infections have risen to 182,143 , with 5,164 fatalities , including 193 in the past 24 hours , the Health Ministry said Sunday .
Overall , more than 60 per cent of the virus fatalities have been reported from only two states — Maharashtra , the financial hub , and Gujarat , the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
The new cases are largely concentrated in six Indian states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public health experts have criticized the Modi government ’ s handling of the outbreak .
A joint statement by the Indian Public Health Association , Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine and Indian Association of Epidemiologists , which was sent to Modi ’ s office on May 25 , said it was “ unrealistic ” to eliminate the virus at a time when “ community transmission is already well-established.
” India has denied of any community transmission even though new cases have continued to mount significantly .
The health experts said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ draconian lockdown , ” which began March 25 .
The restrictions have slowly been relaxed , with the government announcing Saturday a phased “ Unlock 1 ” plan from June onwards that allows more economic activities .
The restrictions in so-called containment zones — areas that have been isolated due to the outbreaks — will remain through June 30 .
Modi , who addressed the nation through his monthly radio program on Sunday , said India was faring better than other countries .
India has a fatality rate of 2.8 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be spreading through India ’ s villages as millions of jobless migrant workers return home from cities during the lockdown .
Experts warn that the pandemic is yet to peak in India .

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thetorontostar--2020-05-31--Probe blames safety lapses for deadly India gas leak

NEW DELHI—A committee appointed by India ’ s top environmental court has blamed “ gross human failure ” and lack of basic safety norms for a gas leak in a South Korean-owned chemical factory this month that killed 12 people and sickened hundreds .
In its report , accessed and reviewed by The Associated Press , the committee said the tanks from which the gas leaked May 7 at the LG Polymers plant in Vishakhapatnam , a port city in Andhra Pradesh state , were outdated and lacked temperature sensors .
The report , issued Thursday , said the response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factory was slow and the chemical company lacked experience in monitoring and maintaining tanks full of chemicals that sat idle for several weeks due to India ’ s nationwide coronavirus lockdown .
LG Polymers is owned by LG Chem Ltd. , South Korea ’ s largest chemical company , which produces a range of industrial products , including petrochemicals , plastics and batteries used in electric vehicles .
It is part of the family-owned LG Corp. conglomerate , which also has an electronics arm that globally sells smartphones , TVs and computers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was styrene , which is used to make plastic and rubber .
Styrene gas is a neurotoxin and can immobilize people within minutes of inhalation .
It can be fatal at high concentrations .
Days after the mishap , the AP found out that the plant lacked environmental clearance before the leak .
LG Chem had maintained that LG Polymers India operated the plant “ while abiding environmental regulations ” and said it was closely monitoring efforts to handle the aftermath .
After the leak , police charged LG Polymers with culpable homicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
LG Chem began operating the plant in Vishakhapatnam in 1997 .
Its Indian operation is one of the leading manufacturers of polystyrene in the country .
The Vishakhapatnam plant has around 300 workers .


thetorontostar--2020-05-31--Peaceful protesters lament violence at George Floyd demonstrations, but understand the rage behind i

Peaceful protesters lament violence at George Floyd demonstrations, but understand the rage behind it

Calvetta Williams , founder of Mothers Against Violence in Des Moines , Iowa , is all about peaceful protest .
She organized a march through the city on Saturday that began and ended without a hint of violence .
Yet , one day earlier , as the 49-year-old watched people smash windows in a haze of tear gas , she understood the frustration and rage that caused some to lash out .
“ I ’ m angry , too , ” Williams said .
“ I ’ m a Black mother with two Black sons , and I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people murdered by police officers ... We can ’ t just sit on the sidelines anymore.
” Her words typified the complicated , conflicting reactions among activists , community leaders and civil rights historians to the violence sparked by the death of George Floyd , an unarmed , handcuffed Black man who died in custody of Minneapolis police .
On the one hand , violence sabotages a message of social justice and may prove counterproductive .
On the other , fury over Floyd ’ s death is understandable — and it could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over the past several days , some peaceful demonstrations in cities across the U.S. have turned violent — vandalism , looting , arson , tear gas and arrests .
Even after four officers involved in Floyd ’ s death were fired , and one was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter , violence extended from D.C. to L.A. U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to “ stop mob violence and stop it cold ” and blamed “ radical left-wing ” agitators .
A half-dozen states activated National Guard troops Saturday .
Mayors across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overriding image on cable news Saturday was a burning police car .
Williams said she does not condone such conduct , but she recognizes violence is a statement of community anger about police brutality .
“ I think it enhances the message ” of demonstrations , she said .
“ How many times do we have to say our lives matter ?
... A building can be put back up .
George Floyd , he can ’ t be put back home.
” In Minneapolis , Korey Dean Sr. , 46 , founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentors young Black males , said he helped former NBA player Royce White organize a demonstration Friday beginning at U.S. Bank Stadium .
A small group of pro basketball players and their friends , dressed in black , led a parade that quickly swelled in numbers .
Marchers knelt in silence at bridge crossings , prayed , and delivered speeches during a five-kilometre walk that ended long before curfew .
“ We started with 300 and we finished with 15,000 people , ” Dean said .
“ Not one fight , incident or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dean said the spontaneous event was a statement of unity against injustice — a manifesto that “ police brutality can no longer be tolerated in our city.
” While the message of peace succeeded locally , he said , it didn ’ t get national news coverage .
Instead , media focused on looting , burning buildings and vandals .
“ But that ’ s only by a small population in the Twin Cities , and in no way represents the people of goodwill who are out here.
” Michael G. Long , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Documenting a History of Nonviolent Protest in the United States , ” said mayhem is not an effective tool to achieve the goals of a movement .
“ Riots alienate sympathizers , ” Long said .
“ They alienate the people who can affect policy.
” At the same time , he said , rioting is a way for the abused to defend themselves or to be noticed .
Sometimes , that ’ s the point : “ The thing about violent protests is they get wider societal attention .
It can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Long noted that the Martin Luther King Jr. saw violence as “ a cry of the oppressed ” but denounced it in part because he believed , like Mahatma Gandhi , that a peaceful goal requires a peaceful means .
However , he said violence against injustice and abuse is a founding principle of the United States , starting with the Revolutionary War .
“ Throwing tea into Boston Harbor is looting , ” he said .
“ The U.S. was formed in the crucible of violent protests.
” While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be seen , Long said , “ You can be sure after these protests — these peaceful and violent protests — there will be reforms.
” Robin Kelley , a professor of history at UCLA , credited uprisings in approximately 125 cities between 1964 and 1972 with more robust public oversight committees and the 1968 Kerner Commission report , which found institutionalized racism was driving urban violence .
“ Reforms have been implemented ... in response to rebellion , in response to unrest , in response to disruption , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the more recent uprisings has been the new wave of district attorneys elected in places like Philadelphia and Chicago who are prosecuting police officers more aggressively .
He also notes that without past uprisings , it ’ s unlikely the four officers involved in Floyd ’ s death would have been fired so swiftly , days after video of his final moments went viral .
Omar Wasow , an assistant professor of politics at Princeton University who focuses on historic civil rights demonstrations , said violence plays a complex role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 1960s , Wasow said , civil rights leaders realized peaceful marches would prompt a savage response from police that would be captured by news media .
Those “ powerful narratives reflected the level of brutality in the Jim Crow South , ” he said , forcing changes in public opinion , voting and political action .
By the late 1960s , Wasow said , militant Black activists had given up on peaceful demonstrations .
Protests in Los Angeles and other cities became more violent and were perceived as riots rather than civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , was a shift in public concern about crime and security , which was reflected in subsequent elections .
Wasow stressed that even when organizers develop a plan for peaceful demonstrations , some participants may not buy into it .
Police behaviour and news coverage shape the outcome , too .
Early in the Minneapolis demonstrations , Wasow said , law enforcement appeared to overreact when confronted by nonviolent crowds .
“ It doesn ’ t take a lot of excessive force to turn a peaceful protest into one where anger breaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill , former chair of the political science department at Mississippi ’ s Jackson State University , said provocations and passions must be viewed in the context of long-standing mistrust between Black communities and police .
Hill was arrested and expelled from Southern University in Louisiana in 1972 for helping lead a campus protest over inadequate services and funding .
Police shot and killed two students .
“ It ’ s really frustrating because some of us have faced these guns , ” he said .
“ We have seen people killed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get this constant sense that the tragedy always turns to farce.
” “ When human beings get tired of being oppressed , ” Hill said , “ they have to in fact raise and cry .
They have to go guttural .
They say , ‘ I ’ m tired of this .
We need a change.
’ ” Kristen Clarke , president and executive director of the Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law , said the focus on violence is a “ distraction , but only for those who refuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
” ( Taylor , 26 , died after being shot eight times by police in Louisville , Ky. , during an unannounced raid on her apartment . )
For others , she said , the “ objective has remained squarely focused on the need for police reform , justice and accountability.
” Barbie Zelizer , a professor with the University of Pennsylvania ’ s Annenberg School for Communication and director of the Center for Media at Risk , said news outlets struggle to cover demonstrations even-handedly .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And violence is spectacle.
” While violence at protests against police brutality is newsworthy , Zelizer said , it should not eclipse coverage of peaceful demonstrations , and it should be presented in context with “ the state violence against Blacks.
” At the same time , Zelizer said , many instances of law enforcement misconduct would not come to light but for media coverage .
“ You can ’ t have a democracy without journalism , ” she said .
“ The media need to be there as the eyeballs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders suspect some outsiders have infiltrated demonstrations to distract from the focus on police brutality .
“ It ’ s really dangerous for us to lose focus on the original tragedy at hand and what we need to do to move forward , ” said Vanita Gupta , president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights .
Activists said law enforcement should investigate reports that outside agitators are triggering violence at otherwise peaceful demonstrations .
“ There are always people who are going to infiltrate , ” said Melanie Campbell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Civic Participation .
Derrick Johnson , president of the national NAACP , said he ’ s concerned “ the violence is really suffocating the message.
” He said activists are working to encourage nonviolent demonstrations .
“ I understand the hurt .
I understand the anger , ” he said .
“ But the anger and hurt must be directed to an outcome and not further divide where we are.
” Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was arrested Friday on murder and manslaughter charges .
Kon Johnson , a Minneapolis activist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step , but a far cry from justice .
“ I don ’ t want to burn down s*** either .
I don ’ t .
But guess what ?
It ’ s gon na happen if this fool does not get life in jail , ” he said .
Dismantling racism is the only way to quell unrest , Kelley said .
He expects a sustained period of struggle between those who believe people of colour need to be vigorously policed and those who believe their treatment by police is unacceptable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unbearably high .
“ Every single time you walk out the door , you don ’ t even know if you ’ re going to come back home , ” he said .
“ You ’ re doing small little things , the hustle to make a life , to make a living .
You don ’ t even know you ’ re committing a crime .
And at the end of the day , you could be killed for that .
Everybody knows that .
And so the anger and the anguish @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Dennis Wagner - USA Today,Deborah Barfield Berry


thetorontostar--2020-05-31--Roadside bomb near Somalia’s capital kills eight civilians

NAIROBI , KENYA—A Somali police officer says at least eight civilians were killed when a minibus hit a roadside bomb @ @ @ @ @ morning .
Abdullahi Ahmed says the minibus hit the bomb in the Hawa Abdi area @ @ @ @ @ toll may rise because many of the surviving passengers were seriously wounded , Ahmed said @ @ @ @ @ claim of responsibility for the blast .
However Somalia ’ s extremist group al-Shabab , @ @ @ @ @ , has carried out a series of bomb attacks in the area in recent months @


thetorontostar--2020-05-31--After looters leave trail of destruction in downtown Raleigh, residents and volunteers begin cleanup

As the sun came up , hours after a protest turned destructive , Raleigh took stock of the damage in the state ’ s capital city .
Nearly every shop along Fayetteville Street had shattered windows .
Buildings were defaced .
And the city ’ s residents were left to pick up the pieces .
A peaceful demonstration Saturday in front of the Wake County Courthouse — one of many protests after George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis — turned tense around 7 p.m. , when officers released tear gas and pepper spray into the crowds near South McDowell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night wore on , crowds thinned from a peak of more than 1,000 .
Police repeatedly used tear gas and smoke bombs ; and in front of the courthouse on Fayetteville Street , they shot rubber bullets at protesters and journalists .
In the morning , downtown Raleigh lay strewn with garbage and broken glass , nearly every window broken , graffiti spray-painted across its walls .
Caffe Luna restaurant sat wide open on Hargett Street .
The Raleigh Times Bar had a head-sized hole through its one remaining window .
The merchandise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the sidewalk outside .
At the DGX dollar store at Blount and Davie streets , the aisles were overturned and the windows smashed .
Every bottle of shampoo had been not only knocked to the floor but emptied .
Banks had “ pigs ” scrawled on the front doors .
Half-empty bottles of whiskey sat on the park benches .
Empty tear gas canisters sat on piles of broken glass .
The coolers inside downtown businesses were ransacked , alcohol taken and partially drunk .
Gallons of milk sat on the sidewalks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Downtown residents said once the tear gas hit the streets , protesters stole water to pour in their eyes .
On Sunday morning , downtown residents quietly took up garbage bags and joined the cleanup .
“ It ’ s hard to make sense of , ” said Carolyn Glover , who lives at Sir Walter Apartments .
“ It was peaceful at 4 o ’ clock .
The families .
The Blacks and the whites .
Then the thugs moved in .
I watched them jump on that newspaper box .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was white and Black .
We stood right here until the tear gas was getting in .
The tear gas was getting in the windows.
” In a Sunday morning tweet , Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin called the behaviour of the protesters who turned what had been a peaceful demonstration violent “ unacceptable.
” “ A small number of individuals later showed up with the intention of inciting violence and chaos , ” Baldwin said .
“ They threw bottles and bricks at police officers , looted storefronts and damaged countless small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be tolerated .
Their actions in no way align with the goals of those who organized yesterday ’ s protests and they do not reflect who we are as a city.
” Floyd , an African-American man , died in Minneapolis on Monday .
In a widely circulated video , a white police officer is seen kneeling on Floyd ’ s neck while Floyd says he can not breathe .
Floyd was declared dead shortly afterward .
The now-fired officer , Derek Chauvin , has been charged with third-degree murder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s death , protesters have turned out in large numbers in Minneapolis , where they burned a police substation ; in Atlanta , where they broke into the CNN building ; and in New York , where they rallied in front of the Barclays Center , a symbol of gentrification in Brooklyn .
Crowds also protested in Houston , Los Angeles and in Charlotte , where a Food Lion was broken into and several people were arrested , including a city council member .
The activists in Raleigh were also recognizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was killed March 13 in Louisville , Ky. , after police forcibly entered her home to serve a search warrant ; and Ahmaud Arbery , a Black man who was fatally shot in Georgia by two white men in Georgia while running .
Several protesters said they were afraid to be Black men in America right now .
Raleigh police were investigating a shooting at the corner of Blount and Martin streets that left a man wounded at 2:08 a.m. Sunday .
The man was transported to WakeMed for treatment .
Police records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one female — were arrested at 4 a.m. for breaking and entering at DGX .
All but one of those charged are Wake County residents .
Raleigh police arrested two men at 5 a.m. for resisting a police officer at 200 Fayetteville St. At 12:15 a.m. , Wake County Sheriff ’ s officers arrested a 21-year-old male resident of New York City at 316 S. Fayetteville St. , charging him with felony inciting a riot , being intoxicated and disruptive and possession of a controlled substance .
At least two groups said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organized cleanups in downtown on Sunday .
Bill King , president and CEO of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance , asked volunteers to come to Fayetteville and Hargett streets at 10 a.m. “ Many have already reached out , so if you want to help clean up downtown Raleigh , bring a broom or shovel , gloves , and a mask tomorrow morning , ” he tweeted .
Another group of volunteers plans to gather at 10 a.m. by the Sir Walter Raleigh statue by the Raleigh Convention Center , according to Trey Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At 12:30 a.m. , Gov .
Roy Cooper said he was in continued contact with Emergency Management officials about “ violence occurring in some of our cities.
” “ Frustrating that planned peaceful protests about real systemic racism are marred .
I am grateful for those seeking justice peacefully , ” Cooper tweeted .
At 12:45 a.m. N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore said he asked Cooper to immediately send in the National Guard .
He followed with livestreamed videos on his Facebook page showing the destruction from above , with police cars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown .
He said he ’ s “ really is at a loss for words for what to say.
” “ It ’ s one thing to see this on TV , ” Moore said .
“ It ’ s another thing to see the fire , have the tear gas get in your face , hear the screams .
“ It was just absolute mayhem , ” he said .
“ There ’ s just no words for this.
” By 11 p.m. , alarms were blaring across downtown .
As protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and airbrushing businesses , riot police marched silently and threw tear gas canisters at the crowd .
At Blount and Davie streets near City Market a half hour later , the DGX was on fire .
People gathered to watch firefighters battle the blaze .
Windows were broken out , and smoke poured out through the front door .
In a video statement early Sunday morning , Raleigh police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown sharply criticized the vandals and looters , saying , “ We will not turn a blind eye to the despicable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We as a community are better than this , ” she said .
She said the Raleigh Police Department “ absolutely respects and supports the rights of all individuals to peacefully protest ” and was present to ensure demonstrators ’ safety during what was supposed to be a peacefully assembly .
“ As the day wore into tonight , and the night into this morning ’ s early hours , some of the individuals began to break store windows , setting fires , looting and simply destroying property , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these acts nor those individuals who seek to sow discord where we seek to build bridges , strengthen partnerships and maintain a safe , vibrant and healthy community.
” She added said witnesses to criminal acts at the rally should call Raleigh Police Department .
Two members of the Raleigh city council said on social media that they had been at the protest .
Jonathan Melton tweeted around 6:45 p.m. : “ The protests around the country offer a space for people to make their voices heard , but they must happen without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s time we have the difficult conversations needed to stamp out racism and end these unjust killings.
” On Facebook , Saige Martin wrote : “ I ’ ve had tear gas deployed on me twice this evening .
That ’ s been nice.
” The organizers of Saturday ’ s afternoon rally said they had planned a non-violent event but criticized the Raleigh Police Department for their use of force .
“ We are committed to supporting peaceful means of ending all forms of racism and violence , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood outside her apartment building on Fayetteville Street for several hours watching the protest Saturday .
“ It was so wonderful .
It was so diverse .
People had kids on their shoulders , ” she said .
“ I support peaceful protests , ” Glover said about 9 p.m. over the sound of shattering glass and exploding fireworks .
“ Now they ’ re just being destructive .
”

Jessica Banov - The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.),Steve Wiseman,Josh Shaffer


thetorontostar--2020-05-31--SpaceX’s Dragon with two astronauts inside arrives at space station

CAPE CANAVERAL , FLA.—SpaceX delivered two astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA on Sunday , following up a historic liftoff with an equally smooth docking in yet another first for Elon Musk ’ s company .
With test pilots Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken poised to take over manual control if necessary , the SpaceX Dragon capsule pulled up to the station and docked automatically , no assistance needed .
It was the first time a privately built and owned spacecraft carried astronauts to the orbiting lab in its nearly 20 years .
NASA considers this the opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and eventually stretching to the moon and Mars .
The docking occurred just 19 hours after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off Saturday afternoon from Kennedy Space Center , the nation ’ s first astronaut launch to orbit from home soil in nearly a decade .
Thousands jammed surrounding beaches , bridges and towns to watch as SpaceX became the world ’ s first private company to send astronauts into orbit , and ended a nine-year launch drought for NASA .
A few hours before docking , the Dragon riders reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in case , they slipped back into their pressurized launch suits and helmets for the rendezvous .
The three space station residents kept cameras trained on the incoming capsule for the benefit of flight controllers at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne , Calif. , and NASA ’ s Johnson Space Center in Houston .
Gleaming white in the sunlight , the Dragon was easily visible from a few miles out , its nose cone open and exposing its docking hook as well as a blinking light .
The capsule loomed ever larger on live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hurley and Behnken took over the controls and did a little piloting less than a couple hundred metres out as part of the test flight , before putting it back into automatic for the final approach .
Hurley said the capsule handled “ really well , very crisp.
” SpaceX and NASA officials had held off on any celebrations until after Sunday morning ’ s docking — and possibly not until the two astronauts are back on Earth sometime this summer .
NASA has yet to decide how long Hurley and Behnken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somewhere between one and four months .
While they ’ re there , the Dragon test pilots will join the one U.S. and two Russian station residents in performing experiments and possibly spacewalks to install fresh station batteries .
In a show-and-tell earlier Sunday , the astronauts gave a quick tour of the Dragon ’ s sparkling clean insides , quite spacious for a capsule .
They said the liftoff was pretty bumpy and dynamic , nothing the simulators could have mimicked .
The blue sequined dinosaur accompanying them — their young sons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also in good shape , Behnken assured viewers .
Tremor was going to join Earthy , a plush globe delivered to the space station on last year ’ s test flight of a crew-less crew Dragon .
Behnken said both toys would return to Earth with them at mission ’ s end .
After liftoff , Musk told reporters that the capsule ’ s return will be more dangerous in some ways than its launch .
Even so , getting the two astronauts safely to orbit and then the space station had everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always , Musk was looking ahead .
“ This is hopefully the first step on a journey toward a civilization on Mars , ” he said Saturday evening .


thetorontostar--2020-05-31--National Guard called in to quell violence in Los Angeles accompanying George Floyd protests

LOS ANGELES—A fourth day of violence in Los Angeles prompted the mayor to impose a rare citywide curfew and call in the National Guard after demonstrators clashed repeatedly with officers , torched police vehicles and pillaged businesses in a popular shopping district .
Mayor Eric Garcetti said Saturday he asked Gov .
Gavin Newsom for 500 to 700 members of the Guard to assist the 10,000 Los Angeles Police Department officers .
The Guard members were expected to arrive early Sunday .
Garcetti said the soldiers would be deployed “ to support our local response to maintain peace and safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Firefighters responded to dozens of fires , and scores of businesses were damaged .
One of the hardest-hit areas was the area around the Grove , a popular high-end outdoor mall west of downtown where hundreds of protesters swarmed the area , showering police with rocks and other objects and vandalizing shops .
One officer suffered a fractured skull , Los Angeles police Chief Michel Moore said .
When the curfew took effect at 8 p.m. , police moved aggressively to get people off the streets and there was no repeat of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and led to more than 500 arrests .
Community leaders denounced the violence that has accompanied protests over the death of George Floyd , a handcuffed Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee to Floyd ’ s neck .
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said she lived through two previous seminal LA race riots — Watts in 1965 and 1992 following the acquittal of police officers in the beating of Black motorist Rodney King — and remembers the pain the city endured .
“ We must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unarmed Black men at the hands of law enforcement , ” she said .
“ But please don ’ t destroy our beloved Los Angeles .
This is not a protest anymore.
” There were protests in cities throughout California , from San Diego to San Francisco .
San Francisco ’ s iconic Union Square saw people stealing leather bags from the Coach store and shoes from the Salvatore Ferragamo location , the Mercury News reported .
Streets were littered with bras from Victoria ’ s Secret and cushioned jewelry boxes from Swarovski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters .
San Francisco Mayor London Breed said a citywide curfew would go into effect from 8 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday .
She also asked the governor to put the National Guard on standby .
“ People are hurting right now .
They ’ re angry .
I ’ m angry , ” Breed tweeted , “ We can ’ t tolerate violence and vandalism.
” San Francisco police Chief Bill Scott said he understood why protesters are angry at police .
But he warned that if anyone assaulted officers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In nearby Oakland , which was wracked by violence Friday night that left 13 officers injured , authorities declared an unlawful demonstration near city hall late Saturday .
Protesters lit a dumpster on fire in the middle of an intersection and police launched tear gas into a crowd .
In Emeryville , just east of San Francisco , Mayor Christian Patz said Target , Best Buy and other box stores were burglarized , with thieves stealing electronics and other items .
Stores in the city closed early Saturday as part of a shelter-in-place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the night before .
“ It ’ s an explosion of the frustration of the people in the community , ” Patz said , “ If we ’ re going to ask people to stay within the bounds of the law , we ’ re going to have to show that the law applies to everyone.
” In Santa Ana , south of Los Angeles , hundreds of demonstrators converged on the police station , throwing objects and setting off firecrackers as police used tear gas to push them back .
The scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being compared to the 1992 riots , when there was more than $ 1 billion ( U.S. ) in property damage .
There was no estimate of how many businesses suffered damage since protests began Wednesday , but it was clearly extensive .
Saturday ’ s clashes occurred in and near the Fairfax District , where the historic centre of L.A. ’ s Jewish community mixes with upscale shopping , restaurants and entertainment industry sites that draw locals and tourists from around the world .
CBS Television City , the quaint Original Farmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Grove are among sights .
Trendy Melrose Avenue , which lent its name to the TV show “ Melrose Place , ” runs through the neighbourhood .
The rally that preceded the violence was held at Pan-Pacific Park , former site of the 1930s-era Pan-Pacific Auditorium where L.A. ’ s professional sports teams played and many of its major events were held before the city ’ s modern arenas were built .
Through the day , crowds of demonstrators faced off with lines of police officers , or broke into businesses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and set ablaze , and several businesses burned into the night .
The huge crowds gradually dissipated , but officers still pursued scattered groups and individuals .
On Friday night , protesters roamed through the downtown late at night , smashing windows and robbing jewelry and other stores .
On Saturday , a mostly peaceful demonstration early in the day devolved in the afternoon when protesters set several police department cars on fire , broke store windows and climbed on top of a bus .
Police used batons to move protesters back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We can not allow this city to spiral into anarchy , ” Moore told ABC7 at the scene of one clash .
Garcetti initially imposed a curfew on the downtown area .
But he quickly expanded it to the entirety of the city as the violence focused on an area about 10 kilometres to the west .
Adjacent Beverly Hills and West Hollywood followed as demonstrations spread into those cities .
Other cities in the county also began imposing curfews .
Social media video posts showed marchers chanting “ Eat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crowd broke into a high-end boutique and fled with merchandise .
The governor said earlier that authorities were closely monitoring organizing by violent extremist groups who may be trying to use the protests for their own agendas .
“ To those who seek to exploit Californians ’ pain to sow chaos and destruction , you are not welcome , ” he said .
“ Our state and nation must build from this moment united and more resolved than ever to address racism and its root causes.
” In Oakland , a federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critically injured Friday night when a vehicle pulled up to the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and someone opened fire .
The officers guard the U.S. courthouse as part of their regular duties and were monitoring the protest , Department of Homeland Security officials said .
It wasn ’ t immediately known whether the shooter had anything to do with the protest .
“ This is not who we are , ” Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a videotaped statement Saturday .
“ We must fight the travesty of racism , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works .
Let ’ s not destroy or harm our own community.
” The death of the 46-year-old Floyd , who was recorded on video pleading for air , has shocked the country and produced violence in numerous cities .
Police chiefs and police unions have called it unjustifiable and excessive force .
The officer has been charged with murder

Stefanie Dazio - John Antczak And Daisy Nguyen, The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-31--‘We’re sick of it’: Anger over police killings shatters cities across the U.S.

MINNEAPOLIS—America ’ s cities boarded up windows , swept up glass and covered graffiti Sunday as the country ’ s most significant night of protests in a half-century promised to spill into another day of unrest fuelled by killings of Black people at the hands of police .
The turbulence sparked by the death of George Floyd — a Black man who died after being pinned under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer — shook not only the streets of New York and Los Angeles , but dozens of smaller communities such as Fargo , N.D. , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even to buildings near the White House .
Peaceful protests involving tens of thousands of people on Saturday gave way , in some places , to rioting , looting and violence , with police vehicles torched , stores emptied and objects hurled at officers .
The police response varied from restrained to aggressive , with officers at times firing tear gas and rubber bullets .
Police and peaceful protesters alike pleaded for a stop to violence , saying it only hindered calls for justice and reform .
“ It only hurts the cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the police force in Philadelphia , where more than 200 people were arrested as fires and looting engulfed Center City .
Disgust over generations of racism in a country founded by slaveholders combined with a string of recent high-profile killings to stoke the anger .
Three months before Floyd ’ s death , Ahmaud Arbery was fatally shot as he jogged through a Georgia neighbourhood .
A white father and son are charged in the slaying .
The month after Arbery was killed , an EMT named Breonna Taylor was shot eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detectives who knocked down her front door .
No drugs were found in her home .
Adding to that was angst from months of lockdowns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic , which has disproportionately hurt communities of colour , not only in terms of infections but in job losses and economic stress .
The droves of people congregating in chanting demonstrations threatened to trigger new outbreaks , a fact overshadowed by the boiling tensions .
“ We ’ re sick of it .
The cops are out of control , ” protester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They ’ re wild .
There ’ s just been too many dead boys.
” The scale of the protests , sweeping from coast to coast and unfolding on a single night , rivalled the historic demonstrations of the civil rights and Vietnam War eras .
Curfews were imposed in major cities around the U.S. , including Atlanta , Chicago , Denver , Los Angeles , San Francisco and Seattle .
About 5,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen were activated in 15 states and Washington , D.C .
In Minneapolis , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , state troopers and National Guard members moved in soon after an 8 p.m. curfew took effect Saturday to break up demonstrations .
The show of force came after three days in which police largely avoided engaging protesters , and after the state poured more than 4,000 National Guard troops into Minneapolis .
Authorities said that number would soon rise to nearly 11,000 .
U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to cheer on the tougher tactics , commending the National Guard deployment in Minneapolis and declaring “ No games !
” He said police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to do their job !
” Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden condemned the violence as he continued to express common cause with those demonstrating after Floyd ’ s death .
“ The act of protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest , ” Biden said in a late-night statement .
Dozens of additional protests were underway or expected on Sunday , from Miami to Kansas City to San Francisco .
They went forth largely without incident , but sparks of crime continued .
In Philadelphia , looters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least one more police vehicle was set ablaze .
Streets leading downtown were closed .
Chicago likewise restricted downtown access and called in the National Guard .
At the Minneapolis intersection where Floyd was killed , people gathered with brooms and flowers , saying it was important to protect what they called a “ sacred space.
” The intersection was blocked with the traffic cones while a ring of flowers was laid out .
Among those descending on Minneapolis was Michael Brown Sr. , the father of Michael Brown , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Miss.
, in 2014 .
“ I understand what this family is feeling .
I understand what this community is feeling , ” he said .
County commissioner Angela Conley said the demonstrations and confrontations with police would continue until the other three officers who were at the scene when Floyd was pinned down are arrested and prosecuted .
The officer who put his knee on Floyd ’ s neck , Derek Chauvin , was charged last week with murder .
All four officers have been fired .
“ We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our community until justice is done , ” Conley said .
In tweets Sunday , Trump blamed anarchists and the media for fuelling the violence .
Attorney General William Barr pointed a finger at “ far left extremist ” groups .
Police chiefs and politicians around the country accused outsiders of coming in and causing the problems .
Few parts of America were untouched .
Protesters set fires inside Reno ’ s city hall , and police launched tear gas at rock-throwing demonstrators in Fargo .
In Salt Lake City , demonstrators flipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire .
Police said six people were arrested and an officer was injured after being struck in the head with a baseball bat .
By Sunday , the fury had spread to Europe , where thousands gathered in London ’ s Trafalgar Square , clapping and waving placards despite government rules barring crowds because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
In New York , a video showed two police cruisers lurching into a crowd of demonstrators who were pushing a barricade against one of them and pelting it with objects .
Several people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear if anyone was hurt .
“ The mistakes that are happening are not mistakes .
They ’ re repeated violent terrorist offences , and people need to stop killing black people , ” Brooklyn protester Meryl Makielski said .
In Indianapolis , two people were reported dead in bursts of downtown violence , adding to deaths reported in Detroit and Minneapolis in recent days .
Sites around the U.S. were defaced with spray-painted messages , from the facade of St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral in New York to the historic Hay-Adams hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s gasped last words — “ I can ’ t breathe ” — were repeated around the country , alongside anti-police messages .
On Sunday , maintenance crews near the White House worked to replace windows that had been shattered with large pieces of wood .
Buildings for blocks were marked with graffiti , including curses about Trump .
Shattered glass still covered the sidewalks .
The damaged buildings included the Department of Veterans Affairs , directly across the street from the White House .
Some leaders prepared to put more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brian Kemp authorized the deployment of up to 3,000 National Guard troops to Athens , Savannah and any other cities where more demonstrations were planned .
Kemp had already approved up to 1,500 Guardsmen to help enforce a 9 p.m. Saturday curfew in Atlanta .
This week ’ s unrest recalled the riots in Los Angeles nearly 30 years ago after the acquittal of the white police officers who beat Rodney King , a black motorist who had led them on a high-speed chase .
The protests of Floyd ’ s killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the losses have yet to approach the staggering totals LA saw during five days of rioting in 1992 , when more than 60 people died , 2,000-plus were injured and thousands arrested , with property damage topping $ 1 billion .

Tim Sullivan - The Associated Press,Matt Sedensky


thetorontostar--2020-05-31--Tensions are rising along the China-India border. Here's what you need to know

NEW DELHI—Tensions along the China-India border high in the Himalayas have flared again in recent weeks .
Indian officials say the latest row began in early May , when Chinese soldiers entered the Indian-controlled territory of Ladakh at three different points , erecting tents and guard posts .
They said the Chinese soldiers ignored repeated verbal warnings to depart , triggering shouting matches , stone-throwing and fistfights .
China has sought to downplay the confrontation while providing little information .
A look at the history and current relations between the two countries and how events may develop : Over recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two countries have been facing off just a few hundred metres from each other in Ladakh ’ s Galwan Valley .
China has objected to India building a road through the valley connecting the region to an airstrip , possibly sparking its move to assert control over territory along the border that is not clearly defined in places .
Analyst Chris Biggers said that a Chinese airport nearby has steadily expanded its military use over the past year with the deployment of a surface-to-air missile battery and four fighter jets .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers constructing a taxiway , parking ramps and “ quick reaction alert aprons ” but falling short of adding a second runway .
While a brawl between Chinese and Indian troops has been captured on video , Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Wednesday that the border situation was “ generally stable and controllable.
” The sides were communicating through both their front-line military units and their respective embassies to “ properly resolve relevant issues through dialogue and consultation , ” Zhao said at a daily ministry news briefing in Beijing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ standoff for 73 days at Doklam , at the other end of their disputed border , in 2017 , when Indian troops were mobilized to counter what was seen as moves by the Chinese side to expand its presence along the border with Bhutan .
The situation was later defused through diplomatic channels .
WAR AND PEACE BETWEEN TWO ASIAN GIANTS The sides established diplomatic relations in 1950 , but a 1962 border war between them set back ties for decades .
In all , China claims some 90,000 square kilometres of territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh with its traditionally Buddhist population .
India says China occupies 38,000 square kilometres of its territory in the Aksai Chin Plateau in the western Himalayas , including part of the Ladakh region .
Relations are also strained by India ’ s hosting of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader , the Dalai Lama , who fled his homeland in 1959 during an aborted uprising against Chinese rule .
The Dalai Lama established a self-declared government-in-exile in the northern Indian town of Dharmsala , where thousands of Tibetans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries signed an agreement on the “ Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility ” along what is known as the Line of Actual Control along their border .
But they are nowhere near to settling their dispute despite more than 20 rounds of talks along with multiple meetings between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping .
Beijing ’ s support for Pakistan on the issue of the disputed territory of Kashmir is also a major cause of concern for India .
China has built a road through Pakistani-controlled Kashmir and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nuclear Suppliers Group by insisting on Pakistan ’ s simultaneous entry .
India ’ s refusal to participate in Xi ’ s signature foreign policy initiative , the multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative , hasn ’ t gone down well with China , while Beijing has paid only lip service to New Delhi ’ s aspirations to join the UN Security Council as a permanent member .
Despite the sporadic border clashes , economic ties between the two have expanded in the past decade , with China exercising a large trade surplus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of them state-owned , have established offices or operations in India , according to India ’ s External Affairs Ministry .
Chinese firms including Xiaomi , Huawei , Vivo and Oppo occupy nearly 60 per cent of India ’ s mobile phone market , while India ’ s major exports to China lean toward cotton , copper and gemstones .
Trade volume rose to more than $ 95 billion ( U.S. ) in 2018 , and passed $ 53 billion in the first half of 2019 , with almost $ 43 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The imbalance has contributed to a push by India to capitalize on China ’ s rising costs and deteriorating ties with the United States and European nations to become a replacement home for large multinationals .
This story corrects the name of the analyst .
Associated Press journalist Sam McNeil in Beijing contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Louisville police and soldiers return fire, killing man

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - Police officers and National Guard soldiers enforcing a curfew in Louisville killed a man early Monday @ @ @ @ @ someone in a large group fired at them first , the city ’ s police @ @ @ @ @ Conrad confirmed the shooting happened around 12:15 a.m. outside a business on West Broadway , @ @ @ @ @ Guard had been called to break up a large group of people gathering in defiance @ @ @ @ @ curfew .
Someone fired a shot at them and the officers returned fire , the @ @ @ @ @ unclear if the person killed is the one who fired at the law enforcers , @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Hong Kong blocks Tiananmen vigil; rush on for UK passports

Hong Kong police rejected an application Monday by organizers for an annual candlelight vigil marking the anniversary this week of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown , as residents rushed to apply for passports that could allow them to move to the United Kingdom It would be the first time in 30 years that the vigil , which draws a huge crowd to an outdoor space , is not held in Hong Kong .
The vigil commemorates China ’ s deadly military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing ’ s Tiananmen Square on June 4 , 1989 .
The decision follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament to bypass Hong Kong ’ s legislature and enact national security legislation for the semi-autonomous territory .
Democracy activists and many legal experts worry that the law could curtail free speech and opposition political activities .
Throngs of people lined up on Monday at DHL courier outlets across the city , many to send documents to the U.K. to apply for or renew what is known as a British National ( Overseas ) passport .
“ My BNO passport expired in 2004 , but at the time I didn ’ t renew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said 40-year-old Peter Chan , who works in asset management and waited in line for more than two hours .
Chan said he was worried about political and security issues in Hong Kong stemming from the national security law as well as a push by the territory ’ s legislature to enact a bill that would make it illegal to insult the Chinese national anthem .
Even though there is rising anti-immigrant and anti-Asian sentiment in the U.K. , “ it ’ s still better than Hong Kong , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what will happen tomorrow , ” Chan said .
The police , in a letter to organizers of the candlelight vigil , said it would violate coronavirus social distancing rules that ban gatherings of more than eight people .
Organizer Lee Cheuk-yan , chair of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China , expressed disappointment and urged people to light candles individually and observe a moment of silence .
Amnesty International said authorities should facilitate a socially distanced vigil rather than ban it .
“ COVID-19 must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stifle freedom of expression , “ said Joshua Rosenzweig , the group ’ s deputy director for East and Southeast Asia .
“ With this ban , and a disastrous national security law looming , it is not clear if Hong Kong ’ s Tiananmen vigil will ever be allowed to take place again.
” Hong Kong has reported five local infections of the coronavirus in the last two days , breaking a nearly two-week streak of no new cases outside of those brought in from abroad .
The rush to apply for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it might allow holders of the document to stay in the country for a year or more .
The proposal came after China ’ s legislature decided it would enact a national security law for Hong Kong .
The move is aimed at clamping down on a pro-democracy movement that has at times resulted in violent clashes between protesters and the police .
Critics say the law erodes the “ one country , two systems ” framework that promised Hong Kong freedoms not found in mainland China for 50 years .
Protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday at a luxury shopping mall in the Central business district , shouting pro-democracy slogans .
The British National ( Overseas ) passport , which was issued to Hong Kongers when it was a British colony , allows them to visit the country for an extended period but falls short of offering them citizenship rights .
Currently , BNO passport holders can remain in the U.K. as visitors for six months without a visa .
But Britain ’ s plan to allow them to stay in the U.K. for a longer period could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizenship , according to British Home Secretary Priti Patel .
In Hong Kong ’ s eastern district of Quarry Bay , Vanessa Tai was among more than 40 people who stood in line at a DHL service point , many holding envelopes with application documents .
Tai , 24 , said the BNO passport is a Plan B for Hong Kongers who are worried about losing their freedoms as China strengthens its control over the city .
“ If I had a choice , I ’ d rather work and live in Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emigrating or working overseas before this , ” she said .
“ Nowadays , my family and I are seeking an alternative , just in case.
” As of February , nearly 350,000 Hong Kong residents held BNO passports , although the U.K. government estimated that there are 2.9 million people in the city of 7.5 million who are eligible for the passport .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--South Africa eases; liquor is sold, school openings delayed

CAPE TOWN , South Africa - Many South Africans spent their Monday morning lining up outside liquor stores , as alcohol sales were allowed again after a two-month ban because of the coronavirus outbreak .
But while South Africa — with the continent ’ s most developed economy and the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 — relaxed its strict lockdown , the reopening of most school classes was delayed and there was debate about how churches could safely resume services .
The government postponed the planned opening of two grades for another week so that some under-prepared schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grades 7 and 12 , the final years of elementary school and high school .
Places of worship were allowed to open from Monday with limits on the number of people in congregations , yet many religious groups said they would refuse the opportunity .
They said they were concerned about the danger of allowing people to gather in an enclosed building — something health experts warn against — and some also said that limiting the number of people who could come into their church is against their values .
South Africa has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 600 people have died .
The government warns that the number of infections will continue to increase and the peak is not expected until August or September .
Still , the relaxation of the alcohol ban came as a relief to many , who chose restocking their liquor cabinets instead of going straight to work on the day much of the country ’ s economy also reopened .
In the poor township of Macassar , near Cape Town , people left home at 4.30 a.m. , residents said , to secure places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores were set to open at 9 a.m. for the first time since March 26 .
Some walked with plastic crates to carry the bottles of beer and wine that they planned to buy .
In the nearby town of Somerset West , socially distanced lines weaved out of the shops , onto sidewalks and into the parking lots of shopping malls .
Cheers rose in a Johannesburg supermarket when screens were removed from wine racks to allow sales to begin .
The line of shoppers waiting for wine snaked through the store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long two months , ” said Tony van Schalkwyk , who got to one shop an hour before it was due to open .
He said he hoped to get beer , white wine , red wine and brandy — what he referred to as “ just basics.
” Shelves of popular brands of alcohol were emptied in two hours at one liquor shop in an affluent suburb of Johannesburg , with only the most expensive products left unsold .
Alcohol is only allowed to be sold from Monday to Thursday between 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new relaxed measures .
There were warnings against stockpiling alcohol and some stores placed limits on how much customers could buy .
Some customers went to more than one store to restock , aware that the government has cautioned that some areas — referred to as “ coronavirus hotspots ” — could return to stricter lockdown measures if their rates of infection increase dramatically .
That could mean the contentious alcohol ban is re-enforced in some areas , including major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town .
After delaying an announcement , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the return of schools nationwide was now June 8 .
Schools would “ prepare for the arrival of learners ” from Monday , the department said .
But some schools went ahead and opened as initially planned in Cape Town after the provincial education department there said they were ready .
At one high school , pupils lined up to have their temperatures taken with a thermal device and to answer questions before they could enter , part of regulations that will be enforced at all schools .
While the opening of places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including an opposition party , the African Christian Democratic Party , others said it was too dangerous and they would stay closed .
“ This sudden , seemingly rushed move is questionable , ” said the Jesuit Institute of South Africa in a statement issued last week .
The government ordered that a maximum of 50 people would be allowed in congregations and that congregants must stand 1.5 metres apart at all times and wash or sanitize hands .
“ Evidence of cluster spread in other parts of the world suggests that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing rules were upheld there were reports of infection , ” the Jesuit Institute said .
“ The more people mix , the more there is potential for spread .
Places of worship are not immune to the virus.
” The Jesuits also questioned how churches , mosques , synagogues and temples could be expected to turn people away if more than 50 wanted to attend a service .
“ This is an almost impossible decision to make for religious leaders , ” they said .
“ Will police check places of worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 persons ?
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Park rangers discover human remains on North Carolina island

HARKERS ISLAND , N.C. - Authorities in North Carolina are trying to identify human remains that were discovered on a @ @ @ @ @ according to officials .
Cape Lookout National Seashore rangers found the remains around 3:30 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ outlets quoted the seashore ’ s superintendent as saying .
The remains were turned over @ @ @ @ @ s office , the National Park Service said in a statement Sunday .
The agency @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Semi driver arrested after rolling into Minneapolis protest

MINNEAPOLIS - The driver of a semitrailer who rolled into the midst of thousands of people marching on a closed Minneapolis freeway over the death of George Floyd has been arrested on suspicion of assault , authorities said .
It appeared no one was hurt Sunday , authorities said , but some witnesses said a handful of people who were on Interstate 35W near downtown Minneapolis sought medical attention on their own .
Authorities said they could not confirm that .
“ He wasn ’ t stopping .
He was beeping loudly and driving into a crowd of people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher , told the Star Tribune .
“ That ’ s the same kind of malice that brought us here .
It ’ s a callous disregard for someone ’ s humanity.
” The freeway was among many shut down in the Minneapolis area for the second night in a row as officials imposed an 8 p.m. curfew and sought to make it more difficult for protesters to move around .
Minneapolis has been the centre of protests — some peaceful , some violent — for days over the death of Floyd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week after a white Minneapolis officer pressed his knee into his neck as he pleaded for air , and ignored his “ I can ’ t breathe ” cries .
Bystander video showed the crowd parting seconds before the semi rolled through , then the tanker truck gradually slowed and demonstrators swarmed the truck .
“ Very disturbing actions by a truck driver on I-35W , inciting a crowd of peaceful demonstrators , ” the state patrol tweeted .
The driver was taken to a hospital for injuries after being pulled from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in police custody on probable cause for assault .
In a Sunday evening news conference , Gov .
Tim Walz described footage of the truck driving into the crowd as a “ horrifying image ” and said that it underscores the “ volatile ” nature of the situation .
“ I don ’ t know the motives of the driver at this point in time , ” he said .
“ But at this point in time to not have tragedy and many deaths is an amazing thing.
” Public Safety Commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 6,000 people were on the bridge at the time , and it initially appeared from traffic camera footage that the semitrailer was already on the freeway before barricades were set up at 5 p.m. State Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell said at a later briefing , however , that the truck went around a traffic barrier to stay on the road .
Officer Derek Chauvin , and the three others who were arresting Floyd .
have been fired but only Chauvin has been charged .
He faces counts of third-degree murder and manslaughter @


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Finland in pain as border closure blocks Russian tourists

HELSINKI - Finns in the Nordic nation ’ s eastern border region say they haven ’ t seen anything like this since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union .
The closure of Finland ’ s border with Russia amid the coronavirus pandemic has put an abrupt stop to visits by the nearly 2 million Russian tourists who prop up the local economy each year .
Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre ( 832-mile ) land border with Russia complete with several crossing points in what is one of the European Union ’ s longest external borders .
It was shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the pandemic .
Given Russia ’ s sustained infection rate , there is little hope that the border will be opened for Finland ’ s summer tourism season — and many believe the border will likely remain shut even longer .
“ It definitely has had a big effect .
You just wouldn ’ t imagine such risks relate to the border anymore in the year 2020 , ” said Petteri Terho , spokesman for the Zsar Outlet Village , a large upscale shopping area catering to both Finns and Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busiest crossing point between the two nations .
Finland has consistently been rated among the most popular European travel destinations by Russians over the past years .
The closure has caused an overnight collapse in cross-border tourism to the South Karelia region , an entry point to Finland ’ s picturesque lake district that is a favourite of locals and Russian tourists alike .
Above all , it has deprived local businesses of an estimated 25 million euros ( $ 28 million ) for every month the border remains closed .
Finland has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths but most have been in and around Helsinki , the capital .
But in the South Karelia region , 250 kilometres ( 155 miles ) northeast of Helsinki , only 24 positive cases have been diagnosed , with no fatalities so far .
Russia has over 405,000 coronavirus infections , the third-highest number in the world .
It has reported 4,693 virus deaths , a figure experts call a significant undercount of the true situation .
“ This is a whole new situation for all of us , ” said Katja Vehvilainen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local Finnish business promotion agency , adding that the South Karelia region enjoyed a 15 % rise in tourism last year .
“ The corona situation has unfortunately completely changed the direction.
” Still , locals remain unfazed , given Finland ’ s long history of dealing with the ups and downs of Russian tourism in the wake of its neighbour ’ s political and economic upheavals .
The last tourism crisis hitting South Karelia took place in 2014-2015 when the value of the Russian rouble plunged against the euro , instantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks pretty bad now , ” said Markku Heinonen , development manager for the city of Lappeenranta , the region ’ s biggest centre with 73,000 residents .
“ But the previous crises ( with Russian tourism ) have taught companies to prepare for something like this.
” The region hosted 1.9 million foreign tourists last year , most coming from Russia for shopping day trips or longer holidays to enjoy spas , restaurants and lakeside cottages in an area known for its pristine beauty .
Lappeenranta , a key centre for wood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since it was founded in 1649 .
It ’ s just 20 kilometres ( 12 miles ) from the border station of Nuijamaa .
From there , it ’ s a mere 180 kilometres ( 112 miles ) to Russia ’ s second city of St. Petersburg , whose population of nearly 5.5 million equals the entire population of Finland .
“ Our business has dried up almost completely .
One can say it melted away in one day ( after the border closure ) , ” said Mohamad Darwich , who runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catering to Russian tourists near the Nuijamaa border post .
Darwich , who arrived in Finland from Russia in 1992 after studying in St. Petersburg , listed fresh fish , cheese and dishwashing liquid among the most popular items bought by Russian visitors .
He has reopened the store now for locals and hopes the border will be reopened by October “ under an optimistic scenario.
” Citing a recent study , Heinonen said if the border stays closed until the end of the year or even beyond — a worst-case scenario — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose at least 225 million euros ( $ 247 million ) in tourism income this year and risks losing about 900 jobs , a large number in this region .
Locals are now eyeing domestic or European visitors as possible substitutes for the missing Russians this year .
Ryanair , which suspended its European routes from Lappeenranta until further notice due to the pandemic , has indicated it ’ s ready to resume some flights in July , which could bring in western European tourists .
But even the Irish airline has largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finnish border who used the Lappeenranta airport .
“ There are plenty of summer cottages in the area and holidaying Finns around , so domestic travel is absolutely crucial for us , ” said Terho , the Zsar Outlet Village spokesman .
He said the venue reopened Saturday with high hopes following the Finnish government ’ s gradual relaxation of coronavirus lockdown restrictions .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Trump took shelter in White House bunker as protests raged

WASHINGTON - Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump to a White House bunker on Friday night as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the executive mansion , some of them throwing rocks and tugging at police barricades .
Trump spent nearly an hour in the bunker , which was designed for use in emergencies like terrorist attacks , according to a Republican close to the White House who was not authorized to publicly discuss private matters and spoke on the condition of anonymity .
The account was confirmed by an administration official who also spoke on the condition of anonymity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underscored the rattled mood inside the White House , where the chants from protesters in Lafayette Park could be heard all weekend and Secret Service agents and law enforcement officers struggled to contain the crowds .
Friday ’ s protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after he was pinned at the neck by a white Minneapolis police officer .
The demonstrations in Washington turned violent and appeared to catch officers by surprise .
They sparked one of the highest alerts on the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2001 .
“ The White House does not comment on security protocols and decisions , ” said White House spokesman Judd Deere .
The Secret Service said it does not discuss the means and methods of its protective operations .
The president ’ s move to the bunker was first reported by The New York Times .
The president and his family have been shaken by the size and venom of the crowds , according to the Republican .
It was not immediately clear if first lady Melania Trump and the couple ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president in the bunker .
Secret Service protocol would have called for all those under the agency ’ s protection to be in the underground shelter .
Trump has told advisers he worries about his safety , while both privately and publicly praising the work of the Secret Service .
Trump travelled to Florida on Saturday to view the first manned space launch from the U.S. in nearly a decade .
He returned to a White House under virtual siege , with protesters — some violent — gathered just a few hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Demonstrators returned Sunday afternoon , facing off against police at Lafayette Park into the evening .
Trump continued his effort to project strength , using a series of inflammatory tweets and delivering partisan attacks during a time of national crisis .
As cities burned night after night and images of violence dominated television coverage , Trump ’ s advisers discussed the prospect of an Oval Office address in an attempt to ease tensions .
The notion was quickly scrapped for lack of policy proposals and the president ’ s own seeming disinterest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump did not appear in public on Sunday .
Instead , a White House official who was not authorized to discuss the plans ahead of time said Trump was expected in the coming days to draw distinctions between the legitimate anger of peaceful protesters and the unacceptable actions of violent agitators .
On Sunday , Trump retweeted a message from a conservative commentator encouraging authorities to respond with greater force .
“ This isn ’ t going to stop until the good guys are willing to use overwhelming force against the bad guys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message amplified by the president .
In recent days security at the White House has been reinforced by the National Guard and additional personnel from the Secret Service and the U.S. Park Police .
On Sunday , the Justice Department deployed members of the U.S .
Marshals Service and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration to supplement National Guard troops outside the White House , according to a senior Justice Department official .
The official could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity .
Lemire reported from New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .

Jonathan Lemire And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Indonesian police shoot militant who fatally slashed officer

JAKARTA , Indonesia - Indonesian police fatally shot a suspected Islamic militant who killed an officer at a police station with a samurai-style sword , officials said Monday .
National Police spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan said the suspect was shot as he tried to attack two other policemen after fatally slashing the first officer .
The suspect died on the way to the hospital .
The attack occurred early Monday at the South Daha police station in South Kalimantan province , he said .
“ One of the police officers died at the crime scene and the suspect was still trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer did not shoot , he would have killed more , ” Ramadhan said .
“ We are still investigating if the suspect was related to or inspired by the Islamic State group.
” He said police seized the sword , an Islamic State-style flag and a small Qur ’ an .
South Kalimantan police spokesman Mohammad Rifai said the suspect burned a police car at the station before attacking the officers .
Indonesia has carried out a sustained crackdown on Islamic militants since bombings on the tourist island of Bali in 2002 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attacks on foreigners have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller , less deadly strikes targeting the government , police and anti-terrorism forces , inspired by Islamic State group attacks abroad .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Vatican centralizes contracting to cut waste, corruption

ROME - Gone are the days of the half-million euro Christmas Nativity scene in St. Peter ’ s Square .
The Vatican is centralizing its contracting and procurement procedures in a bid to cut waste , root out corruption and bring the Holy See ’ s finances into the 21st century .
Pope Francis approved new norms governing contract bids and purchasing in his latest effort to reform the Vatican ’ s finances , which have grown even more precarious amid the coronavirus pandemic and closure of the Holy See ’ s main cash cow , the Vatican Museums .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time since March .
But the main source of revenue for the Holy See is looking at a significant shortfall this year given the collapse of the tourism industry that provides a steady flow of visitors to the Sistine Chapel .
The reform comes as the Holy See is facing an embarrassing financial scandal involving a 150 million-euro investment in a London real estate venture that involved a host of shady characters who allegedly fleeced the pope of millions of euros .
The new procurement reforms don ’ t address how the Holy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do make clear that the Vatican from now will be a bit more selective in the contractors and companies with whom it does business .
The new code calls for a centralized list of businesses that can bid for Vatican contracts , and lists the criteria of those that can be excluded : any company or individual in bankruptcy proceedings or under investigation or convicted of crimes such as fraud , mafia ties , tax evasion or corruption .
It also imposes norms to avoid conflicts of interest both among Vatican officials awarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
It calls for transparency in the procedures and lays out how contested bids and contracts can be adjudicated in the Vatican criminal tribunal .
The Vatican ’ s out-of-control spending first came to light during the 2012 VatiLeaks scandal , when leaked internal documents revealed that the Vatican City State had paid 550,000 euro for its 2009 life-sized Christmas Nativity scene in St. Peter ’ s Square .
Since then , the Vatican has relied on donated or lower-cost Christmas scenes .
But spending and contracting has long been disorganized , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to find contractors without any organized competitive bidding procedures that would be expected for a public administration .
Even before the virus and resulting global economic slowdown , the Vatican was looking at a multi-million euro deficit for the foreseeable future , though officials denied it was at risk of default this year .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Civil unrest could influence Biden’s search for running mate

WASHINGTON - Joe Biden ’ s search for a running mate could be reshaped by the police killing of George Floyd and the unrest it has ignited across the country , raising questions about contenders with law-and-order backgrounds and intensifying pressure on the presumptive Democratic nominee to select a black woman .
Biden , who has already pledged to pick a woman , has cast a wide net in his search .
Some of the women on his list have drawn national praise amid the protests over Floyd ’ s death , including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her city on Friday night .
But the outcry over police brutality against minorities has complicated the prospects of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who had a controversial record addressing police violence as a prosecutor in the city where Floyd died .
Biden ’ s choice of a running mate will be among the most consequential decisions he makes in the campaign , particularly given that the 77-year-old is already talking about himself as a “ transition ” candidate to a new generation of Democratic leaders .
His pick will also be viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and who he believes should have representation at the highest level of the American government .
Even before the outcry over Floyd ’ s death , some Biden allies were already urging him to put a black woman on the ticket given the critical role African Americans played in his path to the Democratic nomination .
Those calls have gotten louder in recent days .
“ The more we see this level of hatred , the more I think it ’ s important to confront it with symbolic acts , including potentially the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice-president , ” said Randi Weingarten , president of the American Federation of Teachers and one of the labour leaders who ’ s been asked for input by Biden ’ s team on the selection process .
Bottoms is one of several black women under consideration by Biden ’ s campaign .
Others Biden is believed to be considering include California Sen. Kamala Harris , Florida Rep. Val Demings and Stacey Abrams , the Georgia Democrat and voting rights activist .
Demings didn ’ t answer directly when asked if the events of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to choose a black woman in an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday .
“ Well , we ’ ve never seen a black woman selected as a vice-presidential candidate .
But I think the American people want someone who cares about their issues and are willing to move the ball forward , ” Asked if she believes race should be left out of the conversation , she was careful to defer to Biden .
“ It doesn ’ t really matter what I think , ” she said .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Joe Biden thinks.
” Demings , a former Orlando police chief , wrote a high-profile editorial on Friday challenging her former colleagues in law enforcement .
“ As a former woman in blue , let me begin with my brothers and sisters in blue : What in the hell are you doing ?
” Demings wrote in The Washington Post .
Politicians with law-and-order backgrounds have been viewed skeptically by some in the Democratic Party given the high-profile instances of police brutality against minorities and other inequities in the criminal justice system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defended herself and other potential contenders with such backgrounds , declaring “ you ’ re either gon na be part of the problem or part of the solution.
” “ And I think the community wants people who understand the system from the inside out in order to bring real life necessary reforms , ” she said .
Harris faced criticism throughout her Democratic primary campaign for her record as a prosecutor and attorney general in California , when she resisted reforms that would have required her office to investigate killings by police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid suggested a resume as a prosecutor could be problematic for potential contenders .
“ Prosecutors are not very popular , especially among young people now , ” he said .
“ I ’ ve got a granddaughter who is graduating from law school and she wants to be a public defender .
She doesn ’ t want to be a prosecutor .
And I think a lot of younger people feel the same.
” Klobuchar , who also sought the Democratic nomination , has faced questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota ’ s largest county during the primary .
Most of the more than two dozen people who died during police encounters in her tenure were people of colour , according to data compiled by Communities United Against Police Brutality and news articles reviewed by the AP .
An officer involved in one of those past fatal incidents was Derek Chauvin , who was arrested and charged Friday with Floyd ’ s murder .
Since ending her campaign , Klobuchar has emerged as a key Biden surrogate and some Democrats see her as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal to some of the white , working-class voters who turned against the party in the 2016 election .
Yet some Democrats say the renewed focus on police brutality could complicate her path .
“ This is very tough timing for her , ” said Rep. James Clyburn , D-S.C. , a top Biden ally .
Klobuchar has said that she is confident Biden will make the right choice and that she ’ s not thinking about politics right now .
Biden has said he will announce a running mate by Aug. 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for the national mood to shift again , particularly as the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic collapse pressed on .
Those twin crises have already led to increased scrutiny for others in the mix to become Biden ’ s running mate .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , a frequent Trump target during the pandemic for her resistance to lifting stay at home orders , faced questions after her husband allegedly tried to skip the line with a dock company and get his boat in the water ahead of other patrons over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico was criticized by Republicans in her state following a report that she purchased jewelry from a local business just days after she ordered non-essential businesses to shut down and told residents to stay home .
Former New Mexico Gov .
Bill Richardson , who was vetted as a potential vice-presidential pick in 2004 , said the scrutiny contenders are facing now has “ proliferated.
” “ The scrutiny compared to when I was vetted is so much more intense and potentially troublesome for a VP candidate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search process is still in a relatively early phase .
A search committee has been meeting with power players on the left , with special attention to Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill and across organized labour .
Biden , who has largely been cloistered at his home in Delaware during the pandemic , would also like to conduct in person meetings with finalists .
“ It ’ s important for him to see the candidate , talk to the candidate , get body language from the candidate .
And I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be several times , ” said Cedric Richmond , a Louisiana congressman and campaign co-chair .
Barrow reported from Atlanta .
Associated Press writers Alan Fram in Washington and Michelle L. Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Alexandra Jaffe And Bill Barrow - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--UK eases more lockdown restrictions to a wary nation

LONDON - Britain moved to further ease lockdown restrictions on Monday despite warnings from some health officials that the risk of spreading COVID-19 was still too great .
Business Secretary Alok Sharma told the BBC that the government is taking action in phases to ease restrictions first put in place since March 23 .
But many are worried , as infection rates remain high .
“ This is not a dash , ?
Sharma said .
“ These are very cautious steps that we are taking.
?
Some schools are reopening in England and some social restrictions have been relaxed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with family and friends as long as it is done outdoors and with social distancing .
Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland are also easing lockdowns , in slightly different ways .
Restrictions on vulnerable elderly people and those with some underlying health conditions — who have been asked to remain indoors and stay away from other people since March —have also been eased as the government moves to restore some normalcy in daily life and to revive the economy .
But the decision , announced Saturday during a Downing Street briefing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people who have not left their homes since March have been left to wonder whether it is really so safe now .
Britain ’ s official coronavirus death toll stands at 38,489 , the second-highest in the world after the United States , and about 2,000 new cases of the virus are still being confirmed each day .
Open air markets and car showrooms are among the businesses being allowed to re-open on Monday .
Some sporting events such has horse racing will be staged behind closed doors .
But some see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very little explanation on why the public should trust the official advice that it is time to ease restrictions .
A debate has raged for weeks as to whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s government is being guided by science or the expediency to restart the economy .
The Association of Directors of Public Health has warned that the government is moving too fast and that it isn ’ t ready to meet the challenges that will follow with the easing of restrictions .
Its president , Dr. Jeanelle de Gruchy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vigorously track and trace COVID-19 cases must be up and running at full speed for restrictions to be eased .
“ We ’ re not feeling just yet that we ’ re confident enough to meet any potential challenge if the government goes too quickly on easing lockdown measures , ” she said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Semi rolls into Minneapolis protesters; no apparent injuries

MINNEAPOLIS - Thousands of people marching on a closed Minneapolis freeway on Sunday over the death of George Floyd ducked for their lives when a semitrailer rolled into their midst .
Authorities said it appeared no one was hurt .
Some witnesses said a handful of people in the incident on Interstate 35W near downtown Minneapolis sought medical attention on their own , but authorities said they could not confirm that .
“ Very disturbing actions by a truck driver on I-35W , inciting a crowd of peaceful demonstrators , ” the state patrol tweeted .
The driver was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled from the cab , but was quickly released and was in police custody .
Department of Public Safety spokesman Bruce Gordon said the incident was being investigated as a criminal matter .
The freeway was among many shut down in the Minneapolis area for the second night in a row as officials imposed an 8 p.m. curfew and sought to make it more difficult for protesters to move around .
Minneapolis has been the centre of protests — some peaceful , some violent — for days over the death of Floyd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week after a white Minneapolis officer pressed his knee into his neck as he pleaded for air , and ignored his “ I can ’ t breathe ” cries .
Bystander video showed the crowd parting seconds before the semi rolled through , then the tanker truck gradually slowed and demonstrators swarmed the truck .
Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said it appeared from traffic camera footage that the semitrailer was already on the freeway before barricades were set up at 5 p.m .
Officer Derek Chauvin , and the three others who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but only Chauvin has been charged .
He faces counts of third-degree murder and manslaughter .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Day of peaceful NYC marches gives way to chaos after dark

NEW YORK - A fourth day of protests against police brutality kept New York City on edge Sunday , as thousands of people marched and many protesters and officers tried to keep the peace after days of unrest that left police cars burned and hundreds of people under arrest .
Demonstrators paraded through multiple neighbourhoods , chanting , kneeling in the street , and falling silent for a minute in front of the neon-adorned NYPD station in Times Square in honour of people killed by police .
Through most of the day , in most of the city , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their distance and occasionally dropping to a knee in a gesture of respect .
But after dark , there were ugly confrontations .
Demonstrators in downtown Brooklyn and parts of Manhattan pelted officers with objects and set fires .
Officers charged into crowds to clear streets , sending people sprawling and battering bystanders who couldn ’ t get out of the way .
Early Monday morning in Manhattan ’ s Soho neighbourhood , mobs of people rampaged down the sidewalks , smashing into numerous luxury shops to steal merchandise .
Hundreds of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rolex , Chanel and Prada boutiques as well as clothing and electronics stores .
One person was shot amid the chaos and was being treated in an ambulance .
Small fires burned in the streets , which were covered with glass and garbage .
Police appeared overwhelmed and incapable of stopping the destruction .
Earlier in the day , Mayor Bill de Blasio had rejected the idea of a curfew , like those adopted in other major U.S. cities .
The Democrat credited police for “ tremendous restraint , “ but appointed two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video , including an officer ripping a man ’ s mask off to spray his face with a chemical and two police cruisers lurching into a crowd of demonstrators in Brooklyn .
“ We all better get back to the humanity here , ” de Blasio said .
“ The protesters are human beings .
They need to be treated with tremendous respect .
The police officers are human beings .
They need to be treated with tremendous respect.
” Since the protests began days ago , at least 790 people have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 27 police vehicles have been damaged or destroyed , police said .
There were no major injuries reported .
The mayor ’ s daughter , Chiara de Blasio , 25 , was among those arrested Saturday night , according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter .
The arrest report , obtained by the New York Post , said she refused to leave a Manhattan street cleared by officers because people were throwing things .
Chiara de Blasio , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summons and released .
The mayor , who is white , didn ’ t mention the arrest at his press briefing Sunday .
City Hall spokespeople didn ’ t immediately comment .
Demonstrators marched throughout the city .
At a plaza in downtown Brooklyn , hundreds chanted “ No justice , no peace , “ outside the Barclays Center , where the NBA ’ s Nets play .
Marchers chanted “ Hands up , don ’ t shoot ” — a rallying cry that originated from the August 2014 shooting of Michael Brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate , peaceful rally in Queens .
In Manhattan , hundreds of people knelt on Fifth Avenue .
Around the city , there were gestures from police officers intended to show sympathy with marchers .
A few clapped along with protesters in Manhattan .
In Queens , officers knelt with protesters in an intersection as an organizer called out the names of people killed by police .
Those gestures didn ’ t always last .
Outside the Barclays Center , two commanders , urged by the crowd to “ drop a knee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small group rushed at a nearby shopping mall , and officers charged into the crowd , beating people with batons in a chaotic scene .
Still , until late , the day ’ s mood was more peaceful than Saturday , when marches devolved into numerous clashes between police and protesters and demonstrators set police vehicles on fire and scrawled graffiti on Manhattan ’ s famed St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral .
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said peaceful demonstrations were “ hijacked ” by people with violent intent .
At a briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence and counter-terrorism official , John Miller , said some anarchist groups gathered supplies of rocks and bottles and used scouts to spot vandalism targets .
New York City lawyers , one of whom went to Princeton , the other to New York University Law School , were hit with federal charges that they threw a Molotov cocktail into an unoccupied patrol car Saturday .
“ We ’ re going to make sure that everyone has the right to peacefully protest and assemble , ” Shea said .
“ But we are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having our officers put into harm ’ s way or any civilians put into harm ’ s way.
“ Similar protests flared around the nation in response to the Minnesota death of George Floyd , a black man who died Monday after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck .
Elsewhere in New York , hundreds of people helped clean up Sunday after shop windows were shattered and vehicles torched in Rochester and Albany and Buffalo .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said the National Guard is on standby and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available to upstate cities .
In Schenectady on Sunday , police marched with protesters , with some officers holding signs saying “ Black lives matter .
Period !
” Police Chief Eric Clifford and other officers knelt with protesters .
Later , the mayor declared a state of emergency with a 7 p.m. curfew , citing likely civil unrest .
The New York Civil Liberties Union criticized curfews .
“ It isn ’ t the protesters who need curfews , it ’ s the police .
There is no excusing the police terror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman .
The governor said state Attorney General Letitia James will investigate actions by both NYPD officers and protesters .
At least five burned-out NYPD vehicles that remained near Manhattan ’ s Union Square were towed Sunday .
People walked around broken glass on the street to take pictures .
But for hours , Sunday ’ s protests were calm .
“ Compared to how things turned out yesterday , this is a lot better .
This is exactly how things should be , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally in Union Square .
“ If you want to get your point across , this is the way to do it .
Vandalizing companies and stores , that ’ s not the way to do it.
” Neighbourhood resident Ken Kidd said protesters and police tried to remain peaceful at the start before the stress of a city heavily hit by the coronavirus came out Saturday night .
“ I think a community can only say ‘ Enough ’ so many times and the words aren ’ t heard so then they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what happened last night , ” Kidd said .

Robert Bumsted, Brian Mahoney And Michael R. Sisak - The Associated Press