thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Adin Steinsaltz, groundbreaking Talmud translator, dies

JERUSALEM - Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz , a prolific Jewish scholar who spent 45 years compiling a monumental and ground-breaking translation of the Talmud , has died .
He was 83 .
The Steinsaltz Center , the Jerusalem educational institute he founded , said he died Friday in Jerusalem after suffering from pneumonia .
Steinsaltz , an educator who established a network of schools in Israel and the former Soviet Union , wrote more than 60 books on subjects ranging from zoology to theology .
But the Talmud , the central text in mainstream Judaism , was his greatest passion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ centuries pertaining to Jewish law , ethics , philosophy , customs and history .
But because of its complexity , obscurity and the fact that much of it is written in the ancient Aramaic language , the rarified text for centuries remained beyond the scope of comprehension of all but a select group of scholarly Jews .
The text , compiled in Mesopotamia in the 5th century , is broken into 63 sections and stretches over 2,700 double-sided pages .
“ I do believe that this knowledge , it is not just knowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves , it is our own picture , ” Steinsaltz told The Associated Press in a 2010 interview at the end of his work .
“ Talmud is a book that has no real parallel … it is a constant search for truth , for absolute truth.
” Over 4 1/2 decades , working for up to 16 hours a day , he laboured over the ancient texts , translating them from the Aramaic into modern Hebrew — along with editions in English , French and Russian .
The 45-volume series added his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concepts , as well as listing the rulings of Jewish law derived from the text .
Steinsaltz coined his quest to educate Jews “ Let my people know , ” a play on Moses ’ passage from Exodus : “ Let my people go.
” There have been other , partial translations into English and other languages , but none are as comprehensive or have as extensive a commentary .
In the AP interview , Steinsaltz explained that he took to the Talmud like a musician takes to an instrument and he compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and music .
“ It is a different language and you have to think in that language .
It is a language of thought and not a language of words , ” he said .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remembered Steinsaltz as “ a Torah genius and a man of exemplary spirit.
” “ His important works will stand for generations at the foundation of Jewish heritage , as an eternal flame in his memory , ” Netanyahu said .
Steinsaltz , who also used the Hebraized surname Even-Israel , was born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secular parents but became observant in his teens , when he entered seminary schools and learned Aramaic .
After studying physics and chemistry at Hebrew University , he became a math teacher and at the age of 24 , according to his website , the youngest school principal in Israel ’ s history .
Three years later , in 1965 , he began working on what he called his “ hobby ” – the translation of the Talmud .
He wrote numerous commentaries on religious texts as well as “ My Rebbe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his close relationship with the revered spiritual leader of the Chabad movement — the late Lubavitcher Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson .
His effort earned him the 1988 Israel Prize – the nation ’ s highest civilian honour , the President ’ s Medal and a number of honorary doctorates .
He is survived by his wife , Sara , three children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren , according to the centre .
He was scheduled to be buried Friday on Jerusalem ’ s Mount of Olives .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--27 dead after migrant boat capsizes off West African coast

DAKAR , Senegal - At least 27 people died when a boat carrying migrants capsized off the West African coast between Mauritania and Western Sahara , United Nations agencies said Friday .
More than 40 were initially feared dead on Thursday , according to initial reports by the U.N. refugee agency .
One survivor was found during a rescue operation by Mauritania ’ s coast guard and brought to Nouadhibou , the U.N. agencies for migration and refugees said .
“ Despite COVID-19 mobility restrictions , migrants are still compelled to undertake risky journeys , “ said the Mauritania chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Migration , Laura Lungarotti .
The boat left Dakhla , Western Sahara a number of days ago and was heading for Spain ’ s Canary Islands , the U.N. agencies said .
It had engine trouble and those on board were left stranded at sea , suffering from dehydration .
Most of the passengers were from sub-Saharan Africa .
The U.N. agencies have called for governments to help dismantle the “ smuggling and trafficking networks that thrive off the desperation of migrants and refugees looking to travel to Europe.
” Thousands died off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islands between 2005 and 2010 before migrants began to use other routes .
Last year , however , authorities started detaining more boats off Mauritania carrying hundreds of migrants .
In December , 63 died when a migrant boat capsized .
This year , others have been reported dead or missing on ships on the route .
“ These deaths are preventable , and they are avoidable , ” said the U.N. refugee agency special envoy for the Central Mediterranean , Vincent Cochetel .

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thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Michigan official to resign after defending racist slur

TRAVERSE CITY , Mich. - An elected official in a mostly white county in northern Michigan who used a racist slur prior to a public meeting to describe Black people in Detroit will resign , the county administrator said Friday .
Leelanau County Administrator Chet Janik said Tom Eckerle , a member of the county road commission , would step down after receiving criticism from across the U.S. for his comments .
“ I personally and professionally think it ’ s in the best interests of Mr. Eckerle , the road commission and Leelanau County , ” Janik told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that Eckerle had informed the newspaper of his plans to quit , saying he didn ’ t want to “ burden ” a newly hired road commission manager scheduled to begin work this month .
Eckerle did not return a call from the AP .
But in a phone interview earlier Friday , he repeated the slur while maintaining he was not a racist .
Eckerle spent much of the interview attacking Black Lives Matter , saying a mention of the decentralized movement against racial injustice and police brutality is what set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ m not a racist , ” Eckerle told the AP .
“ Black Lives Matter is racist .
If I believed in Black Lives Matter , I would be racist .
... Black Lives Matter has no heart .
And that is as offensive to me as the N-word , ” he added , then used the full racist slur .
“ If I could get a few people that , when they see a Black Lives Matter sign up , to think the N-word , I have accomplished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
Democratic Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and Eckerle ’ s fellow road commission members were among those demanding he step down .
“ His comments are atrocious , “ Whitmer spokeswoman Tiffany Brown said Friday .
“ The governor has been very clear—there ’ s no place for hate and racism in Michigan.
” Eckerle ’ s original comments were first reported by the Leelanau Enterprise , which said they were not officially recorded because the Tuesday meeting had not started .
According to the newspaper , a colleague asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask .
Eckerle replied , “ Well this whole thing is because of them ( racist slur ) down in Detroit.
” Road Commission Chair Bob Joyce told Eckerle that he couldn ’ t say that , the newspaper reported , to which Eckerle responded : “ I can say anything I want .
Black Lives Matter has everything to do with taking the country away from us.
” Asked by the AP whether he had used the racist slur , Eckerle replied , “ I did say that , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he insisted it had “ nothing to do with me wearing a mask ” and “ nothing to do with coronavirus.
” He said it arose during a conversation involving Whitmer “ and her liberal ideas ” and with keeping children out of school because of the pandemic .
“ They need to be back in school , ” said Eckerle , a Republican .
At some point , he said , the subject of Black Lives Matter came up .
“ That ’ s what got me over the end , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about removal of Confederate statues , calls to cut police funding and “ cities being held hostage.
” Eckerle , a farmer , was elected to a six-year term on the Leelanau County Road Commission in 2018 .
The panel oversees snow removal and other maintenance and repair work in the rural county about 270 miles ( 436 kilometres ) northwest of Detroit .
The county has about 21,700 residents , about 90 % of whom are white .
Black people make up less than 1 % of the population .
Janik said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls from people around the nation upset about Eckerle ’ s remarks .
Some vowed never to visit Leelanau County , a Lake Michigan tourist haven that is home to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore , as long as Eckerle remained in office , he said .
The county board of commissioners , which is separate from the road commission , plans to consider a resolution condemning Eckerle ’ s statements during a meeting Tuesday , Janik said .
“ They strongly want everyone to know this type of behaviour is not typical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condoned by Leelanau County residents , ” he said .
State Rep. Jack O ’ Malley , a Republican whose district includes the county , said in a Facebook post that he had urged Eckerle to resign .
“ This type of racial slur is flat-out unacceptable and ignorant , “ O ’ Malley said in a statement .
Local activists had planned to meet over the weekend to discuss a recall effort and other steps to pressure Eckerle to step down .
A letter posted on the road commission ’ s Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s other four members — including Joyce — made the same demand .
“ We will not tolerate any kind of racism in our meeting room or in our organization , “ the letter said .
Marshall Collins Jr. , 44 , a Black resident of Leelanau County , said Eckerle should be removed from office “ by any means necessary.
” “ When people say there isn ’ t racism any more , the proof is in the pudding .
It ’ s right here in front of us , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins , a member of the Northern Michigan Anti-Racism Task Force .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--US intel: Russia acting against Biden; China opposes Trump

WASHINGTON - U.S. intelligence officials believe that Russia is using a variety of measures to denigrate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden ahead of the November election and that individuals linked to the Kremlin are boosting President Donald Trump ’ s reelection bid , the country ’ s counterintelligence chief said in the most specific warning to date about the threat of foreign interference .
U.S. officials also believe China does not want Trump to win a second term and has accelerated its criticism of the White House , expanding its efforts to shape public policy in America and to pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s interests .
The statement Friday from William Evanina is believed to be the most pointed declaration by the U.S. intelligence community linking the Kremlin to efforts to get Trump reelected — a sensitive subject for a president who has rejected intelligence agency assessments that Russia tried to help him in 2016 .
It also connects Moscow ’ s disapproval of Biden to his role as vice-president in shaping Obama administration policies supporting Ukraine , an important U.S. ally , and opposing Russian leader Vladimir Putin .
Asked about the intelligence assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump appeared to dispute the idea that Russia was disparaging Biden .
“ I think the last person Russia wants to see in office is Donald Trump because nobody has been tougher on Russia than I have — ever , ” he said .
But the president seemed to agree with the intelligence indicating China didn ’ t want him reelected .
“ If Joe Biden was president , China would own our country , ” he said .
Evanina ’ s statement , three months before the election , comes amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other congressional Democrats that the intelligence community has been withholding from the public specific intelligence information about the threat of foreign interference in American politics .
“ The facts are chilling , ” Sen. Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. , wrote in an op-ed published Friday evening in The Washington Post .
“ I believe the American public needs and deserves to know them .
The information should be declassified immediately.
” The latest intelligence assessment reflects concerns not only about Russia but China and Iran as well , warning that hostile foreign actors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interfere with the voting process or call into question voting results .
Despite those efforts , officials see it as unlikely that anyone could manipulate voting results in any sweeping way , Evanina said .
“ Many foreign actors have a preference for who wins the election , which they express through a range of overt and private statements ; covert influence efforts are rarer , ” said Evanina , director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center .
“ We are primarily concerned about the ongoing and potential activity by China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interference are especially acute following a wide-ranging effort by Russia to meddle in the 2016 election on Trump ’ s behalf through both the hacking of Democratic emails and a covert social media campaign aimed at sowing discord among U.S. voters .
Trump has routinely resisted the idea that the Kremlin favoured him in 2016 , but the intelligence assessment released Friday indicates that unnamed Kremlin-linked actors are again working to boost his candidacy on social media and Russian television .
The White House reacted to Friday ’ s news with a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tolerate foreign interference in our electoral processes and will respond to malicious foreign threats that target our democratic institutions.
” Tony Blinken , a senior adviser to Biden ’ s campaign , responded that Trump “ has publicly and repeatedly invited , emboldened , and even tried to coerce foreign interference in American elections .
... Joe Biden , on the other hand , has led the fight against foreign interference for years.
” Democrats in Congress who have participated in recent classified briefings on election interference have expressed alarm at what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. intelligence community to make public some of their concerns in part to avoid a repeat of 2016 , when Obama administration officials were seen as slow and overly deliberate in their public discussion of active Russian measures in that year ’ s election .
Pelosi and Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , both California Democrats , said Friday that they were “ pleased that Mr. Evanina heeded our call to make additional details public about Russia ’ s malign interference campaign.
” But they also criticized him for naming Iran and China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections.
” When it comes to Russia , U.S. officials assess that it is working to “ denigrate ” Biden and what it sees as an anti-Russia “ establishment ” among his supporters , Evanina said .
U.S. officials believe that tracks Moscow ’ s criticism of Biden when he was vice-president for his role in Ukraine policies and his support of opposition to Putin inside Russia .
The U.S. statement called out by name Andrii Derkach , a pro-Russia Ukrainian lawmaker who has been active in levelling unsubstantiated corruption allegations against Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sit on the board of Burisma , an Ukrainian natural gas company .
That effort has included publicizing leaked phone calls .
Democrats , including members of the Senate intelligence panel , have voiced concerns that an ongoing Republican probe into Hunter Biden and his work in Ukraine would parallel Russian efforts and amplify Russian disinformation .
That investigation is being led by Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin , the chairman of Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee .
He has denied any wrongdoing .
Though U.S. officials allege that China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s statement did not directly accuse Beijing of election interference or taking action to prop up Biden .
Instead , the statement said , China views Trump as “ unpredictable ” and does not want to see him win reelection .
China has been expanding its influence efforts ahead of the November election in an effort to shape U.S. policy and pressure political figures it sees as against Beijing .
The Trump administration ’ s relationship with Beijing has taken a starkly more adversarial tone in recent weeks , including the closure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an executive order Thursday that banned dealings with the Chinese owners of consumer apps TikTok and WeChat , “ Although China will continue to weigh the risks and benefits of aggressive action , its public rhetoric over the past few months has grown increasingly critical of the current Administration ’ s COVID-19 response , closure of China ’ s Houston Consulate , and actions on other issues , ” the statement said .
The top foreign policy adviser of China ’ s ruling Communist Party , Yang Jiechi , said Friday that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US domestic politics.
” On Iran , the assessment said Tehran seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions as well as Trump and divide America before the election .
“ Iran ’ s efforts along these lines probably will focus on online influence , such as spreading disinformation on social media and recirculating anti-U.S. content , ” Evanina wrote .
“ Tehran ’ s motivation to conduct such activities is , in part , driven by a perception that President Trump ’ s re-election would result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” During a panel discussion later Friday at the DEF CON hacker convention , federal cybersecurity officials were asked which foreign threat they considered most serious .
“ I don ’ t think I would say one is scarier than the other , per se .
Certainly some of these adversaries are at little bit more experienced , ” said the National Security Agency ’ s election lead , David Imbordino .
“ I couldn ’ t agree more , ” said Cynthia Kaiser , the FBI ’ s deputy chief of analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you ask me what the biggest threat is , it ’ s the kind of constant drumbeat or influence campaigns that are going to make people feel like they are less confident in our ( elections ) system.
” Tucker reported from Stonington , Connecticut .
Associated Press writers Jonathan Lemire in Bridgewater , New Jersey , and Frank Bajak in Boston contributed to this report .

Eric Tucker And Deb Riechmann - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--El Salvador political stalemate a drag on pandemic response

SAN SALVADOR , El Salvador - For months , the strictest measures confronting the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America seemed to keep infections in check in El Salvador , but a gradual reopening combined with a political stalemate has seen infections increase nearly fourfold .
Other countries have seen similar surges in infections following a loosening of restrictions , but the standoff between President Nayib Bukele and the Legislative Assembly appears to be compounding the problem as the country ’ s hospitals near collapse .
Bukele is demanding emergency powers and says he has been reduced to a “ hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , argue the president can confront the pandemic without violating constitutional rights .
Both have an eye on legislative elections scheduled for early next year and appear unwilling to cede any advantage .
“ Now we see that the measures are politicized , that they ’ re looking for political calculations , vote yields , ” said Dr. Iván Solano Leiva , an infectious disease expert and vice-president of the Central American and Caribbean Association of Infectology .
He said politics are making the virus more dangerous , and “ caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who are getting more sick and dying.
” The government has reported more than 19,500 confirmed infections , a number that has increased nearly 400 % since a gradual reopening of the economy began June 16 , and more than 500 deaths .
Reported infections have risen at a similar rate in the rest of the Northern Triangle , Honduras and Guatemala over the same period .
It ’ s a reversal in a country that early in the pandemic seemed to have the situation under control .
Bukele implemented the strictest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s borders and ordering people to stay at home or face lengthy stays in containment centres .
The president , who remains popular , believes the country needs to be locked down again .
He has indicated he would roll back even the limited economic reactivation that began in June .
Last week , he announced the second phase of that reopening would be delayed until Aug. 20 , the third such delay .
El Salvador ’ s Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that the legislature must give Bukele the emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without it he was violating Salvadorans ’ constitutional rights .
But the legislative body has declined to do so , and lawmakers have been locked in a monthslong standoff with Bukele .
“ Unfortunately , the Legislative Assembly and the constitutional Chamber ( of the Supreme Court ) took it upon themselves to take away all of the legal tools from us and leave the presidency as a sort of hospital administrator , ” Bukele said recently in a local television interview .
On Friday , the Supreme Court declared Bukele ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying the president can not suspend fundamental rights .
But the court also repeated its call for legislators to enact appropriate laws .
Bukele responded with a tweet that read : “ In every country in the world , governments order gradual re-openings to control the pandemic .
In El Salvador , today that is also unconstitutional .
Does nothing matter to them anymore ?
” Opposition lawmaker Jorge Schafik Handal , son of a late guerrilla commander of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front , said that “ nothing has been taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argue that a state of exception is not necessary to manage the pandemic , nor is forcing people to lock themselves up at home .
They also say they did pass legislation that would give Bukele the authority he seeks , but the president vetoed it because there were too many strings attached .
Arguing for a return to lockdown , Bukele said : “ We had the virus controlled .
We hadn ’ t won the battle , but the infections were minimal , the deaths were minimal.
“ But lawmakers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push for greater reopening of the economy .
They are also aware of predictions that Bukele ’ s new party could win control of the legislature next year .
“ The handling of the pandemic definitely has a very politicized component , ” said Juan Carlos Fernández Saca , dean of the postgraduate program at the University of José Matías Delgado .
“ This is only an extension of the conflict between president Bukele and the Assembly that started even before he was elected.
” Fernández believes that Bukele ’ s New Ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but people ’ s disenchantment with the politicization of the pandemic will make its margin less than it would have been .
Health Minister Alabí told the Legislative Assembly last month that “ the health system is about to collapse under the increase in COVID infections.
” He blamed opposition lawmakers for blocking the administration ’ s efforts .
“ We need a national home quarantine to be able to decrease the number of infections , ” Medical Association President Milton Brizuela said “ obligatory confinement is not the only solution to confront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused quarantine with aggressive contact tracing could allow gradual economic reopening .
A new hospital built under Bukele has recently relieved some of the pressure for beds — there had only been 30 intensive care beds in the country when the pandemic started .
Solano Leiva , who works in private hospitals , believes the collapse has already arrived .
“ We have increasingly seen many people dying at home because they have arrived at the hospitals and were told there were no beds , ” he said .
“ If El Salvador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re already sinking .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Q&A: What’s up with Trump’s orders on TikTok and WeChat?

NEW YORK - President Donald Trump has ordered sweeping but vague ban on dealings with the Chinese owners of popular apps TikTok and WeChat , saying they are a threat to U.S. national security , foreign policy and the economy .
But it ’ s far from clear what the administration intends to actually do when the bans take effect in 45 days , since the orders are currently blank checks waiting to be filled in .
Uncertainty also surrounds what effect the orders will have on the apps ’ users , whether the administration will face legal challenges over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what the companies — or China — will do next .
Microsoft is in talks to buy parts of TikTok , in a potential sale that ’ s being forced under Trump ’ s threat of a ban .
Q : WHAT ARE THESE COMPANIES ?
A : TikTok , owned by ByteDance , is an increasingly popular video app with 100 million U.S. users and hundreds of millions globally .
It has a fun , goofy reputation , full of people lip-syncing , dancing and pulling pranks , and is exceptionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies , it has raised concerns about the privacy of its users and how it moderates content .
It has spawned an influencer culture of its own and nurtured music hits ; Facebook and Snapchat see it as a competitive threat .
Tencent ’ s WeChat is a critical communications and payments service in China and with Chinese emigrants abroad , with 1.2 billion users globally .
It doesn ’ t break out U.S. users , but mobile research firm Sensor Tower estimates 19 million downloads in the U.S. since 2014 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment brands .
It owns Riot Games , publisher of hit video game League of Legends , and has a big stake in Epic Games , the company behind video game phenomenon Fortnite .
It also has a streaming deal with the NBA .
Q : WHAT WOULD THE ORDERS DO ?
A : The first thing they ’ ve done is to spread fear , uncertainty and doubt .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this week said that “ we want to see untrusted Chinese apps removed from U.S. app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders , which prohibit “ any transaction ” under U.S. jurisdiction with either Tencent or ByteDance , could be interpreted to support an app-store ban and other measures , experts said .
It ’ s not clear how it would apply to Tencent ’ s other properties and partnerships .
We ’ ll presumably know more in 45 days .
Q : WHY IS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CRACKING DOWN ON TIKTOK AND WECHAT ?
It ’ s driven by concerns over collection of American users ’ data and longstanding complaints about Chinese business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials not authorized to speak publicly about private deliberations .
Trump had long taken aim at TikTok but the move against WeChat was an escalation .
But the picture is more complicated than just that .
Trump ’ s frustration over the coronavirus pandemic and China also drove his actions , the officials said .
He has blamed the outbreak on Beijing and questioned whether China ’ s leaders purposefully failed to contain it to spread economic disaster to other nations .
He also has privately raged against China , blaming the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no desire for a further trade deal .
Trump ignored questions about the executive orders from reporters on the tarmac after deplaning in advance of a three-day weekend at his Bedminster club .
It would be difficult for the government to stop people from using WeChat and TikTok — there are workarounds even if they ’ re removed from app stores — and it ’ s not clear the president has a legal basis to do so under the powers cited in the orders , experts said .
Moreover , civil-rights groups said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Selectively banning entire platforms harms freedom of speech online and does nothing to resolve the broader problem of unjustified government surveillance , including by our own government , ” said Hina Shamsi , director of the American Civil Liberties Union ’ s National Security Project , in an emailed statement .
TikTok says it will “ pursue all remedies ” and suggested it would sue to ensure the company and its users are “ are treated fairly.
” Q : DO I NEED TO DELETE TIKTOK FROM MY KID ’ S PHONE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Trump administration ’ s actions , though you might want to take a closer look anyway .
TikTok , like most other social networks , collects data about its users and moderates what ’ s posted .
It grabs people ’ s locations and messages they send one another , for example , and tracks what people watch in order to know what kinds of videos they like and how best to target ads to them .
U.S.-based platforms do much the same thing , so deleting TikTok but leaving Snapchat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things much .
But the administration and some scholars worry that China can force its companies to help the government gather intelligence .
In the case of TikTok , this remains a hypothetical threat , said Samm Sacks , a researcher at Yale Law School ’ s Paul Tsai China Center — but she acknowledges that it could be happening .
TikTok says U.S. user data isn ’ t stored in China and that it wouldn ’ t hand it over .
But experts believe said that if the Chinese government wants information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. government has also cracked down on Chinese telecom companies Huawei and ZTE because of this worry .
The companies deny that they facilitate spying .
There are also concerns about TikTok censoring videos critical of China , which TikTok denies , and pushing propaganda .
Advocates in the U.S. also say the company is violating children ’ s privacy laws .
WeChat , meanwhile , is censored within China .
The Citizen Lab internet watchdog group in Toronto says WeChat monitors files and images shared abroad to aid its censorship in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THREAD FROM TIKTOK AND WECHAT UNIQUE ?
A : No .
China ’ s economic espionage is a well-known constant , and the Chinese military or groups with ties to it are accused of massive hacks of sensitive information from the credit agency Equifax and the federal Office of Personnel Management .
The U.S. government has also raised user data concerns about Huawei , a maker of smartphones and network equipment that is China ’ s first global tech brand .
It has moved to cut off access to chips and other technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being used on its equipment and pushed allies not to use it .
The government has also blocked China from purchasing several U.S. companies .
But several experts say that the U.S. government is lashing out at Chinese tech companies without taking other significant steps to protect Americans ’ privacy .
Meanwhile , the Trump administration has been embroiled in a tariff war with Beijing over its technology ambitions .
And election-year politics in the U.S. may be raising the stakes .
Trump appears to be using friction with China to drum up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NEXT ?
A : The U.S. government is effectively forcing ByteDance , TikTok ’ s owner , to sell so it can salvage the app in the U.S. , a huge and valuable market .
TikTok is in talks with Microsoft , which has said it intends to complete discussions by Sept. 15 .
Q : DO U.S. TECH COMPANIES STAND TO BENEFIT FROM PRESSURE ON CHINESE APPS ?
A : Could be .
Users could step back from TikTok and focus more on Instagram , Snapchat , YouTube or other apps .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its Instagram service this week — interesting timing .
If Microsoft does end up buying some or all of TikTok , it would get a fast-growing app with younger users , a whole new consumer business .
But some analysts are skeptical of what Microsoft can do with a product that ’ s so different from its core workplace business .
And there is speculation that Facebook could point to a Microsoft purchase of TikTok to say that there is more social-media competition in the U.S. , relieving antitrust pressure on itself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ N.J. , Barbara Ortutay in Oakland , Calif. , Mae Anderson in New York , Frank Bajak in Boston , Joe McDonald in Beijing and Zen Soo in Hong Kong contributed to this article .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--AP sources: Whitmer met with Biden as he nears VP decision

LANSING , Mich. - Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer travelled to Delaware last weekend to meet with Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee ’ s first known in-person session with a potential running mate as he nears a decision .
Whitmer visited Biden Sunday , according to two high-ranking Michigan Democrats who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly .
The first-term governor of the battleground state has long been on his short list of possible running mates .
Flight records show a chartered plane left Lansing ’ s Capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 5:33 p.m. and returned at 11:16 p.m .
The governor ’ s office declined to confirm or deny the trip .
He has spent months weighing who would serve alongside him if he wins in November .
Biden has pledged to select a woman and has conducted an expansive search , including Sens .
Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , California Rep. Karen Bass and former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice .
Biden is facing calls to select a Black woman to acknowledge their crucial role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation ’ s reckoning with systemic racism .
Whitmer has sought to address racism and racial inequity .
In April , she created a task force to address the pandemic ’ s racial disparities and later proposed police reforms in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
On Wednesday — days after visiting Biden — she declared racism a public health crisis , created an advisory council of Black leaders and required implicit bias training for all state employees .
If Whitmer is chosen to join the ticket and Biden wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would become the country ’ s only Black governor .
Biden and Whitmer formed a bond after he campaigned for her in the 2018 gubernatorial election .
She is a co-chair on his campaign .
Her profile has grown since delivering the Democrats ’ response to President Donald Trump ’ s State of the Union address and especially amid the pandemic .
She has taken aggressive steps to curb the coronavirus in a state that was a hot spot nationally early on and — after she criticized the federal response — has drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged Vice-President Mike Pence not to call “ the woman in Michigan .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Joe Arpaio loses sheriff’s race in 2nd failed comeback bid

PHOENIX - Joe Arpaio on Friday was narrowly defeated in his bid to win back the sheriff ’ s post in metro Phoenix that he held for 24 years before being voted out in 2016 amid voter frustrations over his taxpayer-funded legal bills , his penchant for self-promotion and a defiant streak that led to his now-pardoned criminal conviction .
Arpaio lost by more than 6,200 votes in the Republican primary for Maricopa County sheriff to his former top aide , Jerry Sheridan .
In the Nov. 3 general election , Sheridan will face Democrat Paul Penzone , who unseated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he believes some supporters who have thanked him in recent years for his service really meant they wanted him to move on from politics .
“ What they meant is it ’ s time to go fishing , ” said Arpaio , who isn ’ t an angler .
“ I still took a shot at it .
I ’ m not ashamed .
I could have won this one.
” The loss marked Arpaio ’ s second failed attempt to return to politics .
He ran an unsuccessful primary campaign for U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump had pardoned his 2017 criminal contempt of court conviction for disobeying a judge ’ s order in a racial profiling case .
As metro Phoenix ’ s sheriff from 1992 through 2016 , Arpaio rose to political prominence by creating old-time chain gangs and housing inmates in tents during triple-digit heat .
But he is most well-known for launching immigration crackdowns , some of which contributed significantly to his political downfall .
While his defiant streak played well with voters for many years , Arpaio faced heavy criticism for taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and racking up $ 147 million in taxpayer-funded legal bills .
His agency also botched the investigations of more than 400 sex-crimes complaints made to his office .
His political fortunes started to decline significantly in 2013 when his officers were found by a federal judge to have racially profiled Latinos in Arpaio ’ s traffic patrols that targeted immigrants .
In his latest campaign , Arpaio got only a fraction of the campaign money he was famous for raising and was criticized for his conviction .
Arpaio said many people didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw his name on the ballot .
His platform consisted of his unwavering support for Trump and bringing back practices that the courts have either deemed illegal or his successor has ended , such as immigration crackdowns .
He also was facing a far more moderate electorate than in earlier campaigns .
In the profiling case , both Arpaio and Sheridan were found in civil contempt of court for disobeying a 2011 court order to stop the sheriff ’ s immigration patrols , leading to Arpaio ’ s criminal contempt conviction in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal contempt .
Arpaio and Sheridan vigorously dispute the contempt findings .
Sheridan , a 38-year veteran of the sheriff ’ s office who retired after Arpaio was defeated in 2016 , said he was unaware of the highly publicized court order and didn ’ t run the unit that carried out the immigration patrols .
Sheridan said he could help turn around the tarnished law enforcement agency and insisted that he is his own man .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Plane skids off runway in India; 16 killed, dozens hurt

NEW DELHI - A special flight carrying Indians stranded abroad because of the coronavirus back home skidded off a hilltop runway and split in two while landing Friday in heavy rain in the southern state of Kerala , killing at least 16 people and injuring 123 more , police said .
The dead included one of the pilots of the Air India Express flight , and at least 15 of the injured were in critical condition , said Abdul Karim , a senior Kerala state police officer .
Rescue operations were over , he said .
The 2-year-old Boeing 737-800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Calicut , in Kerala , India ’ s southernmost state , the airline said .
Kozhikode ’ s 2,850-meter ( 9,350-foot ) runway is on a flat hilltop with deep gorges on either side ending in a 34-meter ( 112-foot ) drop .
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S. Puri said in a statement that the flight “ overshot the runway in rainy conditions and went down ” the slope , breaking into two pieces upon impact .
A similar tragedy was narrowly avoided at the same airport a year ago , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tail strike upon landing .
None of the 180 passengers of that flight was injured .
An inquiry will be conducted by the ministry ’ s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau .
The airport ’ s runway end safety area was expanded in 2018 to accommodate wide-body aircraft .
The runway end safety area meets United Nations international civil aviation requirements , but the U.N. agency recommends a buffer that is 150 metres ( 492 feet ) longer than what exists at Kozhikode airport , according to Harro Ranter , chief executive of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aviation consultant Mark Martin said that while it was too early to determine the cause of the crash , annual monsoon conditions appeared to be a factor .
“ Low visibility , wet runway , low cloud base , all leading to very poor braking action is what looks like led to where we are at the moment with this crash , ” Martin said , calling for the European Aviation Safety Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to assist with the Indian government ’ s investigation .
The Air India Express @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s special repatriation mission to bring Indian citizens back to the country , officials said .
All of the passengers were returning from the Gulf region , authorities said .
Regular commercial flights have been halted in India because of the coronavirus outbreak .
There were 174 adult passengers , 10 infants , two pilots and four cabin crew on board the aircraft , Jain said .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was “ pained by the plane accident in Kozhikode , ” and that he had spoken to Kerala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst air disaster in India was on Nov. 12 , 1996 , when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight collided midair with a Kazakhastan Airlines Flight near Charki Dadri in Haryana state , killing all 349 on board the two planes .
Associated Press writers Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi and Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar , India , contributed to this report .

Ashok Sharma And Emily Schmall - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Prosecutors investigating police who handcuffed Black girls

DENVER - Prosecutors are investigating whether suburban Denver police officers should face criminal charges for putting four Black girls on the ground and handcuffing two of them after mistakenly suspecting they were riding in a stolen car , a district attorney said Friday .
The incident Sunday attracted national attention after a video of the girls — some in tears — being detained in a parking lot spread on social media .
The traffic stop happened in Aurora , where officers are also being investigated following the death of 23-year-old Elijah McClain after he was placed in a chokehold last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers eventually determined the car carrying the girls , ranging in age from 6 to 17 , had the same license plate number as the one they were seeking from another state .
Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson and the department are co-operating with the investigation , 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler said in his announcement .
He called the public accounts of the confrontation “ very concerning.
” “ Everyone is entitled to be treated equally under the law , “ he said .
“ No one is above the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers involved committed a crime , I will not hesitate to file charges and prosecute them.
” Brauchler is a Republican and a vocal defender of law enforcement , but earlier this year he criticized members of Aurora ’ s police department for helping shield an officer found passed out in his patrol car from criminal prosecution for suspected drinking and driving .
Aurora police apologized after the video taken by a bystander showed the girls , with the 17-year-old and a 12-year-old lying on their stomachs with their hands cuffed behind their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next to the 6-year-old , also on their stomachs next to the car .
They can be heard crying and screaming as officers stand with their backs to the camera .
A woman on the other side of the car is seen being led away in handcuffs .
An officer eventually helped the handcuffed girls sit up but left them with their hands behind their backs , and police eventually determined they had stopped the wrong car .
Part of the reason for the mix-up might have been that the car had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Driver Brittney Gilliam , who had taken her nieces , sister and daughter out for a day at a nail salon , has characterized the officers ’ actions as police brutality .
“ There ’ s no excuse why you didn ’ t handle it a different type of way , ” Gilliam told KUSA-TV .
“ You could have even told them ‘ step off to the side , let me ask your mom or your auntie a few questions so we can get this cleared up.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Jennifer Wurtz , who shot the video , said on camera that the police drew guns as they initially approached the car .
Wilson , who was named chief of the Aurora Police Department this week after serving as its interim leader , told The Associated Press earlier this week she was “ angry and disgusted “ like others who have seen the video and said Friday she welcomed the investigation , which coincides with an internal investigation she ordered .
“ I have promised transparency to a community who not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ she said .
Police are instructed to draw their guns and put occupants on the ground when dealing with a suspected stolen car , but Wilson has said they should have changed course after Gilliam said the car was not stolen and that she had children inside .
McClain died after he was stopped by police who put him in a chokehold before paramedics gave him a drug to calm him down .
McClain suffered cardiac arrest and was later taken off life support .
The Colorado attorney general is investigating after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t enough evidence to charge the officers .

Colleen Slevin And Thomas Peipert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Officials long warned of explosive chemicals at Beirut port

BEIRUT - At least 10 times over the past six years , authorities from Lebanon ’ s customs , military , security agencies and judiciary raised alarm that a massive stockpile of explosive chemicals was being kept with almost no safeguard at the port in the heart of Beirut , newly surfaced documents show .
Yet in a circle of negligence , nothing was done — and on Tuesday , the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate blew up , obliterating the city ’ s main commercial hub and spreading death and wreckage for miles around .
President Michel Aoun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was first told of the dangerous stockpile nearly three weeks ago and immediately ordered military and security agencies to do “ what was needed.
” But he suggested his responsibility ended there , saying he had no authority over the port and that previous governments had been told of its presence .
“ Do you know how many problems have been accumulating ?
” Aoun replied when a reporter pressed whether he should have followed up on his order .
The documents surfacing in social media since the blast underscore the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s long-ruling political oligarchy , and its failure to provide its people with basic needs , including security .
Investigators probing the blast have focused on personnel at the Port of Beirut , Lebanon ’ s main port , so well known for corruption that its common nickname is Ali Baba ’ s Cave .
So far , at least 16 port employees have been detained and others questioned .
On Friday , investigators questioned and then ordered the detention of the head of the port , Hassan Koraytem , the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Daher ’ s predecessor .
But many Lebanese say the rot permeates the political system and extends to the country ’ s top leadership .
The explosion of the ammonium nitrate , after apparently being set off by a fire , was the biggest in Lebanon ’ s history .
The known death toll reached 154 , including bodies recovered from the rubble Friday , and more than 5,000 people were wounded .
Billions of dollars in damage was caused across the city , where many are too impoverished by Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aoun ’ s comments were the most senior confirmation that top politicians had been aware of the stockpile .
“ The material had been there for seven years , since 2013 .
It has been there , and they said it is dangerous and I am not responsible .
I don ’ t know where it was placed .
I don ’ t even know the level of danger .
I have no authority to deal directly with the port , ” he told a news conference .
He said that when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 , he immediately ordered military and security officials “ to do what is needed.
” “ There are ranks that should know their duties , and they were all informed .
...
When you refer a document and say , ‘ Do what is needed , ’ isn ’ t that an order ?
” he added .
He said the explosion may have been caused by negligence , but the investigation would also look at the possibility that it could have been caused by a bomb or other “ external intervention.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has close ties to its former colony , for satellite images from the time of the blast to see if they showed any planes or missiles .
President Donald Trump said Friday that he had spoken by telephone with Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron .
He did not mention the investigation , but noted that medical supplies , food and water were being sent from the U.S. , along with emergency responders , technicians , doctors and nurses .
The ammonium nitrate , a chemical used in fertilizers and explosives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MV Rhosus that had been travelling from the country of Georgia to Mozambique in 2013 .
It made an unscheduled detour to Beirut as the Russian shipowner was struggling with debts and hoped to earn some extra cash in Lebanon .
Unable to pay port fees and reportedly leaking , the ship was impounded .
The first known document about it came on Feb. 21 , 2014 , three months after the ship ’ s arrival .
Col. Joseph Skaff , a senior customs official , wrote to the customs authority ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on board the ship docked at port was “ extremely dangerous and endangers public safety.
” Col. Skaff died in March 2017 in unclear circumstances .
He was found near his house in Beirut after allegedly falling from a big height .
Medical reports at the time gave different explanations , one saying it was an accident , the other saying there was unusual bruising on his face .
On June 27 , 2014 , Jad Maalouf , a judge for urgent matters , wrote to the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous material and could sink .
He said the ministry should deal with the ship , remove the ammonium nitrate and “ place it in a suitable place that it ( the ministry ) chooses , and it ( the material ) should be under its protection.
” Soon after that , the shipment was moved into Warehouse 12 at the port , where it remained until it exploded .
It is unclear if it was officially under the ministry ’ s control .
Lebanon ’ s LBC TV station reported that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning of delays in dealing with the shipment .
Military intelligence sent an expert who tested the material and found that the nitrogen levels were 34.7 % , considered a highly explosive level , LBC said .
The army reported to the customs department that the material should be quickly removed , suggesting it be exported .
Customs referred the report back to the judge of urgent matters , LBC said .
Three military and security officials did not respond to calls and messages from The Associated Press to comment or confirm the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customs department head , told the AP before his detention that between 2014 and 2017 , he and his predecessor sent six letters to the judge warning that the stockpile was dangerous and seeking a ruling on a way to remove or sell it .
Daher said it was his duty to alert authorities of the danger but that was the most he could do .
He said he never got a reply .
Earlier this year , State Security , after investigating the stockpile , issued a five-page report saying the material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the ammonium nitrate could explode and warned terrorists could steal it , saying one wall of the warehouse had a hole in it and a gate was open .
Throughout this period , Lebanon had four prime ministers , including the current one — Hassan Diab , who came to office earlier this year — as well as multiple government reshuffles .
In 2013 , when the ship docked , Michel Suleiman was president , followed by two years without a president as political factions wrangled , before finally electing Aoun in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been dominated by the same political elites , many of them former warlords and militia commanders from the civil war .
The ruling factions use public institutions to accumulate wealth and distribute patronage to supporters .
A blind eye is often turned to corruption , and little development is put into institutions .
As a result , power outages are frequent , trash is often uncollected and tap water is largely undrinkable .
The leader of the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group , whose allies dominate the government , said in a speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nepotism ” had a role in the explosion and must be dealt with .
Hassan Nasrallah warned that if no one was held accountable , “ we are basically saying to the people there is no state.
” He also said Hezbollah ’ s domestic opponents were trying to use the blast to stir public opinion against it but would fail .
He denied any role by Hezbollah in the disaster .
Both Nasrallah and Aoun rejected calls for an international investigation .
Since last October , the Lebanese people have held mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling elite , including Nasrallah .
The demonstrations achieved only a rearranging of the names in the government , and largely faded amid the coronavirus pandemic and Lebanon ’ s financial collapse .
In a sign of how the public has largely come to expect government inaction , thousands of volunteers have cleaned up streets in the neighbourhoods worst hit by the blast .
They swept broken glass and reopened roads , helped restaurants and shops clear debris , and salvaged merchandise .
They separated rubble into piles of broken glass and mangled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed homes to look for medicine , valuables and essential documents for the residents who fled in panic .
French and Russian rescue teams with dogs searched the port area on Friday , pulling more bodies from the rubble .
Women cried nearby as they waited for news about missing relatives .
France has sent a team of 22 investigators to help investigate the cause of the blast .
Based on information from Lebanon so far , France ’ s No .
2 forensic police official , Dominique Abbenanti , said Friday the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” but that it ’ s too early to say for sure .
In an interview with the AP , he predicted that the death toll would grow .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Liberty U’s Falwell takes leave after social media uproar

RICHMOND , Va. - Jerry Falwell Jr. took an indefinite leave of absence Friday as the leader of Liberty University , one of the nation ’ s top evangelical Christian colleges , days after apologizing for a social media post that caused an uproar even among fellow conservatives .
The private university in Lynchburg , Virginia , gave no reason for Falwell ’ s departure in a one-sentence announcement Friday afternoon .
But it came after Falwell ’ s apology earlier this week for a since-deleted photo he posted online showing him with his pants unzipped , stomach exposed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a similar pose .
The statement said the executive committee of Liberty ’ s board of trustees , acting on behalf of the full board , met Friday and requested Falwell take leave as president and chancellor , “ to which he has agreed , effective immediately.
” A high-profile supporter of President Donald Trump , Falwell has served since 2007 as president of the university founded by his evangelist father , the late Rev .
Jerry Falwell .
He did not immediately return a call seeking comment .
University spokesman Scott Lamb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In an interview this week with Lynchburg radio station WLNI , Falwell said the woman in the photo was his wife ’ s assistant and that the picture was taken during a “ costume party ” while on vacation .
“ Lots of good friends visited us on the yacht , ” the caption of the photo said , in part .
“ I promise that ’ s just black water in my glass .
It was a prop only.
” He said the woman — who also had her midriff exposed — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her pants zipped and he imitated her , saying it was all in “ good fun.
” “ I ’ ve apologized to everybody , and I ’ ve promised my kids ...
I ’ m going to try to be a good boy from here on out , “ he told the interviewer .
On Thursday , Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Walker of North Carolina , a pastor who previously taught at Liberty , called Falwell ’ s behaviour “ appalling ” and said he should resign .
Besides Walker , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week calling for a change in leadership at the school .
Mark Davis , a Texas-based pastor , tweeted that “ the name of Christ and the reputation of Liberty will continue to be dishonoured ” without action against Falwell by the board .
Colby Garman , a pastor who has served on the executive board of the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia , tweeted Monday that it was “ bewildering ” to see Falwell maintain the board ’ s support .
He responded to Friday ’ s news with appreciation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo even real ?
” tweeted conservative TV personality Meghan McCain , daughter of the late U.S. Sen. John McCain .
“ Also if you ’ re running the largest Christian university in America maybe don ’ t put photos of yourself on social media with your pants undone on a yacht — with random women in bad wigs .
So gross , so hypocritical.
” The late Falwell founded Liberty in 1971 with just 154 students .
Under the leadership of Falwell Jr. , who is an attorney and not a minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evangelical university , with an immaculate campus and a significant endowment .
Students must follow a strict code of conduct that includes modest dress and a ban on alcohol consumption .
In recent years , Liberty has served as a regular speaking spot for ambitious Republicans courting the young evangelical vote .
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz kicked off a presidential campaign there in 2015 .
Falwell was among the earliest Christian conservatives to endorse Trump ’ s previous election campaign .
In late 2016 he told The Associated Press that Trump had offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he turned it down for personal reasons .
The vacation photo was the most recent in a string of controversies dogging Falwell in recent years , in both his role at Liberty and his personal life .
Last year , he settled a federal lawsuit in Florida over a real estate venture that involved a young Miami pool attendant , a case that drew national attention .
He more recently sparred with Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam and local officials in Lynchburg over his handling of coronavirus restrictions .
He also faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alumni who said in a letter that he should step down after he mocked Virginia ’ s mask-wearing requirement in a tweet by invoking a blackface scandal that engulfed Northam last year .
Several Black Liberty staff members resigned following the tweet , and several high-profile Black student-athletes announced transfer plans .
On Friday , Pastors Chris Williamson , Eric Carroll , and Maina Mwaura , who organized the June letter , issued a statement applauding the board ’ s decision .
“ Liberty University deeply impacted us as students and we hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus of training ‘ young champions for Christ ’ with Biblical conviction for the Gospel and justice , ” the statement said .
Associated Press writers Alan Suderman and Elana Schor contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Ex-Angels employee charged in overdose death of Tyler Skaggs

ANAHEIM , Calif. - A former Los Angeles Angels employee has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in connection with last year ’ s overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs , prosecutors in Texas announced Friday .
Eric Prescott Kay was arrested in Fort Worth , Texas , and made his first appearance Friday in federal court , according to Erin Nealy Cox , the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas .
Kay was the Angels ’ director of communications , and he served as their public relations contact on many road trips .
He was placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he never returned to the team .
In a statement issued Friday after news of Kay ’ s court appearance , the Angels said they opened an independent investigation into Skaggs ’ death .
The team reaffirmed its position that management didn ’ t know Skaggs was an opioids user and didn ’ t know any employees were providing drugs to players .
Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in the Dallas area on July 1 , 2019 , before the start of what was supposed to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first game was postponed , and Skaggs ’ death provoked an outpouring of grief across baseball .
Skaggs died after choking on his vomit with a toxic mix of alcohol and the powerful painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone in his system , a coroner ’ s report said .
Prosecutors accused Kay of providing the fentanyl to Skaggs and others , who were not named .
“ Tyler Skaggs ’ s overdose – coming , as it did , in the midst of an ascendant baseball career – should be a wake-up call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly drug , whether sold as a powder or hidden inside an innocuous-looking tablet , ” Nealy Cox said .
If convicted , Kay faces up to 20 years in prison .
Federal court records do not list an attorney representing him , and an attorney who previously spoke on his behalf did not immediately return a message seeking comment .
According to the criminal complaint filed in the case , Kay had “ a history of narcotic transactions , including several transactions wherein Kay acquired oxycodone pills for ( Skaggs ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team has “ fully co-operated with law enforcement and Major League Baseball .
Additionally , in order to comprehensively understand the circumstances that led to his death , we hired a former federal prosecutor to conduct an independent investigation .
“ We learned that there was unacceptable behaviour inconsistent with our code of conduct , and we took steps to address it .
Our investigation also confirmed that no one in management was aware , or informed , of any employee providing opioids to any player , nor that Tyler was using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas for a three-game series against the Rangers this weekend , and new manager Joe Maddon said Friday night that he hadn ’ t been involved in the team ’ s investigation .
Maddon , who became the Angels ’ skipper in October 2019 , feels confident about the current state of the Angels ’ clubhouse .
“ I don ’ t recognize any kind of issues right now , ” Maddon said .
“ I have not really been contacted or informed of any other kind of behaviour going on .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe we ’ re going in the right direction.
” Maddon was a major league coach for the Angels from 1994 until 2005 , when he became Tampa Bay ’ s manager .
He was friendly with Kay during his first stint in Anaheim .
“ I did know him well at that time , ” Maddon said .
“ I had not been around him for a long time .
Of course , this entire scenario is difficult for anybody to comprehend or wrap your mind around it .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going through right now .
It wasn ’ t just indigenous to the Angels.
” Skaggs , who was well-liked in the Angels ’ clubhouse for his outgoing personality and supportive nature , died 12 days before his 28th birthday .
The Santa Monica native was drafted by the Angels in 2009 and later traded to Arizona , where he played his first two major league seasons before returning to the Angels in another trade in late 2013 .
Rusty Hardin , the Texas attorney representing Skaggs ’ family , issued a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance .
Skaggs ’ family hasn ’ t yet taken any legal action against the Angels .
“ The family is deeply heartbroken to learn that Tyler would be alive today were it not for a pill containing fentanyl that was provided by the Director of Communications of the Angels , “ Hardin said .
” We note that the Angels say they commissioned an independent investigation that concluded no one in management was aware that a team employee was supplying illegal drugs to Tyler .
We encourage the Angels to make that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no one else who was supplied drugs by this Angels executive met the same fate as Tyler .
While nothing will replace the loss of Tyler , we are very grateful to federal prosecutors for their diligent and ongoing work.
” AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins in Dallas contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Postal Service loses $2.2B in 3 months as virus woes persist

WASHINGTON - The U.S .
Postal Service says it lost $ 2.2 billion in the three months that ended in June as the beleaguered agency — hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic — piles up financial losses that officials warn could top $ 20 billion over two years .
But the new postmaster general , Louis DeJoy , disputed reports that his agency is slowing down election mail or any other mail and said it has “ ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on time ” for the November presidential contest , when a significant increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeJoy offered a gloomy picture of the 630,000-employee agency Friday in his first public remarks since taking the top job in June .
“ Our financial position is dire , stemming from substantial declines in mail volume , a broken business model and a management strategy that has not adequately addressed these issues , ’ ’ DeJoy told the postal board of governors at a meeting Friday .
“ Without dramatic change , there is no end in sight , ’ ’ DeJoy said .
While package deliveries to homebound Americans were up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offset by continued declines in first-class and business mail , even as costs increased significantly to pay for personal protective equipment and replace workers who got sick or chose to stay home in fear of the virus , DeJoy said .
Without an intervention from Congress , the agency faces an impending cash flow crisis , he said .
The Postal Service is seeking an infusion of at least $ 10 billion to cover operating losses as well as regulatory changes that would undo a congressional requirement that the agency pre-fund billions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency is doing its part , said DeJoy , a Republican fundraiser and former supply chain executive who took command of the agency June 15 .
DeJoy , 63 , of North Carolina , is a major donor to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party .
He is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee .
In his first month on the job , DeJoy said , he directed the agency to vigorously “ focus on the ingrained inefficiencies in our operations , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overtime .
“ By running our operations on time and on schedule , and by not incurring unnecessary overtime or other costs , we will enhance our ability to be sustainable and ... continue to provide high-quality , affordable service , ’ ’ DeJoy said .
While not acknowledging widespread complaints by members of Congress about delivery delays nationwide , DeJoy said the agency will “ aggressively monitor and quickly address service issues.
’ ’ DeJoy ’ s remarks came as lawmakers from both parties called on the Postal Service to immediately reverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliveries across the country just as big volume increases are expected for mail-in election voting .
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that changes imposed by DeJoy “ threaten the timely delivery of mail — including medicines for seniors , paychecks for workers and absentee ballots for voters — that is essential to millions of Americans.
’ ’ In his remarks to the postal board of governors , DeJoy called election mail handling “ a robust and proven process.
?
While there will “ likely be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the pandemic , the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on time in accordance with our delivery standards , and we will do so , ?
DeJoy said .
“ However ... we can not correct the errors of ( state and local ) election boards if they fail to deploy processes that take our normal processing and delivery standards into account.
?
Later Friday , DeJoy released another memo detailing changes that reshuffle dozens of officials on his executive leadership team .
The former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was moved to lead logistics and processing operations , while Kevin McAdams , vice-president of delivery and retail operations , was removed from leadership .
DeJoy said the changes — which also include a management hiring freeze — would improve efficiency and “ align functions based on core business operations.
’ ’ Rep. Carolyn Maloney , D-N.Y. , chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee , said DeJoy should not be instituting such major changes during “ the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic with a national election around the corner.
’ ’ Maloney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her committee next month , demanded he ” halt these changes now.
” DeJoy ran into similar resistance at a closed-door meeting Wednesday with Schumer and Pelosi .
Schumer called it “ a heated discussion “ and said Democrats told DeJoy that “ elections are sacred.
” They urged him not to impose cutbacks “ at a time when all ballots count , ?
Schumer said .
In separate letters , two Montana Republicans , Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte , also urged the Postal Service to reverse the July directive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of postal workers and mandates that mail be kept until the next day if distribution centres are running late .
And 84 House members — including four Republicans — signed yet another letter blasting the changes and urging an immediate reversal .
“ It is vital that the Postal Service does not reduce mail delivery hours , which could harm rural communities , seniors , small businesses and millions of Americans who rely on the mail for critical letters and packages , ’ ’ the House members wrote .
The flurry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Senate panel that oversees the Postal Service launched an investigation into the operational changes .
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters , the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee , said DeJoy has failed to provide answers about the service delays , despite repeated requests .
Democrats have pushed for $ 10 billion for the Postal Service in talks with Republicans on a huge COVID-19 response bill .
The figure is down from a $ 25 billion plan in a House-passed coronavirus measure .
Key Republicans whose rural constituents are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea .
Trump , a vocal critic of the Postal Service , contended Wednesday that “ the Post Office doesn ’ t have enough time ” to handle a significant increase in mail-in ballots .
“ I mean you ’ re talking about millions of votes .
..
It ’ s a catastrophe waiting to happen .
?


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Utah cop accused of mishandling explicit images loses job

SALT LAKE CITY - A police officer accused of showing off explicit images of a University of Utah student while investigating an extortion case she filed before her 2018 death has lost his job , officials said Friday .
Officer Miguel Deras ’ employment with the Logan City Police Department ended effective immediately after an internal review of an investigation released by the state ’ s Department of Public Safety , Chief Gary Jensen said in a statement .
The investigation concluded that Deras “ mishandled sensitive evidence ” pertaining to 21-year-old Lauren McCluskey ’ s case while he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department .
“ The conclusions drawn in the DPS report are inconsistent with the high expectations and standards placed upon our officers by the community and our department , ” Jensen said .
The investigation , released Wednesday , found that a group of university officers made inappropriate comments about explicit photos of McCluskey shortly before she was shot and killed by a man she had briefly dated .
Her death has roiled the institution and raised serious questions about how it handled her repeated reports that the man was harassing her before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the images she had sent him when they were involved .
An attorney for Deras has previously denied bragging about the photos .
He did show them during a routine briefing , but only to ask how they should be handled and stored and did not make inappropriate comments , his attorney Jeremy Jones said .
“ From my client ’ s recollection , he never participated in that .
He showed the photos in briefing .
He didn ’ t ‘ smoke and joke ’ about the photos at any time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Endangered Brazilian monkeys get a bridge to themselves

RIO DE JANEIRO - The overpass juts from a forest over a four-lane highway in a rural area outside Rio de Janeiro .
It ’ s meant for a very special sort of pedestrian : golden lion tamarins , small orange primates that for decades have been at risk of extinction .
The little primate , whose name derives from the shock of orange fur that frames its face like a mane , has watched its habitat shrink over decades — even centuries -- of rampant deforestation .
Animal traffickers have also targeted the brightly colored monkeys .
Bowing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following a court order — the highway ’ s administrator in late July finished construction of the overpass that ’ s aimed at helping conserve the species .
About 20 metres ( 65 feet ) wide and twice as long , the bridge connects the Poco de Dantas biological reserve in Rio state ’ s Silva Jardim municipality with a farm that the Golden Lion Tamarin Association acquired to transform into an ecological park .
Recently planted trees on the overpass -- only inches tall at present -- are expected within two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross from one swath of Atlantic forest to another .
Some of the monkeys , which weigh about a half kilogram ( a pound ) , can be seen clinging to the trees beyond in the forest beyond .
“ Our objective is to consolidate a landscape of conservation for the monkey .
The biggest problem is the fragmentation of the forests , which were already very deforested by the expansion of urban centres , ” said Luiz Paulo Ferraz , a geographer and executive secretary of the association , known by its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forests means more space for the primates to roam and reproduce , and so to sustain genetic diversity , he said .
Before colonization , the Atlantic forest biome covered 330 million acres ( more than 500,000 square miles ) near and along Brazil ’ s coast , of which more than 85 % has been cleared , threatening plant and animal species , according to The Nature Conservancy .
More than 70 % of Brazil ’ s population lives in areas that are or once were Atlantic forest , according to Rafael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SOS Atlantic Forest , another environmental organization .
And while few Brazilians have seen a golden lion tamarin in person , virtually all have held one in their hands : It features on Brazil ’ s 20 reais bill ( less than $ 4 ) .
The animal has become a symbol for wildlife preservation in Brazil and beyond .
In the 1970s , when scientists began conservation efforts , there were just 200 individuals of the species remaining , according to the AMLD .
Creation of the government ’ s Poco de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point for rebuilding the animal ’ s population and habitat in Rio state ’ s interior .
In 2003 , its international conservation status was upgraded to “ endangered ” from “ critically endangered.
” The number of golden lion tamarins reached 3,400 in 2014 , the year of the most recent census by AMLD .
A yellow fever outbreak in 2016 and 2017 caused the death of an estimated 900 animals – the biggest blow to the species since the start of conservation efforts .
They require more habitat to boost their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the co-ordinator of AMLD ’ s forest restoration program .
“ It ’ s a local challenge , and requires the participation of rural communities , convincing farmers to replace unproductive farmland into recovered forest , ” Pereira said .
Public prosecutors had to go to court to get a judge ’ s order requiring the highway operator to erect the bridge , which was a condition in the public tender for the highway ’ s concession .
The association ’ s Ferraz said it is a rare example in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservation in Brazil ’ s Atlantic forest .

Marcelo De Sousa And Mario Lobao - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Mexico sets up justice commission for Yaqui Indians

MEXICO CITY - The Mexican government on Friday set up a Justice Commission for the Yaqui People , looking to solve the land , water and infrastructure problems of what President Andrés Manuel López Obrador calls Mexico ’ s most persecuted Indigenous group .
The Yaquis were attacked and temporarily evicted from their homeland in northern Mexico ’ s Sonora state over 100 years ago .
“ All the original inhabitants suffered robbery , but no people suffered as much as the Yaqui , ” López Obrador said Thursday in a meeting with Indigenous leaders .
“ Here , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15,000 Yaquis.
“ The multi-agency commission established Friday will seek to work out longstanding water and land claims and provide housing , schools and medical facilities for the impoverished Yaqui community .
Perhaps best known for the mystical and visionary powers ascribed to them by writer Carlos Castaneda , the Yaquis stubbornly fought the Mexican government ’ s brutal campaign to eliminate the tribe in the late 1800s and early 1900s .
But they were largely defeated by 1900 , and dictator Porfirio Diaz began moving them off their fertile farmland to less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haciendas as far away as eastern Yucatan state .
The mistreatment didn ’ t stop there .
In 2010 , the Sonora government built a water pipeline across Yaqui territory to supply major cities .
The Yaquis say they weren ’ t properly consulted and did not benefit from the project .
On Friday , López Obrador noted he had agreed to modify the route of a planned gas pipeline opposed by the Yaquis , so it would not run through their territory .
One of the last chapters was a 1902 massacre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men , women and children .
They were among about 300 Yaqui men , women and children who escaped from forced exile and started walking back to their lands in Sonora .
They were attacked by 600 soldiers in the mountains near the Sonora capital of Hermosillo .
López Obrador has championed Indigenous culture and traditions , but his love of big government infrastructure projects has sometimes put him at odds with Indigenous communities .
In July , he inaugurated the start of construction on the “ Maya ” train , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,500 kilometres ) in a rough loop around the Yucatan peninsula , from Caribbean beaches to the interior .
Some Mayan communities have filled court challenges to the project , arguing it will cause environmental damage .
They also say they were not adequately consulted and will not share in its benefits .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Reward offered in Denver fire that killed 5 from Senegal

DENVER - A $ 14,000 reward was offered Friday for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for setting a house fire that killed five people with ties to Senegal .
The victims were members of a family who were “ headed in the right direction “ , Joe Montoya , division chief of investigations for Denver police , said at a press conference also attended by Senegal Consul General Elhadji Ndao and members of Colorado ’ s Senegalese community .
“ We ask you to look into your heart and do the right thing , do it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A crime alert announcing the reward and showing a photo of three of those killed — Djibril and Adja Diol and their daughter , Kadidia — was read aloud in French , the main language in Senegal .
It was read by a French-speaking officer who conducted many of the investigatory interviews with immigrants from the West African nation .
Hassan Diol and her infant daughter , Hawa Beye , also were killed in Wednesday ’ s fire at a home in the Green Valley Ranch neighbourhood , a relatively new development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Three other people managed to escape by jumping from the second floor of the home .
Montoya released few details about the investigation , saying he did not want to release any information that might lead people to destroy evidence .
Some Muslim advocacy groups have called on police to consider the possibility of a hate crime but Montoya said detectives are looking at all possible angles .
He said they want to avoid getting “ tunnel vision “ that would lead them to miss relevant evidence in the investigation , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has said he is monitoring .
A leader in the Senegalese community in the Denver area and spokesperson for the victims ’ family , Papa Dia , said it was very important for immigrants to feel support from people who were born in the United States because they “ don ’ t want to feel alone.
“ “ Helping us solve this crime will help every immigrant living in this great state of Colorado to feel at peace and feel secure , ” he said .
Djibril Diol ’ s youngest brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional plea for help solving the crime , speaking softly as another man held his shoulder in support .
“ This just hurts a lot , losing all your family at one time , “ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--The Latest: Trump says US help on way for Beirut disaster

BEIRUT - President Donald Trump has spoken about the explosion in Beirut during calls with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and @ @ @ @ @ Trump said Friday that he told Aoun that three large aircraft filled with medical supplies @ @ @ @ @ on their way to provide assistance .
The U.S. leader also said emergency responders , @ @ @ @ @ were on the way to Lebanon to help .
In a tweet , Trump said @ @ @ @ @ having a conference call on Sunday with President Macron , leaders of Lebanon , and @ @ @ @ @ of the world .
Everyone wants to help !
” _ Deb Riechmann in Washington


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Fort Hood commander’s transfer on hold amid investigations

WASHINGTON - Army leaders have delayed the planned transfer of the Fort Hood commander , as a team of independent investigators heads to the base to determine whether leadership failures contributed to the murder of a soldier earlier this year , and several other deaths .
Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt , commander of Fort Hood , Texas , was slated to go to Fort Bliss , which is near El Paso , and take over leadership of the 1st Armored Division .
Command of a division is a key step in an Army officer ’ s career .
The Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will now stay at Fort Hood , as Army leaders consider whether there were systemic problems at the base , and who should be held accountable .
Army Spc .
Vanessa Guillen , 20 , was killed and dismembered by a fellow soldier .
She had been missing since April , and her remains were found and indentified last month .
The soldier suspected in Guillen ’ s slaying , Spc .
Aaron Robinson , shot and killed himself early last month as police were trying to take him into custody .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Killeen , has been arrested and charged with allegedly helping Robinson dispose of Guillén ’ s body .
Speaking at Fort Hood on Thursday , Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said members of the independent panel will arrive at the base by the end of the month to begin their review .
The 3rd Cavalry Regiment , which is stationed at Fort Hood , is also conducting a routine internal investigation into the matter .
McCarthy was asked whether anyone , including leaders , will be disciplined or fired .
He said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ command climate of the installation , “ to determine if there is a “ sexual harassment-type toxic environment that exists.
” McCarthy said that will help the Army ” better understand more broadly , is it 3rd ACR ( Armored Cavalry Regiment ) or is it larger ?
Is it the entire installation ?
” He acknowledged that there have been other deaths and incidents of violence that could point to broader problems .
In addition to Guillen ’ s murder , the body of another Fort Hood soldier , Pvt .
Mejhor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stillhouse Hollow Lake , a reservoir near the base .
In June , officials discovered the remains of another missing soldier , Gregory Morales , about 10 miles from that lake .
Once the independent panel ’ s investigation is done , McCarthy said that if the panel ’ s conclusions “ point to leaders or individuals , in particular , of course we will take the appropriate accountability ” measures .
The five members of the independent review panel are : Chris Swecker , a North Carolina lawyer and former FBI inspector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point ; Carrie Ricci , a lawyer for the Department of Agriculture and a retired Army officer ; Queta Rodriguez , a former Marine who works with veterans ’ services ; and Jack White , a lawyer and West Point graduate .
Brig .
Gen. Matt Eichburg has been assigned to temporarily command the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss “ until further notice , ” according to Army Col. Cathy Wilkinson .
Normally an Army division is headed by a two-star major general , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be put in command .


thetorontostar--2020-08-07--Vegas tourism down 71% in June, showing cost of coronavirus

LAS VEGAS - Tourism officials marked another index of the economic effect of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday , reporting that about 1 million people visited the Las Vegas area during June — down 70.5 % from the same month a year ago .
A monthly economic report from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority noted that casinos were closed for 78 days before reopening four days into the month .
It said that with large gatherings banned to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , convention attendance was zero .
Some Las Vegas resorts remain closed , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 95,000 rooms available after properties were allowed to open June 4 at only about 41 % .
State health officials reported 976 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide and 20 more deaths , bringing the Nevada total to at least 920 since the pandemic began .
The Southern Nevada Health District reports 770 deaths , or 83.6 % of the state total , have been in the Las Vegas area .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms for up to three weeks .
Older adults and people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and death .
The vast majority recover .


thetorontostar--2020-08-08--Nagasaki urges nuke ban on 75th anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing

TOKYO - The Japanese city of Nagasaki on Sunday marked its 75th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing , with the mayor and dwindling survivors urging world leaders including their own to do more for a nuclear weapons ban .
At 11:02 a.m. , the moment the B-29 bomber Bockscar dropped a 4.5-ton ( 10,000-pound ) plutonium bomb dubbed “ Fat Man , ” Nagasaki survivors and other participants stood in a minute of silence to honour more than 70,000 dead .
The Aug. 9 , 1945 , bombing came three days after the United States dropped its first atomic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first ever nuclear attack that killed 140,000 .
On Aug. 15 , Japan surrendered , ending World War II .
Many survivors developed cancer or other illnesses due to their exposure to radiation and suffered discrimination .
Sunday ’ s ceremony was scaled down because of a rise in coronavirus cases in Japan .
Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue read a peace declaration in which he raised concern about a growing global opinion supportive of nuclear deterrence .
Taue also urged Japan ’ s government and lawmakers to quickly sign the Treaty on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat of nuclear arms is growing more than ever .
Japan has not signed the treaty , saying it seeks a role to bridge gaps between nuclear and non-nuclear states so they have a common ground for dialogue .


thetorontostar--2020-08-08--At his New Jersey golf club, Trump finds supportive audience

BEDMINSTER , N.J. - They hustled down the stairs , the rain dabbing their polo shirts and golf attire , as they dashed inside the clubhouse , drinks in their hands and masks missing from their faces .
It was an unexpected perk of their country club membership : being the audience for President Donald Trump ’ s hurriedly announced news conference Friday evening at his course in Bedminster , New Jersey .
They were props in a surreal gathering that violated COVID-19 safety guidelines but gave Trump a stage on which to end his week by falsely claiming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his reelection campaign was “ disappearing.
” As if it were a political rally , the well-heeled crowd offered cheers and jeers as the president delivered broadsides against his political foes .
Club members booed when a reporter suggested the news conference violated social distancing regulations put in place by Gov .
Phil Murphy , D-N.J. “ You ’ re wrong about that because it ’ s a political activity .
They have expectations for political activities .
And it ’ s also a peaceful protest , ” Trump said .
The audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club ’ s members “ know the news is fake.
” The news conference was not on the president ’ s daily schedule when it was released late Thursday .
White House word about the addition came less than an hour before Trump began talking .
Trump had flown in from Ohio to begin a three-day stay at the club .
He played a round of golf Friday and then met with campaign staff to map out the next few weeks in a race that has seen him consistently trailing Democrat Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice in the morning of a “ lid , ” which meant no public appearances were expected the rest of the day .
As evening approached and the rain moved in , the lid was lifted .
Aides scrambled to get the club ready .
They set up the presidential podium and monitors with the office ’ s seal in a gilded room with chandeliers .
It was the same room , not far from the fairways , where Trump , on another August weekend three years ago , first said there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clash between white supremacists and anti-racist protesters that had just occurred in Charlottesville , Virginia .
Reporters arriving at the club before the news conference watched as members , many carrying glasses of wine , hurried from an upstairs dining room to the first floor ballroom .
They , like the reporters , had their temperatures checked .
Neither group was given the rapid COVID-19 test usually administered by the White House to anyone who will be near the president .
After reporters tweeted that most in the crowd , packed shoulder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a staffer handed masks to anyone in the audience who wanted one .
Most , but not all , put on a face covering .
Trump addressed the crowd , before reporters entered .
In remarks caught on the White House livestream feed , the president said : “ You ’ ll get to meet the fake news tonight .
You ’ ll get to see what I have to go through .
Who ’ s there ?
Oh , all my killers are there , wow .
So you ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we deal with every day.
” Murphy had tightened New Jersey ’ s restrictions this past week after a recent surge of cases .
The new coronavirus guidelines require that for any indoor event , “ regardless of the room ’ s capacity , the maximum limit shall be 25 persons.
” Face coverings are now required of workers and customers .
Trump argued that a “ political event ” could have up to 100 people , per the guidelines .
But the number of people in that room , when including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to exceed that limit , and few were 6 feet ( 1.83 metres ) apart .
Aides had suggested to reporters on Friday that the president might sign executive orders that , despite questions about their legality and potential effectiveness , were meant to bypass stalled negotiations about the next round of economic assistance during the pandemic .
The administration ’ s talks with congressional leaders had collapsed , endangering federal aid to workers and businesses struggling during an outbreak that has killed more than 160,000 Americans and cost tens of millions their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be signed that day .
At his news conference , Trump also promoted the latest jobs report which , while surpassing expectations , lagged behind the past two months and suggested the economic recovery had stalled .
He battled with reporters , cutting off one who tried to ask a question .
He played down intelligence reports that Russia was trying to help his candidacy and that China and Iran were hoping for his defeat .
Trump also returned to his campaign ’ s newest attack line against Biden — that the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ radical ” elements of the Democratic Party .
Trump conducted another news conference Saturday at the club , but the crowd was slightly smaller than Friday ’ s and , this time , nearly everyone was wearing a mask and not a glass of wine was in sight .
Supporters were just as boisterous , booing the mentions of Democrats and cheering when the president cut off reporters .
He did sign a series of executive orders and even offered pens to people in the back of the room .
In campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the president was shown polling data that indicated that he had narrowed the gap against Biden in most battleground states , though Michigan , which he won in 2016 , and Minnesota , which his campaign hoped to pluck from Democrats , were likely out of reach , according to two officials .
They were not authorized to publicly discuss internal campaign matters and spoke on condition of anonymity .
Details are soon to be finalized for Trump ’ s reimagined nominating convention , which will now be based in and around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House is still being considered for Trump ’ s acceptance speech , an idea that has drawn bipartisan blowback for using the executive mansion for an explicitly political purpose , other options are in the mix , according to the officials .
The president also is focusing on fundraising to bankroll the stretch run .
After a fundraiser at a yacht club on Lake Erie on Thursday , Trump raised money at a pair of events Saturday in the Hamptons on New York ’ s Long Island , including one hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before returning to Washington , Trump was scheduled to attend another , in Deal , New Jersey , at the the home of the late Stanley Chera , a friend and donor who died in April from the coronavirus .
The push comes after a heated call this past week in which Trump urged GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson to contribute even more to the campaign , according to the officials .


thetorontostar--2020-08-08--Mauritius scrambles to counter oil spill from grounded ship

JOHANNESBURG - Anxious residents of the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius stuffed fabric sacks with sugar cane leaves Saturday to create makeshift oil spill barriers as tons of fuel leaking from a grounded ship put endangered wildlife in further peril .
The government has declared an environmental emergency and France said it was sending help from its nearby Reunion island .
Satellite images showed a dark slick spreading in the turquoise waters near wetlands that the government called “ very sensitive.
” “ When biodiversity is in peril , there is urgency to act , ” French President Emmanuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers ferried dozens of baby tortoises and rare plants from an island near the spill , Ile aux Aigrettes , to the mainland as fears grew that worsening weather on Sunday could tear the Japanese-owned ship apart along its cracked hull .
A French statement from Reunion on Saturday said a military transport aircraft was carrying pollution control equipment to Mauritius and a navy vessel with additional material would set sail for the island nation .
Residents and environmentalists alike wondered why authorities didn ’ t act more quickly after the ship ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mauritius says the ship , the MV Wakashio , was carrying nearly 4,000 tons of fuel .
“ That ’ s the big question , ” Jean Hugues Gardenne with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation told The Associated Press .
“ Why that ship has been sitting for long on that coral reef and nothing being done.
” This is the country ’ s first oil spill , he said , adding that perhaps no one expected the ship to break apart .
For days , residents peered out at the precariously tilted ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work , but ocean waves kept battering the ship .
“ They just hit and hit and hit , ” Gardenne said .
Cracks in the hull were detected a few days ago and the salvage team was quickly evacuated .
Some 400 sea booms were deployed to contain the spill , but they were not enough .
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth says the spill “ represents a danger ” for the country of 1.3 million people that relies heavily on tourism and has been been hit hard by the effects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel worldwide .
“ Our country doesn ’ t have the skills and expertise to refloat stranded ships , ” he said Friday .
Bad weather has made it impossible to act , and “ I worry what could happen Sunday when the weather deteriorates.
” Heavy winds are expected to push the oil slick even farther along the mainland ’ s shore .
A Mauritius Meteorological Services forecast for Sunday has advised that seas will be rough with swells beyond the reefs and “ ventures in the open seas are not advised.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ waters lapping at the mainland , and a man running a stick across the water ’ s surface then lifting it , dripping black goo .
The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is working to free trapped seabirds and turtles .
Environmental group Greenpeace Africa warned that tons of diesel and oil are leaking into the water .
It shared video showing Mauritius residents , to chants of “ One , two , three !
, ” shoving the makeshift oil barriers into the sea , while crowds of children and adults hurried to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pristine lagoons of Blue Bay , Pointe d ’ Esny and Mahebourg are at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution , with dire consequences for Mauritius ’ economy , food security and health , ” said Greenpeace ’ s climate and energy manager , Happy Khambule .
The country also has appealed to the United Nations for urgent aid , including experts in containing oil spills and environmental protection .
“ We are in a situation of environmental crisis , ” said country ’ s environment minister , Kavy Ramano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into possible negligence , the government said .
Online ship trackers showed the Panama-flagged bulk carrier had been en route from China to Brazil .
The ship ’ s owners are listed as the Japanese companies Okiyo Maritime Corporation and Nagashiki Shipping Co. Ltd. A statement by the Nagashiki Shipping Co. Ltd. said “ due to the bad weather and constant pounding over the past few days , the starboard side bunker tank of the vessel has been breached and an amount of fuel oil has escaped into the sea.
” It added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibilities extremely seriously and will take every effort with partner agencies and contractors to protect the marine environment and prevent further pollution.
” The Mauritius Marine Conservation Society and other local groups warned that the cleanup could take much longer than expected .
“ The great urge for all of us is to ‘ get on with it , ’ ” the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation said .
“ But currently we understand that it may be a waste of time to ‘ clean up ’ an area where oil may continue to flow @ @ @