thetorontostar--2020-06-18--American Airlines bans man who refused to wear face mask

DALLAS - American Airlines has banned a man who was kicked off a plane for refusing to wear a face covering , among the first such incidents since airlines promised this week to step up enforcement of their mask rules .
A spokesman for American said Thursday that the airline decided to ban the man after reviewing the incident , which occurred Wednesday at New York ’ s LaGuardia Airport .
According to the airline , conservative activist Brandon Straka ignored requests by crew members to wear a mask while the plane with 122 passengers prepared to leave for Dallas-Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 172-seat plane and put on a later flight .
American said Straka will be banned until the airline drops its requirement that passengers and crew members wear face coverings to limit spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
“ We are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our customers and team members , which is why we strengthened enforcement of our policy for required face coverings on board , ” said airline spokesman Ross Feinstein .
“ We expect customers who choose to fly with us to comply with these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will deny future travel for customers who refuse to do so.
” Straka recorded an exchange with a flight attendant on the plane .
In another video that he posted on Twitter after being banished to the gate area , he said there is no law requiring passengers to wear a mask .
That is true — it is only a policy by the airlines .
The Federal Aviation Administration has declined requests by airlines and their labour unions to make masks mandatory .
American and other leading U.S. airlines announced the mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they vowed to step up enforcement after several instances in which people complained about other passengers not covering their faces .
Most of the airlines make exceptions for young children , for passengers while they are eating or drinking , and for those with some medical conditions .


thetorontostar--2020-06-18--Who they are: Six DACA recipients rejoice over court ruling

PHOENIX - The U.S. Supreme Court has kept alive , for now , the Obama-era program that allows immigrants brought here as children to work and protects them from deportation .
The high court on Thursday ruled that the Trump administration attempted to end the program improperly when it announced it was rescinding it in 2017 .
Since then , only people who were already enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program have been able to stay on board , and no new applicants have been accepted .
About 650,000 people have DACA protections .
Here are six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 4 when she came to the U.S. with her mom and brother in 2001 .
Her grandmother , who was already living in the states , petitioned to bring them as well , but their applications were delayed and they made the trip anyway .
Eventually , Roberts was in the country without permission .
She and her family were debating whether she should go back to Trinidad and Tobago and start fresh .
An attorney told her about DACA around 2015 , and she ’ s had the protection since .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Roberts said .
Having DACA allowed her to help her family , as she is the sole provider .
She was able to finance a car and have credit .
Like many other DACA recipients , she is politically savvy and determined to use her skills to advocate for others like her .
Roberts just graduated from college and is working as a university program co-ordinator for FWD.us , a bipartisan group that advocates for criminal justice and immigration reform .
Roberts said she couldn ’ t fall asleep until 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending high court ruling .
She jumped out of bed when she heard the news .
“ I was like , finally , the Supreme Court is on the right side of justice and history and it ’ s been a really long , torturous couple of months , ” Roberts said .
She said that while she ’ s happy with the decision , there are still other things to fight for , like justice for black Americans— including black immigrants— killed by police .
Edison Suasnavas would not be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DACA .
He has advanced biology degrees , but until getting protections had worked a low-wage job at a hotel .
Now , he ’ s a molecular oncology specialist in a medical lab in Salt Lake City , and he ’ s volunteered to help with coronavirus test diagnosing , although he hasn ’ t been selected yet .
Suasnavas is married , has two young children , and owns a home and two cars .
He was 12 when he came to the U.S. from Ecuador after an economic crisis there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Logan , Utah , and was considering moving to Mexico , where his wife is from , before he got DACA protections .
His wife woke him up Thursday to deliver the good news .
“ I don ’ t want to sound cocky but right now especially with what ’ s going on , working in a medical lab , it showed that we are essential to keep contributing to the country , “ Suasnavas said .
Growing up in the state of Georgia , Sumbul Siddiqui remembers struggling to find and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Pakistani immigrants who ’ ve had visas pending approval for nearly 20 years and didn ’ t have health insurance .
That hardship inspired Sumbul , the eldest of four siblings , to pursue a career in medicine .
She ’ s a second-year medical student at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and wants to focus on public health .
“ It helps me connect more to underserved communities , ” she said .
“ Understanding the struggle helps me advocate for them more.
” Born in Saudi Arabia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Siddiqui has relied on DACA since 2013 to go to school .
But she often worries about being separated from her parents and three siblings .
One has DACA and two are native-born U.S. citizens .
She ’ s been to Pakistan once .
She met her relatives for the first time , but felt like an outsider , speaking Urdu with an accent .
“ I learned how American I am , ” she said .
After learning about the Supreme Court ruling , Siddiqui began crying , saying she can now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve had so much anxiety and it feels like something has lifted off my shoulders , ” she said .
“ We are finally feeling some relief.
” Born in Buenos Aires , Belen Sisa and her family came to the United States as tourists when she was 6 and overstayed their visas .
At the time , Argentina was in the midst of an economic recession .
The family settled in Arizona , where Belen grew up in the Phoenix area .
While majoring in political science and history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organization Undocumented Students for Education Equity .
She also became politically active as a DACA recipient , helping organize student marches and protesting deportations of immigrants .
“ I would say that the biggest benefit DACA gave me was a sense of empowerment and control over my future , ” Sisa said .
“ The moment DACA was announced it was a catalyst to my involvement in activism and politics that eventually led me to where I am and who I am now .
It gave many of us the confidence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are doing now.
” Sisa said she was overjoyed by the high court ’ s ruling .
“ It ’ s great to know that DACA lives and we can continue our fight , ” Sisa said .
“ It is great to have the anxiety over.
” Phoenix political consultant Tony Valdovinos didn ’ t learn he was born in Colima , Mexico , and brought to the U.S. when he was 2 until he tried to join the Marine Corps at 18 .
He said the family had immigrated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems finding work amid slowing economic growth .
Valdovinos became involved in politics and , after working on a local campaign in 2012 , an attorney began helping him and some other young immigrants get together all their documents so they could apply for the DACA program .
He later served as a campaign manager for Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego when she first ran for City Council .
A local musical called “ Americano !
, ” which played to sold-out audiences earlier this year , was inspired by Valdovinos ’ life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valdovinos said he could better focus on the campaign of Yassamin Ansari , a Phoenix City Council candidate .
“ It was such a terrible standoff , waiting for a decision for so long without being able to do anything , ” Valdovinos said .
“ Everything we knew could change , so I decided to stay focused on my life and getting our story out to the world .
I never wanted to live in fear as an immigrant after our mom brought us here so we wouldn ’ t starve.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memories is walking the desert to cross the border when she was 5 .
A majority of DACA recipients are from Mexico .
She wasn ’ t scared at the time , she just did what her parents told her to .
But she realizes now it was probably dangerous .
Still , Estrada is glad her parents brought her to the U.S. , where she is safer and has had greater opportunities .
Estrada was in high school and looking to get her first job when she discovered she didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universities in Mexico and was thinking of going back when Obama enacted DACA the summer before her senior year of high school .
Because of the program , Estrada was able to graduate from college with a degree in political science in three years and is about to start law school .
She hopes to practice immigration law .
Estrada said she had to read the ruling three times before she grasped what it meant .
“ I couldn ’ t make it past the second page because my palms were shaking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a big win but at the end of the day there ’ s a lot of people that we will need to fight for , ” she said , referring to the estimated 11 million people living in the country without permission .
“ So I ’ m happy but very cautiously happy.
” Associated Press reporters Anita Snow in Phoenix , Sophia Tareen in Chicago and Kate Brumback in Atlanta contributed to this report .

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


thetorontostar--2020-06-18--Racial injustice and COVID-19 have battered Atlanta. Could an old idea save the city and show Americ

Racial injustice and COVID-19 have battered Atlanta. Could an old idea save the city and show America how it’s done?

Last weekend , the cable news cameras of the U.S. turned to the streets of Atlanta .
In the midst of a massive nationwide protest movement against police violence against Black people , an Atlanta police officer shot Rayshard Brooks in the back as he ran from them after officers responded to a call a man was asleep in his car in a drive-through .
The Wendy ’ s outlet where the shooting took place was in flames Saturday night , the city ’ s major expressway was filled with protesters on foot , the officers involved had been fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the week ) , the police chief resigned .
The Georgia city often referred to as America ’ s “ Black mecca ” was now centre stage in the U.S. crisis over racial justice .
Georgia was already in the middle of the overlapping American emergencies of 2020 .
In February , the shooting death of Black jogger Ahmaud Arbery , after he was chased down by a white former police officer and his son in South Georgia , triggered outrage and calls for justice .
Then COVID-19 hit , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heavy price in serious illnesses and deaths , even as the state ’ s Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp is aggressively lifting coronavirus quarantines .
“ Georgia is a good microcosmic study of what ’ s going on throughout the country , ” says Hasan Crockett , a political science professor at St. Augustine ’ s University in Raleigh , N.C. And what ’ s going on is a set of overlapping emergencies causing upheaval and pain , but also creating potential for historic change .
“ There is a level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Calinda Lee , a historian at the Atlanta History Center , that “ may well be unparalleled since reconstruction.
” “ We are at a crucial crossroads where we can decide whether or not we actually want to change unequal structure , or whether we want to continue with the status quo , ” says Andra Gillespie , an expert on race and politics at Emory University in Atlanta .
Atlanta was the birthplace of Martin Luther King , Jr .
It served , Lee notes , as the “ brain centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has become a migration magnet for the Black middle class .
And it is a Black cultural powerhouse .
There ’ s a sense in Atlanta that meeting this moment may be especially important , and instructive for the rest of the country .
“ I think that Atlanta , out of any other city in the country , has to get it right , ” says Nathaniel Smith of the Atlanta-based social justice organization Partnership for Southern Equity .
“ There ’ s a heavy , heavy responsibility in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what the world thinks we are.
” During the weekend protests , a police officer told reporter George Chidi of The Intercept what he expected .
“ The ( protest ) leaders will have to come together , settle on a list of demands , and meet with the mayor.
” He was describing something like what ’ s often called “ The Atlanta Way.
” It is how , it is said , through the civil rights battles of the 20th century , Atlanta had escaped the more violent and disruptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between politicians , the white business community and Black community leaders .
Lee describes it as , “ this notion that Black power brokers and white power brokers meet and figure out how we ’ re going to move forward in a way that does not besmirch the public image of the city.
” Crockett recalls it was summed up in a slogan in the 1960s , “ A City Too Busy to Hate , ” which he says was a core part of marketing the city ’ s development as a commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that tradition have sprung up recently .
“ We need to rediscover The Atlanta Way , ” a white local council member told constituents this month .
The Atlanta Journal Constitution noted that the city ’ s Black Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was summoning it when , earlier this month , she cited the city ’ s legacy of black leadership and said , “ If you care about this city , then go home.
” One problem with trying to apply that brokered approach to the current crisis was well put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the police officer .
“ Man , there is no leader , ” he said .
“ Anyone who claimed to have the authority to speak for the street would be lying and everyone knows it.
” Those I spoke with agreed , and also said that for all that The Atlanta Way accomplished in protecting the city ’ s image and bringing a measure of prosperity , it left a lot of people out and failed to fix many of the core racial problems .
“ They didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor , ” Crockett says .
“ There was still income inequality .
There was still segregation .
You still had all the problems that other areas in the nation had , but they just formulated a coalition to suppress the reactions.
” “ Was it effective in luring business and jobs , and therefore some degree of economic prosperity across race to Atlanta ?
Absolutely , ” Lee says .
“ Was it impactful and successful in limiting exposure to certain kinds of racialized violence ?
Comparatively speaking .
Was it sufficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith says a focus more on “ marketing than meaning , ” has led to “ the reality of Atlanta having African American mayors for the past 40 years , while still continuously being considered the number one city for income inequality , and one of the top cities for the lack of economic mobility for poor kids and even in the top five for suburban poverty of any region in the country — there are some blaring , blaring , blaring inconsistencies.
” “ The culture of Atlanta and the way that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in many ways has made us ill-equipped civically to achieve the type of outcomes that we need to achieve for everyone , ” Smith says .
Smith has been discussing the need to find a “ New Atlanta Way ” that could lead the U.S. as it addresses racial problems — and touches on points I heard from many protesters and experts in Atlanta and elsewhere .
He speaks of a program that engages all residents , “ not just the wealthy.
” One that dramatically reforms policies including housing , procurement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice to address systemic racism and white supremacy .
One that involves reconciliation through acknowledgment by power brokers they ’ ve done wrong , and that suggests restitution in the form of government and private-sector investment “ to create economic opportunities for Black people and traditionally disinvested communities of colour.
” It sounds like a tall order , but many in Atlanta feel it is finally possible .
Smith says he sees white people protesting who have concluded white privilege is a moral burden too heavy to bear , alongside young Black activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes , they will never go back to the way things were.
” That , he says , “ is when you see real change happen.
” Lee says the conversations she ’ s having now about systematic racism were anathema just a few years ago .
“ People are marching and protesting , and people are boycotting and picketing , and people are voting and agitating to make sure that voting rights are maintained , and people are legislating and pressuring politicians for certain kinds of policy .
All of that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Political scientist Gillespie says the November election is being defined by the current overlapping crises .
“ Race has kind of catapulted into one of the major issues for 2020 , ” she says , and voters are demanding concrete policy changes .
“ If you ’ re going to deal with it now , that means you get past platitudes , you get past Band-aid solutions , and actually really start to have some really tough conversations and make some tough policy proposals and decisions to help create a meaningful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short-term policy effect , what ’ s happening in Atlanta and across the country now will shape the future .
“ Even if we don ’ t have a lot of fundamental changes , the movement has shifted .
It won ’ t go back , ” he says .
“ It ’ s going to be part of the history that shows that this business is significant .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-18--UN seeks urgent funding for pandemic aid transport

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The United Nations food agency warned Thursday that without immediate funding its global transport system will stop delivering thousands of tons of masks , gloves and other critical equipment to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic to 132 countries by the third week of July .
Amer Daoudi , the World Food Program ’ s director of operations and COVID-19 response , told a video press conference that its aircraft have also transported 2,600 humanitarian and health workers free of charge to 40 destinations across Africa , Asia and the Middle East since the pandemic began , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halt .
“ As the virus continues to accelerate across many parts of the world , as we are seeing , these services become more and more vital and important , ” he said .
To meet the demand , he said the Rome-based WFP requested $ 965 million to sustain its transport services through 2020 .
But so far it has received about $ 132 million — only 14 per cent — even though “ the COVID-19 virus is not slowing down ” and “ the entire humanitarian and health community is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now more than ever , ” Daoudi said .
“ WFP services are expanding and demand is increasing .
However , the funding is not , ” he said .
“ With this funding level , the WFP common services will come to a standstill by the third week of July.
” Daoudi said WFP has eight COVID-19 response hubs around the world connected by a global network of air and sea transport that so far have dispatched 15,000 cubic meters ( about 530,000 cubic feet ) of critical items to tackle the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and humanitarian organizations .
He said , for example , that one cubic meter ( about 35 cubic feet ) contains “ around 32,500 surgical masks , 1,650 safety goggles , 1,800 face shields and/or 30,000 examination gloves.
” Daoudi said 70,000 cubic meters ( about 2.47 million cubic feet ) of cargo are in the pipeline to be transported over the next six weeks on behalf of more than 30 organizations .
To do that , he said , between 120 and 130 large 747 cargo planes are needed , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( about 23,000 cubic feet ) .
“ And this is only the tip of the iceberg , ” he said .
“ Moving beyond the next six weeks the demand is quite huge and we are talking about delivering to over 132 different countries across the globe , so the urgency is there , the needs are there.
” Daoudi said “ projections indicate that approximately upwards of 700,000 cubic meters ( almost 25 million cubic feet ) of cargo will need to be delivered across the world by the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be impossible unless WFP receives $ 820 million to continue its COVID-19 logistics service through 2020 .
Daoudi welcomed “ generous donations of air transport capacity ” from the United Arab Emirates and the European Union as part of its air bridge , and said WFP is in discussions with NATO , the United Kingdom and other countries about offering air assets .
WFP ’ s two strategic hubs for COVID-19 deliveries are in Guangzhou , China and Liège , Belgium , along with six regional hubs in Dubai , United Arab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Accra , Ghana ; Johannesburg , South Africa ; Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia and Panama , he said .
Daoudi said WFP has been providing passenger transport services for health and humanitarian workers where safe and reliable commercial options are not available .
“ WFP is working to open more passenger routes in Latin America and add destinations throughout Africa , Asia and the Middle East , ” he said .
“ The moment there are commercial viable options WFP will stand down its services .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-18--Kentucky AG urges patience amid probe of Taylor’s death

FRANKFORT , Ky. - Kentucky ’ s attorney general asked for patience Thursday as his office investigates the shooting death of a black woman by Louisville police and decides whether the police officers involved will face criminal charges .
Attorney General Daniel Cameron declined to publicly set a timetable for completing his investigation into the death of Breonna Taylor .
Protesters in Louisville and across the country have demanded justice for Taylor and other African Americans killed by police in recent weeks .
Cameron , who is African American , is tasked with determining whether state charges will be brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been placed on administrative reassignment while the shooting is investigated amid a clamour for speedy results .
“ I can assure you that we understand the urgency , we understand the public outcry and we understand the need for the truth and the desire for justice , ” Cameron said at a news conference .
He briefly expressed his condolences to Taylor ’ s family , saying he ’ s “ heartbroken ” by their loss .
A Republican elected last year , Cameron said his office is conducting a “ thorough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an undertaking “ of this magnitude , when done correctly , requires time and patience.
” Taylor , 26 , who was studying to become a nurse , was shot eight times by officers who burst into her home while conducting a narcotics investigation on March 13 .
No drugs were found at her home .
The warrant to search Taylor ’ s home was in connection with a suspect who did not live there .
Police used a “ no-knock ” search warrant , which allows them to enter without first announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council recently voted to ban the use of no-knock warrants .
The release in late May of a 911 call by Taylor ’ s boyfriend marked the beginning of days of protests in Louisville , fueled by Taylor ’ s death and the death of a black man in police custody in Minneapolis , George Floyd .
Cameron ’ s office was asked to serve as special prosecutor in the Taylor case .
His office has been receiving materials from the Louisville police department ’ s public integrity unit , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is doing its own independent investigation of the case , he said .
“ We believe that the independent steps we are taking are crucial for the findings to be accepted , both by the community and by those directly involved in the case , ” he said .
Cameron declined to discuss specifics of the case but said : “ I can assure you that at the end of our investigation we will do what is right .
We will find the truth.
“ The case has draw widespread attention amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with black Americans .
Beyoncé recently joined the call for charges against the officers involved in Taylor ’ s shooting .
The superstar said in a letter to Cameron that the three Louisville police officers “ must be held accountable for their actions.
” Meanwhile , Louisville ’ s interim police chief said Thursday that the department ’ s officers will have a new duty to intervene when they see misconduct by fellow officers , according to media reports .
Interim Chief Robert Schroeder called it “ simply the right thing to do.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in law enforcement were shocked when we saw a video of George Floyd being killed in Minneapolis , as other police officers stood by and did nothing , ” Schroeder said .
“ That ’ s not who we are as police officers .
None of us signed up for that .
That is not how we behave .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-18--Date set for resentencing of man who attacked Rand Paul

BOWLING GREEN , Ky. - A new sentencing date has been set for a Kentucky man who tackled U.S. Sen. Rand Paul , breaking several of the lawmaker ’ s ribs .
Rene Boucher was scheduled to be resentenced on July 27 on a count of assaulting a member of Congress , the Bowling Green Daily News reported .
Boucher had served a 30-day sentence , paid a $ 10,000 fine and performed community services after pleading guilty to attacking his then-neighbour Paul over a lawn maintenance issue along their property line in 2017 .
Paul had six broken ribs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underwent surgery to remove part of his damaged lung .
Federal prosecutors appealed the sentence , stating 30 days was too lenient considering Paul ’ s injuries .
A federal appeals court agreed with prosecutors in September 2019 and ordered Boucher to be resentenced , vacating his 30-day sentence .
Boucher ’ s attorney , Matt Baker , said the decision to resentence Boucher could be compared to a “ mulligan ” in golf , or an extra opportunity .
Baker said this wouldn ’ t be the case if the incident didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baker tried to have the U.S. Supreme Court review the appeal , but his request was declined .


thetorontostar--2020-06-18--Trump team seeks 4th debate with Biden, cites voting by mail

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s campaign is requesting a fourth debate with his presumptive Democratic rival , citing an expected surge in mail and absentee voting this fall because of the coronavirus .
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani made the request Thursday in a call with Frank Fahrenkopf , the co-chair of the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates .
The request was described by a person familiar with the conversation who was not authorized to discuss it publicly .
“ We want fair debates , ” Parscale said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bigger schedule .
We also don ’ t want them up against football games competing for viewers .
As many Americans as possible need to see the stark differences between the accomplishments and leadership of President Trump and the failed record and sleepiness of Joe Biden.
” It marked a dramatic reversal from the Trump campaign ’ s position in December , when Trump and Parscale were threatening that the president could participate in fewer or even no debates put on by the commission , against his Democratic opponent .
Presumptive Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it wasn ’ t looking for another debate and instead plans to participate in those scheduled by the commission .
“ We are not going to ride the roller coaster of the ever-changing Trump campaign position on debates , nor are we going to be distracted by his demands , ” Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said in a statement .
“ We will make this simple , “ Bedingfield continued .
” Like every other Democratic and Republican candidate since 1992 , we will show up for the debates set by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the places they have selected , on the dates they have selected , with the formats and moderators they designate -- so long as Donald Trump does the same , and does not intimidate the Commission into changes from past practices.
” The first of three presidential debates is scheduled for Sept. 29 at the University of Notre Dame , and is expected to feature Trump and Biden .
Trump ’ s team requested that the commission hold an earlier contest , noting absentee and mail voting is being expanded because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots — especially those by elderly voters most at risk to the virus — could be cast before the first debate .
The seeming acceptance that a vast number of this year ’ s votes will be cast by mail marks a change for the campaign .
Both Giuliani and Trump have criticized widespread mail voting and claimed without evidence that mail ballots are ripe for fraud .
The shift comes as Trump ’ s campaign contends that Biden is his own worst enemy in public appearances and has unloaded on the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” during the pandemic .
The Trump team also suggested that each campaign have a role in selecting the debate moderators , and potentially vetoing some journalists identified to serve in that role .
Fahrenkopf indicated that the debates commission would take the Trump campaign ’ s suggestions under advisement , the person said .
Giuliani , the president ’ s personal attorney who played a key role in the Ukraine saga at the centre of Trump ’ s impeachment , was tapped by Trump to lead negotiations with the debates commission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Paul Manafort was ousted as Trump campaign chairman .
The commission has organized every general election presidential debate since 1988 .
Associated Press writer Alexandra Jaffe in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--India’s prime minister to meet with opposition on China row

NEW DELHI - India ’ s prime minister is meeting top opposition leaders Friday as the government tries to lower tensions with China after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash in a Himalayan border region .
India and China accuse each other of instigating the fight in the Galwan Valley , part of the disputed Ladakh region along the Himalayan frontier .
China has not said whether it suffered any casualties in what was the deadliest conflict between the sides in 45 years .
Both countries said they were communicating through military and diplomatic channels and stressed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the two nations are unlikely to head to war , but easing tensions quickly will be difficult .
China on Friday maintained its position that India is to blame for the clash .
“ The right and wrong is very clear and the responsibility lies entirely with the Indian side , ” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said .
Both India and China have denied media reports that Indian soldiers were in Chinese custody .
During Monday ’ s clash soldiers brawled with clubs , rocks and their fists in the thin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) above sea level , but no shots were fired , Indian officials have said .
The soldiers carry firearms but are not allowed to use them under a previous agreement in the border dispute .
Indian security officials have said the fatalities were caused by severe injuries and exposure to subfreezing temperatures .
The clash escalated a standoff that began in early May , when Indian officials said Chinese soldiers crossed the border in three places , erecting tents and guard posts and ignoring warnings to leave .
That triggered shouting matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides , much of it replayed on TV news programs and in social media .
The action has taken place along a remote stretch of the 3,380-kilometre ( 2,100-mile ) Line of Actual Control — the border established following a war between India and China in 1962 that resulted in an uneasy truce .
The rules of engagement along the Line of Actual Control — which prohibit using live ammunition but also ban physical contact between soldiers — will have to be renegotiated , defence analyst Rahul Bedi said .
“ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side , the emotions are high among the public , ” Bedi said .
“ It remains to be seen whether India will sit down at the negotiating table with China and say it will like to change these agreements to make them a little more aggressive or offensive in nature , “ he said .
India ’ s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to heads of various political parties on Thursday to develop a consensus on the situation .
On Friday , Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to host the leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The main opposition Congress party said the country deserves to know the truth .
“ It deserves a leadership that is willing to do anything before allowing its land to be taken , ” it said in a statement .
The clash has fanned growing anti-Chinese sentiments in India , which were already high because of the coronavirus pandemic , which began in China late last year .
India ’ s caseload has climbed to fourth-highest in the world .
Emotions were on display in the southern city of Hyderabad , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santosh Babu , one of the casualties in Monday ’ s clash .
An Indian business confederation called for a boycott of 500 Chinese goods , including toys and textiles , to express “ strong criticism ” of China ’ s action in Ladakh .
Taylor Fravel , director of the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , said China was trying to put pressure on India , and he didn ’ t think Beijing wanted a violent clash between their armies .
From a strategic perspective , Fravel said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wedge between India and the United States to prevent any kind of counter-balance coalition .
“ The deaths and the clash on Monday night will probably very quickly and much more rapidly push India closer to the United States , which I think is probably not what China wants , ” he said .
G. Parthasarthy , a retired Indian diplomat , said that both China and Pakistan — India ’ s archrival — were aiming at low-cost containment of India .
“ China has a hangup against India and its civilization .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a friendly neighbour … .
It will never be a friendly relationship.
” China claims about 90,000 square kilometres ( 35,000 square miles ) of territory in India ’ s northeast , while India says China occupies 38,000 square kilometres ( 15,000 square miles ) of its territory in the Aksai Chin Plateau in the Himalayas , a contiguous part of the Ladakh region .
India unilaterally declared Ladakh a federal territory while separating it from disputed Kashmir in August 2019 .
China was among the countries to condemn the move , raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council .
India was elected to the council this week .

Ashok Sharma And Emily Schmall - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--South African choir adapts to COVID-19 by making new music

MOUTSE VALLEY , South Africa - The dusty streets of rural South Africa are a far cry from the bright lights of “ America ’ s Got Talent , ” but that ’ s where the members of the Ndlovu Youth Choir find themselves coping with the coronavirus pandemic .
With an electrifying mix of vocals and dance moves , the group made the finals of the U.S. television show last year .
Sold-out performances across the U.S. and Europe followed , as well as a recording contract .
But COVID-19 halted their international tour and landed them back where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa ’ s Limpopo province , one of the country ’ s poorest regions .
“ We were supposed to go to Germany for a performance , but it got cancelled .
We are used to touring the world , doing shows everywhere , and during this corona time it ’ s been very difficult and frustrating , ” said Sandile Majola , 26 , a member of the chorus and its manager .
The virus has created new risks for singing together , but this “ cultural catastrophe , ” as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not stopping the young singers .
Ndlovu is the Zulu word for elephant , and like the pachyderm the choir members are showing determination to move forward .
The group was formed in 2008 to help orphans and children of HIV patients , said Hugo Tempelman , a Dutch doctor who 30 years ago started a medical clinic that has become a wide-ranging community development project , the Ndlovu Care Group .
The project had more than 600 child-headed households in the orphan and vulnerable children program , he said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs and tried to give them a more resilient way of surviving , through life skills , ” Tempelman said .
He saw a bigger need for the children ’ s development .
“ When I saw the kids go home , I still didn ’ t see a smile .
And I thought that if we want to provide hope , we must give them something that they can be proud of , ” he said .
He came up with the idea of a youth choir .
“ Of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sings , “ he said .
” Africa sings everywhere .
They sing at a funeral , they sing at a birth .
They sing their moods.
” In 2016 the choir became more professional with the help of donors .
Two years later their rendition of the Ed Sheeran song “ Shape of You ” won them an audition on “ America ’ s Got Talent ” and their captivating performances skyrocketed them to fame .
The 38 young singers are used to overcoming adversity and , with Tempelman ’ s help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new plan .
Pulling down his face mask , choir manager Majola described how all the singers , ranging in age from 13 to 26 , have been tested for COVID-19 and have been cleared to sing together .
A recording and filming studio has been constructed at the community theatre and they have begun rehearsing new material for an online show .
“ We are getting together for the first time since lockdown started , ” said Majola with excitement .
The group ’ s performances of “ Africa ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewers on YouTube and now the group hopes to highlight new material .
“ I still receive emails from people all over the world , ” Majola said .
“ I just got one this morning of someone saying he was depressed and couldn ’ t get out of bed , until he saw our performance and it gave him hope.
” Choir director Ralf Schmitt said the group is rehearsing new material for their first album with Simon Cowell ’ s label , a division of Sony Music .
Livestream performances are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excited .
We ’ ll be recording with some international artists from around the globe , ” Schmitt said .
The album is scheduled for release at the end of the year , but the choir intends to release a song , “ We Will Rise , ” to mark the birthday of Nelson Mandela on July 18 .
“ It ’ s an inspirational song about how we can work together to overcome this coronavirus , ” Schmitt said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--EU lawmakers voting on probe of fund misuse as leaders meet

BRUSSELS - As European Union leaders debated Friday their next multi-billion-euro budget , EU lawmakers were voting on a resolution calling for an investigation into the alleged misuse of EU funds in the Czech Republic and warned of a possible conflict of interest involving Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis .
A leaked EU audit last year concluded that the populist billionaire might have had a conflict of interest over subsidies involving his former business empire .
More than 100 million euros ( $ 112 million ) could be involved .
Babis denies any wrongdoing and has accused the EU of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the draft resolution is approved by the European Parliament , lawmakers would deplore that Babis “ was and continues to be actively involved in the implementation of the EU budget in the Czech Republic in his position as Prime Minister … while still controlling the Agrofert Group as a founder and the sole beneficiary of two trust funds.
” The draft , on which voting was expected to conclude by Friday evening , would call on the European Council , the forum for the leaders of the EU ’ s 27 member nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate measures to prevent conflicts of interest in the context of the negotiations for the future EU budget.
” The leaders , including Babis , were holding video talks Friday on a massive coronavirus rescue package that could total around 750 billion euros ( $ 841 billion ) and which would be tied to the EU ’ s next long-term budget , expected to total more than 1 trillion euros ( $ 1.1 trillion ) .
The parliament resolution would also call on the European Commission , which proposes EU laws and ensures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclude its own audit and make the findings public .
The conservative European People ’ s Party , the biggest bloc in the parliament , said that “ the distribution of EU funds in the Czech Republic is neither fair nor transparent but designed to favour the private interests of Prime Minister Andrej Babis.
” The resolution vote follows a fact-finding mission to Prague in February by the parliament ’ s budgetary control committee , which has no legal power to investigate national budgets or even oversight of the budget of the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the information gathered “ points to the intentional establishment of rules in the Czech Republic which hide real beneficiaries of subsidies , favour big conglomerates and prevent controlling authorities from carrying out checks on this system.
” Hohlmeier and other members of the fact-finding mission said they were routinely threatened while in the Czech Republic , and since , including by individuals in high government office .
Czech EU lawmaker Thomas Zdechovsky said he and his family received thousands of threats through social media , email and messaging apps during the coronavirus lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children were placed under police protection .
Police detained a number of people and charged some of them , he said .
“ They even said if we go outside they would find us in the street .
They described how we would be murdered and what they would do to me and my family , ” Zdechovsky told reporters Thursday .
“ This is the result of Mr. Babis calling me and ( Czech Greens lawmaker Mikulas Peksa ) , traitors to the nation.
” Babis apologized soon after suggesting that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group was “ confronted with a situation of aggressivity we never have faced before ” over the mission .
She said that while members of the ground are used to some hostility as politicians , the attacks from the top level of government were of “ a new dimension.
” “ We ’ re only doing something normal , just checking whether the taxpayer ’ s money has been correctly disbursed , ” Holhmeier said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Funeral for U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s wife to be held on Monday

LEXINGTON , Ky. - A funeral service for the wife of U.S. Rep. Andy Barr , who died unexpectedly this week at the age of 39 , will be held Monday in Kentucky .
Eleanor Carol Leavell Barr will be laid to rest at Southland Christian Church in Lexington , a day after a visitation service for her in the city .
Her husband , who expressed his “ profound grief ” over her death this week said on Twitter that the services will be “ a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life.
” The family is requiring social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the visitation service at Christ Church Cathedral and the funeral , the announcement for the services said .
People who don ’ t feel comfortable attending due to the coronavirus pandemic can stream the funeral service on YouTube , the announcement said .
Barr died of natural causes from a heart condition known as mitral valve prolapse on Tuesday at the family ’ s home in Lexington , the Fayette County coroner ’ s office said in a preliminary autopsy report .
The family is encouraging “ friends and admirers ” to remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association .
Condolences for her death flowed in this week , including from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul .
She grew up in the state , attended the University of Kentucky , and married Andy Barr in 2008 .
The couple went on to have two children .
She had worked for Pfizer , and as the executive director of Lexington ’ s Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship .
Her husband represents Kentucky ’ s 6th District , which includes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Separate attacks target security forces, kill 4 in Pakistan

KARACHI , Pakistan - A powerful roadside bomb and a hand-grenade attack targeting security vehicles hours apart killed at least four people and wounded several others in the country ’ s south Friday , police officials and rescuers said .
Two paramilitary rangers and a passerby were killed in the first attack when a roadside bomb exploded near a security vehicle outside a market in Ghotki , a town in Sindh province , police said .
Several other people were wounded in the attack .
According to local media reports , paramilitary ranger troops were in a market to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police said the dead and wounded were transported to a nearby hospital .
Hours later , at least one person was killed when assailants threw a grenade at paramilitary forces guarding a school in the port city of Karachi .
Money was being distributed by the government to poor people affected by the coronavirus when the attack took place , police said .
Imran Ismail , the provincial governor , condemned both the attacks and ordered authorities to find and arrest those who orchestrated them .
No one claimed responsibility for either attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other militant groups who have been blamed for similar attacks across the country .
Pakistan has witnessed scores of militant attacks on security forces in recent years .
Friday ’ s violence came days after a bomb exploded at a crowded bazaar in the garrison city of Rawalpindi , killing at least one person and wounding 15 .
Authorities say police have detained at least one person suspected of involvement in planting the bomb in that attack , but an investigation is still ongoing .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--BMW to drop 6,000 jobs through turnover, early retirement

FRANKFURT - Automaker BMW says it will drop 6,000 jobs through early retirements and turnover , as the auto industry @ @ @ @ @ in demand due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The Munich-based maker of the X5 SUV @ @ @ @ @ that it had agreed pn the measures with employee representatives .
Ways of reducing positions @ @ @ @ @ who are already near retirement , while younger people could get financial support for further @ @ @ @ @ guarantee of a job when they are done .
The job reductions represent just under @ @ @ @ @ s global workforce of 126,000 .
Demand for new cars has slumped in Europe and @ @ @ @ @ sharp economic slowdown due to the virus outbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Britain lowers virus alert, Germany sees spike in cases

BERLIN - Britain lowered its coronavirus threat level one notch Friday , becoming the latest country to claim it ’ s getting a national outbreak under control .
The U.K. ’ s Joint Biosecurity Center recommended moving the COVID-19 risk in the country from the second-highest level , 4 - meaning transmission is high or rising exponentially - to level 3 , where an epidemic is in general circulation .
Health officials say there ’ s been a steady decrease in cases across the U.K. but localized outbreaks are still likely .
Britain has Europe ’ s highest pandemic death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and over 300,000 confirmed cases .
Lowering the alert level was “ a big moment for the country , and a real testament to the British people ’ s determination to beat this virus , ” Health Secretary Matt Hancock said .
Meanwhile , Germany on Friday reported the country ’ s highest daily increase in virus cases in a month after managing to contain its outbreak better than comparable large European nations .
The Robert Koch Institute , Germany ’ s disease control centre , listed 770 new confirmed cases , taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A flurry of positive tests this week from an outbreak at a slaughterhouse in the western region of Guetersloh contributed the biggest daily increase since May 20 .
The German government has stuck to its course of gradually reopening the country while seeking to clamp down swiftly on localized outbreaks.. A free app launched Tuesday to help trace people who may have been exposed to the virus has already been downloaded 9.6 million times in Germany , which has a population of 83 million .
Japan released a similar app Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google .
Officials say data will only be recorded and stored in individual users ’ phones and deleted after 14 days to protect their privacy .
“ We hope a widespread use of this app will lead to prevention of infections , ” Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said .
Singaporeans were able to wine and dine at restaurants , work out at the gym and socialize with up to five people at a time as of Friday , after the city-state removed most of its pandemic lockdown restrictions .
“ It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tan , a 34-year old customer service officer eating in an outdoor market .
“ It ’ s good to be able to eat outside with friends but there still must be social distancing.
” After at first appearing to have been a model for containing the virus , the country of only 5.8 million has one of the highest infection rates in Asia with 41,473 cases , mostly linked to foreign workers ’ dorms .
Authorities say such cases have declined , with no new large clusters and a stable number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks ago .
Wee Cheng Yan , a gym trainer , said it felt good to return to work after two months at home .
“ Definitely , interaction has been lacking the past few months , ” he said .
“ Watching a lot of TV .
Doing a bit of resistance band training , which is not as effective as working out in the gym.
” The reopening of stores and other public places has been blamed for touching off fresh spikes in infections in a number of countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tread the line between keeping economic and social life going while avoiding unnecessary deaths .
China declared a fresh outbreak in Beijing under control after confirming 25 new cases among some 360,000 people tested .
That was up by just four from a day earlier .
A Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention official said the number of cases was expected to fall soon in outbreak centred on Beijing ’ s main wholesale market .
So far Beijing has confirmed 183 new cases over the past week .
The 25 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide in China , four of them in Chinese who had returned from overseas .
Such outbreaks are inevitable , Wu Zunyou of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention told a news conference .
But he stressed that prevention measures should not slacken .
Beijing suspended classes and put opening-up plans for everything from sports events to art exhibitions on hold .
Bus travel to other regions was suspended to prevent the spread of the outbreak .
The pandemic is waxing and waning in many places , with numbers of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mexico but appearing to be under control or contained in Thailand , Japan , Vietnam and New Zealand .
India recorded 13,586 newly confirmed cases on Friday , raising its total to 380,532 .
Still , shops , malls , factories and places of worship have been allowed to reopen while schools and cinemas remain shuttered .
Infections surged in rural areas after hundreds of thousands of migrant workers left cities after losing jobs in a lockdown announced in late March .
Such precautions are now restricted to high-risk “ containment “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have inspired second-guessing on whether officials were too quick to ease social distancing guidelines in April after a first wave of infections waned .
Officials reported 49 cases of COVID-19 on Friday as the virus continues to spread in the densely populated capital area of Seoul , where half of its 51 million people live .
About 30 to 50 new cases have been confirmed per day since late May .
The new coronavirus has infected more than 8.5 million people worldwide and killed more than 454,000 , according to figures compiled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is thought to be much higher because many cases are asymptomatic or go untested .
In the United States , which has reported the most confirmed cases at nearly 2.2 million , states have pushed ahead with emerging from full or partial pandemic shutdowns despite surges in new cases in many places , including Texas , Oklahoma , Florida and California .
New cases skyrocketed Thursday in Oklahoma by 450 , double the record-setting number reported two days earlier .
Tulsa County , where President Donald Trump plans a rally on Saturday at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leading hot spot with 120 new cases for a total of 1,825 .
The new wave comes amid demonstrations to protest police killings of black citizens and ahead of weekend Juneteenth celebrations marking the end of slavery in the U.S. Aid group Doctors without Borders said Friday that at least 10 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed at one of the world ’ s largest refugee camps , the sprawling Dadaab complex in Kenya .
Humanitarian organizations have warned that the virus could have devastating impacts on crowded refugee camps , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of aid increasingly difficult .
At the Kakuma camp in Kenya , which recorded its first case earlier this month , Congolese refugee Aisha Regina said that if the virus spreads there “ then all of us will perish .
There is no space where one can stay away from the other.
” Lawless reported from London .
Royston Chan in Singapore , Elaine Kurtenbach in Bangkok and Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report .

Jill Lawless And Frank Jordans - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Global emergency aid delivery could end next month, UN warns

JOHANNESBURG - A global emergency delivery service that has kept tons of humanitarian aid flowing despite coronavirus travel restrictions could shut down next month if funding can ’ t be found to keep it running , the World Food Program warned Friday .
The shortfall comes “ just as demand for this service is reaching its peak , ” WFP said .
Of the $ 965 million to keep the service going through the end of the year , $ 178 million has been confirmed .
While nations that are traditionally the world ’ s top humanitarian donors were distracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the WFP , the United Nations ’ logistics leader , heaved the emergency operation into place with unprecedented reach .
The emergency delivery effort involves almost 120 countries , Amer Daoudi , WFP senior director of operations , told The Associated Press in April .
Travel bans imposed by national governments closed borders and airports around the world , badly wrenching supply chains and stranding humanitarian workers and supplies .
The emergency delivery service has been key in shipping tons of aid for the pandemic and other crises like HIV and cholera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flowing .
The U.N. and various health entities have openly worried about dangerous delays in many countries ’ vaccination campaigns , saying the lives of up to 80 million children under the age of 1 could be at risk .
So far , the World Food Program emergency service has completed 375 cargo and passenger flights , delivering more than 2,500 aid workers with “ enough cargo to fill 120 jumbo jets waiting to be transported in coming weeks , ” the WFP said .
“ I ’ ve never been involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think any of us have , ” Stephen Cahill , WFP ’ s director of logistics , told the AP in April .
“ We ’ re seeing countries taking measures we think aren ’ t always rational .
When you start closing borders , we start to get very nervous.
” He spoke on April 16 , when the world had more than 2.1 million coronavirus cases .
On Friday , the number of cases was over 8.5 million , according to a Johns Hopkins University tally .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Advocates worry blacks, Hispanics falling behind in census

ORLANDO , Fla. - Halfway through the extended effort to count every U.S. resident , civil rights leaders worry that minority communities are falling behind in responding to the 2020 census .
With outreach efforts to motivate minority responses upended by a global pandemic , both the National Urban League and the NALEO Educational Fund are sounding the alarm that communities with concentrations of blacks and Hispanics have been trailing the rest of the nation in answering the census questionnaire .
The once-each-decade count helps determine where $ 1.5 trillion in federal funding goes and how many congressional seats each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we knew the census was going to be extremely challenging .
We knew the Census Bureau didn ’ t have sufficient preparations to do all of its tests to make sure it would work out the way it should be ... and then COVID-19 hit , ” said Arturo Vargas , CEO of NALEO Educational Fund said this week during a virtual town hall .
The pandemic is disproportionately affecting the Latino population , he said , so “ we have to figure out how we break through the real noise affecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordinary as going through the mail and filling out their forms.
“ People can respond either online , by phone or through the mail , but many Americans haven ’ t taken the initiative .
The nation ’ s self-response rate was 61.5 % this week .
Arizona , Florida , New Mexico , New York and Texas — states with large concentrations of Hispanics — were lagging .
California , which invested $ 187 million in outreach efforts , was doing slightly better , with 62.6 % of its households responding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of response rates in late May and early June conducted by the Center for Urban Research at the City University of New York ’ s Graduate Center showed that neighbourhoods with concentrations of black residents had a self-response rate of 51 % , compared to 53.8 % for Hispanic-concentrated neighbourhoods and 65.5 % for white-dominant neighbourhoods .
Advocates at the National Urban League are particularly worried that the count will miss black immigrants , blacks in rural communities , formerly incarcerated men and women , and children under age 4 .
The Census @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as 500,000 workers this summer to the homes of people who haven ’ t responded , but the league ’ s president and CEO , Marc Morial , says it must do more — hiring still more door-knockers , targeting more advertising to minority communities and mailing out another round of paper questionnaires .
“ They need to use their bully pulpit , ” Morial said .
“ It ’ s been quiet.
” The Census Bureau had allotted $ 500 million for its outreach campaign .
Another $ 160 million was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for advertising and engaging with community partners .
With the new coronavirus spreading , the Census Bureau suspended field operations in mid-March for a month and a half , including efforts to drop off census forms at households in rural areas with no traditional addresses .
The Census Bureau on Thursday said it had finished dropping off the forms to almost all of the 6.8 million mostly rural households .
Because of the pandemic , the Census Bureau pushed back the deadline for finishing the 2020 census from the end of July to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress for a delay in handing over apportionment and redistricting numbers .
Getting a higher self-response rate is important because it saves money on outreach and makes for a more accurate count .
The 2010 census undercounted blacks by 2.1 % and Hispanics by 1.5 % , according to the bureau .
“ We are risking another decreased count in 2020 census , ” U.S. Rep. Grace Meng , a Democrat from New York City , said Thursday during a conference call .
Her Queens district is one of the most diverse in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inaccurate count we make becomes a 10-year mistake and affects our neighbourhoods and communities for a very long time , ” she said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Germany, France, UK press Iran to provide atomic site access

BERLIN - The board of the United Nations ’ atomic watchdog agency on Friday adopted a resolution calling for Iran to provide inspectors access to sites where the country is thought to have stored or used undeclared nuclear material , the Russian representative said .
Mikhail Ulyanov , Russia ’ s ambassador to international organizations in Vienna , said on Twitter that his country and China had voted against the resolution , proposed at the International Atomic Energy Agency meeting by Germany , France and Britain .
“ We believe that the resolution can be counterproductive , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need for Tehran and IAEA to settle this problem without delay.
” Earlier this week , IAEA Director General Mariano Grossi reiterated concerns that for more than four months Iran had denied his inspectors access to two locations “ to clarify our questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities.
” Activities at the sites are thought to have been from the early 2000s , before Iran signed the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
Iran maintains the IAEA has no legal basis to inspect them .
The IAEA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to sites covered by the nuclear deal , known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , or JCPOA .
Since the U.S. withdrew unilaterally from the deal in 2018 , the other signatories — Germany , France , Britain , Russia and China — have been struggling to save it .
Meanwhile , Iran has been violating its restrictions , including the amount of uranium it can enrich and the purity of enrichment , to try to pressure those countries to provide additional economic relief to offset American sanctions .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution will have on the JCPOA , though it seems likely to irritate Iran , which opposed it .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--1 New Zealand officer killed, 1 injured during traffic stop

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - An unarmed police officer was shot and killed and another was wounded after they tried to pull over a car in New Zealand ’ s largest city Friday morning , police said .
The suspect and another person then escaped in a second car , sparking a large search in Auckland .
By Friday night , police said they had arrested and charged a 24-year-old man with murder .
He is due to make his first court appearance Saturday .
Police said other people could face charges .
A bystander was also hit by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While trying to pull over the car , the officers briefly lost sight of it and it crashed soon after , Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said .
As police approached , a man got out with a long-barrelled gun and fired multiple times at the two officers , Coster said .
The officers weren ’ t carrying guns .
New Zealand police do not routinely carry guns but typically have them available in the trunk of their vehicles .
“ This is a shocking situation , ” Coster told media .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers ’ families , can ever receive in the course of what we do.
” Coster said the injured officer was hospitalized with serious leg wounds , while the bystander also suffered serious injuries and remained in a hospital .
Both were in a stable condition .
As the manhunt unfolded , eight schools in the area were put into lockdown , Coster said , and police set up road cordons .
They advised people to stay away .
The second car was found abandoned .
Local media reported that heavily armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the site of the shooting and had also stopped a car .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the news of the officer ’ s death was devastating .
“ To lose a police officer is to lose someone working for all of us , but also a family member , someone ’ s loved one and friend , “ she said in a statement .
Police Minister Stuart Nash said the officer “ was a man who dedicated his career to keeping us safe.
” Witness Elaine Taniela told The New Zealand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard gunshots .
She said a friend who was on his way to her house at the time described seeing an officer on the ground shaking .
The last time a New Zealand police officer was killed in the line of duty was 11 years ago .
New Zealand last year enacted new gun control laws banning the deadliest types of semiautomatic weapons after a mass shooting in which a gunman killed 51 people at two Christchurch mosques during Friday prayers .
Auckland is home to about 1.7 million people .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--1 migrant dead, 6 injured in car chase and crash in Greece

THESSALONIKI , Greece - A car carrying seven Pakistani migrants believed to have just crossed the land border from Turkey @ @ @ @ @ killing one man and injuring the other six passengers , police said Friday .
Police @ @ @ @ @ stop at a police checkpoint on a highway in northeastern Greece late Thursday night .
@ @ @ @ @ Pakistan , are believed to have entered Greece clandestinely and been heading to the northern @ @ @ @ @ Officers chased the car , whose driver lost control and crashed , overturning the vehicle @ @ @ @ @ said .
The driver , a 20-year-old Syrian who did not have a driver ’ @ @ @ @ @ for minor injuries and arrested as a migrant trafficker .
Police said the car had @ @ @ @ @ month in Thessaloniki .
Thousands of migrants attempt to enter Greece each year , most @ @ @ @ @ more prosperous European countries .
Although the majority head by boat to Greek islands from @ @ @ @ @ many also cross the land border with Turkey .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Trump troop cut in Germany fits a pattern of hitting allies

WASHINGTON - In vowing to pull thousands of American troops from Germany , President Donald Trump is following a pattern of disruptive , sometimes punitive , moves against allies that have dismayed his fellow Republicans and cast doubt across the globe about the future of partnering with the United States .
Trump has consistently promised to bring American troops home , dismissing the conventional view that a far-flung U.S. military presence , while costly , pays off in the long run by ensuring stability for global trade .
“ President Trump has had America ’ s alliances in his sights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mira Rapp-Hooper , a senior fellow on Asia policy at the Council on Foreign Relations and author of “ Shields of the Republic : The Triumph and Peril of America ’ s Alliances.
” She recalled newspaper ads Trump bought in 1987 to urge Washington to stop paying to defend countries like Japan that can afford to protect themselves .
He also has argued for a faster withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan .
Addressing newly minted officers graduating from West Point last Saturday , Trump said , “ We are ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its place is a renewed , clear-eyed focus on defending America ’ s vital interests .
It is not the duty of U.S. troops to solve ancient conflicts in faraway lands that many people have never even heard of.
” Germany , long the centerpiece of American defence strategy in Europe , has lately been the focus of Trump ’ s ire .
His former national security adviser , John Bolton , writes in his new book that Trump wanted U.S. troops out of not just Germany but also as many other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcing that he would reduce the U.S. troop level in Germany to 25,000 from the current 34,500 , Trump asserted that the Germans had long shortchanged the United States on trade and defence , declaring that “ until they pay ” more for their own defence , he will reduce U.S. troops .
Twenty-two Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee fired back with a letter to Trump saying a reduced U.S. commitment to Europe ’ s defence would encourage Russian aggression and opportunism .
Removing thousands of U.S. troops from Germany could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Joe Biden is elected in November , he might reverse Trump ’ s decision .
The former vice-president has said he would act to strengthen U.S. alliances .
The Trump approach is welcomed by some who see declining value in the NATO alliance .
Ted Galen Carpenter , a senior fellow for defence and foreign policy at the CATO Institute , wrote in an essay last week for The National Interest that cutting U.S. troop levels in Germany carries little strategic risk .
“ There is no totalitarian Soviet threat , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pour through the Fulda Gap in Germany and try to sweep to the Atlantic , ” Carpenter wrote , referring to the nightmare scenario of the Cold War era that prompted the U.S. to station over 300,000 troops in Germany for a time .
“ Today ’ s Russia is a pale shadow of the USSR in terms of population , economic output , and military power.
” While Trump has repeatedly blasted Germany and others in NATO for spending too little on defence , he has taken a friendlier approach to Poland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. troop presence as a bulwark against potential Russian aggression .
The Poles floated the idea of flattering Trump by offering to pay the cost of establishing a “ Fort Trump ” as a permanent U.S. base , an idea that went nowhere .
Polish President Andrzej Duda is to visit Trump next week .
Last year the U.S. agreed to increase its rotational military force in Poland by 1,000 .
In targeting Germany , Trump cast his troop cut not as an improvement for U.S. national security but as economic punishment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy benefits from spending by the U.S. troops based there .
The Pentagon also has thousands of civilian employees in Germany .
This is the kind of antagonism toward allies that bothered Trump ’ s first defence secretary , Jim Mattis , so much that he quit .
At the time of his resignation in December 2018 , Mattis was upset by Trump ’ s sudden decision — later amended — to remove all American troops from Syria , abandoning their Kurdish partners .
But that was only the latest instance of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for allies .
Trump more recently has created a rift with South Korea over sharing the cost of hosting the approximately 28,000 troops based there .
Last year , the administration stunned Seoul by demanding a five-fold increase in South Korea ’ s share of the cost , to $ 5 billion , and the two sides remain at loggerheads .
In his book Bolton quotes Trump as telling aides that if Seoul refused to pay the $ 5 billion , “ Let ’ s get out.
” Rapp-Hooper , of the Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demand as a pretext for troop cuts .
“ The quintupling request is so astronomical that it begs the question of how the administration came up with the number or how it could ever expect its ally to pay that much more , ” she said in an interview .
She suspects it was meant to signal Japan that it , too , will be asked to pay more to host U.S. troops .
“ This is a particularly shocking alliance approach that defies the logic of international relations because of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korean peninsula is to deter and defend against threats from North Korea , “ which now includes threats to the American homeland , Rapp-Hooper said .
In Congress , Republicans as well as Democrats have answered Trump ’ s Germany announcement with strong caution .
Sen. Chuck Grassley , an Iowa Republican , said in a Senate floor speech Wednesday that although the U.S. troop presence is unpopular among some Germans , justifying “ second thoughts ” in Washington , it would be a mistake to de-couple American security from that of decades-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War II , we have reluctantly accepted the lesson that our geography and goodwill alone can not protect us from being dragged into other things around the globe , particularly conflicts , ” he said .
Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor in Washington and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--China charges two Canadians with spying in Huawei-linked case

BEIJING - China has charged two detained Canadians with spying , escalating tensions between the two countries following the arrest in Vancouver 18 months ago of a senior Huawei executive wanted on U.S. charges .
Chinese prosecutors said Friday that Michael Kovrig was charged in Beijing on suspicion of spying for state secrets and intelligence .
Michael Spavor was charged in Dandong city near the North Korean border on suspicion of spying for a foreign entity and illegally providing state secrets .
The charges were announced by China ’ s highest prosecutor ’ s office in brief social media posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two , Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said only that each is charged with “ secretly gathering state secrets for overseas forces with particularly serious consequences.
” “ The facts are clear and the evidence solid and sufficient , ” Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing .
Zhao gave no details .
Both men have been held since December 2018 in a move seen as an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release Meng Wanzhou , a top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei .
China has denied any explicit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detention of the two Canadian men , but outside experts see them as tied and Chinese diplomats have strongly implied a connection .
The daughter of Huawei ’ s founder was arrested at Vancouver ’ s airport on Dec. 1 , 2018 , at the request of U.S. authorities who want her on fraud charges , which she and the company have denied .
Meng is out on bail as hearings are ongoing in B.C .
Supreme Court after a judge rejected the first set of arguments from her lawyers late last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes ruled Meng ’ s alleged offences would constitute a crime in Canada and the case should proceed .
The next round of legal arguments is set to focus on whether Meng ’ s arrest was unlawful and whether the U.S. records of the case contain misstatements or omissions .
The Chinese embassy in Ottawa denounced Holmes ’ s decision and called once more for Meng ’ s immediate release .
Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne responded in turn by calling for the release of the two “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an ex-diplomat who was working for the International Crisis Group and Spavor is an entrepreneur who did business in North Korea .
They have been in Chinese prisons since they were arrested nine days after Meng ’ s arrest .
The conditions under which the two Canadians are being held has been the subject of scrutiny .
Kovrig and Spavor had no access to lawyers or their families as of May , with the exception of a phone call the Chinese embassy said Kovrig was allowed to make to his sick father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the embassy said Kovrig and Spavor were being provided with better food to strengthen their immunity against the novel coronavirus .
It said detention centres were closed due to the epidemic , so Kovrig and Spavor were receiving more frequent letters and parcels to ensure their contact with Canadian diplomats in China .
The allegations against Meng , who is Huawei ’ s chief financial officer , date back to 2013 .
The U.S. is seeking to extradite Meng on fraud charges based on allegations she lied to HSBC about Huawei ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company in Iran , putting the bank at risk of violating American sanctions against that country .
But in a case management memo dated June 12 , Meng ’ s lawyers assert their client delivered a presentation to an HSBC banker in Hong Kong that included statements about Huawei ’ s business activities in Iran , and the statements were omitted from U.S. records of the case .
They argue Meng ’ s statements provided the bank with “ the material facts it needed to know in order to assess whether there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide banking services to Huawei , including processing U.S. dollar transactions related to Huawei ’ s commerce in Iran.
” The tensions between Canada and China have spilled over into trade between the two countries as China suspended imports of Canadian canola .
Earlier this month , Huawei ’ s ambitions to be a player in Canada ’ s 5G network were very much cast in doubt after two of the country ’ s three largest telecom companies announced partnerships with the Chinese company ’ s European rivals .
Bell Canada announced on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its second supplier of the radio access network equipment — a major component in fifth-generation wireless networks — following its choice of Finland ’ s Nokia in February .
Later in the day , Telus Corp. , which uses Huawei equipment extensively in its current network , announced that it too had selected Ericsson and Nokia for its 5G network needs .
Huawei is the world ’ s biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies .
The announcements come as Ottawa continues its review of Huawei ’ s role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security concerns due to suspicions about the company ’ s relationship with China ’ s government .
The United States has warned Canada , the United Kingdom and other allies that it will limit intelligence sharing with countries that have Huawei equipment in their 5G networks — citing its potential use for spying by China , an allegation Huawei denies .
— With files from The Canadian Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Bolton critique of Trump could define tell-all book battles

WASHINGTON - The White House fight with former national security adviser John Bolton is the latest chapter in a lengthy history of Washington book battles , yet it will likely define future cases between the U.S. government and former employees determined to write tell-alls .
The government asked a federal court for a temporary restraining order to prevent the release of the book , claiming it contains classified material .
But the book , set to be released Tuesday , is already sitting in warehouses .
And media outlets , including The Associated Press , have obtained advance copies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 577-page book paints an unvarnished portrait of Trump and his administration .
Bolton writes that Trump “ pleaded ” with China ’ s Xi Jinping during a 2019 summit to help his reelection prospects and that political calculations drove Trump ’ s foreign policy .
Trump on Thursday called the book a “ compilation of lies and made up stories ” intended to make him look bad .
He tweeted that Bolton was just trying to get even for being fired “ like the sick puppy he is !
” The two sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. District Court in Washington , adding Bolton ’ s name to a long list of authors who have clashed with the government over publishing sensitive material .
The government says Bolton violated a nondisclosure agreement in which he promised to submit any book he might write to the administration for a prepublication review to ensure government secrets aren ’ t disclosed .
After working for months with the White House to edit , rewrite or remove sensitive information , Bolton ’ s lawyer says his client received a verbal clearance from classification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council .
But he never got a formal clearance letter , and the Trump administration contends that the book , titled “ The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir , “ still contains sensitive material .
The case “ has the makings of being the defining litigation for nondisclosure agreements for decades , ” said Jonathan Turley , a constitutional law expert at George Washington University who has handled cases involving classified materials for decades .
“ Both sides have now dug in.
” The White House has tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its advantage , as it looks to animate the president ’ s loyal base of supporters against the media and Democrats .
White House aides have circulated quotes from both groups critical of Bolton in an effort to highlight what they view as a sudden embrace of the departed aide now that he ’ s turned critical of Trump .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lashed out at Bolton in a statement late Thursday , declaring him a “ traitor.
” “ I ’ ve not read the book , but from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , John Bolton is spreading a number of lies , fully-spun half-truths , and outright falsehoods , ” Pompeo said .
“ It is both sad and dangerous that John Bolton ’ s final public role is that of a traitor who damaged America by violating his sacred trust with its people.
” The White House insists that classified material remains in the Bolton book even though he worked on revisions for months with Knight .
The government said in its court filing that after Knight finished her review , the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Michael Ellis , a political appointee who has been senior director for intelligence on the National Security Council since March and previously was the NSC ’ s deputy legal adviser .
“ The fact that the White House wanted multiple , sequential reviews is way out of the ordinary and it suggests the obvious point that there is a political motivation at work , ” said Steven Aftergood , a classification expert at the Federation of American Scientists .
Ellis began his review of the Bolton book on May 2 at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Brien .
The lawsuit said Ellis has had “ original classification authority ” since 2017 , allowing him to make decisions to classify material .
A classification expert , who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from the administration , disputed that .
The expert said it is highly irregular for a political appointee like Ellis to be involved in the prepublication process .
The expert said Ellis has never done a prepublication review of a book and only received his initial “ original classification authority ” training , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first week of June , a month after he was asked to review Bolton ’ s book .
Turley and other legal experts wonder why the government waited until the last minute to go to court to stop the book ’ s release .
“ It ’ s a rather curious way to protect classified information if you allow thousands of these books to be held in barely secured warehouses around the country , “ he said .
Classification battles have popped up regularly over the years .
In 2010 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all 10,000 copies of the book “ Operation Dark Heart , ” a story about the Afghan war by Anthony Shaffer , a former defence intelligence officer .
It was initially cleared for publication by Army reviewers , but when spy agency reviewers took a look , they claimed it included classified information that could damage national security .
Matt Bissonnette , who wrote “ No Easy Day : The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama bin Laden , ” was ordered to forfeit an estimated $ 6.8 million to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prepublication review by the Pentagon .
The Defence Department claimed the book contained classified information .
The publisher denied it did .
In 2008 , a former undercover CIA officer writing under the pen name Ishmael Jones published “ The Human Factor : Inside the CIA ’ s Dysfunctional Intelligence Culture , ” which recounted his work on weapons of mass destruction and terrorism .
In 2011 , a federal judge ruled that he had broken the law by not going through the CIA ’ s prepublication review process , which Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case that went all the way to the Supreme Court dealt with a book by Frank Snepp , who signed a nondisclosure agreement as part of working at the CIA and then published a book about the agency ’ s activities in South Vietnam .
He didn ’ t get clearance from the CIA .
A lower court denied Snepp royalties from the book , and the Supreme Court upheld that ruling in 1980 .
The Justice Department filed a similar action over former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden ’ s book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it didn ’ t undergo a prepublication review .
Under the law , the executive branch has the sole discretion to determine what material is classified .
Aftergood , the classifications expert , said the Bolton case has turned the government ’ s little-known prepublication review process into national news .
“ It ’ s becoming clear that the whole policy needs to be reexamined and rewritten , ” Aftergood said .
“ As it stands , it ’ s arbitrary and subject to abuse.
” Stephen Vladeck , a University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in constitutional and national security law , said that while the court might be hesitant to prevent publication of the book , the Trump administration might “ have a very good shot at preventing anyone from making any money off the book.
“ Keith Urbahn , one of Bolton ’ s literary agents and founding partner of Javelin , based in Alexandria , Virginia , said the book has sparked interest in the past two days from television and film representatives , but no deals have been signed .
Urbahn said it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton saga will lead to more books being published without full government sign-off .
Associated Press writers Hillel Italie in New York and Michael Balsamo and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--China says it has not seized any Indian soldiers

BEIJING - China said Friday that it has not detained any Indian soldiers , following Indian media reports that China had released 10 of them late Thursday .
“ As far as I know , currently China has not seized any Indian personnel , ” Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said when asked about the report at a daily briefing .
He did not elaborate .
Indian officials have also denied that Indian troops were in Chinese custody .
The comments come as China blames India for a recent military clash at their border that left 20 people dead on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said whether any of its soldiers died .
Zhao said that “ the right and wrong is very clear and the responsibility lies entirely with the Indian side.
” He added that the two sides are in communication over diplomatic and military channels .
“ We hope India can work with China to maintain the long-term development of bilateral relations , ” he said at a daily briefing .
This week ’ s confrontation in the Galwan Valley , part of the disputed Ladakh region along the Himalayan frontier , was the deadliest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Serbs to vote amid virus concerns, political divisions

BELGRADE , Serbia - Serbia is holding a parliamentary vote this weekend that takes place amid concerns over the continuing spread of the new coronavirus and political divisions in the Balkan country .
The populists of President Aleksandar Vucic are expected to cement their already tight grip on power in Sunday ’ s balloting .
They are facing practically no challenge from divided opponents despite a plummeting democracy record .
Here is a look at the political and virus outbreak situation ahead of the vote : WHAT ’ S GOING ON WITH THE OUTBREAK ?
Serbia has gone from very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relaxation , so there are practically no restrictive rules for the balloting on Sunday .
Health authorities will provide face masks , gloves and hand sanitizers at the polling stations and their use is recommended but not obligatory .
The country ’ s crisis team has said that it is now up to citizens to take care of their own health by respecting social distancing and other recommendations .
Serbia still has dozens of new coronavirus cases daily , facing a spike after relaxing the lockdown .
HOW STRONG ARE THE RULING POPULISTS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election , with the party leader and Serbian President Vucic taking centre-stage in the campaign and generally on Serbia ’ s political scene .
A former extreme nationalist , Vucic has sought to rebrand himself as a pro-European , but he has faced accusations of clamping down on democratic freedoms , fueling divisive hate speech and curbing any dissent or criticism .
Opponents say Vucic has complete control over the mainstream media , leaving virtually no space for critical voices .
He has denied this .
WHAT ARE THE MAIN OPPOSITION GROUPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are divided , with the biggest groups boycotting the vote on Sunday while others have chosen to run .
The debate on the issue has been the main topic among the opposition groups , who are also divided between those who are primarily nationalist and those who are liberal .
Parties that are boycotting the vote say there is no point in giving legitimacy to an election that is neither free nor fair and presents a danger to public health because of the virus outbreak .
Those taking part insist the boycott makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opposition .
Both groups , however , agree that election conditions are far from satisfactory .
WHAT WAS CAMPAIGNING LIKE ?
Initially planned in April the election was delayed because of the virus outbreak .
Vucic has cancelled party rallies to prevent further virus spread , but he has toured the country opening new roads and factories and praising government achievements .
The governing party early in the campaign released a virus-era video featuring Vucic holding a virtual rally surrounded by video monitors of his clapping supporters .
Opposition groups have relied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout Serbia .
Pollsters say the ruling party will win the vote but several other groups will likely make it into the parliament .
Some 6.7 million voters will choose 250 parliament members , as well as local authorities , from an array of competing parties .
Apart from Vucic ’ s Progressives , the main contenders are the allied Socialists , the extreme right Serbian Radical Party and several right-wing and liberal groups .
Polls open at 7 a.m. Sunday and close thirteen hours later .
There are no exit polls in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reliable early projections about an hour after polls close .
Official results are expected later in the evening and on Monday .
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE ELECTION ?
Vucic has said he needs a strong majority at the election amid intensified international efforts to restart dialogue with Kosovo , a breakaway Serbian province whose independence Belgrade does not recognize .
Leaders of Serbia and Kosovo are set to meet for talks in Washington on June 27 , just a few days after Vucic also travels to Russia , Serbia ’ s main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s U.S.-backed independence .
Serbia is formally seeking European Union entry and Brussels has led talks on Kosovo in previous years .
But Serbia relies on Moscow and China to defend its position in the United Nations .


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Florida man gets 10 months in federal prison for visa fraud

ORLANDO , Fla. - A Florida man has been sentenced to 10 months in federal prison for forging documents for @ @ @ @ @ , 55 , was sentenced Thursday in Orlando federal court , according to court records @ @ @ @ @ to aiding and abetting visa fraud .
Homeland Security Investigations agents identified more than 115 @ @ @ @ @ visa petitions associated with Farey from 2013 through 2020 , according to court documents .
@ @ @ @ @ forms for the clients with false and fraudulent information .
He also altered and manipulated @ @ @ @ @ and fraudulent documents as supporting evidence to applications .
According to court records , Farey @ @ @ @ @ name as preparer on the applications but instructed clients to send the applications , along @ @ @ @ @ to U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services processing centres in Vermont , California , and Texas @


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Confederate obelisk removed from Georgia square amid cheers

DECATUR , Ga. - With hundreds of people watching as midnight approached , a crane moved in and took down a Confederate monument that stood in the town square of an Atlanta suburb since 1908 .
The stone obelisk was lifted from its base with straps amid jeers and chants of “ Just drop it !
” from onlookers in Decatur , Georgia , who were kept a safe distance by sheriff ’ s deputies .
Mawuli Davis , a driving force behind the lobbying effort to remove the monument , watched with others as the obelisk was slowly lowered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting flatbed truck .
Davis ’ organization , the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights , held a demonstration in front of the monument just a day earlier , pleading for its removal .
“ This feels great .
This is a people ’ s victory .
All of our young people from Decatur High School that made this happen .
All of these organizers , everybody came together , “ Davis told The Associated Press .
” This is it .
This is a victory for this country .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people work together.
“ Groups like Davis ’ and Hate Free Decatur had been pushing for the monument to be removed since the deadly 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia .
The monument was among those around the country that became flashpoints for protests over police brutality and racial injustice in recent weeks , following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis .
The city asked a Georgia judge last week to order the removal of the monument , which was often vandalized and marked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to public safety .
DeKalb County Judge Clarence Seeliger agreed , and ordered the 30-foot ( 9-meter ) obelisk in Decatur Square to be removed by midnight June 26 and placed in storage indefinitely .
His order came hours before a white Atlanta police officer fatally shot another black man , 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks , in the back , sparking renewed protests in Georgia ’ s capital region .
Instead , the monument came down on the eve of Juneteenth — the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that all enslaved black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bondage — as workers chipped it loose and the crowd cheered .
“ It ’ s always been troubling to see that monument over there on the square .
We spend a lot of time up here and it ’ s troubling that our friends and our loved ones and other people of colour have to look at that monument to slavery and to the Confederacy , ” said Megan Beezley , who hustled to the square with her daughter after hearing about the removal from a Facebook post .
DeKalb County spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lost Cause monument erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1908 .
A marker added last September says the monument was erected to “ glorify the ‘ lost cause ’ of the Confederacy ” and has “ bolstered white supremacy and faulty history .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-19--Mexico virus cases, deaths continue high, reopening remote

MEXICO CITY - The planned next stage of reopening of businesses in Mexico appeared to be put off once again Friday , as new confirmed cases and deaths continued at near-record levels .
The Health Department reported 5,030 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 647 more deaths , both numbers down just slightly from Thursday .
The daily death toll has been hovering around 700 for much of this week , while the daily case load increase has hovered near 5,000 .
Mexico now has 170,485 confirmed cases and 20,394 deaths , though both numbers are considered undercounts due to extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping to authorize a broad new round of openings for businesses like hotels , restaurants and shopping malls .
But authorities in Mexico City , which has been hardest hit by the pandemic , said hospital occupancy and case numbers had not decreased to the point where reopening malls and street markets would be possible .
The city has about 70 % of its hospital beds occupied .
Last week , a half of Mexico ’ s 32 states had reached a level compatible with limited reopening , such 50 % of hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where hotels did open actually resumed operations with lower occupancy rates , at around 30 % .
This week , only one more state progressed to limited reopening status .