thetorontostar--2020-06-16--Who they were: Victims of the deadliest California wildfire

SAN FRANCISCO - Pacific Gas & Electric pleaded guilty Tuesday to killing 84 of the 85 victims of a 2018 wildfire in Northern California .
A report released by the Butte County district attorney listed the names of all but two who have not been identified and how they died .
Joyce Acheson , 78 , of Paradise , was found inside her home .
She had limited mobility and lived in an area closed off to public access , preventing any caregiver from getting to her .
Herbert Alderman , 80 of Paradise , had a severely sprained ankle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fire .
He made several phone calls to friends seeking rescue but was found inside his home .
Teresa Ammons , 82 , of Paradise , died attempting to flee the fire .
She was found outside her trailer with her purse nearby .
Rafaela Andrade , 84 , of Paradise , needed a walker to get around and did not have the ability to evacuate on her own .
She was found inside her home .
Carol Arrington , 88 , of Paradise , was found inside her home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was found with the remains of his dog in the shower of his home .
David Bradburd , 70 , of Paradise , was near a power line knocked down by the fire outside his home .
Cheryl Brown , 75 , of Paradise , was found in a recliner next to her husband , Larry Brown .
Larry Brown , 72 , of Paradise , was found in a recliner next to his wife , Cheryl Brown .
Richard Brown , 74 of Concow , was found outside his home under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hide from the fire .
Andrew Burt , 36 of Paradise , was found just outside the front passenger side door of a minivan with his dog .
He was trying to escape in the minivan when it was overcome by flames .
Three other vehicles with the remains of four other victims were nearby .
Joanne Caddy , 75 , of Magalia , was found inside her home .
Barbara Carlson , 71 , of Paradise , was found inside her home .
Her remains were commingled with those of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 65 , of Paradise , a partial leg amputee who did not have a vehicle , was found inside his home .
Dennis Clark , Jr. , 49 , of Paradise , was found in the passenger seat of a car with his mother Joy Porter in the driver ’ s seat .
Their car was in a line of three other vehicles with remains inside .
Evelyn Cline , 81 , of Paradise , was physically immobile and unable to leave her home without help .
She was found inside her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Paradise , was found inside his home .
Gordon Dise , 66 , of Chico , was found inside his home .
His daughter , who fled the house with him , said he went back inside for something and never made it back out .
Paula Dodge , 70 , of Paradise , was found between two cars in the carport of her home .
Her husband , Randall Dodge , was found deceased next to her .
They were trying to flee .
Randall Dodge , 66 , of Paradise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the driveway of his home with his wife , Paula Dodge .
Andrew Downer , 54 , of Paradise , an amputee who used a wheelchair and was unable to drive , was found outside the front door of his home .
Robert Duvall , 76 , of Paradise , was found in the passenger seat of his truck a third of a mile ( half a kilometre ) from his home .
A second vehicle registered to him was nearby with the remains of his girlfriend , Beverly Powers , inside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and his wife tried to escape by driving their ATV off road through a canyon .
When their escape route was blocked by a rock formation , they were overtaken by the fire .
Both were severely burned and airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center Burn Unit in Sacramento .
Ernest died at the hospital nearly 9 months later .
Rose Farrell , 99 , of Paradise , was found on the front porch of her home , her wheelchair nearby .
Jesus Fernandez , 48 , of Concow , was found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jean Forsman , 83 , of Magalia , was found inside her home .
Ernest Foss , 63 , of Paradise , was found with his oxygen tank outside his house .
He had limited mobility and was attempting to escape .
Elizabeth Gaal , 80 , of Paradise , was found in her apartment .
Sally Gamboa , 69 , of Paradise , was found in a clearing behind her home .
She died while attempting to flee the oncoming flames .
James Garner , 63 , of Magalia , was found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nephew multiple times .
Richard Garrett , 58 , of Concow , was running from the fire when he was overtaken by the flames .
He was found among trees .
William Godbout , 79 , of Concow , was found inside his home .
Shirley Haley , 67 , of Paradise , was found in her sister ’ s home , her remains commingled with those of her sister , Barbara Carlson .
Dennis Hanko , 56 , of Paradise , was found in his home .
Anna Hastings , 67 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t drive because of severe scoliosis , was found inside her home .
Jennifer Hayes , 53 , of Paradise , was found inside her house .
Christina Heffern , 40 , Ishka Heffern , 20 , and Matilde Heffern , 68 , of Paradise , were found in their bathtub .
The three generations of women had called 911 as the fire approached .
Somehow the phone line remained open as the house , and the three women , burned as helpless fire dispatchers listened to their screams .
Dorothy Lee-Herrera , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her husband , Louis Herrera .
Louis Herrera , 86 , of Paradise , was found inside his home with his wife .
Evva Holt , 85 , of Paradise , was found in a burned vehicle , about 2 miles ( 3 kilometres ) from her home .
TK Huff , 71 , of Concow , was found inside his home .
He only had one leg and generally used a wheelchair , which was found about 10 feet ( 3 metres ) away .
Evidence shows he tried to escape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground .
Gary Hunter , 67 , of Magalia , had limited mobility because of a stroke .
He was found inside his home .
James Kinner , 83 , of Paradise , was found inside his home .
Warren Lessard , 68 , of Magalia , was found on the front porch of his home .
Dorothy Mack , 88 , of Paradise , was found inside her home .
Sara Magnuson , 75 , of Paradise , wrapped herself in a wet carpet and sheltered in the bathtub but she died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of Paradise , was found in her home with her husband , John Malarkey .
John Malarkey , 89 , of Paradise , was found inside his home with his wife , Joanne Malarkey .
Christopher Maltby , 69 , of Paradise , was found in his home .
David Marbury , 66 , of Paradise , was found in his apartment .
Deborah Morningstar , 65 of Paradise , was found inside her home .
She was unable to drive .
Helen Pace , 84 , of Paradise , who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave her home .
She was found inside .
Joy Porter , 72 , of Paradise , was found in the driver ’ s seat of her car with her son , Dennis Clark Jr. , in the passenger seat .
The car was in a line of three other vehicles with victims inside .
Beverly Powers , 64 , of Paradise , was found in the driver ’ s seat of a pickup truck owned by her boyfriend , Robert Duvall .
It was in a line of three other vehicles with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of Paradise , was found inside his home .
Joseph Rabetoy , 39 , of Paradise , was found inside his home .
He had no vehicle to get away from the blaze .
Forrest Rea , 89 , of Paradise , was found in his home .
Vernice Regan , 95 , of Paradise , was found inside her home .
Ethel Riggs , 96 , of Paradise , spoke with her grandson on the phone at least twice that day , telling him because the power was out she couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the garage .
She said she could not reach the manual release for the garage door , and even if she could , she was not strong enough to raise the door .
Lolene Rios , 56 , of Paradise , was found in the basement of her house with the remains of her four dogs and two cats .
Gerald Rodrigues , 74 , of Paradise , was found in her home .
Frederick Salazar , Jr. , 76 , of Paradise , was found in his home with his wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of Paradise , was found in her house with her husband , Frederick Salazar , Jr. Sheila Santos , 64 , of Paradise , was found inside her home .
Ronald Schenk , 74 , of Paradise was found inside his home .
Berniece Schmidt , 93 , of Magalia , was found in her home with the remains of her cat and a kitten .
John Sedwick , 82 , of Magalia , was found on the front porch of his home .
Don Shores , 70 , of Magalia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
The remains of his wife , Kathy Shores , were found in an adjacent recliner .
The remains of two dogs and two cats were also there .
Kathy Shores , 65 , of Magalia , was found in her home with the remains of her husband and their pets .
Judith Sipher , 68 , of Paradise , was found in her home .
Larry Smith , 80 , of Paradise , died of his injuries at UC Davis Medical Burn Center 17 days after the fire .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russell Stewart , 63 , of Paradise , was found in his home .
Victoria Taft , 67 , of Paradise was found in her home .
Shirlee Teays , 90 , of Paradise , was found inside her home and appeared to be holding or hugging a framed photo .
Joan Tracy , 82 , of Paradise , was found inside her home .
Ellen Walker , 72 , of Concow , was found inside her home .
Donna Ware , 86 , of Paradise , was found inside her home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was found inside her home .
Marie Wehe , 78 , of Concow , was found inside a burned truck on the side of a lane near her home .
Kimber Wehr , 53 , of Paradise , was found inside her home .
She was unable to drive due to a neurological disability , and was unable to flee the fire on her own .
David Young , 69 , of Concow , was found with the remains of two unidentified animals inside his minivan , which had crashed into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ) from his home , as he fled the fire .
An autopsy found he survived the crash , but was killed by the fire .
The remains of two unknown victims were found commingled in Concow .
Officials are still trying to identify them .


thetorontostar--2020-06-16--Profits over safety: Utility blamed in fire that killed 85

SAN FRANCISCO - A scathing grand jury report released Tuesday after a 2018 Northern California wildfire killed 85 people found that Pacific Gas & Electric officials repeatedly ignored warnings about its failing power lines , performed inadequate inspections to focus on profits and refused to learn from past catastrophes .
PG & E exhibited “ a callous disregard ” for the life and property of residents before its equipment ignited the most destructive wildfire in recent U.S. history , a summary of the grand jury investigation said .
Investigators concluded the primary cause of the fire was a nearly century-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after decades hanging in a windy canyon .
“ Through a corporate culture of elevating profits over safety by taking shortcuts in the safe delivery of an extremely dangerous product — high-voltage electricity — PG & E certainly lead otherwise good people down an ultimately destructive path , “ the 92-page summary released Tuesday said .
In response , the country ’ s largest utility pleaded guilty Tuesday in Butte County Superior Court to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter .
The company maintains that it cherishes public safety above all else .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but decided they lacked the evidence to do so , which means there is no one to imprison for the crimes .
PG & E instead will pay a maximum fine of $ 3.5 million and $ 500,000 to cover the county ’ s costs of the criminal investigation .
The fire was the most destructive U.S. wildfire in a century , demolishing more than 18,000 homes and other buildings , mostly in the town of Paradise about 170 miles ( 275 kilometres ) northeast of San Francisco .
Butte County District Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could not prove the utility caused one of the deaths .
Those who died were mostly elderly or disabled — the oldest 99 and the youngest 20 .
Their remains were found in showers and bathtubs , clutching a beloved photograph , cuddling pets , trapped in getaway cars and even seeking safety under a vehicle .
TK Huff of the nearby town of Concow was found outside his home , 10 feet ( 3 metres ) from his wheelchair .
Evidence suggested the 71-year-old tried to drag himself away to escape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three generations of the Heffern family — Christina , Ishka and Matilde — called 911 as the fire raced toward their Paradise home and , with the phone line still open , helpless “ dispatchers listened to their screams.
“ The Camp Fire Public Report paints a damning picture of PG & E as an entity that regularly shirked accountability and was shameless in its unwillingness to learn from past failures .
The San Francisco-based utility was convicted in 2016 of multiple federal felonies after one of its gas transmission pipes exploded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing eight people .
The fire in Paradise , dubbed the Camp Fire , broke out in the early morning amid dry , gusty weather ; it was unlike anything firefighters had seen before .
Whipped by fierce winds , it scattered softball-sized embers every which way , trapping residents in walls of fire .
Investigators determined the cause of the main fire was a suspension “ C ” hook on a transmission tower that had worn through after decades hanging in Feather River Canyon .
The report notes PG & E @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inventory the hook , maintain thorough inspections with qualified inspectors , or even listened to its own employees .
But the report said its line inspections were designed not to detect flaws .
PG & E acquired the transmission line from Great Western Power Company in 1930 , and despite realizing it was likely at the end of its life , did minimal maintenance and repair .
“ In essence , in 1930 PG & E blindly bought a used car .
PG & E drove that car until it fell apart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A reasonable person has the common sense to know that service and maintenance become more important as the car ages and the miles accumulate.
” “ Catastrophic failure ... was not an ‘ if ’ question ; it was a ‘ when ’ question.
” In 2007 , the report notes , a PG & E engineer requested $ 800,000 to replace a section of the Caribou-Palermo line , writing of “ multiple conductor failures ” because of aging equipment .
The engineer noted “ the probability of that failure is imminent due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the conductor.
” Utility officials allocated $ 200,000 to the project , but the work was scrapped in 2009 and against the project manager ’ s concerns that without upgrades , “ we could be picking up these towers out of the Feather River Canyon when they fall over.
“ In December 2012 , a transmission tower on the line collapsed , dragging down four other towers and damaging a fifth .
A PG & E engineer recommended inspecting the other towers , which did not happen “ consistent with PG & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on clearly established potential safety and/or maintenance issues , ” the report said .
Prosecutors found the inspections and patrols of the Caribou-Palermo line were hastily done and conducted by inexperienced , untrained and unqualified “ troublemen.
” The company also routinely moved money for repairs to its capital budget so it could pass the costs to consumers rather than shareholders , the grand jury found .
Despite being on probation that meant the company must not commit another crime , investigators said its negligence resulted in multiple wildfires in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of catching up to do after years of neglecting its equipment , PG & E maintains its electrical grid is far less dangerous than before the Paradise fire .
Under a judge ’ s orders , it says it has spent more than $ 1 billion trimming 1.3 million trees near its power lines and conducting exhaustive inspections for potential trouble spots .
PG & E has budgeted another $ 1.3 billion this year .
“ We are intently focused on reducing the risk of wildfire in our communities , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after pleading guilty on behalf of the utility Tuesday .
Associated Press writers Jocelyn Gecker , Olga R. Rodriguez and Juliet Williams in San Francisco and Michael Liedtke in San Ramon , California , also contributed to this report .

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thetorontostar--2020-06-16--Senate GOP seeks policing changes, Democrats push for more

WASHINGTON - The Senate majority at stake , Republicans are abruptly shifting priorities to focus on policing changes as Congress rushes to respond to nationwide protests over the killings of black Americans by law enforcement officers .
The GOP senators welcomed President Donald Trump ’ s executive actions Tuesday to create a database of police misconduct .
They gaveled open a Judiciary Committee hearing on “ police use of force and community relations.
“ And on Wednesday , they are set to unveil their own package of proposed changes to police practices and accountability .
It ’ s the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law enforcement in decades , a stunning election-year turn of events after George Floyd ’ s May 25 death in Minnesota .
Democrats warn it does not go nearly far enough to meet the moment .
“ We are at the point in the United States where we are at a crossroads , ” said Sen. Cory Booker , D-N.J. , a co-author of a sweeping Democratic police overhaul package , as he led colleagues in a series of speeches in the Senate .
Booker said the choice is between “ meaningful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing to save people ’ s lives.
” With the House set to pass the Democratic package , and Republicans rushing to vote on the GOP plan in the Senate as soon as next week , the two proposals are on a collision course as Congress seeks to show voters it hears the demonstrators marching in the streets .
Trump vowed a “ big moment ” if lawmakers could act .
At a Rose Garden event for his executive actions , he declared himself “ committed to working with Congress on additional measures.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s death , another black American , 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks , was shot and killed Saturday night by police in Atlanta .
With the nation reeling and Republicans straining to hold their slim majority in the Senate this fall , Sen. Tim Scott , the GOP ’ s lone Republican senator , who is compiling the party ’ s package , warned leadership not to push voting off until later this summer , saying it would be a “ bad decision.
” The two packages emerging from Democrats and Republicans in Congress share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approaches in seeking to change police practices and boost accountability .
Both would establish a database of police use-of-force incidents , proposals designed to improve transparency so the public can review officers ’ records , even when they transfer from one jurisdiction to another .
Both bills are expected to restrict the use of chokeholds to detain suspects and bolster the use of body cameras , among other measures .
Chokeholds are already largely banned in police departments nationwide .
The Democratic bill from the Congressional Black Caucus goes much further by changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include “ reckless ” behaviour and does away with “ qualified immunity ” to make it easier for those injured by police to seek damages in lawsuits .
Neither bill includes activists ’ push to “ defund the police ” by fully revamping police departments .
The White House has drawn a line against changing “ qualified immunity , ” and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday the Democrats ’ bill “ is going nowhere.
” Scott ’ s GOP proposal , set to be released Wednesday , is expected to lean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer training .
At the Senate hearing on Tuesday , the debate among the senators reflected the broader reckoning unfolding nationwide as Americans come to grips with the country ’ s legacy of racism and its modern police structure .
The committee chairman , Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , shared his own experiences of rarely being pulled over by the police and never being afraid if he was — in sharp contrast to Scott ’ s own stories as a black man being stopped by law enforcement officers even as he entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can all understand that problem and fix it .
But it is a problem , ” Graham said .
Sen. Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , a co-author of the Democrats ’ bill , said it ’ s the responsibility of all senators to understand the nation ’ s racial history .
A former attorney general in California , Harris said “ more police ” does not equal “ more safety “ especially as teachers and others compete for scarce local funding .
“ We must re-imagine what public safety looks like , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil rights and law enforcement leaders , Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas engaged in a frank exchange with Vanita Gupta , the president and CEO of the Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights .
“ Do you believe that , basically , all Americans are racists ?
” Cornyn asked at one point .
“ I think we all have implicit bias , and racial bias , yes I do , ” replied Gupta , a former acting assistant attorney general of the civil rights division in the Justice Department .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing country that strives to be better every single day , “ she said .
Later , GOP Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa , one of the senators up for reelection in fall , acknowledged it ’ s a “ very uncomfortable conversation we ’ re having ” about race and law enforcement .
But she said it ’ s one that Congress must have after countless Americans watched the video of Floyd ’ s death at the hands of police .
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Colleen Long contributed to @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Senate GOP to propose policing changes in ‘Justice Act’

WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans are proposing changes to police procedures and accountability with an enhanced use-of-force database , restrictions on chokeholds and new commissions to study law enforcement and race , according to a draft obtained by The Associated Press .
The “ Justice Act ” is the most ambitious GOP policing proposal in years , a direct response to the massive public protests over the death of George Floyd and other black Americans .
The package is set to be introduced Wednesday by Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina , the GOP ’ s lone black Republican , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Republican leadership .
The 106-page bill is not as sweeping as a Democratic proposal , which is set for a House vote next week , but it shows how swiftly the national debate has been transformed as Republicans embrace a new priority in an election year .
The GOP legislation would beef up requirements for law enforcement to compile use of force reports under a new George Floyd and Walter Scott Notification Act , named for the Minnesota father whose May 25 death sparked worldwide protests over police violence , and Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police after a traffic stop in 2015 , no relation to the senator .
It would also establish the Breonna Taylor Notification Act to track “ no-knock ” warrants .
Such warrants used to be rare , but the 26-year-old was killed after police in Kentucky used a no-knock warrant to enter her Louisville home .
To focus on ending chokeholds , it encourages agencies to do away with the practice or risk losing federal funds .
Many big city departments have long stopped their use .
It also provides funding for training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ duty to intervene ” protocol to prevent excessive force .
“ We wanted to make sure that we listened to everyone because there is the false dichotomy , this binary choice between law enforcement and communities of colour , and that ’ s just a false choice , ” Scott said Wednesday on “ Fox & Friends.
” “ You can actually serve America and bring the two groups together.
” As the contours of the package emerged in recent days , Democrats panned it as insufficient , as their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changing federal misconduct laws and holding individual officers legally responsible for incidents .
But the GOP effort seeks to reach across the aisle to Democrats in several ways .
It includes one long-sought bill to make lynching a federal hate crime and another to launch a study of the social status of black men and boys that has been touted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
The Republican package — dubbed the “ Just and Unifying Solutions To Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act of 2020 ” — also includes a bipartisan Senate proposal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and extends funding streams for various federal law enforcement programs , including the COPS program important to states .
The package includes a mix of other proposals , including tapping the Smithsonian ’ s National Museum of African American History and Culture to create law enforcement training curriculum on “ the history of racism in the United States.
” Another closes a loophole to prohibit federal law enforcement officers from engaging in sexual acts with those being arrested or in custody .
Expenditures for the bill would be considered on an emergency basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal deficits .
The GOP proposal comes amid a crush of activity from Washington as President Donald Trump announced executive actions Tuesday to create a database of police misconduct .
Trump vowed a “ big moment ” if lawmakers could act to pass legislation .
At a Rose Garden event for his executive actions , he declared himself “ committed to working with Congress on additional measures.
” The Senate could vote as soon as next week .
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Colleen Long contributed to this report .

Lisa Mascaro And Jim Mustian - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Former Army secretary backs Biden, citing ‘moral leadership’

WASHINGTON - The first openly gay Army secretary says he ’ s supporting Joe Biden for president , the latest endorsement from a former military leader who had criticized President Donald Trump over his handling of anti-racism demonstrations .
Eric Fanning , who held a variety of Navy and Air Force civilian positions and was Army secretary from 2016 to 2017 , on Wednesday cited Biden ’ s “ empathy ” and “ integrity ” in engaging with members of the military .
“ The next president faces a monumental task : repairing our damaged democracy and our eroded moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in his announcement .
“ I know Vice-President Biden will be a commander in chief who leads the world ’ s greatest military by upholding its values.
” Fanning pointed to Biden ’ s early support of gays and lesbians , including guiding repeal of the “ Don ’ t Ask , Don ’ t Tell ” policy that allowed them to serve openly in the armed forces .
He recounted Biden ’ s commencement speech at West Point four years ago and how the former vice-president saluted class president and First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently come out as gay .
“ Joe Biden ’ s leadership in steering repeal of ‘ Don ’ t Ask , Don ’ t Tell ’ ensured that E.J .
and thousands like him over the past decade were never forced to live a lie in order to serve the country they love , ” he said .
Fanning is among 89 former senior defence officials who recently signed an op-ed to voice opposition to Trump ’ s threatened use of active-duty troops to quell protests over George Floyd ’ s killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , endorsed Biden last week .
Others , including former defence secretary Jim Mattis , have criticized Trump ’ s leadership .
Retired military leaders typically are guarded in expressing private political views .
Trump , a Republican , has faced increased strain with the Pentagon over concerns about politicizing the military , with both Defence Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , distancing themselves from the president over the protests .
Catch up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Turkey the key to unlocking NATO help for EU naval operation

BRUSSELS - Turkey is hindering European Union attempts to secure NATO ’ s help for the EU ’ s naval operation in the Mediterranean as its tries to enforce a United Nations arms embargo on conflict-torn Libya , according to diplomats and officials in Brussels .
The operation - dubbed Irini , the Greek word for “ peace ” - was launched on April 1 .
The European Council said it has as “ its core task the implementation of the U.N. arms embargo through the use of aerial , satellite and maritime assets.
” But Turkey , a NATO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have stalled , suspects that Irini focuses too much on the internationally recognized Libyan administration in Tripoli and not enough on rival forces under the command of Khalifa Hifter , who launched an offensive in April 2019 to capture the capital .
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 , when a NATO-backed uprising toppled leader Moammar Gadhafi , who was later killed .
The country has since been split between rival administrations in the east and the west , each backed by armed groups and different foreign governments .
Hifter is supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Arab Emirates and other key Arab countries .
The government in Tripoli led by Fayez Sarraj is backed by Turkey , which sent troops and mercenaries to protect the capital in January , as well as Italy and Qatar .
On Tuesday , EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the bloc and NATO “ are discussing how to establish a new arrangement of co-operation – not participation – co-operation between Operation Irini and NATO , once again in our shared interest.
” “ I hope that this co-operation agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , ” said Borrell , who is set to take part in a video conference with NATO defence ministers on Thursday .
But two NATO diplomats raised doubts about whether Turkey would let such an arrangement happen , and because the 30-nation military alliance operates on the basis of unanimity , NATO ’ s support can not be guaranteed .
The diplomats ’ job descriptions do not allow them to speak on the record about in-house deliberations .
So far , Turkey does not seem to be entirely helpful to the EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the limitations of Irini , which only has two ships and three planes and needs more .
Borrell said that Irini personnel tried to make contact last week with a “ suspicious ” Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship that was being escorted by two Turkish warships .
He said the ship refused to respond , but its Turkish escorts said the cargo was medical equipment bound for Libya .
He said the personnel contacted the Turkish and Tanzanian authorities to try to verify the information , and they also informed the United Nations .
Borrell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from any of the ships , it could have taken other action .
He refused to elaborate .
“ It is only in the cases in which the ship is not answering that we can take another kind of activities , we can do something more , ” Borrell said .
“ We can not do anything more than to transmit this information to the United Nations .
It is the United Nations who gathers this information in order to control the implementation of the arms embargo .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Delroy Lindo on his titanic performance in ‘Da 5 Bloods’

NEW YORK - In the jungle of Spike Lee ’ s sprawling and anguished “ Da 5 Bloods , ” Delroy Lindo ’ s titanic performance as a Vietnam veteran rises to a ferocious , even Shakespearean pinnacle .
Lee ’ s film , now streaming on Netflix , follows four African American veterans who decades later return to Vietnam to find the remains of their fallen squad leader ( Chadwick Boseman ) and lost gold .
Lindo plays Paul , the most tragic figure of the bunch , a soldier haunted by PTSD .
Mangled by disappointment , xenophobia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a supporter of Donald Trump and wears a “ Make American Great Again ” hat .
In Lindo ’ s intense performance , “ Da 5 Bloods ” turns almost mythic in its deconstruction of African American history in U.S. combat and in war films .
For the 67-year-old Lindo , it ’ s a mountain-peak performance in a career , first established on the stage , that began with a trio of films with Lee ( 1992 ’ s “ Malcolm X , ” 1994 ’ s “ Crooklyn ” and 1995 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindo ’ s gravity has long been felt in roles large and small , from “ Get Shorty ” to “ Heist , ” but “ Da 5 Bloods ” gives Lindo one of his fullest showcases .
If there ’ s Oscar buzz this year , he ’ ll have it .
“ I am deeply proud of this work , ” Lindo said in a recent phone interview from the Bay Area home he shares with his wife and 18-year-old son .
Lindo built his performance on research , meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Vietnam vets .
He reread the oral history of African Americans in the Vietnam War , “ Bloods , ” and watched the 1974 documentary “ Hearts and Minds.
” And he attempted to funnel centuries of pain for black American soldiers into a colossal , larger-than-life character .
Lindo felt the role closely enough that , in an interview , he sometimes drifted into referring to his character as himself .
Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity .
AP : It had been 25 years since you worked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about him ?
Lindo : He first called me when I was in the car .
He said some things that really moved me in terms of his respect for me , his regard for me .
That was different .
I have to say that there were disagreements that we had .
I ’ m not going to tell you exactly what they were , but there were a couple of bumpy moments when we disagreed about a couple things , a couple very , very important things .
But , A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , B , he apologized .
That for me was a manifestation of his regard for me creatively , as a creative worker .
The overall experience was enhanced by the 20-plus years that had passed since we worked together .
We ’ re both 25 years older but still on a similar track , creatively .
AP : You and Spike initially disagreed about making Paul a Trump supporter .
Lindo : I remember saying to Spike , “ Spike , I ’ m a father and a parent .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see me doing that.
” But once Spike made it clear to me , “ I need this , man .
I need this to be a component of the story , “ then my job was to get my head around it and rationalize it .
It had to do with the depth of the betrayal that Paul has experienced , the loss that Paul has experienced .
One of the largest betrayals had to do with the betrayal by my country when I got back from the war .
My two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the reaction , the lack of embrace for them as vets .
Cumulatively , these betrayals add up to feeling disenfranchised that could result in this individual coming along in 2016 coming along and saying , “ I can make it better.
” I can see how one could get sucked into drink that particular cup of Kool-Aid .
And Paul drank a pitcher of Kool-Aid , man .
Not just a cup .
AP : You ’ ve spoken about being particularly bothered by the depiction of black soldiers in “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American veterans are so rarely seen in film ?
Lindo : There is a tradition of black soldiers being marginalized at best , expurgated at worst .
This film addresses that from the standpoint that we are front and centre .
We ’ re seeing the Vietnam experience through the lens of these brothers .
It ’ s important from a historical point of view to tell these stories .
I was born in England and my family is Caribbean .
Both in World War I and World War II , Caribbean soldiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British , and generally speaking that contribution has been virtually expurgated .
Generally , there ’ s this tradition of not focusing on us and our achievements and our contributions .
AP : The scenes toward the end of the film , with Paul alone in the jungle , are remarkable .
Lindo : We shot those scenes toward the end of our time in Thailand , before we went to Vietnam .
We were probably six , seven weeks in .
That was to my advantage .
I was sufficiently plugged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had enough of a foundation underneath me that there was a connection I felt inside the work .
Expressing what I had to express in those scenes was just really rich for me as an actor .
And Spike let me go , man .
It wasn ’ t long .
It wasn ’ t like I was adding a page of dialogue .
But he let me go .


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--‘Live from Here,’ successor to ‘Prairie Home’ show, cancelled

ST. PAUL , Minn. - American Public Media Group announced Tuesday it has cancelled musician Chris Thile ’ s “ Live from Here ” radio show , the successor to Garrison Keillor ’ s “ A Prairie Home Companion.
” The media organization said it was ending national production of Thile ’ s show while cutting 28 staffers at American Public Media and Minnesota Public Radio .
American Public Media Group said the coronavirus pandemic “ has created economic turmoil and uncertainty for all media organizations , ” and said it “ is confronting a large and unexpected financial challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some of our revenue sources.
” Thile took over as “ Prairie Home ” host in 2016 after Keillor , the popular , long-running public radio show ’ s creator and original host , retired and chose Thile — a mandolin whiz who appeared on “ Prairie Home ” as a teenager — as his successor .
The show was later renamed “ Live from Here ” after MPR cut ties with Keillor in 2017 over a sexual harassment allegation that Keillor denied .
Thile tweeted that he was informed over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producing the show .
“ While this news fills me with sadness , I understand the decision , as my extraordinary teammates and I conceived of Live From Here as a celebration of live , collaborative audible art , and there ’ s just no telling when it could be that again , ” Thile posted on Twitter .


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Asia Today: Beijing adds more measures to curb new outbreak

Beijing reported a slight increase in new coronavirus cases Wednesday as it fights a new outbreak with strict measures aimed at reducing human contact and the chances of a new wave of infections across the country .
More than 60 % of commercial flights in and out of Beijing have been cancelled as the city limits travel in and out of the city , especially from districts where new cases have been detected .
The website of the Communist Party ’ s Global Times said that as of 9 a.m. Wednesday , a total of 1,255 flights to and from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been scrapped .
Beijing said it had essentially eradicated local transmission but in recent days has added 137 cases in the city of 20 million people .
On Wednesday , the capital reported 31 cases , up from 27 the day before , in an outbreak that has been primarily linked to a wholesale food market .
Nationwide , China reported 44 new cases , around the average for recent days .
No new deaths were reported and just 252 people are currently in treatment for COVID-19 .
In Beijing , visitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be capped at 30 % of capacity while sporting events are being suspended along with other large group activities .
Meetings can be held under stringent conditions with less than 100 participants .
Group tourism across city and provincial borders is suspended , adding to bans on residents from high-risk areas from leaving Beijing and bans on taxis and car-hailing services from transporting people across the city border .
Mask wearing , social distancing and disinfecting will all be more tightly enforced .
Checks at the entrance to residential communities are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Asia-Pacific region : — India added 2,003 deaths to its toll Wednesday after New Delhi and Maharashtra states included 1,672 unreported fatalities .
Adding the unreported fatalities drove India ’ s fatality rate , defined as the proportion of death to the total number of cases , from 2.9 % to 3.4 % .
The Health Ministry also reported 10,974 new coronavirus cases .
Its national caseload of more than 354,000 is fourth highest in the world .
Its death toll is eighth highest .
Health experts have warned that the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ varying criteria to categorize their dead , and the numbers are though to be higher for other reasons common around the world , such as limited testing .
— Indonesia has overtaken Singapore as the country which has the most COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia , after it reported 1,031 new cases in the last 24 hours .
Indonesian has now recorded 41,431 total COVID-19 cases and 2,276 deaths .
More than 16,000 patients have recovered .
Nevertheless , the government is moving forward with plans to restart some tourism .
— South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 as health authorities scramble to slow transmissions in the greater capital area amid increased public activity .
The figures released by South Korea ’ s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday brought its caseload to 12,198 infections , including 279 deaths .
The KCDC said 25 new cases came from the Seoul metropolitan area , where infections have been linked to entertainment and leisure activities , church gatherings , e-commerce workers and door-to-door salespeople .
Twelve of the new cases were linked to international arrivals .
— Prime Minister Jacinda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversee New Zealand ’ s border quarantine measures .
She made the move after what she described as an “ unacceptable failure ” by health officials in allowing two travellers to leave quarantine before they had been tested for the virus .
After the women tested positive , officials began contacting 320 people who may have come into contact with them .
Before the two new cases were announced Tuesday , New Zealand had gone more than three weeks without reporting any new cases and was considered virus-free .
Air Commodore Digby Webb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will oversee all quarantine and managed isolation facilities .
— Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne says China and Russia are using anxiety around the coronavirus pandemic to undermine Western democracies by spreading disinformation online .
Payne said in a university speech that the disinformation contributed to a “ climate of fear and division ” when the world needed co-operation and understanding .
She referred to a Europe Union finding that Russia and China are flooding Europe with disinformation campaigns .
China has warned its citizens about racism in Australia and made trade moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Australia ’ s advocacy for an independent inquiry into the origins and responses to the pandemic .
— A Philippine anti-graft prosecutor said his agency will investigate the Department of Health and its top officials over what he said was their mishandling of the response to the pandemic that led to the deaths of medical personnel .
Ombudsman Samuel Martires said investigators will look into possible criminal liabilities for Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other officials over delays in the procurement of protective suits and other lapses that led to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel .
The department said it will co-operate in the investigation .


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Columbus as supremacist? Some with Italian roots reject him

BOSTON - Generations of Italian Americans embraced Christopher Columbus with little thought to the dark side of his legacy .
But as the nation grapples with racial injustice , that ship may have sailed .
Now , some Italian Americans in Massachusetts are publicly casting the explorer as a symbol of white supremacy who touched off centuries of European oppression and the decimation of indigenous peoples .
It ’ s time , they say , to permanently ditch a statue of Columbus near Boston ’ s historic North End neighbourhood which was recently vandalized and temporarily removed from its pedestal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always been the feeling that Italian Americans all feel the same way about Columbus , ” said Heather Leavell , 46 , of Bedford , one of the founders of the group Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples ’ Day .
“ Our country prioritizes the comfort of Italian Americans and how we are going to feel about this instead of centring the voices of native American people , “ she said in an interview .
The group was formed about a year ago to help push for passage of a bill at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Indigenous Peoples Day .
Leavell said the group has drawn support from across the country , including from others of Italian descent .
“ Our parents have told us stories about the level of discrimination they faced and the fear that what was worked so hard for might be lost , but this is not unique to Italians , being discriminated against , ” said Leavell , whose mother is of Italian descent .
“ We unfortunately allied ourselves with a white supremacist in our attempts to be recognized in this country.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue came last week when it was discovered with its head removed .
The statue was placed in storage and Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh said the city is reassessing its significance .
Once heralded as the discoverer of America in 1492 , the legacy of Columbus has undergone greater scrutiny in recent decades .
Columbus ’ sailing expeditions are now seen by many as opening the door to the European conquest of Native American peoples and the establishment of the trans-Atlantic slave trade .
By then , older generations of Italian Americans — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the North End — had adopted Columbus as a cultural hero .
In 1979 , the statue was erected as part of Christopher Columbus park on the city ’ s waterfront next to the North End .
Eventually the statue drew the ire of critics , who viewed it as memorializing European genocide of indigenous peoples .
In more recent years , it became the frequent target of vandalism .
In 2006 , the statue ’ s head was knocked off .
For some , however — including Francis Mazzaglia of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destruction levelled at the Columbus statue amounts to a hate crime against Italian Americans .
The former professor of business and criminology said it ’ s unfair to lay the slave trade and the diseases brought in from European explorers that ravaged native peoples all at the feet of Columbus or to portray that as genocide .
“ The people who are opposed to Christopher Columbus and his statue , they are sincere in what they are saying , ” said Mazzaglia , 80 .
” But you can be sincere and wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the city removes the statue , he hopes to find a place for it on private property , perhaps in the North End .
“ To destroy a symbol that is so important to Italian-American people is not OK , ” he said .
Corrie Popp , a 46-year-old high school English teacher and Waltham resident , said many younger Italian Americans are ready to dump Columbus .
“ Most Italian Americans are big-hearted people , ” said Popp , whose mother is of Italian descent .
“ But Columbus can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” There have been suggestions of other historic Italian American figures who could take the place of Columbus , including Italian immigrants and avowed anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti , who were executed in Boston amid fierce anti-immigrant sentiment after one of the most notorious criminal cases of the 20th century .
Popp said she understands how it may be difficult for older Italian Americans to abandon figures like Columbus , but said the hurt feelings of some Italian Americans can ’ t be placed about the need to acknowledge the legacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a bigger question than just the North End , ” she said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--China says it agrees with India to peacefully solve tensions

BEIJING - China said Wednesday that it is seeking a a peaceful resolution to its Himalayan border dispute with India following the death of 20 Indian soldiers in the most violent confrontation in decades .
“ Both sides agree to resolve this matter through dialogue and consultation and make efforts to ease the situation and safeguard peace and tranquility in the border area , ” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily briefing .
The foreign ministers of both nations spoke over the phone on Wednesday and China ’ s Wang Yi emphasized that both sides should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Press Trust of India news agency reported .
Indian security forces said neither side fired any shots in the clash in the Ladakh region late Monday that was the first deadly confrontation on the disputed border between India and China since 1975 .
Some officials said the soldiers were carrying anti-riot gear instead of weapons .
China has not said if any of its troops were injured or killed .
India ’ s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country would be proud that the Indian soldiers died while fighting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to waste .
For us , the unity and sovereignty of the country is the most important .
India wants peace but when provoked , it is capable of giving a fitting reply be it any kind of situation , ” he said .
India ’ s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted that the loss of soldiers in the Galwan Valley is “ deeply disturbing and painful.
” A group of protesters gathered near the Chinese Embassy in the Indian capital condemning the killing of the soldiers and demanding a ban on Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photographs of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese army .
A small group of retired Indian army personnel also marched close to the embassy with placards reading “ Chinese army down down.
” They were detained by police .
Zhao , the Chinese spokesperson , repeated Chinese claims that the clashes erupted after Indian forces “ provoked and attacked Chinese personnel , which lead to fears , physical confrontation between the two sides ’ border troops and resulted in casualties.
” An official Communist Party newspaper said the clash occurred because India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and willingness to respond .
The Global Times , which often reflects nationalistic views within the party ’ s leadership , said China did not disclose whether it had casualties in the skirmish to avoid comparisons and prevent further escalation .
While experts said the two nations were unlikely to head to war , they also believe easing tensions quickly will be difficult .
“ This will likely be a watershed moment in India-China relations and the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific , “ said Abraham Denmark , Asia program director at The Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen the deadliest clash on the China-India border in over 50 years , both countries are led by men who have embraced nationalism , and both countries are facing tremendous domestic and international upheaval as a result of COVID-19 and other long-standing problems.
” The main questions now are if either side can find a path to deescalation and whether India ’ s allies such as the United States will help .
“ It is a highly volatile and dangerous situation between two nationalistic , nuclear powers at a time when American influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The editorial published in the Global Times on Wednesday said India ’ s reaction was largely due to encouragement from the U.S. , China ’ s chief strategic rival which has been steadily building relations with India ’ s military .
“ The arrogance and recklessness of the Indian side is the main reason for the consistent tensions along China-India borders , ” the editorial said .
China “ does not and will not create conflicts , but it fears no conflicts either.
“ China claims about 90,000 square kilometres ( 35,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ 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 handful of countries to strongly condemn the move , raising it at international forums including the U.N. Security Council .
Thousands of soldiers on both sides have faced off over a month along a remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Line of Actual Control , the border established following a war between India and China in 1962 that resulted in an uneasy truce .
The tense standoff started in early May , when Indian officials said that Chinese soldiers crossed the boundary at three different points , erecting tents and guard posts and ignoring verbal warnings to leave .
That triggered shouting matches , stone-throwing and fistfights , much of it replayed on television news channels and social media .
The Indian army said three soldiers died initially in Monday ’ s clash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ critically injured in the line of duty and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high-altitude terrain , ” it said in a statement Tuesday that did not disclose the nature of the soldiers ’ injuries .
The troops fought each other with fists and rocks , Indian security officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the information .
After the clash , the two sides “ disengaged ” from the area where the the fighting happened , the Indian army statement said .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Line of Actual Control between India and China , “ U.N. associate spokesperson Eri Kaneko said .
“ We take positive note of reports that the two countries have engaged to de escalate the situation.
” Vivek Katju , a retired Indian diplomat , said the violence represented a dramatic departure from the four-decade status quo .
“ The political class and the security class as a whole will have to do very serious thinking about the road ahead , ” he said .
This story has been corrected to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ description of how some fatalities occurred and not a report of more casualties .

Sam McNeil And Ashok Sharma - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--UN says bodies of 2 migrants, baby washed up on Libyan coast

CAIRO - The bodies of two African migrants and a five-month-old baby boy who drowned in a shipwreck over the weekend were found on the coast of Libya , a U.N. official said .
Separately , the Libyan coast guard intercepted a ship with 130 Europe-bound migrants on Wednesday and returned them to Libya .
According to Safa Msehli , a spokeswoman for the International Organization for Migration , the three bodies washed up near the Libyan coastal town of Zawiya .
They were part of a dozen people who were missing and feared drowned after a boat carrying around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sea on Saturday .
Zawiya is about 48 kilometres ( 30 miles ) west of the capital , Tripoli .
Two children were reported to be among the missing migrants .
The 130 migrants intercepted on Wednesday were mainly from Sudan , and included seven women and three children , she said .
Libya , which descended into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi , has emerged as a major transit point for African and Arab migrants fleeing war and poverty to Europe .
Most migrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill-equipped and unsafe rubber boats .
The IOM said in March that its estimated death toll among migrants who tried to cross the Mediterranean passed the “ grim milestone ” of 20,000 deaths since 2014 .
In recent years , the European Union has partnered with the coast guard and other Libyan forces to stop the flow of migrants .
Rights groups say those efforts have left migrants at the mercy of brutal armed groups or confined in squalid and overcrowded detention centres that lack adequate food and water .
Libya is largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which profit from the trafficking .
The EU agreed earlier this year to end an anti-migrant smuggler operation involving only surveillance aircraft and instead deploy military ships to concentrate on upholding a widely flouted U.N. arms embargo that ’ s considered key to winding down Libya ’ s relentless war .


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Light plane crashes in Ukraine city where model made; 1 dead

KYIV , Ukraine - A light airplane crash-landed Wednesday in Ukraine ’ s southern city of Odesa , killing one @ @ @ @ @ , local police said in a statement .
Photos of the crash site released by @ @ @ @ @ a damaged plane lying on a road without its landing wheels .
Police say they @ @ @ @ @ the crash .
According to the statement , two men were on board of the @ @ @ @ @ the site of the crash and the other was hospitalized with injuries .
Ukrainian media @ @ @ @ @ Y1 Delfin , a four-seat single-engine plane developed and produced in Odesa several years ago @


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Turkey moves troops against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkey said Wednesday it has airlifted troops for a cross-border ground operation against Turkey ’ s Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq , the first known airborne-and-land offensive by Ankara inside Iraqi territory .
The offensive into the border region of Haftanin , some 15 kilometres ( 9 miles ) from the Turkey-Iraq border , was launched following intense artillery fire into the area , said the Defence Ministry in Ankara .
The operation by commando forces is being supported by warplanes , attack helicopters , artillery and armed and unarmed drones , according to the ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It did not say how many troops are involved .
Turkey regularly carries out air and ground attacks against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party , or PKK , which it says maintains bases in northern Iraq .
Wednesday ’ s was the first known airborne and land offensive .
Turkey has defended its past operations into northern Iraq , saying neither the Iraqi government nor the regional Iraqi Kurdish administration have acted to remove PKK insurgents who allegedly use Iraq ’ s territory to stage attacks on Turkey .
The ministry said Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , follows “ increasing harassment and attempts to attack ” military outposts or bases in Turkey .
It said the Turkish forces would target other “ terror ” groups in the region , but did not name them , and shared videos of Defence Minister Hulusi Akar overseeing the mission at a command centre in Ankara .
The development came days after Turkey launched an air operation in the region , which the Defence Ministry said hit suspected PKK targets in several locations in Iraq ’ s north , including Sinjar , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military official said the operation began with artillery units targeting some 150 suspected PKK positions and was followed by an aerial attack involving F-16s , drones and attack helicopters .
Some of the commandos crossed the border by land while other units were transported by helicopters .
The troops had began to enter PKK hideouts in Haftanin , the official said , providing the information on condition of anonymity in line with government rules .
It was not clear if the latest offensive would target the Sinjar region , where the Turkish government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PKK commanders .
A video provided by the Turkish Defence Ministry showed Akar addressing the commandos , say they “ will make history once again.
” “ Turkey continues its fight against terrorists using the rights based on international law , ” said Omer Celik , the deputy chairman of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’ s ruling party .
Baghdad summoned Ankara ’ s ambassador to Iraq , Fatih Yildiz , on Tuesday to protest Turkey ’ s pounding of PKK targets in northern Iraq ’ s semi-autonomous Kurdish region .
The PKK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mainly Kurdish southeast region .
It is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey , the United States and the European Union .
The conflict has led to the loss of tens of thousands lives since it started in 1984 .
Turkey began expanding it ’ s military footprint in Iraq last summer in an intense operation against PKK targets following the July 17 assassination of Osman Kose in the northern Iraqi Kurdish city of Irbil .
Kose worked for the Turkish Consulate there and Ankara has blamed PKK for his killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have focused on cutting supply lines and transport routes connecting the PKK in Turkey and Iraq .
The presence of PKK rebels has brought discomfort to a senior Iraqi Kurdish officials , with one official saying the areas where PKK function as “ no man ’ s land.
” He spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the operations .
Kawa Sheikhmous , is a PKK official who was in Iraq ’ s northern Kurdish region on Tuesday , criticized the Iraqi government for not taking stronger action against Turkish incursions .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the interests of the people , ” he said .
“ Our message to the Iraqi government is that it should not tolerate this interference in the sovereignty of Iraq.
” Abdul-Zahra reported from Baghdad .
Associated Press writer Samya Kullab in Baghdad contributed to this report .

Suzan Fraser And Qassim Abdul-Zahra - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Lafayette Square could decide Trump’s legacy  -  and election

NEW YORK - Charlottesville .
Helsinki .
The children in cages at the Mexican border .
Only a few legacy-defining moments have clung to President Donald Trump , who often appears to emerge relatively unscathed from a seemingly endless stream of crises and controversies .
But the forceful clearing of demonstrators from the park across from the White House has resonated like few others , prompting top military leaders and usually lockstep Republicans to distance themselves from him .
It ’ s one of those rare images that seems unlikely to be overwritten by tomorrow ’ s headlines , instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s entry in the history books .
It also could help shape an election less than five months away .
Even the president and members of his inner circle have privately expressed worry that its impact could be lasting .
“ It ’ s an indelible moment when the president of the United States ordered the use of force against peaceful protesters using their First Amendment rights in order to walk across Lafayette Square “ and hoist a Bible , said Steve Schmidt , senior adviser to John McCain ’ s 2008 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he totally disgraced his office and committed sacrilege.
” Protests , some violent , had flooded America ’ s streets after the death of George Floyd , a black man who was pinned under the knee of a white Minnesota police officer .
Trump had briefly been forced to take shelter in the emergency White House bunker , and flames had risen from St. John ’ s Church across from the executive mansion .
Lafayette Square was ordered to be cleared .
What happened was broadcast live to the nation : federal law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chemical agents to forcibly push back peaceful protesters .
Trump walked to the church and awkwardly held up a Bible , accompanied by top officials .
The White House quickly produced a slick ad celebrating the triumph .
The ad doesn ’ t run anymore .
Aides have pointed fingers at each other as to who suggested what while some of Washington ’ s most prominent figures , perhaps with an eye toward the judgment of history , have tried to keep their distance .
Defence Secretary Mark Esper said he wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he joined him .
Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , issued a remarkable public apology for participating .
Several Republicans , including Sens .
James Lankford of Oklahoma and Ben Sasse of Nebraska , denounced the use of force and the display of religion .
The president has seethed about what transpired , believing he wasn ’ t properly prepared by aides for the blowback and venting that media coverage was unfair , according to three White House and campaign officials not authorized to publicly discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Milley and Esper ’ s rebukes but , for now , doesn ’ t want them dismissed , the officials said .
The Trump campaign , looking at internal polling , is worried about a drop in support for the president coming amid questions about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic , which has killed nearly 120,000 Americans and put more than 40 million out of work .
And some in Trump ’ s inner circle have privately likened it to other dark days in his presidency .
In August 2017 , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters in Charlottesville , Virginia , leaving one demonstrator dead .
In the days that followed , Trump suggested there were “ very fine people on both sides ” of the violence , drawing rebukes from members of his own administration and party .
The next July , the president stood next to Russia ’ s Vladimir Putin at a summit in Helsinki and declined to say he believed his own nation ’ s intelligence services ’ conclusion that Moscow had interfered in the 2016 election .
Before Air Force One had even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was faced with the biggest intra-party revolt of his term .
That summer , images of his administration ’ s enforcement of a policy to separate immigrant children from their parents stunned a nation and were later cited by many Democratic strategists for being a defining issue in that year ’ s midterm elections .
“ There are moments over the last three-and-a-half years that run so contrary to our self-conception that it causes us to pause and to ask the fundamental question : Are we losing ourselves in this moment ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department of African American studies at Princeton University .
The president ’ s bungled church photo op has , according to polling , generated widespread sympathy for the demonstrations and sparked fears in Trump ’ s campaign it could be a breaking point for voters who cast their ballots for the Republican in 2016 but are uncertain this time .
Dozens of retired military leaders , including the president ’ s first defence secretary , Jim Mattis , denounced what happened .
The campaign of Trump ’ s likely November rival , former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump felt his “ political fortune was more important ” than traditional American values .
“ When Donald Trump ordered the violent removal of peaceful protesters so he could stage a bizarre and offensive photo op , it didn ’ t project strength as he had intended , but instead reflected profound weakness , ” campaign spokesman TJ Ducklo said .
Despite closed-door concerns , Trump has continued to lean in on his tough , law and order approach .
On Tuesday , during a White House signing ceremony for an executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by law enforcement leaders , not the families of victims of police misconduct .
And his campaign publicly continued to defend the decision to clear the park across from the West Wing .
“ President Trump ’ s visit to historic St. John ’ s Church was a powerful statement to the American people that acts of violence against our cities and neighbourhoods will not prevail , ” said Tim Murtagh , the campaign ’ s communications director .
He said Trump was “ turning Americans ’ anger into action ” with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous controversies that would have crippled other presidencies .
The two-year Russia investigation didn ’ t cause his base supporters to waver , and his impeachment last winter was immediately dwarfed by the approaching pandemic .
Some observers believe Trump may be able to cast aside Lafayette Square , too .
“ There are moments that we will remember , that will be in the first part of his legacy , but don ’ t change his support , ” said Julian Zelizer , presidential historian at Princeton University .
“ Considering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country has been shut down for months , it ’ s remarkable his approval isn ’ t lower .
Anything can happen between now and November .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Indonesia jails 7 Papua anti-racism activists for treason

JAKARTA , Indonesia - An Indonesian court on Wednesday sentenced seven Papuan pro-independence activists to nearly yearlong jail terms on treason charges for organizing anti-racism protests last year , despite calls from rights groups and politicians to drop the charges and release them .
Judges in the Balikpapan District Court in East Kalimantan province read out the verdicts in seven separate trials that were held remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The judges ordered the period of detention that the men had already served to be deducted from their sentences , meaning they will walk free within several weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty of treason because they had demanded in speeches during the protests that the government hold a referendum on independence for Papua .
Papua is a former Dutch colony in the western part of New Guinea that is ethnically and culturally distinct from much of Indonesia .
It was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 after a U.N.-sponsored ballot that was seen as a sham by many .
Since then , a low-level insurgency has continued in the mineral-rich region , which is divided into two provinces , Papua and West Papua .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some who study in other provinces , have become vocal in calling for self-determination for the region .
The case has highlighted Indonesia ’ s sensitivity about the Papua region , where the indigenous Papuans oppose Indonesian rule .
Dozens of rights activists staged a rally in front of the court on Wednesday , demanding that the seven men be released .
“ The charges against them are baseless , ” said Amnesty International Indonesia ’ s executive director , Usman Hamid .
“ It directly contradicts earlier pledges from President Joko Widodo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expression.
” Prosecutors previously were seeking prison terms of 5 to 17 years for each of the defendants , a demand slammed by international rights groups .
Indonesian social media users have adopted the hashtag # PapuanLivesMatter .
“ Indonesia had its own version of Black Lives Matter protests last year , and police outrageously charged and detained those seen as organizing the protests , ” Human Rights Watch ’ s Asia director , Brad Adams , said in a statement ahead of the verdicts .
“ Indonesian authorities should recognize that given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter movement , sending peaceful activists to prison will only bring more international attention to human rights concerns in Papua , ” Adams said .
Nearly 200 Papuan politicians , religious leaders and members of parliament have signed a petition asking Widodo to drop the charges against the men .
Buchtar Tabuni , a leader of the pro-Papuan independence group United Liberation Movement for West Papua , was sentenced to 11 months in jail .
He had also been convicted for treason in 2008 and was jailed then for three years after helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other activists , Agus Kossay and Stevanus Itlay from the National Committee of West Papua , were also sentenced to 11 months , while Alexander Gobay , Ferry Gombo , Irwanus Uropmabin and Hengky Hilapok , who were student leaders at several universities in Papua province , were sentenced to 10 months in jail .
The men were arrested last September in Jayapura , the capital of Papua province , days after participating in a rally as part of weeks of protests triggered by videos that circulated widely on the internet showing police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students “ monkeys ” and “ dogs.
” Protests in several cities in Papua and West Papua provinces turned violent , leaving more than 30 people dead and hundreds of buildings and vehicles burned .
Indonesian authorities transferred the seven men more than 3,000 kilometres ( 1,800 miles ) away to be tried in Balikpapan on Borneo island in October for “ security reasons.
” The defendants denied any wrongdoing .
In April , the Central Jakarta District Court sentenced Paulus Suryanta Ginting , an Indonesian rights activist , and five Papuan pro-independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treason after they attended a peaceful anti-racism protest last August in Jakarta , Indonesia ’ s capital , calling for independence for the restive region .


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Zimbabwe’s sex workers on streets despite virus restrictions

HARARE , Zimbabwe - Forced to stay home for weeks without any source of income , Zimbabwe ’ s sex workers , like many other informal traders , are beginning to defy the country ’ s lockdown and return to the streets .
Risking arrest and the coronavirus , many are working afternoons because some clients are at home due to a general night curfew .
“ Hey sweetie !
Some lockdown variety here !
” a young woman dressed in skimpy dress called to a passing motorist in Harare ’ s Avenues area , a well-known red light district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been unthinkable when Zimbabwe first imposed its coronavirus restrictions at the end of March and streets were deserted amid often-violent enforcement by security forces .
Sex workers “ had to put all tools down , ” when the shutdown started , said Pow Wow , a local organization representing sex workers that has been distributing food , soap and sanitizer to its members struggling to make ends meet .
The government has relaxed the restrictions to allow formal businesses to open , but it hasn ’ t helped the majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets , which is still prohibited .
In a bid to survive , many street traders are ignoring the regulations and hawking their wares on the roadsides again .
Sex workers say they can not miss the opportunity , although many have changed their timetables .
“ It makes sense to work in the afternoons only these days .
Evenings don ’ t pay that much anymore .
The traffic is higher in the afternoons , ” said one sex worker , on the lookout for both clients and police .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her identity .
Others still prefer working at night , saying that although clients are fewer after dark , so are police .
The cops are also more lenient at night , said one .
Zimbabwe ’ s constitutional Court in 2015 barred police from arresting women out on the streets on prostitution charges , but they can be picked up for violating lockdown rules against being out , said police spokesman Paul Nyathi .
Nyathi said “ a good number ” of sex workers are among the close to 60,000 people arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like many informal traders , sex workers bribe police at numerous roadblocks to get into downtown Harare .
According to a recent report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum , street traders are paying up to $ 5 a day to police to be allowed to operate without being arrested .
“ The majority of the people , including sex workers , are now agitated and hungry and this is what is pushing them to leave their houses , ” said Itai Rusike , executive director of the Harare-based Community Working Group on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lockdown on “ laxity in enforcement , fatigue and hunger .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--High court decision spotlights GOP divide over LGBT rights

WASHINGTON - Democrats flooded Twitter and email inboxes this week with praise for the watershed Supreme Court decision shielding gay , lesbian and transgender people from job discrimination .
Republicans — not so much .
The court ’ s 6-3 ruling came just two days after an event that played out in the opposite direction .
Freshman GOP Rep. Denver Riggleman , who ’ d officiated at a same-sex wedding , lost his party ’ s nomination in a conservative Virginia district .
The two developments underscored an election-year challenge facing the GOP : how to reconcile broad national support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans , with fervent opposition from some of the party ’ s die-hard conservative voters .
On Election Day , that question will be easily overshadowed by the moribund economy , the coronavirus pandemic , the interaction between race and violent police tactics and by Trump himself .
Still , the week ’ s events point to a culture-war schism in the GOP that Democrats are happy to exploit , even as Republicans struggle to prevent moderate suburban voters from deserting them .
“ This is something suburban voters support , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is a group that Republicans are having challenges with.
” In a December survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research , 62 % of Americans overall said they backed banning discrimination against gay , lesbian , bisexual or transgender people in workplaces , housing and schools .
That included around 3 in 4 Democrats and nearly half of Republicans .
That ’ s a turnaround from more negative feelings people had two decades ago .
“ Wake up , my Republican friends , the times , they are a-changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-N.Y. , said Tuesday .
Yet just 33 % of white evangelical Protestants said they supported prohibiting broad LGBT discrimination .
In a September 2019 survey by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center , 61 % of Americans said making same-sex marriage legal was good for society while 72 % of white evangelical Protestants said it was bad .
Those voters are a crucial GOP bloc , especially in rural districts , and party leaders cross them at their own peril .
The Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that the Constitution ensures a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s decided law ” but some Republicans are using same-sex marriage as a “ divisive political tool , ” said Jerri Ann Henry , who resigned last year as executive director of Log Cabin Republicans , which represents LGBT members of the party .
Henry , a GOP strategist , said the battle over the issue is “ the exact thing that will further alienate suburban and independent voters.
” Within hours of Monday ’ s Supreme Court ruling , Democratic lawmakers unleashed a flood of statements hailing it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with top Republicans like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , mum .
Notably , praise came from two moderate GOP senators , Alaska ’ s Lisa Murkowski and Maine ’ s Susan Collins .
“ All Americans deserve a fair opportunity to pursue the American dream , ” tweeted Collins , a four-term senator in her toughest reelection race .
She called the decision “ a major advancement for LGBTQ rights.
” Collins ’ likely Democratic opponent , Sara Gideon , tweeted that the decision showed Collins “ will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s anti-LGBTQ+ nominees.
” Gideon ’ s focus was Collins ’ pivotal 2018 vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh , which Democrats consider a major vulnerability for Collins .
Kavanaugh voted against this week ’ s court ruling .
Other Republicans were less receptive to the court ’ s decision .
Carrie Severino , president of the conservative Judicial Crisis Network , suggested the ruling would motivate conservative voters eager to ensure that Congress , not courts , control the law .
“ The Supreme Court is always a hugely important issue to conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court ’ s ruling wasn ’ t painful enough for Republicans , the opinion was written by Justice Neil Gorsuch , Trump ’ s first Supreme Court appointee .
Trump administration lawyers had argued on the side of employers who opposed lifting the discrimination ban .
Trump has voiced support for LGBTQ rights and appointed openly gay Richard Grenell to be acting director of national intelligence , though he ’ s since been replaced .
But Trump has also appointed numerous federal judges who opposed LGBTQ rights and rolled back federal protections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has embraced its 2016 party platform anew for this year ’ s campaign , a document that “ condemns the Supreme Court ’ s lawless ruling ” that legalized same-sex marriage .
“ Donald Trump has racked up some firsts , and that sets the tone in the Republican Party , ” said Charles Moran , managing director of Log Cabin Republicans .
But he added , “ There are definitely battles we still need to fight in some heartland areas ” of the country .
Riggleman learned that firsthand last weekend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress demonstrated that while religious conservatives have gotten more attention lately for opposing abortion , battling same-sex marriage resonates for many .
A member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus , Riggleman was endorsed by Trump and evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr .
But he was defeated Saturday at a GOP nominating convention in rural Virginia that , amid the pandemic , was conducted by delegates who voted by driving up to a church near his opponent ’ s home .
It was the only polling location in a district that sprawls from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Riggleman officiated at a wedding last summer of two of his male friends and campaign aides .
He said that during Saturday ’ s voting , a constituent asked him to repent for conducting that wedding .
He said he responded he had nothing to repent for .
Riggleman said younger Republicans and those who ’ ve have served in military like himself don ’ t see gay marriage as an issue .
He said if the GOP wants religious liberties protected , it must embrace civil liberties , too .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how other people live , I think the Republican Party is dead in Virginia , ” Riggleman said .
And he voiced no regrets for officiating at the wedding .
AP writers Emily Swanson in Washington , Alan Suderman in Richmond , Virginia , and Elana Schor in New York contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Fatal clash in the Himalayas ups ante for China and India

NEW DELHI - India and China sought Wednesday to de-escalate tensions after flexing their muscles in a fatal clash along a disputed border high in the Himalayas that left 20 Indian soldiers dead .
The skirmish Monday in the desolate alpine area of Ladakh , in Kashmir , followed changes by India to the political status of Kashmir amid a geopolitical tug-of-war with the United States in the region .
Chinese officials said Wednesday that both sides had agreed to peacefully resolve their Himalayan border tension through dialogue .
India should “ not take unilateral actions that might complication the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Beijing .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a speech Wednesday that “ India wants peace but is capable of giving a befitting reply.
” He has called a meeting of India ’ s major political parties on Friday to discuss the China situation .
At least 20 Indian soldiers , including a colonel , died of severe injuries suffered in sub-zero temperatures , Indian officials said , after the two sides threw rocks and traded blows in the culmination of a months-long standoff in the Galwan Valley near the Line of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No shots were fired because neither side ’ s patrolling soldiers carry firearms , in accordance with the terms of the unresolved border dispute , Indian officials said , speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to disclose information .
Still , it was the worst violence since 1962 , when a war over completing claims on the remote Himalayan area ended with an uneasy truce .
Thousands of soldiers backed by armoured trucks and artillery have been facing off near the border .
Scuffles are not uncommon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ante when its troops breached the line of control .
China accused Indian forces of carrying out “ provocative attacks ” on its troops .
It did not say if any of its soldiers died .
As the countries around the region grapple with the coronavirus pandemic , China has been asserting its territorial claims and influence across the region , notably toward Hong Kong and Taiwan and in the South China Sea .
In South Asia , the sides have been engaged in a “ very complex dance ” along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Jeff M. Smith , a research fellow in Heritage ’ s Asian Studies Center .
That has fanned anti-Chinese sentiments already running high due to Beijing ’ s opposition to India ’ s decision in August to revoke the statehood and semi-autonomy of Kashmir , parts of which are claimed by both Pakistan and China , and split it into two territories governed by New Delhi .
Tussles for power between China and India , the first and second-most populous nations , date back centuries though the two have sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and avoid outright bloodshed .
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have met more than a dozen times for talks , most recently in October in India , to smooth relations and build up trade .
But India ’ s unilateral decision in August to split Kashmir rankled Beijing .
“ I think what is interesting is how quickly Sino-Indian relations have deteriorated , ” said Joe Fewsmith , a China politics expert at Boston University .
“ A few years ago , Xi Jinping expressed hope that China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( That ’ s ) not likely now.
” The pandemic ’ s origins in the central Chinese city of Wuhan are another factor : with more than 354,000 coronavirus cases and 11,903 deaths India is now the fourth worst affected country in the world .
But the bigger cause for antagonism lies in the Himalayas : a region China has always considered a strategically vital corridor between its restive Muslim Xinjiang region and Tibet .
At the United Nations General Assembly , China has supported Pakistan ’ s opposition to India ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh .
The U.S. backed India ’ s assertion of its sovereign right to make such changes within its borders .
While troops brawled in eastern Ladakh region in May , President Donald Trump offered to mediate .
The Trump administration has withdrawn U.S. support from Pakistan in favour of India , which it sees as a bulwark against China ’ s growing influence .
After two high-profile meetings between Modi and Trump — including rallies in Houston , Texas , and Gujarat , Modi ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchase $ 15 billion in American arms .
The U.S. and India have balked at China ’ s multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative , a string of infrastructure and finance development projects stretched from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean .
In response to the pandemic , a movement has emerged to build up India as an alternative to China for Western markets and to boycott Chinese goods .
Chris Biggers , a former government satellite imagery analyst , said Monday ’ s clash fits a pattern of Chinese “ intimidation ” along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-scale hostilities along the tri-border area of Doklam broke out as China pushed into disputed territory , bringing in troops , building roads , expanding airbases , and flying drones and jets .
Yet , the forces amassed at Galwan dwarf what was seen at Doklam .
“ I ’ ve never seen anything , outside of a military exercise , of this kind of mobilization of force , particularly between India and China , ” Biggers said .
A further escalation shouldn ’ t be ruled out , said Pravin Sawhney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a monthly magazine focused on national security .
“ They ( China ) are fully prepared for it .
Their belligerence is quite open not only on the border but in the South China Sea , too .
On the other hand , India ’ s response has been very subdued and defensive in nature .
There is no immediate threat of an all-out war with China but India should be concerned about an exit strategy and I fear they have none , ” he said .
Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Philippine beer tycoon allied with late dictator dies

MANILA , Philippines - Philippine tycoon Eduardo “ Danding ” Cojuangco Jr. , a key ally of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and a low-key businessman who led a food and beverage empire that produced San Miguel beer , has died .
He was 85 .
San Miguel Corp. said Cojuangco , who served as its chairman and chief executive officer for decades , died Tuesday night , without providing other details .
Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said Cojuangco died of pneumonia and heart failure in a hospital in Manila .
Cojuangco had a net worth of $ 1.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world ’ s billionaires , with interests in cement-manufacturing , orchards , a stud farm and Australian wineries , aside from San Miguel .
San Miguel , one of Southeast Asia ’ s largest conglomerates , with a workforce of more than 28,000 people , has ventured into fuel and oil , power and infrastructure .
Aside from business , Cojuangco delved into politics and sports , and owned three teams in the Philippine Basketball Association , Panelo said .
“ His impact on many other areas of Philippine life — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rich and enduring legacy , ” San Miguel said in a statement .
President Rodrigo Duterte ’ s spokesman , Harry Roque , expressed deep sadness over Cojuangco ’ s death and cited San Miguel ’ s contribution to the economy and help in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in the country .
But Cojuangco had also been mired in controversy .
He fled from the Philippines when Marcos was overthrown by an army-backed “ people power ” revolt in 1986 .
During his years in exile , he was known to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where he bred thoroughbred racehorses .
Cojuangco had been linked to the 1983 assassination of a key anti-Marcos politician , former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. , but the allegation has never been proven and Aquino ’ s family later said he was not involved .
The brazen killing of Aquino while in military custody at Manila ’ s international airport sparked massive street protests that culminated in a failed coup and the 1986 uprising that toppled Marcos , his family and cronies , including Cojuangco .
Aquino ’ s wife , Corazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estranged cousin , was hailed as a democracy icon amid the anti-Marcos protests and succeeded Marcos .
Cojuangco had also been accused of involvement in the misuse of large amounts of coconut levy funds during the Marcos years that were intended to develop the country ’ s coconut industry .
He has denied any wrongdoing and has never been convicted amid allegations of illegally amassing wealth during the Marcos era .
In the 1960s , Cojuangco served as governor of the northern Philippine province of Tarlac , the base of the Cojuangco clan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After returning to the Philippines following Marcos ’ s downfall , he ran for president in 1992 under the Nationalist People ’ s Coalition but lost , although the political party he founded has remained an influential political bloc .
Cojuangco backed the successful presidential bid of Joseph Estrada in 1998 , the year he regained the chairmanship of San Miguel .
Estrada was forcibly removed amid massive protests halfway into his six-year term and was convicted of plunder years later .


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--Months into virus, biggest one-day case spike worries Iran

TEHRAN , Iran - Months into Iran ’ s fight against the coronavirus , doctors and nurses at Tehran ’ s Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital still don a mask , a disposable hazmat suit and a double layer of latex gloves every day to attempt to contain a pandemic that shows no signs of slowing .
The hiss of high-flow oxygen to wheezing patients , the beeps of equipment monitoring vital signs and the crinkling rustle of passing medics have become a daily symphony here and in other hospitals across the Islamic Republic .
Iran reported its first coronavirus cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the Middle East ’ s first and biggest outbreak of the virus — yet it only recently saw its highest single-day spike in reported cases , followed soon by the highest daily death toll in months .
The spikes , which came after a major Muslim holiday last month , have renewed fears about a potential second wave of infections sweeping across Iran .
As businesses open and people begin to move around more after weeks of closures of most stores , offices and public spaces , health experts worry that growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people may further allow the virus to spread .
Health Minister Saeed Namaki said he realized the extent of the challenge when he took a domestic flight .
“ Many people have become careless , frustrated with wearing masks , ” he said .
“ They did not observe ( social ) distancing in the flight ’ s seating and the airliner ’ s ventilation system was not working.
” Iran saw its highest single-day total of reported new cases — 3,500 — on June 5 .
The number dropped in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000s a day , around twice the lows in the last week of April and the first week of May .
The daily death tolls in Iran also broke the 100 mark for the first time since mid-April on Sunday , Monday and Tuesday this week .
The spike in cases occurred largely in Iran ’ s oil-rich southwestern Khuzestan province , as well as the western provinces of Kermanshah and Kurdistan .
Officials link it to the Eid al-Fitr holiday that came in late May , during which families often travel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan , when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk .
Ali Reza Zali , who is leading the campaign against the outbreak in Tehran , said last week that “ some 60 % of hospitalized patients travelled to other provinces before they became sick.
” Authorities also have reported concerns about Iran ’ s eastern Sistan and Baluchistan province bordering Pakistan .
The spike also reflects an increase in testing , Health Ministry official Ehsan Mostafavi said .
Iran now has 130 labs across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day .
Some 1.3 million tests have been conducted , up from 500,000 just a month ago .
While the country is opening up , some restrictions still stand .
Friday prayers in major cities remain closed , as do schools and universities , except for a few courses .
Authorities have imposed rules to keep people spread out at indoor locations and ordered people to wear masks there and on public transportation .
But Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday that only 18 % of people are observing social distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a month ago .
Yet Rouhani also said that , starting Saturday , kindergartens , coffee shops and libraries can resume activities while applying protective measures .
He said the country still could revert to stricter measures if needed .
Before Iran reported its first cases in February , authorities denied it had reached the country for days , allowing the virus time to spread as the nation marked the 41st anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution with mass demonstrations and then held a parliamentary election in which authorities desperately sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reported over 195,000 confirmed cases , with 9,185 deaths .
Even as Iran now acknowledges the crisis , questions remain over its figures from the outbreak .
A parliamentary report in April said Iran ’ s death toll is likely nearly double the officially reported figures .
Given undertesting , the report said the number of people infected at the time was probably “ eight to 10 times ” higher than the reported figures .
Even today , Iranian death tolls remain based on those who died in coronavirus wards in hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many more died at home , and some families have reportedly asked doctors not to mention their loved ones died of the virus to avoid the stigma associated with COVID-19 , the illness caused by the virus .
The Tehran municipality recently said it has prepared an extra grave site with capacity for 15,000 bodies , though it said it was intended in case of a natural disaster .
It said Tehran ’ s main cemetery had some 10,000 grave sites ready for use .
But there ’ s a sense that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the crisis , has adjusted .
In a sign of business as usual , Iranian officials have resumed their rhetoric against the U.S. , which under President Donald Trump withdrew from Tehran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers and implemented crushing sanctions .
The public too seems to want some normalcy .
On the streets of Tehran , several people who spoke to The Associated Press acknowledged they no longer followed safety measures .
“ I stopped wearing a mask , ” said Soheila Fazli , a 48-year-old mother of two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not breathe easily when I wear it.
” Authorities largely are only enforcing mask wearing and other rules in Tehran ’ s subway .
“ I don ’ t like wearing a mask , ” said Gholam Reza Sarrafi , a 24-year-old air conditioner technician .
“ Why should I wear one even though I haven ’ t seen anyone get the disease ?
” That attitude has health officials worried about a new increase in infections .
Health official Mohammad Mehdi Gouya warned the public that Iran has not “ passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a heavy fight with corona , ” he said recently .
“ We are not in a position to have an optimistic view.
” Associated Press journalists Vahid Salemi in Tehran , Iran , and Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-17--World stocks higher after Wall St gains on recovery hopes

BEIJING - World markets followed Wall Street higher Wednesday on hopes for a global economic recovery .
London and Frankfurt opened higher .
Benchmarks in Shanghai , Hong Kong and Seoul rose after early losses .
Tokyo retreated after Japan reported its exports sank in May .
Global share prices have regained most of this year ’ s losses as investors count on a rebound from the coronavirus pandemic despite rising infections in the United States , Brazil and some other major countries .
Analysts warn the gains are bigger and faster than justified by the uncertain economic outlook .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 0.4 % after the benchmark S & P 500 index added 1.9 % on Tuesday for its third daily gain .
That followed data showing U.S. retail spending was stronger than expected .
U.S. retail figures showing an 18 % gain over the previous month are encouraging but still $ 50 billion below what might have been expected without the coronavirus , said Rob Carnell of ING in a report .
“ We don ’ t imagine markets will share this nuanced view.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the most of any good news and continue to be dismissive of any bad news.
” On Wednesday in London , the FTSE 100 opened up 0.7 % at 6,287.31 and Frankfurt ’ s DAX added 0.5 % to 12,379.94 .
The CAC 40 in France advanced 0.5 % to 4,979.13 .
In Asia , the Shanghai Composite Index edged 0.1 % higher to 2,935.87 while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 0.6 % to 24,481.41 .
The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo shed 0.6 % to 22,455.76 after the government reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year earlier in their biggest decline since the 2008 global crisis .
In Seoul , the Kospi closed up 0.1 % at 2,141.05 .
India ’ s Sensex lost 0.4 % to 33,453.82 .
Sydney ’ s S & P-ASX 200 gained 0.8 % to 5,991.80 .
New Zealand and Southeast Asia markets advanced .
Also Wednesday , Singapore reported May exports fell 25 % from a year earlier .
Financial markets have been underpinned by promises from the Fed and other central banks to inject more money into economies through bond purchases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are skeptical about the U.S. stock market ’ s run since it began climbing after hitting a bottom in late March , down 34 % from its record .
Investors have been pushing up shares of companies that would benefit from a reopening economy .
In energy markets , benchmark U.S. crude oil for July delivery lost 29 cents to $ 38.11 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
The contract gained $ 1.26 on Tuesday to settle at $ 38.38 .
Brent crude , the benchmark for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 40,80 per barrel in London .
It rose $ 1.24 the previous session to $ 40.96 a barrel .
The dollar gained to 107.39 yen from Tuesday ’ s 107.33 yen .
The euro declined to $ 1.1230 from $ 1.1266 .