thetorontostar--2020-06-21--While Confederate statues come down, other symbols targeted

RALEIGH , N.C. - Spectators in North Carolina ’ s capital cheered Sunday morning as work crews finished the job started by protesters Friday night and removed a Confederate statue from the top of a 75-foot ( 232 metre ) monument .
Across the country , an initially peaceful protest in Portland , Oregon , against racial injustice turned violent early Sunday : Baton-wielding police used flash-bang grenades to disperse demonstrators throwing bottles , cans and rocks at sheriff ’ s deputies near downtown ’ s Justice Center .
News outlets reported that work crews acting on the order of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed the statue Sunday morning and began taking down the obelisk on which it stood .
Sunday ’ s work follows the removal of two other Confederate statues on the state capitol grounds in Raleigh on Saturday .
Cooper ordered the statues removed after protesters toppled two other Confederate statues Friday night , stringing one up by the neck and hanging it from a light pole .
“ Monuments to white supremacy don ’ t belong in places of allegiance , and it ’ s past time that these painful memorials be moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cooper said in a press release Saturday .
A 2015 law bars removal of the statues without approval of a state historical commission , but Cooper said he ’ s acting under a public-safety exception to the law out of concern for the danger presented when protesters seek to topple the statues themselves .
Cooper has advocated the statues ’ removal for years .
Republicans , though , blamed him for not ordering police to take a tougher stand Friday night to protect the memorials .
In Wilmington , N.C. , Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a narrow area surrounding two Confederate monuments to try to thwart any vandalism or destruction .
The curfew from 7:30 p.m. through 7 a.m. began Saturday night and lasts five nights .
In Baltimore , a statue and memorial to George Washington in a city park were vandalized with red paint .
The Baltimore Sun reports that the memorial in Druid Hill Park in northwest Baltimore also had the words “ Destroy Racists ” and the initials for the Black Lives Matter movement written on the base .
Police said Sunday morning that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vandalism .
Baltimore removed several statues and memorials linked to the Confederacy in 2017 .
In St. Augustine , Florida , the nation ’ s oldest city , a debate over history is looming over a monument , located in the city ’ s historic central plaza , memorializing dozens of the city ’ s sons who died fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War .
The Rev .
Ron Rawls , a pastor at St. Paul ’ s African Methodist Episcopal Church , calls the monument disrespectful and wants it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decide whether to heed that call on Monday .
As statues and memorials to the Confederacy have been targeted across the South , prompted by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , protesters have also at times targeted Founding Fathers who were slaveholders , including Washington .
In New York , the American Museum of Natural History will remove a prominent statue of Theodore Roosevelt from its entrance after years of objections that it symbolizes colonial expansion and racial discrimination , Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday .
The bronze statue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Central Park West entrance since 1940 depicts Roosevelt on horseback with a Native American man and an African man standing next to the horse .
“ The American Museum of Natural History has asked to remove the Theodore Roosevelt statue because it explicitly depicts Black and Indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior , ” de Blasio said in a written statement .
“ The City supports the Museum ’ s request .
It is the right decision and the right time to remove this problematic statue.
” In California , protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of former President Ulysses Grant , who commanded the Union Army that defeated the Confederacy ; Francis Scott Key , who wrote “ The Star Spangled Banner ; ” and Spanish missionary Junipero Serra , who is credited with bringing Roman Catholicism to the western United States .
Grant and Key were both slave owners at points in their lives .
In another case in California , symbols of the Black Lives Matter movement have been targeted in recent weeks with vandalism .
Three men , including employees of a sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were arrested in connection with the vandalism of a Black Lives Matter sign .
Portland police and Multnomah County sheriff ’ s deputies arrested several people after a group of protesters pulled down a fence cordoning off the centre , tossed objects including fireworks at officers and ignored repeated warnings to disperse , police said in a statement .
It said some people shined lasers into the eyes of deputies .
Seattle police on Sunday pursued their investigation into a weekend shooting in the city ’ s protest zone that killed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No arrests had been made .


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--NYC virus tracing off to a bumpy start: report

New York City ’ s effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus through contact tracing has been hampered by the reluctance of many people who are infected with the virus to provide information to tracers , according to a report in The New York Times .
The Times report said just 35 % of the 5,347 city residents who tested positive or were presumed positive for COVID-19 in the first two weeks of the contact tracing program gave information about their close contacts .
Perry N. Halkitis , dean of the School of Public Health at Rutgers University , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts “ very bad.
” “ For each person , you should be in touch with 75 per cent of their contacts within a day , “ Halkitis told the Times .
Dr. Ted Long , head of New York City ’ s new Test and Trace Corps , defended the program Sunday and said 69 % of the people who complete an interview provide contacts .
“ We think that ’ s a strong start but we also do want to get that number up , ” Long told The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cited by the Times represents a percentage everyone who the tracers reached , and some of those people , including some who have not had COVID-19 symptoms for weeks , don ’ t have relevant contacts to provide .
Long said he believes the program , which started June 1 , will be more successful when tracers start going to people ’ s homes in the next week or two rather than relying on the phone .
New York City has made huge strides in containing the outbreak since the coronavirus shutdown started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases reported on Thursday , down from several thousand a day during the peak .
But officials say the contact tracing effort is crucial to preventing a resurgence as the city enters the second phase of easing coronavirus restrictions on Monday , including outdoor dining at restaurants and in-store retail shopping .
Mayor Bill de Blasio said he expects as many as 300,000 more people to return to their jobs during Phase 2 .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo confirmed that the city is on track to start Phase 2 of reopening on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 15 deaths were attributed to COVID-19 across the state on Saturday .
That is the state ’ s lowest death toll since the early days of the outbreak in March .

The Associated Press - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Solar eclipse wows stargazers in Africa, Asia, Middle East

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Stargazers in Africa , Asia and parts of the Middle East looked to the skies this weekend to witness a partial solar eclipse .
It was known as a “ ring of fire ” because the moon covered most , but not all , of the sun .
It started at at 11:45 p.m. EDT Saturday and went until 5:34 a.m. EDT Sunday .
Millions from Dubai to Taiwan to Japan to India watched the solar spectacle .
In Dubai , people could see over 85 per cent of the sun covered by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the eclipse over the iconic Burj Khalifa building .
It was a sight that will not be possible in the country for another 14 years , according to Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Astronomy Group Hasan al-Hariri .
Al-Hariri said while the ongoing coronavirus pandemic had halted their plans for a gathering to see the rare phenomena , the group has turned to the internet to help people observe the partial eclipse , providing a live feed of the moon as it passes between the earth and the sun .
“ An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It usually happens two times in a year , but it differs from location to location so it ’ s not fixed in one location .
Now we were fortunate to have it , the one which was in December last year and this one , and then we will have one similar to this after 14 years .
So it ’ s kind of something a bit rare to observe.
” The observatory also sold solar eclipse glasses to the public to observe the eclipse safely .
An overcast sky didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the partial eclipse also visible in the New Delhi sky .


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--2 lawmakers want state probe of shooting death by LA deputy

GARDENA , Calif. - Two Democratic lawmakers called Sunday for California ’ s Attorney General to investigate the fatal shooting of a young man by a Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputy .
Reps. Maxine Waters and Nanette Diaz Barragán said in a statement there ’ s a need for an independent investigation into the death of 18-year-old Andres Guardado so the public will trust the findings .
“ Another day , and another Black or Brown kid has been shot in the back by police , ” said the representatives for Southern California districts .
“ These killings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The American people demand it.
” Messages seeking comment were sent to the state Attorney General ’ s office and the Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s department .
Guardado was shot Thursday after Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies spotted him with a gun in front of a business near Gardena .
Several hundred people gathered near the site on Sunday to protest the shooting , trailed by dozens of cars in a caravan , the Los Angeles Daily News reported .
Capt .
Kent Wegener , the head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday that investigators have taken six or seven exterior cameras from the scene and are examining the footage .
Guardado ’ s gun appeared to have been pieced together from different parts and didn ’ t have a serial number , he said .
Investigators do not believe he fired the gun .
Guardado attended Los Angeles Trade-Technical College .
A relative said he lived with his parents and worked two part-time security jobs .


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--No arrests in shooting in Seattle protest zone that killed 1

Seattle police on Sunday pursued their investigation into a weekend shooting in a park in the city ’ s protest zone that killed a 19-year-old man and critically injured another person .
No arrests had been made .
An “ active and ongoing ” investigation was underway into the shooting , which occurred about 2:30 a.m. Saturday in an area near downtown known as CHOP , for “ Capitol Hill Occupied Protest ” zone , Detective Mark Jamieson said .
The suspect or suspects fled the scene , and police asked the public for any information that could identify them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests in the city over police brutality and racism following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Officers responding to the shooting said they had trouble getting to the scene because they were “ were met by a violent crowd that prevented officers safe access to the victims , ” according to a police blog .
Video released later Saturday by police appears to show officers arriving at the protest zone saying they want to get to the victim and entering as people yell at them that the victim is already gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after clashes with protesters , KIRO-TV reported .
Private vehicles took two males with gunshot wounds to Harborview Medical Center , where the 19-year-old man died .
A 33-year-old man , whose name was not immediately released , remained in critical condition Sunday , hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg told KOMO-TV .
The King County Medical Examiner ’ s Office had yet to release the identity of the dead man .
Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant said he was Black .
The CHOP zone is a several-block area cordoned off by protesters near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Hill neighbourhood following demonstrations against police violence since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis several weeks ago .
President Donald Trump has criticized Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Gov .
Jay Inslee for allowing the zone .
Mike Solan , president of a police union representing more than 1,000 Seattle officers , told KIRO after the shootings that he fears for both the safety of law enforcement and the community at large .
“ The community is at grave risk , and the men and the women that provide that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at grave risk as well , ” Solan said .
He urged Seattle police to release all body-cam footage of the early Saturday incident to show the public the dangers officers face daily .


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Hundreds test positive at Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas

ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. - Tyson Foods is looking into reports that China ’ s customs agency has suspended poultry imports from a Tyson facility in the United States after coronavirus cases were confirmed among its employees .
A Tyson spokesman said Sunday that the plant in question is in Springdale , Arkansas .
“ At Tyson , we ’ re confident our products are safe and we ’ re hopeful consultations between the U.S. and Chinese governments will resolve this matter , “ wrote spokesman Gary Mickelson in an email to The Associated Press .
“ Our top priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team members , and we work closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture ’ s Food Safety and Inspection Service to ensure that we produce all of our food in full compliance with government safety requirements , “ the statement added .
Mickelson also noted that all global and U.S. health organizations , in addition to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration , agree that there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food .
The announcement out of China on Sunday gave no details of the quantity of meat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced the results of coronavirus testing at its facilities in Benton and Washington Counties , Arkansas , and said that about 95 per cent of employees who ultimately tested positive for the virus didn ’ t show any symptoms .
Of the 3,748 employees tested , 481 tested positive for COVID-19 , and 455 were asymptomatic .
There have been several other COVID-19 outbreaks at Tyson plants around the United States , including in North Carolina , Nebraska , and Iowa .
In November , China lifted a five-year ban on U.S. poultry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month after an outbreak of avian influenza in December 2014 , closing off a market that brought more than $ 500 million worth of American chicken , turkey and other poultry products in 2013 .


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Because of the virus, dads mark Father’s Day from a distance

CHICAGO - Wake Sharp got to see his family on Father ’ s Day -- see them , not hug them , not kiss them , not even shake hands .
Because of the terrible toll taken by the coronavirus on older people in nursing homes and other institutions , the 93-year-old Navy veteran and his loved ones had to stay on opposite sides of a plexiglass barrier and talk by phone at the assisted-living home outside San Francisco where he is a resident .
“ It ’ s better than nothing !
” he said .
“ I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country marked Father ’ s Day at a forced distance from their families Sunday .
Some families relied on video calls ; others used social media to send their wishes .
The virus has made in-person visits with elderly and high-risk family members difficult and sometimes impossible in recent months , though parts of the country have begun loosening up .
Maryland and Illinois were among states that allowed outdoor visits at nursing homes with masks and six feet of distance .
Frank Wolff , his wife and their son visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Chicago assisted-living home on Father ’ s Day .
The staff took everyone ’ s temperature and followed all other regulations .
“ It was good to see him and get a feeling for how he ’ s really doing , ” said Wolff , who hadn ’ t seen his father , Howard Wolff , since Illinois shut down in mid-March .
Sharp got to see his family through a plexiglass cubicle built by a staff member for Rockville Terrace , the home in Fairfield , California , where Sharp lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathered in a courtyard .
The eldest among them , arriving with the help of his walker , took a seat inside the three-sided box with phone in hand , talking with family members on the outside on one of their phones .
“ We hug each other through the glass , ” said Sharp , who hasn ’ t had a real hug from them in a long while .
This wasn ’ t the first time they visited that way .
“ I don ’ t know who enjoys it more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dad , ” said son Dan Sharp , who lives in Novato , California .
He paused , then added , “ Probably Dad.
” Rockville Terrace also had a car parade with families with signs for Father ’ s Day and a barbecue so the dads could have steaks and burgers .
The coronavirus has killed an estimated 120,000 people nationwide .
As of mid-June , more than 45,500 residents and staff had died from outbreaks at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities , according to a running count by The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the total deaths from the scourge at the time .
Nursing homes have been among the last places to loosen restrictions .
Families and nursing home officials worry about the effects the isolation is having on residents ’ mental health .
While video calls have helped , Rockville Terrace ’ s plexiglass cubicle — which creator Jason Reyes jokingly calls the “ Sneezeguard 3000 ” — is another possible solution .
It was introduced in April .
“ It ’ s not back to normal … but it helps , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carlson Management , a company with seven facilities in California .
He said he was driven to build the 128-square-foot enclosures after so many residents and family members were distraught when they couldn ’ t see one another .
“ The whole situation just tugged on the heartstrings , ” Reyes said , noting that demand for cubicle visits — each resident ’ s session with family lasting an hour on weekdays and 30 minutes on weekends — has been strong at the three facilities where they have them .
Throughout Father ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted photos and messages about the dads they couldn ’ t see .
“ Happy Father ’ s Day Pa !
I hate that I can ’ t be there today , ” Kelly Cooper , who lives in Bedfordshire , England , wrote on Instagram , alongside photos of her and her dad , David Cooper , who ’ s 73 and considered high risk .
He lives on his own in London .
Cooper said her own disabling health problems also have limited her travel .
“ As soon as this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s safe to visit , then I ’ ll be there .
xxxx Love you to the moon and back Pa xxxx , “ she wrote .
Wolff in Chicago said his own father was happy to see him but took his mask off and was particularly frustrated that he couldn ’ t hug his grandson .
He is also hard of hearing and so has become a fan of talking on a big screen that has been set up so residents can make video calls .
“ Just do the FaceTime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s easier.
“ So his son said they will continue to do both types of visits .
“ Yeah , so we can ’ t hug .
But he ’ s safe , ” Frank Wolff said .
“ All in all , it ’ s the only thing that makes sense.
” Martha Irvine , an AP national writer and visual journalist , can be reached at mirvine @ ap.org or at http : //twitter.com/irvineap .


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Trump rally highlights vulnerabilities heading into election

NEW YORK - President Donald Trump ’ s return to the campaign trail was designed to show strength and enthusiasm heading into the critical final months before an election that will decide whether he remains in the White House .
Instead , his weekend rally in Oklahoma highlighted growing vulnerabilities and crystallized a divisive reelection message that largely ignores broad swaths of voters — independents , suburban women and people of colour — who could play a crucial role in choosing Trump or Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
The lower-than-expected turnout at the comeback rally , in particular , left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really only one strategy left for him , and that is to propel that rage and anger and try to split the society and see if he can have a tribal leadership win here , ” former Trump adviser-turned-critic Anthony Scaramucci said on CNN ’ s “ Reliable Sources.
” The president did not offer even a token reference to national unity in remarks that spanned more than an hour and 40 minutes at his self-described campaign relaunch as the nation grappled with surging coronavirus infections , the worst unemployment since the Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did Trump mention George Floyd , the African American man whose death at the hands of Minnesota police late last month sparked a national uprising over police brutality .
But he did add new fuel to the nation ’ s culture wars , defending Confederate statues while making racist references to the coronavirus , which originated in China and which he called “ kung flu.
” He also said Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar , who came to the U.S. as a refugee , “ would like to make the government of our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came , Somalia.
” Trump won the presidency in 2016 with a similar red-meat message aimed largely at energizing conservatives and white working-class men .
But less than four months before early voting begins in some states , there are signs that independents and educated voters — particularly suburban women — have turned against him .
Republican strategists increasingly believe that only a dramatic turnaround in the economy can revive his reelection aspirations .
“ It ’ s bad , ” said Republican operative Rick Tyler , a frequent Trump critic .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
The only thing he can say is that Biden is worse.
” But the day after Trump ’ s Tulsa rally , the president ’ s message was almost an afterthought as aides tried to explain away a smaller-than-expected crowd that left the president outraged .
The campaign had been betting big on Tulsa .
Trump ’ s political team spent days proclaiming that more than 1 million people had requested tickets .
They also ignored health warnings from the White House coronavirus task force and Oklahoma officials , eager to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move past the civil rights protests and the coronavirus itself .
His first rally in 110 days was meant to be a defiant display of political force to help energize Trump ’ s spirits , try out some attacks on Biden and serve as a powerful symbol of American ’ s re-opening .
Instead , the city fire marshal ’ s office reported a crowd of just less than 6,200 in the 19,000-seat BOK Center , and at least six staff members who helped set up the event tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Trump , did not wear face masks as recommended by the Trump administration ’ s health experts .
After the rally , the president berated aides over the turnout .
He fumed that he had been led to believe he would see huge crowds in deep-red Oklahoma , according to two White House and campaign officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations .
There was no sign of an imminent staff shakeup , but members of Trump ’ s inner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parscale and other senior aides could so wildly overpromise and underdeliver , according to the officials .
Publicly , Trump ’ s team scrambled to blame the crowd size on media coverage and protesters outside the venue , but the small crowds of pre-rally demonstrators were largely peaceful .
Tulsa police reported just one arrest Saturday afternoon .
It ’ s unclear when Trump will hold his next rally .
Before Oklahoma , the campaign had planned to finalize and announce its next rally this week .
Trump is already scheduled to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin .
Both are major general election battlegrounds .
At least one swing state governor , meanwhile , says Trump would not be welcome to host a rally in her state amid the pandemic .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , a Democrat , said she “ would think very seriously about “ trying to block Trump from hosting a rally there if he wanted to .
“ We know that congregating without masks , especially at an indoor facility , is the worst thing to do in the midst of a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview before the Oklahoma event , conceding that she wasn ’ t aware of the specific legal tools she had available to block a prospective Trump rally .
“ I just know we have limitations on the number of people that can gather and that we ’ re taking this seriously.
” Biden ’ s campaign , meanwhile , seized on a fresh opportunity to poke at the incumbent president , suggesting that Trump “ was already in a tailspin ” because of his mismanagement of the pandemic and civil rights protests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is no surprise that his supporters have responded by abandoning him , ” Biden spokesperson Andrew Bates said .
Associated Press writer Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report .

Steve Peoples And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--WHO reports largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases

The World Health Organization on Sunday reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases by its count , at more than 183,000 new cases in the latest 24 hours .
The UN health agency said Brazil led the way with 54,771 cases tallied and the U.S. next at 36,617 .
Over 15,400 came in in India .
Experts said rising case counts can reflect multiple factors , including more widespread testing as well as broader infection .
Overall in the pandemic , WHO reported 8,708,008 cases — 183,020 in the past 24 hours — with 461,715 deaths worldwide , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two-thirds of those new deaths were reported in the Americas .
In Spain , officials ended a national state of emergency after three months of lockdown , allowing its 47 million residents to freely travel around the country for the first time since March 14 .
The country also dropped a 14-day quarantine for visitors from Britain and the 26 European countries that allow visa-free travel .
But there was only a trickle of travellers at Madrid-Barajas Airport , which on a normal June day would be bustling .
“ This freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to justify our journey to see our family and friends , this was something that we were really looking forward to , ” Pedro Delgado , 23 , said after arriving from Spain ’ s Canary Islands .
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged people to take maximum precautions : “ The virus can return and it can hit us again in a second wave , and we have to do whatever we can to avoid that at all cost.
” At a campaign rally in Tulsa , Okla. , Trump said Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the “ bad part ” is that it found more cases .
“ When you do testing to that extent , you ’ re going to find more people , you ’ re going to find more cases , ” Trump said .
“ So I said to my people , ‘ Slow the testing down , please.
’ '' White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on CNN that Trump was being “ tongue-in-cheek ” and made the comment in a “ light mood.
” Democratic rival Joe Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people.
” The U.S. has the world ’ s highest number of reported infections , over 2.2 million , and the highest death toll , at about 120,000 , according to Johns Hopkins .
Health officials say robust testing is vital for tracking outbreaks and keeping the virus in check .
In England , lockdown restrictions prevented druids , pagans and party-goers on Sunday from watching the sun rise at the ancient circle of Stonehenge to mark the summer solstice , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Hemisphere .
English Heritage , which runs the site , livestreamed it instead .
A few people gathered outside the fence .
The number of confirmed virus cases is still growing rapidly not only in the U.S. but in Brazil , South Africa and other countries , especially in Latin America .
Brazil ’ s Health Ministry said the total number of cases had risen by more than 50,000 in a day .
President Jair Bolsonaro has been downplaying the risks even as his country has seen nearly 50,000 fatalities , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa reported a one-day high of almost 5,000 new cases on Saturday and 46 deaths .
Despite the increase , President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a further loosening of one of the world ’ s strictest lockdowns .
Casinos , beauty salons and sit-down restaurant service will reopen .
In the United States , the virus appears to be spreading across the West and South .
Arizona reported over 3,100 new infections , just short of Friday ’ s record , and 26 deaths .
Nevada also reported a new high of 445 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meat-packing plant in Germany has had over 1,000 cases , so the regional government issued a quarantine for all 6,500 workers , managers and family members .
In Asia , China and South Korea reported new coronavirus cases Sunday in outbreaks that threatened to set back their recoveries .
Chinese authorities recorded 25 new confirmed cases — 22 in Beijing .
In the past week , Beijing tightened travel controls by requiring anyone who wants to leave the Chinese capital , a city of 20 million people , to show proof they tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea , nearly 200 infections have been traced to employees at a door-to-door sales company in Seoul , and at least 70 other infections are tied to a table tennis club there .
But South Korean officials are reluctant to enforce stronger social distancing to avoid hurting the economy .

Joseph Wilson And Jamey Keaten - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Atalanta wins 4-1 to bring joy to hard-hit Bergamo

MILAN - Soccer resumed in one of the Italian cities hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic with a poignant Serie A match on Sunday as Atalanta gave a much-needed boost to the residents of Bergamo .
Atalanta beat Sassuolo 4-1 in its first Serie A match in 112 days and the first in Bergamo since Feb. 15 .
“ There ’ s a lot going on in the world and Bergamo has been hit hard .
This win was for the city , the people , the club .
The worst days are behind us , change is coming , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a post on Twitter after the match .
More than 16,000 people have died from the virus in the Lombardy region containing Bergamo , and the small city was one of the epicenters of the outbreak .
Images of a convoy of military trucks driving coffins out of the city because the crematorium couldn ’ t keep up were beamed around the world .
The minute ’ s silence before kickoff in tribute to those who have died with the coronavirus was accompanied by a video of the city during the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rinascerai ” ( I will be born again , you will be born again ) .
Serie A has resumed this weekend with four catchup matches .
There were two on Saturday and title-chasing Inter Milan beat Sampdoria 2-1 in Sunday ’ s late match .
All matches are being played in empty stadiums .
Some fans were outside Atalanta ’ s Gweiss Stadium and they could be heard chanting against the league ’ s governing body .
The match was all but over by halftime following strikes from Berat Djimsiti and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midfielder Mehdi Bourabia .
Atalanta had also hit the crossbar and had a goal ruled out for handball .
Zapata added a second after the break and Atalanta also had penalty appeals waved away on a tight decision by the video assistant referee .
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini — who revealed last month that he acquired COVID-19 — was so incensed by the decision that he was sent off for dissent .
Bourabia made up for his own-goal by scoring at the right end in stoppage time .
Atalanta remained fourth but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight for the final Champions League spot .
Atalanta is playing in its first season in Europe ’ s premier club competition .
Many experts have pointed to the round of 16 match between Atalanta and Valencia on Feb. 19 in Milan as one of the biggest reasons why the virus was so deadly in Bergamo .
The match has been dubbed “ Game Zero ” by the local media .
Lukaku , who is Black , showed his support for the Black Lives Matter movement after scoring Inter ’ s opener in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impressive team move .
Lautaro Martínez doubled Inter ’ s lead before Morten Thorsby pulled one back for Samp eight minutes into the second half .
Third-place Inter moved six points behind leader Juventus and five below second-place Lazio .
Sampdoria remained a point above the relegation zone .
Sampdoria was one of the teams which announced the highest number of cases of COVID-19 , including at least seven players , with the team doctor hospitalized .
Inter ’ s team doctor was also hospitalized with the virus .


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Ruling populist party claims landslide win in Serbia vote

BELGRADE , Serbia - Serbia ’ s president declared a landslide victory Sunday for his right-wing party in a parliamentary vote held amid concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus and a boycott of much of the opposition .
Aleksandar Vucic told jubilant supporters that his Serbian Progressive Party won over 60 % of the vote , or some 190 seats in the 250-seat Serbian parliament .
The initial unofficial results indicate that Serbia will have a unique assembly , with virtually no opposition and only three or four parties out of the 21 which were running .
Vucic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get 10 % for the second place in the vote .
“ I have been long in politics , but I never experienced such a moment , ” Vucic said .
“ I ’ m talking about a historic moment in which one party can find itself .
We have won everywhere , where we have never been winning in the past.
” Sunday ’ s vote was the first national election in Europe to take place during the virus pandemic .
The voting — initially planned for April but postponed because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still reporting dozens of new cases daily after completely relaxing its strict lockdown rules .
The turnout among the nearly 6.6 million voters who were eligible to cast ballots for Serbia ’ s 250-member parliament and local offices was lower than in previous elections .
While Serbian voters were not choosing a president Sunday , Vucic has dominated the campaign through the mainstream media which he controls , denouncing and ridiculing his critics .
He has refuted allegations of abusing his formal ceremonial powers as president by taking a leading role in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fair voting conditions and a danger to public health , several main opposition groups boycotted the vote .
But a number of smaller parties decided to run , saying the boycott would only sideline an already marginalized opposition .
A group of opposition parties that boycotted the vote said the low turnout showed that the majority of Serbia ’ s citizens did not support Vucic and his party .
Opposition leaders said Serbia was in a deep crisis which needs to be solved peacefully .
Political analyst Florian Bieber said on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ruling party United Russia ” to the largest ruling party majority in Europe after Belarus.
” The European Union can ’ t pretend that today ’ s “ farce of an election “ didn ’ t happen in Serbia , he tweeted .
Health authorities provided face masks , gloves and sanitizers at the polling stations .
In Belgrade , people could be seen largely respecting social distancing rules , and many wore masks .
Authorities have said that voting was no more risky than going to a shop or any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new virus cases and one more death on Sunday , bringing the country ’ s pandemic death toll to 261 .
A former extreme nationalist , Vucic briefly served as information minister in the government of late strongman Slobodan Milosevic during the 1990s wars in the Balkans .
While Vucic now says he seeks European Union membership for Serbia , critics warn that democratic freedoms have eroded since his party came to power in 2012 .
The autocratic president has called on his supporters to vote in large numbers to get a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future of Serbia ’ s breakaway former province of Kosovo .
A U.S.-brokered Kosovo-Serbia summit is to he held in Washington on June 27 , while EU officials have announced plans to restart Brussels-mediated negotiations .
Serbia has refused to recognize Kosovo ’ s independence and has the support of Russia and China in the dispute .

Jovana Gec And Dusan Stojanovic - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--AP Interview: Egypt says UN must stop Ethiopia on dam fill

CAIRO - Egypt wants the United Nations Security Council to “ undertake its responsibilities ” and prevent Ethiopia from starting to fill its massive , newly built hydroelectric dam on the Nile River next month amid a breakdown in negotiations , Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry told The Associated Press on Sunday , accusing Ethiopian officials of stoking antagonism between the countries .
Ethiopia announced Friday that it would begin filling the dam ’ s reservoir in July even after the latest round of talks with Egypt and Sudan failed last week to reach a deal governing how the dam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formally asked the Security Council to intervene in a letter the same day .
“ The responsibility of the Security Council is to address a pertinent threat to international peace and security , and certainly the unilateral actions by Ethiopia in this regard would constitute such a threat , ” Shukry said in an interview with the AP .
Filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam would potentially bring the years-long dispute between Egypt , Sudan and Ethiopia over the $ 4.6 million mega-project to a critical juncture .
Ethiopia said the electricity that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crucial lifeline to bring millions out of poverty .
With the start of the rainy season in July bringing more water to the Blue Nile , the Nile ’ s main tributary , Ethiopia wants to start filling the reservoir .
Egypt , which relies on the Nile for more than 90 % of its water supplies , fears a devastating impact if the dam is operated without taking its needs into account .
Sudan , which also largely depends on the Nile for water , has been caught between the competing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year tried to broker a deal , but Ethiopia did not attend the signing meeting in February and accused the Trump administration of siding with Egypt .
Last week , the U.S. National Security Council tweeted that “ 257 million people in east Africa are relying on Ethiopia to show strong leadership , which means striking a fair deal.
” Shukry warned that filling the reservoir without an accord would violate the 2015 declaration of principles governing their talks — and rule out a return to negotiations .
“ We are not seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
In a three-page letter to the council , Egypt asked it to call Ethiopia back into talks for a “ fair and balanced solution ” and to urge it refrain from unilateral acts , warning that filling the dam without a deal “ constitutes a clear and present danger to Egypt ” with repercussions that “ threaten international peace and security.
” Hanging over the dispute has been the fear it could escalate into military conflict , especially as Egypt — facing what it calls an existential threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to strike a deal .
Commentators in Egypt ’ s pro-government media have often called for action to stop Ethiopia .
One commentator , Moustafa al-Saeed said in a Facebook post that starting to fill the reservoir would be a “ declaration of war ” and urged the government to block Ethiopian traffic through the Suez Canal .
Shukry underlined that the Egyptian government has not threatened military action , has sought a political solution , and has worked to convince the Egyptian public that Ethiopia has a right to build the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Egypt has never , never over the past six years even made an indirect reference to such possibilities , ” he said of military action .
But , he said , if the Security Council can not bring Ethiopia back into negotiations and filling begins , “ we will find ourselves in a situation that we will have to deal with , ” he said .
“ When that time is upon us , we will be very vocal and clear in what action we will take.
” He called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with African nations , to help reach a deal that “ takes into account the interests of all three countries.
” Sticking points in the talks have been how much water Ethiopia will release downstream from the dam if a multi-year drought occurs and how Ethiopia , Egypt and Sudan will resolve any future disputes .
This month , ministers from the three countries held seven days of negotiations by video conference , but talks ended Wednesday with no deal .
No date was set for a return to the table .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP on Friday that filling the dam would begin with the rainy season in July and dismissed the need for an agreement .
He accused Egypt of trying to “ dictate and control even future developments on our river.
” Egypt ’ s Shukry on Sunday countered that Ethiopia was backing out of previously agreed-upon points .
“ We have on many occasions been flexible and been accommodating .
But I can ’ t say that there is a similar political will on the side of Ethiopia , ” he said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” pointing to “ the escalation of antagonism that has been intentionally created.
” Starting to fill the reservoir now , he said , would demonstrate “ a desire to control the flow of the water and have effective sole determination ” of the water that reaches Egypt and Sudan .
After the end of talks on Wednesday , Sudan ’ s irrigation minister said his country and Egypt rejected Ethiopia ’ s attempts to introduce articles on water sharing in the dam deal .
Egypt has received the lion ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under decades-old agreements dating back to the British colonial era .
Eighty-five per cent of the Nile ’ s waters originate in Ethiopia from the Blue Nile .
Shukry said Egypt maintains that an agreement can be achieved , but that it “ has to be negotiated in good faith.
” He said any future deal on shares of the Nile ’ s water should take into account that Ethiopia has other water sources besides the Nile .

Lee Keath And Samy Magdy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--U.K. park stabbing that killed three was a terror attack, police say

READING , ENGLAND—A stabbing rampage that killed three people as they sat in a British park on a summer evening is being considered a terrorist attack , police said Sunday .
A 25-year-old man who is believed to be the lone attacker was in custody , but officials said the motive for the carnage was unclear .
Authorities said they were not looking for any other suspects and they did not raise Britain ’ s official terrorism threat level from “ substantial.
” Three people were killed and three others seriously wounded in the stabbing attack that came out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Reading , a town of 200,000 people 64 kilometres west of London .
“ Motivation for this horrific act is far from certain , ” said Neil Basu , Britain ’ s top counterterrorism police officer , as police forensics officers combed the park for evidence .
Chief Constable John Campbell of Thames Valley Police said officers were called to reports of stabbings just before 7 p.m. and arrived to find a “ horrific ” scene .
He said a suspect was apprehended within five minutes .
Basu said “ incredibly brave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man at the scene .
Police said they did not believe there was any further danger to the public .
Police have not identified the suspect , but Britain ’ s national news agency , Press Association , and other media outlets named him as Khairi Saadallah , a Libyan asylum-seeker living in Reading .
A Reading man of that name who is the same age as the suspect was sentenced to two months in prison last year for assaulting an emergency worker .
The same man was also charged last year with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The BBC reported that Saadallah was investigated by British security services last year over concerns he planned to travel abroad to join a jihadi group , but that he was not determined to be a major threat .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who met security officials , police and senior ministers on Sunday for an update on the investigation , said he was “ appalled and sickened ” by the attack .
“ If there are lessons that we need to learn ” or legal changes needed to prevent such attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lessons and we will not hesitate to take action where necessary , ” Johnson said .
Police officers patrolled cordons on the roads leading to the park on Sunday , and blue-and-white tents were erected near the attack site .
Overnight , heavily armed officers entered an apartment about a mile away , and a loud bang was heard .
Notes and bunches of flowers had been left Sunday by the police tape in tribute to the victims .
One of the people killed was identified as James Furlong , a teacher in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There are no words that anyone can say to express how horrible and senseless this was , ” one said .
“ “ Our prayers are with all the victims and their families and friends .
# Readingstandsunited.
” The attack came hours after a Black Lives Matter demonstration at Forbury Gardens , but police said there was no connection between the two events .
Personal trainer Lawrence Wort said the park was full of groups sitting on the grass Saturday evening when “ one lone person walked through , suddenly shouted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large group of around 10 , trying to stab them.
” “ He stabbed three of them severely in the neck and under the arms , and then turned and started running toward me , and we turned and started running , ” Wort said .
Britain has been hit by several terror attacks in recent years , both by people inspired by the Islamic State group and by far-right extremists .
Islamist-inspired attacks include a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester that killed 22 people in 2017 and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same year .
In several cases , attackers have been known to police .
In November , a man who had been released after serving a prison sentence for a terrorism offence stabbed two people to death at a justice conference in London .
In February , a man recently released from prison after serving time for terrorism-related offences strapped on a fake bomb and stabbed two people on a busy London street before being shot to death by police .
No one else was killed .
Britain ’ s official terrorism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the middle level on a five-rung scale , meaning an attack is likely .

Jill Lawless - The Associated Press,Alastair Grant


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Mexico catches alleged gang boss relatives; gang burns cars

MEXICO CITY - Mexican security officials said Sunday they have arrested the mother and sister of an alleged crime gang boss along with 24 other people , prompting a wave of violence in the central state of Guanajuato .
The army said an operation involving both state and federal officials captured the two family members of José Antonio Yépez Ortiz , known as “ El Marro , “ alleged leader of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel , on Saturday .
Enraged members of the gang blocked highways and set cars and trucks ablaze along roads in the state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video distributed to local news media .
“ They humiliated and did what they want with the family and I am going to be a stone in their shoe , ” he said .
The gang began by robbing trains and expanded into stealing gasoline from government pipelines , and has branched out into extortion rackets , often clashing with a growing drug gang , the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as far afield as Cancun on the Caribbean coast .
Analysts say the confrontation is a key reason for a soaring number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico ’ s safer states and home to numerous foreign-owned manufacturing plants .
Meanwhile , authorities in the northwestern state of Sonora said a series of clashes in the municipality of Caborca left at least 12 men dead .
Officials said they were found with their hands bound and they had been shot .


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Hungary’s main online news site says independence in danger

BUDAPEST , Hungary - Hungary ’ s leading online news site said Sunday that its editorial staff and independence are at risk because of a reorganization attempt that could compromise its journalistic integrity .
Index.hu moved its “ independence barometer , ” set up in 2018 after an ownership change , to “ in danger ” from “ independent , ” while declaring that “ the staff and independence of Index are in grave danger.
” Index is among a handful of independent media outlets which have suffered financially and seen their freedom to operate curtailed by Prime Minister Viktor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever larger segment of Hungary ’ s media .
While Index did not give details about its possible reorganization , 24.hu , another independent Hungarian news site , said Sunday that sections of Index would be outsourced to external companies , practically dismantling the newsroom .
Laszlo Bodolai , an Index executive , later told Media1.hu , a website specializing in media matters , that while a plan really had been drawn up for a possible reorganization of Index , it had been rejected by the news site ’ s management .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence whose end result could be the termination of the newsroom , ” said a note published on the Index website and signed by nearly 90 employees , including Editor-in-Chief Szabolcs Dull .
“ We are worried that , with a single blow , with an organizational change , the values , too , will be lost , due to which Index is today the country ’ s largest and most read publication.
“ “ The fate of Index will be decided in the coming days .
We will inform you about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can .
For as long as it ’ s possible , ” the note said .
A businessman closely linked to the pro-government transformation of Hungarian media over the past several years , Miklos Vaszily , said at the end of March that he had acquired a 50 % stake in Indamedia , the company which sells Index ’ s advertising .
The move raised concerns that Index would eventually suffer a similar fate as Origo.hu , which during Vaszily ’ s tenure underwent a transformation from an independent news site to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global survey of media freedom by Reporters Without Borders , Hungary fell two spots to 89th place among 180 countries .
It was in 56th place in 2013 .
Reporters Without Borders cited Hungary ’ s distorted media market , in which hundreds of pro-government news outlets were consolidated into the huge Central European Press and Media Foundation .
The editorial content of the foundation , known by the Hungarian acronym KESMA , is under tight political control and receives ample government funding .
In the last several years , numerous publications have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orban ’ s steps to increase his and his Fidesz party ’ s media dominance .
They include Nepszabadsag , a key left-leaning daily , and Heti Valasz , a conservative weekly founded with Orban ’ s support in 2001 but which increasingly resisted efforts to toe the government line .


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Trump’s intended show of political force falls short of mark

TULSA , Okla. - President Donald Trump used his comeback rally to try to define the upcoming election as a choice between national heritage and left-wing radicalism , but his intended show of political force during the pandemic was thousands short of a full house and partly overshadowed by new coronavirus cases among his campaign staff .
Trump ignored health warnings and held his first rally in 110 days in what was one of the largest indoor gatherings in the world during an outbreak that has killed about 120,000 Americans and put 40 million out of work .
The rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restart his reelection effort less than five months before the November election .
“ The choice in 2020 is very simple , ” Trump said .
“ Do you want to bow before the left-wing mob , or do you want to stand up tall and proud as Americans ?
” After a three-month break from rallies , Trump returned to regular themes , including boasts about the pre-pandemic economy and complaints about the media .
He made no mention of some of the flashpoints roiling the nation , including the abrupt firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damaging new book from his former national security adviser or the killing of George Floyd .
Trump aired pent-up grievances about the coronavirus , which he mocked as the “ Kung flu , ” a racist term for COVID-19 , which originated in China .
He tried to defend his handling of the pandemic , even as cases continue to surge in many states , including Oklahoma .
He complained that robust testing was making his record look bad and suggested the testing effort should slow down .
“ Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing to that extent , you ’ re going to find more cases , ” Trump said .
“ So I said to my people , ‘ Slow the testing down.
’ They test and they test.
” In response , Trump ’ s Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , tweeted , “ Speed up the testing.
“ A White House adviser , Peter Navarro , told CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” on Sunday that Trump ’ s remark was “ tongue in cheek.
” In the hours before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than expected , and campaign officials scrapped plans for Trump to speak at an overflow space outdoors .
Inside the 19,000-seat BOK Center , Trump thundered that “ the silent majority is stronger than ever before.
“ Tulsa Fire Department spokesperson Andy Little said the city fire marshal ’ s office reported a crowd of just less than 6,200 in the arena .
Trump tried to explain away the crowd size by blaming the media for scaring people and by insisting there were protesters outside who were “ doing bad things.
“ Hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown streets and blocked traffic at times , but police reported just a handful of arrests .
Before the rally , Trump ’ s campaign disclosed that that six staff members who were helping set up for the event had tested positive for the coronavirus .
Campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh said neither the affected staffers nor anyone who was in immediate contact with them would attend the event .
The president raged to aides that those positive cases had been made public , according to two White House and campaign officials who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t authorized to speak publicly about private conversations .
During the rally , Trump leaned in hard on cultural issues , including the push to tear down statues and and rename military bases honouring Confederate figures in the wake of nationwide protests about racial injustice .
“ The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history , desecrate our monuments , our beautiful monuments , “ Trump said .
“ They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new repressive regime in its place.
” Large gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March because of the coronavirus .
The Tulsa event was scheduled over the protests of local health officials as COVID-19 cases spiked in many states .
The choice of host city and date — originally Friday , Juneteenth , in a city where a 1921 racist attack killed as many as 300 people — prompted anger and protests against racial injustice .
Trump and his advisers forged forward , believing that a return to the rally stage would reenergize the president , who is furious that he has fallen behind Biden in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Trump has struggled to land effective attacks against Biden , and his broadsides against the former vice-president did not draw nearly the applause as did his digs at his 2016 opponent , Hillary Clinton .
City officials had expected a crowd of 100,000 people or more in downtown Tulsa .
Trump ’ s campaign declared that it had received over 1 million ticket requests .
The crowd that gathered was far less than that , though the rally , being broadcast on cable , also targeted voters in battleground states such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were social media claims that people had registered for the rally with no intention of attending .
Murtaugh , dismissing the potential impact , said “ leftists always fool themselves into thinking they ’ re being clever , ’ ’ and he noted that rallies are general admission , with first come , first served .
The president ’ s campaign tried to point fingers elsewhere over the smaller-than-expected crowds , accusing protesters of blocking access to metal detectors and preventing people from entering the rally .
Three Associated Press journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the president ’ s speech did not see protesters block entry to the area where the rally was held .
The campaign handed out masks and hand sanitizer , but there was no requirement that participants use them and few did .
Participants also underwent a temperature check .
Lemire reported from New York .
Associated Press writers Ken Miller in Oklahoma City and John Mone and Ellen Knickmeyer contributed to this report .

Kevin Freking And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Tennessee lawmakers adjourn without addressing race, reform

NASHVILLE - Tennessee ’ s Black lawmakers came back to the Capitol earlier this month with a request for their white colleagues : Advance public policy to send modest signals that say , “ Yes , Black lives do matter.
” “ You can ’ t just like black people , ” said Rep. Harold Love , a black pastor from Nashville , speaking in sombre tones in front of the House chamber on June 1 .
“ You have to also make policy that helps them and doesn ’ t lower their value.
” Nearly three weeks later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely ignoring measures proponents said would right some of the wrongs of racial injustice in Tennessee .
Legislation aimed at improving health care for some minority women stalled .
Lawmakers chose not to remove the bust of a former Confederate general from the Capitol building , even though similar monuments in many other states are being taken down - either forcibly by protesters or through government action .
Efforts to reform policing fizzled .
The Legislature adjourned Friday - leaving black lawmakers convinced that their colleagues had failed to rise to the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , but are Tennessee legislators listening ?
” asked Rep. Antonio Parkinson , a Black Democrat from Memphis .
A Democratic-backed police reform proposal was blocked on the House floor .
A budget request to expand postpartum health insurance for low-income and uninsured women — to halt “ preventable ” deaths of new mothers , which historically have had a disproportionate impact on women of colour — was shot down .
Instead , white Republicans in charge of both the House and Senate pursued reforms of their own .
A bill that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violate certain laws gained more support among top GOP leadership , though it was eventually abandoned in the final hours of session .
The proposal would have made it a felony to camp on or vandalize state property with graffiti — a violation that is currently a misdemeanour .
A breaking point came late Tuesday when Republican House lawmakers refused to advance a resolution honouring a Black gay teenager who had been shot and killed earlier this year , a measure with no practical impact beyond a simple show of support .
Resentment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cameron Sexton to call a closed meeting between leaders of both parties to address the racial tension .
The frustrations had even exploded into typically mundane budget debate — with both political parties trading claims of racism .
“ We are inclusive of everybody in this state and we want everybody to benefit , ” said House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison .
House lawmakers have remained tight-lipped on what exactly was discussed between Sexton , GOP and Democratic leaders .
However , Parkinson stood before the chamber later Wednesday and described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation.
” The Senate passed the resolution later in the week .
It has avoided most of the high-profile clashes seen in the House — but not all .
Sen. Brenda Gilmore , a Black Democrat from Nashville , announced earlier this month that she could no longer support legislation on a bill that had originally sought to stop observance in the state of Nathan Bedford Forrest , a Confederate general and early Ku Klux Klan leader .
In a rare move , she stripped her name as a co-sponsor after the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support from GOP lawmakers .
Under the version enacted into law without Gilmore ’ s name on it , the governor is no longer required to sign an annual proclamation acknowledging Forrest .
But July 13 will retain the formal designation as Nathan Bedford Forrest day .
Meanwhile , a bill to remove Forrest ’ s bust from the Capitol stalled .
Race issues are nothing new inside the Tennessee Legislature .
Last year , the Legislature stripped the powers of community oversight boards just months after city leaders in Democratic-leaning Nashville passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate police misconduct claims .
In 2018 , lawmakers punished the city of Memphis for removing Confederate monuments by taking $ 250,000 away from the city that would have been used for a bicentennial celebration the following year .
Yet when lawmakers returned to the Capitol in early June to address budget cuts caused by the pandemic , some wondered if the momentum of the nationwide protests against the death of George Floyd - who died after a Minneapolis police offer pinned him down with a knee to Floyd ’ s neck - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t happen .
Yet many Black Democrats vowed to return next year to tackle the work left undone .
“ Happy Juneteenth , ” said Rep. London Lamar , a Black Democrat from Memphis , said at 3 a.m. Friday — noting the Legislature was concluding on the holiday that commemorated the emancipation of enslaved African Americans .
Her colleagues briefly paused and then politely clapped .


thetorontostar--2020-06-21--Dutch police arrest 400 after virus protest turns violent

THE HAGUE , Netherlands - Dutch police arrested about 400 protesters and used a water cannon Sunday after violence erupted around a demonstration in The Hague against measures put in place by the government to rein in the spread of the coronavirus .
A peaceful protest turned violent when dozens of what police said were soccer fans arrived and clashed with riot police near the city ’ s central railway station .
Police used officers on horseback and a water cannon to disperse the crowd after police had been pelted with rocks and smoke bombs .
There were no immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly how many people gathered Sunday at the demonstration that was initially banned by The Hague ’ s mayor last week .
On Sunday , the mayor gave permission for a brief protest , because fewer people attended than had been predicted last week .
Police tweeted in the evening that about 400 people were arrested throughout the day and that many had been released .
The Hague municipality said in a statement that the soccer fans and other groups had descended on the city from around the Netherlands .
“ This has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of expression , ” Mayor Johan Remkes said in a statement .
“ This group deliberately aimed to disturb public order.
” The protesters argue that a proposed law formalizing the coronavirus measures goes too far and is unconstitutional .
“ I ’ m 60-years-old , and this is the first time I ’ ve ever demonstrated , but democracy is in danger ” said Wouter Thijs , one of the protesters .
By the end of the afternoon , police had encircled dozens of protesters who refused to leave the Malieveld park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed them they were all arrested for breaching a law governing public demonstrations .
They protesters were then led onto buses and driven away .
Police said they also arrested five people near the train station for throwing rocks .
The official outbreak death toll in the Netherlands is 6,090 , though the true toll is higher because not everybody who died of suspected COVID-19 was tested .
The country ’ s public health institute reported just one new death Sunday .


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--Gunmen hit car in Kabul, killing 5, including 2 prosecutors

KABUL - Gunmen opened fire at a car belonging to the Afghan attorney general ’ s office on Monday morning in eastern Kabul , killing five people inside , including two prosecutors , an official said .
The driver of the car and two other employees were among those killed , said Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz .
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but recently violence has spiked in Afghanistan , with most of the attacks claimed by the Islamic State group ’ s affiliate in the country .
The IS in Afghanistan is headquartered in eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the attorney general ’ s office , the car was on the way to office when it was targeted .
The gunmen fled the scene , the police said .
Faramarz said an investigation was underway .
In early June , IS claimed responsibility of a bomb explosion in a mosque in Kabul that killed two people , including the prayer leader .
Eight worshipers were wounded .
A week later , another prayer leader and three worshipers were killed in a bomb explosion inside another mosque in Kabul .
Eight people @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--Black candidates tap protest energy to challenge Democrats

NEW YORK - Amy McGrath and Eliot Engel live hundreds of miles apart in states with dramatically different politics .
Yet they ’ re the preferred candidates of the Democratic Party ’ s Washington establishment as voters in Kentucky and New York decide their congressional primary elections on Tuesday .
And both may be in trouble .
On the eve of their elections , Engel , a 16-term House incumbent who represents parts of the Bronx and New York City ’ s wealthy suburbs , and McGrath , a former military officer and fundraising juggernaut running in her first Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from lower-profile Black candidates .
The challengers have tapped into the wounded progressive movement ’ s desire for transformational change suddenly animated by sweeping civil rights protests across America .
Engel ’ s challenger , 45-year-old former public school principal Jamaal Bowman , and McGrath ’ s opponent , 35-year-old state Rep. Charles Booker , speak openly about their personal experience with police brutality and racism as they promote progressive plans to transform the nation ’ s health care system and economy .
And both accuse their white opponents of being absent from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate .
Bowman and Booker have also won the endorsement of Bernie Sanders , among a growing list of progressive leaders trying to influence the races from afar .
The Vermont senator failed to win the Democratic Party ’ s presidential nomination , but he continues to shape congressional primaries — even if it puts him at odds with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who ’ s backing Engel , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , who helped recruit McGrath .
“ There is no question the momentum is with us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the story of Bowman and Booker ’ s rise extends well beyond the yearslong tug-of-war between the progressive and pragmatic wings of the Democratic Party .
They didn ’ t gain traction until after George Floyd ’ s death last month triggered nationwide outrage about racial inequality .
Hours before polls open , however , it ’ s far from certain their bids will be successful .
In New York , the progressive pushback against Engel ’ s reelection was somewhat surprising given his status as one of the Democratic Party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also drawn overwhelming support from African Americans in Congress and establishment leaders such as Hillary Clinton .
In an interview , he noted he was a founding member of the House Medicare for All Caucus , an original co-sponsor of the Green New Deal and the endorsed candidate of the congressional Black and Hispanic caucuses .
“ I ’ ve always believed that Black lives matter .
I didn ’ t have to see a tragedy to know that , ” said Engel , 73 .
“ All I can do for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my record.
’ I can ’ t control outside events.
” Engel admits regret over an unforced error of sorts earlier in the month when he was caught on a hot microphone telling a New York colleague at a news conference about the civil unrest : “ If I didn ’ t have a primary , I wouldn ’ t be here.
” He says the comments were taken out of context , but he also understands why some people would be upset .
“ Do I wish the whole event hadn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t change my record , ” Engel said .
Bowman seized on the comment and the perception that Engel has lost touch with the entirety of his diverse district , which features Westchester County ’ s multimillion-dollar homes and the Bronx ’ s housing projects .
In both communities , Bowman said , there ’ s a growing sense of unity around racial justice .
“ We ’ re seeing protests and uprisings in communities that are white and wealthy and stereotypically don ’ t care about racial justice , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s inspiring and it ’ s helpful to us because everyone knows we were talking about police brutality .
I was sharing my personal story , and we were going after institutional racism from the very beginning of our campaign.
“ The winner of the New York House primary Tuesday is expected to win the general election easily given the district ’ s strong Democratic tilt .
Kentucky ’ s Senate primary will determine which Democrat runs against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who ’ s unpopular but a proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Democrats helped recruit McGrath , thinking her military history and centrist approach would play well , even in a state that backed Trump by 30 percentage points four years ago .
The former Marine fighter pilot reported an eye-popping $ 19 million in the bank at the beginning of the month .
Booker reported just $ 285,000 then , although his campaign told The Associated Press he raised at least $ 2.4 million more this month .
Booker ’ s recent fundraising surge coincides with the protests , although it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will resonate to the same degree in a state where just 8 % of residents are Black and 3 out of 4 don ’ t have a bachelor ’ s degree , according to the Census Bureau .
“ It is real , ” Booker said of racism in his state .
“ I ’ ve had ancestors lynched in Kentucky.
” Just this month , he says he was tear-gassed by police in the Louisville district he represents while attending a peaceful rally .
“ I ’ m there to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes wrong and that people ’ s voices are heard .
And we look up and three canisters are thrown within 10 feet of me , ” Booker told the AP .
“ Everyone starts running .
And I just stood there in disbelief — that even though I have done all this work across Kentucky , even though I ’ m an elected official , they still saw me as a young Black man , and they still felt like it was justified to throw tear gas at me .
It hurt.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been a less visible presence at protests , though she has attended some .
She ’ s also drawn criticism from her party ’ s far left wing for resisting policy proposals such as “ Medicare for All.
” And she ’ s not willing to call Trump a racist , even if she thinks his words and actions have been .
Still , McGrath has not shied away from questions about race .
In an interview , she called on white people to do more to fight systemic racism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s right and talk to other white people and call it out when we see it , “ she said .
“ Whatever the solution is , we want to be part of it .
”

Steve Peoples And Alan Fram - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--Scientists find huge ring of ancient shafts near Stonehenge

LONDON - Archaeologists said Monday that they have discovered a major prehistoric monument under the earth near Stonehenge that could shed new light on the origins of the mystical stone circle in southwestern England .
Experts from a group of British universities led by the University of Bradford say the site consists of at least 20 huge shafts , more than 10 metres ( 32 feet ) in diameter and 5 metres ( 16 feet ) deep , forming a circle more than 2 kilometres ( 1.2 miles ) in diameter .
The new find is at Durrington Walls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 kilometres ( 1.2 miles ) from Stonehenge , Researchers say the shafts appear to have been dug around 4,500 years ago , and could mark the boundary of a sacred area or precinct around a circular monument known as the Durrington Walls henge .
Richard Bates , of the University of St. Andrews School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , said the findings -- made with remote sensing and sampling — provided “ an insight to the past that shows an even more complex society than we could ever imagine.
” University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ remarkable ” that Stonehenge , one of the most studied archaeological landscapes in the world , could yield such a major new discovery .
“ When these pits were first noted it was thought they might be natural features — solution hollows in the chalk , ” he said .
But geophysical surveys allowed scientists to “ join the dots and see there was a pattern on a massive scale.
” Britain is dotted with stone circles build thousands of years ago for reasons that remain mysterious .
The most famous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 3000 B.C .
and 1600 B.C .
that is one of Britain ’ s most popular tourist attractions .
It ’ s also a spiritual home for thousands of druids and mystics who visit at the summer and winter solstices -- though this weekend ’ s summer solstice celebrations were scuttled by a ban on mass gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic .


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--EU lagging behind on climate, gender equality goals

BRUSSELS - The European Union ’ s statistical office says the 27-nation bloc is lagging behind its goals in the fight against climate change and to promote gender equality .
In a report published Monday assessing the EU ’ s progress in reaching the United Nations ’ sustainable development goals , Eurostat noted improvement in reducing poverty and improving health over the past five years of data .
But only slow progress , or no overall progress at all , was achieved toward environmental objectives .
As for gender equality , the report noted that the EU has “ moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2030 agenda for sustainable development , which contains 17 goals , was adopted in 2015 at the U.N. General Assembly .
“ Progress towards the EU ’ s climate and energy targets has in part stalled , as has the shift towards a circular economy , “ Eurostat said .
“ Pressures on ecosystems and biodiversity have therefore been increasing in some areas.
” Commenting on the data during a press conference , European Commissioner for economy Paolo Gentiloni pointed to efforts to reduce the gender pay gap , but the report noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in acquiring education and on the labour market .
Gentiloni expressed concerns that the situation could worsen because of the lockdown measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
The stringent measures have plunged the EU into a recession of colossal proportions .
“ We ’ ll have to look at the consequences of the months behind us , “ he said .
“ We should ( pay ) particular attention to gender gap in our activity.
” Looking at the political side of inequalities , Gentiloni took satisfaction in the increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted “ there is still a long way to go.
“ EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen , who was elected last year , has made a priority of the fight against climate change .
She also insists that gender equality is a key element of economic growth and has set up a gender-equal team of commissioners in charge of implementing her policies .
As part of her Green Deal project aiming at making Europe the world ’ s first carbon-neutral continent by 2050 , von der Leyen also wants to dedicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget to tackling climate change .
“ Yes , we took very good decisions .
Yes , we are committed .
Yes , we are at the forefront on the goals for 2020 and 2030 , but we still have the consequences of climate change in place , “ Gentiloni said .
“ That ’ s why the Green Deal is even more important.
” According to the Eurostat report , the bloc ’ s CO2 emissions were reduced by 2.7 per cent from 2013 to 2018 but temperatures kept rising .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hottest on record in Europe with an average temperature deviation of 1.6 to 1.7 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times .
Follow all AP coverage of climate change issues at https : //apnews.com/Climate


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--Thai army whistleblower accused of abandoning post gets bail

BANGKOK - A Thai army sergeant who alleged corruption was rampant in his unit was granted bail Monday by a military court after he was accused of abandoning his post , which he said he did because he feared for his safety .
The military court in Bangkok granted Sgt .
Narongchai Intharakawi ’ s release on 50,000 baht ( $ 1,610 ) bail , his lawyer Norasate Nanongtoom said .
Narongchai appeared at the court Monday to face charges of disobeying an officer and going absent without leave , each carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Narongchai ’ s case has attracted attention because it comes after the military agreed to crack down on corruption after a soldier who felt he had been cheated by his commander went on a shooting spree in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima in February , killing 29 people , mostly civilians .
Army chief Gen. Apirat Kongsompong acknowledged after the mass shooting that officers were involved in corruption and promised a crackdown .
Narongchai told The Associated Press in an interview last week that he first voiced his concerns about corruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clerk at the Army Ordnance Material Rebuilding Center .
He said allowances and expenses were drawn in various soldiers ’ names , including his own , on the basis of bogus trips and seminars .
After he complained , he said , his name was no longer used in the phoney accounting , but his army career suffered .
When he discovered in 2019 that his name was again being used to draw bogus expenses , he complained to the state Ombudsman ’ s Office , but he said his situation only got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of his superiors , which led to him being charged with disobeying an officer .
Narongchai said he next decided to call a hotline that the army commander had established for reporting military corruption , but at the same time agreed to meet with superiors who assured him that his situation could be resolved if he apologized .
A video of the meeting in March shows a general sternly warning him not to speak out .
Narongchai said the video did not show parts where verbal threats were made against his life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to serve a week ’ s detention for disobeying an officer , he said he also learned his superior was upset he had called the hotline .
Narongchai said he then decided he would not be safe in military detention , so he fled his unit , taking with him documents that he said support his allegations of graft .
Army spokesman Col. Winthai Suwaree told the AP on Monday that Narongchai was facing punishment solely for leaving his post , and not because he exposed financial wrongdoing .
Winthai said an army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which were referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission .
Narongchai said he now has nothing to lose and will fight his case to the end “ to see what kind of men the army prefers to protect.
” “ My unit is very small .
And if it can happen a few times a year in my unit , imagine how much money is involved in the whole country .
We are talking about easily millions of the taxpayers ’ money .
I just couldn ’ t stand the thought of blatant thievery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer Busaba Sivasomboon contributed to this report .

Tassanee Vejpongsa - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--Detained Lebanese woman accused of dealing with Israel

BEIRUT - A Lebanese political activist who was detained last week was charged on Monday with collaborating with Israel and referred to a military prosecutor , Lebanon ’ s state-run news agency reported .
The National News Agency said Government Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Fadi Akiki charged Kinda El-Khatib with visiting Israel and “ dealing with spies of the Israeli enemy.
” The report added that the judge referred El-Khatib to a military investigative judge for questioning .
The military judge is expected to issue a formal arrest warrant .
Lebanon and Israel are in a state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visiting the other country .
El-Khatib was detained last week with her brother , who was later released .
According to local media reports , she had visited Israel by crossing from Jordan .
She has been active on social media , where she harshly criticized Lebanon ’ s militant Hezbollah group and its strong ally , Lebanese President Michel Aoun .
Hezbollah and Israel fought a monthlong war in 2006 .
Shortly before the charges were filed Monday , dozens rallied in Beirut demanding El-Khatib ’ s release and saying that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s case is similar to that of Ziad Itani , a Lebanese stage actor who was released in 2018 after being cleared of charges of collaborating with Israel .
Itani spent about four months in prison .


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--Report: Iran arrests founder of student charity, 2 aides

TEHRAN , Iran - Iranian security forces on Monday arrested the founder of an influential student charity organization and two of his aides , and sealed the group ’ s offices in Tehran , a local news website reported .
The report by fararu.com said authorities appeared at the home of Sharmin Meimandinejad , the charity ’ s founder , and arrested him .
It said that around the same time , Morteza Kaymanaeh , the spokesman for the charity , and another of its employees , Katayoun Afrazeh , were also arrested .
The report gave no details or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police did not announce any charges against the three or the charity , named after Imam Ali , the Shiite Muslim sect ’ s most revered figure after the Prophet Muhammad .
Iranian hard-liners have in recent years criticized the charity , the Imam Ali ’ s Popular Students Relief Society , accusing it of misusing the organization for political purposes and defaming the system by highlighting Iran ’ s problems , as well as working with foreign countries and international bodies .
The charity , founded in the early 2000 ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizes university students and other volunteers to help the poor and others in times of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods .
Iran ’ s moderate President Hassan Rouhani recently said charities and non-governmental groups should not allow “ dishonest individuals ” to assume positions in them .
In May , judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi warned about alleged plans by Iran ’ s “ enemies ” to fund charities for “ hostile ” purposes .
Iranian hard-liners accuse the West of seeking to topple the clerical establishment .
These accusations have increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s moves that pulled America out of Iran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers and Washington ’ s reimposing of economic sanctions on Tehran .


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--Iran’s currency reaches lowest value ever against the dollar

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran ’ s currency on Monday dropped to its lowest value ever against the dollar and officials warned Iranian exporters to bring their foreign earnings home from abroad .
Money exchange shops briefly traded the Iranian rial 200,000 for a dollar and later in the day , the currency was valued at 198,000 rials against the dollar .
The lows were a new record after the rial on Saturday traded at 190,000 for the dollar .
The plunge of the rial comes amid severe U.S. sanctions imposed on Tehran .
Iran ’ s Senior Vice-President Eshaq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring home their earnings from abroad .
Last week , Jahangiri said Iran ’ s oil revenues have plummeted to $ 8 billion from $ 100 billion in 2011 .
The country ’ s commerce ministry warned that it would revoke export licenses for those who fail to comply and bring the hard currency home while Iran ’ s central bank said on Sunday that it would publish the names of the violators .
Iranian companies reportedly export non-oil products in the value of more than 40 billion dollars a year , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stays abroad .
The rial has tumbled from a rate of 32,000 rials to $ 1 at the time of Tehran ’ s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
The currency unexpectedly rallied for some time after President Donald Trump ’ s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the nuclear deal and reimpose crippling trade sanctions on Iran more than two years ago .
The sanctions have caused Iran ’ s oil exports , the country ’ s main source of income , to fall sharply .


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--South Africa’s minibus taxis go on strike, hitting workers

JOHANNESBURG - A strike by South Africa ’ s minibus taxi drivers over what they say is inadequate coronavirus relief funds has disrupted the return of scores of thousands of people to work .
Taxi operators in the economic hub of Gauteng province , which includes the city of Johannesburg and the capital Pretoria , Monday morning blocked roads and refused to transport workers .
In Pretoria , there were reports of police using rubber bullets to disperse protesting taxi drivers .
The country ’ s taxi industry was among the sectors hit hard by the economic effects of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of March to fight the spread of COVID-19 .
Millions of South Africans rely on minibus taxis to commute to work and will need the service as the country eases lockdown levels in order to return the economy back to full operation .
The minibus taxis have been restricted in the hours they can work the number of passengers they can carry .
The taxi industry has rejected the government ’ s allocation of 1.3 billion rand ( about $ 76 million ) in relief funds , claiming it is too little to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa announced further easing of lockdown measures last week , allowing for the reopening of sit-in restaurants , movie theatres and hair salons .
Manufacturing industries had reopened , with more industries earlier allowed to reopen when the country moved to level 3 of lockdown restrictions .
Gauteng minister responsible for public transport in the province , Jacob Mamabolo , said the government would meet the industry this week to discuss the current impasse .
Africa ’ s reported cases of COVID-19 have gone above 300,000 , showing a quickening pace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continent .
According to figures released Monday by the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention , the continent now has 306,567 confirmed cases , including 8,115 deaths and 146,212 recoveries .
It took more than 90 days for Africa ’ s 54 countries to reach 100,000 cases , 19 days to reach 200,000 and now 12 days to go above 300,000 .
The actual number of cases is believed to be much higher , as testing across the continent is low .
South Africa , with 97,302 cases , accounts for nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , and the epicenter is the Western Cape province , including the city of Cape Town , which has 52 % of the country ’ s total .
Numbers are growing in the economic hub of Gauteng province , including the largest city Johannesburg and the capital , Pretoria , which has 21 % of the country ’ s total cases .
South Africa had initially hoped that it could control the spread of the disease through testing and tracing , but although the country has carried out more than 1.3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it currently it takes an average of 12 days to get results , which medical experts say is much too long to do any effective tracking and quarantining .


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--Retired pope returning to Vatican after visiting ill brother

BERLIN - Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI left Germany on Monday to return to the Vatican after a four-day visit to @ @ @ @ @ Benedict , a Bavarian native , boarded an Italian air force plane bound for Rome @ @ @ @ @ was seen off by Bavaria ’ s governor , Markus Soeder , who said it @ @ @ @ @ happiness and melancholy , ” news agency dpa reported .
The 93-year-old retired pontiff arrived @ @ @ @ @ be with his 96-year-old brother , the Rev .
Georg Ratzinger .
On Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ prayed at his parents ’ grave .
He stayed at a seminary during his trip @ @ @ @ @ a day .
Benedict has lived at a monastery on the Vatican grounds since shortly @ @ @ @ @ a decision that stunned the world .
Elected to the papacy in 2005 to succeed @ @ @ @ @ the former Joseph Ratzinger was the first pontiff in 600 years to resign the post @ @ @ @ @ current Pope Francis .


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--Fire breaks out at hazmat facility at US air base on Okinawa

TOKYO - A fire broke out Monday in a storage building for hazardous materials at a major U.S. air base on Japan ’ s southern island of Okinawa , slightly injuring dozens of personnel who were exposed to smoke or chlorine gas , the U.S. military said .
The blaze began in the morning in the building at Kadena Air Base and was extinguished several hours later , the U.S. Air Force said .
Japanese television showed thick gray plumes of smoke billowing from the building , called the 18th wing Hazardous Materials Pharmacy .
The area was closed off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as firefighters battled the fire , the Air Force said in a statement .
About 45 people in the area were exposed to smoke and chlorine gas from the fire , but were treated and most have returned to duty , the statement said .
The cause of the fire is still unknown , it said .
It said bio-environmental experts and emergency staff remained at the site to monitor the aftermath and ensure there was no risk to the community .
Kadena is the largest U.S. air base in the Far East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. troops in Japan are stationed on Okinawa under a bilateral security pact .
Many residents of Okinawa have complained about environmental hazards , noise and crime related to the U.S. military presence .
In April , more than 140 tons of firefighting foam believed to contain cancer-causing substances leaked from Marine Air Station Futenma , which is at the centre of a relocation dispute .
Japan ’ s Defence Ministry said last month that water samples showed no major problems .


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--2 dead, 7 wounded in shooting at North Carolina block party

CHARLOTTE , N.C. - Two people were killed and seven others were wounded in an early Monday shooting in North Carolina ’ s largest city , police said , while five others were hit by vehicles .
The shooting happened at an “ impromptu block party “ that was a continuation of Juneteenth celebrations , Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Deputy Chief Johnny Jennings told reporters .
Police responding to a call about a pedestrian hit by a car found hundreds of people in the streets around 12:30 a.m. , a police statement said .
As officers arrived , they heard several shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shots into the crowd , ” a police release said preliminary information indicated .
No one was in custody as of Monday morning .
A female victim who was shot was pronounced dead at the scene , the release said .
Her age and identity weren ’ t released .
Another victim was pronounced dead at a hospital ; no further information about the second fatality was released .
The conditions of the seven people wounded in the shooting weren ’ t immediately clear .
Jennings initially said the five people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the police statement later said that the first person hit by a car was believed to be the call officers were initially responding to , while the other four were struck by vehicles fleeing the gunfire .
All five are believed to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries .
The shooting took place on Beatties Ford Road in northern Charlotte , police said .
Juneteenth , for which celebrations started Friday , commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free 155 years ago .


thetorontostar--2020-06-22--Trump rally highlights vulnerabilities heading into election

NEW YORK - President Donald Trump ’ s return to the campaign trail was designed to show strength and enthusiasm heading into the critical final months before an election that will decide whether he remains in the White House .
Instead , his weekend rally in Oklahoma highlighted growing vulnerabilities and crystallized a divisive reelection message that largely ignores broad swaths of voters — independents , suburban women and people of colour — who could play a crucial role in choosing Trump or Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
The lower-than-expected turnout at the comeback rally , in particular , left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really only one strategy left for him , and that is to propel that rage and anger and try to split the society and see if he can have a tribal leadership win here , ” former Trump adviser-turned-critic Anthony Scaramucci said on CNN ’ s “ Reliable Sources.
” The Republican president did not offer even a token reference to national unity in remarks that spanned more than an hour and 40 minutes at his self-described campaign relaunch as the nation grappled with surging coronavirus infections , the worst unemployment since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nor did Trump mention George Floyd , the African American man whose death at the hands of Minnesota police late last month sparked a national uprising over police brutality .
But he did add new fuel to the nation ’ s culture wars , defending Confederate statues while making racist references to the coronavirus , which originated in China and which he called “ kung flu.
” He also said Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar , who came to the U.S. as a refugee , “ would like to make the government of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she came , Somalia.
” Trump won the presidency in 2016 with a similar red-meat message aimed largely at energizing conservatives and white working-class men .
But less than four months before early voting begins in some states , there are signs that independents and educated voters — particularly suburban women — have turned against him .
Republican strategists increasingly believe that only a dramatic turnaround in the economy can revive his reelection aspirations .
“ It ’ s bad , ” said Republican operative Rick Tyler , a frequent Trump critic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ run on .
The only thing he can say is that Biden is worse.
” But the day after Trump ’ s Tulsa rally , the president ’ s message was almost an afterthought as aides tried to explain away a smaller-than-expected crowd that left the president outraged .
The campaign had been betting big on Tulsa .
Trump ’ s political team spent days proclaiming that more than 1 million people had requested tickets .
They also ignored health warnings from the White House coronavirus task force and Oklahoma officials , eager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him move past the civil rights protests and the coronavirus itself .
His first rally in 110 days was meant to be a defiant display of political force to help energize Trump ’ s spirits , try out some attacks on Biden and serve as a powerful symbol of American ’ s reopening .
Instead , the city fire marshal ’ s office reported a crowd of just less than 6,200 in the 19,000-seat BOK Center , and at least six staff members who helped set up the event tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendees , including Trump , did not wear face masks as recommended by the Trump administration ’ s health experts .
After the rally , the president berated aides over the turnout .
He fumed that he had been led to believe he would see huge crowds in deep-red Oklahoma , according to two White House and campaign officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations .
There was no sign of an imminent staff shakeup , but members of Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager Brad Parscale and other senior aides could so wildly overpromise and underdeliver , according to the officials .
Publicly , Trump ’ s team scrambled to blame the crowd size on media coverage and protesters outside the venue , but the small crowds of pre-rally demonstrators were largely peaceful .
Tulsa police reported just one arrest Saturday afternoon .
It ’ s unclear when Trump will hold his next rally .
Before Oklahoma , the campaign had planned to finalize and announce its next rally this week .
Trump is already scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday in Wisconsin .
Both are major general election battlegrounds .
At least one swing state governor , meanwhile , says Trump would not be welcome to host a rally in her state amid the pandemic .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , a Democrat , said she “ would think very seriously about “ trying to block Trump from hosting a rally there if he wanted to .
“ We know that congregating without masks , especially at an indoor facility , is the worst thing to do in the midst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an interview before the Oklahoma event , conceding that she wasn ’ t aware of the specific legal tools she had available to block a prospective Trump rally .
“ I just know we have limitations on the number of people that can gather and that we ’ re taking this seriously.
” Biden ’ s campaign , meanwhile , seized on a fresh opportunity to poke at the incumbent president , suggesting that Trump “ was already in a tailspin ” because of his mismanagement of the pandemic and civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership , and it is no surprise that his supporters have responded by abandoning him , ” Biden spokesperson Andrew Bates said .
Associated Press writer Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
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