thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Greece slams Turkish announcement on research in eastern Med

ATHENS , Greece - Greece on Monday slammed a Turkish announcement that it will be conducting energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean in an area Athens says overlaps its continental shelf , as tension increased sharply in the region .
Officials said Greece ’ s military was on alert , while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis convened the government ’ s national security council after Turkey issued a Navtex , or international maritime safety message , Monday announcing its research vessel Oruc Reis and two auxiliary vessels would be conducting seismic exploration in an area between Greece and Cyprus until Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced it would be conducing a firing exercise in the eastern Mediterranean Monday and Tuesday in a nearby area , southwest of the Turkish coast between Turkey and the Greek island of Rhodes .
“ Greece will not accept any blackmail .
It will defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights , ” Greece ’ s Foreign Ministry said in a statement .
“ We call on Turkey to immediately end its illegal actions that undermine peace and security in the region.
” The ministry said Monday ’ s Navtex “ combined with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish Navy , constitutes a new serious escalation.
“ Turkey is acting in a way that is destabilizing and threatening peace , it added .
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said the Oruc Reis had arrived in its area of operation from its anchorage off Turkey ’ s southern coast .
He tweeted that “ 83 million back the Oruc Reis , ” referring to Turkey ’ s population .
Greek Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis said the Oruc Reis was not transmitting through the automatic identification system carried by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Greek Navy .
“ We are at full political and operational readiness , ” Gerapetritis said on state television ERT .
“ The majority of the fleet is ready at this moment to go out wherever is needed , ” he said when asked to elaborate .
“ Our ships that are sailing in crucial areas were already in place days ago .
If necessary there will be a greater development of the fleet.
” Gerapetritis said that “ it is clear that we are not seeking any tension in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a given.
” Greece on Monday issued its own maritime safety message saying the Turkish Navtex had been issued by an “ unauthorized station ” and referred to “ unauthorized and illegal activity in an area that overlaps the Greek continental shelf.
” A crucial issue of the dispute is whether islands should be included in calculating a country ’ s continental shelf and maritime zones of economic interest .
Turkey argues they should not be , a position Greece says violates international law .
Greece has thousands of islands and islets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 200 of them inhabited .
Tension has increased in recent months over drilling rights and maritime boundaries .
Late last month , Turkey had said it was suspending its exploratory operations in the eastern Mediterranean , and the move was seen as somewhat defusing the situation .
But last week Ankara slammed a deal Greece and Egypt signed Thursday delineating maritime boundaries and the countries ’ exclusive economic zones for drilling rights .
Last year , Turkey signed a similar deal with the U.N.-backed Libyan government in Tripoli , sparking outrage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all said it infringed on their economic rights in the Mediterranean .
The European Union says it ’ s a violation of intentional law that threatens stability in the region .
German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger said Berlin had “ taken note with concern ” of Turkey ’ s decision to conduct seismic exploration .
He said Foreign Minister Heiko Maas “ has repeatedly said that international law must be respected and that we need steps toward deescalation in the eastern Mediterranean .
And in view of this , further seismic exploration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time.
” Turkey ’ s move “ further burdens its relationship with the EU , ” Burger said , and called on both sides “ to resolve all open questions through negotiations and to begin a bilateral dialogue between Athens and Ankara as planned.
“ NATO allies and neighbours Greece and Turkey have been at odds for decades over a wide variety of issues and have come to the brink of war three times since the mid-1970s , including once over drilling exploration rights .
Recent discoveries of natural gas and drilling plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spike in tension .
Mitsotakis spoke Monday with European Council President Charles Michel and was to speak later in the day with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg .
In a television interview late Sunday , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’ s spokesman , Ibrahim Kalin said Turkey and Greece had been holding talks in Berlin for 2 1/2 months and were on the verge of issuing a joint statement when the Greek-Egyptian agreement emerged .
“ The moment the agreement with Egypt was announced , we received a clear instruction from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the talks .
Inform the Germans and the Greeks , we are not pressing ahead with the negotiations , ’ ” Kalin told CNN-Turk television .
“ This is another move to keep Turkey out of the Eastern Mediterranean and to restrict it to the Gulf of Antalya , ” Kalin said .
Kalin said Turkey is in favour of resolving the dispute through dialogue .
“ But it is the Greek side that disrupted the agreement and broke the trust , ” he said .
Andrew Wilks and Suzan Fraser in Ankara @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Shots fired as crowds clash with police in downtown Chicago

CHICAGO - Hundreds of people smashed windows , stole from stores and clashed with police early Monday in Chicago ’ s upscale Magnificent Mile shopping district and other parts of the city .
At one point , shots were fired at police and officers returned fire , police spokesman Tom Ahern said on Twitter .
No officers were injured in the shooting .
Many of the businesses that were ransacked had recently opened after Chicago protests of George Floyd ’ s May 25 death in Minneapolis devolved into chaos .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear what led to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but anti-police graffiti was seen in the area of the Magnificent Mile , which is one of Chicago ’ s most-visited tourist attractions .
Hours earlier , dozens of people had faced off with police after officers shot and wounded a person Sunday in the city ’ s Englewood neighbourhood , located about 10 miles ( 16 kilometres ) away .
Asked for updates on the situation , Ahern told The Associated Press in an email that police planned to hold a news conference Monday morning .
Police Superintendent David Brown and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Along the Magnificent Mile , people were seen going in and out of stores carrying shopping bags full of merchandise as well as at a bank , the Chicago Tribune reported , and as the crowd grew vehicles dropped off more people in the area .
On streets throughout the downtown area , empty cash drawers from stores were strewn about and ATMs were ripped open .
Stores miles from downtown were also ransacked , with parking lots littered with glass and items from inside the stores .
Clothes hangers and boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electronics were seen — evidence that thieves had taken racks of clothes and removed them from the hangers .
“ This was obviously very orchestrated , ” the Rev .
Michael Pfleger , a prominent Roman Catholic priest and activist on the city ’ s South Side , told WBBM-TV as cameras panned the downtown area .
One officer was seen slumped against a building , several arrests were made and a rock was thrown at a police vehicle , the newspaper said .
Police worked early Monday to disperse the crowds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning outside an Apple store located north of Chicago ’ s downtown area .
Blocks away , debris was strewn in parking lots in front of a Best Buy and a large liquor store .
Train and bus service into downtown was temporarily suspended at the request of public safety officials , the Chicago Transit Authority said on Twitter .
Bridges over the Chicago River were lifted , preventing travel to and from the downtown area , and Illinois State Police blocked some expressway ramps into downtown .
Chicago and its suburbs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the death of Floyd .
Chicago ’ s central business district and its commercial areas were shut down for several days after violence erupted and stores were damaged in the wake of marches protesting Floyd ’ s death .
Floyd , a Black man who was handcuffed , died after a white officer pressed his knee against Floyd ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd said he couldn ’ t breathe .
In the Sunday shooting in Englewood , police said in a statement that they responded about 2:30 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a gun and tried to confront someone matching his description in an alley .
He fled from officers on foot and shot at officers , police said .
Officers returned fire , wounding him , and a gun was recovered , police said .
He was taken to a hospital for treatment and three officers involved also were taken to a hospital for observation , the statement said .
More than an hour after the shooting , police and witnesses said a crowd faced off with police after someone reportedly told people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child .
That crowd eventually dispersed .

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thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Face masks now required outdoors at crowded Paris locations

PARIS - From the most romantic spots along the Seine to popular shopping streets , residents and visitors in Paris were required to wear face masks in some outdoor areas of the French capital starting Monday amid an uptick in reported coronavirus cases .
Police are authorized to issue a 35-euro ( $ 159 ) fine to people who do not follow the new public health requirement .
One location covered by the measure is the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin , among the city ’ s most popular outdoor spots for lunch or an aperitif with friends .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the canal , I think it is a bit of a drastic measure , “ lawyer Helene Rames said after the face mask rule took effect .
“ But it is true that at night and on the weekends , you can see many young people here close to each other , which is scary , “ she added .
” If it ’ s for the health of our elders then let ’ s wear it.
” Wearing a face mask outdoors also is required at the city ’ s open-air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Notre Dame Cathedral and Montmartre district neighbourhoods , on several typically crowded streets and in parts of the Paris suburbs , authorities said .
A similar requirement is being applied in Marseille , France ’ s second-largest city , and dozens of other tourist destinations in France , including the French Riviera resort of Saint-Tropez .
A nationwide decree already requires people to wear masks in all stores and other indoor public places .
French health authorities warned that the country is going backward in its battle against the pandemic .
They reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours on Friday , the biggest single-day rise since May .
France has reported over 30,300 virus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Algerian reporter sentenced to 3 years over protest coverage

ALGIERS , Algeria - An Algerian journalist who played a prominent role in covering the country ’ s pro-democracy movement last year was sentenced Monday to three years in prison for inciting unauthorized demonstrations and attacking national unity .
Dozens of journalists and activists in the Hirak movement protested outside the courthouse , demanding freedom for Khaled Drareni .
His supporters said the verdict was reminiscent of the tightly controlled era of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika , who was pushed out by the mass demonstrations and whose successor promised a more democratic , open leadership .
Drareni ’ s arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and media watchdog groups such as Reporters Without Borders .
Drareni worked with the organization , led the news website Casbah Tribune and drew a widespread social media following for his coverage of protests that helped bring down Bouteflika .
Along with sending him to prison , the court in Sidi M ’ Hamed ordered the journalist to pay a fine of 50,000 dinars ( about $ 400 ) , according to the National Committee for the Release of Detainees .
During the trial , which was held by videoconference because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was only working as an independent journalist and exercising his right to inform .
Reporters Without Borders , known by its French acronym RSF , dismissed Monday ’ s verdict as “ arbitrary and absurd “ and called it “ judicial persecution against a journalist who is the honour of his country , ” urging global mobilization in his support .
At least one other Algerian journalist is currently awaiting trial , according to RSF .
Mass demonstrations brought down Algeria ’ s long-time president and his entourage in April 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ December , the pro-democracy movement is seeking deeper change in a nation whose rulers have been shadowed by the army since it gained independence from France in 1962 .
In their case against Drareni , prosecutors noted a Facebook post in which Drareni said the Algerian political system hadn ’ t changed since the election in December of Abdelmadjid Tebboune as president , and that Drareni shared a call by multiple political parties for a general strike .
“ Khaled Drareni was only doing his job of informing citizens .
He did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his lawyers , Fetta Sadat , told The Associated Press .
The verdict “ is proof that Algerian justice is not free but an instrument in the hands of power that can be used to intimidate Algerians .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Simon Cowell has surgery for broken back after bike accident

LOS ANGELES - Simon Cowell underwent surgery to repair a broken back , the result of an electric bicycle accident , and was recovering at a hospital , a spokesperson said Sunday .
“ Simon has broken his back in a number of places “ after falling from the new bike he ’ d been testing in the courtyard of his Malibu home Saturday , the representative said .
Family members were present .
The entertainment mogul was “ doing fine ” and remained under observation after the operation at an unidentified hospital , the spokesperson said .
Cowell ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to the hospital and has been able to see him briefly .
Cowell ’ s overnight , six-hour surgery included placement of a metal rod .
Despite the ordeal , he mustered the strength to post a “ massive thank you ” to doctors and nurses treating him .
Cowell , known for his tart-tongued comments about contestants , also shared some advice .
“ If you buy an electric trail bike , read the manual before you ride it for the first time , ” he tweeted Sunday night .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s child by a previous marriage were with Cowell when the accident happened .
Cowell ’ s injury will force him to miss the beginning of this season ’ s live shows on NBC ’ s “ America ’ s Got Talent.
” The live shows will begin Tuesday and Wednesday without him , the network said .
He created the talent show , now in its 15th season , and serves as a judge .
The show ’ s other judges are Heidi Klum , Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a judge on “ Britain ’ s Got Talent , ” “ The X Factor ” and “ American Idol .
”

ATLANTA (AP) — Putting 19 people on trial at the same time is a difficult assignment for any prosecutor — whether or not one of those defendan…


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Race in Mauritius to empty oil tanker before it breaks up

JOHANNESBURG - Urgent efforts increased in Mauritius on Monday to empty a stranded Japanese ship of an estimated 2,500 tons of oil before the vessel breaks up and increases the contamination of the island ’ s once-pristine coastline .
Already more than 1,000 tons of the fuel has washed up on the eastern coast of Mauritius , polluting its coral reefs , protected lagoons and shoreline .
High winds and waves are pounding the Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio , which ran aground on a coral reef two weeks ago and is showing signs of breaking up and dumping its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocean waters surrounding Mauritius .
“ We are expecting the worst , ” said Jean Hugues Gardenne of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation .
“ The ship is showing really big , big cracks .
We believe it will break into two at any time , at the maximum within two days , “ said Gardenne .
” So much oil remains in the ship , so the disaster could become much worse .
It ’ s important to remove as much oil as possible .
Helicopters are taking out the fuel little by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts have arrived from the nearby island of Reunion and are deploying booms to try to contain any new oil spill , Gardenne said .
France sent a navy ship , military aircraft and technical advisers after Mauritius appealed for international help .
“ The booms should be in place within hours , which we hope will help to protect the coastline from further damage , ” he said .
The booms will boost the improvised barriers that thousands of volunteers in Mauritius created from fabric tubes stuffed with straw and sugar cane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts are also underway to get other ships close enough to pump large amounts of oil out of the Japanese bulk carrier .
“ The danger of the ship breaking into two is increasing hour by hour , ” said Sunil Dowarkasing , an environmental consultant and former member of parliament in Mauritius .
“ The cracks have now reached the base of the ship and there is still a lot of fuel on the ship .
Two ships are headed to the site so that fuel can be pumped into them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japanese-owned ship ran aground on July 25 but work to remove its oil only started last week when the ship cracked and started emptying the fuel into the sea .
Pressure is mounting on the government of Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth to explain why it did not take immediate action to avert the environmental disaster .
Jugnauth has declared the oil spill a national emergency , but some residents say he acted too late .
The opposition and activists are calling for the resignation of the environment and fisheries ministers .
Volunteers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean-up operation to local officials .
Japan on Sunday said it would send a six-member expert team to assist .
“ The Japanese should be doing more right now , ” said Dowarkasing .
“ They should send in experts who know how to deal with international oil spills immediately .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Belarus’ ruler vows to quash opposition rallies after vote

MINSK , Belarus - Belarus ’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko warned Monday that the opposition protesters who challenge the official vote results extending his 26-year rule will face a tough crackdown , deriding them as “ sheep ” manipulated by foreign masters .
Dozens were injured and thousands detained hours after Sunday ’ s vote , when police brutally broke up mostly young protesters with tear gas , water cannons and flash-bang grenades and beat them with truncheons .
Rights activists said one person died after being run over by a police truck — which the authorities denied .
Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth term in office with over 80 % of the vote , while opposition challenger Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya got 9.9 % .
Tsikhanouskaya dismissed the official results as a sham and vowed to dispute them , and the opposition is planning new protests in the capital , Minsk , and other cities later in the day .
The brutal police crackdown drew harsh criticism from European capitals and will likely complicate Lukashenko ’ s efforts to mend ties with the West amid tensions with his main ally and sponsor , Russia .
But Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing discontent in the ex-Soviet nation of 9.5 million , warned that he wouldn ’ t hesitate to use force again to disperse the opposition demonstrations .
He argued that the protesters met a due response overnight after injuring 25 police officers and attempting to take control of official buildings in several Belarusian cities .
“ We will not allow them to tear the country apart , “ he said .
“ We wanted to make it a holiday for the people .
But some wanted to spoil that holiday.
” The 65-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition was being directed from Poland and the Czech Republic , adding that some groups in Ukraine and Russia could also have been behind the protests .
“ They are directing our sheep , who don ’ t understand what they are doing , ” he said .
The Interior Ministry said 89 people were injured during the protests , including 39 law enforcement officers , and about 3,000 people were detained , including about 1,000 in Minsk .
It insisted that no one was killed during the protests and called reports about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tsikhanouskaya , a 37-year-old former English teacher without any prior political experience , entered the race after her husband , an opposition blogger who had hoped to run for president , was arrested in May .
She has managed to unite fractured opposition groups and draw tens of thousands to her campaign rallies — the largest opposition demonstrations since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union .
The coronavirus-induced economic damage and Lukashenko ’ s swaggering response to the pandemic , which he airily dismissed as “ psychosis , ” has fueled broad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The post-election protest , in which young demonstrators , many of them teenagers , confronted police marked a previously unseen level of violence .
“ We don ’ t agree with ( election results ) , we have absolutely opposite information , “ Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press on Monday .
“ We have official protocols from many poll stations , where the number of votes in my favour are many more times than for another candidate .
We are gathering proof of falsification.
” The European Union condemned the police crackdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all those detained .
In a joint statement , EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and the EU commissioner responsible for relations with Europe ’ s close neighbours , Oliver Varhelyi , lamented that “ the election night was marred with disproportionate and unacceptable state violence against peaceful protesters.
” “ The Belarusian authorities must ensure that the fundamental right of peaceful assembly is respected , ” they said , adding that the EU will watch developments to assess how to further shape relations with Belarus .
Belarus ’ EU and NATO neighbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong rebukes .
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called on European Union ’ s leaders to convene an extraordinary summit to discuss Belarus , saying that the 27-member bloc should support the democratic aspirations of people in Belarus .
In the early 2000s , the United States and the European Union slapped sanctions against Lukashenko ’ s government , but they lifted most of the penalties in recent years after Lukashenko freed political prisoners and allowed some opposition protests .
Throughout his tenure , Lukashenko has tried to exert pressure on the Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West in a bid to win more Russian subsidies .
The violent crackdown now appears certain to derail Lukashenko ’ s hopes for closer ties with the West , even as he tries to resist what he describes as Russia ’ s attempts to encroach on Belarus ’ independence .
Moscow this year cut supplies of cheap oil to Belarusian refineries , depriving the country of an estimated $ 700 million in revenues from oil product exports to the West .
Along with a bruising fallout from the coronavirus pandemic , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further eroded support for Lukashenko .
Russia-Belarus ties were further strained last week , when Belarusian law enforcement agencies arrested 33 Russian private military contractors and accused them of planning to stage “ mass riots “ in cahoots with Tsikhanouskaya ’ s blogger husband .
Tsikhanouskaya and Moscow have rejected the charges .
Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko Friday to mend the rift , and quickly congratulated him Monday on winning the vote .
The Belarusian leader also received congratulations from Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of ex-Soviet nations Azerbaijan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko can easily suppress the opposition protests , he will face mounting challenges ahead .
“ Lukashenko ’ s victory will bring him no relief , it will only exacerbate both domestic and external problems of Belarus that will snowball , ” said Artyom Shraibman , an independent political analyst based in Minsk .
Associated Press journalists Jim Heintz , Vladimir Isachenkov and Daria Litvinova in Moscow , Lorne Cook in Brussels , Vanessa Gera in Warsaw and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this story .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--French anti-terrorism prosecutors open probe in Niger attack

PARIS - French anti-terrorism prosecutors formally opened an investigation one day after eight people , including six French nationals , were killed by gunmen in a Niger giraffe park .
Seven of the eight people were aid workers working in the West African country , two European aid groups said Monday .
The six French citizens and one Nigerien were working for Paris-based NGO ACTED and Geneva-based IMPACT Initiatives .
The other victim was their Nigerien guide .
The NGOs condemned “ in the strongest terms the senseless and barbaric killing of our colleagues and their guide.
” French prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigation for “ murders in relation to a terrorist undertaking.
” Niger ’ s interior ministry said Sunday the attack took place in Koure , where the aid workers were visiting a giraffe reserve .
Hundreds of people visit each year the protected national park that contains dense vegetation and tall trees about 70 kilometres ( 45 miles ) southeast of the capital .
“ Our colleagues have been working to support the people of Niger facing hardship , driven by values of humanity and solidarity , ” the NGOs said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also released a statement condemning the death of the president of their association , Kadri Abdou .
“ We are deeply saddened and thinking of the victims and their families to whom we offer our most sincere condolences and especially to the family of Kadri , our friend .
May he rest in peace , ” said the statement .
One of the biggest French NGOs , ACTED has been present in Niger since 2010 and provides aid to displaced people and local populations who are particularly vulnerable due to conflicts in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A partner to ACTED , IMPACT Initiatives was first deployed in Niger in 2012 .
It conducts mapping programs and other projects in camps hosting displaced populations .
In a phone call on Sunday , French President Emmanuel Macron and Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou pledged to clarify the circumstances of the deadly attack by “ all means , ” the French presidency said .
French Foreign Affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian condemned the attack on Monday , saying that those responsible “ will have to answer for their acts.
” The ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embassy in Niger are fully mobilized to support the victims ’ families , he said .
The French government has warned citizens against travelling outside Niger ’ s capital , Niamey , as militants linked to Boko Haram , Islamic State and al-Qaida carry out attacks across the vast West African nation .
Niger borders several countries including Mali , Burkina Faso , Chad , Nigeria and Libya .
Violence by rebels linked to the IS group and al-Qaida is on the rise in the Sahel region .
France has deployed 5,100 soldiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a local Sahel force made up of soldiers from Mali , Niger , Burkina Faso , Chad and Mauritania has also been fighting the extremists .

Sylvie Corbet And Carley Petesch - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--California governor’s public health director resigns

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California ’ s top public health official has resigned , just days after the state announced a fix for a glitch that caused a lag in reporting coronavirus test results used to make decisions about reopening businesses and schools .
Dr. Sonia Angell said Sunday that she ’ s departing from her role as director and state public health officer at the California Department of Public Health .
Her letter to staff , released by the California Health and Human Services Agency , did not give a specific reason for her departure .
Angell often appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the pandemic alongside Gov .
Gavin Newsom , who had appointed her to the dual roles .
“ I want to thank Dr. Angell for her service to the state and her work to help steer our public health system during this global pandemic , while never losing sight of the importance of health equity , ” Newsom said in a statement .
Sandra Shewry , vice-president of external engagement for California Health Care Foundation , will fill the role of acting health director , the health and human services department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was recently appointed state epidemiologist , will be the acting state public health officer .
Angell ’ s announcement comes after California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said the glitch caused up to 300,000 records to be backlogged , though not all were coronavirus cases and some could be duplicates .
The problem affected the California Reportable Disease Information Exchange , also known as CalREDIE .
“ I am grateful to Dr. Angell for her service to the people of California , ” Ghaly said in his statement late Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Californians flattened the curve once and in setting us on a path to do so again .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Iran shutters newspaper after expert questions virus numbers

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran shut down a newspaper on Monday after it published remarks by an expert who said the official figures on coronavirus cases and deaths in the country account for only 5 % of the real toll , allegations rejected by the Health Ministry .
Mohammad Reza Sadi , the editor-in-chief of Jahane Sanat , told the official IRNA news agency that authorities closed his newspaper , which began publishing in 2004 and was mainly focused on business news .
On Sunday , the daily quoted Mohammad Reza Mahboobfar , an epidemiologist the paper said had worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as saying the true number of cases and deaths in Iran could be 20 times the number reported by the Health Ministry .
He also said the virus was detected in Iran a month earlier than Feb. 19 , when authorities announced the first confirmed case .
He said they held up the announcement until after the commemorations of the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and parliamentary elections earlier that month .
“ The administration resorted to secrecy for political and security reasons , ” he said , and only provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also criticized testing efforts and warned of a renewed outbreak next month as universities hold entrance exams and people mark major Shiite holidays .
Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari rejected the allegations and said Mahboobfar had no role in the government ’ s anti-coronavirus campaign .
IRNA quoted her as saying the ministry has provided figures in a “ transparent ” way .
“ The Health Ministry is not a political body and health of people is its main priority , ” she said .
The ministry has reported a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths , including 189 fatalities in the last 24 hours .
Authorities in Iran have come under heavy criticism since the start of the pandemic because of their reluctance to impose the kind of sweeping restrictions seen elsewhere in the region .
Iran is home to the deadliest outbreak in the Middle East .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Lebanon’s justice minister resigns in wake of explosion

BEIRUT—Lebanon ’ s justice minister has resigned in protest , the third Cabinet member to do so following last week @ @ @ @ @ Beirut , the state news agency reported Monday .
Marie-Claude Najm ’ s resignation on @ @ @ @ @ the ministers of information and environment stepped down .
A Cabinet meeting is scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ the whole government might resign .
If a total of seven ministers resign , the @ @ @ @ @ caretaker government .
The explosion , along with a severe economic crisis , has been @ @ @ @ @ corruption and misrule by Lebanon ’ s entrenched political class .
The blast on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ and wounded more than 6,000 .
It caused widespread devastation across the capital and obliterated @ @ @ @ @ to have been caused by a fire that ignited a stockpile of explosive material stored @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Germany finance minister to run for chancellor in 2021 vote

BERLIN - Germany ’ s centre-left Social Democratic Party plans to name Finance Minister Olaf Scholz as its candidate to become chancellor in the country ’ s national election next year .
Party co-leader Saskia Esken said Monday on Twitter that the decision “ represents an unexpected twist for some ” but asked for members ’ trust going forward .
Scholz , 62 , who is considered to be on the right of the Social Democrats , will face a candidate yet to be named by Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s centre-right Union bloc .
Merkel herself has said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term in the 2021 election .
A former mayor of Hamburg , Scholz took on the finance portfolio in Merkel ’ s Cabinet two years ago .
He largely continued his conservative predecessor ’ s frugal policies until the coronavirus pandemic forced the German government to loosen the purse strings in a bid to keep the economy afloat .
Support for the Social Democratic Party has slumped from 20.5 % in the 2017 election to around 15 % in recent opinion polls .
Along with a decline in its traditional working class support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left by the environmentalist Green Party .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Why choice of running mate matters more than usual this year

NEW YORK - For all the secrecy and speculation that typically surrounds the search for a vice-presidential candidate , the decision rarely sways an election .
But ahead of Joe Biden ’ s imminent announcement , this year could be different .
At a minimum , the decision will shift the force of the campaign — at least temporarily — away from Donald Trump ’ s turbulent presidency onto Biden himself .
That ’ s not a place many Democrats are comfortable given Biden ’ s proclivity for gaffes and the persistent lack of excitement behind his candidacy .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unusual opportunity to unify a party still reeling from Trump ’ s 2016 win and solidify its future .
He ’ s already committed to selecting a woman and is considering several Black women .
And since the 77-year-old Biden has not committed to seeking a second term , his running mate could be strongly positioned to become the Democratic Party ’ s presidential nominee in 2024 and shape national politics for the next decade .
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia , who served as Hillary Clinton ’ s vice-presidential nominee in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be the most closely held and personally driven vice-presidential pick ever.
” “ Nobody knows this job better than Joe Biden and nobody did the job better than Biden , so he ’ s gon na really control this one on his own , ” Kaine said in an interview .
He pushed back against those who discount the impact of running mates , estimating he added about 2 percentage points to Clinton ’ s winning margin of 5 percentage points in Virginia .
While Biden has said a top priority is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency on Day One , the politics of the moment have pushed the silver-haired white man to the brink of making history .
He could become the first presidential nominee of a major party to select a woman of colour .
While he promised months ago to pick a woman , the nation ’ s reckoning with systemic racism has added pressure to pick a Black woman .
But it ’ s not certain he will do so .
Last weekend , he met privately with Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly she remains on his short list .
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who also is white , has also been a leading contender .
Biden ’ s campaign has refused to comment on his search , but his team has been in recent contact with a small group of finalists that includes at least four women of colour : California Sen. Kamala Harris , former national security adviser Susan Rice , California Rep. Karen Bass and Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth .
Some were instructed late last week not to leave Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or an actual announcement , was imminent .
Within the party , there is some tension about how soon before the Democratic National Convention Biden should unveil his decision .
While finalists and their allies believe the process has already gone on too long , experienced Democratic operatives want Biden to wait as long as possible before the convention ’ s Aug. 17 start date to limit the vice-presidential nominee ’ s exposure to the attacks expected no matter whom he picks .
Most of the women don ’ t have strong ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer Democrats a geographic advantage this fall , which would represent a break from precedent to some extent .
But Biden allies hope the historic nature of his pick might help energize two key Democratic constituencies : women and people of colour .
Inside the campaign , some are privately skeptical that even a history-making pick would have a significant impact .
There is a strong belief that after only a brief focus on Biden ’ s running mate , the election would quickly return to being a referendum on Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivation Democrats need to drive massive turnout in November .
Yet Biden risks a real backlash from his base if he doesn ’ t pick a woman of colour , according to some activists .
“ It would be a reckless choice to pick a white running mate with a party that ’ s as dependent on black and brown voters as it is , ” said Aimee Allison of She the People , a political advocacy network for women of colour .
“ A Black woman as VP is a healing link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ navigate this historic moment.
“ Kaine may have given Clinton a modest bump in his home state four years ago , but he did not prevent white men from abandoning Democrats in droves elsewhere .
Republican nominee Mitt Romney picked Wisconsin native Paul Ryan in 2012 but lost Ryan ’ s home state by nearly 7 percentage points .
Trump , a New York native , won Wisconsin four years later running alongside Mike Pence , who was an unpopular governor in Indiana .
Some historians argue that adding Lyndon Johnson to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1960 and capture the White House .
John McCain ’ s 2008 selection of Alaska Gov .
Sarah Palin might be the most recent example of a running mate swaying an election .
In that case , she had a negative impact when she appeared unfamiliar with world affairs and unprepared for the presidency .
But those involved in the decision argue that larger forces were at work that year and that McCain ’ s loss wasn ’ t just because of Palin .
“ There was a lot of fury and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , but all of the electoral studies of voting behaviour demonstrated there was really no electoral impact with ( Palin ) on the ticket , ” said former McCain campaign adviser Steve Schmidt , who attributed McCain ’ s loss to the collapse of the nation ’ s economy and voters ’ desire for change after the George W. Bush presidency .
“ In retrospect , it was obviously a terrible decision , “ Schmidt said of Palin , ” but people vote for the top of the ticket.
” Former Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was deeply involved in Ryan ’ s vice-presidential preparations in 2012 , said the main objective of picking a running mate is to find someone who may complement the presidential nominee .
But above all , the person should do no harm .
The Trump campaign is eagerly awaiting Biden ’ s announcement and the attention it will almost certainly divert from the Republican president ’ s struggle to control the coronavirus pandemic , revive the economy and unify the nation .
Given Biden ’ s advanced age , Trump campaign spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be far more significant than those of past nominees .
“ Who he picks as VP could be seen as a sort of a living will for him politically , ” Murtaugh said of Biden , who is three years older than Trump .
He declined to offer any specific criticism of the finalists when asked .
“ It doesn ’ t matter to us who he picks , “ he said , ” because whoever it is will provide opportunities for us.
” Jaffe reported from Washington .
Associated Press writer Julie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Steve Peoples And Alexandra Jaffe - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--States on hook for billions under Trump’s unemployment plan

FALLS CHURCH , Va. - Whether President Donald Trump has the constitutional authority to extend federal unemployment benefits by executive order remains unclear .
Equally up in the air is whether states , which are necessary partners in Trump ’ s plan to bypass Congress , will sign on .
Trump announced an executive order Saturday that extends additional unemployment payments of $ 400 a week to help cushion the economic fallout of the pandemic .
Congress had approved payments of $ 600 a week at the outset of the coronavirus outbreak , but those benefits expired Aug. 1 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extension .
Many Republicans have expressed concern that a $ 600 weekly benefit , on top of existing state benefits , gives people an incentive to stay unemployed .
But under Trump ’ s plan , the $ 400 a week requires a state to commit to providing $ 100 .
Many states are already facing budget crunches caused by the pandemic .
Asked at a news conference how many governors had signed on to participate , Trump answered : “ If they don ’ t , they don ’ t .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump expressed a different view on Sunday night , following a day of state officials questioning how they could afford even $ 100 per person in additional weekly payments .
He told reporters as he returned to Washington that states could make application to have the federal government provide all or part of the $ 400 payments .
Decisions would be made state by state , he said .
Several state officials questioned how Trump ’ s initial proposal would work and often expressed doubt that they could afford to participate at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds .
Aubrey Layne , secretary of finance for Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam , a Democrat , said in a phone interview Sunday he believes it would be feasible for Virginia to participate in such a program if states are allowed to use money that ’ s been allocated to them under the already passed CARES Act .
He said his preliminary understanding is that states can do so , but he and others are waiting to see the rules published .
The better solution , Layne said , would be for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ludicrous to me that Congress can ’ t get together on this , ” he said .
“ I think it would have been better for the president to use his influence in those negotiations , rather than standing on the sideline and then riding in like a shining knight.
” Details about the program were confused on Sunday — and that was even before Trump ’ s declaration that states could ask the federal government to pay all or part of the $ 400 week payments .
On CNN ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said conflicting things about whether the federal money was contingent on an additional contribution from the states .
Initially Kudlow said that “ for an extra $ 100 , we will lever it up .
We will pay three-quarters , and the states will pay 25 per cent.
” In the same interview , though , he later said that “ at a minimum , we will put in 300 bucks ... but I think all they ( the states ) have to do is put up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to throw in the extra $ 100.
” A clarifying statement from the White House said the “ funds will be available for those who qualify by , among other things , receiving $ 100/week of existing assistance and certify that they have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
” Several advocacy groups that follow the issue , though , said it ’ s clear the way the executive order is structured that the federal money will be contingent on states making a 25 per cent contribution .
“ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuine in thinking the executive order is a resolution or if this is just a tactic in the negotiation , “ Cuomo said .
” But this is irreconcilable for the state .
And I expect this is just a chapter in the book of Washington COVID mismanagement.
” In Connecticut , Democratic Gov .
Ned Lamont said on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation ” that the plan would cost his state $ 500 million to provide that benefit for the rest of the year , and called Trump ’ s plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I could take that money from testing — I don ’ t think that ’ s a good idea , ” Lamont said .
On CNN , Republican Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine praised Trump for issuing the order .
“ He ’ s trying to do something .
He ’ s trying to move the ball forward , ” DeWine said .
Still , he was noncommittal about whether Ohio would participate .
“ We ’ re looking at it right now to see whether we can do this , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spokesman for Republican Gov .
Larry Hogan , said in an email that “ we will wait on new guidance from US Department of Labor before looking at any ( unemployment insurance ) changes.
” In Minnesota , Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove said his agency is “ awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor.
” Kevin Hensil , a spokesman for Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania , said “ reducing the benefit by a third will make it harder for families to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden on states.
” He said state officials are studying the impact of the cuts .
In Louisiana , Christina Stephens , a spokeswoman for Democratic Gov .
John Bel Edwards said “ Right now we are reviewing the President ’ s order to determine exactly what the impact to the state would be.
” And in Michigan , Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said in a press release that Trump “ cut federal funding for unemployed workers and is requiring states that are facing severe holes in our budgets to provide 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states will take months to implement it , because it ’ s brand new .
It ’ s sort of put together with spit and paste .
And many states , because they have to chip in $ 100 , and they don ’ t have money , won ’ t do it , ” Schumer said .
Many states struggled to adjust outdated computer systems to accommodate the $ 600 payment , which along with the massive influx of new claims resulted in long delays in providing benefits .
Reprogramming the computers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in similar glitches .
On ABC , Kudlow said that many of those outdated systems have since been upgraded .
“ I don ’ t think there will be a huge delay .
Labor Department has been working with the states .
The states are the ones that process the federal benefits before .
So , I don ’ t see any reason why it would be all that difficult , ” he said .
Associated Press Writers Brian Witte in Annapolis , Maryland ; Larry Neumeister in New York ; Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haigh in Hartford , Connecticut ; Stephen Groves in Sioux Falls , South Dakota ; Thomas Strong in Washington ; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge , Louisiana ; and Jonathan Lemire in Bedminster , New Jersey , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Slovenian police stop van carrying 43 migrants

LJUBLJANA , Slovenia - Police in Slovenia said Monday they stopped a van carrying 43 migrants who entered the country @ @ @ @ @ 39-year-old Bulgarian citizen who was driving the van , which had Bulgarian license plates .
@ @ @ @ @ from Pakistan and Bangladesh .
A patrol stopped the van on Sunday in the area @ @ @ @ @ border with Italy .
Slovenia has reported a rise in illegal migration of people trying @ @ @ @ @ fleeing violence or poverty in their home countries .
The influx has picked up in @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus lockdown measures in the Balkans .
Thousands of migrants remain stuck in the @ @ @ @ @ toward Western Europe .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Greece: Missing man found dead after deadly storm

ATHENS , Greece - The body of a man missing after a storm sparked flash floods on the Greek island of Evia over the weekend has been recovered , Greece ’ s coast guard said Monday , bringing the death toll from the storm to eight .
Rescue crews had been searching for the 72-year-old since Sunday , after he was reported missing following flooding that swept away cars and sent residents of some villages scrambling to their roofs to await rescue .
The coast guard said the man ’ s body was recovered from the sea off the coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midday Monday .
The dead from the storm and flash floods include an elderly couple found in their flooded home Sunday morning , and an 8-month-old baby found in a flooded ground-floor apartment .
Parts of Evia saw rainfall that reached 80 % of the annual rainfall for the area in the space of a few hours overnight Saturday to Sunday , Greece ’ s meteorological service has said .
A river burst through its banks and flooded part of the village of Politika , forcing many residents to climb to the rooftops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the village of Bourtzi also burst its banks .
Authorities estimated that 3,000 residences had been partially or totally damaged by floodwaters and police said many local roads were made impassable .
Power and water were also knocked out in some areas .
The floodwaters swept away cars and storage containers , tossing them into streets and against the walls of buildings .
On Monday local authorities , emergency crews and residents were clearing debris and piles of mud from streets , homes and stores .
Heavy rain started falling at about midnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fires caused by lightning .
By late afternoon Sunday , 97 people had been safely evacuated from their homes and cars , 30 of them by helicopter , and over 600 homes had been drained of floodwaters , the fire service said .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Denmark’s fence to keep out wild boars seems to be working

COPENHAGEN - The number of wild boars in Denmark has fallen since a 70-kilometre ( 43.4-mile ) fence was erected along the German border to protect the valuable Danish pork industry .
The fence was put up last year in an attempt to prevent wild swine crossing from Germany and breeding with farm pigs or possibly passing disease .
However , there had been concerns that it would not work because the fence had gaps in it where it crossed roads and rivers .
Since then , however , the number of wild pigs in Denmark has fallen from 35-40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some piglets have been born in recent months , officials said Monday .
Inge Gillesberg of the Danish Nature Agency said that she could not say whether the fence had stopped the boars from crossing but the agency ’ s cameras along the border had not seen many doing so .
Denmark is the only EU country where pigs outnumber people , with 215 pigs to every 100 residents .
Approx .
90 % of Denmark ’ s pork production is exported and exports account for almost half of all agricultural exports and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s total exports , according to official figures .
Danish pig meat is exported to more than 140 countries , with the largest markets being Germany , Britain , Poland , China , Japan , Italy , Russia and Sweden .
No cases of African swine fever have yet been reported in Denmark , or in Germany , though they have been in some neighbouring countries .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--China sanctions 11 US politicians, heads of organizations

BEIJING - China on Monday announced unspecified sanctions against 11 U.S. politicians and heads of organizations promoting democratic causes , including Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz , who have already been singled out by Beijing .
Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Monday said the 11 had “ performed badly ” on issues concerning Hong Kong , where China has cracked down on opposition voices following its imposition of a national security law in the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city last month .
The number of Americans named by the ministry exactly equals the number of Hong Kong and Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. last week over the crackdown .
China showed its determination to defy such pressure on Monday by arresting leading independent media tycoon Jimmy Lai and raiding the publisher ’ s headquarters .
“ The relevant actions of the U.S. blatantly intervened in Hong Kong affairs , grossly interfered in China ’ s internal affairs , and seriously violated international law and the basic norms of international relations , “ foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily briefing on Monday .
“ China urges the U.S. to have a clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and interfering in China ’ s internal affairs.
“ Others named by the foreign ministry included Senators Josh Hawley , Tom Cotton and Pat Toomey and Representative Chris Smith .
National Endowment for Democracy President Carl Gershman , National Democratic Institute President Derek Mitchell , International Republican Institute President Daniel Twining , Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth , and Michael Abramowitz , President of Freedom House , were also on the sanctions list , according to Zhao .
Beijing already placed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith last month after Washington announced similar measures against Chinese officials linked to measures taken against Muslims in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang .
The standing committee of China ’ s national legislature passed the National Security Law last month , bypassing the city ’ s Legislative Council and the public , where such legislation has faced stiff opposition for years .
The move came in response to months of sometimes violent anti-government protests last year that Beijing said were encouraged by foreign forces in a bid to overthrow Chinese rule over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “ one country , two systems “ framework meant to last until 2047 .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Riot swiftly declared for Portland protest at union building

PORTLAND , Ore. - A riot was again declared by authorities Sunday night in Portland when protesters marched to a police union building , blocked a road and set dumpster fires as officers work to quell nightly unrest in Oregon ’ s largest city .
The protest was broken up almost as soon as it formed outside the Portland Police Association building — the same building where protesters were dispersed after a fire was started inside the union ’ s offices the night before .
Demonstrators had marched to the building from a nearby park .
The road was blocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising from dumpsters in the middle of the street .
Police began forcing the crowd of a couple hundred away from the building .
While demonstrators were being dispersed , commercial-grade fireworks were thrown at officers , injuring two , police said .
The department released photos of the officers ’ injuries , including a photo of a face covering that “ partially melted ” from the firework .
The officers were treated at the scene .
Some protesters returned to the union building after officers cleared the area .
Police said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small fires broke out in the street .
Multiple people were arrested , police stated , but specific details weren ’ t immediately available .
Since George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis , protests have occurred nightly in the city for more than 70 days .
Demonstrations this past week have been violent .
Many in the city had hoped for calm after federal agents withdrew more than a week ago .
Three officers were hurt , including two who were taken to a hospital , during the efforts to clear the crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building late Saturday .
The two hospitalized officers have since been released .
Nine people were arrested during that protest , police said in an earlier statement .
Police arrested 24 people during demonstrations overnight Friday after they said people defied orders to disperse and threw rocks , frozen or hard-boiled eggs and commercial-grade fireworks at officers .
Some demonstrators filled pool noodles with nails and placed them in the road , causing extensive damage to a patrol vehicle , police said .
The gatherings this past week had been noticeably smaller than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nightly for about two weeks in July to protest the presence of U.S. agents sent by the Trump administration to protect the federal courthouse downtown .
The Portland Police Association is a labour union that represents members of the Portland Police Bureau .
Its building is located about 5 miles ( 8 kilometres ) north of the federal courthouse .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrested, newsroom searched

Hong Kong authorities broadened their enforcement of a new national security law on Monday , arresting media tycoon Jimmy Lai , searching the headquarters of his Next Digital group and carting away boxes of what they said was evidence .
Two days after Chinese and Hong Kong officials shrugged off sanctions imposed on them by the U.S. , the moves showed China ’ s determination to enforce the new law and curb dissent in the semi-autonomous city after months of massive pro-democracy demonstrations last year .
The police action marked the first time the law was used against news media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press freedom .
Next Digital operates Apple Daily , a feisty pro-democracy tabloid that often condemns China ’ s Communist Party government .
Last year , the newspaper frequently urged readers to take part in the anti-government protests .
Hong Kong police arrested Lai on Monday morning , an aide to the businessman said , in the highest-profile detention under the new law since it took effect in late June .
Lai , 71 , is an outspoken pro-democracy figure who regularly criticizes China ’ s authoritarian rule and Hong Kong ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Digital executive and Lai ’ s aide , said Lai was charged with collusion with foreign powers .
He said police searched the homes of Lai and his son and detained several other members of the media company .
Hong Kong police said they arrested at least nine people between the ages of 23 and 72 on suspicion of violating the new security law , with offences including collusion with a foreign country and conspiracy to defraud .
They did not release the names of those arrested or provide further details of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about 200 police raided Next Digital ’ s headquarters , cordoning off the area , searching desks and at times getting into heated exchanges with staff .
What police were looking for in the building wasn ’ t clear , although they later said they took away 25 boxes of evidence for processing .
Lai , who was arrested at his mansion in Kowloon in the morning , was also brought to the headquarters of Next Digital , where he remained for about two and a half hours before police took him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are completely shocked by what ’ s happening now , with the arrest and followed by the ongoing raid inside the headquarters of Next Digital , ” said Chris Yeung , chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association .
“ With the passage of the national security law and the really tough powers given to the police in their operations , we have seen now what we call ‘ white terror ’ become a reality , which will affect media organizations and journalists ’ reporting.
” Police unblocked Next Digital ’ s headquarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police Steve Li saying that staff were free to resume their work .
Bruce Lui , a senior lecturer in Hong Kong Baptist University ’ s journalism department , said authorities are using the national security law to make an example of media outlets like Apple Daily and this may harm press freedom in Hong Kong .
“ They ’ re used as an example to terrify others ... of what can happen if you don ’ t obey or if you go too far , ” Lui said .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ censor themselves.
” The share price of Next Digital soared over 200 % in the afternoon , following posts on a popular online forum encouraging investors to support the company by buying its stock .
The reason for the charge against Lai wasn ’ t clear .
In May , shortly after Beijing announced its intention to pass the national security law for Hong Kong , Lai condemned the legislation in a series of tweets .
The state-owned newspaper Global Times called the tweets “ evidence of subversion.
” Lai also wrote an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May stating that China was repressing Hong Kong with the legislation .
“ I have always thought I might one day be sent to jail for my publications or for my calls for democracy in Hong Kong , ” Lai wrote .
“ But for a few tweets , and because they are said to threaten the national security of mighty China ?
That ’ s a new one , even for me.
” Lai was earlier arrested in February and April for allegedly participating in unauthorized protests last year .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 4 marking the anniversary of Beijing ’ s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square in 1989 .
Last year , Lai met U.S .
Vice-President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the White House to discuss a controversial bill — since withdrawn — that would have allowed criminal suspects in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China for trial .
But Hong Kong officials have said the security law , which took effect June 30 , would not be applied retroactively .
The law is widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after anti-government protests rocked the semi-autonomous city for months last year .
The legislation outlaws secessionist , subversive and terrorist acts , as well as collusion with foreign forces in the city ’ s internal affairs .
The maximum punishment for serious offenders is life imprisonment .
Taiwan ’ s Mainland Affairs Council condemned the arrests in a statement , saying they were a tool for the Chinese Communist Party ’ s “ political cleansing and hegemonic expansion.
” It said the law is being abused to suppress freedom of speech , press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong people .
Last month , Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said pro-democracy activist Nathan Law and five others were wanted under the law , although all six had fled overseas .
Law relocated to Britain in July to continue international advocacy work for Hong Kong .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Trump abruptly escorted from briefing after shooting near WH

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump was abruptly escorted by a U.S. Secret Service agent out of the White House briefing room as he was beginning a coronavirus briefing Monday afternoon .
He returned minutes later , saying there was a “ shooting ” outside the White House that was “ under control.
” “ There was an actual shooting and somebody ’ s been taken to the hospital , ” Trump said .
The president said the shots were fired by law enforcement , saying he believed the individual who was shot was armed .
“ It was the suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump said he was escorted to the Oval Office by the agent .
The White House was placed on lockdown following the incident .
The shooting took place near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue just blocks from the White House , according to two sources with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly about it .
Law enforcement officials were still trying to determine the suspect ’ s motive .
The Secret Service tweeted Monday night that the male subject and a Secret Service officer were transported to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time during this incident was the White House complex breached or were any protectees in danger , ” the agency said .
The District of Columbia fire department said the suspect suffered serious or possibly critical injuries .
Authorities were investigating whether he has a history of mental illness .
Trump praised the work of Secret Service personnel for their work in keeping him safe .
Asked if he was shaken by the incident , Trump asked reporters : “ I don ’ t know .
Do I seem rattled ?
”

Colleen Long, Michael Balsamo And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--1 dead, 6 rescued after gas explosion levels Baltimore homes

BALTIMORE - A natural gas explosion destroyed three row houses in Baltimore on Monday morning , killing a woman and trapping other people in the debris .
At least six people were seriously injured , and firefighters were searching for more survivors .
Dozens of firefighters converged on the piles of rubble .
A fourth house in the row was ripped open , and windows were shattered in nearby homes , leaving the northwest Baltimore neighbourhood of Reisterstown Station strewn with glass and other rubble .
“ It ’ s a disaster .
It ’ s a mess .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glover , who lives across the street .
Her windows where shattered and her front door was blown open .
“ I ’ m still shaken up , ” she said hours later .
Seven people were hospitalized , while a woman was pronounced dead at the scene , the department said on its Twitter page .
Rescuers were painstakingly going through the rubble by hand , prepared to work into the night .
“ We ’ re trying to make sure that we comb through every area to determine if there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department spokeswoman Blair Adams said at an afternoon news conference .
While the cause wasn ’ t immediately clear , The Baltimore Sun reported last year that dangerous gas leaks have become much more frequent , with nearly two dozen discovered each day on average , according to the utility ’ s reports to federal authorities .
The Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. has thousands of miles of obsolete pipes that need to be replaced , an effort that would cost nearly $ 1 billion and take two decades , the newspaper said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this morning ’ s event and BGE did not receive any recent gas odor calls from the block of homes that were damaged , it said in a statement late Monday .
BGE said it responded to the scene at the fire department ’ s request to shut off all gas and electric service to make the scene safe .
BGE has canvassed the area and found no current readings of gas .
A statement from the utility said it will conduct an investigation of its equipment in the area .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment in a wide area to ensure there is no additional damage , ” the statement said .
“ In addition , BGE is reviewing records for this area , including any reported gas odours , recent inspection results and repairs.
” Glover , 56 , and her 77-year-old father , Moses Glover , were at home when the massive explosion shook their house , knocking over a fan and some of her DVDs .
“ I jumped up to see what was going on .
I looked out the bathroom window and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ It sounded like a bomb went off.
” Dean Jones , 36 , who lives nearby , ran to the scene .
He said he saw a mess of bricks , glass and cinder blocks — and also a box of pancakes .
“ You could tell this was a house that people lived in , ” he said .
Jones said he and others began calling out for survivors and located an older woman who was eventually pulled out by firefighters .
Kevin Matthews , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltimore Sun that he could hear trapped children shouting : “ Come get us !
We ’ re stuck !
” Barry Leventhal , whose warehouse equipment business is about 150 feet ( 46 metres ) from the blast site , said he was in his warehouse when the explosion erupted and shook his building , damaging lights and a concrete wall .
Fortunately , none of the company ’ s 10 employees was injured .
“ We thought a plane crashed or something .
We couldn ’ t figure it out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everything Warehouse .
BGE asked the Maryland Public Service Commission to approve a new gas system infrastructure and a cost recovery mechanism in late 2017 to pay for upgrades .
“ Founded in 1816 , BGE is the oldest gas distribution company in the nation .
Like many older gas systems , a larger portion of its gas main and services infrastructure consists of cast iron and bare steel – materials that are obsolete and susceptible to failure with age , “ the PSC wrote in a 2018 order approving a modernization plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was installed in the early 1960s .
When aging pipes fail , they tend to make headlines .
Last year , a gas explosion ripped the façade off a Maryland office complex in Columbia , affecting more than 20 businesses .
No one was injured in the explosion early on a Sunday morning .
In 2016 , a gas main break forced the evacuation of the Baltimore County Circuit Courthouse .
Under Armour Inc. had to evacuate its Baltimore office after a gas main break in 2012 .
BGE said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the gas mains and services in the area occurred in June and July of 2019 and did not identify any leaks .
Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott said he needs “ the entire city of Baltimore right now to focus on hopeful prayers for those individuals that have been impacted by this.
” “ I want everybody in the city really to rally around those individuals that are still fighting for their lives , ” he said at a news conference .
Associated Press contributors include Mike Kunzelman in Silver Spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben Finley in Norfolk , Virginia .
This story has been corrected to show that a quote about BGE being the “ oldest gas distribution company in the nation ” was written by the Maryland Public Service Commission , not BGE .

Julio Cortez And Nathan Ellgren - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--LA sheriff concerned after deputies detain 3 Black teens

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County sheriff said Monday he has concerns about tactics deputies used to detain three Black teenagers at gunpoint after the mother of one said the youths had been threatened by a man holding a knife .
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a social media post that he had seen a video of the incident — which was uploaded by one of the teen ’ s mothers to her Instagram profile last week — and that the matter is being investigated .
CBS Los Angeles reported that the trio were teenagers .
Deputy Juanita Navarro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the youths were not arrested during the incident Friday and had been released at the scene .
Tammi Collins wrote on Instagram that her son was sitting with friends at a bus stop in the Santa Clarita Valley when a man asked them if they had any drugs and then tried to steal their belongings .
She said the man then pulled out a knife and tried to stab them .
Collins wrote that bystanders called police to help the boys , though she wrote that apparently one caller reported that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a caller reported that two Black men in their early 20s had struck a man with a skateboard .
The 11-minute video Collins posted shows at least three deputies pointing their guns at the teens — including one deputy who had a long gun .
The teens obeyed the deputies ’ commands to back up with their hands up and knelt on the ground to be handcuffed .
Bystanders shouted at the officers that the teens didn ’ t do anything .
The bystanders also tried to advise the teens as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your hands up , keep your hands up !
” as well as “ just listen to them and it ’ ll be over soon ” and “ don ’ t answer any questions until your mom gets there.
” After the teens were handcuffed , the deputies argued with the crowd over what happened and what the callers reported .
“ If they weren ’ t doing wrong , we wouldn ’ t be here , ” one deputy said .
Navarro said deputies could not find the man .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but she wrote that she didn ’ t know how she could help her son in the aftermath .
“ This is something my son and his friends will never forget , ” she wrote .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Hurricane Elida forms off Mexico Pacific coast, heads to sea

MEXICO CITY - Elida strengthened into a hurricane Monday off Mexico ’ s southern Pacific coast , but is expected @ @ @ @ @ to sea .
No coastal watches or warnings were in effect , the U.S. National @ @ @ @ @ Elida had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph ( 120 kph ) and was located @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ) south-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula .
It was @ @ @ @ @ ( 22 kph ) , and is expected to begin weakening by Wednesday or Thursday @ @ @ @ @ that swells generated by Elida could affect portions of the coast of west-central Mexico and @ @ @ @ @ over the next couple of days .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Court: LA County owes $8M to man killed like George Floyd

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - Los Angeles County must pay a full $ 8 million damage award to the family of a Black man whose death had similarities to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , the California Supreme Court ruled Monday .
While subduing Darren Burley in 2012 , deputies “ used their knees to pin him to the ground with as much body weight as possible , ” according to the court ’ s unanimous ruling .
It said Deputy David Aviles put one knee on the centre of Burley ’ s back and the other “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head , near the neck , ” while other deputies also were involved .
A jury awarded his family $ 8 million in damages while finding that Burley was 40 % responsible for his own death .
An appeals court later reduced the payout by $ 3.2 million .
The high court justices , however , ruled that the county owes the family the entire $ 8 million .
Attorney Olu Orange , who represents Burley ’ s family , said the ruling holds that “ in the state of California , victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to avail themselves of every law in the legal toolkit to redress violations of their civil rights.
” Los Angeles County and the sheriff ’ s department did not respond to requests for comment .
“ The facts of this case bear similarities to well-publicized incidents in which African Americans have died during encounters with police .
These incidents raise deeply troubling and difficult issues involving race and the use of police force , ” the court said in its ruling .
The justices said their decision centred on a ballot initiative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assigned damages based on degrees of responsibility , not on Burley ’ s race or that he was killed during an encounter with law enforcement .
Aviles , who weighed 200 pounds , and another deputy were responding to a report of an ongoing assault in Compton when Burley approached them while “ foaming at the mouth and making grunting and growling noises , “ according to the court ’ s account .
It said Aviles knelt on Burley during a significant struggle while three other deputies Tasered him multiple times without apparent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also appeared to attempt a chokehold , a deputy hit Burley repeatedly in the head with a flashlight , and “ Burley appeared to be gasping for air.
” Orange said lawsuits alleging police battery , like the one he filed , are “ one of the most effective tools that folks in communities that are typically subject to police violence have in order to seek justice.
” Jurors are instructed to consider if a suspect ’ s actions justified the officers ’ reaction , as well as to assign degrees of responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county and its deputies can ’ t share the blame with Burley when it comes to apportioning damages for pain and suffering because deputies acted intentionally , as defined by previous court rulings , rather than negligently .
In a separate concurring opinion , Justice Goodwin Liu went even further in finding parallels with Floyd ’ s death in May , when a Minneapolis officer pressed his knee against Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes .
“ In all likelihood , the only reason Darren Burley is not a household name is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videotape as Floyd ’ s was , ” Liu wrote .
“ But even as the wrongful death judgment here affords a measure of monetary relief to Burley ’ s family , it does not acknowledge the troubling racial dynamics that have resulted in state-sanctioned violence , including lethal violence , against Black people throughout our history to this very day , ” he added .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Mexico City lets bars ‘change’ to restaurants to reopen

MEXICO CITY - The government of Mexico City will allow bars to operate as restaurants starting Monday in order to reopen as part of an easing of the coronavirus lockdown .
While bars and nightclubs have been closed for four months , the city is now offering automatic approval if bar owners fill out an online application and agree to offer food and enforce sanitary and social distancing measures .
In exchange , they can open at 30 % capacity until 10 p.m. Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said that was to avoid more job losses among bar employees .
Similar measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders — a handful of chips — for customers who really just want a beer or wine .
But Sheinbaum was emphatic , saying : “ I repeat , the bars are not opening.
” New guidelines that went into effect Monday also allow movie theatres , swimming pools and museums in Mexico City to open at 30 % of capacity .
The mayor delivered her daily press briefing from home on Monday after she announced she was isolating after one of her top officials tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests than the strikingly low level of testing done nationwide .
Nationwide , less than one in 100 people have been tested ; the city has administered about 1.5 tests per 100 residents .
The city government reports about 80,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and about 9,400 COVID-19 deaths so far .
Nationwide , Mexico reported 5,558 newly confirmed coronavirus cases Monday , bring the accumulated total to 485,836 .
Confirmed deaths rose by 705 to just over 53,000 .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Hundreds ransack downtown Chicago businesses after shooting

CHICAGO - Hundreds of people descended on downtown Chicago early Monday following a police shooting on the city ’ s South Side , with vandals smashing the windows of dozens of businesses and making off with merchandise , cash machines and anything else they could carry , police said .
Police Superintendent David Brown told reporters that the Sunday afternoon shooting of the man who had opened fire on officers apparently prompted a social media post that urged people to form a car caravan and converge on the business and shopping district .
Some 400 additional officers were dispatched to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post .
Over several hours , police made more than 100 arrests and 13 officers were injured , including one who was struck in the head with a bottle , Brown said .
Brown dismissed any suggestion that the chaos was part of an organized protest of the shooting , calling it “ pure criminality “ that included occupants of a vehicle opening fire on police who were arresting a man they spotted carrying a cash register .
No officers were wounded by gunfire , but a security guard and a civilian were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and five guns were recovered , he said .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot agreed that the melee had nothing to do with a protest .
“ This was straight-up felony criminal conduct , ” she said .
“ This was an assault on our city.
” The mayhem brightened the national spotlight that has been on Chicago for weeks after a surge in gun violence that resulted in more homicides in July than any month in decades .
President Donald Trump , who has repeatedly criticized the city ’ s handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Chicago to take part in what Attorney General William Barr called “ classic crime fighting.
” Further ratcheting up the tensions in the city was a video circulating on Facebook that falsely claimed that Chicago police had shot and killed a 15-year-old boy .
Posted at 6:30 p.m. Sunday , the video shows upset residents confronting officers near the scene where police shot and wounded an adult suspect they said had fired at them that day .
By Monday morning , the footage had been watched nearly 100,000 times .
Latrell Allen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder Monday for allegedly firing on officers , according to Chicago police .
Officers returned fire , wounding the man , who was taken to a hospital for treatment .
He was expected to recover .
Brown said the man had a long criminal history , including arrests for domestic battery and child endangerment .
A gun was recovered at the scene , he said .
Witnesses to the unrest described a scene that bore a striking resemblance to the unrest that unfolded when protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lenient treatment of people arrested then played a role in what happened Monday .
“ Not many of those cases were prosecuted to the full extent , ” he said .
“ These looters , these thieves , these criminals being emboldened by ( the lack of ) consequences ... emboldened to do more.
” At the same news conference , Lightfoot addressed looters directly , telling them that police had collected a lot of surveillance video and other evidence that will be used to arrest and prosecute as many as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will come after you , ” she warned .
Cook County State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx disputed any suggestion that her office had shied away from prosecuting people who were arrested for ransacking businesses weeks ago .
She said none of those cases had been dropped .
“ That is simply not true , ” she said .
“ Those cases are coming to court now.
” Videos of the vandalism showed huge crowds of people smashing their way into businesses and streaming out of the broken windows and doors with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up vehicles , some moving slowly and deliberately , apparently not worried about being caught by police or being recorded by scores of cellphone cameras .
Vehicles drove away slowly , some leaving behind boxes of rocks that they had apparently brought to shatter the windows .
Cash register drawers and clothes hangers were strewn about the streets , along with automatic teller machines that had been ripped from walls or pulled from inside businesses .
Stores miles from downtown were also ransacked , their parking lots littered with glass and boxes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This was obviously very orchestrated , ” the Rev .
Michael Pfleger , a prominent Roman Catholic priest and activist on the city ’ s South Side , told Chicago television station WBBM .
“ I ’ ve lived here for 20 years , and it ’ s getting scary , because you can ’ t walk out now , “ said Alan Freeman , who lives in the downtown area .
“ You don ’ t know if they ’ re going to start with the people walking on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Train and bus service into downtown was temporarily suspended , and bridges over the Chicago River were lifted , preventing travel to and from the downtown area .
Some highway ramps were also closed .
Although those restrictions were eased later in the day , they were to be reimposed beginning Monday evening until Tuesday morning .
Brown said the police department would maintain a huge presence in the downtown area indefinitely , telling reporters that all days off had been cancelled until further notice .
On the South Side , police responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a person with a gun in the Englewood neighbourhood and tried to confront someone matching his description in an alley .
He fled from officers on foot and shot at officers , police said .
More than an hour after the shooting , police and witnesses said a crowd faced off with officers after someone reportedly told people that police had shot and wounded a child .
That crowd eventually dispersed .
But police later came across the social media post about a caravan of cars “ being prompted to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Within 15 minutes , we respond and almost immediately the caravan is in our downtown area.
” Associated Press video journalist Teresa Crawford in Chicago contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Powerful derecho leaves path of devastation across Midwest

IOWA CITY , Iowa - A rare storm packing 100 mph winds and with power similar to an inland hurricane swept across the Midwest on Monday , blowing over trees , flipping vehicles , causing widespread property damage and leaving hundreds of thousands without power as it moved through Chicago and into Indiana and Michigan .
The storm known as a derecho lasted several hours as it tore from eastern Nebraska across Iowa and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois , had the wind speed of a major hurricane , and likely caused more widespread damage than a normal tornado , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the National Weather Service ’ s Storm Prediction Center in Norman , Oklahoma .
In northern Illinois , the National Weather Service reported a wind gust of 92 mph near Dixon , about 100 miles ( 160 kilometres ) west of Chicago , and the storm left downed trees and power lines that blocked roadways in Chicago and its suburbs .
After leaving Chicago , the most potent part of the storm system moved over north central Indiana by late afternoon .
“ The storm system as a whole is definitely beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University meteorology professor Victor Gensini .
A derecho is not quite a hurricane .
It has no eye and its winds come across in a line .
But the damage it is likely to do spread over such a large area is more like an inland hurricane than a quick more powerful tornado , Marsh said .
He compared it to a devastating Super Derecho of 2009 , which was one of the strongest on record and travelled more than 1,000 miles in 24 hours , causing $ 500 million in damage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people .
“ This is our version of a hurricane , ” Gensini said in an interview from his home about 15 minutes before the storm was about to hit .
Minutes later he headed to his basement for safety as the storm took aim at Chicago , starting with its suburbs .
Gensini said this derecho will go down as one of the strongest in recent history and be one of the nation ’ s worst weather events of 2020 .
“ It ramped up pretty quick ” around 7 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t think anybody expected widespread winds approaching 100 , 110 mph , ” Marsh said .
Several people were injured and widespread property damage was reported in Marshall County in central Iowa after 100 mph winds swept through the area , said its homeland security co-ordinator Kim Elder .
She said the winds blew over trees , ripped road signs out of the ground and tore roofs off of buildings .
“ We had quite a few people trapped in buildings and cars , ” she said .
She said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no fatalities have been reported .
Elder said some people reported their cars flipping over from the wind , having power lines fall on them and getting injured when hit by flying debris .
Dozens of cars at one factory had their windshields blown out .
Buildings have also caught on fire , she said .
“ We ’ re in life-saving mode right now , ” Elder said .
Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer declared a civil emergency , telling residents to stay home and off the streets so that first responders can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 101,000 customers in the Des Moines area were without power after the storm moved through the area .
Reports from spotters filed with the National Weather Service in Des Moines had winds in excess of 70 mph .
Roof damage to homes and buildings were reported in several Iowa cities , including the roof of a hockey arena in Des Moines .
Across the state , large trees fell on cars and houses .
Some semi-trailers flipped over or were blown off highways .
Farmers reported that some grain bins were destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent of damage to Iowa ’ s agriculture industry wasn ’ t immediately clear .
MidAmerican spokeswoman Tina Hoffman said downed trees are making it difficult in some locations for workers to get to the power lines .
In some cases power line poles were snapped off .
“ It ’ s a lot of tree damage .
Very high winds .
It will be a significant effort to get through it all and get everybody back on , ” she said .
“ It was a big front that went all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Iowa , has “ both significant and widespread damage throughout the city , ” said public safety spokesman Greg Buelow .
Tens of thousands of people in the metro area were without power .
“ We have damage to homes and businesses , including siding and roofs damaged , ” he said .
“ Trees and power lines are down throughout the entire city.
” Cedar Rapids on Monday night issued a 10 p.m. curfew that will continue until further notice , as crews work to clean up fallen debris .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is how long it can hover one place and how large an area the high winds hit , Marsh said .
He said winds of 80 mph or even 100 mph can stretch for “ 20 , 30 , 40 or God forbid 100 miles.
” “ Right now , it ’ s making a beeline for Chicago , ” Marsh said Monday mid-afternoon .
“ Whether or not it will hold its intensity as it reaches Chicago remains to be seen.
” But the environmental conditions between the storm and Chicago are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diminish the storm , Marsh said .
It will likely dissipate over central or eastern Indiana , he said .
What happened is unstable super moist air has parked over the northern plains for days on end and it finally ramped up Monday morning into a derecho .
“ They are basically self-sustaining amoebas of thunderstorms , ” Gensini said .
“ Once they get going like they did across Iowa , it ’ s really hard to stop these suckers.
” Derechoes , with winds of at least 58 mph , occur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rarer than tornadoes but with weaker winds , derechoes produce damage over a much wider area .
The storms raced over parts of eastern Nebraska before 9 a.m. Monday , dropping heavy rains and high winds .
Strong straight-line winds pushed south into areas that include Lincoln and Omaha , National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Barjenbruch said .
“ Once that rain-cooled air hit the ground , it surged over 100 miles , sending incredibly strong winds over the area , ” Barjenbruch said .
Omaha Public Power District reported more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding communities .
The weather service ’ s Marsh said there ’ s a huge concern about power outages that will be widespread across several states and long lasting .
Add high heat , people with medical conditions that require power and the pandemic , “ it becomes dire pretty quickly.
” Borenstein reported from Kensington , Maryland .
AP reporter David Pitt in Des Moines and Sara Burnett in Chicago contributed .

Ryan J. Foley And Seth Borenstein - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Mexican police catch 8 men connected to journalist’s killing

MEXICO CITY - Prosecutors in the southern Mexico state of Guerrero said Monday they have caught eight men , one of whom was carrying a weapon used to kill a Mexican journalist .
The eight were caught after some of them opened fire on police who pulled their vehicles over Friday near the city of Iguala .
No police were wounded .
A total of three assault rifles and two other rifles were found on the men .
Prosecutors said one of the weapons match that used to kill journalist Pablo Morrugares and a state police officer guarding him in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men were apparently pulled over only because police performing a routine patrol saw they were carrying weapons , not as suspects in Morrugares ’ case .
They were charged with attempted homicide , apparently for shooting at officers .
Authorities did not say whether the men had any gang affiliation .
Mexican police have been criticized in the past for not adequately investigating journalists ’ deaths .
Morrugares was director of the P.M Noticias Guerrero website , which frequently reports on the gang violence .
Local media reported that threats against Morrugares had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hung by roadsides , a tactic frequently used by drug gangs in Mexico .
Morrugares and his wife had survived a previous attack in 2016 , and he was subsequently give a police escort .
Morrugares was the fifth journalist to be killed in Mexico this year .
More than 140 journalists have been killed in Mexico over the past 20 years .


thetorontostar--2020-08-10--Seattle City Council OKs cuts to police positions, budget

SEATTLE - The Seattle City Council approved proposals Monday that would reduce the police department by as many as 100 officers through layoffs and attrition — an action supported by demonstrators who have marched in the city following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis but strongly opposed by the mayor and police chief .
Measures that would cut less than $ 4 million of the department ’ s $ 400 million annual budget this year passed out of committee unanimously last week .
On Monday , only council member Kshama Sawant voted against the budget package , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police .
Seattle currently has about 1,400 police officers and the reductions fell far short of the 50 % cut to the department that many Black Lives Matter protesters are seeking .
Several council members on Monday said the changes were a starting point in a long process to reimagine policing and public safety .
The City Council also cut Police Chief Carmen Best ’ s roughly $ 285,000 annual salary and the pay of other top police leaders , although the final cuts to Best ’ s salary were significantly more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The council plan also takes officers off a team that removes homeless camps .
“ While we can ’ t do everything in this summer rebalancing package , we have set the path forward for tremendous work in front of us as a council and as a city , ” Councilwoman Teresa Mosqueda said .
Mayor Jenny Durkan and Best had urged the council to slow down its discussions about police budgets , saying the issue could be taken up in earnest when the 2021 city budget is considered .
They also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , often hired from Black and brown communities , and would inevitably lead to lawsuits .
Durkan has already targeted about $ 20 million in savings from the police budget this year , largely because of reduced revenues amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Last month , the mayor sketched out a plan to reduce the police budget by about $ 75 million next year by transferring parking enforcement officers , the 911 call centre and other areas out of the department .
As U.S. attorney in Seattle , Durkan previously pushed a Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use force , leading to a 2012 consent decree with the federal government .
Reviews by an independent monitor have determined that the changes under the consent decree have led to a drop in how often police use force .
But critics have said the department ’ s actions during recent protests show not enough progress has been made .