thetorontostar--2020-08-11--LA sheriff concerned after deputies detain Black teens

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County sheriff said Monday he is ordering a review of tactics deputies used to detain three 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 teens ’ mothers to her Instagram profile last week — and that the matter is being investigated .
Villanueva is ordering a “ thorough “ review of the incident and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s patrol rifle deployment policy and training after video showed one deputy holding an AR-15 rifle , according to tweets from the Sheriff ’ s Department .
CBS Los Angeles reported that the trio were teenagers .
Deputy Juanita Navarro , a spokeswoman for the department , said the youths were not arrested during the incident Friday and had been released at the scene .
An attorney for the teens , Robert Brown , says two of the teens are Black and one is white .
Tammi Collins wrote on Instagram that her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 teens were attacking the man .
Navarro 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns at the teens — including one deputy who had a rifle .
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 were being detained , saying “ keep your hands up , keep your hands up !
” as well as “ just listen to them and it ’ ll be over soon ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 not clear if Collins recorded the video , but she wrote that she didn ’ t know how she could help her son in the aftermath .
“ This is something my son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she wrote .
This story was first published on August 10 , 2020 .
It has been corrected to remove references to the three teens being Black .
The attorney for the teens , Robert Brown , says one of the teens is white .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Puerto Rico gov sues elections commission in primary debacle

SAN JUAN , Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico ’ s governor on Tuesday added new demands to conflicting proposals for rescuing the U.S. territory ’ s botched primary election , suing to insist on an election re-do at all polling centres that opened late — not just those where a lack of ballots kept people from voting , The lawsuit filed by Gov .
Wanda Vázquez also seeks to stop the release of unconfirmed results from centres where voting did take place on Sunday .
The island ’ s Supreme Court agreed to hear the case .
A failure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from voting at a little under half of the island ’ s 110 polling places .
“ The uncertainty created since the process began in the morning hours caused thousands of voters to leave the voting centres where chaos and confusion reigned , ” according Vazquez ’ s lawsuit , filed before the Court of First Instance .
Electoral officials have agreed to try to repair the problem by holding a second wave of voting this Sunday at centres where no one voted due to a lack of missing or delayed ballots .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that opened late as well .
A federal control board overseeing Puerto Rico ’ s finances announced Tuesday that it has authorized $ 1.27 million for the second round of votes , warning in a letter that “ the efficiency in the use of these funds is paramount.
” Puerto Rico ’ s Supreme Court is expect to rule this week on four other lawsuits spawned by the election problems .
Pedro Pierluisi , who is running against Vázquez in the primary of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party , seeks to have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public .
Also suing for the same reason are Sen. Eduardo Bhatia and Carlos Delgado , mayor of the northwest coastal town of Isabela , two of three gubernatorial nominees for the main opposition Popular Democratic Party .
That party supports Puerto Rico ’ s current political status as a U.S. territory and held a primary for the first time in its 82-year history .
A fourth lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union for a female voter who wants the entire primary scrapped and started anew .
Electoral officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days behind schedule and were still being dispatched to polling places on the day of the vote — often never arriving .
It was the first time primaries have been halted in the territory and led many to worry that it has damaged Puerto Ricans ’ confidence in their government and could affect the outcome of upcoming November general elections on an island that typically has a voter participation rate of nearly 70 % .

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


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--The LAPD branded these two brothers MS-13 gang members. Prosecutors say they were deliberately frame

The LAPD branded these two brothers MS-13 gang members. Prosecutors say they were deliberately framed

LOS ANGELES—Early on a Thursday morning in February , two men in suits rapped on the door of the South Los Angeles apartment that Gadseel Quinonez shares with his little brother .
The men were from the Los Angeles Police Department ’ s Professional Standards Bureau — the cops who police the cops .
They wanted to know whether Quinonez , 29 , or his brother belonged to any gangs .
No , he told them .
They asked whether they could take pictures of his tattoos .
Sure , he said .
He had nothing to hide .
Months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with falsifying dozens of gang records , and the reason for the early morning visit became clear : Quinonez and his brother , Jose , had been falsely identified as members of MS-13 , a street gang notorious for macabre killings , according to a complaint filed by county prosecutors .
Gadseel and Jose Quinonez are among dozens of people who county prosecutors say were falsely labelled as gang members or associates by Officers Braxton Shaw , Michael Coblentz and Nicolas Martinez .
All three are with the LAPD ’ s elite Metropolitan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like other alleged victims in the case , are identified in the complaint only by their first names and last initial , they confirmed being interviewed by internal investigators from the LAPD and described two heavy-handed stops near where they live and work in South Los Angeles .
An LAPD spokesman would not confirm or deny the identities of any alleged victims , citing the department ’ s continuing investigation .
Nineteen more officers remain under investigation .
A spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office declined to comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s attorney , Greg Yacoubian , pushed back on what he said was an unfair characterization of the policemen as “ rogue officers.
” Shaw was doing nothing more than what was expected of him , Yacoubian said , which was to gather gang intelligence from dangerous parts of the city .
“ He ’ s innocent , ” Yacoubian said of Shaw .
“ Although these are complicated issues , I can say with a high level of confidence that when the dust settles , it will be clear he isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2018 , Gadseel Quinonez was leaving a recycling centre on West 92nd and Main streets , where he has worked since 2010 , when a squad car pulled him over , he recalled .
His brother , 16 at the time , was in the car .
Jose had come to Los Angeles five months earlier from Guatemala , where their mother , father and four other siblings still live .
One of the officers — a white man , tall , burly and with a shaved head — opened the passenger-side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wrenched him out of the car , Jose recalled .
He and his brother were handcuffed and stood up against a fence while the officers searched Gadseel ’ s black BMW , the brothers said in separate interviews .
The officers asked questions in English and Jose struggled to understand what was being said , he recalled .
Gadseel recognized the white officer : A few months earlier , he said , the same man had pulled him over as he was leaving a liquor store on West 88th Street and Broadway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the car at gunpoint , searched his car and questioned him about cash he found inside , Gadseel recalled .
When he tried to explain the cash was from the recycling business where he worked , the officer told him to “ shut up , ” he said .
This time , the officers asked Gadseel and Jose whether they were in a gang , the brothers said .
No , they told them .
The officers asked Gadseel whether his car was stolen , whether it really belonged to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did .
When Gadseel asked why they had been stopped , the officers said that he and his brother looked like gang members and that they ’ d heard rumours he was carrying a weapon , he recalled .
Eventually , his boss at the recycling plant came out and spoke with the officers .
They let the brothers go .
Afterward , Gadseel told Jose he “ needed to behave , to follow the rules , ” so he wouldn ’ t get in trouble with the police , Jose said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ American policeman , and it left him frightened and confused , he remembered .
The brothers could not recall the specific month in 2018 when they were stopped and questioned .
But according to a complaint filed by county prosecutors , Shaw , partnered with Martinez , filled out two field interview cards on July 30 , 2018 , that falsely labelled a “ Gadseel Q.
” as an MS-13 gang member nicknamed “ Squealer , ” and a “ Jose Q.
” as an MS-13 gang member dubbed “ Sneaks.
” Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected gang members and associates .
CalGang , a statewide clearing house of gang intelligence , drew on information from LAPD cards until July , when California Attorney General Xavier Becerra , whose office oversees the database , revoked access to LAPD intelligence .
LAPD Chief Michel Moore had ordered his officers in June to no longer enter names in the database .
CalGang is notoriously opaque , and none of its underlying intelligence is public record .
Gadseel and Jose said they didn ’ t know or even suspect they ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter contacted them .
“ When they have proof that someone did something , they have the right to arrest you or throw you in jail or investigate you , ” Gadseel said in Spanish .
“ But when there ’ s no proof , and they keep stopping you , or following you or watching you , waiting for you to fall , I don ’ t see a case there .
They don ’ t have the right.
” Yacoubian , Shaw ’ s attorney , said some — but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on LAPD field cards were entered in CalGang .
Once Metropolitan Division officers filled out the cards in the field , the cards were sent to various LAPD geographic divisions where gang enforcement specialists vet the information and decide whom to add to the database , according to Yacoubian , who retired from the LAPD as a lieutenant before starting a law practice .
Yacoubian questioned whether any of the people allegedly misidentified as gang members suffered “ adverse actions , ” saying that unlike a police report , the field cards are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of itself , can not be used to prosecute someone .
And because the cards and database are not public , employers can ’ t view the records when weighing whether to give someone a job , he added .
Yacoubian described the cards as a useful tool to combat gangs that prey on the poorest , most distressed parts of the city .
“ Chilling that function is going to impact low-income , minority communities , ” he said .
“ They ’ re the real losers in all of this.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Quinonez brothers are among 43 he is charged with falsifying .
In April 2018 , the officer wrote up a card for “ Kivon W. , ” whom he falsely described as a 77 Swans gang member known as “ Dub Bird , ” with a swan and 77 tattooed on his neck , the complaint said .
Kivon Williams told the Los Angeles Times he has tattoos of a dove and the date “ 10/17 ” on his neck , signifying the month and the day he met his girlfriend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said internal investigators from the LAPD came to his South Los Angeles home this year , interviewed him and took pictures of his tattoos .
Williams said he has heard nothing from the department since .
He doesn ’ t know whether he is still in a gang database or what , if anything , he should do to have his name cleared .
Josh Rubenstein , a spokesman for the LAPD , said the department is removing names from the database as its internal investigation progresses , but he declined to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know whether he remains on a roster of alleged gang members and associates .
It doesn ’ t worry him , he said .
He knows who he is .
He left Guatemala as a child for Memphis , Tennessee , and once he got there , “ I started working , ” he said .
“ And I worked twice as hard to get ahead .
“ It never crossed my mind to join a gang , ” he said .
“ No one wins that way.
” He came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a job at the recycling centre where he still works today .
He is a father to a five-year-old boy and looks after his little brother , who works at the recycling plant too .
“ El que nada debe , nada teme , ” he said .
He who has nothing to hide has nothing to fear .
Jose , now 18 , is entering his final year at Dymally High School in South Los Angeles .
He left Guatemala to find work here and send money home , he explained , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he sorts bottles and crushes glass , Monday through Wednesday , 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. One day , he would like to work as a lawyer .
Or maybe a police officer .
“ So I can help people , ” he said .

Matthew Ormseth - Los Angeles Times,Dorany Pineda


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Confusion as UK changes school grade rules amid pandemic

LONDON - Students and teachers in Britain have been left bewildered and upset after officials announced last-minute changes to how crucial school-leaving grades are awarded , following widespread disruption to education already caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Thousands of teenage students had their exams - known as A-Levels and GCSEs - cancelled earlier this year because the pandemic forced extended school closures .
The grades are key in college and job applications .
Students are due to receive teachers ’ predicted grades , based on how they were ranked in class , Thursday in the absence of actual exam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sowed confusion when he announced late Tuesday that students can use their results in practice exams taken before schools closed in March — and before the true impact of the pandemic would become known — to appeal , if they are unhappy with the predicted grades .
Students will also have the option of re-taking exams in the autumn .
Kate Green , from the opposition Labour Party , said the last-minute changes created a “ chaotic situation , “ pointing out that many students wouldn ’ t have taken practice exams before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , general secretary of the teaching union Association of School and College Leaders , added the plan creates potential for “ massive inconsistency ” because practice exams are not standardized and can vary hugely in how they are administered .
“ Schools and colleges have spent months diligently following detailed guidance to produce centre-assessed grades , only to find they might as well not have bothered , ” he said .
The change follows widespread confusion in Scotland , where officials have had to scrap a system of “ moderated ” grades after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deprived backgrounds .
Critics say that system is unfair because it linked students ’ ability with their schools ’ past performances , and a bright student in a low-performing school would be disadvantaged .
Scottish officials have apologized and say results will now be based on grades estimated by teachers .


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--FBI arrests 7th person in Puerto Rico public corruption case

SAN JUAN , Puerto Rico - Federal agents on Wednesday arrested an accountant in a corruption investigation involving Puerto Rico ’ s former education secretary .
FBI spokeswoman Limary Cruz identified the man as Aníbal Jover , who once was president of Puerto Rico ’ s Association of Certified Public Accountants .
Cruz told The Associated Press that there ’ s a gag order in the case and that she could not provide further details .
Jover is the seventh person arrested in a case in which authorities say contracts were fraudulently obtained from Puerto Rico ’ s Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was not immediately known if Jover had an attorney .
A federal grand jury last year returned indictments in the case for three contractors , a former government advisor , former Education Secretary Julia Keleher and the former director of Puerto Rico ’ s Health Insurance Administration .
At least two of the contractors have already pleaded guilty , while Keleher ’ s attorneys have said she is innocent .
Keleher , who resigned in April 2019 , faces charges including bribery and fraud in another other federal case .
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private company in exchange for living in an upscale apartment complex for six months on a $ 1 lease even though the agreement stipulated a $ 1,500 monthly rent .
Keleher then bought the apartment and received a $ 12,000 bonus in connection with the purchase when such bonuses rarely exceed $ 5,000 , officials said .
Her attorneys have said she is not guilty .


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Concerns grow over rising COVID-19 infections in Germany

BERLIN - Germany ’ s government urged citizens Wednesday to keep their guard up and stick to public health guidelines , as new COVID-19 infections hit a three-month high and schools reopened in the country ’ s most populous state .
Germany ’ s response so far has widely been seen as successful in slowing the spread of the pandemic efficiently and quickly , but the country ’ s disease control authority on Wednesday reported 1,226 new infections .
That was the highest number since early May , although the figure has topped 1,000 on several days recently .
Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks have occurred in almost all regions , largely driven by travellers returning from abroad and people partying or having family gatherings .
“ This is worrying , without doubt , ” Spahn told Deutschlandfunk radio .
“ And it can naturally lead to a new dynamic , if we don ’ t all now exercise caution.
” In the early days of the pandemic the average age of people infected was 50 ; it is now 34 .
Spahn reiterated appeals to wear masks , keep distances and not go overboard in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new vaccine approved by Russia , the first country worldwide to do so .
“ It ’ s not about being the first one , ” Spahn said .
“ But it ’ s about having an effective , tested and therefore secure vaccine.
” Germany has recorded 218,519 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 9,207 deaths , according to the Robert Koch Institute , the national disease control centre .
At the height of the pandemic in early April , there were about 6,000 new cases each day .
Many of the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus during visits to the western Balkans , Turkey , Bulgaria , Romania , Poland and Spain , the Robert Koch Institute said .
The uptick comes as students are returning to school across the country , adding to concerns .
Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s spokesman , Steffen Seibert , said restoring economic activity and restarting schools were both critical .
He urged Germans not to grow lax about wearing masks or keeping distances , and to practice careful hygiene measures .
“ We need to be careful and vigilant , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were returning to school Wednesday in North Rhine-Westphalia , Germany ’ s most populous state , which has the strictest rules in the country — including that students above elementary school age must wear masks at all times , including in class .
The eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania , which has seen the country ’ s lowest number of coronavirus infections , took a different approach when it became the first state to send children back to school on Aug. 3 , with no mask regulations or social distancing rules .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four days later after a student from one and teacher from the other tested positive for COVID-19 .
Most of Germany ’ s 16 states have some sort of a mask rule , usually requiring them in hallways but not in classrooms or schoolyards .
Mecklenburg has now implemented such a rule as well , but only for students above primary-school age .
In Brandenburg , where school resumed Monday , a child and a worker at an after-school program tested positive on Wednesday and authorities were awaiting test results for 68 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And in Schleswig-Holstein in the country ’ s north , where students also went back to class on Monday , a primary school was almost immediately shut down after a teacher tested positive , though it was expected to soon reopen .
Two grades at a second school were also sent home on Wednesday as a precaution after a student ’ s sibling tested positive .

Kirsten Grieshaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--ATF: Fire that destroyed St. Paul hotel project was arson

ST. PAUL , Minn. - A massive blaze that destroyed a hotel project under construction in downtown St. Paul was @ @ @ @ @ The federal Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives announced that determination Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ Paul Fire Department , St. Paul Police Department and Minnesota state fire marshal ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 4 fire was intentionally set after investigating the scene , reviewing video footage and @ @ @ @ @ four-day search found no human remains , and no one was unaccounted for .
In @ @ @ @ @ Behrendt of Doran Companies , the general contractor on the $ 69 million Seven Corners @ @ @ @ @ officials are “ extremely disappointed ” to learn that the fire was set intentionally .
@ @ @ @ @ a considerable setback to a project that was moving the economy forward and supporting construction @ @ @ @ @ economic uncertainty , “ Behrendt said .
The ATF sent members of its National Response @ @ @ @ @ investigation .
Investigators continue working on the case .


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--No prosecution for many arrested at Portland’s protests

PORTLAND , Ore. - People arrested in Portland since late May on non-violent misdemeanour charges during the protests that have racked Oregon ’ s largest city for more than two months won ’ t be prosecuted .
The new policy announced Tuesday recognizes the outrage and frustration over a history of racial injustice that has led to the city ’ s often violent protests and the practical realities of the court system , Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said .
It is running more than two months behind in processing cases because of COVID-19 , As a result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past few months will not face criminal prosecution , according to statistics provided by Schmidt ’ s office .
The same no prosecution policy applies to those arrested on similar charges in future demonstrations , he said .
“ The protesters are angry ... and deeply frustrated with what they perceive to be structural inequities in our basic social fabric .
And this frustration can escalate to levels that violate the law , ” Schmidt said .
He added : “ This policy acknowledges that centuries of disparate treatment of our black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that the healing process will not be easy or quick.
” Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell , informed of the impending policy change last week , said the decision does not change Oregon law and still holds accouontable people who commit violent acts or intentionally damage property .
“ Committing a crime is different from demonstrating , ” Lovell said in a statement .
“ The arrests we make often come after hours of damage to private property , disruption of public transit and traffic on public streets , thefts from small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on members of the community , and attacks against police officers.
” Mayor Ted Wheeler , who is also the Police Commissioner , did not respond to a request for comment .
The city ’ s protests have dominated local news and made international headlines for more than 70 days since the police killing of George Floyd , a Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer held a knee to his neck for nearly eight minutes .
Consecutive nights of unrest last month that increasingly targeted a federal courthouse in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. agents to guard the building .
The presence of the agents from U.S Customs and Border Protection , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S .
Marshals Service was aimed at quelling the demonstrations but instead reinvigorated the Black Lives Matter movement .
The U.S. agents began drawing down July 31 under an agreement between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Democratic Gov .
Kate Brown for Oregon state troopers to guard the courthouse .
But the protests continued nightly at locations miles from the courthouse , with demonstrators calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and reinvest the money in the Black community .
Police precincts in the north and east of the city , the police union headquarters and a building that houses police offices have been frequent targets .
Officers made dozens of arrests last weekend and this week after clashes with demonstrators who police have said threw eggs , bottles and rocks at officers ; started fires and punctured the tires of police vehicles .
Tuesday night , one group blocked traffic downtown in a peaceful gathering that authorities did not interact with , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A person in another demonstrating group that blocked traffic for hours near the Multnomah County Sheriff ’ s Office building fell off the back of a pickup truck , the statement said .
Authorities brought in an ambulance to take the person to a hospital .
Police threatened to arrest some protesters after they went on the property of the sheriff ’ s office building , but they left , the statement said .
No arrests were made and no crowd control methods were used , the police statement said .


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Feds get more time to weigh Boston Marathon bomber appeal

BOSTON - A federal appeals court has agreed to give prosecutors another month to decide their next step after the court tossed Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ’ s death sentence .
The 1st U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals this week said prosecutors can have until Sept. 14 to file a petition asking the full court to rehear the case .
The government ’ s petition was initially due on Friday .
Prosecutors asked for more time to decide whether to ask the court to reconsider the case , saying the process “ in a case of this magnitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the Department of Justice.
” Prosecutors could also appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court .
A three-judge panel of the appeals court last month threw out Tsarnaev ’ s death sentence in the 2013 bombing that killed three people and wounded more than 260 others .
The appeals court said the judge who oversaw the case did not adequately screen jurors for potential biases and ordered a new penalty-phase trial on whether the 27-year-old should be executed .
Tsarnaev was convicted in 2015 on 30 charges , including conspiracy and use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 1st Circuit upheld all but a few of the convictions .


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Shooting at Louisiana hospital prompts manhunt

SHREVEPORT , La .
- A man was shot and wounded at a Louisiana hospital Wednesday morning in what police @ @ @ @ @ .
Shreveport police said SWAT and hostage negotiation teams made their way to Ochsner LSU @ @ @ @ @ Medical Center around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday .
One man was shot in the leg , @ @ @ @ @ Willhite told news outlets .
She said the wound is not believed to be life-threatening @ @ @ @ @ searching for Taniel Cole , 41 , who is considered armed and dangerous .
It @ @ @ @ @ is still at the hospital .
About two dozen squad cars were at the scene @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Paris prosecutors investigate apparent anti-Semitic attack

PARIS - French police are investigating an apparent anti-Semitic attack on a 29-year-man in an apartment building in northeast Paris @ @ @ @ @ anti-Semitic violence and hate speech in France , BNVCA , sought an investigation , denouncing @ @ @ @ @ a string of scattered acts targeting Jews .
The man , identified only as David @ @ @ @ @ by two people who hurled anti-Semitic insults , stole his watch and beat him unconscious @ @ @ @ @ parents ’ apartment building , according to BNVCA .
The Paris prosecutor ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ investigation into potential charges of violent theft motivated by reasons of religion .
The man @ @ @ @ @ on his face , throat and legs , BNVCA said .
French police registered 687 @ @ @ @ @ from vandalism to threats to physical attacks – a 27 % rise from the year @ @ @ @ @ and other racist acts also rose .


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--The Latest: Spain sets up field hospital in northern city

MADRID — Spain ’ s army is setting up a field hospital in Zaragoza as the northern city struggles to stop a new spike in coronavirus cases .
The region of Aragón , home to Zaragoza , has led Spain over the past seven days with 242 hospitalizations and 32 deaths from COVID-19 .
The army says it responded to a request by Aragón ’ s government to set up the field hospital in the parking lot of one of its hospitals in Zaragoza .
The army says it should be ready for use if needed by Friday .
Regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a precaution in case the hospitals reach capacity as they did in many parts of Spain during the months of March and April when the pandemic first hit .
During that first wave of the virus , the army put up several field hospitals in Spanish cities .
Spain had managed to reign in the virus until a steady uptick in cases in the northeast and central areas in recent weeks .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — India adds more than 60,000 virus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tied up in global race for a vaccine — What ’ s keeping Washington from a virus deal , explained .
The impasse is denying money to the unemployed , state and local governments and schools struggling to reopen .
— As Britain navigates its way through the coronavirus pandemic , the government insists science is guiding its decisions .
But a self-appointed group of independent experts says it sees little in Britain ’ s response that is evidence-based while cases tick up .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : ATHENS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister is warning young people about the ease of transmission of the coronavirus .
New daily cases have been in the triple digits for several days .
Vassilis Kikilias tweeted the average age of those sickened by the virus in Greece in August had fallen to 36 .
The government has imposed new restrictions on some areas , ordering bars and restaurants to shut between midnight and 7 a.m. in some of the country ’ s top tourist destinations .
Greece initially was credited with handling the coronavirus outbreak well , imposing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at low levels .
But it has seen a resurgence of the virus after lifting restrictions and opening to visitors as it tries to bolster tourism .
On Wednesday , Greece reported 196 new coronavirus cases and one new death , bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 5,942 and the death toll to 214 .
BUCHAREST , Romania — Romanian health authorities say the country has set another one-day high for new COVID-19 infections , with 1,415 confirmed cases reported in the last 24 hours .
Despite the rising trend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes Romania managed to stop the growing spread of the coronavirus pandemic and expects “ no problem ” in nationwide local elections being held at the end of September .
The elections were initially planned to be held in June but were postponed due to the pandemic .
A report this week by the National Institute of Public Health predicts the number of daily cases could practically double to 2,800 by the first week of September .
As of Wednesday , Romania has reported 65,177 confirmed virus cases and 2,807 deaths .
ANNAPOLIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China has donated 40,000 medical-grade face masks to Maryland ’ s capital city amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The donations from Changsha , China , were first offered to Annapolis city officials in April , when the need for the masks among public safety workers was high in the beginning of the pandemic , Annapolis City Manager David Jarrell said Tuesday .
Annapolis ’ relationship with Changsha began under a former city administrator .
The two municipalities are now sister cities .
The masks arrived this month , with one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a message that read : “ Go , City of Annapolis !
Best Wishes from Changsha !
True unity inspires people to work as one to overcome adversity , ” The Capital Gazette reported .
Another note from Yani Xia , a representative in the Chinese city ’ s Foreign Affairs Office , accompanied the shipments .
“ We sincerely wish you and everyone in Annapolis continued good health , and the fortitude to persevere during this challenging period , ” Xia ’ s note read .
BRUSSELS — Authorities in Brussels are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital following a spike in cases .
Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort ’ s office says the number of new infections in the city had reached Belgium ’ s red line of 50 per 100,000 inhabitants on average over the last seven days .
A statement says the wearing of masks is from now on obligatory for all people age 12 and over in all public places and in private places accessible to the public .
Brussels is home to the main European Union institutions and the NATO military alliance and has a population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks are also in place in the port city of Antwerp .
Belgium has one of the highest COVID-19 mortality rates per capita in the world .
Around 10,000 people have died in a country with a population of some 11.5 million .
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has denounced a culture of individuality revealed by the pandemic , which has sacrificed the care of the weakest members of society .
Francis , speaking at his Wednesday audience called on the faithful to “ overcome our personal and collective individualism ” as experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , “ which hit us all indiscriminately.
” The pontiff says ‘ ’ the pandemic has revealed how vulnerable and interconnected we all are , ” while also making us “ more aware of the spread within our societies of a false , individualistic way of thinking , one that rejects human dignity and relationships , views persons as consumer goods and creates a ‘ throw-away ’ culture.
” He called on people to “ look with care at our brothers and sisters , especially those who suffer , ’ ’ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whatever their race , language or condition.
” TAIPEI , Taiwan — U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar says the push to develop a COVID-19 vaccine is “ not a race to be first.
” Azar ’ s comments during a visit to Taiwan on Wednesday follow Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s announcement that his country was the first to approve a coronavirus vaccine , prompting doubts about the science and safety behind that purported achievement .
Azar says the U.S. is combining the powers of its government , economy and biopharmaceutical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can for the benefit of the United States ’ citizens , but also for the people of the world , safe and effective vaccines.
” He says the U.S. has secured an advanced manufacturing contract for a vaccine being developed by the company Moderna and has supply agreements with five other firms who have vaccines in the works .
He says four of the six companies under contract have reported testing results showing they produce more antibodies for the virus than people who have survived COVID-19 , without severe side effects .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have entered the third phase of trials while the Russian vaccine is just now embarking on that stage with no information having been disclosed .
He says the U.S. process should allow the production of a “ gold-standard , safe and effective vaccine ” available in the tens of millions of doses by the end of the year .
BERLIN — Germany ’ s heath minister expressed concern about the rising numbers of coronavirus infections in the country and called on his compatriots to adhere to social distancing and hygiene rules .
Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks have taken place in almost all regions .
He told Deutschlandfunk radio the infections were driven by travellers returning from abroad but also people partying or getting together for family gatherings .
He say , “ This obviously — if we don ’ t all watch out now — can lead to a certain dynamic , ” and the reemergence of the pandemic .
Germany ’ s Robert Koch-Institute , which tracks the coronavirus , registered 1,226 new infections on Wednesday .
That ’ s the highest number since early May .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep distance and not go overboard in social settings .
He says , “ When there ’ s alcohol involved , when a festive event turns into a party , it can go very , very quickly.
” Germany has been lauded for keeping the pandemic under control for a long time , but the easing of measures and the return of travellers have in recent weeks lead to an uptick of infections .
In addition , summer vacations are over in several states and students are mostly back to regular classes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
SINGAPORE — Singapore ’ s government says most foreign workers can now resume work as their dormitories have been cleared of COVID-19 after months of lockdown and virus testing .
People living in the crowded dormitories were the bulk of Singapore ’ s 55,353 cases .
Only 27 deaths have been recorded in the city-state .
The Ministry of Manpower said in a statement late Tuesday that all the dormitories have been cleared , except for 17 standalone blocks , which serve as quarantine facilities .
It said all foreign workers living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested as virus-free , except for 22,500 workers in isolation .
The majority can return to work , including 81 % of the 387,000 workers in the construction , marine shipyard and process industries .
NEW DELHI — India ’ s coronavirus caseload has topped 2.3 million after adding 60,963 in the last 24 hours .
India also reported 834 deaths on Wednesday for a total of 46,091 .
India has the third-highest caseload after the United States and Brazil , but only the fifth-highest death toll , and authorities say the fatality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference Tuesday with the top elected officials of 10 states that together account for about 80 % of India ’ s total cases , urging them to rigorously apply the strategies of containment , surveillance and contact tracing to drive the fatality rate below 1 % .
Modi also urged testing to be ramped up in several states as it has been in the capital region of Delhi .
The Indian Council of Medical Research , India ’ s top medical research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples were tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday , but didn ’ t break down how many underwent the gold standard RT-PCR test compared to the antigen test , a cheaper and more efficient though less accurate blood test that looks for antibodies .
BEIJING — China ’ s newly confirmed community transmitted cases of coronavirus fell into the single digits on Wednesday , while Hong Kong saw another 33 cases of infection .
The National Health Commission says all nine new cases were found in the northwestern region of Xinjiang , whose capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s latest major outbreak .
Another 25 cases were brought by Chinese travellers arriving from abroad .
China has largely contained the local spread of the pandemic that is believed to have originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year before spreading worldwide .
The government has recorded 4,634 deaths from COVID-19 among 84,737 cases .
Hong Kong , a densely populated semi-autonomous southern Chinese city , also recorded another six deaths to bring its total to 58 among 4,181 cases .
Authorities have ordered mask wearing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other social distancing measures in a bid to stem its latest outbreak .
Those measures appear to have been successful in bringing numbers down from the more than 100 new daily cases reported at the end of last month .
SYDNEY , Australia — The Australian state of Victoria on Wednesday reported a record 21 virus deaths and 410 new cases from an outbreak in the city of Melbourne which has prompted authorities to impose a strict lockdown .
State Premier Daniel Andrews said 16 of the deaths were linked to aged-care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Victoria is down from the peak , giving authorities some hope the outbreak is waning .
Meanwhile , three Melbourne vloggers were each fined more than $ 1,000 after posting a video to Chinese social media showing them breaching nighttime curfew rules for a McDonald ’ s run , the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported .
The five-minute video , since deleted , showed the international students walking through alleys , dodging police officers and dancing inside a McDonald ’ s restaurant at 2:30 a.m. Sunday , the ABC said .
Victoria police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,652 Australian dollars ( $ 1,178 ) .
SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea has reported 54 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 as health authorities scramble to stem transmissions amid increased social and leisure activities .
The figures announced by South Korea ’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wednesday brought the national caseload to 14,714 infections , including 305 deaths .
The KCDC says 35 of the new cases were local transmissions , all but three of them reported from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , which has been at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late May .
The other 19 cases were linked to international arrivals .
Health authorities have said imported cases are less threatening as they mandate tests and enforce two-week quarantines on all people arriving from abroad .
The Health Department reported 6,686 new coronavirus infections , bringing the country ’ s total confirmed cases so far to 492,522 .
At that rate Mexico will reach a half million confirmed cases soon , but given the extremely low rate of testing — less than 1.1 million tests in a country of almost 130 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vast undercount .
For the most part , only people with considerable symptoms are tested in Mexico .
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley says he plans to tell a visiting group from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that long delays in getting coronavirus test results have been “ very problematic ” and to press them for a strategic approach to deploying a vaccine once it is available .
Long waits across the country for the results of coronavirus tests renders them nearly useless in helping to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health officials say .
The group is doing a site visit in Philadelphia through Thursday , part of a tour of a handful of cities around the country , Farley says .
Farley says he views the visit as a way to show what the city has been doing in terms of prevention , contact tracing and social distancing efforts .


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Crane collapse kills 5 in Cambodian border town of Poipet

PHNOM PENH , Cambodia - A construction crane in Cambodia ’ s northwestern city of Poipet on the border with Thailand collapsed Wednesday , killing at least five people and injuring four others .
The crane was being operated on ground made wet by rain , rendering it unstable , said Ath Khem , chief of the Banteay Meanchey provincial police .
He said the crane fell as it was lifting heavy concrete blocks , and described the accident as resulting from carelessness .
The crane fell on houses next to the construction site , killing the victims .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt , he said .
Poipet , a major trading post , is a boom town with many casinos patronized by foreigners , including many from Thailand .
It has a reputation as a “ sin city.
” In recent years , a fast-growing economy fueled a construction spree in Cambodia .
But the building boom has suffered from a number of fatal accidents , the result of shoddy construction practices and poor enforcement of safety standards .
In January , at least 36 people were killed in the collapse of a building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kep , with 23 others rescued alive .
Women and children were among the victims , since it is not unusual in Southeast Asia for the families of construction workers to live at the work site .


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Science and politics tied up in global race for a vaccine

WASHINGTON - No , Russia is not having a Sputnik moment .
The announcement Tuesday by Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country was the first to approve a coronavirus vaccine did not provoke the awe and wonder of the Soviet Union ’ s launch of the first satellite into orbit in 1957 .
Instead it was met by doubts about the science and safety .
But it also underscored how , like the space race , the competition to have the first vaccine is about international rivalries as well as science .
The first nation to develop a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a kind of moonshot victory and the global status that goes along with it .
That ’ s valuable to Putin , whose popularity at home has declined amid a stagnant economy and the ravages of the virus outbreak .
“ To be the first one out of the block with a coronavirus vaccine would be a real — pardon the pun — shot in the arm for the Kremlin , “ said Timothy Frye , a political science professor at Columbia University who specializes in post-Soviet politics .
Certainly , Russia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this light .
China , where the virus first emerged , has also raced to make progress on a vaccine .
A state-owned Chinese company is boasting that its employees , including top executives , received experimental shots even before the government approved testing in people .
And President Donald Trump , whose handling of the coronavirus pandemic has put his political fate in grave jeopardy , is hoping to get credit for his administration ’ s aggressive push for a vaccine , ideally one that arrives before Election Day in November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this point whether Putin has beaten Trump to this medical milestone .
Putin said the Health Ministry gave its approval after the vaccine underwent the necessary tests and said one of his two adult daughters had been inoculated .
“ We should be grateful to those who have taken this first step , which is very important for our country and the whole world , ” he said .
No proof was offered and scientists in Russia warned that more testing would be necessary to prove it is safe and effective .
Nonetheless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start as early as this month and mass vaccination may begin as early as October .
Scientists around the world have been cautioning that even if vaccine candidates are proven to work , it will take even more time to tell how long the protection will last .
“ It ’ s a too early stage to truly assess whether it ’ s going to be effective , whether it ’ s going to work or not , ” Dr. Michael Head , senior research fellow in global health at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dismiss the Russian claim out of hand .
The country , though economically dependent on the export of natural resources , does have a history of achievement in science , medicine and aerospace — including becoming the first to put a person into space , in 1961 .
“ It is possible that they concentrated and could do this , ” said Daniel Fried , a retired senior U.S. diplomat .
“ I ’ m not scoffing at it , but it doesn ’ t mean that the Russian economy is advanced.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of significant achievement that would elevate Putin at home and in the international community .
“ They would love to be able to claim credit because the first country to develop the vaccine will gain enormous prestige , ” said Fried , a former assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs who is now a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council .
It ’ s also possible Russia had help .
The U.S. , Britain and Canada l ast month accused hackers working for Russian intelligence of trying to steal information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pharmaceutical research institutions .
In any case , the public is eager for a vaccine as global deaths from the virus surpass 730,000 .
Some say they would even welcome one from Russia , provided it passes muster with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration .
“ I can ’ t take it anymore .
I ’ m getting crazy , ” said Fernanda Henderson , as she strapped her infant into a car seat at a park in the Maryland suburbs of Washington for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t think the CDC or the FDA would approve something that is not going to work.
” But to Vesna Jezic , a 79-year-old native of Croatia and immunologist who was taking her grandchildren to the same park , the suspiciously fast progress on the vaccine announced by Putin was reason to be doubtful .
“ You can imagine we don ’ t trust anything that comes from Russia , ” she said .
The Russian president may face similar doubts at home .
Frye noted a 2018 Gallup Poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the highest rates of anti-vaccination sentiment in the world .
“ If it turns out not to work , it would be a real black eye , ” he said .
Associated Press writes Michael Kunzelman in Wheaton , Maryland and Maria Cheng in London contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Companies test antibody drugs to treat, prevent COVID-19

With a coronavirus vaccine still months off , companies are rushing to test what may be the next best thing : drugs that deliver antibodies to fight the virus right away , without having to train the immune system to make them .
Antibodies are proteins the body makes when an infection occurs ; they attach to a virus and help it be eliminated .
Vaccines work by tricking the body into thinking there ’ s an infection so it makes antibodies and remembers how to do that if the real bug turns up .
But it can take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the most effective antibodies to form .
The experimental drugs shortcut that process by giving concentrated versions of specific ones that worked best against the coronavirus in lab and animal tests .
“ A vaccine takes time to work , to force the development of antibodies .
But when you give an antibody , you get immediate protection , ” said University of North Carolina virologist Dr. Myron Cohen .
“ If we can generate them in large concentrations , in big vats in an antibody factory ... we can kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are believed to last for a month or more and could give quick , temporary immunity to people at high risk of infection , such as health workers and housemates of someone with COVID-19 .
If they proved effective and if a vaccine doesn ’ t materialize or protect as hoped , the drugs might eventually be considered for wider use , perhaps for teachers or other groups .
They ’ re also being tested as treatments , to help the immune system and prevent severe symptoms or death .
“ The hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first week of their illness and that we can treat them with the antibody and prevent them from getting sick , ” said Dr. Marshall Lyon , an infectious disease specialist helping to test one such drug at Emory University in Atlanta .
Having such a tool “ would be a really momentous thing in our fight against COVID , ” Cohen said .
Vaccines are seen as a key to controlling the virus , which has been confirmed to have infected more than 20 million people worldwide and killed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to develop vaccines , but the results of the large final tests needed to evaluate them are months away .
The antibody drugs are “ very promising ” and , in contrast , could be available “ fairly soon , “ said Dr. Janet Woodcock , a U.S. Food and Drug Administration official who is leading government efforts to speed COVID-19 therapies .
Key studies are underway and some answers should come by early fall .
One company , Eli Lilly , has already started manufacturing its antibody drug , betting that studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our goal is to get something out as soon as possible ” and to have hundreds of thousands of doses ready by fall , said Lilly ’ s chief scientific officer , Dr. Daniel Skovronsky .
Another company that developed an antibody drug cocktail against Ebola — Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. — now is testing one for coronavirus .
“ The success with our Ebola program gives us some confidence that we can potentially do this again , ” said Christos Kyratsous , a Regeneron microbiologist who helped lead that work .
Regeneron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enhance chances the drug will work even if the virus evolves to evade action by one .
Lilly is testing two different , single-antibody drugs — one with the Canadian company AbCellera and another with a Chinese company , Junshi Biosciences .
In July , Junshi said no safety concerns emerged in 40 healthy people who tried it and that larger studies were getting underway .
Others working on antibody drugs include Amgen and Adaptive Biotechnologies .
The Singapore biotech company Tychan Pte Ltd. also is testing an antibody drug and has similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yellow fever .
“ I ’ m cautiously optimistic ” about the drugs , said the nation ’ s top infectious diseases expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci .
“ I ’ m heartened by the experience that we had with Ebola , ” where the drugs proved effective .
What could go wrong ?
— The antibodies may not reach all of the places in the body where they need to act , such as deep in the lungs .
All the antibody drugs are given through an IV and must make their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re needed .
— The virus might mutate to avoid the antibody — the reason Regeneron is testing a two-antibody combo that binds to the virus in different places to help prevent its escape .
Skovronsky said Lilly stuck with one antibody because manufacturing capacity would essentially be cut in half to make two , and “ you will have less doses available.
” If a single antibody works , “ we can treat twice as many people , ” he said .
— The antibodies might not last long enough .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s still OK for treatment since COVID-19 illness usually resolves in that time .
But for prevention , it may not be practical to give infusions more often than every month or two .
A San Francisco company , Vir Biotechnology Inc. , says it has engineered antibodies to last longer than they usually do to avoid this problem .
GlaxoSmithKline has invested $ 250 million in Vir to test them .
Giving a higher dose also may help .
If half of antibodies disappear after a month , “ if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have two months ’ protection , ” Lilly ’ s Skovronsky said .
— The big fear : Antibodies may do the opposite of what ’ s hoped and actually enhance the virus ’ s ability to get into cells or stimulate the immune system in a way that makes people sicker .
It ’ s a theoretical concern that hasn ’ t been seen in testing so far , but large , definitive experiments are needed to prove safety .
“ As best as we can tell , the antibodies are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marchione can be followed on Twitter : @ MMarchioneAP The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Marilynn Marchione - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Biden picks Kamala Harris as running mate, first Black woman

WILMINGTON , Del .
- Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate , making history by selecting the first Black woman to compete on a major party ’ s presidential ticket and acknowledging the vital role Black voters will play in his bid to defeat President Donald Trump .
In choosing Harris , Biden embraced a former rival from the Democratic primary who is familiar with the unique rigour of a national campaign .
The 55-year-old first-term senator , who is also of South Asian descent , is one of the party ’ s most prominent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contender for the No .
2 spot after her own White House campaign ended .
She will appear with Biden for the first time as his running mate at an event Wednesday near his home in Wilmington , Delaware .
In announcing the pick Tuesday , Biden called Harris a “ fearless fighter for the little guy , and one of the country ’ s finest public servants.
” She said Biden would “ unify the American people “ and “ build an America that lives up to our ideals.
” Harris joins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
The coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 160,000 people in the U.S. , far more than the toll experienced in other countries .
Business closures and disruptions resulting from the pandemic have caused severe economic problems .
Unrest , meanwhile , has emerged across the country as Americans protest racism and police brutality .
Trump ’ s uneven handling of the crises has given Biden an opening , and he enters the fall campaign in strong position against the president .
In adding Harris to the ticket , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record on issues such as health care and her background in law enforcement in the nation ’ s largest state .
The president told reporters Tuesday he was “ a little surprised ” that Biden picked Harris , pointing to their debate stage disputes during the primary .
Trump , who had donated to her previous campaigns , argued she was “ about the most liberal person in the U.S. Senate.
” “ I would have thought that Biden would have tried to stay away from that a little bit , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California attorney general and district attorney in San Francisco was heavily scrutinized during the Democratic primary and turned away some liberals and younger Black voters who saw her as out of step on issues of racism in the legal system and police brutality .
She declared herself a “ progressive prosecutor ” who backs law enforcement reforms .
Biden , who spent eight years as President Barack Obama ’ s vice-president , has spent months weighing who would fill that same role in his White House .
He pledged in March to select @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration among Democrats that the presidential race would centre on two white men in their 70s .
Biden ’ s search was expansive , including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , a leading progressive ; Florida Rep. Val Demings , whose impeachment criticism of Trump won party plaudits ; California Rep. Karen Bass , who leads the Congressional Black Caucus ; former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice ; and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , whose passionate response to unrest in her city garnered national attention .
A woman has never served as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hillary Clinton was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016 .
Two women have been nominated as running mates on major party tickets : Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Republican Sarah Palin in 2008 .
Their parties lost in the general election .
The vice-presidential pick carries increased significance this year .
If elected , Biden would be 78 when inaugurated in January , the oldest man to ever assume the presidency .
He ’ s spoken of himself as a transitional figure and hasn ’ t fully committed to seeking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ born in 1964 to a Jamaican father and Indian mother , spent much of her formative years in Berkeley , California .
She has often spoken of the deep bond she shared with her mother , whom she has called her single biggest influence .
Harris won her first election in 2003 when she became San Francisco ’ s district attorney .
In that post , she created a reentry program for low-level drug offenders and cracked down on student truancy .
She was elected California ’ s attorney general in 2010 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the job , and focused on issues including the foreclosure crisis .
She declined to defend the state ’ s Proposition 8 , which banned same-sex marriage and was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court .
After being elected to the Senate in 2016 , she quickly gained attention for her assertive questioning of Trump administration officials during congressional hearings .
Harris launched her presidential campaign in early 2019 with the slogan “ Kamala Harris For the People , ” a reference to her courtroom work .
She was one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary and attracted 20,000 people to her first campaign rally in Oakland .
But the early promise of her campaign eventually faded .
Her law enforcement background prompted skepticism from some progressives , and she struggled to land on a consistent message that resonated with voters .
Facing fundraising problems , she abruptly withdrew from the race in December 2019 , two months before the first votes of the primary were cast .
One standout moment of her presidential campaign came at the expense of Biden .
During a debate , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his past work with segregationist senators and slammed his opposition to busing as schools began to integrate in the 1970s .
“ There was a little girl in California who was a part of the second class to integrate her public schools , and she was bused to school every day , ” she said .
“ And that little girl was me.
” Shaken by the attack , Biden called her comments “ a mischaracterization of my position.
” The exchange resurfaced recently with a report that one of Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his vice-presidential vetting committee , former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd , still harbours concerns about the debate and that Harris hadn ’ t expressed regret .
The comments attributed to Dodd and first reported by Politico drew condemnation , especially from influential Democratic women who said Harris was being held to a standard that wouldn ’ t apply to a man running for president .
Some Biden confidants said Harris ’ debate attack did irritate the former vice-president , who had a friendly relationship with her .
Harris was also close with Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who served as Delaware attorney general while she held the same post in California .
But Biden and Harris have since returned to a warm relationship .
“ Joe has empathy , he has a proven track record of leadership and more than ever before we need a president of the United States who understands who the people are , sees them where they are , and has a genuine desire to help and knows how to fight to get us where we need to be , ” Harris said at an event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same event , she bluntly assailed Trump , labeling him a “ drug pusher ” for his promotion of the unproven and much-questioned malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus .
After Trump tweeted “ when the looting starts , the shooting starts ” in response to protests about the death of George Floyd , a Black man in police custody , Harris said his remarks “ yet again show what racism looks like.
” Harris has taken a tougher stand on policing since Floyd ’ s killing .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police from using chokeholds and no-knock warrants , set a national use-of-force standard and create a national police misconduct registry , among other things .
It would also reform the qualified immunity system that shields officers from liability .
The list in the legislation included practices Harris did not vocally fight to reform while leading California ’ s Department of Justice .
And while she now wants independent investigations of police shootings , she didn ’ t support a 2015 California bill that would have required her office to take on such cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly we are not at the place yet as a country where we need to be and California is no exception , ” she told The Associated Press recently .
The national focus on racial injustice now , she said , shows “ there ’ s no reason that we have to continue to wait.
” Ronayne reported from Sacramento , California .
Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe , Jill Colvin and Julie Pace contributed from Washington .

Kathleen Ronayne And Will Weissert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Women say they will fight sexism, ‘ugly’ attacks on Harris

CHICAGO - In the weeks before Joe Biden named Sen. Kamala Harris his running mate , women ’ s groups were readying a campaign of their own : shutting down sexist coverage and disinformation about a vice-presidential nominee they say is headed for months of false smears and “ brutal ” attacks from internet haters .
The groups put the media on notice in recent days that they will call out bias — one campaign is dubbed “ We Have Her Back ” — and established a “ war room ” to refute sexist or false attacks as they happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait long .
Within minutes of the presumptive Democratic nominee ’ s announcement Tuesday , false information was circulating on social media , claiming that Harris had called Biden a “ racist ” and that she is not eligible to be president .
The women ’ s groups say their efforts are informed by the sexism Hillary Clinton faced from Donald Trump , some of his supporters and the media during the 2016 campaign .
“ This time we understand the patterns , and this time we have the organizational infrastructure to push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive director of the women ’ s advocacy group UltraViolet , which released a 32-page guide for media along with a coalition of groups including Color of Change PAC , Planned Parenthood Votes and Women ’ s March .
While the groups have primarily been led by Democrats , their efforts are backed by nonpartisan groups and some Republicans .
The war room will call out bias and disinformation against women in both parties up and down the ballot , said Tina Tchen , CEO of Time ’ s Up Now , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The groups say intense scrutiny of a vice-presidential nominee is to be expected , but women are often unfairly criticized as overly emotional , weak or unqualified , or for their appearance or demeanour in a way that men are not .
The attacks , which include false smears and threats of violence online , not only hurt campaigns but also dissuade women from seeking office .
Christine Todd Whitman , a former New Jersey governor and Republican , said Biden ’ s running mate will be at the centre of an “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullies .
“ This is going to be brutal because these platforms allow people to do things anonymously , saying things anonymously , ” Whitman said .
If elected , Harris would be the country ’ s first Black vice-president .
Her mother is from India and her father is from Jamaica .
That has invited not only sexist but also racist commentary and misinformation around her candidacy .
Harris , who was born in Oakland , California , has been the victim of online falsehoods for more than a year that say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because her parents were not born in America .
More recently , Facebook users added a new twist to the misinformation : that since Harris is not eligible to be president , if Biden didn ’ t finish his term , the presidency would automatically default to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a Democrat .
There is no truth to that — Harris is a natural-born U.S. citizen who ’ s eligible to be president — yet the misinformation has been shared by thousands of Facebook users .
Facebook has labeled the posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from its platform .
The misinformation hearkens back to the conspiracy theories in 2008 around Democrat Barack Obama , the first Black U.S. president , that claimed he was born in Kenya , not the United States .
Those claims were amplified by Donald Trump , then a reality TV star , and gained so much traction during the campaign that Obama produced a birth certificate showing he was born in Honolulu .
The latest attacks on Harris ’ citizenship were highlighted in a letter from more than 100 female lawmakers from across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg .
It called on them to remove misinformation , as well as posts or accounts that threaten women .
“ Much of the most hateful content directed at women on Facebook is amplified by your algorithms which reward extreme and dangerous points of view with greater reach and visibility , ” said the letter , which was spearheaded by Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier of California .
Cindy Southworth , Facebook ’ s head of women ’ s safety , said the company will work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions.
” “ Abuse of women on the internet is a serious problem , one we tackle in a variety of ways — through technology that identifies and removes potentially abusive content before it happens , by enforcing strict policies , and by talking with experts to ensure we stay ahead of new tactics , “ she said .
But mere minutes after Harris was announced as Biden ’ s running mate , pro-Trump social media personalities and conservative news outlets claimed Harris called Biden a racist during a televised Democratic debate last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ I do not believe you ’ re a racist , ” before criticizing his past opposition to policies around school desegregation .
The road to becoming Biden ’ s running mate had been littered with misleading online attacks on women under consideration .
Former national security adviser Susan Rice was accused of committing crimes in office , and Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who authorized strict stay-at-home orders in Michigan this year , was pelted with memes and images likening her to Adolf Hitler or an “ evil queen.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead after watching how 2016 unfolded on social media , said Sarah Oates , a political communications professor at the University of Maryland .
“ She is going to be vilified , no matter who she is , ” Oates said .
“ In 2020 , people are much more attuned and aware of it .
That doesn ’ t mean it ’ s going to make it better , but at least you can be more aware of the toxicity.
“

Sara Burnett And Amanda Seitz - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--How Biden chose Harris: Inside his search for a running mate

The Michigan governor had caught the interest of Joe Biden and his vice-presidential vetting committee , who were drawn to her prominence in a crucial battleground state and her aggressive response to the coronavirus outbreak there .
But by late spring , the nation was in the midst of a reckoning over race and inequality following the death of George Floyd , a Black man who died after a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes .
Whitmer sent word to Biden ’ s team that while she was flattered , she no longer wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slot , according to a high-ranking Democrat familiar with the process .
She recommended Biden pick a Black woman .
But Biden still wanted Whitmer in the mix , and he personally called her in mid-June to ask if she would continue on to the second , more intensive round of vetting , according to the official .
Whitmer agreed .
But forces in the country , and within the Democratic Party , were indeed pushing Biden toward a history-making pick .
As protests over the death of Floyd and other Black Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an array of Democrats urged Biden to put a Black woman on the ticket — a nod to this moment in the nation ’ s history , to the critical role Black voters played in Biden ’ s ascent to the Democratic nomination , and to their vital importance in his general election campaign against President Donald Trump .
On Tuesday , Biden tapped California Sen. Kamala Harris to be his running mate , making her the first Black woman to serve on a major party presidential ticket .
This account of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important of his political career , is based on interviews with 10 people with direct knowledge of the vetting and selection process .
Most spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose private conversations and deliberations .
Biden , well aware of the potential pitfalls of being a 77-year-old white male standard-bearer of a party increasingly comprised of women , people of colour and young voters , made clear even before he had clinched the Democratic nomination that his running mate would be a woman .
His initial list of possible contenders was sprawling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congresswomen , mayors and other Democratic stalwarts .
They were young and old ; Black , Hispanic , white , Asian ; straight and gay .
Some , including Harris , had competed against Biden for the Democratic nomination .
From the start , some Biden advisers saw Harris as a logical choice .
She was among the party ’ s most popular figures , a deft debater and a fundraising juggernaut .
She had been thoroughly vetted during her own campaign and Biden ’ s team expected there would be few surprises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Harris ’ potential downsides were well-known to Biden advisers .
Her record as a prosecutor in California was already viewed skeptically by some younger Democrats during the primary and would face even more scrutiny against the backdrop of a national debate over inequality in the criminal justice system .
There were also nagging questions about Harris ’ most high-profile moment of the primary campaign — a harsh and deeply personal broadside against Biden over his position on school busing in the 1970s .
Though Biden would later brush the moment aside as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have stunned the former vice-president , who had considered his relationship with Harris strong .
It also raised concern among a small cadre of Biden advisers that Harris would be eyeing the Oval Office herself from the start , a particular worry given that Biden has not firmly committed to serving two terms if elected in November .
And so , as spring turned to summer , a string of other Black women would take a turn in the spotlight as Biden weighed his options .
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s team with their leadership during the police brutality protests .
Some House Democrats — including South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn , a close Biden confidant — advocated for Rep. Karen Bass , a Californian who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus .
Biden also took a strong interest in Susan Rice , with whom he worked closely when she served in the White House as President Barack Obama ’ s national security adviser .
The leading contenders , who also included Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth , submitted reams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other personal information .
Biden ’ s selection team canvassed a vast array of Democrats to ask for their views on the candidates ’ temperament and families , then grilled the candidates on much of the same .
Biden , too , regularly discussed his potential pick with his sprawling network of friends and advisers .
He used Obama in particular as a sounding board , though confidants to both men say the former president was careful not to tip his hand in those conversations as to whom he preferred .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he believed Harris was the favourite .
In one of Harris ’ conversations with the vetting committee , Chris Dodd — a longtime Biden friend who served alongside him in the Senate — asked if she had remorse for her debate stage attack on his busing record .
Harris , as she had previously done so publicly , brushed it aside as simply politics .
Dodd , a member of the running mate selection committee , was put off and let that be known .
The incident was first reported by Politico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a person with direct knowledge .
The public disclosure of Dodd ’ s comments angered some of the highest-ranking women on Biden ’ s campaign team .
Some of Harris ’ allies also mobilized to defend her , including California Lt. Gov .
Eleni Kounalakis , who organized a call with Biden ’ s vetting team about two weeks ago to assuage any doubts about whether the senator was the right choice for the ticket .
On the 45-minute call , Kounalakis and other statewide officials , labour and business leaders took turns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their impressions of her as a leader .
“ Speaking out as strongly as we did , collectively , helped them understand how supported she is and why , ” Kounalakis said on Tuesday .
The call ended with Biden ’ s vetting team telling the Harris supporters that they had all recommended her as one of the top candidates for the job .
The pandemic had largely grounded Biden in his home state of Delaware throughout the summer , and also upended some of the ways he had expected to build a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were no joint rallies or carefully orchestrated , yet casual-looking , outings to local restaurants in battleground states .
Biden was also accepting few in-person visitors at his home .
But he did want to speak one-on-one with the women who had made it through the vetting process and interviews with his selection committee .
He would hold conversations with 11 women in the final nine days before he made his pick — a mixture of in-person meetings and video teleconferences .
Whitmer was among those who flew to Delaware for an in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Lansing , Michigan , on Aug. 2 , spending just a few hours on the ground before returning to Michigan .
Rice , who had perhaps the closest personal relationship with Biden of all the contenders , spoke twice with Biden in recent days .
Duckworth also had a formal interview over the weekend , as did Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams , who was initially viewed as a leading contender for the job .
On Tuesday , in the hours before his campaign announced Harris as the pick , Biden would call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they had not been selected .
Warren , whose relationship with Biden has deepened in recent months through regular policy discussions , was also among those to receive a personal call from the former vice-president .
In some of the conversations , Biden left open an opportunity .
Please consider joining me in another role in the administration , he said .
Eggert reported from Lansing , Mich. , and Ronayne from Sacramento , Calif. Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Atlanta , Will Weissert in Wilmington , Del.
, and Laurie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Julie Pace, David Eggert And Kathleen Ronayne - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Kamala Harris’ selection as VP resonates with Black women

DETROIT - China Cochran met Kamala Harris at a campaign event in Detroit last year and was swept away by her ambition , charisma and leadership .
She hoped the California senator would advance in politics .
So when Joe Biden named Harris on Tuesday as his running mate — making her the first Black woman on a major party ’ s presidential ticket — Cochran wasn ’ t just struck by the history .
It represented a full-circle moment for Black women , who for generations have fought for their voices to be heard and political aspirations recognized .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be president , ” said Cochran , who recently ran for state representative in Michigan .
“ If you look back at Shirley Chisholm , she ran so that Kamala could lead at this moment .
I think it ’ s important for us to look at that and see other young women of colour realize that they can go after their dreams and really make change in our world.
” Harris ’ selection is historic in many senses .
It also marks the first time a person of Asian descent is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Jamaican father and Indian mother , she often speaks of her deep bond with her late mother , whom she has called her single biggest influence .
Harris ’ boundary-breaking potential serves as an affirmation of the growing power of voters of colour , according to nearly a dozen interviews with political strategists , potential voters and activists .
“ Joe Biden understood this historic moment required a tough , smart and respected public servant , ” said Donna Brazile , who managed Al Gore ’ s campaign in 2000 and served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Black women in particular helped rescue Biden ’ s campaign earlier this year by delivering a resounding victory in the South Carolina primary , powering him to the Democratic nomination .
As he prepares for the general election , Biden is trying to recreate the multi-racial and cross-generational coalition that twice sent Barack Obama to the White House .
That will hinge on Black voters in battleground states like Michigan to turn out in force in November .
“ We ’ ve seen from an electoral process what happens if we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difference between winning and losing a state , ” said Karen Finney , a senior Democratic strategist and spokesperson for Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 presidential campaign .
“ We ’ re in this moral inflection point of this country and Vice-President Biden is someone who ’ s talked about healing the soul of our country and certainly one of the ways to do that is to uplift the voices of Black women.
” Strategists said that Harris will help that effort .
“ It sends a strong signal about not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the future of our party looks like , ” said Antjuan Seawright , a veteran political strategist in South Carolina .
“ And what better way to reward a group of people who have been the political glue in this party than to put an African American woman on the ticket.
” Ravi Perry , Howard University ’ s political science chair , said Harris ’ elevation also represents the first time that a graduate of a historically Black college or university will be represented on the ticket .
Harris graduated from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the storied Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha .
While Harris ’ selection has largely been applauded among the Democratic Party and voters , some have raised concerns .
She joins the ticket at a time of immense racial tensions and crises in the nation .
The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately affected Black Americans and other people of colour .
Protests against systemic racism and brutality are top of mind for potential voters .
And Harris ’ record as California attorney general and district attorney in San Francisco could make it difficult for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Latino voters .
Lindsey Roland , a 31-year-old Black woman and Michigan real estate agent , said that background gave her pause .
“ While I fully appreciate her scope of responsibilities while she was in that role , I still think she was empowered to stand up more for minorities , and I think it was just a really missed opportunity , ” she said .
“ But I absolutely will be voting .
We have far too much at stake .
And for me , as a mother , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like another four years with this administration will be catastrophic.
” Some of the nation ’ s leading activists who have long fought for criminal justice reform see Harris as a potential ally in their push for change .
Color of Change President Rashad Robinson said Harris has evolved over time and declared herself a “ progressive prosecutor ” who backs reform .
“ What I appreciate about her is that she ’ s been willing to listen and willing to evolve , and she ’ s been willing to put legislation behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolution , ” Robinson said .
“ Yes , I think there will be very real things that people will raise , but I think that she has been listening and working to address those things.
” Alicia Garza , the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement , said the nation is in a moment where “ deep and profound change is needed.
” “ For some activists , it is important that a Black woman is represented on this ticket , and for other activists , substance is going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garza said .
“ The trick of getting people out to vote will be a successful combination of the two .
This is an incredible moment of opportunity , it ’ s a moment that is rife with possibility and I ’ m still hopeful that this newly announced ticket will rise to meet the moment.
” It ’ s also not lost on many that the selection comes nearly 100 years after the 19th Amendment was ratified , giving women the right to vote .
But for Black women , the freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much later , part of a historical pattern of being denied justice offered to others .
And for Nse Ufot , CEO of the New Georgia Project , that ’ s a call for action and a reminder how much more work needs to be done .
Ahead of the election , her organization is working to register more than 1 million Black , Latino and Asian American voters .
So , far they ’ ve registered 425,000 in the state .
“ It took an additional 45 years of organizing to secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other women of colour , ” Ufot said .
“ And so , you know , there is a long history of , sort of , uncredited work .
I think the Biden-Harris ticket is going to make it easier for us to have conversations , particularly in places like Georgia ’ s rural Black Belt about why they need to vote.
” Melanie Campbell , president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation , was overcome with emotion after the announcement .
She wished her late mother could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She also wished that Black women who came before Harris — civil rights activists Fannie Lou Hamer , Dorothy Height , Ella Baker and many others — could know how their legacy and hard work culminated into this powerful moment .
“ I thought about my mother , my grandmother .
I thought about my sisters .
I thought about in this moment that as a Black woman , we are seen , ” Campbell said .
“ This moment is more than about the VP slot .
It affirms Black women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m glad I lived to see it .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Liberia vice-president flies to Ghana for medical treatment

MONROVIA , Liberia - Liberia ’ s vice-president and former first lady , Jewel Howard-Taylor , has been flown to @ @ @ @ @ after developing “ respiratory complications , ” her office said in a statement .
Howard-Taylor @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday following a four-day stay at a private medical facility in Monrovia , her press @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press .
The Monrovia-based clinic recommended her transfer to a more advanced healthcare facility @ @ @ @ @ stabilized , he said .
Liberia ’ s health sector has remained weak since the @ @ @ @ @ ended 17 years ago .
Government officials and those who can afford it routinely travel @ @ @ @ @ Liberians on Wednesday called into radio stations , expressing disappointment and frustration over the poor @ @ @ @ @ 56 , is an ex-wife of former jailed Liberian president Charles Taylor .
Since becoming @ @ @ @ @ Weah in 2018 under a coalition arrangement , she has often complained she ’ s @ @ @ @ @ in command .

Jonathan Paye-Layleh - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Amid crises, UNICEF USA launches program to help kids in US

NEW YORK - For more than 70 years , the U.S. affiliate of UNICEF has supported the global work of that U.N. agency , most of it focused on aiding children in developing countries .
On Wednesday , amid overlapping domestic crises , UNICEF USA announced its first major program supporting children in the United States .
Michael Nyenhuis , UNICEF USA ’ s president and CEO , said his agency will be investing $ 1 million this year on an initiative to help U.S. cities become more child-friendly .
He said Houston , Minneapolis and San Francisco are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Prince George ’ s County in Maryland expected to follow soon .
“ Children in our country don ’ t fare as well as children in other wealthy countries around the world , so we have a lot of work to do , ” Nyenhuis said .
“ Then you magnify the reality of that with the COVID crisis and the issues of racial injustice , and you say , ’ Something ’ s wrong , ’ ” he added .
“ The answer is probably best found at the municipal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The initiative ’ s goal is to encourage cities to make themselves safer for children , and ensure there is equitable access to social programs , parks and playgrounds .
Participating cities also will be urged to find ways for children to participate in civic life , for example through formation of an advisory council comprised of young people .
Wednesday ’ s announcement was timed to occur on International Youth Day .
UNICEF , founded in 1946 , has devoted most of its efforts over the decades to children in developing countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , disease and disasters , although it occasionally has supported programs in industrialized countries .
In the United States , UNICEF supported children affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 , helping reunite children with their families and providing school-in-a-box kits .
More recently , UNICEF and UNICEF USA worked with U.S.-based non-governmental agencies to assist migrant children on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico .
UNICEF USA ’ s primary work over the years has been to promote and raise funds for UNICEF ’ s work in other countries , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nyenhuis said the new initiative will be its first ongoing program aimed at supporting American children across the country , though there have been temporary operations in specific areas of the U.S. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner last year became the first U.S. mayor to join other mayors from around the world to sign a UNICEF-backed manifesto pledging to make their cities more child-friendly .
Turner , in a telephone interview , said he was excited to be connecting with the roughly 3,500 municipalities in 40 countries which are part of UNICEF ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When it comes to establishing best practices and strategies to create safer , more inclusive cities for our children , this is an ideal network , ” he said .
He expressed particular concern about children from Black , Latino and other minority families .
“ These communities of colour were already on the margins , and the new shocks and stresses have pushed them even further , ” he said .
“ Children are the ones having to bear the brunt of all this.
” UNICEF USA has selected several young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Child Friendly Cities Initiative .
Among them is Rimsha Sayed , 19 , who is heading into her sophomore year at the University of Houston and hopes to go on to medical school .
Sayed also hopes the city develops a school-based program to raise awareness among students about the dangers of human trafficking .
She said it was not until her junior year in high school that she learned that Houston was a major hub for trafficking .


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Mauritius seeks compensation as oil spill cleanup continues

JOHANNESBURG - Mauritius says it is seeking compensation from the owners of a Japanese ship that spilled oil after it grounded in the shallow waters off the Indian Ocean island nation , while urgent efforts continue to pump out the remaining fuel .
The MV Wakashio has spilled 1,000 tons of its cargo of 4,000 tons of oil into the sea , fouling the coastline of Mauritius , including a protected wetlands area .
That threatens 35 years of work to restore the area , environmental activists said Wednesday .
An estimated 2,500 tons of fuel has been pumped from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reef at Pointe d ’ Esny , a sanctuary for rare wildlife .
Workers are racing to empty the ship before it breaks up in heavy seas and further pollutes the shore .
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said Mauritius will seek compensation for the extensive environmental damage from the Wakashio ’ s owner , Nagashiki Shipping .
He has declared the oil spill a national disaster .
Jugnauth ’ s government is under pressure to explain why it did not take immediate action to empty the ship when it ran aground on July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pounding by waves , the ship cracked and began leaking .
Some of the turquoise waters surrounding Mauritius were stained a muddy black , fouling mangrove wetlands and drenching waterbirds and reptiles with sticky oil .
Thousands of Mauritians have been working for days to reduce the damage by making improvised booms from fabric and stuffed with straw and sugar cane leaves to try to contain the oil ’ s spread .
Others have scooped up oil from the shallow waters .
It is estimated that nearly 400 tons that spilled have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a naval ship , military aircraft and technical advisers from the nearby island of Reunion after Mauritius appealed for help last week .
Japanese experts have arrived on the island and are assisting the effort .
The United Nations is sending experts .
“ It ’ s essential that the ship is emptied before it breaks up , ” said Jean Hugue Gardenne of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation .
“ Quite a lot of oil has been pumped out in the past few days , but we can not let up .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildlife foundation is alarmed that the oil spill will ruin the work that it has done since 1985 to restore that area , Gardenne said .
“ We have planted about 200,000 indigenous trees to restore the coastal forest , “ he told The Associated Press .
” We re-introduced endangered birds , including the pink pigeon , the olive white-eye and the critically endangered Mauritius fody to the Isle aux Aigrettes .
Now all this is threatened as the oil is seeping into the soil and the coral reefs .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-12--Close adviser to Venezuela’s president has coronavirus

CARACAS , Venezuela - Venezuela ’ s communications minister and close adviser to President Nicolás Maduro said Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with the coronavirus , as the daily cases in the nation steadily rise .
Jorge Rodríguez becomes the latest of several high-ranking officials in Maduro ’ s government to become infected in the pandemic , following the July announcement by Venezuela ’ s socialist party boss Diosdado Cabello , who says he is recovering .
“ Even though I am in good general condition , I must comply with the isolation measures and the necessary care in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rodríguez said on Twitter .
Rodríguez often appears just off camera in Maduro ’ s frequent appearances on Venezuelan state TV , answering the presidents impromptu questions .
He also speaks on the president ’ s behalf fending off the socialist government ’ s critics , and he regularly gives nightly updates on daily cases of illnesses and deaths from the virus .
Venezuela is a once-wealthy oil nation that was gripped by economic and political crisis before the pandemic hit in March .
According to official figures by Maduro ’ s government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation compared to neighbouring Latin American nations , such as Brazil .
Officials on Wednesday reported fewer than 250 total deaths and roughly 29,000 people falling ill since March .
The daily number of new illnesses first topped 1,000 on Tuesday , according to official figures .