thetorontostar--2020-06-26--In Nigeria, an Islamic State-linked group steps up attacks

MAIDUGURI , Nigeria - An Islamic State-linked group appears to be regaining strength in northeastern Nigeria and is now warning it will target civilians who help the military or even humanitarian organizations .
The Islamic State in West Africa Province , which broke away from Boko Haram in 2016 , had appeared weakened earlier this year by internal feuding , said Nnamdi Obasi , the senior adviser for Nigeria at the International Crisis Group .
But earlier this month it killed more than 120 people in a single week , including 40 in Monguno , a town housing an estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base that was only able to repel the jihadists after hours of fighting .
“ The new attack now suggests that there is a new flare to their violence , ” Obasi said .
The Islamic State in West Africa Province broke away from Boko Haram following a dispute over leadership and the strategy of attacking civilian targets such as mosques and marketplaces .
The splinter faction is now believed to have as many as 5,000 fighters , according to a International Crisis Group report last year .
Boko Haram has focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard or patrol operations .
The extremist group also has attacked civilians through suicide bombings often carried out by young girls .
A new campaign by the Nigerian military and the regional multinational joint task force resulted in the “ killing of over 1,200 ?
Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters , according to the military , which claims many of their commanders have been killed or arrested .
The renewed push by the Islamic State in West Africa Province comes after the military scored some major gains against the extremists in the northeast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multinational security force “ have made tremendous success ” in targeting the group ’ s operational bases , said Kabiru Adamu , a security consultant based in Nigeria .
Those wins have been attributed , in part , to help from communities that are increasingly willing to help the military in the hope that they can end the violence that has engulfed the region for more than a decade .
That has led the Islamic State West Africa Province to announce a shift in tactics that threatens to deepen the crisis .
Pamphlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks warned civilians that they may be considered targets if they aid the military or humanitarian groups .
It ’ s a marked shift for the group , which until now has spared Muslim residents as long as they pledge allegiance to the group and pay taxes that are illegally levied on them , said Bunu Malam-Kolo , chief of a local defence group trying to protect civilians in northeastern Borno state .
The recent reports of civilians aiding the military has infuriated the ISWAP group .
The militants have even publicly named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And they have a long list of such communities where they felt residents are helping the government forces to expose them , ” Malam-Kolo added .

Haruna Umar And Sam Olukoya - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Philippine police kill 4 terror suspects in Manila shootout

MANILA , Philippines - Philippine police raided a suspected hideout of Islamic State group-linked militants in metropolitan Manila early Friday and killed four of them in a gunbattle , security officials said .
Metropolitan Manila Police Chief Debold Sinas said police and intelligence agents were to serve a search warrant after midnight at a house in suburban Paranaque city after months of surveillance when the suspected militants opened fire .
An officer was shot in the leg and hospitalized , police said , adding they recovered pistols , suspected bomb parts , money transfer records and two black flags like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The raid comes as President Rodrigo Duterte considers whether to sign a new and more powerful anti-terror law , which has already been passed by Congress .
The country ’ s military chief cited Friday ’ s gunbattle as a reason Duterte should sign it as soon as possible .
“ It is public security and general welfare that are at stake .
We should protect and defend from terrorists without further delay , ” Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. said .
He said the presence of the suspects in the Manila area underscored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suffering caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Officials did not say what , if any , specific attack the suspects were plotting .
The proposed Anti-Terror Act would allow the detention of suspects for up to 24 days without charge and empowers a government anti-terrorism council to designate suspects or groups as suspected terrorists who could then be subjected to arrests and surveillance .
Opponents say the legislation violates the constitution , defines terrorism too broadly , could be misused to target government critics and could threaten legitimate dissent .
Those slain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abdul Sawari , Bensaudi Sali , Rasmin Hussin and Jamal Kalliming .
Sinas said the suspects handled funds for Daulah Islamiyah , one of the militant groups blamed for laying siege to Marawi city in the southern Philippines for five months in 2017 .
Sawari facilitated funds for Philippine-based militants from Indonesia ’ s Sulawesi region , Sinas said in a statement without elaborating .

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thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Trump administration urges end to ACA as pandemic surges

WASHINGTON - As coronavirus cases rise in more than half of the states , the Trump administration is urging the Supreme Court to overturn the Affordable Care Act .
The administration ’ s high court filing Thursday came the same day the government reported that close to half a million people who lost their health insurance amid the economic shutdown to slow the spread of COVID-19 have gotten coverage through HealthCare.gov .
The administration ’ s legal brief makes no mention of the virus .
More than 20 million Americans could lose their health coverage and protections for people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk if the court agrees with the administration in a case that won ’ t be heard before the fall .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blasted the administration ’ s latest move in a partisan battle over “ Obamacare “ that has stretched on for a full decade since the law ’ s passage in 2010 .
Pelosi is planning a floor vote early next week on her own bill to expand the ACA .
“ There is no legal justification and no moral excuse for the Trump administration ’ s disastrous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care , ” she said in a statement .
Just as the nation seemed to be getting better control over the virus outbreak , states including Arizona , California , Florida , Georgia , Nevada and Texas are reporting a surge in cases .
And more than half the states are seeing case increases .
Anger over problems with “ Obamacare ” was once a winning issue for Republicans , helping them gain control of the House in 2010 and the Senate in 2014 .
But the politics of the issue flipped after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 on his vow to “ repeal and replace ” the health law .
Democrats were energized by their successful defence of the ACA , and that contributed to their winning back the House .
In the case before the Supreme Court , Texas and other conservative-led states argue that the ACA was essentially rendered unconstitutional after Congress passed tax legislation in 2017 that eliminated the law ’ s unpopular fines for not having health insurance , but left in place its requirement that virtually all Americans have coverage .
Trump has put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal challenge .
If the health insurance requirement is invalidated , “ then it necessarily follows that the rest of the ACA must also fall , “ Solicitor General Noel Francisco wrote Thursday .
Other prominent Republicans , including Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , have said Congress didn ’ t intend to bring down the whole law by striking the coverage penalty .
The Trump administration ’ s views on what parts of the ACA might be kept or replaced if the law is overturned have shifted over time .
But in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting rid of “ Obamacare ” provisions that prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against people on account of their medical history .
Nonetheless , Trump has repeatedly assured Americans that people with preexisting conditions would still be protected .
Neither the White House nor congressional Republicans have specified how .
The government report showing rising sign-ups for health coverage under the ACA amid the coronavirus shutdown came from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services .
The figures are partial because they don ’ t include sign-ups from states that run their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California and New York are not counted in the federal statistics .
An estimated 27 million people may have lost job-based coverage due to layoffs , and it ’ s unclear what — if anything — they ’ re turning to as a fallback .
People who lose employer health care are eligible for a special sign-up period for subsidized plans under the Obama-era law .
Many may also qualify for Medicaid .
The Trump administration has been criticized for not doing as much as states like California to publicize these readily available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they have updated the HealthCare.gov website to make it easier for consumers to find information on special sign-up periods .
Thursday ’ s report from the government showed that about 487,000 people signed up with HealthCare.gov after losing their workplace coverage this year .
That ’ s an increase of 46 % from the same time period last year .
It ’ s unclear from the government numbers how many of the new enrollees lost their coverage because of layoffs due to the pandemic .
CMS also made no estimate of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Obama health law as a result of economic shock waves .
Generally there ’ s a 60-day window to apply after losing coverage .
However , the report found a clear connection .
“ While the magnitude may be unclear , job losses due to COVID-19have led to increased enrollments on HealthCare.gov , ” it said .

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar And Mark Sherman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--US report: Pakistan doing too little to counter terrorism

ISLAMABAD - Washington ’ s annual terrorism report said Pakistan was doing too little to counter terrorist groups , particularly those taking aim at rival India and the dreaded Haqqani network operating in Afghanistan .
Islamabad bristled at the criticism in the U.S. State Department report , saying it has been relentless in its assistance to Washington as the United States brokered a peace deal with the Taliban , which it signed in February .
At the time , the deal was touted as Afghanistan ’ s best chance in four decades of finding a lasting peace .
Amir Rana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Peace Studies , which tracks militant groups , said Friday the report is a warning to Pakistan that it needs to do more to target terrorist financing and dismantle terrorist networks if it wants to avoid being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force , the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog based in Paris .
Pakistan , which was put on a so-called grey list by the task force in 2018 , was given a further reprieve this month to avoid the blacklist by meeting a series of benchmarks set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is put on a blacklist , its international borrowing would be severely restricted .
“ The tone of the report this year was more critical than the previous year ’ s , ” said Rana .
“ This is a warning that it needs to do more to stay off the blacklist , to dismantle terrorist groups still operating in Pakistan.
” Pakistan has arrested some high profile terrorist group leaders , such as Hafiz Saeed , chief of the outlawed Lasjkar-e-Taiba .
However , the whereabouts of others , such as Maulana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is still unknown , said Rana .
That group took responsibility for the devastating 2019 attack on Indian troops in Indian-ruled Kashmir .
More than a dozen Al-Qaida in the Asian Subcontinent operatives have been arrested in Pakistan ’ s Punjab province in recent months and this week several were sentenced to lengthy prison terms , said Rana .
That would indicate Pakistan ’ s willingness to tackle some of the militant groups in Pakistan .
“ While the Report recognizes that Al Qaeda has been seriously degraded in the region , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial role in decimating Al Qaeda , thereby diminishing the threat that the terrorist group once posed to the world , ” the Foreign Ministry statement said .
The State Department report called Pakistan ’ s help in getting a deal with the Taliban “ a constructive role.
” Pakistani officials who addressed the report ’ s finding Friday asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak to the media .
They said that on the one hand , the U.S. wants Pakistan to break all ties with Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haqqani network .
Yet it wants Islamabad to use its influence to bring that group to the negotiating table .
Rana said it was Pakistan ’ s decades-old association with the Haqqani network , which dates back to the 1980s invasion of Afghanistan by the former Soviet Union , that helped move U.S. talks with the Taliban forward .
The next stage of the peace deal , which is considered crucial , is negotiations between Afghans on both sides of the conflict .
Those negotiations are expected to take place sometime in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the Taliban maintain a political office .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--18-year-old sentenced for throwing child off Tate balcony

LONDON - An 18-year-old will serve at least 15 years in prison for throwing a 6-year-old French boy from a @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Tate Modern art gallery .
Jonty Bravery was convicted of attempted murder for @ @ @ @ @ balcony .
The child , who was not identified , survived the survived the 100 @ @ @ @ @ but suffered catastrophic injuries .
The outdoor viewing area and a rooftop bar sit atop @ @ @ @ @ is Britain ’ s national gallery of international modern art .
Visitors to the open @ @ @ @ @ of the British capital .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Dueling Trump-Biden events offer contrasting virus responses

LANCASTER , Pa. - A U.S. presidential campaign that has largely been frozen for several months because of the coronavirus is looking a bit more like those from other years .
President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden swung through critical battleground states , presenting starkly different visions for America as it struggles with a pandemic .
Touring a shipyard in Marinette , Wis. , on Thursday , Trump insisted the economy is “ coming back at a level nobody ever imagined possible.
” But in Lancaster , Pa. , Biden warned that `` no miracles are coming '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
`` Amazingly , he hasn ’ t grasped the most basic fact of this crisis : To fix the economy we have to get control over the virus , '' Biden said .
`` He ’ s like a child who can ’ t believe this has happened to him .
His whining and self-pity . ''
With just over four months remaining until the election , the contrasting styles of Trump and Biden are increasingly on display .
The president is itching to move past an outbreak that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 125,000 confirmed deaths in the United States , according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
Biden , meanwhile , is seeking to present himself as a competent and calming leader ready to level with the nation about the hardships that may be required to emerge from the current turmoil .
Beyond knocking Trump ’ s leadership , Biden spent much of Thursday defending the Obama administration ’ s signature health-care law and decrying what he said was a White House-led effort to dismantle it via a court challenge .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refocus the 2020 election on health care , an issue that helped the party retake the House last cycle and one it hopes will resonate with even more voters amid the pandemic .
Trump , for his part , repeatedly took aim at Biden throughout his day in Wisconsin .
During a Fox News Channel town hall taped in Green Bay , Trump questioned Biden ’ s acuity and charged that the more liberal wing of the Democratic Party would be running the show in a Biden administration .
“ He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump said .
“ And he may not do it himself .
He will be run by a radical fringe group of lunatics that will destroy our country.
” Narrow 2016 victories in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania were vital in sending Trump to the White House .
That he would build his travel around trying to do that again — and that Biden would respond with trips meant to flip the states back to Democratic — wouldn ’ t usually be a surprise .
But the coronavirus has upended normal campaign travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his Delaware home , Biden has in recent weeks begun visiting Pennsylvania , allowing him to target a swing state without venturing far .
Lancaster is about an hour and 15 minutes by car from Biden ’ s house , and yet it is the farthest he ’ s travelled lately , aside from a trip to Houston to meet with the family of George Floyd , whose death in police custody sparked protests around the nation .
Trump , by contrast , staged a rally in Tulsa , Okla. , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
On Thursday , he visited a rural Wisconsin shipyard and taped a town hall to be broadcast by Fox News Channel from an airport in Green Bay .
Vice-President Mike Pence also hit another key state , Ohio .
Biden ’ s team has organized small events and enforced social distancing .
Trump has refused to wear a mask in public , and his campaign says Biden is using a cautious approach to hide the fact that he can ’ t draw large , enthusiastic crowds .
“ I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not something we ’ re used to .
But it matters , ” Biden said of wearing a mask , noting he wears one “ everywhere I go.
” Biden donned his mask while meeting in an outdoor courtyard with three mothers and two children who told of benefiting from the health-care law .
Beyond the police cordon , a group of Trump supporters could be heard chanting “ four more years ” and “ USA.
” Biden ’ s subsequent speech was behind a placard proclaiming “ Protect and Build on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s suggestion during last weekend ’ s rally that he ’ d asked officials to slow down testing for the coronavirus because it was uncovering more cases .
“ He thinks finding out that more Americans are sick will make him look bad .
And that ’ s what he ’ s worried about , ” Biden said .
“ He ’ s worried about looking bad.
” Trump countered during his Wisconsin stop : “ If we didn ’ t test , we wouldn ’ t have cases.
” Polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but nearly every poll had Trump trailing in 2016 before his base came together in the final weeks of the campaign .
Trump predictably went maskless for an event at Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard that was outside .
Hundreds attended , and some didn ’ t wear masks , despite requirements to do so .
Trump toured vessels under construction , then took credit for a new contract won in April to build Navy frigates at the facility .
Trump said it injected economic growth to the community and saved the plant @ @ @

Will Weissert And Marc Levy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Bulgaria: Anti-drug chief detained on corruption suspicion

SOFIA , Bulgaria - Bulgarian police have detained the head of the anti-drug trafficking unit and two other officers for @ @ @ @ @ for protecting local and international drug trafficking rings .
“ The men are suspected of @ @ @ @ @ activity of organized crime groups engaged in trafficking of narcotics in Bulgaria and abroad , @ @ @ @ @ told reporters on Friday .
Geshev acknowledged that it was disturbing that these men “ @ @ @ @ @ officers in Bulgaria and the main contact persons with our international partners , not only @ @ @ @ @ , a Balkan country that joined the European Union in 2007 , lies on one @ @ @ @ @ trafficking narcotics to Western Europe .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Judge: Alaska corporations can get tribal virus relief money

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. - Alaska Native corporations are eligible for a share of coronavirus relief funding set aside for tribes , a federal judge ruled late Friday in a case that has been closely watched around Indian Country .
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington , D.C. , initially granted a request from tribal nations to withhold money from the corporations while he determined whether they qualified for a share of $ 8 billion .
Mehta said the corporations can be treated as tribal governments for limited purposes after sorting through arguments that picked apart the language in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act , congressional intent and the history of other federal laws .
“ It stands to reason that Congress , in its effort to distribute emergency funds quickly to Indians under the CARES Act , intended to get those dollars in the hands of the same entities that deliver public services to Indians , ” he wrote .
“ In the lower 48 states , those entities are largely Tribal governments in the traditional sense , but in Alaska , those entities include Alaska Native village and regional corporations.
” Various tribes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deciding on next steps .
“ We sincerely believe that Alaska Native corporations are not governments and should not be allowed to access funding that is intended to go to tribal governments , ” said Rémi Bald Eagle , a spokesman for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota .
The Treasury Department , responsible for doling out the money , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
It withheld more than $ 162 million for Alaska Native corporations from an initial disbursement that was based on population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The total hasn ’ t publicly been disclosed .
Alaska Native corporations are unique to Alaska and own most of the Native land in the state under a 1971 settlement known as the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act .
The corporations were not party to lawsuits regarding the relief funding but have said they support Alaska Natives economically , socially and culturally .
“ This disaster assistance will provide immediate support to Alaska ’ s rural communities suffering from COVID-19 and help repair the economic damage caused by the pandemic , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ANCSA Regional Association .
Tribes had expressed concern that a ruling in favour of the corporations would lead to competition between tribal nations and the corporations for limited federal resources .
Mehta disputed that , saying his ruling in no way elevates the corporations to “ super tribal status , “ as some plaintiffs argued , or fosters competition .
“ Today ’ s decision would result in critical congressional funding intended for Indian tribal governments being diverted to state-chartered corporate entities with no governance authority and no governmental duties to tribal citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of American Indians said in a statement Friday .
The Alaska Federation of Natives said it understands that the more than 200 Alaska Native tribes have sovereignty that doesn ’ t extend to corporations through any federal law or policy .
Associated Press writer Stephen Groves in Sioux City , South Dakota , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Nevada, Energy Department settle fight over secret plutonium

RENO , Nev. - Nevada ended a two-year legal battle Friday with the U.S. Energy Department over the secret shipment of weapons-grade plutonium to a site near Las Vegas .
The state ’ s lawyers said they would drop their lawsuit after the federal government agreed to remove the highly radioactive material already trucked there and abandon any future plans to send more .
The settlement agreement was disclosed in court papers filed in U.S. District Court in Reno and signed by Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and lawyers for the U.S. Justice Department .
Gov .
Steve Sisolak said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory in the effort to “ keep weapons grade material out of our state.
” Nevada said the clandestine shipment of one-half metric ton ( 1,100 pounds ) of the plutonium over its objections from the Savannah River Site in South Carolina in 2018 amounted to a “ secret plutonium smuggling operation.
” The U.S. government argued secrecy was necessitated by national security concerns .
Details of the settlement were not disclosed in the court filing .
But the statement released by Sisolak and Ford , both Democrats , said the Energy Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and complete removal no later than Dec. 31 , 2026 .
Most importantly , they said , the agreement states that none of the more than 10 metric tons ( 22,000 pounds ) of additional surplus plutonium the Energy Department may be forced to remove from South Carolina in the next 18 months will be sent to Nevada .
The Energy Department agreed to notify Nevada if those plans change within the next 30 days so the state can resume its previous legal challenge , the statement said .
“ While I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a stronger and more collaborative relationship with the Department of Energy , my office stands ready to protect the interests of Nevadans , ” Ford said .
The state filed suit in 2018 after the Energy Department disclosed it had secretly trucked the plutonium to a specialized facility at the vast Nevada National Security Site , an area larger than the state of Rhode Island .
The site was used to conduct nuclear weapons tests form 1945 to 1992 .
U.S. Judge Miranda Du in Reno refused the state ’ s repeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Nevada ’ s appeal last August .
Nevada and the department notified Du in March and again in May they had reached a tentative settlement agreement but needed more time to formalize the details .
Ford said Friday the framework for the deal stemmed from assurances Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto , D-Nevada , received from then-Energy Secretary Rick Perry in April 2019 — and his successor Secretary Dan Brouillette seven moths later — that the department would expedite removal of the plutonium from Nevada and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Dina Titus , D-Nevada , the dean of the delegation who has led a separate fight for decades to prevent construction of a permanent repository for high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain near the test site , said the Trump administration tried to “ mislead the courts and secretly dump radioactive plutonium in our backyard.
” “ Time and time again the Trump administration has treated our state as a trash can for the nation ’ s waste .
Today ’ s announcement is a major step toward reversing the damaging inflicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safety of Nevadans , ” Titus said Friday .
The Energy Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment late Friday .
The “ stipulation to dismiss ” filed in federal court was signed by lawyers for the c representing the Energy Department .
This story corrects an early version to show the metric conversion of one-half metric ton is 1,100 pounds , not 600 pounds .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Baylor to review statues, buildings over links to slavery

WACO , Texas - Baylor University regents are creating a panel to consider whether any statues , buildings or other tangible tributes on the Waco campus reflect a racist past .
The regents adopted a resolution Thursday that recognizes that most of the university ’ s founding fathers were slaveholders , racists and white supremacists when the school was founded in 1845 .
Those persons included Judge R.E.B .
Baylor himself , as well as the Rev .
James Huckins , the Rev .
William M. Tryon , most members of its initial board of trustees , and several early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baylor ’ s infancy , a number of University leaders and prominent individuals connected to the institution supported Confederate causes and engaged in the fight to preserve the institution of slavery both during and following the Civil War , including some serving as members of the Confederacy ’ s armed forces , ” the resolution states .
The regents created “ a Commission on Historic Campus Representations “ to review the historical context of “ all statues , monuments , buildings and other aspects of the campus in reference to their physical location @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would then make recommendations to Baylor administrators and regents for possible action .
Baylor was recently the target of a lawsuit that accused the university of scapegoating black athletes for a scandal over its handling of sexual assaults against students .
It also has been associated with the Southern Baptist Convention , an organization created in a split with northern Baptists over slavery .
The convention in recent years has apologized for slavery .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--30 bodies found dumped in 2 northern Mexico states

MEXICO CITY - Mexico ’ s organized crime violence burst into full view Friday , as police in the north-central state of Zacatecas reported finding 14 bodies dumped on a roadside near the city of Fresnillo while gunmen shot up an armoured vehicle carrying Mexico City ’ s police chief .
Zacatecas state police gave no further details , but photos of the dirt road where the bodies were found showed the corpses dumped in a pile , wrapped in blankets and bound with tape .
The report came as two dozen gunmen ambushed the Mexico City police chief on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , firing on his vehicle with .50-calibre sniper rifles and grenades .
The ambush left chief Omar García Harfuch wounded with three bullet impacts and shrapnel .
Two members of his security detail were killed , as was a woman who happened to be driving by .
A day earlier in the Pacific coast state of Sinaloa , state police said they had found the bodies of seven men wearing military-style clothing in a pickup truck in a rural area near the city of Culiacán .
In another area nearby , police found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which had an assault rifle .
Two bullet-riddled vehicles were found nearby .
There had been a series of shootouts there Wednesday .
Sinaloa is home the cartel of the same name , and the dead men appeared to have been involved in turf battles between factions of the cartel .
“ Clearly there is a fight between organized crime groups in this area , ” said state police chief Cristobal Castañeda , noting that in the last month police have seized five belt-fed machine-guns , two .50-calibre sniper rifles and about @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Seattle mayor meets with protesters over dismantling zone

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan met with demonstrators Friday after some lay in the street or sat on barricades to thwart the city ’ s effort to dismantle an “ occupied ” protest zone that has drawn scorn from President Donald Trump and a lawsuit from nearby businesses .
Crews arrived with heavy equipment early Friday morning at the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest , an occupied protest zone in Seattle , ready to dismantle barriers set up after protesters seized the area June 8 following clashes with police .
But by mid-morning , they appeared to have backed off rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local journalist who attended the afternoon meeting between protesters and the mayor , told reporters afterward that the mayor had agreed to wait until Sunday morning to remove most of the barricades .
The mayor ’ s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking to confirm that report .
The collective of protesters , activists , educators and volunteers in the CHOP was formed after clashes with police who tear-gassed people protesting the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Durkan has expressed support for the protest , calling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s collective grief and their desire to build a better world.
” But following several shootings in the area , Durkan earlier this week said the city would wind down the protest zone , at first by encouraging demonstrators to leave .
In addition , she said police would return to a nearby precinct that was abandoned following clashes with demonstrators .
Nearby businesses and property owners filed a federal lawsuit against the city on Wednesday for its tolerance of the zone , saying officials had been complicit in depriving them of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses said they did not intend to undermine the anti-police-brutality or Black Lives Matter messaging of the protest .
But they said they had limited access to their businesses , and sometimes have been threatened for photographing protesters in public areas or for cleaning graffiti off their storefronts .
The work crews intended to remove the barricades , not the remaining protesters , on Friday .
Sam Zimbabwe , city transportation director , told Salisbury , who has been live-streaming the protest .
Workers were preserving artwork that had been painted on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the department would work to return it to the people who created it .
“ We ’ re not trying to have conflict , ” he said .
A number of protesters remained camped in tents outside the East Precinct ; Durkan said barricades protecting them from traffic would remain even after the other barriers are removed Sunday , according to Salisbury .
The city has not given a timeline for officers ’ return to the building except to say it would be in the near future .
Protesters want the removal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity ” for police who violate rights of members of the public — an issue that would need to be addressed in state law , not by the city .
The demonstrators have also called for cutting the Seattle police budget 50 % and spending the savings on community health and other programs .
The mayor has proposed a much more modest cut of $ 20 million to help balance the city ’ s budget through the end of this year .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Trump signs ‘strong’ executive order to protect monuments

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to protect monuments , memorials and statues facing new scrutiny amid fresh debate over the nation ’ s racist beginnings .
Trump had promised to take action earlier this week after police thwarted an attempt by protesters to pull down a statue of Andrew Jackson in a park across from the White House .
The order calls on the attorney general to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law any person or group that destroys or vandalizes a monument , memorial or statue .
Federal law authorizes a penalty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the “ wilful injury ” of federal property .
The order also calls for maximum prosecution for anyone who incites violence and illegal activity , and it threatens state and local law enforcement agencies that fail to protect monuments with the loss of federal funding .
Trump announced earlier Friday on Twitter that he had signed the order and called it “ strong.
” Earlier in the day , the president used Twitter to call for the arrest of protesters involved with the attempt to bring down the Jackson statue from Lafayette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poster showing pictures of 15 protesters who are wanted for “ vandalization of federal property.
“ Trump wrote , “ MANY people in custody , with many others being sought for Vandalization of Federal Property in Lafayette Park .
10 year prison sentences !
” He also said on Twitter that he had scrapped plans to spend the weekend at his central New Jersey home to stay in Washington “ to make sure LAW & ORDER is enforced.
” “ These arsonists , anarchists , looters , and agitators have been largely stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am doing what is necessary to keep our communities safe — and these people will be brought to Justice !
“ Protesters on Monday night attempted to drag the Jackson statue down with ropes and chains .
Police repelled the protesters and sealed off Lafayette Park , which had been reopened to the public for more than a week after protests against the death of George Floyd at police hands in Minnesota .
On Tuesday , police cleared out the entire area around the corner of 16th and H streets — and pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had recently been renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza by the city .
Statistics released by the Metropolitan Police Department show that nine people were arrested Tuesday night and a total of 12 arrested between Monday and Wednesday .
There were no protest-related arrests Thursday , according to the MPD data .
Demonstrators have grown increasingly emboldened about targeting statues deemed offensive or inappropriate .
On June 19 , or Juneteenth , the day marking the end of slavery in the United States , cheering crowds puled down a statue of Confederate Gen. Albert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land and had withstood previous attempts by the Washington , D.C. , government to remove it .
According to participants , police officers were on the scene but did not attempt to interfere .
The targeting of the statues has become a rallying cry for Trump and other conservatives .
Immediately after the Pike statute was toppled and set ablaze , Trump called the incident a “ disgrace to our Country !
” on Twitter .
On Tuesday he tweeted , “ I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other such Federal property in the U.S. with up to 10 years in prison , per the Veteran ’ s Memorial Preservation Act , or such other laws that may be pertinent .
”

Darlene Superville And Ashraf Khalil - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Mexico City reopening shops, street markets, sport complexes

MEXICO CITY - Mexico said Friday that it will allow more businesses to reopen in parts of the country despite continued high infection and death rates .
The federal Health Department said 5,441 more coronavirus cases were confirmed nationwide Friday , for a total of 208,392 since the pandemic began .
Confirmed COVID-19 deaths rose by 719 , to 25,779 .
Mexico City announced that starting next week it would allow the reopening of shops , street markets and athletic complexes but with limited capacity and hours .
On a four-colour alert level , in which red is the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was downgrading the city ’ s alert to “ orange ” even though it has the country ’ s largest numbers of infections and deaths .
Hotels and restaurants in the capital will reopen next week at about 30 % seating capacity .
And despite the announcement on markets , many of the city ’ s street markets never closed during the pandemic .
By July 6 , shopping malls and department stores will open .
Bars , gyms , schools and other businesses will remain closed .
The city said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one indicator that could justify reopening .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Judge: US must free migrant children from family detention

HOUSTON - A federal judge on Friday ordered the release of children held with their parents in U.S. immigration jails and denounced the Trump administration ’ s prolonged detention of families during the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee ’ s order applies to children held for more than 20 days at three family detention centres in Texas and Pennsylvania operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
Some have been detained since last year .
Citing the recent spread of the virus in two of the three facilities , Gee set a deadline of July 17 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents or sent to family sponsors .
The family detention centres “ are ‘ on fire ’ and there is no more time for half measures , “ she wrote .
In May , ICE said it was detaining 184 children at the three detention centres , which are separate from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services facilities for unaccompanied children that were holding around 1,000 children in early June .
The numbers in both systems have fallen significantly since earlier in the Trump administration because the U.S. is expelling most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to wait for their immigration cases in Mexico .
Gee oversees a long-running court settlement governing the U.S. government ’ s treatment of immigrant children known as the Flores agreement .
Her order does not directly apply to the parents detained with their children .
But most parents last month refused to designate a sponsor when ICE officials unexpectedly asked them who could take their children if the adults remained detained , according to lawyers for the families .
The agency said then it was conducting a “ routine parole review consistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s previous orders .
Advocates contend that ICE should release all families from detention especially as the coronavirus has spread rapidly through immigration detention .
In court filings revealed Thursday , ICE said 11 children and parents have tested positive for COVID-19 at the family detention centre in Karnes City , Texas .
At the detention centre in nearby Dilley , at least three parents and children — including a child who turned 2 this week — were placed in isolation after two private contractors and an ICE official tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who works with detained families , said Gee “ clearly recognized that the government is not willing to protect the health and safety of the children , which is their obligation.
” “ They need to make the sensible choice and release the parents to care for their children , ” she said of the government .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .
More than 2,500 people in ICE custody have tested positive for COVID-19 .
The agency says it has released at least 900 people considered to have heightened medical risk and reduced the populations at its three family detention centres .
But in court filings last month , ICE said it considered most of the people in family detention to be flight risks because they had pending deportation orders or cases under review .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Egypt, Sudan: Ethiopia won’t fill disputed dam before accord

CAIRO - The leaders of Egypt , Sudan and Ethiopia have agreed that Ethiopia will refrain from filling its new hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile next month and return to talks aimed at reaching an accord among the three nations on use of the river ’ s waters , according to statements Friday from Egypt and Sudan .
The announcement was a modest reprieve from weeks of bellicose rhetoric and escalating tensions over the $ 4.6 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam , which Ethiopia had vowed to start filling at the start of the rainy season in July .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the agreement , beyond a tweet from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that described an African Union summit discussion about the dam as “ fruitful.
” Ethiopia has hinged its development ambitions on the mega-project , describing the dam as a crucial lifeline to bring millions out of poverty .
Egypt , which relies on the Nile for more than 90 % of its water supplies and already faces high water stress , fears a devastating impact on its booming population of 100 million .
Sudan , which also depends on the Nile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in bringing the two sides together after the collapse of U.S.-mediated talks in February .
Just last week , Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew declared that his country would start filling the dam ’ s reservoir , after the latest round of talks with Egypt and Sudan failed to reach an accord governing how the dam will be filled and operated .
After the African Union video conference chaired by South Africa on Friday , Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said that “ all parties ” had pledged not to take “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dam without a final agreement , said Bassam Radi , Egypt ’ s presidency spokesman .
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok also indicated the impasse between the Nile basin countries had eased , saying the countries had agreed to restart negotiations through a technical committee with the aim of finalizing a deal in two weeks .
Ethiopia won ’ t fill the dam before inking the much-anticipated deal , Hamdok ’ s statement added .
African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat said the countries “ agreed to an AU-led process to resolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sticking points in the talks have been how much water Ethiopia will release downstream from the dam if a multi-year drought occurs and how Ethiopia , Egypt and Sudan will resolve any future disagreements .
Both Egypt and Sudan have appealed to the U.N. Security Council to intervene in the years-long dispute and help the countries avert a crisis .
The council is set to hold a public meeting on the issue Monday .
Filling the dam without an agreement could bring the stand-off to a critical juncture .
Both Egypt and Ethiopia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their interests , and experts fear a breakdown in talks could lead to open conflict .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Hard-hit tribe takes strict steps as virus surges in Arizona

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. - People in the deserts of Arizona flee to the White Mountains when the triple-digit heat is too much to bear , cooling off in the forest a few hours away .
That worries a Native American tribe that calls the area home , as coronavirus infections and temperatures have both spiked in one of the hardest-hit states .
The White Mountain Apache Tribe is taking some of the most drastic actions in Arizona to protect its 13,500 residents , more than one-eighth of whom have already tested positive for COVID-19 .
It ’ s taking cues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide , including the Navajo Nation , which has curtailed an outbreak that once made it a national hot spot .
Those living on the White Mountain Apache Tribe ’ s reservation in northeastern Arizona face the risk of fines and other penalties if they venture beyond their own yards this weekend .
A two-week shelter-in-place order will follow .
The tribe ’ s Fort Apache Reservation also is closed to the summertime visitors who flock to the area to fish , hike and camp among ponderosa pines .
The tribe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday make the reservation one of the hardest-hit places in a state that ’ s recording over 3,000 cases a day and running short on hospital space .
“ COVID has just turned our world upside down , ” White Mountain Apache Chairwoman Gwendena Lee-Gatewood said .
The tribe also is ordering homeless people who test positive for the virus to quarantine at the tribe ’ s casino-hotel — now closed to visitors — and is banning the sale and use of alcohol for the rest of the year .
Lee-Gatewood hopes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get lax about social distancing and other measures when they ’ re drinking .
The tribe ’ s strict steps come as Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey has declined to impose new restrictions on businesses like other states where confirmed cases are surging .
Fellow Republican governors in Texas and Florida cracked down on bars Friday .
Ducey , who lifted a stay-at-home order in mid-May , has now paused further efforts to reopen the economy and allowed cities to require face coverings , without bowing to pressure for a statewide mandate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ took that into consideration , along with the typical summer crowds , when deciding how to target the pandemic on its land .
“ We ’ re seeing these visitors not paying attention to social distancing and wearing masks , and the governor had a real relaxed attitude about all of that in reopening the businesses back up , ” she said .
Elsewhere in Arizona , officials on the Havasupai reservation deep in a gorge off the Grand Canyon warned river rafters they would be detained if they stepped foot on land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t part of its formal reservation .
Known worldwide for its towering blue-green waterfalls , the reservation has been shut down for months and has no reported COVID-19 cases .
“ We are left to take aggressive action to maintain the safety of our tribal members and the future of the Havasupai Tribe , ” Chairwoman Evangeline Kissoon wrote in a notice to river guides .
After talking with Grand Canyon National Park , the tribe said it would station law enforcement at its boundary with the park , miles from the Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the nation ’ s largest Native American reservation that spans parts of Arizona , New Mexico and Utah , has attributed a slowdown in infections to a daily curfew it ’ s had in place for months , a shutdown of government offices and tourist sites , weekend lockdowns and a mask requirement .
On tribal land elsewhere , residents of the tiny Alaska Native village of Napaskiak are being advised to stay home until July 5 , leaving only for medical needs or quick runs to the grocery store .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dozens of other rural communities pointed to a “ strong likelihood ” of community spread .
In Montana , tribal leaders on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation said this week that they closed their boundary with popular Glacier National Park for the tourism season to protect their residents .
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota has kept up roadblocks since March despite criticism from the state ’ s governor .
Tribal Chairman Harold Frazier said this week that the tribe took the step because it realized it had to protect its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves , ” he said .
In Arizona , the White Mountain Apache Tribe said people can travel on a highway through its land , but they can ’ t stop along the way .
Tribal police also are considering checkpoints , and a COVID-19 testing blitz is planned .
“ There ’ s frustration , there ’ s impatience , there ’ s a lot of things , ” tribal Councilman Jerold Altaha said in a video .
“ But remember , we are doing the best we can , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” They ’ re looking to prevent more people from dying , like Apache elder Timothy Clawson Sr. , 91 .
He married his sweetheart under a tree on the reservation and spent his life in the White Mountains , working as a rancher and at a sawmill .
Lee-Gatewood , the tribal chairwoman , recalled their last conversation .
Clawson called earlier this month and said , “ Well , chairwoman , I ’ m at the hospital , and they told me I have this virus .
They treated me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t leave here , and I ’ m calling to say my goodbyes.
” Lee-Gatewood said Clawson told her that he was proud of her .
“ You ’ re a tough cowboy , ” she responded .
“ I ’ ll keep you in my prayers.
” The next day , Lee-Gatewood got a text from Clawson ’ s granddaughter : He had died .
Associated Press writers Becky Bohrer in Juneau , Alaska , and Matt Volz in Helena , Montana , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Police: Illinois warehouse shooting suspect killed himself

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. - A 48-year-old man suspected in the fatal shooting of two co-workers and the critical wounding of another at a Springfield , Illinois , warehouse died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound , the city ’ s police chief said Friday .
Michael L. Collins of Springfield , two other men and a woman all arrived for work about 7 a.m. Friday in the welding area of the Bunn-O-Matic facility , Springfield Chief Kenny Winslow said during a news conference .
The shooting happened shortly after 11 a.m. , police said .
The sheriff of nearby Morgan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later in the day to say the suspect ’ s body had been found in his car , a victim of a gunshot wound , Winslow said .
Two handguns were found alongside Collins ’ body in his car after the shooting .
No other suspects were being sought .
Winslow released Collins ’ name earlier Friday but later said he would not repeat it .
The names of the slain victims were not released , neither was the name of a female co-workers who was in critical condition at a hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ found by police officers searching the building .
The female employee was found injured in the parking lot and was rushed to a hospital , he said .
Winslow said one of the men who died was in his 60s , one was in his 20s and the woman who was critically injured is in her 50s .
Winslow said investigators were seeking a motive behind the shootings .
One employee described a chaotic scene when the crack of of gunfire shattered an otherwise quiet workday .
Charles Bantle estimated that about half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working due to concerns about the coronavirus .
“ I was in the maintenance shop and just heard the gunshots and everybody started running , ” Bantle , told The ( Springfield ) State Journal-Register .
“ And I ’ m in maintenance , so I figured something ’ s broken .
So I started walking towards it , figured it was the air compressor blowing up or something , and I was going to have to go fix it .
But then everyone was screaming and yelling , telling me to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran and took cover.
” About 100 employees hurried from the company ’ s main building , and police gathered them together to determine if everyone had left the facility , the police chief said .
Bunn-O-Matic manufactures dispensed beverage equipment , and is headquartered in Springfield , according to the company ’ s website .

John 0'Connor And Don Babwin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Facebook to label all rule-breaking posts - even Trump’s

OAKLAND , Calif. - Facebook said Friday that it will flag all “ newsworthy ” posts from politicians that break its rules , including those from President Donald Trump .
Separately , Facebook ’ s stock dropped more than 8 % , erasing roughly $ 50 billion from its market valuation , after the European company behind brands such as Ben & Jerry ’ s and Dove announced it would boycott Facebook ads through the end of the year over the amount of hate speech and divisive rhetoric on its platform .
Later in the day , Coca-Cola also announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 days .
CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously refused to take action against Trump posts suggesting that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud , saying that people deserved to hear unfiltered statements from political leaders .
Twitter , by contrast , slapped a “ get the facts ” label on them .
Until Friday , Trump ’ s posts with identical wording to those labeled on Twitter remained untouched on Facebook , sparking criticism from Trump ’ s opponents as well as current and former Facebook employees .
Now , Facebook is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president the next time he posts something the company deems to be violating its rules .
“ The policies we ’ re implementing today are designed to address the reality of the challenges our country is facing and how they ’ re showing up across our community , ” Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page announcing the changes .
Zuckerberg said the social network is taking additional steps to counter election-related misinformation .
In particular , the social network will begin adding new labels to all posts about voting that will direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local election officials .
Facebook is also banning false claims intended to discourage voting , such as stories about federal agents checking legal status at polling places .
The company also said it is increasing its enforcement capacity to remove false claims about local polling conditions in the 72 hours before the U.S. election .
Ethan Zuckerman , director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ’ s Center for Civic Media , said the changes are a “ reminder of how powerful Facebook may be in terms of spreading disinformation during the upcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will depend on how good Facebook ’ s artificial intelligence is at identifying posts to label .
“ If every post that mentions voting links , people will start ignoring those links .
If they ’ re targeted to posts that say things like ‘ Police will be checking warrants and unpaid traffic tickets at polls ’ — a classic voter suppression disinfo tactic — and clearly mark posts as disinfo , they might be useful , ” he said .
But Zuckerman noted that Facebook “ has a history of trying hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given how tightly President Trump has aligned himself with voter-suppressing misinfo , it seems likely that Facebook will err on the side of non-intrusive and ignorable labels , which would minimize impact of the campaign.
” Earlier in the day , shares of Facebook and Twitter dropped sharply after consumer-product maker Unilever announced a new ad boycott on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram through at least the end of the year .
The European company said it took the move to protest the amount of hate speech online .
Unilever said the polarized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November ’ s presidential election placed responsibility on brands to act .
In addition to the decline in Facebook shares , Twitter ended the day more than 7 % lower .
Unilever , which is based in the Netherlands and Britain , joins a raft of other advertisers pulling back from online platforms .
Facebook in particular has been the target of an escalating movement to withhold advertising dollars to pressure it to do more to prevent racist and violent content from being shared on its platform .
“ We have decided that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the year , we will not run brand advertising in social media newsfeed platforms Facebook , Instagram and Twitter in the U.S. , “ Unilever said .
“ Continuing to advertise on these platforms at this time would not add value to people and society.
” Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
On Thursday , Verizon joined others in the Facebook boycott .
Unilever “ has enough influence to persuade other brand advertisers to follow its lead , ” said eMarketer analyst Nicole Perrin .
She noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer , on more platforms ( including Twitter ) and for more expansive reasons ” — in particular , by citing problems with “ divisiveness ” as well as hate speech .
Sarah Personette , vice-president of global client solutions at Twitter , said the company ’ s “ mission is to serve the public conversation and ensure Twitter is a place where people can make human connections , seek and receive authentic and credible information , and express themselves freely and safely.
” She added that Twitter is “ respectful of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work and communicate closely with them during this time .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--‘TikTok Grandma’ who helped tank Trump rally now works for Biden

Last weekend , Mary Jo Laupp was enjoying a quiet night at a birthday party for her granddaughter — until she picked up her phone and her world flipped upside down .
A TikTok video she had made urging people to reserve tickets to U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s June 20 rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma — and then not show up — had gone viral .
Rally attendance had turned out to be far lower than billed by the Trump campaign , and TikTok teens and Korean pop music fans were taking a victory lap online .
Laupp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls , messages and notifications .
Now Laupp , 51 , who has become known as “ TikTok Grandma , ” has been recruited by the Biden Digital Coalition , a grassroots organization , to put her TikTok skills to work supporting the presidential campaign of Joe Biden .
The coalition , made up of about 100 people — many of whom are alumni of other Democratic presidential campaigns — works to amplify pro-Biden messages and build engagement on social media .
While it is not part of Biden ’ s campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members .
Coalition members , who are all volunteers , said they brought on Laupp for her ability to turn a viral moment into a call to action .
“ Cleary , something she had done had worked out really well , so we wanted to harness that energy , ” said Caitlin Gilbert , a coalition co-director .
Laupp , who works in the music department at her local high school in Fort Dodge , Iowa , said she was delighted to join the Biden group .
“ The offer was completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a part of a team that is embracing social media technology as a campaign tool , ” she said Friday .
She said her first task was to help build a “ political hype house ” for Biden , which is essentially a group of content creators on TikTok who will make pro-Biden videos and explore the viability of campaign organizing on the app .
“ My platform has kind of become this bizarre gathering place for people who want to try to make change , ” Laupp said .
Young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go.
” Laupp , who has four children and six grandchildren , is an unlikely TikTok star .
The entertainment app , which is owned by the Chinese tech company ByteDance , is known for its audience of teens and even younger viewers and for making celebrities of 16-year-olds .
Laupp , who is married to a minister , first started using the app in May .
Raised in a Christian household in Michigan and a graduate of the conservative Cornerstone University , Laupp said she had become more liberal over time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she voted for the Libertarian Party nominee , Gary Johnson .
This year , she volunteered for Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , in the Iowa caucuses .
“ When asked to name the greatest commandment , Jesus mentioned two — love God with everything you have , and love everyone else , ” Laupp said .
“ As it stands right now , one party does a far better job in showing love , compassion and empathy than the other.
” Denise Aptekar , who also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laupp was responsible for getting young people at her high school engaged with it .
“ She called herself a most unusual Pete supporter given the conservative social circles she grew up in , ” Aptekar said .
The inspiration for the viral TikTok video came from a friend , Laupp said .
For years , the friend had staged solo protests against political candidates she disliked by registering for their rallies under a fake name and not showing up .
Laupp wondered what would happen if masses of people did the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So she made a video urging viewers who “ want to see this 19,000-seat auditorium barely filled or completely empty go reserve tickets now , and leave him standing there alone on the stage ” — and was “ overwhelmed ” by the response .
Since Trump ’ s rally , Laupp has been inundated with media requests .
Teens have also contacted her online , offering suggestions for more ways to prank Trump ’ s campaign .
Some young people have been “ clicking the daylights ” out of Trump campaign ads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the ads will expire after a certain number of clicks and cost money to be renewed .
Others are loading up their digital shopping carts in the Trump campaign merchandise store and abandoning them in an attempt to temporarily reduce inventory .
One idea that gets “ bounced around ” quite often is another attempt at flooding a Trump rally with ticket reservations and then not showing up , she added .
She said she was not sure the feat could be repeated .
“ Can we really pull the same magic @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Man shot in back of head by S. Carolina cop sues department

COLUMBIA , S.C. - A Black man who was shot in the back of the head during a traffic stop in South Carolina last fall is suing the Columbia Police Department , the city and the officer .
Attorneys for Sir Brandon Legette , 29 , filed a complaint in federal court Friday morning alleging the officer , Sean Rollins , used unjustified force when he shot Legette near a grocery store parking lot during the early hours of Aug. 24 .
A 76-second clip of body camera footage released by attorneys shows Legette lying stomach-down against the centre console @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him inside the vehicle .
The video shows Rollins striking Legette twice in the head and then shooting Legette once .
The police department previously said Legette ignored multiple commands to exit his Dodge SUV , and accelerated away with one officer partly inside the car .
Authorities said the officer was being dragged and shot Legette while trying to get him to stop the vehicle .
In stills from dashboard camera footage shown to reporters Friday , the officer appeared to be entirely inside the car as it began moving across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the stop , Rollins entered Legette ’ s car , which travelled 150 yards ( 137 metres ) across the parking lot , ran down an embankment and stopped .
The officer ’ s body camera appeared to have fallen off and onto the floor of Legette ’ s car , pointing up toward the two men .
Rollins was on top of Legette and attempted to shoot him but his gun didn ’ t fire , Brown said .
Legette was not resisting when Rollins then proceeded to pistol-whip and shoot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that shows Legette raising his hands above his head .
“ The officer had complete control of his firearm .
The officer had complete control of Brandon , ” Brown said .
“ He had complete control of the situation , but unfortunately he did not have control of himself and he attempted to execute Brandon.
” In a statement released Friday evening , the Columbia Police Department said the unedited videos show “ the moments when Officer Rollins fought for his life as Legette recklessly sped away with Officer Rollins trapped in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts of this case and given the current climate of our country , the narrative provided during that press conference was inaccurate , incomplete , and irresponsible , ” the statement said .
Brown said Legette was working two jobs and living out of his car at the time of the shooting .
He had ended a shift at his second job at the Food Lion , taken a shower at a local gym and returned to the grocery store when officers pulled him over in the parking lot for an expired tag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind Legette ’ s right ear and exited 2 inches ( 5 centimetres ) from his right eye , Brown said .
Since the shooting , Legette has suffered from PTSD and depression , his attorney said .
“ At the time of the situation I was just terrified , “ said Legette , who appeared with his attorneys and his mother at a news conference Friday .
” I ’ m just appreciative and I ’ m thankful to be here today to share my story with you all.
” Rollins told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Division that Legette had tried to hit several concrete pillars in the parking lot in an attempt to hurt Rollins , according to the investigative report summary .
In a letter dated Nov. 20 , the Fifth Circuit Solicitor declined to prosecute Rollins based on information gathered through the investigation , including videos .
Authorities previously said that at the time of the incident , Legette was driving under suspension and had two outstanding warrants for burglary .
Law enforcement also found Legette was out on bond for domestic abuse and child neglect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of the warrants at the time of the incident .
Rollins was placed on paid administrative duty after the incident , authorities said .
But Brown said Rollins is still working for the department .
Brown called for the city to fire Rollins and for federal authorities to conduct a separate investigation .
Legette faces multiple pending charges from the incident , including assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature , possession of a stolen pistol and driving under suspension .
Liu is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Confederate symbol on Mississippi flag sparks strong debate

JACKSON , Miss .
- Emotions are running high as Mississippi legislators consider the future of the last state flag in the U.S. that includes the Confederate battle emblem .
Leaders say a vote at the state capitol could happen as soon as Saturday .
Pressure to change the flag has grown rapidly over the past three weeks amid nationwide protests against racial injustice .
Legislators could adopt a new Mississippi flag without Confederate imagery .
Or , they could kick the volatile issue to a statewide election , giving voters choices that might or might not include the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red field topped by a blue X with 13 white stars — has been in the upper-left corner of the Mississippi flag since 1894 .
White supremacists in the Legislature put it there during backlash to the political power that African Americans gained after the Civil War .
The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in 2000 that the flag lacked official status .
State laws were updated in 1906 , and portions dealing with the flag were not carried forward .
Legislators set a flag election in 2001 , and voters kept the rebel-themed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained divisive in a state with a 38 % Black population .
All of the state ’ s public universities and several cities and counties have stopped flying it because of the Confederate symbol that many see as racist .
Influential business , religious , education and sports groups are calling on Mississippi to drop the Confederate symbol .
Flag supporters say the banner should be left alone or put on the statewide ballot for voters to decide its fate .
Joe Brister , a retiree from Madison , Mississippi , circled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truck with a large hand-painted sign showing the Mississippi flag and the words : “ They will take FLAG GUNS and Freedom.
” A Mississippi flag , a Trump 2020 banner and two other flags fluttered from poles on the truck .
Brister , who is white , said he ’ s unhappy about the push to remove monuments and rename streets around the United States .
He said questions about the Mississippi flag should be resolved by voters .
“ I ’ m just here displaying the flag and trying to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job instead of do what the out-of-town lobbyists and the big banks and the big money in Mississippi tell them to do , ” Brister said .
“ It ’ s the same as Washington.
” Rev .
Kenneth Maurice Davis , president of the Mississippi National Baptist Convention and pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in the coastal city of D ’ Iberville , was among a large group of African American religious leaders at the Capitol Thursday .
“ Take down this flag — this symbol that continues to sway in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davis said .
“ Take down this flag — this symbol that waves in the gale forces of intolerance and narrow-mindedness.
” Pastors and others with him at a news conference clapped and said , “ Yeah , yeah.
“ “ Stop hiding behind a public vote and do what is right , now , “ Davis said to legislators .
” Come out of the shadows and stand in the marvelous light and bring Mississippi out of the dark ages of racism.
” The state ’ s annual legislative session is almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of the House and Senate to consider a bill after the normal deadlines have passed .
Leaders have been working to secure those majorities .
Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves said Wednesday that he will not veto a bill if legislators pass one .
Republican state Rep. Karl Oliver , who said in 2017 that people should be “ lynched ” for taking down Confederate monuments , issued a statement Thursday night that he will vote for a new flag “ that creates unity.
” “ When my grandchildren and their children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be questions , ” Oliver wrote .
“ I want them to know that it was because of my love for them and Mississippi , and Christ ’ s love for me , and for my fellow Mississippians , I based my decision on what I believed to be best for everyone .
”

Emily Wagster Pettus - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Kansas State athletes, officials decry student’s Floyd tweet

MANHATTAN , Kan. - Kansas State University is reviewing its options after a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd prompted outrage from several students , including two football players who threatened to leave , the school ’ s president said Friday .
On Thursday , one month since Floyd , a Black man , died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck for nearly eight minutes , student Jaden McNeil tweeted “ Congratulations to George Floyd on being drug free for an entire month !
” University President Richard Myers said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent for the values of our university.
” “ We condemn racism and bigotry in all its forms , ” Myers said .
“ We are launching an immediate review of the university ’ s options .
Black Lives Matter at Kansas State University and we will continue to fight for social justice.
” McNeil describes himself as the founder of a conservative group called America First Students , which Kansas State says is not currently registered on the campus because of a lack of membership .
America First Students had already drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made by McNeil .
Students released a video last week under the # BlackAtKState hashtag and asked for America First Students to be removed from campus .
And a petition has circulated on Twitter asking that the group be banned from campus because it spreads “ hateful rhetoric , “ The Manhattan Mercury reported .
McNeil did not respond to a message to America First Students seeking comment Friday .
He has previously said America First Students is a “ mainstream , Christian , conservative organization that supports President Donald Trump.
” Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Students is currently not registered on the campus .
He said independent student organizations need to have at least five members and renew registration every year , The Kansas City Star reported .
Wide receiver Joshua Youngblood and defensive back Walter Neil Jr. both tweeted that they would not play for the school unless McNeil is removed from campus , though Youngblood has since removed his tweet .
Several other players posted tweets criticizing McNeil .
Athletics director Gene Taylor and football coach Chris Klieman both criticized McNeil ’ s tweet and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campus .
“ Our program and our coaches will continue to be part of the solution when it comes to racial injustice , ” Klieman wrote in a tweet .
“ I love our players and they know I have their backs.
” College athletes around the country have marched and used their influence to push for social justice since Floyd ’ s death .
On June 3 , University of Missouri athletes and coaches joined with police and other administrators in walking to the Boone County Courthouse and knelt in honour of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote .
That came on a campus that was roiled by controversy and demonstrations five years ago over the treatment of minorities on campus .
Several members of the football team threatened to boycott until the then-president of the school resigned .
McNeil received several tweets of support Friday , including from conservative syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Judge rejects cameras for ex-cops’ hearings in Floyd death

MINNEAPOLIS - A Minnesota judge on Friday rejected allowing cameras in the court for pretrial proceedings of four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd .
News media organizations as well as defence attorneys had requested the audio and visual recordings .
But Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill rejected the request , noting the prosecution had objected .
Minnesota rules allow the judge , prosecutors or defence attorneys to veto camera coverage during criminal court proceedings before a conviction .
The judge will rule later on whether cameras will be allowed at trial .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf of the ex-officers to allow recording of all pretrial and trial proceedings .
The motion argues that the recordings are necessary to guarantee the officers get a fair trial in light of what the defence calls “ multiple and inappropriate public comments “ by prosecutors and other officials .
“ The State ’ s conduct has made a fair and unbiased trial extremely unlikely and the Defendants seek video and audio coverage to let a cleansing light shine on these proceedings .
Doing otherwise allows these public officials to geld the Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representing J. Kueng , one of four fired officers charged in Floyd ’ s death .
The motion notes that Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo recently called Floyd ’ s death “ murder.
” Floyd died May 25 after a white police officer , Derek Chauvin , pressed his knee against the handcuffed Black man ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes .
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder , third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting Chauvin .
All four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
In a statement Friday , Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison , whose office is leading the prosecution , said allowing cameras in the courtroom “ will create more problems than it would solve , ” by altering the way lawyers present evidence and possibly intimidating witnesses .
“ In short , the likelihood of creating more sensation than understanding is very high ” if cameras were allowed at trial , Ellison said .
All four ex-officers are due in court Monday for pretrial hearings on issues including reducing bail .
Chauvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 million with conditions , while Thao ’ s conditional bail is $ 750,000 .
Lane and Kueng are free on bond .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Reporter at Trump’s Tulsa rally tests positive for COVID-19

OKLAHOMA CITY - A journalist who attended President Donald Trump ’ s rally in Tulsa last week said Friday he has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Oklahoma Watch reporter Paul Monies said he was notified Friday of his positive diagnosis .
“ I ’ m pretty surprised , “ Monies wrote on Twitter .
“ I have zero symptoms ( so far ) and I feel fine .
In fact , I ran 5 miles this morning.
” Monies said he was inside the rally for about 6 hours on Saturday at the BOK Center and that he wore a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except for when he went to the concourse to get a snack .
He said he was never close to the president .
An epidemiologist at the Oklahoma City-County Health Department who notified Monies of his positive result said it ’ s difficult to determine if he contracted the coronavirus at the rally .
“ I can ’ t say definitively that I got it at the rally , “ Monies said .
“ But it ’ s someone I ’ ve been in contact with in the last two weeks.
” Monies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted by contact tracers to try and determine everyone he ’ s been in contact with , but he has taken it upon himself to reach out to anyone he has been close to in the last two weeks .
“ I spent a couple of hours reaching out to anyone I was in contact with indoors , a few friends in the neighbourhood , “ Monies said .
“ I just felt it was my responsibility to tell people I knew myself that I have tested positive.
” Six of Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Secret Service working in advance of the Oklahoma rally also have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Dr. Bruce Dart , the executive director of Tulsa City-County Health Department , had recommended that the rally be postponed because of a surge in reported positive cases of coronavirus linked to large indoor gatherings .
Oklahoma has reported record daily highs of reported positive COVID-19 cases in the last week .


thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Judge delays Roger Stone’s prison surrender for 2 weeks

WASHINGTON - A federal judge is giving Roger Stone , a longtime ally and confidant of President Donald Trump , an additional two weeks before he must report to serve his federal prison sentence .
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ’ s ruling on Friday comes days after Stone asked the court to allow him to put off serving his more than 3-year sentence until September , citing coronavirus concerns .
Stone was convicted in November on all seven counts of an indictment that accused him of lying to Congress , tampering with a witness and obstructing the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Russia to tip the 2016 election .
Stone was scheduled to surrender at FCI Jesup , a medium-security federal prison in Georgia on June 30 .
Stone had asked for a delay in the date of his surrender until Sept. 3 because of concerns that coronavirus had spread rapidly in federal prisons across the U.S .
There have been no reported coronavirus cases at FCI Jesup and more than two dozen inmates who had been awaiting test results this week had all tested negative , federal prosecutors said .
Prosecutors did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay but said that was only because the Justice Department ’ s current policy is to not oppose such requests for a delay of up to 60 days .
Stone will also be placed on home confinement before he surrenders , in part because of “ the strong medical recommendation ” submitted by his defence lawyers , the judge wrote in her order .
The home confinement would be monitored by court officials before Stone is required to surrender at the prison on July 14 .
“ This will address the defendant ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase of reported cases in Florida , and Broward County in particular , and it will respect and protect the health of other inmates who share defendant ’ s anxiety over the potential introduction and spread of the virus at this now-unaffected facility , ” Berman Jackson wrote .
The Bureau of Prisons has said Stone would not be required to go to a quarantine facility because he ’ s voluntarily surrendering .
But officials said last month that Stone would be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine once he arrived at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether Stone would still have to undergo that quarantine , as well .
Stone was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to be convicted on charges brought as part of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
Before his Feb. 20 sentencing , the Justice Department leadership backed away from its initial recommendation just hours after Trump tweeted his displeasure at the recommendation of up to nine years in prison , saying it had been too harsh .
The move led to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trump .
Aaron Zelinsky , a career Justice Department prosecutor who was part of Mueller ’ s team and worked on the case against Stone , told the House Judiciary Committee this week that Stone was treated differently before his sentencing because of his relationship with the president .
Stone was sentenced to serve more than three years in prison plus two years ’ probation and a $ 20,000 fine .

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thetorontostar--2020-06-26--Judge blocks 25% capacity rule for religious services in NY

NEW YORK - A federal judge on Friday blocked New York state from enforcing coronavirus restrictions limiting indoor religious gatherings to 25 % capacity when other types of gatherings are limited to 50 % .
Judge Gary Sharpe enjoined Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Attorney General Letitia James from enforcing some of the capacity restrictions put in place by executive order to contain the spread of the virus .
The plaintiffs ’ religious activities “ will be burdened and continue to be treated less favourably than comparable secular activities , ” Sharpe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plaintiffs , two Catholic priests from upstate New York and three Orthodox Jewish congregants from Brooklyn , argued that the restrictions violated their First Amendment rights to practice their religion .
The plaintiffs said the restrictions forced the Rev .
Steven Soos and the Rev .
Nicholas Stamos , members of the breakaway Society of St. Pius X , to either turn away parishioners who wished to attend Mass “ or to hold more Masses per day than are possible.
” Christopher Ferrara , an attorney for the plaintiffs , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of houses of worship.
” “ The idea that houses of worship are some deadly viral vector unlike anything else is just superstition , ” Ferrara said in a telephone interview .
“ There ’ s no science to support that.
” Restrictions limiting the number of people who can attend outdoor religious gatherings will also be lifted by the injunction .
The New York State Catholic Conference said New York bishops were not involved in the lawsuit .
But spokesman Dennis Poust said he anticipated that “ our churches will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of prudential judgment.
” The judge noted that both Cuomo and de Blasio have expressed approval for protests against racism and police brutality that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month while continuing to support restrictions on religious gatherings .
“ Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio could have just as easily discouraged protests , short of condemning their message , in the name of public health and exercised discretion to suspend enforcement for public safety reasons instead of encouraging what they knew was a flagrant disregard of the outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
The Department of Justice called the decision “ a win for religious freedom and the civil liberties of New Yorkers.
“ “ The court ’ s decision is consistent with positions and arguments made by the United States Department of Justice in similar filings and letters , including in New York City and elsewhere around the country , “ said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division in a statement .
“ The Department of Justice will continue to support people of faith who seek equal treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who discriminate against them because of their religion.
“ A spokesperson for Cuomo said the governor ’ s office will review the decision .
A spokesperson for the New York City law department said , “ We will review this new ruling and work with the state on next steps.
” This story has been corrected to show that the priests are members of Society of St. Pius X , not Roman Catholics .


thetorontostar--2020-06-27--Lincoln museum, presidential library to reopen Wednesday

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. - The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield plans to reopen for visitors on Wednesday after shutting down as part of statewide efforts to limit spread of the coronavirus .
Museum officials said the property has been cleaned and protective barriers also are installed in some places .
Tickets must be purchased in advance online or over the phone .
The museum has cut down the number of theatre performances and closed access to some exhibits .
Visitors will have their temperatures checked before entering , must wear masks and will be asked to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nod to the former president ’ s height of 6 feet , 4 inches .
“ In trying times , Abraham Lincoln ’ s example can be an inspiration and a comfort to all of us , “ acting executive director Melissa Coultas said .
“ People deserve to be able to come to this special place , learn about one of our greatest presidents and explore some new features we ’ re proud to offer.
” A new exhibit at the reopening examines nine events in U.S. history when enemies within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the Sept. 11 , 2001 attacks .
The museum recommends that parents and guardians only take children 12 and older into the “ Spies , Traitors , Saboteurs : Fear and Freedom in America ” exhibit due to its inclusion of powerful imagery .
The museum ’ s daily hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m .


thetorontostar--2020-06-27--Virus visitor bans renew interest in nursing home cameras

HARTFORD , Conn. - Visitation bans at nursing homes have renewed interest in legislation that would allow families to put remote cameras inside the facilities to help see how loved ones are doing .
Before the pandemic , cameras were seen as a way to identify elder abuse and neglect .
But now , many hope they could bring comfort after visitation bans imposed to stem the devastating tide of COVID-19 inside nursing homes left many families struggling to get information .
“ That visitation ban , it was really , really upsetting to people .
And I think understandably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about sharing information about what ’ s going on , ” said Anna Doroghazi , the associate state director for AARP in Connecticut .
She has heard stories about people calling a nursing home five times before someone finally picked up the phone and families unable to get an update on a loved one ’ s condition .
“ For me , this isn ’ t about a gotcha game with nursing home staff .
I think especially now , people are doing their best .
They ’ re showing up .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Doroghazi said .
“ But for me , cameras are really about peace of mind for family members.
” About a dozen states already have laws or regulations in place allowing residents and their families to install video cameras , subject to certain rules .
Last month , Missouri lawmakers passed legislation allowing families to request cameras to connect with loved ones in a nursing home .
The state ’ s governor is reviewing the legislation .
Camera bills have also gained new life in other states , including Ohio and Connecticut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped alleviate frustration at not being able to see firsthand what has been happening this spring to her 65-year-old sister , Christy Buzzard , in an Ohio long-term care facility .
Since March , Buzzard , who suffered brain damage as toddler , has a childlike personality and is now partially paralyzed from a stroke , has fallen seven times , been hospitalized for a serious head injury and was isolated after testing positive for COVID-19 .
Through phone calls and window visits , she also described being kicked and having her hair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If I could get a camera in her room , I could look at it and see who ’ s coming in and who ’ s going out .
I could tell who ’ s the ones being mean to her , ” said Krafthefer .
“ The cameras are so badly needed .
I mean , if we had that , it would help the workers a lot .
It would help the families .
It would help the residents .
There ’ s so much good a camera can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Democrat from suburban Cleveland who introduced a bill late last year that would allow cameras , said she ’ s heard from numerous families since the pandemic hit who haven ’ t been able to see their relatives for months and now want to install them .
“ People are now understanding the urgency of why we need this implemented , ” she said .
“ You feel kind of helpless.
” The cameras allow families to monitor loved ones in real time or make recordings .
In most cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off for privacy .
There are safeguards to protect roommates from being filmed unknowingly .
Signs in rooms alert staff and visitors that the cameras are operating .
Both Connecticut ’ s Department of Public Health commissioner and the state ’ s nursing home industry have voiced privacy concerns .
“ The public disclosure of the very private material concerning nursing home residents can be devastating , especially given the impossibility of a foolproof assurance that the data or streaming material can not be compromised , ” Matthew Barrett , president and CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facilities , said in testimony submitted to Connecticut lawmakers .
Hidden cameras should only be allowed as part of a criminal investigation , he said .
Liz Stern of Stonington , Connecticut , has been among family members of nursing home residents pressuring the Connecticut General Assembly to pass a camera bill .
Stern took up the cause after the private aides she hires to provide extra care for her 91-year-old mother had to stop seeing her because of COVID-19 visitor restrictions .
“ They would report to us .
They would put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would take photographs .
They would manage anything that went awry there , ” said Stern , who ’ s worried about neglect , not abuse .
She has since been unable to get a camera installed for various reasons , including opposition from the family of her mother ’ s roommate .
When Julie Griffith suspected that her 96-year-old mother was being mistreated at a nursing home near Toledo , Ohio , she and her husband set up an audio recorder behind a picture frame last August .
What they heard left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s aide disguising himself as a woman and verbally and mentally abusing Griffith ’ s mother at night .
It was enough to have the aide fired and sentenced on abuse and neglect charges .
Now that they can no longer monitor what ’ s happening inside her room , they are wracked with fear .
“ We have been at a loss since then and we can ’ t get any answers , ” Griffith said .
“ They ’ re telling us everything is perfect .
We have no way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , David .
“ Everything is a secret .
”

Susan Haigh And John Seewer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-27--Egypt eases restrictions despite surge in virus infections

CAIRO - Egypt on Saturday lifted many restrictions put in place against the coronavirus pandemic , reopening cafes , clubs , gyms and theatres after more than three months of closure , despite a continued upward trend in new infections .
Authorities also allowed the limited reopening of mosques and churches , and lifted the nighttime curfew .
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi ’ s government has been keen to save the Egyptian economy that was hit hard by the virus outbreak .
On Friday , the International Monetary Fund approved another $ 5.2 billion loan for Egypt , to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund had already promised to stave off the pandemic ’ s worst economic effects .
Before the pandemic , Egypt had just emerged from a three-year economic reform program that came with securing a $ 12 billion IMF loan in late 2016 .
In Cairo , a sprawling and bustling metropolis of some 20 million people , coffee shops reopened to receive in-house customers for the first time since mid-March .
But “ sheesha , ” the hookah water pipe so popular in the Middle East , are no longer offered widely over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen at only 25 % seating capacity , according to Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly .
Mosques and churches will also not be allowed to hold their weekly main services , when large crowds traditionally gather for worship .
The government has banned Friday ’ s Muslim prayers at mosques and Sunday masses at churches , Madbouly said .
Wearing face masks , worshipers Saturday poured into mosques for the fajr , dawn , prayers , for the first time in months .
“ People were looking forward to that day , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a mosque in Giza .
“ They miss the mosques.
” The reopening has met with criticism , not least because Egypt is still recording relatively high new coronavirus infections and deaths , raising concerns the country ’ s healthcare system could soon become overwhelmed .
The Egyptian doctors ’ union warned last month the country was careening toward a catastrophe .
However , the actual numbers of infections and deaths from COVID-19 , like elsewhere in the world , are thought to be far higher due to a number of reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also planning the reopening of select tourist destinations to international charter flights starting Thursday , allowing travellers from around the world to return to parts of the country less hard-hit by the virus .
Those include the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula , home to the major resort and beach destination of Sharm el Sheikh , the Red Sea resort areas of Hurghada and Marsa Alam , as well as Marsa Matrouh , on the Mediterranean coast .
The national carrier , EgyptAir , said it would resume its non-stop flights to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 .
The destinations include 17 in Europe , four in Africa , four in the Middle East , and three in North America in addition to Guangzhou in China , EgyptAir said .
Egypt ’ s economy depends heavily on tourism , which accounts for some 12 % of the gross domestic product .
The government fears a prolonged lockdown could be devastating economically , as the grounded international flights and empty hotels have taken a heavy toll .
Before the pandemic threw millions of casual labourers out of work , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poverty , according to government figures .


thetorontostar--2020-06-27--Satellite image: Iran blast struck by suspected missile site

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - An explosion that rattled Iran ’ s capital came from an area in its eastern mountains that analysts believe hides an underground tunnel system and missile production sites , satellite photographs showed Saturday .
What exploded in the incident early Friday that sent a massive fireball into the sky near Tehran remains unclear , as does the cause of the blast .
The unusual response of the Iranian government in the aftermath of the explosion , however , underscores the sensitive nature of an area near where international inspectors believe the Islamic Republic conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon triggers .
The blast shook homes , rattled windows and lit up the horizon early Friday in the Alborz Mountains .
State TV later aired a segment from what it described as the site of the blast .
One of its journalists stood in front of what appeared to be large , blackened gas cylinders , though the camera remained tightly focused and did not show anything else around the site .
Defence Ministry spokesman Davood Abdi blamed the blast on a leaking gas he did not identify and said no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the site as a “ public area , ” raising the question of why military officials and not civilian firefighters would be in charge .
The state TV report did not answer that .
Satellite photos of the area , some 20 kilometres ( 12.5 miles ) east of downtown Tehran , showed hundreds of meters ( yards ) of charred scrubland not seen in images of the area taken in the weeks ahead of the incident .
The building near the char marks resembled the facility seen in the state TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near what analysts describe as Iran ’ s Khojir missile facility .
The explosion appears to have struck a facility for the Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group , which makes solid-propellant rockets , said Fabian Hinz , a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey , California .
The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies identified Khojir as the “ site of numerous tunnels , some suspected of use for arms assembly.
” Large industrial buildings at the site visible from satellite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
The U.S. Defence Intelligence Agency says Iran overall has the largest underground facility program in the Middle East .
Such sites “ support most facets of Tehran ’ s ballistic missile capabilities , including the operational force and the missile development and production program , ” the DIA said in 2019 .
Iranian officials themselves also identified the site as being in Parchin , home to a military base where the International Atomic Energy Agency previously said it suspects Iran conducted tests of explosive triggers that could be used in nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear weapons , though the IAEA previously said Iran had done work in “ support of a possible military dimension to its nuclear program ” that largely halted in late 2003 .
Western concerns over the Iranian atomic program led to sanctions and eventually to Tehran ’ s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
The U.S. under President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord in May 2018 , leading to a series of escalating attacks between Iran and the U.S. and Tehran abandoning the deal ’ s production limits .