thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Man shot by officers later dies of coronavirus, New York City police say

NEW YORK—A man shot by New York City police last month after menacing officers with a knife and an antique gun died of the coronavirus five days after he was wounded , police said Thursday .
Ricardo Cardona , 55 , repeatedly told officers “ please kill me ” as he ignored orders to drop the weapons , body-camera footage of the April 1 shooting in the Bronx shows .
Cardona , who called 911 on himself to draw police attention , later told investigators he wanted to die because he had recently tested positive for the virus , Sgt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describing the incident .
“ Mr .
Cardona informed investigators that he was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and as a result wanted to die by ‘ suicide by cop , ’ ” Nieves said .
Officers fired 11 shots at Cardona and struck him seven times in the torso and lower extremities , but preliminary autopsy findings showed his cause of death was coronavirus , with his wounds and underlying health conditions listed as complicating factors , Nieves said .
Most people who get the virus recover , experiencing mild or moderate symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can cause pneumonia and be deadly for the elderly or infirm .
A message seeking comment was left with the city ’ s medical examiner ’ s office .
Cardona was holding a 12-inch tactical knife in one hand and a Civil War-era cap-and-ball revolver in the other as officers Xavier Marcus and Cindy Nieves responded to a 911 call about a man walking the streets wielding a bloody knife around 4 a.m. , police said .
Cellphone records and apartment building security video showed it was Cardona who called 911 , calmly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the call and walking to the intersection where he encountered the officers .
Cardona ’ s gun was later determined to be inoperable , Sgt .
Nieves said .
Cardona , who was initially hospitalized in stable condition , had faced charges including attempted assault , menacing of a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon as a result of the incident .
The case was dropped upon his death .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--National Guard called to respond to Minneapolis violence

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz called in the National Guard on Thursday as looting broke out in St. Paul and a wounded Minneapolis braced for more violence after rioting over the death of George Floyd , a handcuffed black man in police custody , reduced parts of one neighbourhood to a smoking shambles .
The Minneapolis unrest ravaged several blocks in the Longfellow neighbourhood , with scattered rioting reaching for miles across the city .
It was the second consecutive night of violent protests following Floyd ’ s death Monday .
In footage recorded by a bystander , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t breath as an officer kneels on his neck .
As minutes pass , he slowly stops talking and moving .
Dozens of stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs closed early , some boarding up their windows , fearing more strife .
The city shut down its light-rail system and all bus service out of safety concerns .
Around midday Thursday , the violence spread a few miles away to St. Paul ’ s Midway neighbourhood , where police said 50 to 60 people rushed a Target attempting to loot it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later blocked the entrance , but the looting shifted to shops along nearby University Avenue , one of St. Paul ’ s main commercial corridors , and other spots in the city .
By early evening , the windows of more than a dozen stores were smashed , and firefighters were putting out a handful of small blazes .
St. Paul spokesman Steve Linders said authorities were dealing with unrest in roughly 20 different areas .
“ Please stay home .
Please do not come here to protest .
Please keep the focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement and on preventing this from ever happening again , ” tweeted St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter , who is black .
Erika Atson , 20 , was among several hundred people who gathered outside government offices in downtown Minneapolis , where organizers called for peaceful protest .
Atson , who is black , described seeing her 14- and 11-year-old brothers tackled by Minneapolis police years ago because officers mistakenly presumed the boys had guns .
She said she had been at “ every single protest ” since Floyd ’ s death and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable in police encounters .
“ We don ’ t want to be here fighting against anyone .
We don ’ t want anyone to be hurt .
We don ’ t want to cause any damages , ” she said .
“ We just want the police officer to be held accountable.
” The governor ’ s order did not say how many Guard members were mobilized or whether they would be in service Thursday night .
After calling in the Guard , Walz urged widespread changes in the wake of Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to rebuild .
Rebuild the city , rebuild our justice system and rebuild the relationship between law enforcement and those they ’ re charged to protect , ” Walz said .
Thursday morning in Minneapolis , smoke rose from smouldering buildings in the Longfellow neighbourhood .
In a strip mall across the street from the police ’ s 3rd Precinct station , the focus of the protests on both nights , the windows in nearly every business had been smashed , from the large Target department store at one end to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only the 24-hour laundromat appeared to have escaped unscathed .
“ WHY US ?
” demanded a large expanse of red graffiti scrawled on the wall of the Target .
A Wendy ’ s restaurant across the street was charred almost beyond recognition .
Among the casualties of the overnight fires : a six-story building under construction that was to provide nearly 200 apartments of affordable housing .
“ We ’ re burning our own neighbourhood , ” said a distraught Deona Brown , a 24-year-old woman standing with a friend outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protesters were shouting at a dozen or so stone-faced police officers in riot gear .
“ This is where we live , where we shop , and they destroyed it.
” No officers could be seen beyond the station .
“ What that cop did was wrong , but I ’ m scared now , ” Brown said .
Others in the crowd saw something different in the wreckage .
Protesters destroyed property “ because the system is broken , ” said a young man who identified himself only by his nickname @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been in the streets during the violence .
He dismissed the idea that the destruction would hurt residents of the largely black neighbourhood .
“ They ’ re making money off of us , ” he said angrily of the owners of the destroyed stores .
He laughed when asked if he had joined in the looting or violence .
“ I didn ’ t break anything.
” The protests that began Wednesday night and extended into Thursday were more violent than Tuesday ’ s , which included skirmishes between offices and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Jacob Frey appealed for calm but the city ’ s response to the protests was quickly questioned as things started spiraling into violence .
“ If the strategy was to keep residents safe — it failed , ” City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison , who is black , tweeted .
“ Prevent property damage — it failed.
“ On Thursday , he urged police to leave the scene of the overnight violence , saying their presence brings people into the streets .
But Eric Kowalczyk , a police captain in Baltimore during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally supported the Minneapolis police strategy to avoid confrontations with protesters when possible , saying heavy-handed police responses are only met with more violence .
“ Nobody wants to see their city on fire , but at the same time , you don ’ t want to see citizens injured by the very police department they are protesting , ” he said .
Protests also spread to other U.S. cities .
In California , hundreds of people protesting Floyd ’ s death blocked a Los Angeles freeway and shattered windows of California Highway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main thoroughfare after a racially mixed group of protesters gathered outside a police station .
Amid the violence in Minneapolis , a man was found fatally shot Wednesday night near a pawn shop , possibly by the owner , authorities said .
Fire crews responded to about 30 intentionally set blazes , and multiple fire trucks were damaged by rocks and other projectiles , the fire department said .
No one was hurt by the blazes .
The city on Thursday released a transcript of the 911 call that brought police to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd .
The caller described someone paying with a counterfeit bill , with workers rushing outside to find the man sitting on a van .
The caller described the man as “ awfully drunk and he ’ s not in control of himself.
” Asked by the 911 operator whether the man was “ under the influence of something , ” the caller said : “ Something like that , yes .
He is not acting right.
” The caller described a tall , bald man matching Floyd ’ s description , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
The U.S. Attorney ’ s Office and the FBI in Minneapolis said Thursday they were conducting “ a robust criminal investigation ” into the death .
President Donald Trump has said he had asked an investigation to be expedited .
The FBI is also investigating whether Floyd ’ s civil rights were violated .
The officer who kneeled on Floyd and three others were fired Tuesday .
The next day , the mayor called for the kneeling officer to be criminally charged .
He also appealed for activation of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis , and Gretchen Ehlke in Milwaukee , contributed to this report .

Tim Sullivan And Amy Forliti - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Suriname opposition asks Bouterse to concede amid slow count

PARAMARIBO , Suriname - Votes were still being counted Thursday three days after Suriname ’ s elections , with the opposition urging the government to concede defeat and President Desi Bouterse calling for a recount even though the final tally had not yet released .
The counting from Monday ’ s National Assembly election has been extremely slow .
Normally a preliminary result is released the next morning and the failure to do so has irritated the chairman of the Independent Electoral Bureau , Jennifer Van Dijk-Silos , who has called the elections “ the worst organized ” she has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s opposition parties said the counting was being delayed to allow Bouterse ’ s National Democratic Party to carry out electoral fraud — a charge it denied .
The 74-year-old Bouterse , a former coup leader who has been convicted of murder and drug smuggling , was hoping to ride the elections into another term despite Suriname ’ s economic problems .
The new National Assembly will select the next president in August .
As of Thursday evening , with 90 % of the votes counted , the opposition United Reform Party led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 51 seats in parliament .
Bouterse ’ s party was winning 16 seats , with other parties grabbing the remaining seats .
A two-thirds vote in parliament is required to elect the president , meaning if Bouterse ’ s party managed to get two more seats , raising its total to 18 , it could block Santokhi , a former police officer and justice minister .
“ President Bouterse must acknowledge his defeat and start talks on the transfer to a new government , ” Santokhi said .
The opposition leader said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could call on the people of Suriname to converge on the sports hall where ballots were being counted .
Bouterse questioned the reliability of the vote .
“ Maybe somebody accidentally mistook a six for a nine in all the fatigue .
If everything is correct we will admit our loss , but we want to make sure the figures are correct , ” he said on his spokesman ’ s daily show on national radio SRS .
The opposition charged vote fraud .
In one incident , Bouterse ’ s grandson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change election documents at the Anthony Nesty Sports Hall , where ballot are stored , and was expelled , the opposition said .
The younger Bouterse denied he was there , and the president said he had been with his grandson the past two days .
At a joint news conference Thursday , opposition parties cited further irregularities , including an allegation the chairman of the main polling station , Mike Nerkust , stored boxes of documents illicitly in a room near his office .
Nerkust said he stored the documents to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fallen victim to fake news .
Bouterse ’ s National Democratic Party has built support among the country ’ s poor , many of them black or mixed race , who feel Bouterse is the first politician ever to pay attention to them .
But pre-election polls in the former Dutch colony had shown a swing toward the opposition United Reform Party , which has worked for years to broaden its base beyond its original focus on the descendants of East Asian immigrants , who make up just over a quarter of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a 1980 coup and ruled for seven years , marked by the December 1982 murders of 15 political opponents .
Last November , a Suriname court convicted Bouterse of murder and sentenced him to 20 years in prison — though it made no move to arrest him and he is appealing .
He also faces an 11-year sentence in the Netherlands for a drug smuggling conviction .
After leaving office , Bouterse built up his party and won democratic elections in 2010 , as well as reelection five years later .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Sen. Cortez Masto withdraws name from Biden VP consideration

LAS VEGAS - Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada said Thursday that she ’ s not interested in serving as running mate to presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Cortez Masto , who in 2016 became the first Latina elected to the U.S. Senate , said in a statement that she supports the former vice-president but does not want to join the Democratic presidential ticket .
“ I support Joe Biden 100 % and will work tirelessly to help get him elected this November .
It is an honour to be considered as a potential running mate but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consideration , “ Cortez Masto said in a statement .
She noted that Nevada ’ s economy is one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus , with the worst unemployment rate in the nation at 28.2 % .
She said she will focus on getting Nevada residents back on their feet .
Later Thursday , during an online discussion hosted by the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service , Cortez Masto said it was exciting and humbling to have been considered but noted that she was elected to a six-year senatorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate , on behalf of the state of Nevada , and that ’ s my commitment .
I can ’ t walk away from that right now , “ she said .
In a statement released by his campaign Thursday night , Biden said he ’ s admired Cortez Masto as long as he ’ s known her and called her a “ leader with integrity.
” “ Nevadans are fortunate to have her fighting for them in Washington and I look forward to seeing her continue to lead in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of more than 10 women whose names have been suggested as possible running mates for Biden , who has committed to picking a woman .
Cortez Masto , 56 , was one of the highest-profile Latinas believed to be on Biden ’ s short list of potential running mates .
Some activists had suggested she could have helped Biden win over Hispanics whose support could be crucial to winning the presidency in November .
New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham , another Latina , is also believed to be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Masto did not endorse Biden until late April .
Biden finished a distant second in Nevada ’ s February caucuses to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , whose win was fueled by strong Latino support .
Cortez Masto had demurred in the past about whether she ’ d be interested in serving as Biden ’ s running mate , saying that it was flattering to be considered but that she was focused on her role in the Senate .
She is a former Nevada attorney general who was recruited by former Senate Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 when he retired .
Before serving eight years as Nevada ’ s attorney general , she was a federal prosecutor in Washington , D.C .

Michelle L. Price - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Man charged in Mennonite woman’s death grew up in the faith

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. - In a forest clearing outside Flagstaff , Arizona , Sasha Krause was found cold and stiff , with a bullet wound to the back of her head .
She was face down beneath brush , wearing a gray dress , white coat and hiking shoes .
Her hair was pinned in a bun and her hands bound by duct tape .
Her underwear was missing .
The 27-year-old Sunday school teacher had disappeared more than a month earlier from a Mennonite community in New Mexico more than 400 miles ( 640 kilometres ) away .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body ended up steps away from a makeshift camp off a lonely two-lane road that cuts through the canyons and groves of towering pine trees .
A 21-year-old U.S. Air Force airman stationed near Phoenix has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges .
Raised in a Mennonite family in Wisconsin , Mark Gooch joined the military to escape what he told investigators was a difficult , sheltered and restricted life , according to sheriff ’ s records obtained by The Associated Press .
Sheriff ’ s officials used cellphone records to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney Matthew Springer said that doesn ’ t mean his client is a killer .
Gooch is jailed without bond .
When authorities first questioned Gooch at the base , he said he thought it was about driving his motorcycle too fast .
Coconino County sheriff ’ s Detective Lauren Jones asked him about his recent travel , his family history and church .
At the end of the 75-minute interview , she asked pointedly : “ Did you abduct Sasha Krause ?
” “ No , ma ’ am , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disdain for the Mennonite community by Gooch and at least two of his brothers .
He never became part of the church , a process that involves a period of study , a commitment to be a follower of Jesus , and baptism usually in teenage years .
Gooch said he felt like an outsider because his family wasn ’ t born into the religion .
He once told a friend that he found life on his family ’ s organic dairy farm depressing and wanted to live like other people .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators his brother holds a grudge against the Mennonite community over perceived mistreatment , but he didn ’ t elaborate .
Mark Gooch acknowledged travelling to Farmington , New Mexico , on Jan. 18 , when Krause was reported missing .
He said he had time for a long drive .
He left the base early that Saturday morning and drove north , past Flagstaff ’ s snow-capped mountains and through the Navajo reservation , stopping for food and then for gas in Farmington .
He said he went to the Mennonite church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words “ Lamp + Light ” are spelled out in painted white rocks on the side of a mesa — a nod to the publishing ministry where Krause worked .
He said he wanted to attend a service because he missed the fellowship of Mennonites .
But he hadn ’ t checked to learn when services would be held and instead hurried back to the base to meet a friend the next day .
Detectives say there were inconsistencies in Gooch ’ s story .
Cellphone records indicate he was around the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the forest outside Flagstaff after midnight .
Surveillance video at the base showed his car returned about 7 a.m. the day after he left .
Gooch said he thought it was no later than 2 a.m. A receipt showed Gooch had his car detailed a day after authorities announced a body had been found in the forest .
In addition , Gooch ’ s phone was the only device that communicated with the same towers as Krause ’ s phone before her signal dropped off west of Farmington , prosecutors said .
Authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .22-calibre bullet believed to have killed Krause was fired from a rifle that belonged to Gooch .
Results also are pending on DNA from under Krause ’ s fingernails and on her neck .
Gooch was assigned to Luke Air Force Base in October and worked in equipment maintenance .
Base officials wouldn ’ t say whether he ’ s ever faced disciplinary action .
The case has entangled other members of Gooch ’ s family .
Sam Gooch was arrested last month after authorities said they suspected he flew to Arizona to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing .
He was released on bond and hasn ’ t been charged .
Sam Gooch said the family left a Mennonite church in Wisconsin around 2015 .
As the siblings grew older , some went separate ways but kept in touch through occasional phone calls and text messages .
In one text exchange in mid-April , brother Jacob Gooch , a state trooper in Virginia , told Mark and Sam he gave a Mennonite a ticket and coughed on the driver “ so he would spread Corona to the wedding they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brothers encouraged the behaviour , according to the messages .
Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said the text exchange is part of an internal investigation into Jacob Gooch , who was placed on administrate leave May 8 as part of a separate criminal investigation .
She declined to discuss details but said the probe is unrelated to the death of Krause .
Authorities don ’ t have any indication that Mark Gooch and Krause , who both came from large families , knew each other .
Calls to numbers listed for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went unanswered or unreturned .
In what has been chalked up to coincidence , one of the elder Gooch brothers attended Bible school with Krause in her hometown in Texas several years ago and had dinner at the Krause home .
A former school teacher in Texas , Krause arrived in Farmington two years ago to work for the publishing ministry .
She knew Spanish , a skill that proved valuable to the ministry known for its outreach to Spanish-speakers , and she was learning French .
Krause was part of a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings and long dresses or skirts .
Men wear plain clothing .
They practice non-resistance and believe in forgiveness , said Paul Kaufman , general manager of Lamp and Light Publishers .
Krause also was a poet whose words became hymns .
Some were sung at her memorial service .
Her father Robert Krause described her as friendly and deeply compassionate with “ zero ability ” to hide stress or emotion .
On the evening she disappeared , Krause drove to the church to pick up materials for use as she filled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silver Ford Focus close to the sidewalk and went inside the church .
She wouldn ’ t be seen alive again by anyone in her community .
An autopsy report released Thursday declared Krause ’ s death a homicide , citing the gunshot wound and head injuries .
It noted there was no definitive evidence of injury to her genital area but didn ’ t elaborate .
Gooch ’ s phone records indicate he returned to the forest a couple nights after authorities said he left Krause ’ s body beneath the brush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering firewood .
She noticed something white on the ground amid the black volcanic cinders and dry pine needles .
Weeping and shaking , the camper drove to a nearby visitor centre and told staff she had seen legs and shoes .
The news spread through Mennonite communities across the world .
“ It hit people , it became very personal to people , ” Kaufman said .
“ It was so wrong.
” Associated Press writer Denise Lavoie in Richmond , Virginia , contributed to this story .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Trump tries a new response after George Floyd’s death

WASHINGTON - It was the kind of personal statement expected from a president in response to the disturbing video of a black man gasping for help as a white policeman pinned him to the street by the neck .
But it was a very different tone for President Donald Trump , who has often been silent in the face of white-on-black violence and has a long history of defending police .
“ I feel very , very badly , “ Trump said Thursday of George Floyd ’ s death while handcuffed and in the custody of Minneapolis police .
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Once more likely to hew to the “ blue lives matter ” mantra , Trump and his allies are questioning an officer ’ s conduct and calling for justice for Floyd .
But some activists doubt that Trump has suddenly evolved on the issue of police brutality and instead see election-year political calculations .
“ This is the first race-tinged case that I ’ ve ever heard him address ” as president , said the Rev .
Al Sharpton , a civil rights activist and Trump critic who has known the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not be upset when people feel that it ’ s empty words because it is so out of character.
” White House spokesman Judd Deere said Trump was taking the death seriously .
“ This has nothing to do with politics and is only about making sure justice is done , and anyone who suggests otherwise is only seeking to sow division and ignore the President ’ s unwavering support for the African-American community , ” Deere said , citing Trump ’ s support for criminal justice reform legislation , Opportunity Zones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has been silent on a number of high-profile police-involved killings , including that of Stephon Clark , a black man shot by Sacramento police in 2018 .
“ This is something that is a local matter and that ’ s something that we feel should be left up to the local authorities , ” then-White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said at the time .
He has never addressed the 2014 death of Eric Garner , who was placed in a chokehold by police trying to arrest him for selling loose cigarettes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of times online and Garner ’ s dying words , “ I can ’ t breathe , ” became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement .
Trump has , however , invoked those words on several occasions to mock political rivals , even bringing his hands to his neck for dramatic effect .
Trump has a long history of injecting himself into racially sensitive cases .
In 1989 , he took out full-page newspaper ads calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five , five young men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brutal assault on a jogger .
Trump has never apologized , telling reporters last year : “ You have people on both sides of that.
” Trump also spent years railing against NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality .
And he has even appeared to advocate for the rougher treatment of people in police custody , speaking dismissively of the police practice of shielding the heads of handcuffed suspects as they are being placed in patrol cars .
But Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he has repeatedly expressed dismay at footage of the killing of Ahmaud Arbery , the 25-year-old black man fatally shot in February in Georgia while jogging .
“ You know , my heart goes out to the parents and the family and the friends , “ he told reporters this month .
” It ’ s a heartbreaking thing.
” The president has notably left open the possibility of some other explanation , saying : “ it could be something that we didn ’ t see on tape.
“ Trump and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of Floyd , who can be heard and seen on tape pleading that he couldn ’ t breathe before he slowly stops talking and moving .
Trump “ was very upset when he saw that video , “ White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Thursday .
“ He wants justice to be served.
” Trump ’ s conservative allies also rallied to the cause .
Fox News host Sean Hannity said he is “ a big supporter of law enforcement , ” but expressed outrage Wednesday night , telling his audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is breathtaking.
” “ It defies common sense .
It defies training .
It defies arrest policies and procedures .
There was no resistance , ” echoed Bernie Kerik , the former New York police commissioner pardoned by Trump .
“ We got to get to the very bottom of how this poor individual was treated , and the death of him on the video itself is shocking from what I saw , ” said Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy .
Even conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh , who once called Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Thursday that Floyd ’ s death was totally “ unjustified ” and he was “ so mad.
” The outpouring comes as the Trump campaign has sought to chip into the advantage Democrats have with black voters .
The campaign hopes either to win enough black support to keep pivotal states such as Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin in play or minimize enthusiasm for Democratic rival Joe Biden .
There could be a small window after Biden last week told a prominent black radio host that African Americans who back Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gaffe he later said he regretted .
Trump and his allies have seized on that and other Biden statements , even though Biden , who served as vice-president under the nation ’ s first black president , remains deeply popular among black voters , who helped him secure the Democratic nomination .
Indeed , a recent Fox News poll found that just 14 % of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favourable opinion of Trump , versus 75 % who have a favourable view of Biden .
Chris White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coalition Against Police Brutality , questioned the sincerity of Republicans ’ response to the deaths of Arbery and Floyd .
The White House and Department of Justice have long had the power to address these issues .
“ Any time we hear politicians speaking about dealing with police brutality in the middle of election year , it ’ s just meaningless rhetoric that has a hollow promise , “ he said .
Sharpton credited both the magnitude of outrage in response to Floyd ’ s death as well as the upcoming election for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many black voters will be swayed with an approach they may see as too little , too late .
“ It ’ s like a father that misses a kid ’ s graduation of high school , graduation of college , “ he said .
“ He can ’ t be upset when the kid looks at him suspiciously when he ’ s there when he graduates with his Ph.D. ” Associated Press writer Kat Stafford in Detroit contributed to this report .

Jill Colvin And Colleen Long - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Rising US job losses stir fears of lasting economic damage

WASHINGTON - The coronavirus crisis threw at least 2.1 million Americans out of work last week despite the gradual reopening of businesses around the country , stoking fears Thursday that the scourge is doing deep and potentially long-lasting damage to the U.S. economy .
Amid a few glimmers of hope , most of the latest economic news from around the globe was likewise grim , as some of the world ’ s most populous countries continued to report rising infections and deaths .
The confirmed U.S. death toll has topped 100,000 , the highest in the world .
The latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring to 41 million the running total of Americans who have filed for unemployment benefits since the coronavirus shutdowns took hold in mid-March .
There were some encouraging signs : The overall number of Americans currently drawing jobless benefits dropped for the first time since the crisis began , from 25 million to 21 million .
And first-time applications for unemployment benefits have fallen for eight straight weeks , as states gradually let stores , restaurants and other businesses reopen and the auto industry starts up factories again .
But the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still extraordinarily high by historical standards , and that suggests businesses are failing or permanently downsizing , not just laying off people until the crisis can pass , economists warn .
“ That is the kind of economic destruction you can not quickly put back in the bottle , ” said Adam Ozimek , chief economist at Upwork .
The U.S. unemployment rate was 14.7 % in April , a level not seen since the Depression , and many economists expect it will be near 20 % in May .
On Wall Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day fell by the end of trading over concerns about rising U.S.-China tensions .
After a plunge in February and much of March , the market has been recovering , most recently as investors move into stocks that would benefit most from a reopening economy .
The unemployment figures come amid an intensifying debate in Congress over whether to extend $ 600 in extra weekly federal unemployment benefits , provided under rescue legislation passed in March but set to expire July 31 .
Democrats have proposed extending the payments , while Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discourage laid-off workers from returning to jobs that pay less than they are getting on unemployment .
Kelly Kelso , a 30-year-old roadie from Nashville , Tennessee , for the rock group Foreigner , got her first unemployment check last week after more than eight weeks of waiting .
She said she is still receiving far less in benefits than the $ 1,250 per week or more she made on tour .
Though Kelso is reluctant to leave the music industry , she said , “ I have a cosmetology license .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to doing hair.
” Another looming storm cloud : Economists say the sharp loss of tax revenue for state and local governments is likely to compound the damage from the shutdowns by forcing additional public-sector layoffs in the coming weeks .
Those layoffs have just recently started showing up in the weekly jobless claims report .
Washington state , for example , reported layoffs of government employees .
Job cuts also are appearing far beyond the initially hit industries such as restaurants and stores , a sign that the damage is spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it saw layoffs in insurance , and New York state reported job cuts by information technology companies .
Economists say many of the jobs lost are never coming back , and double-digit unemployment could persist through 2021 .
And as discouraging as the numbers are , the real picture may be worse .
The government counts people as unemployed only if they ’ re actually looking for a job , and many Americans probably see no point in trying when so many businesses are shut down .
Airlines and aircraft manufacturers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak .
Boeing is cutting more than 12,000 U.S. jobs through layoffs and buyouts , many expected to be in the Seattle area .
European budget airline Easyjet said it will cut up to a third of its 15,000 employees .
American Airlines plans to eliminate about 5,100 jobs .
Amtrak likewise announced it will lay off about 20 % of its 18,000 workers amid a collapse in train ridership .
A number of European countries have strong safety-net programs that are underwriting the wages of millions of workers and keeping them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ranks of the unemployed .
But the economic damage is mounting there , too .
Nissan is rolling back production in Spain in a move the government said could lead to 3,000 direct job cuts and thousands more losses at the automaker ’ s suppliers .
And French unemployment claims jumped 22 % in April , with 843,000 more people seeking work .
Elsewhere around the world , India saw another record daily jump in coronavirus cases .
Russia reported a steady increase in its caseload , even as Moscow and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ease restrictions in sync with the Kremlin ’ s political agenda .
And South Korea reported its biggest jump in infections in more than 50 days , a setback that could erase some of the hard-won gains that have made it a model for the rest of the world .
Worldwide , the virus has infected more than 5.7 million people and killed over about 360,000 , with the U.S. having the most confirmed cases and deaths , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Europe has recorded about 170,000 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are widely believed to be significantly greater , with experts saying many victims died without ever being tested .
Sewell reported from Cincinnati .
Associated Press reporters from around the world contributed to this report .

Christopher Rugaber And Dan Sewell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Trump ally Stone won’t need to go to prison quarantine site

WASHINGTON—By the end of June , he ’ ll be Inmate No .
19579-104 .
But Roger Stone , a longtime confidant of U.S. President Donald Trump , will start his prison sentence without needing to comply with a Bureau of Prisons directive that newly sentenced inmates be sent to a federal quarantine site .
Just last week , the agency said it would “ process all newly sentenced Bureau inmates through one of three quarantine sites ” or at a federal detention facility .
But that won ’ t be the case for Stone .
Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone is supposed to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by June 30 and will not be required to go to a quarantine facility .
That ’ s because he ’ s voluntarily surrendering , she said .
The agency has an exemption for those who are voluntarily surrendering , absolving them of the requirement to be sent to a quarantine site , a policy designed to stop the spread of coronavirus that has exploded in the federal prison system .
The exception was not laid out in the policy the agency made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alarms for years about racial disparities of so-called “ voluntary surrenders , ” which typically happen in cases with special circumstances , or affluent or high-profile defendants .
Stone will need to quarantine for 14 days at the prison where he surrenders , Allison said .
The agency will not say where he ’ ll serve his prison sentence .
As of Thursday , 4,979 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19 since late March ; the Bureau of Prisons has said 3,232 had recovered .
At least 60 inmates have died .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on coronavirus has raised alarm among advocates and lawmakers about whether the agency is doing enough to ensure the safety of the about 137,000 inmates serving time in federal facilities .
And even though officials have stressed infection and death rates inside prisons are lower compared with outside , a high number of inmates tested come back positive — signs that COVID-19 cases are left uncovered .
Stone ’ s ability to skirt the quarantine-site rule is likely to ignite inquiries from Democratic lawmakers and prison advocates who have raised concerns about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been loosening its rules to help allies of the president and high-profile inmates .
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was released from prison on home confinement earlier this month to serve the rest of his prison sentence , despite not meeting the bureau ’ s criteria to be considered a priority for home confinement .
And Trump ’ s longtime personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen was also released from a federal prison last week on furlough and is expected to transition to home confinement for the rest of his sentence on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Congress .
The Bureau of Prisons has disputed that it is giving any preferential treatment to high-profile inmates and has said more than 2,400 inmates have been moved to home confinement since March 26 , when Attorney General William Barr first issued a memo ordering an increase in the use of home confinement .
More than 1,200 others have been approved and are in the pipeline to be released , the agency said .
Stone was convicted in November on all seven counts of an indictment that accused him of lying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign co-ordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election .
He was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to be convicted on charges .
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 brief flare-up between Barr and Trump .
Stone was sentenced to serve more than three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probation and a $ 20,000 ( U.S. ) fine .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Alaska posts first double-digit rise in virus cases in weeks

JUNEAU , Alaska - State figures released Thursday show the first double-digit increase in COVID-19 cases in Alaska in more than six weeks .
Seven of the 13 cases were from the Kenai Peninsula Borough .
Four were from the Anchorage area , and Juneau and the North Slope Borough each had one .
The cases reflect numbers from Wednesday .
The last double-digit increase was reported April 12 , when 15 cases were announced .
Dr. Anne Zink , the state ’ s chief medical officer , in a statement said officials closely monitor and investigate cases .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yesterday and are still under investigation so it ’ s too soon to have details about the source of transmission , but other factors such as increases in testing may also play a role , “ she said .
Alaska has reported 425 total cases of COVID-19 involving residents , with 10 deaths .
It also has reported 17 cases involving non-residents .
As state officials have implemented plans to reopen parts of the economy that had been restricted or closed in efforts to slow the coronavirus ’ spread , they have urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarding against the virus .
Those include maintaining physical distance from others , frequently washing hands and wearing face coverings in public when maintaining distance may be difficult .
The coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--UN chief warns leaders pandemic may cause historic famine

TANZANIA , Tanzania—The UN chief on Thursday warned the largest gathering of world leaders since the coronavirus pandemic began that it will cause “ unimaginable devastation and suffering around the world , ” with historic levels of hunger and famine and up to 1.6 billion people unable to earn a living unless action is taken now .
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also told the high-level meeting on measures to help low- and middle-income countries cope with fallout from the crisis that it could lead to “ a loss of $ 8.5 trillion in global output — the sharpest contraction since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for immediate collective action in six critical areas : enhancing global financial liquidity ; providing debt relief ; engaging private creditors ; promoting external finance ; plugging leaks in tax evasion , money laundering and corruption ; and adopting a recovery that tackles inequalities , injustices and climate change .
Nearly 50 world leaders spoke by video at the event , along with economic experts , including the heads of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank .
But there were noticeable absences , among them the leaders of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States and China , which are engaged in escalating tensions over the pandemic and other issues , and Russia .
China ’ s UN Mission said it didn ’ t participate “ due to a scheduling conflict ” and submitted a written statement .
The U.S. Mission did not respond to requests for a reason why it did not speak .
Guterres told reporters later that neither country could participate at a high level , but “ there is a commitment from both the United States and China to be involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcome.
” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , a co-host of the event , said the UN wanted to bring dozens of global leaders and finance experts together because “ we need to think outside the box ” in dealing with the pandemic .
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for “ a global recovery initiative ” that links investment and debt relief to UN development goals for 2030 , which include eliminating extreme poverty .
“ Europe is ready to put on the table expertise and resources , with both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ But ... it should be a green recovery , a digital recovery , a just and resilient recovery.
” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the world must “ build back better , ” saying he believes “ we can come through this crisis and achieve a strong , green and fair recovery.
” Guterres said the “ unprecedented human tragedy ” behind the 5.5 million cases of COVID-19 and more than 350,000 deaths has been coupled with a devastating economic impact that has spurred his call since March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 10 per cent of the global economy .
“ Developed countries have announced their own relief packages , because they can , ” he said .
“ But we have not yet seen enough solidarity with developing countries to provide them with the massive and urgent support they need.
” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that recent data suggest the global economy will shrink even more than the three per cent it had projected .
She said that “ in just two months , investors pulled more than $ 100 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three times larger than during the global financial crisis ” in 2008 .
Countries with weak economies and high debts from commodity exporters in sub-Saharan Africa to tourism-dependent small island economies in the Caribbean and elsewhere are expected to suffer their worst economic performance in decades and a large decline in per capita income , Georgieva said .
World Bank Group President David Malpass said he worries April estimates that 60 million more people will be pushed into extreme poverty this year , raising the total toward 700 million , “ will go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , speaking on behalf of the African Union , called on developed countries to meet commitments and “ be innovative.
” He said developing country debts “ are the foremost concern , especially to my continent , Africa , ” which is calling for a debt standstill for two years and more IMF special drawing rights .
African leaders also support Gutteres ’ s call for economic relief worth at least 10 per cent of global GDP , which would mean more than $ 200 billion in additional support for Africa .
Fiji @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , warned that the pandemic ’ s economic impact is “ widening the gap between the developing and developed worlds , between north and south.
” “ As economies of small island states are left reeling , our tourism revenue is gutted , and our lending capacity is limited .
We can not go at it alone , ” said Bainimarama , whose country relies on tourism for 40 per cent of its economy .
Saying wealthy nations have already put $ 8 trillion into their own economies for pandemic relief , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one-half of one per cent of this was dedicated to all the world ’ s small island developing states , it would provide us with the vital support we need.
” Guterres said working groups comprising governments , economic experts and others will now consider urgent actions in the six critical areas and report to a ministerial meeting at the end of July .
French President Emmanuel Macron said the groups are “ essential ” to recommit “ ourselves financially ( and ) ... by inventing other forms of co-operation.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to innovate , again and again.
” Germany ’ s Chancellor Angela Merkel told the leaders : “ I hope a clear signal of solidarity will go out from this conference.
” But she was cautious , saying Germany will examine at the end of the year whether further steps are needed on debt relief , and that IMF measures including additional special drawing rights “ may be conceivable ” to secure the financial liquidity of vulnerable countries .
Japan ’ s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , another major economic power , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loan program of approximately $ 4.5 billion over the next two years “ to help maintain and revitalize economic activity in developing countries .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--4-time DUI offender gets 17-year sentence for deadly crash

ROCK HILL , S.C. - A South Carolina man convicted of driving under the influence for a fourth time was sentenced to 17 years in prison in connection with a crash last year that left a 66-year-old man dead .
Tyler James Cummings , 26 , pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony DUI with death , two counts of felony DUI with great bodily injury , and habitual traffic offender causing death when a license was revoked , The Rock Hill Herald reported .
In July 2019 , Cummings drove his vehicle across the centre line of a highway in McConnells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , including an infant and a 3-year-old , authorities previously said .
Officials said Paul Kelly , 66 , died at the scene and two others were injured .
Cummings accepted a plea deal with sentencing ranging from eight years to 17 years , 16th Circuit Deputy Solicitor Willy Thompson said .
Prosecutors argued that Cummings should be sentenced to the maximum penalty and a judge agreed .
Cummings won ’ t be eligible for parole .
Cummings was convicted of DUI in 2015 and twice in 2017 , the newspaper reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear if Cummings attorney was available to comment on the sentencing .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Activists criticize new anti-violence campaign in Mexico

MEXICO CITY - Activists criticized a new Mexican government ad campaign on violence against women Thursday , saying it minimizes the problem and depicts women as aggressors , too .
A video included in the campaign urges men and women to “ count to ten ” before lashing out at people in their home , an approach used in a similar campaign in the 1980s .
But activists said that reduces a huge structural and cultural problem to a simple issue of anger management .
For example , the very first scene of the video shows a woman slapping her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some dishes .
The video says she should count to 10 and wave a symbolic white flag .
The video also shows a gay couple and a man with some children in similar situations .
Mexico recorded about 3,825 killings of women last year , and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has sometimes seemed to minimize the problem .
“ Shamefully , we ’ re seeing how federal authorities are mounting campaigns like ‘ Count to ten ’ that mirrors violence against women and puts the responsibility on the victims and underplays the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple emotional issues , ” the National Observatory on Feminicide said in a statement .
The Interior Department , which released the ad , said it had not yet been broadcast .
It said it would comment later on the issue .
One feminist group referred to the fact that Mexico sees an average of more than 10 women slain every day in what are deemed feminicides , defined in Mexican law as the killing of a woman because she is a woman .
“ Count to ten yourself , Interior Department , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are every day in Mexico , ” the group Witches of the Sea wrote on its Twitter account .
The civic group National Shelter Network cited one 30-year-old abuse victim as saying that “ waving the white flag and counting to ten never worked for me , because it wasn ’ t about taking a deep breath , the blows just rained down instantly.
” In a message to the network , another woman wrote , “ You have to go out and get help , not stay at home and count @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Montana gates to Yellowstone park opening Monday

HELENA , Mont .
- Montana ’ s three entrances to Yellowstone National Park will reopen to visitors Monday , as the state moves to its second phase of restarting the economy after shutdowns because of the coronavirus .
Parts of Glacier National Park could open in mid-June , Gov .
Steve Bullock added Thursday , but a specific day has not been set .
The West Yellowstone , Gardiner and Cooke City entrances to Yellowstone will open two weeks after Wyoming ’ s entrances near Cody and Jackson .
The park , famous for its geysers and bison , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No overnight accommodations are available , and large tour buses aren ’ t allowed yet , park Superintendent Cam Sholly said .
Park employees won ’ t be policing visitors ’ compliance with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines such as social distancing and wearing masks , Sholly said Thursday .
“ We have to have the respect of the public to adhere to health guidelines , ” he said .
The opening of Yellowstone remains a gradual one .
Limited overnight facilities , such as cabins and campgrounds , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Montana gates will reopen at 10 a.m. Monday .
Montana ’ s second phase of reopening Monday includes allowing bars and restaurants to operate at 75 % of capacity and letting groups of up to 50 gather as long as they can meet social distancing guidelines .
Montana is also lifting its 14-day quarantine for out-of-state visitors .
The elderly and people with underlying medical conditions are encouraged to stay home .
Companies are encouraged to continue having employees work at home , if possible .
With the increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 testing in destination and gateway areas and of park employees and other workers in tourist areas , Bullock said .
Additional contact tracing will be available , too .
Montana is using $ 20 million of its federal coronavirus relief money to offer grants of up to $ 5,000 for businesses to help pay for masks , gloves , cleaning supplies and plastic shields to keep employees and customers safe , Bullock said .
The state is also spending $ 15 million to help destination areas develop and deliver an informational campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s coronavirus guidelines .
Bullock is asking visitors to respect those guidelines as well as those set by individual businesses and to exercise patience as Montana communities “ slowly and gradually welcome you back.
” The eastern entrances to Glacier National Park , which lead to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation , are expected to remain closed until the Blackfeet Tribal Council lifts its prohibition on nonessential travel , Bullock said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Man accused of killing North Dakota officer has long record

FARGO , N.D. - The first police officer to be killed in the line of duty for more than 50 years in one North Dakota city was shot multiple times by a man with a criminal history that includes interfering with police and harassing public officials , authorities said Thursday .
Officer Cody Holte , a three-year veteran of the Grand Forks Police Department , died at a hospital Wednesday after coming to the aid of two deputies trying to serve eviction papers , police said .
Holte , 29 , and Cpl .
Patrick Torok were first on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deputies at an apartment in the city close to the Minnesota state line .
“ If I had to pick a word ... a true servant , ” Grand Forks Police Chief Mark Nelson said , fighting back tears .
“ He made everyone around him better.
” Holte is the first officer to be killed on-duty in Grand Forks since 1966 , according to the Officer Down Memorial Page website .
It is the 33rd gunfire-related death of a North Dakota peace officer since the 1870s and the 58th overall death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two sheriff ’ s deputies , Cpl .
Ron Nord , was shot in the leg and abdomen and is listed in stable condition .
He and Sgt .
Kelly McLean were fulfilling a judge ’ s order to remove Pendleton and Lola Moore , 61 , from the premises .
Moore died from gunfire but police would not give specifics on her death .
Grand Forks prosecutors said they are working on charges against Pendleton , 41 , who was also shot several times and remains hospitalized .
According to police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they knocked at the door of the apartment about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday .
Once they entered the unit , Pendleton retreated to a bedroom and ignored commands to come out .
Deputies then opened the door and Pendleton started shooting , at which time the officers retreated and radioed for help .
Holte and Torok “ responded immediately , ” police said in a report .
Grand Forks County Sheriff Andy Schneider said serving civil orders is probably the most dangerous job for law enforcement .
He added that Pendleton and Moore had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacate the premises but did not comply .
Nelson declined to give further details because the case remains under investigation .
Pendleton has been charged with dozens of offences in the last 20 years , mostly misdemeanours and the majority of them while he lived in Iowa .
He has been arrested numerous times for driving under suspension and driving without insurance , including last year Grand Forks .
On Wednesday night , about 50 first responders formed a procession through the city with emergency lights activated to honour Holte , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue .
Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil in the parking lot of Altru Hospital in Grand Forks where Nord was being treated .
Holte is survived by his wife and infant son , Nelson said .
“ There ’ s a hole in my heart that can never be plugged , “ Nelson said Wednesday night at a news conference .
“ These people wear a badge , these people protect your community , these people ask for nothing in return other than an honest salary .
Remember , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is how this officer lived that made him a true hero.
” Gov .
Doug Burgum said the U.S. and state flags will be flown at half-staff from dawn to dusk on the day of the fallen officer ’ s burial .
Associated Press news researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed from New York .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--‘Somebody shot my girlfriend’: 911 call in Kentucky police shooting

LOUISVILLE , Ky.—The boyfriend of a Kentucky woman shot by police in her home told a 911 operator “ somebody shot my girlfriend ” after officers burst into the apartment .
The 911 call Kenneth Walker made after Breonna Taylor was shot during a warrant search by Louisville police was released to media outlets Thursday .
Taylor , a 26-year-old Black emergency medical tech , was shot eight times on March 13 after narcotics detectives knocked down the front door .
No drugs were found in the home .
Walker can be heard on the call crying and calling Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the door and shot my girlfriend , ” Walker tells a dispatcher .
He says Taylor is on the ground and that she was shot in the stomach .
“ There ’ s blood , oh my God , ” he says during the two-minute call .
He later hangs up on the dispatcher , who tried to call him back but got no answer .
Attention on Taylor ’ s death has intensified after her family sued the police department earlier this month .
The case has attracted national headlines alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia neighbourhood in February .
Last week , prosecutors dropped an attempted murder charge against Walker for shooting an officer who entered the apartment .
Also last week , Louisville ’ s police chief announced his retirement and the mayor changed police warrant search policies .
Walker told police investigators that he could hear knocking on the night of the shooting but did not hear police announce themselves .
He said he was “ scared to death , ” so he grabbed his gun and when the door was knocked down , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intention was to fire a warning shot downward toward the ground .
Prosecutors said last week that after police fired into the apartment , they retreated from the area and that ’ s when Walker called 911 .
Federal and state officials are reviewing the police department ’ s internal investigation of the shooting , which was completed last week .


thetorontostar--2020-05-28--Texas to allow some fans at outdoor pro sports events

AUSTIN , Texas - Texas will soon allow outdoor pro sports events to have spectators , but the numbers will be strictly limited , under a new order Thursday from Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott .
Abbott revised a decision to let pro sports leagues host events without fans starting in June as part of the state ’ s move to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Abbott ’ s new order allows outdoor stadiums to host fans up to 25 % of their normal capacity .
Leagues will have to apply to state health officials to be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be without spectators .
The change came the same day Texas reported a one-day high in new cases with 1,855 reported Thursday .
Texas now has 59,776 confirmed cases through nearly 990,000 viral and coronavirus antibody tests .
It has 1,601 deaths , a one-day increase of 39 .
The actual number of cases is likely far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
IndyCar is set to open its season at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gossage said that even under the new rule , the Genesys 300 race will still not include fans .
“ Nobody wants to have the stands filled with fans more than me but we ’ re just not in a position to do that yet , “ Gossage said in a written statement , noting the race will be broadcast live on NBC .
“ While the state will permit us to operate at 25 per cent of capacity , there are still too many unanswered questions for an event that is just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously said it plans to restart its season at Colonial in Texas on June 11-14 without fans attending .
Major League Baseball has proposed starting its season in early July at regular-season ballparks , if necessary without fans .
Abbott ’ s order , however , may not impact the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros because “ stadiums with retractable roofs are not considered to be outdoors , ” health department spokeswoman Lara Anton said .
State health officials did not immediately respond to questions on whether any leagues or event organizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spectators .
The state has set up several guidelines , including a recommendation that spectators and employees keep at least 6 feet ( 2 metres ) apart from anyone not from their household .
If that is not feasible , other measures such as face coverings and sanitation protocols should be followed .
Athletes will not be required to wear masks , but the guidelines encourage them to be worn on the sidelines .
The order does not address college sports events .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
However , most patients recover .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Tanzania leader banned from making statements ahead of polls

NAIROBI , Kenya - A Tanzanian court has found an opposition leader guilty of sedition and banned him from making public statements for one year , just months ahead of the presidential election .
The magistrates court released Zitto Kabwe , leader of the ACT-Wazalendo party , on the condition that he does not make “ seditious ” statements for a year .
It is not clear who decides what statements are seditious in the East African country , and human rights groups have called for the related colonial-era laws to be repealed .
Kabwe ’ s party said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judgment and related conditional discharge is tantamount to censorship , effectively barring Zitto from saying anything critical of the government and the president during an election year , ” vice chair Dorothy Semu said in a statement .
Kabwe has been among the most vocal critics of President John Magufuli ’ s five-year rule .
Magufuli seeks reelection in October .
Rights groups accuse Magufuli ’ s administration of stifling criticism , targeting independent journalism and severely restricting the activities of non-governmental organizations .
Opposition parties have been banned from political activities including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was accused of making seditious statements in 2018 during a press conference in which he asserted that 100 people had been killed in clashes between cattle keepers and police in Uvinza district .
His sentence comes weeks after the national chairman of the opposition Chadema party , Freeman Mbowe , and eight others were sentenced to serve a five-month jail term or pay or fines for charges including conspiracy to commit offences , unlawful assembly , sedition and incitement .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--South Africa has virus testing backlog of nearly 100,000

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa says it has a backlog of nearly 100,000 unprocessed tests for the coronavirus , a striking example of the painful shortage of testing kits and reagents across Africa as cases steadily rise .
“ This challenge is caused by the limited availability of test kits globally , ” the health ministry said in a statement overnight putting the backlog at 96,480 as of Monday .
Priority is given to processing tests from patients admitted to hospitals and health workers , it said .
South Africa has conducted more tests for the virus than any other country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has the most confirmed cases with 27,403 .
One of the latest people to die in South Africa was an employee with the National Health Laboratory Services .
“ We understand this tragedy will certainly test you , ” the ministry said in a message to her colleagues , adding that the government is committed to providing proper protective gear .
That , too , faces shortages across Africa .
More than 3,400 health workers on the continent had been infected as of a week ago , according to the World Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in testing materials , have jolted African authorities into facing uncomfortable truths : Richer countries are elbowing them out in the race to obtain crucial supplies , and the continent relies almost entirely on imports for drugs and other medical items .
“ We have to have Made in Africa products , ” the director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , John Nkengasong , told reporters Thursday .
“ We can not keep importing basic things.
” He and others , including the WHO ’ s Ethiopian director-general , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including for any vaccine or treatment that emerges .
“ Dozens of countries have imposed export controls on medical supplies and equipment , preventing them from being distributed equitably , based on need , ” scores of South African and other health and activist groups said in an open letter to Group of 20 leaders last month .
Complicating matters are global powers like the United States and China promoting aid to African countries during the pandemic as part of efforts to win support on the continent .
But that aid doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump on May 21 said “ we just sent 1,000 ” ventilators to Nigeria , but the country ’ s information minister , Lai Mohammed , told reporters Thursday that “ to the best of my knowledge they have not arrived .
When they do arrive , it will be made public.
” Across Africa slightly under 2 million tests for the virus have been conducted , Nkengasong said , far below the target of testing 13 million people — or 1 % of the continent ’ s population of 1.3 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most populous country with some 200 million people , just under 50,000 tests for the virus have been conducted , according to the country ’ s Center for Disease Control .
Nearly 9,000 cases have been confirmed while worries grow about undetected spread of the virus in the north .
In Ethiopia , Africa ’ s second most populous country with some 110 million people , the health ministry says more than 96,000 tests have been conducted .
More than 830 cases have been confirmed .
By the end of this week 2.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa ’ s 54 countries , Nkengasong said .
Despite the shortages , “ I ’ m optimistic that in the next two to three weeks it will be very different , ” he said , without giving details .
So far African nations have relied on tests donated by the Jack Ma Foundation , sourced via partners including the WHO and procured via a newly created platform that pools African countries ’ purchasing efforts on the international market .
Meanwhile , efforts at domestic production of testing materials have begun in South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Africa CDC has said , with plans to have those countries aid each other in evaluating the products .
“ Africa is a continent that needs its own internal capacity to produce diagnostic kits , ” South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told reporters on Thursday .
“ We need several millions of these kits.
” The supply so far has frustrated health officials .
“ Test kits obviously come in small ratios , obviously a big challenge for us , ” Uganda ’ s health minister , Jane Aceng , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the struggle to obtain equipment to fighting a war , one with no end in sight .
“ It has become clear we are likely to have this pandemic for more than a year or two years , ” Mkhize said .
“ We do understand it ’ s gon na be a big challenge.
” Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Police across US speak out against Minneapolis custody death

LOS ANGELES - Murder .
Brutality .
Reprehensible .
Indefensible .
Police nationwide , in unequivocal and unprecedented language , have condemned the actions of Minneapolis police in the custody death of a handcuffed black man who cried for help as an officer knelt on his neck , pinning him to the pavement for at least eight minutes .
But some civil rights advocates say their denunciations are empty words without meaningful reform behind them .
Authorities say George Floyd was detained Monday because he matched the description of someone who tried to pay with a counterfeit bill at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest .
A bystander ’ s disturbing video shows Officer Derek Chauvin , who is white , kneeling on Floyd ’ s neck , even as Floyd begs for air and slowly stops talking and moving .
“ There is no need to see more video , ” Chattanooga , Tennessee , Police Chief David Roddy tweeted Wednesday .
“ There no need to wait to see how ‘ it plays out ’ .
There is no need to put a knee on someone ’ s neck for NINE minutes .
There IS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you wear a badge and you don ’ t have an issue with this ... turn it in.
” The reaction from some law enforcement stands in stark contrast to their muted response or support for police after other in-custody fatalities .
Sheriffs and police chiefs have strongly criticized the Minneapolis officer on social media and praised the city ’ s police chief for his quick dismissal of four officers at the scene .
Some even called for them to be criminally charged .
“ I am deeply disturbed by the video of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with other officers there letting it go on , ” Polk County , Georgia , Sheriff Johnny Moats wrote on Facebook .
“ I can assure everyone , me or any of my deputies will never treat anyone like that as long as I ’ m Sheriff .
This kind of brutality is terrible and it needs to stop .
All Officers involved need to be arrested and charged immediately .
Praying for the family.
” Typically , police call for patience and calm in the wake of a use of force .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ episodes involving another agency , often citing ongoing investigations or due process .
“ Not going hide behind ‘ not being there , ’ “ tweeted San Jose Police , California , Chief Eddie Garcia .
” I ’ d be one of the first to condemn anyone had I seen similar happen to one of my brother/ sister officers .
What I saw happen to George Floyd disturbed me and is not consistent with the goal of our mission .
The act of one , impacts us all.
” But Gloria Browne-Marshall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice , said she wouldn ’ t be a “ cheerleader ” for a “ handful ” of chiefs who harshly decried the officers ’ behaviour .
“ Any minute progress is seen as miraculous because so little has been done for so long , ” she said .
“ It ’ s nothing close to progress or what outrage would be taking place if it was a white man as the victim of this assault.
” Melina Abdullah , co-founder of Black Lives Matter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t “ particularly moved ” by the relatively few police who voiced outrage .
Abdullah said the three other officers who witnessed Chauvin ’ s actions and did not intervene contributed to a long-standing system of police racism and oppression against people of colour .
“ We ’ ve got to remember that it was not just Officer Chauvin who was sitting on George Floyd ’ s neck , ” she said .
Abdullah and hundreds of others protested what she called Floyd ’ s lynching on Wednesday night .
Some blocked lanes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Highway Patrol cruisers .
Minneapolis is bracing for more violence after days of civil unrest , with burned buildings , looted stores and angry graffiti demanding justice .
The governor on Thursday called in the National Guard .
On Thursday night , protesters torched a Minneapolis police station that the department was forced to abandon .
The heads of the Los Angeles and Chicago departments — both of which have been rocked before by police brutality scandals — addressed Floyd ’ s death and its potential effect on race relations between law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Police Department weighed in .
Eric Garner died in the city in 2014 after he was placed in a chokehold by police and uttered the same words Floyd did : “ I can ’ t breathe.
” It took city officials five years to fire the officer , and no criminal or federal charges were brought .
“ What we saw in Minnesota was deeply disturbing .
It was wrong , ” NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea wrote Thursday .
“ We must take a stand and address it .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reinforce who we are as members of the NYPD .
This is not acceptable ANYWHERE.
” Before he was commissioner , Shea spearheaded the NYPD ’ s shift to community policing that moved away from a more confrontational style favoured by other commissioners after Garner ’ s death .
Harris County , Texas , Sheriff Ed Gonzalez , who also spoke out online , told The Associated Press that law enforcement agencies keep promising reforms in the wake of fatalities , but they are “ not delivering it on a consistent basis.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our profession , we need to be able to call it like it is , ” he said .
“ We keep thinking that the last one will be the last one , and then another one surfaces .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Protest in Hong Kong over China’s move to pass security law

HONG KONG - Dozens of people protested in a mall in Hong Kong on Friday following a vote by China ’ s ceremonial parliament to approve legislation that could severely restrict opposition political activity and civil society in the Asian financial centre .
The protesters chanted slogans in the main atrium of the mall in the high-end Central district , some draping banners over the balconies with slogans such as “ Independence for Hong Kong.
” Police waited in vans parked prominently outside the mall but did not attempt to break up the gathering .
Hundreds of people have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revive the momentum of protests that shut down large parts of the city during the second half of last year .
China ’ s National People ’ s Congress on Thursday voted to approve the bill that will now be sent to its standing committee for final approval .
Details of the final version of the law aren ’ t known , but China says it will prohibit separatist activities and actions that might threaten the Communist Party ’ s monopoly on political power in mainland China .
Beijing and its supporters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against criticism from foreign countries , including the U.S. , which has threatened to revoke special trade privileges granted to the former British colony when it was handed over to China in 1997 under a “ one country , two systems ” framework in which it was guaranteed its own political , legal , social and legal institutions for 50 years .
In Beijing , foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China would not tolerate any interference in what it considers a strictly internal matter .
“ We advise the U.S. side to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China ’ s internal affairs .
If the U.S. insists on jeopardizing China ’ s interests , China will definitely take all necessary measures to fight back.
” Tensions between the administration of President Donald Trump and China are already high over trade , human rights , China ’ s threats against Taiwan and the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump says he intends to make an announcement about China on Friday and officials say he is considering a proposal to revoke the visas of Chinese students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are linked to the People ’ s Liberation Army or Chinese intelligence .
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday visited a Hong Kong bookstore that re-opened in Taipei after its part-owner was abducted to the Chinese mainland , in a show of support for Hong Kong ’ s pro-democracy movement and opposition to the national security law .
Tsai told the bookstore owner , Lam Wing-kee , that her administration will “ provide whatever help it could to our Hong Kong friends.
“ Taiwan this week said it will extend residency rights for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the self-governing island democracy in increasing numbers over the past year .
Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang said the national security legislation is a clear sign that China is not sincere in carrying out the “ one country , two systems “ policy it promised to Hong Kong and which it has proposed as a framework for unification with Taiwan .
“ They are entirely not making good on their promise .
China ’ s commitment to ‘ one country , two systems ’ is nothing but empty talk , “ Su said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be brought under its control by force if necessary .
The two sides separated during a civil war in 1949 .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--CNN crew arrested while reporting on Minneapolis protests

MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota State Patrol on Friday arrested a CNN television crew as they reported on violent protests in @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd , a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police @ @ @ @ @ .
Atlanta-based CNN said that the crew , which included CNN reporter Omar Jimenez , @ @ @ @ @ .
While live on air , Jimenez was handcuffed and led away .
A producer @ @ @ @ @ were also led away in handcuffs .
CNN ’ s communications team earlier said on @ @ @ @ @ arrested “ for doing their jobs , despite identifying themselves — a clear violation of @ @ @ @ @ The Minnesota State Patrol did not immediately respond to an email and a phone call @ @ @ @ @ Press seeking more information on the arrests .
Late Thursday in Minneapolis , cheering protesters @ @ @ @ @ the department abandoned as three days of violent protests spread to nearby St. Paul and @ @ @ @ @ U.S .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Turkey reopens some mosques amid infection slowdown

ANKARA , Turkey - Worshippers in Turkey have held their first communal Friday prayers in 74 days after the government reopened some mosques as part of its plans to relax measures in place to fight the coronavirus outbreak .
Prayers were held in the courtyards of selected mosques , to minimize the risk of infection .
Authorities distributed masks at the entrance to the mosques , sprayed hand sanitizers , and checked temperatures .
Worshippers were asked to bring their own prayer rugs , but some mosques offered disposable paper rugs which were placed 1.5 metres ( yards ) apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows a slowdown in the confirmed COVID-19 infections and deaths in the country .
Later on Friday , Islamic prayers will also be recited in Istanbul ’ s 6th-century Hagia Sophia — the main cathedral of the Byzantine Empire which was converted into a mosque with the Ottoman conquest of the city , then known as Constantinople , in 1453 .
The prayers are being held to mark the 567th anniversary of the conquest .
The Muslim prayers at the Hagia Sophia are highly controversial , hitting at the heart of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , the Turkish republic ’ s founder , converted the building into a museum that attracts millions of tourists , but some Islamic groups want it reconverted into a mosque .
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , who leads an Islamic-oriented party and has himself recited prayers inside Hagia Sophia , has also spoken about the possibility of turning the domed complex back into a place of worship .
Greece has in the past protested the use of Hagia Sophia , the main seat of the Greek Orthodox church and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for religious purposes .
The celebrations marking the Muslim conquest of the city kicked off with Erdogan saluting from the balcony of a presidential summer residence , a flotilla of boats sailing past on the Bosporus waterway .
On Thursday , Erdogan announced plans to lift restrictions on movement between cities and reopen restaurants , cafes , sports centres , beaches and museums on June 1 .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--EU says conditions needed in Lufthansa bailout, seeks deal

BRUSSELS - The EU competition chief said Friday that she is not “ creating extra hurdles “ for Lufthansa after the airline balked at accepting a 9 billion-euro German government rescue package because of what it said were tough EU conditions .
Margrethe Vestager said that EU rules require bailouts to include measures that would maintain a level playing field .
She said they are the same for every company getting more than 250 million euros ( $ 275 million ) in rescue capital .
“ It ’ s to be able to balance the situation and to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Vestager told a news conference .
” And there is very broad consensus about this.
“ During the pandemic , the EU has relaxed some of its rules that seek to keep countries from rescuing homegrown companies and providing them with a competitive advantage against foreign ones .
Relaxing those rules was meant to help the 27 member countries weather the economic shock triggered by the health crisis .
But Vestager noted that they could not be completely disregarded either , particularly since Lufthansa has a lot of market power in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if you hold market power , that if you are a big impressive company , and that you get a lot of aid , that competition will be disturbed , “ she said .
Earlier this week , Lufthansa had said that the EU conditions attached to the bailout would lead to “ a weakening of the hub function at Lufthansa ’ s home airports , ” amid reports that the EU executive was trying to force the company to give up its prized landing slots at Munich and Frankfurt airports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about slots when it comes to airlines and competition , “ Vestager said .
” That does not exclude other remedies.
“ Vestager said the EU wants to find a solution in the Lufthansa case and that the EU Commission remained in close contact with German authorities .
Germany ’ s Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said the aid package is a “ sustainable and reasonable ” solution to keep the company going .
Conditions include the airline not paying a dividend and restrictions on management pay .
The package conditions would also let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwanted takeover .
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told employees April 24 that the company was losing cash at the rate of a million euros ( $ 1.1 million ) per hour and that passenger numbers had fallen to 1 % of previous levels .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Afghan government says Taliban attack on checkpoint kills 14

KABUL - Taliban fighters attacked an army checkpoint in eastern Afghanistan , killing 14 military personnel , the Defence Ministry said Friday .
The Taliban took responsibility for Thursday ’ s attack in Paktia province , calling it a “ defensive action , ” without elaborating .
Javid Faisal , spokesman for the Afghanistan national security adviser ’ s office , said despite sporadic clashes , a truce in effect during the three-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr , which ended Tuesday , would continue .
The Taliban accused the Afghan government of carrying out an airstrike Wednesday killing several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was Taliban fighters .
Neither side appeared ready to return to all out fighting , however .
“ The détente that started during Eid al-Fitr continues despite reports of scattered incidents to the contrary , ” Faisal said .
Meanwhile , a team of five Taliban members were in Kabul discussing the release of Taliban and Afghan government prisoners from .
The Afghan government has released 2,000 Taliban prisoners since the signing of a peace deal between the United States and the Taliban on Feb. 29 and the insurgents have freed 347 captives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghan government is to release up to 5,000 insurgents , while 1,000 Afghan soldiers and police will be freed by the Taliban .
The agreement was signed to allow American soldiers to return home , ending America ’ s longest military engagement .
The deal also calls for Afghans in Kabul and the Taliban to start negotiations to decide the country ’ s future .
Those negotiations have been delayed because of political feuding between Afghanistan ’ s President Ashraf Ghani and his rival in last year ’ s presidential polls , Abdullah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this month and the release of prisoners has raised expectations that negotiations can begin .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Mississippi mayor flouts calls to resign over Floyd comments

PETAL , Miss .
- A Mississippi mayor whose remarks about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody sparked outrage is resisting calls to resign , including from his own town ’ s board of aldermen .
“ Why in the world would anyone choose to become a police officer in our society today ?
” Petal Mayor Hal Marx tweeted Tuesday , the day four Minneapolis police officers were fired .
The 46-year-old Floyd , a black man , was handcuffed and pleading for air as a white police officer kneeled on his neck Monday .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referenced the Floyd case , saying he “ didn ’ t see anything unreasonable ” : “ If you can say you can ’ t breathe , you ’ re breathing .
Most likely that man died of overdose or heart attack .
Video doesn ’ t show his resistance that got him in that position .
Police being crucified.
” Javon Patterson , an offensive lineman with the Indianapolis Colts , and Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Alford both criticized Marx on social media .
“ You know as a former resident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see , ” Patterson tweeted , attaching a screenshot of a Facebook post where Marx again said , “ If you can talk you can breathe.
” “ How could you watch this disturbing video and make such an idiotic comment .
But this guy is supposed to be the leader of ‘ the friendly city , ’ ” Alford , a Petal High School alumnus , wrote on Facebook .
“ This is why it ’ s important to vote people .
You don ’ t want people like Mayor Hal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Aldermen held a special meeting Thursday , voting unanimously to ask for Marx ’ s resignation , the Clarion Ledger reported .
“ Recently , Mayor Hal Marx has taken to social media and repeatedly made comments that have isolated , enraged and belittled individuals in a way that is unbecoming to our city , ” Aldermen Clint Moore read from a statement .
Residents also called for his resignation , and protests are planned for the coming days .
As Marx addressed the meeting , audience members shouted over him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up about me , ” he said .
Marx , who was first elected mayor in 2009 and entertained a run for governor in 2019 , told the Hattiesburg American earlier this week that his remarks were misconstrued as racist , and that he was trying to caution people “ to get all the facts before they judge ” the police .
At Thursday ’ s meeting , he said he and his family had received death threats and called people asking for resignation bullies .
“ I will never surrender to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Mississippi , elected officials can only be removed form office if they ’ ve committed felonies , the Clarion Ledger reported .
Myla Cox grew up in Petal , a town of a little more than 10,000 people just east of Hattiesburg .
She said she ’ s been judged at her college , Brown University , because of her hometown “ Everybody looked down on me because they saw the type of people that run my city , specially you , ” the newspaper quoted her as addressing Marx .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that we are bullies , and you to not hold accountability for your statements that we clearly do no agree with already shows what type of person you are .
”