thetorontostar--2020-06-10--California Assembly backs repealing affirmative action ban

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - A push to change California ’ s Constitution to let public universities and government agencies consider race when making admissions and hiring decisions passed its first test Wednesday as more than two-thirds of the state Assembly voted to put the question on the ballot in November .
California has banned affirmative action-type programs since 1996 when 55 % of voters agreed to amend the state ’ s Constitution to ban “ preferential treatment ” based on race , sex , colour , ethnicity or national origin .
That amendment has withstood multiple legal challenges and legislative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , worldwide protests over racial injustice sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis have given supporters a boost in their quest to bring affirmative action back to California .
“ I ’ m so grateful I didn ’ t have to convince you that racism is real , because George Floyd did that , ” Assemblywoman Shirley Weber , a Democrat from San Diego and the author of the proposal , told her colleagues moments before the vote .
The Assembly voted 58-9 to let voters decide whether to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate concurs by June 25 , the question would be added to the November ballot — further intensifying an election year that already includes a presidential contest .
The repeal effort faces strong , organized opposition among some in the Asian community .
Wenyuan Wu , director of administration for the Asian American Coalition for Education , said Asian American students “ have always been labeled as over represented in good schools.
” “ We worry that the bill , once the bill is passed , that will give the state universities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discriminate against us , ” she said .
Assemblyman Steven Choi , a Republican from Irvine who was born in South Korea , said he opposed the measure because it would “ legalize racism and sexism.
” “ I do not want to live in a state where the colour of my skin or my race or my sex or my national origin determines my qualifications for a position , a job or entering to a college , ” he said .
“ I came here to this country to get away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ban of affirmative action was inspired in part by a 1978 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed public universities to use race as a factor in their admissions decisions .
That case originated from the University of California , Davis School of Medicine .
Since the 1996 amendment , at least seven other states have adopted similar policies : Washington , Florida , Michigan , Nebraska , Arizona , New Hampshire and Oklahoma .
A constitutional amendment in Colorado failed to pass in 2008 .
California is the nation ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also one of the most diverse .
Hispanics surpassed whites in 2015 as the state ’ s largest ethnic group .
As of 2019 , Hispanics make up 39 % of the state ’ s population while whites account for 36.8 % , according to the U.S. Census .
Asians account for 15.3 % while African Americans make up 6.5 % of the state ’ s population .
California State University , the nation ’ s largest four-year public university with 23 campuses and nearly 482,000 students , has a student body that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hispanics account for 43 % of the students while whites account for 22.4 % .
Asians account for 15.7 % and black people make up 4 % of the student population .
At the University of California system , Asians account for 30 % of the undergraduate and graduate student population , followed by whites at 24 % , Hispanics at 22 % and blacks at 4 % .


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Report: Bullet that killed woman fired from airman’s rifle

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. - A bullet taken from the skull of a woman whose body was discovered in northern Arizona was fired from a rifle owned by an Air Force airman charged in her death , authorities said Wednesday .
Mark Gooch has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges in the death of Sasha Krause , a 27-year-old who disappeared from the Mennonite community where she lived near Farmington , New Mexico , on Jan. 18 .
Her body was found off a forest road north of Flagstaff more than a month later .
An autopsy determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher in Texas , died of a gunshot wound to the head and had suffered blunt force trauma .
Results from state crime lab testing indicate the bullet matches a .22-calibre rifle that belonged to Gooch , the Coconino County Sheriff ’ s Office said .
Gooch ’ s attorney , Matthew Springer , didn ’ t immediately respond to a message left at his office Wednesday .
Gooch ’ s older brother , Samuel , was arrested in the Phoenix area in early May after he flew to Arizona from Wisconsin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rifle used in the killing , authorities said .
A grand jury in Coconino County later indicted him on a single felony charge of attempting to hinder prosecution .
Samuel Gooch is not in custody .
It ’ s unclear whether he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf .
Jon Paxton , a spokesman for the Coconino County Sheriff ’ s Office , said Samuel Gooch recently was served with the indictment and no court dates have been set .
One of Mark Gooch ’ s friends told authorities that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .22-calibre rifle because he wasn ’ t allowed to have it at Luke Air Force base where he was stationed .
Authorities seized the weapon , replaced it with a nearly identical one and waited for Samuel Gooch to pick it up before arresting him , the sheriff ’ s office said .
Samuel Gooch told a sheriff ’ s detective after his arrest that Mark Gooch never asked him to get rid of the gun .
“ I made some hard decisions and we ’ ll see where this goes , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audio recording of the interview .

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thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Jacksonville is front-runner for Trump convention speech

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - Jacksonville , Florida , is the front-runner to host the GOP celebration marking President Donald Trump ’ s acceptance of his party ’ s nomination to run for reelection , the Republican National Committee chairwoman said Wednesday .
Ronna McDaniel said reports of a final decision were “ definitely premature.
“ But she made clear that Jacksonville is the favourite now that Charlotte , North Carolina , the official host of this summer ’ s Republican National Convention , has balked at promising Trump a full-blown convention free from social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more things we need to do before we can announce that , but Jacksonville is absolutely in the front-running position , ” she said in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt .
But several Republicans familiar with the negotiations stressed that no final decision had yet been made .
“ Several cities are still being considered , “ said Emma Vaughn , a Florida-based spokesperson for the Republican National Committee .
She said that convention officials were touring Phoenix ; Savannah , Georgia ; Dallas ; and Jacksonville this week and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other potential locations.
” Nonetheless , there were indications that plans were moving forward in Jacksonville .
Hotel rooms have been blocked off for late August — a week after the state ’ s Aug. 18 primary — intensifying speculation .
The RNC has spent the last week scouting locations after Gov .
Roy Cooper , D-N.C. , rejected Trump ’ s demand that the convention be allowed to take place Aug. 24-27 without social distancing measures .
“ The governor doesn ’ t want to give an inch , and what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of dollars for his state , “ Trump said Wednesday at the White House .
He told reporters that many states have volunteered to host , including Texas , Georgia and Florida .
” I think we ’ re going to probably end up giving you an announcement pretty soon.
” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in an earlier interview with Fox News Channel that Trump was “ very frustrated with the politically motivated governor of North Carolina , who is not doing what ’ s in the best interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring economic boom and economic activity and the great resources that would come with holding a convention.
” Cooper has stressed his desire to keep residents in his state safe from the coronavirus .
His press secretary , Dory MacMillan , said Wednesday that North Carolina officials have been “ willing to work together with the RNC on a scaled-down event with health and safety measures , but it wouldn ’ t be responsible to guarantee a full arena as the RNC has demanded.
” The coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially older adults and those with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .
The pandemic has killed more than 112,000 Americans in a matter of months .
The Jacksonville area , home to a major military base , has a population of about 1.5 million .
Mayor Len Curry is a former chairperson of the state Republican Party , and the area is the home base of GOP Gov .
Ron DeSantis , a key Trump ally .
“ While no final decision has been made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front runner , ” the chairperson of the Republican Party of Florida , Joe Gruters , said in a tweet .
“ This certainly has been generating a lot of attention and excitement .
We continue to believe that Florida would be the best place for the Convention.
” Trump has made clear he no longer intends to hold the convention ’ s marquee event — his acceptance speech — in Charlotte .
The RNC voted Wednesday night to allow the party ’ s more mundane business , including discussions over the platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of contractual obligations .
The RNC also approved rule procedures to allow delegates to cast their vote by proxy .
That celebration could generate at least $ 100 million in revenues for the host city , perhaps more .
Florida ’ s prize of 29 electoral votes is considered crucial to Trump ’ s bid for a second term , which could factor into the party ’ s calculations .
Charlotte officials on Wednesday said that despite public comments from Trump and GOP officials , they had not been officially informed of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention .
“ Charlotte remains willing to work in good faith to complete its contractual obligations under the terms of the two Convention agreements , ” a city spokesperson , Cory Burkarth , said in a statement .
Colvin reported from Washington .
Associated Press writers Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg , Fla. , and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report .

Bobby Caina Calvan And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Pelosi calls for removing Confederate statues from Capitol

WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is demanding that statues of Confederate figures such as Jefferson Davis be removed from the U.S. Capitol .
In a letter , Pelosi told a House-Senate committee with jurisdiction over the controversial topic that Confederate statues “ pay homage to hate , not heritage .
They must be removed.
” The California Democrat made the announcement on the very day President Donald Trump vowed on Twitter that he would not rename military bases honouring Confederate generals .
Only a short time before Pelosi ’ s statement , NASCAR announced it would ban displays of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confederate monuments have reemerged as a national flash point since the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white Minneapolis officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes .
Protesters decrying racism have targeted Confederate monuments in multiple cities , and some state officials are considering taking them down .
Pelosi lacks the authority to order the removal of the 11 Capitol statues honouring Confederates but is urging the little-noticed Joint Committee on the Library to vote to remove them .
Senate Republicans share jurisdiction .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ embody our highest ideals as Americans , expressing who we are and who we aspire to be as a nation , “ Pelosi wrote .
“ Monuments to men who advocated cruelty and barbarism to achieve such a plainly racist end are a grotesque affront to these ideals.
” The presence of statues of generals and other figures of the Confederacy in Capitol locations such as Statuary Hall — the original House chamber — has been offensive to African American lawmakers for many years .
Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. , D-Ill. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numerous statues .
But it ’ s up to the states to determine which of their historical figures to display .
Jefferson Davis , a former U.S. senator from Mississippi who was president of the Confederate States of America , is represented by one of two statues from that state .
Pelosi noted that Davis and Confederate Vice-President Alexander Stephens , whose statue comes from Georgia , “ were charged with treason against the United States.
“ “ Several states have moved toward replacing statues and others appear headed in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging , “ said Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo.
, chairman of the Library Committee .
“ As Speaker Pelosi is undoubtedly aware , the law does not permit the Architect of the Capitol or the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to remove a statue from the Capitol once it has been received.
” Pelosi called for removing the statues in 2017 after a violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , shocked the nation .
Republican controlling Congress at the time dismissed the idea .
During her first stint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee in Statuary Hall with one of civil rights icon Rosa Parks .
Lee ’ s statue was moved to a less prominent area of the Capitol .
Rep. Zoe Lofgren , D-Calif. , the top Democrat on the library panel , called for an immediate vote to remove the statues .


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Trump picks Tulsa for return of signature campaign rallies

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is planning to hold his first rally of the coronavirus era on June 19 in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
And he says he ’ s planning more events in Florida , Texas and Arizona as well .
Trump made the announcement as he met with a handful of African American supporters Wednesday afternoon for a roundtable discussion .
Trump ’ s signature rallies often draw tens of thousands of people but have been on hiatus since March 2 because of the coronavirus pandemic , which has now killed more than 110,000 people in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new .
We ’ re looking forward to it , “ Trump said during a White House event .
“ They ’ ve done a great job with COVID , as you know , the state of Oklahoma.
” The rally will take place on Juneteenth , the commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States .
Tulsa has its own troubling history on race .
Its once-thriving African American business community was decimated in 1921 , when a racist white mob killed hundreds of black residents .
Black residents attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , only to see their work erased during urban renewal of the 1960s .
Trump ’ s campaign has been eager to resume rallies as it tries to move past the pandemic , even as cases continue to rise in some parts of the country .
He has focused most of his rallies this year on battleground states , although Oklahoma is reliably Republican .
Trump carried Oklahoma by more than 36 percentage points in 2016 , more than doubling the vote the total of his Democratic rival , Hillary Clinton .
Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loosening coronavirus restrictions , with salons , spas and barbershops reopening in late April .
Republican Gov .
Kevin Stitt ’ s most recent reopening phase places no limits on group gathering sizes as of June 1 and leaves the decision about how closely to adhere to social distancing guidelines up to business owners and local officials .
Stitt said the state was honoured that the president was visiting .
“ The President is making Oklahoma his first campaign stop since March 2 , and his visit here confirms Oklahoma is the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Stitt said in a statement issued Wednesday by his office .
State health officials say 47 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Tulsa County on Tuesday , the most recent county data available .
That brought the overall total of cases reported to the county to 1,308 .
The number of current active cases was put at 274 , an 13 % increase from Monday .
One new death brought the county ’ s COVID-19 death toll to 973 .
In a statement , Tulsa Mayor G.T .
Bynum said the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump visit and the rally venue .
Campaign officials did not respond to questions about why Tulsa was chosen and what safety precautions would be taken for those who attend .
Trump ’ s reelection prospects will greatly turn on how the country grades his administration ’ s response to the coronavirus as well as its response to the death of George Floyd , a black man who died while in police custody after an officer pressed his knee onto Floyd ’ s neck for more than 8 minutes .
Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wallace in Dallas contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Coachella, Stagecoach cancelled this year over virus concerns

LOS ANGELES - The Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals have been cancelled this year due to coronavirus concerns .
Dr. @ @ @ @ @ ’ s public health officer , signed an order Wednesday cancelling the popular festivals outside @ @ @ @ @ are concerned about a possible surge in coronavirus cases in the fall .
Coachella , @ @ @ @ @ festival , and Stagecoach , a country music event , are typically held in April @ @ @ @ @ October .
Now , “ given the projected circumstances and potential , I would not @ @ @ @ @ ” Kaiser said .
Travis Scott , Calvin Harris and Frank Ocean were set to @ @ @ @ @ lineup included Lil Nas X , Carrie Underwood and Billy Ray Cyrus .
Both festivals @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Jon Ossoff wins Georgia Senate primary; will face Perdue

ATLANTA - Jon Ossoff , a young Georgia media executive known for breaking fundraising records during a 2017 special election loss for a U.S. House seat , beat back a field of Democratic primary opponents to win a spot taking on Republican Sen. David Perdue in November .
Ossoff received about 50.5 % of the votes , according to votes tallied as of Wednesday night .
He had maintained a steady lead in public polling and fundraising despite some significant competition from former Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson and 2018 candidate for lieutenant governor Sarah Riggs Amico .
Ossoff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bruising primary runoff that had been seen as likely and sets up a showdown with Perdue as Republicans look to hold the White House and Senate majority .
The election on Tuesday was plagued by problems that , combined with a massive influx of mail-in paper ballots because of the coronavirus , delayed final results .
A lack of poll workers , trouble with new voting equipment , coronavirus restrictions and high turnout contributed to long lines , with 20 of Georgia ’ s 159 counties having to extend voting hours for at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brad Raffensperger sent absentee ballot applications to 6.9 million active registered voters in Georgia , and more than 1 million ballots had been received as of Monday , Raffensperger spokesman Walter Jones said Wednesday .
That ’ s a huge increase in the number of paper ballots that counties have traditionally had to process in past elections .
Ossoff entered the race in September with the endorsement of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis , as well as some built-in name recognition from his highly publicized special election loss to Republican Karen Handel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
He has made fighting inequality and corruption a core part of his message .
Ossoff ’ s opponents often took aim at his lack of experience in elected office , with Tomlinson proclaiming that she was “ the only one in this race who has ever won an election and governed.
” But those attacks seemed to have little effect .
Meanwhile , changes to campaigning necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic , including a move away from in-person events in favour of online engagement , seemed to play toward the strengths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The election had been previously postponed and campaigns forced online because of the coronavirus .
The final days of the race also saw widespread protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Criticism of President Donald Trump ’ s response on both fronts has added fuel to Democrats ’ ambitions of winning in Georgia , where the party is increasingly making gains even though Republicans still dominate in statewide elections .
Perdue , a close Trump ally seeking a second term in November , drew no GOP primary opposition .
Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defending the seat she was recently appointed to in a separate race that won ’ t be filtered by primaries .
Ossoff ’ s campaign took aim squarely at Perdue , with an emphasis on social justice issues and health care policy differences , while leaning heavily on Lewis ’ endorsement in digital and television campaign ads .


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Buffalo adopts policing changes after protester is hurt

BUFFALO , N.Y. - Buffalo will replace its police Emergency Response Team with a new “ Public Protection Unit ” following the suspension and arrest of two ERT members seen on video shoving a 75-year-old protester who fell and cracked his head , Mayor Byron Brown said Wednesday .
The city also will halt arrests for low-level , non-violent offences like marijuana possession and make it easier for the public to view police body camera video under measures Brown introduced as “ a critical first step ” in making Buffalo more inclusive and equitable amid nationwide calls for police accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buffalo away from enforcement and to a restorative model that promotes stronger community bonds , civic engagement and an end to young black men , black people , being caught in a cycle of crime and incarceration by consciously limiting their negative engagement with police , ” Brown said at a news conference .
The changes follow days of negotiations with community leaders and activists , said Brown , whose police force has faced increased scrutiny since a widely viewed video showed officers in riot gear shoving a white-haired protester near the conclusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd in Minnesota last week .
“ It ’ s amazing to see that we have everybody at the table , ” said New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis , who along with Buffalo Bills cornerback Josh Norman joined Brown at the news conference .
The two are part of a group of NFL players working with the league on social justice issues .
“ There is a unique opportunity for unity .
What is happening here is not happening around the country , ” Davis said .
The officers in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were part of a crowd control unit that was effectively disbanded with the resignation of its nearly 60 other members in solidarity .
The Public Protection Unit that replaces it will work with any group that wants to peacefully protest , Brown said .
The former ERT members did not resign from the police department altogether .
The incident has inflamed tensions between the city and police union , which Brown said has been “ a barrier to reform ” by , for example , pushing for costly overtime for police training .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Police Benevolent Association .
Under an executive order , police will issue appearance tickets for non-violent crimes that do not involve property damage , weapons or large drug sales , the mayor said .
The department also will strengthen de-escalation and implicit bias training and convene a commission to examine police procedures .


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Missouri paper owners resign in protest over racist cartoon

COLUMBIA , Mo .
- The co-owners of a family-owned Missouri newspaper resigned from their positions in protest Wednesday after the publication of a racist syndicated cartoon that depicted a black man stealing a purse from a white woman while hailing funding cuts to police .
The cartoon published in the Washington Missourian shows a white woman asking for someone to call 911 , but the masked black man says , “ Good luck with that , lady ... we defunded the police.
” The cartoon was published amid protests across the nation against police brutality and the death of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are pushing to “ defund the police ” — a wide-ranging catch-all term for shifting law enforcement resources - over the death of Floyd and other black Americans killed by law enforcement .
Washington Missourian owners and sisters Susan Miller and Jeanne Miller Wood said in an apology that the newspaper ’ s publisher — their father — made the decision to run the cartoon and didn ’ t let them know in advance .
“ As co-owners we believe it was racist and in no circumstance should have been published , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We apologize to our readers and our staff for the obvious pain and offence it caused .
For the record , we abhor the sentiment and denounce ANY form of racism.
” Publisher Bill Miller Sr. subsequently wrote in a column that the cartoon was meant to convey opposition to defunding police but was “ racially insensitive.
“ “ It was poor judgement on my part and for that I sincerely apologize , ” he wrote .
The co-owners said they resigned in protest because they don ’ t have editorial control to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also said the publication of the cartoon hits close to home because it was their father who chose to run it .
“ Many families have been having these painful discussions in the privacy of their homes , ” they wrote .
“ We unfortunately have to have this debate in a more public way.
” It ’ s not clear what the sisters ’ resignations mean for their ownership of the newspaper .
The cartoon was distributed by Creators , which in a statement said : “ Black Lives Matter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all forms.
” The company has pulled the cartoon and says it ’ s not aware of it being published anywhere else .
“ As a media distributor , Creators neither controls nor censors the content we receive from our writers and artists , ” the company ’ s statement said .
“ However , in this instance , this editorial cartoon should not have been sent and we have pulled the cartoon from all distribution platforms.
“ Cartoonist Tom Stiglich , who made the cartoon , told St. Louis television station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law and order right now , not less.
” “ The rioting and looting was extremely disheartening , “ he told the station .
“ That cartoon was based solely on violent crime numbers here in the US .
To ignore that would be doing a disservice to the reader .
”

Summer Ballentine - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Relatives: Bodies found are 2 kids missing since September

BOISE , Idaho - The bodies of two children uncovered in rural Idaho are a boy and his big sister who have been missing since September , relatives said Wednesday , bringing a grim end to a search that captivated people worldwide but no fewer questions about a case that has put their mother and her husband behind bars .
Authorities have not released the identities of the bodies discovered on the property of Chad Daybell , who married the children ’ s mother , Lori Vallow Daybell , a few weeks after the kids were last seen .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandfather Larry Woodcock told the Post Register in Idaho Falls that “ both children are no longer with us.
” Relatives of JJ , who was 7 when he vanished , and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan sent a joint statement to Phoenix television station KSAZ-TV confirming the deaths and asking for privacy .
It ’ s another gruesome turn in a case that had dragged on for months without answers and grew ever stranger with its ties to the couple ’ s doomsday beliefs and the mysterious deaths of their former spouses .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ searched Chad Daybell ’ s property for evidence , they found children ’ s bodies , and prosecutors charged him with destroying or concealing two sets of human remains .
Then finally , relatives reported that the children they have been fighting to find for months were dead .
Daybell ’ s attorney , John Prior , didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
A judge set bail at $ 1 million during a short court hearing Wednesday .
In court documents , Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped hide the remains knowing that they were about to be used as evidence in court .
Wood said the first body was hidden or destroyed sometime on or after Sept. 8 — the last known day that Tylee was seen — and the second on or after Sept. 22 , the last known day that JJ was seen .
A document that details the reasons behind the charges was sealed after Wood said it could compromise the criminal investigation .
The prosecutor also noted how much media attention the case has received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help preserve Daybell ’ s right to a fair trial .
Lori Daybell already has been charged with child abandonment and obstructing the investigation and is in jail on $ 1 million bond .
Her attorney has indicated she intends to defend herself against the charges , and she is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next month .
Police began searching for Tylee and JJ in November after relatives raised concerns .
Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about the children ’ s whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho .
They were found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case spans several states and began with Lori Daybell ’ s brother shooting and killing her estranged husband , Charles Vallow , in suburban Phoenix last summer in what he asserted was self-defence .
Vallow was seeking a divorce , saying Lori believed she had become a god-like figure who was responsible for ushering in the biblical end times .
Her brother , Alex Cox , died in December of an apparent blood clot in his lung .
Shortly after Vallow ’ s death , Lori and the children moved to Idaho , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small publishing company , putting out many fiction books he wrote about apocalyptic scenarios loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .
He also recorded podcasts about preparing for biblical end times , and friends said he claimed to be able to receive visions from “ beyond the veil.
” He was married to Tammy Daybell , who died in her sleep last October of what her obituary said were natural causes .
Authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell married Lori just two weeks later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s body exhumed in December .
The results of that autopsy have not been released .


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Jaywalking arrest of 2 black teens in Oklahoma under review

TULSA , Okla. - Authorities in Oklahoma are investigating the arrest of two black teenagers who were accused by white police officers of jaywalking in a Tulsa neighbourhood where some areas had patchy sidewalks or no visible footpaths .
Tulsa police on Tuesday released two body camera videos of the officers who handcuffed two black teenagers on June 4 around 5 p.m. for allegedly jaywalking after a video of their arrest went viral on social media .
In one video , two officers approach the pair from behind who can be seen walking in the middle of the street in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbourhood .
Within seconds , an officer tries to restrain one of the teens who becomes visibly frustrated .
The other video shows both officers forcing the teen to the ground as he physically struggles with them .
The other teen tells the teen who ’ s on the ground lying on his stomach to “ chill out.
” An officer handcuffed the teen on the ground as the other teen asked the officers why the teen was getting arrested .
“ All he was doing was jaywalking , ” one officer responds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to talk with him .
Then he had to act a fool like that.
” The arrests come in the wake of the killing of 46-year-old George Floyd , who died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into the handcuffed black man ’ s neck for several minutes even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air .
The nearly 20-minute videos show an officer remaining on top of the teenager who lied on his stomach even after he was handcuffed .
“ Get off me !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t breathe !
I can ’ t breathe !
” the teen shouted .
“ You can breathe just fine , ” the officer replied .
“ You ’ re fine.
” “ Sir , he has handcuffs on .
What is he gon na do ?
” said the other teenager , who later got handcuffed but was sitting on the curb .
The officers repeated to the teenagers that they broke the law because they jaywalked .
Body camera videos show that the area had patchy or no visible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first was forced into a police car as he yelled profanities at the officers .
He called the officers “ evil ” and racist and said they arrested him because he ’ s black .
He shouted , “ Call my mama !
Call my mama !
” “ Because I ’ m black ...
I ’ m a criminal , ” the teen yelled at one officer as they both physically struggled while putting the teen in the car .
“ Black lives matter !
” Body camera footage shows the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second largest city in Oklahoma , with a population comprising about 66 % white and 16 % black , according to U.S. Census data .
It was not immediately known if the teens were issued a citation or formally charged .
Messages and an email sent to the Tulsa Police Department weren ’ t returned Wednesday .
Greg Robinson , a community activist and organizer , said the police department will probably conclude that the officers were following protocol .
“ And they probably were , ” Robinson said .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do we need more enforcement when we don ’ t feel like the police are protecting us ?
We feel like they ’ re hunting us.
“ Tulsa Mayor G.T .
Bynum wrote in a Facebook post that he saw the footage of the teens ’ arrest and that he ’ s working with the police department on the investigation .
“ I want every kid in Tulsa to feel safe to walk down the street in their neighbourhood , ” he wrote .
“ No Tulsa kid should have to fear being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street.
” Tulsa police said the department released the body camera videos to be transparent but that it will not comment on the arrest because the Internal Affairs Unit is investigating .
Meanwhile , the department ’ s Major Travis Yates is facing backlash over comments in an article by Public Radio Tulsa published Tuesday , which referenced an interview Yates did with Talk Radio 1170 on Monday .
According to the article , Yates said research shows that police are shooting black Americans about 24 % less than “ we probably ought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being committed.
” The article also says Yates expressed in the interview that systemic racism in policing “ just doesn ’ t exist.
” On Wednesday , Yates said in a statement that the article made it seem like he said some statements as his opinion without making clear that he prefaced those statements with sources .
The police department distanced itself from Yates ’ comments , saying they don ’ t align with its policies or mission .
Tulsa mayor said Yates ’ comments are under review .
“ I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say what he did , but what he did say goes against everything we are trying to achieve in community policing , ” Bynum wrote in Facebook post referring to Yates ’ comments .


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Judge blocks ICE from civil arrests at New York courthouses

NEW YORK - Federal immigration authorities can ’ t make civil arrests at New York state courthouses or arrest anyone going there for a proceeding because a policy change was made in an arbitrary and capricious manner , a federal judge ruled Wednesday .
The ruling by Judge Jed S. Rakoff came after New York state and the Brooklyn district attorney sued over the policy switch codified in January 2018 .
Several immigrant advocates ’ groups have sued over the same issue in a case proceeding before another Manhattan judge .
Rakoff struck down a federal directive issued in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said caused the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to greatly increase civil immigration arrests in and around New York State courthouses .
Rakoff said the policy was illegal and was made in an arbitrary and capricious manner .
He said the policy stemmed from an executive order that did not “ compel the agency to undertake its vast broadening of the scope of courthouse arrests.
” And he said the agency , ICE , had failed to explain why its actions were necessary .
A spokesperson for federal lawyers who represented the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ICE arrests in courthouses have skyrocketed since President Donald Trump took office , causing what Rakoff described in a December ruling as a rise “ by a remarkable 1,700 per cent or more.
” In that decision , Rakoff noted that over 500 years ago , the English courts developed a common law privilege against civil arrests on courthouse premises .
“ This ancient privilege , incorporated into American law in the early years of our republic by virtually all state and federal courts , has remained largely intact over the centuries @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Police investigate connection between bodies, highway chase

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - A man accused of leading police on a vehicle chase through South Florida earlier this week might be connected to the bodies of two stabbing victims found on a beach around the time of the pursuit , authorities said Wednesday .
Fort Lauderdale police identified Daniel Santo Dovi , 64 , as a person of interest in the double slaying , police spokeswoman Ali Adamson said at a news conference .
Someone called 911 to report the two blood-covered bodies on the beach by Earl Lifshey Park shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday , the Sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified the victims , one of whom appeared to be missing an arm , according to the 911 caller .
A short time later and about a mile to the south , a Jeep Wrangler clipped a Porsche and a golf cart before leading more than a dozen police officers on a nearly 20-mile ( 32-kilometre ) chase .
It ended when a state trooper ’ s patrol car clipped the Jeep and caused it to spin out and flip over on Interstate 95 .
Police said they pulled Dovi from the Jeep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a person of interest in the fatal stabbings because they found several edged weapons and freshly-washed clothing in his Jeep .
He has been charged with eight counts related to the vehicle chase , but he hasn ’ t been charged in the stabbing .
The Broward Public Defender ’ s Office , which is representing Dovi , wouldn ’ t comment on the case .
A man identifying himself as Dovi ’ s younger brother , Chris , attended a Wednesday hearing remotely and told the judge that Dovi had a history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been taken his medications for a year .
Dovi was being held in the Broward County jail on $ 97,000 bond .


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Mexico City to increase COVID-19 testing in break from feds

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday the capital will embark on a large-scale COVID-19 testing effort as the centerpiece of its plan to reopen its economy , diverging from the federal government ’ s strategy , which has shunned widespread testing as a waste of resources .
The goal will be performing some 100,000 tests per month by July and with those results trying to detect and isolate new infections as quickly as possible , Sheinbaum said in a news conference .
It will be paired with an intensive information campaign .
The sprawling city of 9 million — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suburbs — has confirmed more than 32,000 infections and more than 3,200 deaths , both considered to be undercounts because of limited testing .
The city continues to recommend people stay at home if possible , but street traffic has increased considerably in recent weeks as some sectors of the economy were allowed to resume operations .
Sheinbaum promised much more detailed information to track potential infections and their contacts .
She also said that oxygen meters to provide people ’ s oxygen levels would be distributed to at-risk populations and pharmacies @


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Trump administration proposes sweeping asylum restrictions

SAN DIEGO - The Trump administration on Wednesday proposed sweeping — though somewhat vague — restrictions on asylum , seeking to align a legal framework with the president ’ s efforts to limit immigration to the United States .
The moves are only the latest in a series of measures that Trump has taken to limit asylum — this time aimed at changing complicated procedures governing immigration courts .
The Justice and Homeland Security departments said asylum-seekers who clear initial screenings will have claims heard by an immigration judge in “ streamlined proceedings , ” replacing longstanding rules in immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brief press release .
The rules also will allow judges to dismiss cases without court hearings if supporting evidence is determined to be too weak .
They will define when a claim may be declared “ frivolous ” and raise the threshold for initial screenings under the United Nations Convention Against Torture .
The administration will propose new definitions for some ways people qualify for asylum , specifically “ political opinion ” and membership in a “ particular social group.
” Asylum is for people who face persecution for their race , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ membership in a social group , a loose category that may include victims of gang or domestic violence .
Narrowing those ways to qualify would mean more rejected claims .
The administration said the changes would bring more efficiency to an immigration court system with a backlog of more than 1.1 million cases .
The rules will “ more effectively separate baseless claims from meritorious ones , ” the departments said .
“ This would better ensure groundless claims do not delay or divert resources from deserving claims.
” Details will be published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public comment before they take effect .
Lawsuits may delay or derail the effort .
The administration effectively put asylum out of reach for many people at the Canadian and Mexican borders in March under a 1944 public health law aimed at preventing spread of the coronavirus .
The move , intended to be temporary , allowed the government to immediately expel people from Mexico and Central America to Mexico before they make an asylum claim .


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--2 Brazil governors under fire in probes of COVID spending

RIO DE JANEIRO - Two Brazilian governors came under more fire Wednesday over allegations of corruption related to COVID-19 spending , with one having his home raided and another set to face an impeachment process .
Federal police raided the government palace of Para state in the Amazon region as well Gov .
Helder Barbalho ’ s home as part of an investigation into alleged fraud in the purchase of ventilators for treating COVID-19 .
The search order targeted a total of 23 addresses in six states and Brazil ’ s federal district in Brasilia , police said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be investigated in relation to suspect medical expenditures during the pandemic .
On May 26 , police searched the residence of Rio de Janeiro state Gov .
Wilson Witzel as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in contracts awarded for the construction of emergency field hospitals .
Rio legislators voted nearly unanimously Wednesday to begin impeachment proceedings against the governor .
Witzel has promised eight emergency field hospitals , but only one has opened , near the Maracana soccer stadium .
He denied any wrongdoing and said he was the victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at ease about my innocence .
I will keep on working as governor and will prepare my defence .
I am sure that the deputies will judge the facts as they really are , “ said a statement from Witzel , who will continue in office unless the legislative process leads to his impeachment and removal .
Both Witzel and Barbalho have criticized President Jair Bolsonaro ’ s rejection of quarantine measures to contain spread of the coronavirus .
The alleged fraud in Para stemmed from the acquisition of ventilators worth millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for bids as allowed by state of emergency protocols during the pandemic .
The equipment deployment was delayed and ultimately useless for patients with COVID-19 , according to the police statement , which said investigators are looking into alleguations of money laundering and corruption .
The judge who ordered the raid froze $ 5 million in the bank accounts of Barbalho and seven others , prosecutors said .
They said there are indications the governor has a close relationship with the executive who supplied the ventilators and also knew they were inadequate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for any clarification .
I acted in time to avoid damage to the treasury , since the resources were returned to the state , ” Barbalho said on Twitter .
“ I am not a friend of the businessman and obviously did not know that the ventilators would not work.
” During the operation , police found dozens of bundles of cash in a home belonging to Peter Cassol , former secretary of administrative management at the state health department , according to images shown by TV Globo .
In the afternoon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Para government said in a statement that it had already gone to court to file for compensation from the suppliers for damages .
Para is Brazil ’ s fourth hardest-hit state , with about 62,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 3,900 deaths , according to official data , which is considered by experts to be a significant undercount .
Bolsonaro changed the head of the federal police in April , sparking suspicion of political interference in the force as alleged by former Justice Minister Sérgio Moro , who resigned .

Marcelo Silva De Sousa - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Minnesota governor asks lawmakers for justice after Floyd

MINNEAPOLIS - The death of George Floyd is sparking calls for the Minnesota Legislature to remove racial inequities from the criminal justice system in the state where he died and to aid neighbourhoods damaged in unrest that followed .
But it ’ s not clear yet how far lawmakers will go when they reconvene in a special session Friday , given that Republicans who control the Senate have been cool to major changes .
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said his top priority instead will be trying to terminate the emergency executive powers that he contends Democratic Gov .
Tim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and the sometimes violent protests that spread worldwide from Minneapolis .
That hasn ’ t sat well with Democratic lawmakers who want change now in response to the death of Floyd , who died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into the handcuffed black man ’ s neck for several minutes even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air .
“ Black folks are sick and tired of literally suffering from people telling them to wait until the moment is right , ” said Senate Assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American whose district was the site of the encounter .
Democratic lawmakers and governors in several states , including Wisconsin , New Jersey , Arizona and Oregon , are hoping to harness the anger over Floyd ’ s death to remake law enforcement , including new restrictions on the use of force .
A proposal in Colorado would require departments to compile civilian demographic data in use-of-force cases and allow citizens to file lawsuits against police officers for misconduct .
In Pennsylvania on Monday , black Democratic lawmakers displayed a Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban chokeholds , improve tracking of officers who have engaged in misconduct , and expand access to police video .
Walz formally called the Minnesota special session Wednesday as he extended the peacetime state of emergency that he declared as the coronavirus started to gain a foothold in his state .
Minnesota law requires him to call lawmakers back to the Capitol when he extends those powers when the Legislature is not in session .
“ This call to a special session is not just from me , ” the governor said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s that primal scream you heard from people on the street demanding justice.
” The governor offered few specific proposals of his own but endorsed the work of the bicameral People of Color and Indigenous Caucus .
That group has already offered 22-point slate of ideas that would stand a good chance of winning House approval , and they ’ re pressuring Senate Republicans into taking them up .
“ Bold , transformative action is what the public is crying for , ” Walz said .
“ Let ’ s show them that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , Hayden said proposals most likely to advance include modifying use-of-force standards , prioritizing the sanctity of life , codifying the duty of police to intervene when they see another officer using excessive force , lifting the state ’ s ban on cities imposing residency requirements for officers , banning “ warrior ” use-of-force training for officers and banning chokeholds .
Minneapolis has already adopted some of those changes in an agreement with the state human rights department .
“ Minnesota needs to lead the nation in race reconciliation , ” Gazelka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is an opportunity that comes around once in a generation , and what are we going to do with that ?
” But the closest he came to offering concrete proposals was saying that a stalled public construction borrowing bill that ’ s expected to be debated during the special session should include some sort of relief for the inner cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul , including damaged small businesses .
He spoke in only general terms about criminal justice and educational equity issues , and suggested that big changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill needs a three-fifths majority in both chambers , and Hayden has threatened to withhold Senate Democratic votes unless lawmakers agree on addressing racial inequities , giving his party some leverage .
“ Minnesota , and America , is watching to see what our first step will be , ” said Democratic Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent , of Woodbury .
“ We have the opportunity to set the bar high and lead by example , not to tiptoe around this issue of racial injustice .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Wisconsin GOP leader compares Evers to Nixon over recording

MADISON , Wis. - Gov .
Tony Evers ’ office recorded a telephone meeting he had with Republican legislative leaders last month , prompting the Senate majority leader on Wednesday to compare the Democratic governor to Richard Nixon in the latest fallout between the governor and lawmakers .
Wisconsin state law permits telephone conversations to be recorded as long as one person is aware .
But Republicans who didn ’ t know about the recording of the May 14 meeting blasted it as unethical and a breach of trust .
The meeting came after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
Republicans fought the order and in the meeting Evers and GOP leaders discussed the path forward .
Evers ’ spokeswoman Melissa Baldauff provided The Associated Press with the recording under the state ’ s open records law .
She said staff made the recording to make sure any rule they drafted to deal with the coronavirus accurately reflected the conversation , and she said Evers didn ’ t know about it .
“ The recording was intended for internal use only to inform detailed note taking and planning next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release to the media or anyone else , however , we were obligated to comply with the open records law to release these records once they were requested , “ Baldauff said in a statement .
The governor “ has since directed our staff that this will not happen again , ” Baldauff said .
Bill Lueders , president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council , said he can ’ t recall any recordings of meetings governors have with lawmakers previously being released under a public records request or any governor making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin politics for a variety of publications since 1986 .
“ I do think that it maybe would be considered a violation of trust among other participants if they were recorded without their knowledge , ” Lueders said .
“ There ’ s nothing illegal about it , but if you do it you ’ re creating a public record that anybody ought to be able to get for the asking.
” On the recording , Evers and GOP leaders skirmish over how best to move forward , disagreeing on such things as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with the virus -- as Evers wanted -- or whether it could be left to local health officials .
At one point , Evers noted the images of packed bars in the hours after the Supreme Court ruling , suggesting it would have been good if they had reopened in an orderly way with some restrictions .
Fitzgerald challenged that , asking whether Evers had been to a Walmart or Home Depot on a weekend to see big crowds there .
The Republicans , who had a tenuous relationship with Evers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unprecedented violation of trust .
“ In 26 years in the Legislature , this is one of the most brazen examples of unethical , unprofessional conduct I have ever seen , “ Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said in a statement .
“ The governor has gone so far off the deep end , he ’ s making secret Nixonesque recordings from the East Wing of the Capitol .
This conduct is totally unbecoming of our state ’ s top executive and opens up questions about what other recordings his administration may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record the meeting “ unprecedented and outside the norm.
“ “ Governor Evers has dragged partisan politics to a new low in Wisconsin and damaged his reputation and the state ’ s , as well , “ Vos said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-10--Volunteers, Smithsonian want to save White House protest art

WASHINGTON - Almost as soon as the towering black fencing was erected last week to seal off Lafayette Park , the barrier became an art gallery and a sounding board for the demonstrators protesting years of black deaths at the hands of police officers .
Now , with expectations that the fence in front of the White House might be coming down , there ’ s an effort to preserve hundreds of pieces of instant American history .
Both the Washington , D.C. , government and several museums in the Smithsonian network have expressed an interest , but for now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gather up the items and keep them safe .
“ We ’ re trying to be as gentle as we can with everything , ” said Natalie Casey-Sanger , a D.C. resident .
“ I ’ ve heard some people express hopes for long-term plans but nothing concrete.
” Casey-Sanger said volunteers started removing almost everything from the fence late Tuesday night out of concern that it would suddenly be taken down early Wednesday morning .
The National Park Service originally told The Associated Press that most of the fence would be dismantled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course and said it was in “ continuing consultations ” with the Secret Service over the issue .
On the other , southern side of the White House , parts of the temporary fencing were dismantled on Wednesday .
Hundreds of the signs and posters that hung on the fence still sealing off the park to the north of the White House have now been moved across the street and taped to the walls of a construction site , or strung together and hung from trees lining the street .
At volunteer medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for more string to continue hanging up the protest art .
The suddenly bare fence caused some initial confusion among visitors .
“ When we first approached , we were surprised that we didn ’ t see any signs on the fence as we did on television and we wondered , you know , did they take them down because they didn ’ t want them removed or destroyed , ” said Lakeisha Dames , a Maryland resident who brought her 7-year-old daughter , Victoria , to witness the scene .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you could see that all of the signs were still here preserved .
And we are thankful for that because we still have the opportunity to see it .
And it ’ s an amazing thing to experience.
” The fence was erected late at night on June 1 , a few hours after U.S. Park Police and other security forces used smoke bombs , pepper pellets and officers on horseback to violently clear peaceful protesters so that President Donald Trump could stage a brief photo op in front of St. John ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been damaged in the protests .
From signs and portraits to dozens of popsicle-stick crucifixes , visitors immediately turned the fence into an integral part of an open-air protest space that the city government quickly renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza .
The messages , signs and artwork almost blotted out the view of the White House behind the fence .
On June 5 , visitors tied balloons and homemade birthday cards to the fence for what would have been the 27th birthday of Breonna Taylor , an emergency medical technician who was killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Louisville .
Jason Spear , a spokesman for the National Museum of African American History and Culture , said curators from his museum and two others in the Smithsonian network — the National Museum of American History and the Anacostia Community Museum — visited the scene on Wednesday .
“ There are no plans to do anything with the objects nor was anything collected today , ” Spear said in an email .
“ Our purpose today was to build relationships with people on the ground to keep the conversation open for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who ordered both the renaming of the intersection and the painting of Black Lives Matter in giant yellow letters on 16th Street , said earlier this week that the area around the intersection of 16th and H streets directly in front of the White House is “ going to have a central place not just in D.C. history but in American history.
” Bowser on Wednesday said her administration is very interested in “ preserving the artifacts from the protests ” and that employees of the city ’ s Public Works Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the street for safekeeping .
Bowser said she hopes to see the signs and messages preserved “ in our own archives or shared with other institutions.
” Associated Press writer Ellen Knickmeyer contributed to this report .

Ashraf Khalil And Nathan Ellgren - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Turkey sentences US Consulate employee to more than 8 years

ANKARA , Turkey - A Turkish court on Thursday convicted an employee of the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul of membership in an armed terror organization and sentenced him to eight years and nine months in prison , the state-run news agency reported .
Metin Topuz , a translator and assistant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency , has been jailed since 2017 , accused of links to U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen .
The Turkish government blames Gulen for the 2016 coup attempt and considers his network to be a terrorist organization .
Topuz ’ s arrest and subsequent prosecution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The accusations were based on the fact that he had contacts with police officers believed to be members of Gulen ’ s vast network of followers .
Topuz has maintained his innocence throughout his trial and is expected to appeal the verdict .
In his final words in his own defence before the verdict , Topuz told the court that he had been in contact with Turkish police , paramilitary police and customs officials as part of his job with the DEA and had no way of knowing that these officials were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of my duty with the DEA , under the instructions and observation of my superiors , I had thousands of contacts with 309 law enforcement officials to prevent crime , ” the state-run Anadolu Agency quoted Topuz as saying .
“ I committed no crime and had no relations with ( Gulen ’ s network ) , ” he said .
Gulen , who has been in self-imposed exile in the U.S. since 1999 , denies involvement in the coup attempt , which killed about 250 people and injured around 2,000 others @


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Stolen Banksy honouring Bataclan victims found in Italy

L ’ AQUILA , Italy - Italian authorities on Thursday unveiled a stolen artwork by the British artist Banksy that was painted as a tribute to the victims of the 2015 terror attacks at the Bataclan music hall in Paris .
L ’ Aquila prosecutors said the work was recovered on Wednesday during a search of a home in the countryside of Tortoreto , near the Adriatic coast in the Abruzzo region ’ s Teramo province .
It had been “ hidden well “ in the attic , prosecutors said .
No arrests have been made .
French officials last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a black image appearing to depict a person mourning that was painted on one of the Bataclan ’ s emergency exit doors .
Ninety people were killed at the Bataclan on Nov. 13 , 2015 , when Islamic extremists invaded the music hall , one of several targets that night in which a total of 130 people died .
Authorities said they were still investigating how the artwork arrived in Italy and the role of the Italians involved .
They said the discovery was the fruit of a joint Italian-French police investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Teramo Carabinieri Col. Emanuele Pipola said the Chinese nationals who were living in the home appeared unaware that the work was there .
But he said someone else had access to the attic .
L ’ Aquila Prosecutor Michele Renzo said authorities believed the motivation for the theft was economic , not ideological .


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Germany seeks ‘stable’ ties with China, EU investment deal

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel says her country wants stable relations with China and greater access to the Chinese market for foreign companies .
In a statement , her office said Merkel stressed Germany ’ s interest in “ rules-based and free multilateral trade ” during a video call Thursday with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang .
It said she also noted Germany ’ s desire to “ strengthen the World Trade Organization and in stable bilateral relations ” with China .
European Union officials have emphasized the need to maintain good ties to China , a growing economic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the EU ’ s old ally , the United States , have been strained during the Trump presidency .
German had planned to host a summit in September with all EU leaders and China , but that was recently postponed due to the pandemic .
According to Merkel ’ s office , the German chancellor raised the virus outbreak , the situation in Hong Kong and the human rights situation in general during her call with Li .
On trade , Merkel “ noted the need for further steps on market access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies ” in China , it said .
“ The conclusion of an ambitious investment agreement between the EU and China would be an important element there , ” Merkel ’ s office said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--EU urges states to reopen domestic borders from Monday

BRUSSELS - The European Union on Thursday urged all its member countries to start lifting travel restrictions on their common borders from next week , saying that the closures they introduced to tackle the coronavirus do little to limit its spread .
The EU ’ s executive arm , the European Commission , wants Europe ’ s ID check-free travel area to be up and running again by the end of June .
Once that has happened , a ban on nonessential travel to the continent can also gradually be eased .
Unveiling the executive arm ’ s recommendations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s virus-ravaged tourism sector , EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson told member countries that they “ should open up as soon as possible , and the commission recommends to do it already on Monday.
” Johansson said that the virus situation “ is really improving in all member states , the situation is converging , ” and she said that Europe ’ s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported “ that having internal border restrictions is not an effective measure.
” In a report dated May 26 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of transmission through tourism and long-distance travel will probably be small compared to ongoing transmission occurring in the local setting and as a result of local transportation.
” Panicked by Italy ’ s coronavirus outbreak in February , countries in the 26-nation Schengen travel zone — where people and goods move freely without border checks — imposed border restrictions without consulting their neighbours to try to keep the disease out , causing massive traffic jams and blocking medical equipment .
Free movement is a jewel in Europe ’ s crown that helps its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the future of the Schengen area is under threat from coronavirus travel restrictions .
These added to border pressures already caused by the arrival in Europe of well over 1 million migrants in 2015 .
Many EU countries have announced that they are indeed easing internal border restrictions from June 15 , but some remain reluctant to do so , fearful that the disease might not be entirely under control in certain of their neighbours .
Johansson said the Schengen area has to function again before Europe ’ s borders to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission is keen for countries to start easing the ban on travel into the continent by July 1 .
Foreign students , non-EU nationals who normally live in Europe and certain highly skilled workers could be exempt from the coronavirus restrictions from then on .
After the coronavirus began spreading throughout Europe , the EU in March gradually extended a ban on all non-essential travel into the 27 member countries plus Iceland , Liechtenstein , Norway and Switzerland until June 15 .
Ending the restrictions could bring another economic boost .
“ While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the time has come to make concrete preparations for lifting restrictions with countries whose health situation is similar to the EU ’ s and for resuming visa operations , ” Johansson said .
The spread of the coronavirus is easing in Europe , but it remains high elsewhere and other countries still have bans in place on the entry of some European nationals , so the commission is reluctant to lift all travel restrictions .
It is urging European countries to take co-ordinated decisions on whom they let in and from where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free Schengen area allow travel in 26 countries — and base their actions on data from the World Health Organization and the ECDC .
The plan is for the member nations to draw up a list of acceptable countries in coming weeks and add to it , or take countries off , depending on how they handle the spread of the disease .
Johansson refused to be drawn on who should be allowed back in , notably not commenting on U.S. nationals .
But she said that Europe ’ s neighbours from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kosovo , Montenegro , North Macedonia and Serbia — should be on the list from July 1 .


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Florida SeaWorld parks reopen with masks, temperature checks

ORLANDO , Fla. - Two more Florida theme parks were opening Thursday after being closed since mid-March to stop the @ @ @ @ @ .
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are opening their gates with new restrictions @ @ @ @ @ to enter the parks in order to limit capacity for social distancing .
But SeaWorld @ @ @ @ @ future Tuesdays and Thursdays and Busch Gardens will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for @ @ @ @ @ age 2 and up will be required to wear face masks and everyone will have @ @ @ @ @ parks ’ entrances .
The openings of the parks owned by SeaWorld Entertainment come as @ @ @ @ @ industry is coming back to life .
Universal Orlando Resort reopened last week after being @ @ @ @ @ Walt Disney World theme parks will be welcoming back visitors next month .
Follow AP @ @ @ @ @ https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Lafayette Park near White House: A soapbox for social unrest

WASHINGTON - The Trump administration ’ s use of smoke bombs and pepper balls to rout civil rights demonstrators from Lafayette Park near the White House has emboldened protesters and added a new chapter to the site ’ s storied history as soapbox for social and political unrest .
“ Gas us .
Shoot us .
Beat us .
We ’ re still here , ” says a sign hung on the tall black fence erected to wall off the park after law enforcement officers clashed with demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd , a black man who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poteet , a 28-year-old resident of Washington , D.C. , who was injured during the demonstration , has already returned to the area to demonstrate again .
“ I ’ m still going back to Lafayette Square because it is the epicenter of our democracy , ” Poteet said .
She said an officer knocked her down with his riot shield , kicked her in the stomach and hit her with his baton , causing bruising on her torso and personal areas .
As she and the other protesters were coughing from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her feet , she said .
The park , just steps from Trump ’ s front yard , was where an enslaved woman named Alethia Browning Tanner used $ 1,400 she earned from selling vegetables in the park to buy her freedom in 1810 .
Back then , the 7-acre plot was called the President ’ s Park .
In 1824 , it was landscaped and named for Marquis de Lafayette , a French general who was friends with George Washington and fought in the Revolutionary War .
Civil War soldiers camped there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the park ’ s statue of Andrew Jackson .
Women protested for the right to vote in the 1910s .
In the 1940s , women in dresses and hats peacefully protested against lynchings .
“ Lynching in America is a disgrace .
Must it Continue ?
” said one sign .
In past decades , the park has been the stage for protesters decrying wars in Vietnam and Iraq .
Demonstrators have rallied for and against the Equal Rights Amendment , and fought for gay and lesbian rights .
On any given day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Lafayette Park to protest anything from Russian interference in the presidential election to visiting foreign leaders to China ’ s persecution of the Falun Gong religious movement .
In 1981 , William Thomas began an anti-nuclear vigil on the park sidewalk , believed to be the longest continuous anti-war protest in U.S. history .
When he died in 2009 , other protesters manned the tiny tent and banner that said : “ Live by the bomb , die by the bomb.
” Civil rights is again the topic of the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue haven ’ t been common .
“ I do not know of any clashes in Lafayette Park during civil rights protests , ” said Peter Levy , history professor at York College of Pennsylvania and author of “ The Great Uprising : Race Riots in Urban America During the 1960s.
” In 1968 , police clashed with protesters at a march for economic justice for the poor , held after the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. , but that was closer to the Lincoln Memorial , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops outside the Pentagon in 1967 , 1969 and 1970 .
Police action didn ’ t deter demonstrators from returning and Levy said he doesn ’ t think it will keep protesters away from Lafayette Park either .
“ In fact , the opposite might take place , with President Trump ’ s clearing of the park making it somewhat sacred ground for protesters in the future , who will see it as a new symbol of dissent , ” Levy said .
Law enforcement officials say dozens of officers were injured during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 1 and the previous weekend .
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a suit on behalf of protesters and the Black Lives Matter organization in Washington against Trump , Defence Secretary Mark Esper , Attorney General William Barr and other law enforcement officials .
The suit calls the action to shut down the Lafayette Square demonstration a “ manifestation of the very despotism against which the First Amendment was intended to protect.
” Park protesters have gotten different receptions from previous occupants of the Oval Office .
White House butler John H. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smoke bombs , to protesters in the park in February 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy , according to the White House Historical Association .
During the Gulf War , anti-war demonstrators gathered in the park and protesters beat drums and buckets well into the night , reportedly keeping President George H.W .
Bush awake .
Police tried to outlaw the drums by deeming them “ structures , ” which are banned in the park .
“ By keeping their toes under the buckets , the drummers persuaded police their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to a story in the American Bar Association Journal in April 1991 .
“ Police then arrived with decibel meters to enforce noise limits.
” Garrett Bond of Mount Rainier , Maryland , said he had no inkling that the police would turn on protesters at the recent demonstration .
As he fled , Bond , 28 , saw a man leaning against a pillar in the front of St. John ’ s Church .
He was bleeding from the face with what Bond believed was a rubber bullet lodged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It got him right under his bottom lip , ” Bond said , describing the police action as “ unprovoked ” and “ unnecessary.
” As he tried to help the injured man , Bond said , he saw a law enforcement officer in full riot gear jumping over hedges and sprinting towards them .
Bond and others led the man away to seek medical attention .
On Wednesday , Lakeisha Dames , who also lives in nearby Maryland , brought her 7-year-old daughter to see the posters and artwork posted on fences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being removed , allowing people — starting Thursday — to exercise their First Amendment rights again at the doorstep of the White House .
“ I had to come down because I wanted my daughter to see history in the making , ” Dames said , adding that she hoped the posters would someday be displayed at a national museum .
“ Definitely needs to be commemorated and memorialized there.
” Associated Press writer Nathan Ellgren contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Famed Thai temple bars foreigners entry over COVID-19 fears

BANGKOK - One of Thailand ’ s major tourist attractions is barring entry to foreigners , professing fear that they could spread the coronavirus .
Signs seen Thursday morning at the main gate of Wat Pho , the Buddhist temple adjacent to the Grand Palace in Bangkok , said in English : “ Open for Thai only , ” “ ONLY THAI PEOPLE , ” and “ NOW NOT OPEN FOR FOREIGNERS.
” The temple is one of the country ’ s grandest , with murals and gold trim covering many surfaces , but is best known for housing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is covered in gold leaf .
One of Wat Pho ’ s administrative staff explained by phone that the temple committee decided to exclude foreigners because of concerns about COVID-19 .
“ The outbreak is still rampant in many countries , so we have to stay vigilant as advised by the government , ” said Wit Artchinda .
However , there is no known government order to ban foreigners from the temple .
Thai visitors are allowed entry to the temple , more formally known as Wat Phra Chetuphon , which only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two months during Thailand ’ s coronavirus lockdown .
For now the ban has little practical effect beyond excluding expatriates who live in the country , as Thailand has been closed to foreign tourists for two months .
Incoming international passenger flights are banned until at least the end of the month .
Tourism is a huge industry in Thailand and its virtual shutdown has dealt a major blow to the economy .
Thailand ’ s toll of COVID-19 cases has been relatively light , and most recent cases have been Thais who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights .
No new cases were reported Thursday , keeping the total number of cases at 3,125 , with 58 deaths .
The temple staff member also said that many parts of the temple , including the hall where the Reclining Buddha is located , are undergoing construction work that limits access anyway .
“ Foreign tourists have to pay 200 baht ( $ 6.50 ) per visit into the temple , ” Wit said .
“ When they pay the money and can not see so many things that they want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be frustrated.
” He did not say when the temple might admit foreign visitors again .

Busaba Sivasomboon - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Wait to reopen? Some NYC shops run out of patience

NEW YORK - In a city famous for its lack of patience , some businesses have jumped ahead on what ’ s supposed to be a slow and methodical emergence from coronavirus lockdown .
Stores in parts of the New York City have already started to allow customers inside to shop , even though the phased reopening that began Monday only allows retailers to sell merchandise via curbside pickup for now .
At least a dozen customers perused racks of women ’ s clothing Wednesday inside Mini-Max in Brooklyn ’ s Sunset Park neighbourhood .
Shoppers mostly self-policed for social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the store ’ s size , but the only restriction applied by owner , Albert Abeal , was that customers must wear masks .
“ We just opened .
Everybody ’ s hungry for merchandise , ” said Abeal , who has owned the store for about 20 years .
He said business this week had essentially returned to normal , although he didn ’ t expect that to last .
“ They didn ’ t buy clothes for so long .
It ’ s going to slow down in a week.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to have customers inside because it sold face masks and alcohol , although the latter did not appear to be on display .
Food and beverage stores have always been exempt from the state ’ s closure rules .
Other shops in the neighbourhood were also letting in customers .
Mutali Sing , owner of J & M Sneaker , stood at his shop ’ s door and encouraged customers to call ahead for curbside pickup , but said he ’ s had trouble enforcing the policy .
“ Once they see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are open like normal , like you can walk in and do the browsing , ” he said .
He ’ s hardly in a position to turn them away -- not with his landlord demanding he continue paying his $ 8,000 monthly rent .
Customers are not supposed to be permitted indoors at most retailers until phase two of reopening , which could come as early as June 22 , although Mayor Bill de Blasio has said it could be delayed until July .
The cautious return to business is intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has killed at least 22,000 people in the city .
While the number of new infections has dropped dramatically , it has not stopped entirely .
Through the end of last week , hundreds of people were continuing to test positive each day .
As the pressure on hospitals has eased , the financial pressure on merchants has mounted .
Opening for many is an act of desperation .
Eddie Zahoor , owner of Cap & Clothing Sports Inc. , is letting a maximum of two customers into his small sports apparel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunset Park section .
He ’ s giving away masks to customers if they don ’ t have them and has a bottle of hand sanitizer next to the front door .
Zahoor had hoped for a rush of shoppers when he opened Monday for the first time since March 20 but said business has been slow .
He applied for three government grants but was denied for all of them — something that stays top of mind for him as he considers how to follow government guidelines for reopening .
He hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is trying to pay back those bills in installments .
“ My landlord keeps pushing me , ” he said .
“ I told him , ‘ Just wait.
’ ” Jay Han at Honey Fashion is feeling similar pressure .
He ’ s managing the shop owned by his wife , Grace Kim , while she takes care of their children .
Han opened Honey Fashion ’ s doors fully on Tuesday , hoping to do enough business to offset significant financial pressures .
“ Our landlord said , ‘ See @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Oh my God , that ’ s not fair .
They don ’ t care about the retailer .
What ’ s the government ’ s plan ?
What about the small business owners ?
How can I live ?
I don ’ t understand .
I ’ m still waiting to see if they ’ re going to help us or not .
”

Jake Seiner And Kathy Willens - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Belarus: Anti-president rallies cancelled amid detentions

MINSK , Belarus - A Belarusian opposition activist who has been rallying against the reelection of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and collecting signatures to run against him has cancelled rallies in big cities amid crackdown on her supporters .
In a video statement released Thursday , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya urged supporters not to hold pickets and not to collect signatures for her candidacy in Minsk and other big cities in the next few days .
“ Not a single signature is worth the suffering of you and your families , “ Tikhanovskaya said .
Tikhanovskaya is the wife of a popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the mastermind of the campaign .
In late May , he was detained at a rally in Grodno , western Belarus .
The country ’ s Investigative Committee announced this week that he could be sentenced to three years in prison if convicted on charges of violating public order and assaulting police .
The Viasna Human Rights Center , an organization based in Belarus ’ s capital of Minsk , said that some 100 opposition activists have been detained across the country .
Lukashenko , who has relentlessly suppressed opposition and independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in power , is seeking a sixth term in an election scheduled for Aug. 9 .
The 65-year-old leader appears certain to secure an easy victory despite opposition protests .
According to Belarusian laws , candidates need to gather at least 100,000 signatures to run for president .
Aside from Lukashenko , 14 people said they were considering being candidates in the race .


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Stocks slide on concern about pace of economic recovery

TOKYO - Global stock markets tumbled Thursday after the Federal Reserve signalled a long path to recovery from the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic and amid reports of rising numbers of coronavirus infections in many countries .
In the U.S. , Texas and Florida were among the states reporting jumps in the number of coronavirus cases after precautions were relaxed last month .
The total number of U.S. cases has surpassed 2 million .
Globally , India reported a record number of nearly 10,000 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours with health services in the worst-hit cities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swamped by the rising infections .
In South Korea , the latest 45 new cases came in a weekslong resurgence that health authorities said they fear might develop into a massive wave .
Such developments have raised alarm , said Stephen Innes of AxiCorp .
“ After all , a secondary outbreak is nothing to sneeze at as traders remain in a state of risk limbo watching risk assets for signs of continuation or stall , ” Innes said in a commentary .
Wall Street was expected to add to losses from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.4 % and S & P 500 futures down 2.1 % .
New weekly figures for U.S. jobless claims are expected to once show another rise of over a million people .
In Europe , France ’ s CAC 40 was 2.6 % lower at 4,923 and Germany ’ s DAX dropped 2.6 % to 12,203 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 fell 2.4 % to 6,179 .
Japan ’ s benchmark Nikkei 225 sank 2.8 % to close at 22,472.91 , while Australia ’ s S & P/ASX 200 skidded 3.1 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kospi dropped 0.9 % to 2,176.78 and Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng slipped 2.3 % to 24,480.15 .
The Shanghai Composite shed 0.8 % to 2,920.90 .
The outlook for a recovery from the worst downturn in decades is uncertain as states and countries push ahead with reopenings from pandemic shutdowns .
Brazil , Mexico , South Africa , India and Pakistan are among countries easing tight restrictions before their first outbreaks have peaked and before establishing detailed surveillance and testing systems to keep the virus under control .
Health experts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Federal Reserve emphasized Wednesday that the central bank will keep providing support to the economy by buying bonds to maintain low borrowing rates .
It forecast no rate hike through 2022 , which could make it easier for consumers and businesses to borrow and spend enough to sustain an economy depressed by business shutdowns and high unemployment .
In other trading , benchmark U.S. crude oil dropped $ 1.68 to $ 37.92 a barrel .
Brent crude , the international standard , fell $ 1.45 to $ 40.28 a barrel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ yen , down slightly from 107.12 yen late Wednesday .
The euro inched down to $ 1.1359 from $ 1.1377 .


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Officials: Noises on PIA flight to Pakistan scare passengers

MULTAN , Pakistan - Panic gripped passengers when a Pakistan International Airlines plane made unusual noises while returning to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia , but the aircraft safely landed at the Karachi airport , a passenger and airport officials said Thursday .
The scare came weeks after another of the airline ’ s Airbus A320 aircraft went down in a residential area , killing 97 passengers and crew members .
Pakistan International Airlines in a statement rejected local media reports that flight PK-8726 made an emergency landing Wednesday night on its return from Riyadh .
It said a part on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being fixed .
The airline did not provide details about the nature of the problem , which resulted in the plane making noises that terrified passengers who were in a state of shock when the plane landed , according to three airport officials who spoke from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to speak to media .
Passenger Zafar Iqbal told The Associated Press that the flight crew consoled passengers when the plane made unusual noises and “ when the plane landed at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only this information that there was a fault in a part of the plane but we safely landed.
?
Iqbal , who commented after reaching the Multan airport , said passengers prayed and recited verses from the Qur ’ an .
He said some passengers were so terrified they thought about travelling to Multan from Karachi by road .
The airline arranged for another plane to take passengers from Karachi to Multan , a city in eastern Punjab province .
Pakistan ’ s state-run airline has faced criticism since May when its Airbus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two passengers survived the crash that also killed a girl on the ground .
Initial reports suggested the jetliner crashed after an engine failed .
Flight PK-8303 took off from the eastern city of Lahore and was trying to land at Karachi airport when it crashed .
Pakistan will release the initial findings of its investigation into the crash later this month .


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Police: 7 arrested for vandalizing Columbus statue in Miami

MIAMI - Seven people have been arrested for vandalizing statues of Christopher Columbus and Juan Ponce de León in Miami , the city ’ s police said .
The arrests happened Wednesday after a chaotic scene ensued in the city where protesters had a confrontation with police , and a day after a figure of Columbus was torn down in Richmond , Virginia , and another was found beheaded in Boston , Massachusetts .
In Miami , demonstrators spray painted statues of Columbus and Ponce de León , another Spanish explorer who landed in Florida , in Bayfront Park with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ BLM ” ( Black Lives Matter ) , and a hammer and sickle , news outlets reported .
Miami police said officers who responded to the scene were assaulted and their car was damaged .
There is “ zero tolerance for those who hide behind the peaceful protesters to incite riots , damage property , and hurt members of the public or our officers , ” police added in a news release announcing the arrests .
Some protesters had been blocking police cars before the confrontation , news outlets reported .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Herald shows several officers getting out of their car and tackling one protester to the ground while other officers push the crowd from the scene .
“ We ’ ve been peaceful all week long and you just broke that peace , ” Richard Dombroff , a demonstrator , told officers after the confrontation .
Dombroff was given an award from county leaders for stopping people from damaging a CVS during a protest in late May , WFOR-TV reported .
Louis Hernandez , another demonstrator , told the Herald police had “ came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” before the chaos ensued .
The rally on Wednesday was originally organized to honour the death of an 18-year-old man , Israel “ Reefa ” Hernandez , who died after police used a stun gun on him in 2013 , the Herald reported .
Statues of Columbus across the nation are often vandalized on Columbus Day in October as the 15th century explorer has become a polarizing figure .
Native American advocates have also long pressed states to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day over concerns that Columbus spurred centuries of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--1 dead in knife attack at Slovak school; attacker also dead

BRATISLAVA , Slovakia - A man with a knife attacked a school in Slovakia on Thursday , killing one person @ @ @ @ @ before he was killed by police , authorities said .
The attack took place at @ @ @ @ @ town of Vrutky in northwestern Slovakia on Thursday morning .
The establishment operates for children @ @ @ @ @ high school .
The dead victim was the deputy director of the high school , @ @ @ @ @ was identified as a 22-year-old man from the nearby town of Martin , a former @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The Slovak rescue service said three adults and two students were treated @ @ @ @ @ but didn ’ t immediately reveal more details .
Slovak President Zuzana Caputova said she @ @ @ @ @ her condolences to the relatives of the victims and support for those who were wounded @ @ @ @ @ “ Unfortunately , there are crazy people living among us and we ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ situation , “ Prime Minister Igor Matovic said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--European court backs pro-Palestinian BDS protest movement

PARIS - The European Court of Human Rights ruled Thursday that France violated the freedom of expression of pro-Palestinian activists who were convicted for campaigning against Israeli goods .
The court ordered the French government to pay 101,000 euros ( $ 115,000 ) in overall damages to a group of 11 activists .
The global Boycott , Divestment and Sanctions movement hailed the court ’ s decision as a major victory .
The protesters , led by French activist Jean-Michel Baldassi , were convicted of incitement to economic discrimination after taking part in a 2009 demonstration at a hypermarket in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handing out leaflets calling for a boycott of Israeli products .
France ’ s top court upheld the conviction .
But the European human rights court found that the criminal conviction “ had no relevant and sufficient grounds “ and violated the freedom of expression of the protesters .
The court is based in the French city of Strasbourg , and countries that signed the European Convention on Human Rights – including France - are bound by its rulings .
“ This momentous court ruling is a decisive victory for freedom of expression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the BDS movement for Palestinian freedom , justice and equality , ” Rita Ahmad from the Palestinian-led BDS movement said in a statement .
BDS activists say other governments have also tried to use discrimination laws to unfairly target them as the movement has grown in global popularity .
The movement urges boycotts , divestment and sanctions against Israeli businesses , universities and cultural institutions .
Supporters say it uses nonviolence to resist unjust policies toward Palestinians .
Israel says the movement masks its motives to delegitimize or destroy the Jewish state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to BDS activities , citing anti-Semitic attacks in western Europe in recent years .
German lawmakers approved a resolution last year describing the BDS movement ’ s methods as anti-Semitic and reminiscent of Nazi-era calls to boycott Jews .
In the French case , the human rights court described the protesters ’ actions as a form of political expression and a subject of public interest .
It noted that Article 10 of the human rights charter , which guarantees freedom of expression , allows for such protest action as long as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and turn into a call for violence , hatred or intolerance.
” The French government has three months to appeal the decision , but did not immediately comment Thursday .
Amnesty International expressed hope that the ruling would “ send a clear message to all European states that they must stop the prosecution of peaceful activists .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-11--Many more likely sought US jobless aid even as layoffs slow

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government is set to issue its latest report Thursday on the layoffs that have left millions @ @ @ @ @ slowed as many businesses have partially reopened and rehired some laid-off workers .
The pace @ @ @ @ @ in the nearly three months since the coronavirus struck hard , forcing business closures and @ @ @ @ @ .
The dwindling pace of jobless claims suggests that the devastation in the job market @ @ @ @ @ , by historical standards the number of weekly applications remains high .
On Friday , @ @ @ @ @ the economy gained 2.5 million jobs in May and that the unemployment rate unexpectedly declined @ @ @ @ @ still-high 13.3 % .
Reopened businesses appeared to have recalled some laid-off workers faster than @ @ @ @ @ expect hiring to slow with much of the economy still shut down and consumers still @ @ @ @ @ , eating out or attending large events .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press