thetorontostar--2020-06-07--Former Naval Academy trustee apologizes for racial remarks

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. - A former member of the U.S .
Naval Academy alumni trustees issued an apology statement Sunday for racially insensitive comments made on social media .
Retired Capt .
Scott Bethmann was asked to resign as a trustee on Saturday after a live conversation with his wife that was posted on Facebook disparaged admission by the academy of African Americans , Asian Americans and women .
News reports said the couple didn ’ t appear to realize they were streaming via Facebook Live .
“ There are no words that can appropriately express how mortified and apologetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insensitive things we said that were captured on social media , ” Bethmann said in the statement .
“ There is never a time when it is appropriate to use derogatory terms when speaking about our fellow man.
“ The comments were made by Bethmann and his wife , Nancy , while they were watching TV news and discussing the Black Lives Matter movement .
The Florida Times-Union reports they were overheard using a slur for African Americans and making other racial comments on the Facebook Live feed .
The newspaper ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 33-minute accidental stream , which mostly showed a black screen , the video shows Bethmann realizing he ’ s live and pointing the camera at his cream colored couch .
It said he began reading the comments aloud and asked , “ What are they talking about ?
” before muttering “ oops , ” and cutting the feed .
“ These attributed statements do not represent the mission and values of the Alumni Association , the Naval Academy or the U.S. Navy , ” Retired Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders in our communities , we must be inspirations and examples for all citizens.
“ Locklear , chairman of the academy ’ s alumni association , said he accepted Bethmann ’ s resignation as an alumni trustee and asked the chapter in Jacksonville , Florida , to appoint someone else to the position .
Locklear said there about 65,000 members of the Naval Academy alumni association .


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--London, Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro: A look at anti-racism protests happening around the world

LONDON - Thousands of people took to the streets of European cities Sunday to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement , with protesters in the English port of Bristol venting their anger at the country ’ s colonial history by toppling a statue of a 17th-century slave trader .
Demonstrators attached ropes to the statue of Edward Colston before pulling it down to cheers and roars of approval from the crowd .
Images on social media show protesters appearing to kneel on the statue ’ s neck , recalling the death of George Floyd in Minnesota on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against racism and police violence .
Floyd , a black man , died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck even after he pleaded for air while lying handcuffed on the ground .
The statue met with a watery end as it was eventually rolled into the city ’ s harbour .
It wasn ’ t the only statute targeted on Sunday .
In Brussels , protesters clambered onto the statue of former King Leopold II and chanted “ reparations , ” according to video posted on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also graffitied on the monument , reference perhaps to the fact that Leopold is said to have reigned over the mass death of 10 million Congolese .
Protesters also defaced the statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in central London , crossing out his last name and spray painting “ was a racist ” underneath .
They also taped a Black Lives Matter sign around its mid-section .
The day ’ s demonstration in London had begun around the U.S. Embassy , where thousands congregated — most it seemed wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s brutal death and to shine a light on racial inequalities at home .
“ Everyone knows that this represents more than just George Floyd , more than just America , but racism all around the world , ” said Darcy Bourne , a London-based student .
The protests were mainly peaceful but for the second day running there were some scuffles near the offices of Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
Objects were thrown at police .
Police have sent reinforcements and calm appears to have been restored .
Protesters also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the gates of Parliament , where officers without riot gear formed a line .
They were reinforced by riot police who quickly ran toward the scene .
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said violence was “ simply not acceptable ” and urged those protesting to do so lawfully while also maintaining social distancing by remaining two meters ( 6.5 feet ) apart .
But most demonstrators didn ’ t heed that call , particularly in front of the U.S. Embassy .
Police said 14 officers were injured Saturday during clashes with protesters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstration that had been attended by tens of thousands .
Hundreds of people also formed a densely packed crowd Sunday in a square in central Manchester , kneeling in silence as a mark of respect for George Floyd .
In Hong Kong , about 20 people staged a rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement on Sunday outside the U.S. Consulate in the semi-autonomous Chinese city .
“ It ’ s a global issue , ” said Quinland Anderson , a 28-year-old British citizen living in Hong Kong .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see going on in the U.S. and in the other parts of the world , black lives do indeed matter.
” Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in downtown Rio de Janeiro to protest against racism and police killings of black people on Sunday .
The protesters weren ’ t just joining protests against Floyd ’ s death in the U.S. , but also denouncing the killing of black people in Rio ’ s favelas .
The most recent case was João Pedro Pinto , 14 , who was inside his house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a city in Rio ’ s metropolitan area , when police chasing alleged drug traffickers shot into the house .
The protesters on Sunday carried banners reading “ Black mothers can ’ t stand crying anymore.
” In Sao Paulo , another demonstratation ended with clashes between a small group of protesters and the police .
Several dozen demonstrators took part in a Black Lives Matter protest held in Tel Aviv ’ s central Rabin Square .
Many wore blue surgical masks but did not observe social distance guidelines .
A rally in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Square was noisy but peaceful , with the majority of protesters wearing masks .
Among those present was 26-year-old Ghanaian Abdul Nassir , who is studying for a master ’ s in business management at one of the Italian capital ’ s public universities .
“ It ’ s quite unfortunate , you know , in this current 21st century that people of colour are being treated as if they are lepers , ” Nassir said .
He said he occasionally has felt racist attitudes , most notably when riding the subway .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ place to stand , and people just keep moving ( away ) and you ’ ll be , like , ‘ What ?
’ “ Nassir said : “ We ’ re strong people but sometimes everyone has a limit.
” At one point , the protesters , most of them young and some with children or siblings , took the knee and raised a fist in solidarity with those fighting racism and police brutality .
In Italy ’ s financial capital , Milan , a few thousand protesters gathered in a square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many in the crowd were migrants or children of migrants of African origin .
In Spain , several thousand protesters gathered on the streets of Barcelona and at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid .
Many in Madrid carried homemade signs reading “ Black Lives Matter , ” “ Human rights for all ” and “ Silence is pro-racist.
” “ We are not only doing this for our brother George Floyd , ” said Thimbo Samb , a spokesman for the group that organized the events in Spain mainly through social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain , where we live , we work , we sleep and pay taxes , we also suffer racism.
” Frank Jordans reported from Berlin and John Leicester from Le Pecq , France .
Frances D ’ Emilio in Rome , Joseph Wilson in Barcelona , Spain ; Katie Tam in Hong Kong ; Frank Griffiths in London ; Daniel Cole in Marseille , France ; and Marcelo de Sousa in Rio de Janeiro , contributed to this report .
Follow all AP stories about global anti-racism protests and government reactions at https @ @

Pan Pylas, Frank Jordans And John Leicester - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-06-07--High winds, rain as tropical storm makes Louisiana landfall

NEW ORLEANS - Tropical Storm Cristobal made landfall Sunday on the Louisiana coast , packing 50 mph winds and spinning dangerous weather as far east as northern Florida , where it spawned a tornado that uprooted trees and downed power lines .
The lopsided storm moved ashore between the mouth of the Mississippi River and the barrier island resort community of Grand Isle , which had been evacuated a day earlier .
Forecasters said the storm could dump as much as 12 inches ( 30 centimetres ) of rain in some areas .
In New Orleans , the question was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there would be enough breaks in the bands of heavy weather for the city ’ s aging pumping system to keep the streets free of flood waters .
Residents of waterside communities outside the New Orleans levee system — bounded by lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne — were urged to evacuate Sunday afternoon because of the threat of an expected storm surge .
Rising water on Lake Pontchartrain pushed about two feet of water into the first floor of Rudy Horvath ’ s residence — a boathouse that sits on pilings over the brackish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family have lived there a year and have learned to take the occasional flood in stride .
They ’ ve put tables on the lower floor where they can stack belongings above the high water .
“ We thought it would be pretty cool to live out here , and it has been , ” Horvath said .
“ The sunsets are great.
” Elsewhere , water covered the only road to Grand Isle and in low-lying parts of Plaquemines Parish at the state ’ s southeastern tip .
“ You can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” shrimper Acy Cooper said Sunday of one marina in the area .
“ You have to go by boat.
” Though Cristobal was well below hurricane strength at landfall , forecasters warned that the storm would affect a wide area stretching roughly 180 miles ( 290 kilometres ) .
Sen. John Kennedy said in a news release that President Donald Trump agreed to issue an emergency declaration for Louisiana in recent hours .
Gov .
John Bel Edwards had issued a state emergency declaration Thursday .
In Florida , a tornado — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state as the storm approached — touched down about 3:35 p.m. south of Lake City near Interstate 75 , said meteorologist Kirsten Chaney in the weather service ’ s Jacksonville office .
There were no immediate reports of injuries .
The storm splintered and uprooted trees and downed power lines .
Rain fell intermittently in New Orleans famed French Quarter on Sunday afternoon , but the streets were nearly deserted , with many businesses already boarded up due to the coronavirus .
Daniel Priestman said he didn ’ t see people frantically stocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said people may be “ overwhelmed ” by the coronavirus and recent police violence and protests .
They seemed “ resigned to whatever happens - happens , ” he said .
At one New Orleans intersection , a handmade “ Black Lives Matter ” sign , wired to a lampost , rattled in a stiff wind as the crew of a massive vacuum truck worked to unclog a storm drain .
The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans said the city ’ s aging street drainage system had limits , so residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water can pool during inevitable street flooding .
Cristobal was moving north at 7 mph ( 11 kph ) .
Tropical storm warnings stretched from Intracoastal City in Louisiana to the Okaloosa-Walton County line in Florida , the National Hurricane Center said .
Forecasters said some parts of Louisiana and Mississippi were in danger of as much as a foot ( 30 centimetres ) of rain , with storm surges of up to five feet ( 1.5 metres ) .
“ It ’ s very efficient , very tropical rainfall , ” National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Facebook video .
“ It rains a whole bunch real quick.
” Much of Grand Isle wasn ’ t passable , Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet told The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate .
The Louisiana National Guard had dozens of high-water vehicles and rescue boats ready to dispatch across south Louisiana .
Three teams of engineers also were available to help assess potential infrastructure failures , a Guard statement said .
In Biloxi , Mississippi , a pier was almost submerged Sunday morning .
Squalls with tropical-force winds had reached the mouth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Cristobal ’ s Louisiana landfall , the hurricane centre in Miami said .
Jefferson Parish , a suburb of New Orleans , called for voluntary evacuations Saturday of Jean Lafitte , Lower Lafitte , Crown Point and Barataria because of the threat of storm surge , high tides and heavy rain .
Residents were urged to move vehicles , boats and campers to higher ground .
A similar order was issued for several Plaquemines Parish communities .
The parish ’ s president , Kirk Lepine , said the order was issued as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anderson in St. Petersburg , Florida , contributed to this report .

Gerald Herbert And Kevin McGill - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--Virginia officer charged in use of stun gun on black man

FAIRFAX , Va. - A white Virginia police officer was charged with assault and battery in connection with the use of a stun gun on a black man , authorities announced .
Fairfax County police Officer Tyler Timberlake arrived on scene and fired his stun gun at the man after other officers had spent several minutes trying to persuade him to get into an ambulance to go to a detox centre on Friday , according to body camera video shown at a news conference late Saturday .
Timberlake is seen striking the man with a stun gun and then getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officer wearing the body camera .
Once Timberlake is on top of the man , he presses the stun gun into the back of his neck and fires again .
“ Together as a community , through our transparency , we will heal as a community , “ Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. said .
“ This is behaviour we shall not tolerate.
” Roessler said someone had called police about a man walking down a street shouting that he needed oxygen .
On the video , the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Your body needs oxygen ” and talking in gibberish .
The officer who responded before Timberlake had tried to deescalate the situation , the police chief said , adding that it ’ s unclear why Timberlake used his stun gun .
The man was treated at a hospital and subsequently released , Roessler said .
Fairfax County Police are in the midst of a program to outfit their officers with body-worn cameras to improve transparency and community relations .
Roessler said at the news conference late Saturday night that Timberlake deployed force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of force policies and ignored “ the sanctity of human life.
” “ Our nation is righteously angry at the law enforcement profession , as am I , ” Roessler said , in a reference to protests against police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd , a black man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25 .
Fairfax County Commonwealth ’ s Attorney Steve Descano , who was elected last year on a criminal justice reform agenda , also seemingly referenced the protests in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery , which could yield a 36-month sentence for Timberlake if convicted , news outlets reported .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear whether he had a lawyer to comment on his behalf .
“ I can assure you that I am personally following this case closely to ensure a thorough prosecution and outcome , especially during these trying times , ” Descano said .
Also Sunday , police in neighbouring Falls Church said they are seeking information about a confrontation between two white officers and an African American man who was pepper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from two women who say they felt threatened by him .
The confrontation , which did not lead to an arrest , occurred near the site of a Black Lives Matter rally Sunday afternoon in the city .
A video posted on social media shows two officers grabbing the man as he attempts to get in a car .


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--Longtime observers see violent change in Park Police tactics

WASHINGTON - Few have watched how the U.S. Park Police deals with protesters for as long and as closely as Ellen Thomas , an anti-nuclear activist who anchored a continuous sit-in vigil day and night on the pavement in front of the White House over two decades .
So Thomas , 73 , speaks from great familiarity in describing her surprise at the force used by the U.S. Park Police and other law enforcement officers in front of the White House last week at one of the nation ’ s foremost protest spots , Lafayette Square .
Two former Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration also said the response was unprecedented in their experience .
In Monday ’ s violent rout of protesters , authorities sent people stumbling and fleeing with chemical agents , clubs and punches .
“ I was horrified , “ Thomas said .
Now living in North Carolina , Thomas became known to millions of Washington residents and tourists as her vigils made her a witness to the force ’ s handling of mass protests from the 1980s on .
Through protests of wars , inaugurations and other government actions , Thomas said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ever being anything even remotely like this.
“ Trump administration officials , and a Park Police labour representative who also was an officer on duty in Lafayette Square over the past week , are defending federal forces ’ actions .
They say it was justified by the violence the U.S. Park Police have faced in massive rallies following the death of George Floyd .
But two former leaders of the National Park Service , which oversees the Park Police , also said they had never before seen the force act as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great example of crowd control , that ’ s for sure , ” said Denis Galvin , who led the park service as deputy or acting director of the park service from the Reagan to George W. Bush eras .
Jonathan Jarvis , National Park Service director under President Barack Obama , said Park Police officers are trained to spot and isolate handling of troublemakers in otherwise peaceful crowds , in the hundreds of protests they oversee yearly .
They ’ re also trained to peacefully create a wall of officers between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the crowds , Jarvis said .
Any order for the uncharacteristic brute force Monday “ had to come from somewhere above , ” Jarvis said .
Democratic lawmakers are questioning whether administration officials are exaggerating the threat from protesters to justify the administration ’ s forceful response and to serve President Donald Trump ’ s political ends .
They ask why the Park Police , specially trained to safeguard Americans who peacefully exercise freedom of speech in some of the federal government ’ s premier protest spaces in Washington , New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned on largely peaceful protesters .
In 2017 , Park Police officers in Virginia chased , shot and killed a lone motorist , Bijan Ghaisar .
Lawmakers , Ghaisar ’ s supporters and others accuse the force and other federal agencies of failing to be transparent and accountable in subsequent investigations in that prominent case .
The Park Police , part of the Interior Department , is the successor of a federal watch force created by George Washington in 1791 .
“ From May 30 , the U.S. Park Police were under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attack by violent crowds , ” Interior Secretary David Bernhardt told House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva in a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Friday .
Bernhardt in the letter took responsibility for asking for the National Guard deployment at federal monuments in the Washington protests .
Bernhardt said he made the request to the Defence Department at the request of the Park Police .
Trump had called and tweeted for National Guard deployments in cities after protests over Floyd ’ s death in Minnesota turned violent .
Unlike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one had police themselves as the target , one Park Police labour official said .
“ Officers did everything they could , as they were trained , “ in clearing the protest space Monday , said Kenneth Spencer , chairman of the U.S. Park Police Fraternal Order of Police labour committee .
Spencer spoke as a labour representative , but also was on duty last week as security forces faced off with the demonstrators .
Park Police in recent days are “ working 18-hour shifts , taking insults , and taking all kinds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ ’ Spencer said during a break while on duty in the capital late Friday .
He described small groups of “ antagonizers ” within otherwise peaceful crowds lobbing bricks , chunks of wood , water bottles , fireworks and bottles of urine at officers .
Spencer said it was the Park Police — with his support and that of other officers— who had decided Lafayette Square should be cleared of protesters on Monday night .
That was partly , Spencer said , because contractors needed to come in to put up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General William Barr told the AP on Friday that it was the joint assessment of himself and the Park Police that protesters should be driven from the square and that Park Police had come up with a separate , similar plan to extend the perimeter the night before .
White House officials and others in the administration had pinned the decision on Barr .
The White House and the Park Police have emphatically denied that tear gas was used to clear the demonstrators Monday .
But the multiple security forces on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balls .
Federal institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defence have listed tear gas as the common term for riot-control agents .
Whether the common or formal term is used , the effects on people are the same .
Officers still were clearing the street Monday when they received word that Trump himself was coming for what would be a photo stop in front of a church , as he brandished a Bible .
“ We were all dumbfounded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on his way , Spencer said .
“ We had no idea that was going to happen.
” He said budget cuts have reduced the size and flexibility of the force .
Lafayette Square — now blocked by a tall chain link fence — provides the best spot in the country for citizens to protest the actions of their federal leaders , said Thomas , the longtime Lafayette Square demonstrator .
“ There ’ s millions of people who come to the White House every year , ” Thomas said of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most public place that people without any money can use , to get the word out about issues .
”

Ellen Knickmeyer And Michael Balsamo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--Ken Riley, former NFL star, Florida A&M coach, dead at 72

ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. - Ken Riley , the former Cincinnati Bengals standout who was head coach and athletic director at alma mater Florida A & M , died Sunday .
He was 72 .
The school announced the death , saying Riley died in his hometown of Bartow .
A cause of death was not released .
Riley played 15 seasons for the Bengals as a defensive back , with 65 career interceptions — fifth in NFL history — for 596 yards and five touchdowns — all franchise records .
He recovered 18 fumbles .
Before his NFL career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback for the Rattlers .
“ FAMU athletics and the entire Rattler Nation is deeply saddened of the passing of former FAMU football player , head coach , athletics director and NFL great Ken Riley , ” Vice-President and Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha said in a statement .
“ We wish his family our deepest condolences.
” Riley , who was African American , was chosen in the sixth round of the 1969 NFL draft by the Bengals , who under coach Paul Brown decided to convert him to cornerback .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NFL were all but unheard of .
Riley retired in 1983 .
“ Everybody here loved Kenny .
He had everyone ’ s respect , ” Bengals owner Mike Brown said in a statement .
“ When he came here , Kenny and Lemar Parrish had never played cornerback , and they ’ re the two best we ’ ve ever had .
And we ’ ve had a lot of good ones .
We put him over there for a decade and a half and we didn ’ t have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m going to miss him .
He was a good guy and a solid man.
” Riley spent two seasons as an assistant with the Green Bay Packers before taking over as coach at Florida A & M , where he went 48-39-2 from 1986-93 .
He won two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles and was a two-time MEAC coach of the year .
The three-time All-Pro selection is in the Florida A & M and Black College Football halls of fame and was one of 33 players named to the Florida High School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high school at Union Academy in Bartow , The current Rattlers coach , Willie Simmons , said Riley will be missed .
“ I woke up this morning with a heavy heart as I learned of the passing of FAMU and NFL great Ken Riley , ” Simmons said in a statement .
“ Coach Riley was one of the first to welcome me to the ‘ FAMULY ’ and having him speak to our team before our first Orange and Green game is definitely at the top of my list of unforgettable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “

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thetorontostar--2020-06-07--Biden to meet with George Floyd’s family before funeral

WASHINGTON - Former Vice-President Joe Biden plans to travel to Houston to meet with the family of George Floyd and @ @ @ @ @ for Floyd ’ s funeral service .
A Biden aide on Sunday described the plans @ @ @ @ @ .
They did not include attending the service .
Biden expects to give the family @ @ @ @ @ aide , who discussed Biden ’ s plans on condition of anonymity .
Funeral services @ @ @ @ @ viewing for Floyd , who was raised in Houston .
Burial is set for Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ Pearland .
Floyd died after a police officer in Minnesota pressed a knee into his @ @ @ @ @ even after Floyd stopped moving and was pleading for air .
His death has sparked @ @ @ @ @ U.S. and led to a national discussion of police treatment of African Americans and institutional @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--Indiana businesswoman and philanthropist dies at age 77

INDIANAPOLIS - Christel DeHaan , an Indiana businesswoman , philanthropist and founder of a non-profit helping low-income school children , has died , according to the organization .
She was 77 .
DeHaan died at home Saturday after a recent hospital stay , according to Christel House International .
She was a founder of Resort Condominiums International , an Indiana-based timeshare company .
In 1998 , she formed Christel House International , which now serves thousands of students and graduates in India , Jamaica , Mexico , South Africa and the United States .
“ Christel ’ s vision and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who heads a committee at the organization , said in a statement .
“ Her legacy will live on in the thousands of lives she uplifted.
” DeHaan used her wealth to donate millions to Republican candidates and to the arts .
The fine arts centre at the University of Indianapolis carries her name .
While Christel House schools have recently been praised for success , there ’ s been controversy in the past .
In 2013 , the Associated Press found school officials overhauled a grading system to give one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ score .
Condolences poured in over the weekend from numerous elected officials , including Indiana Gov .
Eric Holcomb who called DeHaan called her a “ world renown humanitarian ” whose legacy “ will live on for generations to come .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--Alaska state ferry crew member tests positive for COVID-19

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - A crew member of an Alaska state ferry in the Aleutian Islands tested positive for COVID-19 and sailings were cancelled until further notice , officials said .
The Alaska Department of Transportation said a crew member of the M/V Tustumena tested positive after displaying symptoms Saturday , KTUU-TV reports .
The crew member , who was not identified , had a runny nose , cough and body aches but did not have a fever .
The crew member was isolated from other staff and passengers prior to being tested .
The ferry had 35 crew members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Homer to Dutch Harbor in Unalaska .
Officials determined 16 people working as crew members on the vessel came in close contact with the infected person .
The Alaska Division of Public Health is working to identify everyone who may be affected , officials said .
The Tustumena arrived in Dutch Harbor Saturday after returning to service June 2 .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--Treasure chest hidden in Rocky Mountains finally found

SANTA FE , N.M. - A bronze chest filled with gold , jewels , and other valuables worth more than $ 1 million and hidden a decade ago somewhere in the Rocky Mountain wilderness has been found , according to a famed art and antiquities collector who created the treasure hunt .
Forrest Fenn , 89 , told the Santa Fe New Mexican on Sunday that a man who did not want his name released — but was from “ back East ” — located the chest a few days ago and the discovery was confirmed by a photograph the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under a canopy of stars in the lush , forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains and had not moved from the spot where I hid it more than 10 years ago , ” Fenn said in a statement on his website Sunday that still did not reveal the exact location .
“ I do not know the person who found it , but the poem in my book led him to the precise spot.
” Fenn posted clues to the treasure ’ s whereabouts online and in a 24-line poem that was published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Chase.
” Hundreds of thousands have hunted in vain across remote corners of the U.S. West for the bronze chest believed to be filled with gold coins , jewelry and other valuable items .
Many quit their jobs to dedicate themselves to the search and others depleted their life savings .
At least four people died searching for it .
Fenn , who lives in Santa Fe , said he packed and repacked his treasure chest for more than a decade , sprinkling in gold dust and adding hundreds of rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal figures went in , along with prehistoric “ mirrors ” of hammered gold , ancient Chinese faces carved from jade and antique jewelry with rubies and emeralds .
He said he hid the treasure as a way to tempt people to get into the wilderness and give them a chance to launch an old-fashioned adventure and expedition for riches .
Fenn told The New Mexican in 2017 that the chest weighs 20 pounds ( 9 kilograms ) and its contents weigh another 22 pounds ( 10 kilograms ) .
He said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by himself over two separate trips .
Asked how he felt now that the treasure has been found , Fenn said : “ I don ’ t know , I feel halfway kind of glad , halfway kind of sad because the chase is over.
” “ I congratulate the thousands of people who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries , ” he said on his website .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--China’s Huawei launches ad blitz as UK reconsiders its role

LONDON - Huawei has launched an advertising campaign in Britain as officials reconsider the Chinese technology company ’ s role in supplying equipment for the country ’ s next-generation high speed mobile networks .
The company took out full-page ads in British national newspapers outlining its commitment to providing mobile and broadband companies with equipment for fifth-generation networks , even though “ some now question our role in helping Britain lead the way in 5G.
” Huawei is stepping up its efforts to win over public opinion as it faces increasing pressure from a U.S.-led campaign aimed at persuading allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Beijing could use it for spying or sabotage — a charge the company has consistently denied .
Huawei was granted a limited role in January to build the U.K. ’ s new high-speed 5G networks .
However , last week the U.K ’ s National Cyber Security Centre began a review to examine the impact new U.S. sanctions against Huawei could have on the country ’ s networks , officials said .
The U.S. restrictions on foreign semiconductor makers unveiled last month are aimed at limiting Huawei ’ s ability to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Washington and Beijing over industry development and security .
The sanctions “ will definitely damage the global supply chain of the semiconductor industry , which lots of industries rely on , ” though it ’ s too soon to draw a conclusion about the impact , Huawei Vice-President Victor Zhang told reporters on a conference call .
Huawei faced a setback last week in Canada , where two of the three major telecommunication companies decided not to use its equipment for their 5G networks .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Teen charged with smothering 5-year-old brother in Minnesota

EYOTA , Minn. - A 17-year-old boy is charged in juvenile court with killing his 5-year-old brother in southeast Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ s nose shut and holding his hand over his mouth .
The Eyota teen wanted @ @ @ @ @ “ crying and throwing a fit , ” according to a charging document .
The @ @ @ @ @ by ambulance from the Olmsted County community to a hospital and was declared dead a @ @ @ @ @ Ramsey County Medical Examiner ’ s Office said the boy ’ s brain suffered swelling @ @ @ @ @ by smothering , the Star Tribune reported .
The teen is charged with second-degree murder @ @ @ @ @ faces a hearing Wednesday in Olmsted County court .
It wasn ’ t immediately known @ @ @ @ @ lawyer who could comment on the charges .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Libya’s Tripoli forces press gains despite Egypt truce offer

CAIRO - Libyan fighters allied with the country ’ s U.N.-supported government in Tripoli pressed their advance on Monday , boosted by recent battlefield gains and their rivals ’ withdrawal from around the capital , the warring sides reported .
The push came despite a unilateral cease-fire proposal over the weekend by Egypt , a backer of the rival Libyan forces commanded by Khalifa Hifter , who has waged a year-long campaign trying to capture the capital .
The Tripoli forces , backed by Turkey , gained the upper hand last week after retaking the capital ’ s airport , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city and a string of key towns near Tripoli , forcing Hifter ’ s fighters to withdraw — defeats their command painted as a tactical measure to give the U.N.-backed peace process a chance .
Egypt ’ s proposal , announced by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Saturday , envisaged a cease-fire starting Monday .
Hifter accepted it , as did Aguila Saleh , speaker of the country ’ s east-based parliament .
But the militias fighting to defend Tripoli rejected the proposal , instead pushing eastward toward the coastal city of Sirte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State group that Hifter ’ s forces captured in January .
Tripoli-based Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha said the government side would engage in political talks only after taking Sirte and also the inland Jufra air base , to the south .
The U.S. last month accused Russia of deploying at least 14 aircraft at the base to support Russian mercenaries backing Hifter , a claim dismissed by Moscow .
Taking Sirte would open the gate for the Tripoli-allied militias to press even farther eastward , to potentially seize control of vital oil installations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allied with Hifter shut down earlier this year , cutting off Libya ’ s major source of income .
Libya ’ s national oil company meanwhile said Sunday it has resumed production at the country ’ s largest oil field , after negotiations with the tribes .
The National Oil Corporation said the first production phase at the Sharara oil field , about 900 kilometres ( 560 miles ) south of Tripoli , would start at a capacity of 30,000 barrels a day , and the field is expected to return to full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , within three months .
Allowing the Tripoli-based company to resume oil production could be seen an olive branch to the government in the Libyan capital , which suffered heavy financial losses , estimated at about $ 5.2 billion , since the closure .
Libya ’ s Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj urged the Tripoli fighters to “ continue their path “ toward Sirte , according to a statement posted by Mohamed Gnono , a spokesman for the Tripoli-allied forces .
Gnono posted footage of allegedly captured tanks and vehicles in the outskirts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit , however , said his forces destroyed a military company that included Turkish-made Hausers and tanks , along with a bus allegedly carrying Turkish troops and Syrian mercenaries who have been aiding the Tripoli militias .
Two Sirte residents said shelling by Tripoli militias earlier Monday killed at least eight civilians and wounded six others in the town of Thalatheen , around 30 kilometres ( 18 miles ) west of Sirte .
The residents spoke condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals .
There was no immediate comment from the Tripoli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tripoli-based government and its main backer , Turkey , are eager to build on their recent victories .
Libya ’ s east-based forces are backed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt , as well as France and Russia .
The Tripoli-based government receives aid from Qatar , Italy and Turkey , which stepped up its military support in recent months , helping shift the tide of the conflict .
Sirte was the hometown of Libya ’ s former dictator Moammar Gadhafi , killed in the 2011 uprising .
The city was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegiance to IS , until they were defeated in 2016 .
But Libya ’ s turmoil continued , and the oil-rich country has since been divided between rival administrations in the east and west , each is backed by foreign countries .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--BP to cut 10,000 jobs worldwide amid virus pandemic

LONDON - Energy company BP said Monday that its global workforce will be trimmed by 10,000 jobs as the COVID-19 pandemic slams the oil and gas industry .
Chief Executive Bernard Looney said that the roles will be office-based and come mostly this year .
The company ’ s current global workforce is 70,000 .
The changes are expected to significantly impact senior levels , cutting the number of group leaders by a third .
The company said it will make the senior structure flatter .
The job cuts come amid a time of tremendous change for BP .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminate or offset all carbon emissions from its operations and the oil and gas it sells to customers by 2050 , an ambitious target born out of pressure to help combat climate change and keep making money .
The global energy industry has meanwhile been hit hard by the pandemic as the widespread limits on business , travel and public life reduced the need for oil , gas and other fuels .
Supply was also particularly high when the outbreak began , creating a perfect storm for the industry .
With storage facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil went below zero in April for the first time ever .
The U.S. contract for oil began the year at over $ 60 a barrel , collapsed to below - $ 37 in April and recovered to about $ 39 a barrel as of Monday .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Poll: Pandemic does little to alter US views on health care

WASHINGTON - The coronavirus pushed hospitals to the edge , and millions of workers lost job-based coverage in the economic shutdown to slow the spread , but a new poll suggests Americans have remarkably little interest in big changes to health care as a result of the pandemic .
People are still more likely to prefer the private sector than the government on driving innovation in health care , improving quality and , by a narrower margin , providing coverage , according to the survey by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are basically unchanged since February , when an earlier edition of the AP-NORC poll asked the same questions at a time that the coronavirus was still largely seen as a problem in other countries , not the United States .
“ It does strike me as odd , ” said Gaye Cocoman , a retired data processing administrator from small-town Macedonia , Ohio , who has Medicare .
“ I ’ m covered , but I look at the millions of people who aren ’ t and wonder what in the world they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get sick .
There seems to be no appetite for change.
” The poll found that people are more likely to trust private entities over government at driving innovation in health care ( 70 % to 28 % ) , improving quality ( 62 % to 36 % ) and providing insurance coverage ( 53 % to 44 % ) .
Americans had more confidence in government ’ s ability to reduce costs , preferring it over the private sector 54 % to 44 % .
All of those preferences are unchanged since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ “ Medicare for All ” plan was at the centre of the Democratic presidential debate .
But even with an estimated 27 million people losing employer coverage in the economic shutdown , there ’ s been no groundswell of support for the Sanders plan , which calls for replacing the nation ’ s hybrid system of private and government coverage with a single government plan for all .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , asked last month whether waves of layoffs were prompting her Democratic caucus members to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working families , responded : “ That ’ s not our conversation.
” Pelosi said Democrats are backing measures to tide over workers who have lost coverage — such as expansions of the Affordable Care Act — but “ rather than saying let ’ s take that ( employer coverage ) away from them , we should say let ’ s get them their jobs back.
” It could simply be a reflection of human nature to shelve ambitious schemes during a crisis , said health economist Katherine Baicker , dean of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Policy .
There ’ s only so much available bandwidth .
“ I wonder if the short-term crisis dampens people ’ s appetite for health system reform , ” Baicker said .
“ The idea of upending the health system at this moment ... it may be that people think , ‘ No — let ’ s get a vaccine.
’ “ After the spectacle of coronavirus-related shortages of everything from cotton swabs , to protective gear for nurses and doctors , to breathing machines for desperately ill patients , the poll did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending too little on improving and protecting the nation ’ s health .
That is a significantly bigger share than the 42 % who think the government is spending too little in general .
Still , views on the need for more health care spending were unchanged since before the pandemic .
Christina Rush , a middle school counsellor from Raleigh , North Carolina , is among those who think the U.S. should spend more on health care and cites the virus as a reason .
“ Looking at COVID , I didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material that would be needed , ” Rush said .
“ I would have thought we had what we needed in terms of the medical system , but it seems we were so far behind some of these other countries , like South Korea .
We could be spending more.
” With more than 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 and about 40 million people unemployed , the poll found what may reflect hints of introspection among those who still have jobs and coverage .
In May , Americans were less focused on their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they were very or extremely concerned about Americans in general having access to high quality care , people were less likely than in February to say they were greatly concerned about having access to quality care for themselves ( 46 % to 58 % ) and about their own health care spending ( 35 % to 44 % ) .
Other research is reinforcing that pattern , said Jennifer Benz , deputy director of the AP-NORC centre .
“ Our data are showing that in the midst of a public health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their own situations are holding steady , or even better than they were before the COVID outbreak started to unfurl , ” she said .
Utility worker Nick Zumbusch said he ’ s noticed that shift , too , since the pandemic .
He ’ s seeing it when it comes to workplace gripes .
“ In February , people had all sorts of complaints about their jobs — their daily tasks , their hourly pay , ” said Zumbusch , a father of three from Waconia , Minnesota .
“ Come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole lot of complaining .
It was , ‘ I ’ m happy to be here , and I ’ m happy to have a job.
’ ” The AP-NORC poll of 1,001 adults was conducted May 14-18 using a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.4 percentage points .

Emily Swanson And Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Taliban say they are readying for talks with Kabul leaders

ISLAMABAD - The Taliban have started putting together their agenda for negotiations with the political leadership in Kabul , Taliban officials said , a significant first step toward talks seen as perhaps the most critical next phase in the Afghan peace process .
No date has yet been set for negotiations but Washington ’ s peace envoy is currently crisscrossing the region in efforts advance the U.S.-Taliban accord signed earlier this year .
Zalmay Khalilzad , the architect of Washington ’ s deal with the Taliban , was in Pakistan over the weekend , meeting with the political and military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement on Monday .
The Taliban leadership council , meanwhile , began taking proposals from its members in preparation for the start of negotiations , Taliban officials said , speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media .
They cited Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhunzada , who expressed the insurgent group ’ s readiness to participate in the talks with Kabul .
A sticking point ahead of the talks was the exchange of prisoners between the warring sides .
After stalling for weeks , the prisoner swaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had released 2,710 Taliban prisoners , according to Javid Faisal , spokesman for the national security adviser ’ s office in Kabul .
Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen says the insurgents have so far freed 531 Afghan military and civilian government personnel they held captive .
Shaheen , however , tweeted that the government freed so far only 2,284 Taliban prisoners .
The discrepancy could not be immediately explained , but the Taliban have been counting only those prisoners they had listed as part of the U.S.-Taliban deal .
This deal calls for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Taliban to free 1,000 government and military personnel ahead of the negotiations — an exchange billed as a goodwill gesture .
The accord , signed Feb. 29 , was seen as Afghanistan ’ s best chance for peace and an opportunity for U.S. and NATO troops to leave the war-torn country after nearly two decades of fighting .
The withdrawal of international forces , which has already begun , is tied to promises from the Taliban that they will not allow Afghanistan to be used as a staging arena for attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Washington also wants Taliban ’ s help in battling the Islamic State group , based in eastern Afghanistan and increasingly active in recent weeks .
The U.S. has blamed IS for a horrific attack on a maternity hospital in Kabul last month that killed 24 people , including two infants and several mothers .
IS has also claimed responsibility for several attack over the past two weeks , including on a busload of journalists that killed two people .
Khalilzad , who was in Doha , Qatar , meeting the Taliban at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was expected sometime on Monday in Kabul for a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as well as his longtime political rival , Abdullah Abdullah .
The two have since signed a power-sharing agreement .
Associated Press writer Tameem Akhgar in Kabul , Afghanistan , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--In Minneapolis, rage over George Floyd extends beyond cops

MINNEAPOLIS - To truly understand the rage people in this city felt as they watched a video of George Floyd begging , gasping and slowly succumbing beneath the weight of a police officer ’ s knee , it ’ s necessary to step back in time .
Seven years before Floyd ’ s cheek was smashed against the pavement , Terrence “ Mookie ” Franklin cowered behind a water heater in a dark basement after fleeing police who were trying to confront him about a burglary .
With flashlights mounted on their guns and a police dog leading the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon found him hiding .
Fourteen minutes later , the 22-year-old African American was lying in a puddle of his own blood .
Seven bullet holes pockmarked his head and neck , and three more pierced his upper torso .
As with so many allegations of police brutality in Minnesota , exactly what happened in that basement on May 10 , 2013 , may never be known .
The official account said two officers were shot and wounded after Franklin grabbed a police gun .
But no gunshot residue testing was conducted and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire may have been to blame .
A $ 795,000 settlement reached with Franklin ’ s family last year kept those details out of court .
What ’ s clear is this : The deaths of Floyd , Franklin and other black men at the hands of Minneapolis police have exacerbated the corrosive relationship between people of colour and a criminal justice system they feel is stacked against them .
At every step along the way , they feel choked .
It ’ s a story that dates back more than four decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , flourishing black community fell victim to redlining and discriminatory denial of services , including bank loans .
Soon after , drugs and guns started flooding the area and crime rates soared .
When a fragile truce between gangs and police was shattered in 1992 by the execution-style hit on officer Jerry Haaf , a crackdown followed .
It has perpetuated a culture of brutality and impunity that continues to this day , partly because the department has avoided reform , said Michelle Gross of the city ’ s non-profit Communities United Against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to questions for this story .
But police union president Lt. Bob Kroll has steadfastly defended officers ’ conduct over the years .
In 2019 , when the city ’ s mayor banned “ warrior-style ” training for police , Kroll said the union itself would pay for the instruction .
An AP review of Minneapolis Police Department data found force has been used 11,000 times in the past five years .
Black people accounted for 60 % of those cases , even though they represent only 19 % of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most commonly used , followed by punching , kicking and shoving .
In 2015 , the U.S. Justice Department released a report addressing ways to prevent police misconduct , provide more transparency and improve community relations following a request from Minneapolis ’ then-police chief .
It found there were no clear criteria on the use of force and de-escalation tactics , and that law enforcement agencies either lacked the will or the authority to remove bad officers .
SWAT team member Lucas Peterson , who fired five shots into Franklin ’ s skull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other excessive force cases — including the death of another black man .
In 2002 , not long after joining the force , Peterson , who is white , used a choke hold on Christopher Burns after responding to a domestic dispute .
The medical examiner ’ s office ruled the death a homicide , and a $ 300,000 settlement was paid , though a grand jury chose not to indict .
Four years later , Peterson lied in a police report , saying a woman had jumped on his partner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges were dropped after surveillance video proved she didn ’ t .
That cost the city $ 100,000 .
Incidents that have drawn national attention since then include the shooting of Philando Castile , 32 , during a 2016 traffic stop as his girlfriend live-streamed the aftermath on Facebook .
The Latino officer was acquitted .
And the death of Jamar Clark , 25 , shot in 2015 , when police responded to a report of an assault on a woman at a birthday party .
Police said Clark struggled with two police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an officer ’ s gun .
But witnesses gave accounts that conflicted with that narrative .
No charges were brought against the white officers involved .
Mohamed Noor , a black Somali-American , is the only officer known to face murder charges in an on-duty killing , and his victim was white .
Justine Ruszczyk Damond was shot in 2017 as she approached his car to report a possible rape behind her home .
Noor was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison , and the woman ’ s family received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There it is , right there , in those numbers , ” said Kevin Reese , founder of the Minneapolis activist group Until We Are All Free .
“ It is a prime example of how , here , white life is valued more than black lives.
” In the mid-1990s , skyrocketing homicide rates briefly earned the city the grim nickname Murderapolis .
A gang strike task force was formed to push down crime .
But a class-action lawsuit exposed widespread allegations of misconduct , and the city agreed to a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismantled in 2009 , but many people put away by testimony from its gang experts remain in prison .
In their heyday , police compounded the terror and despair of those living in neighbourhoods already devastated by income disparities , underperforming schools and environmental blight .
Harassment was constant .
Some recalled police stopping youths from playing outside , ordering them to lift up their shirts to prove they weren ’ t packing guns or dope .
One police duo , nicknamed Batman and Robin , is remembered by many in the neighbourhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ Bad Boys ” theme music from the TV show “ Cops , ” taunting residents through their car speakers .
Others known as Red Dog and Wild Wild West were equally feared .
At 18 , Adrian Riley recalled officers becoming enraged when he refused to give up the name of a friend who ran from the cops .
He said they took him to a nearby alley where they kicked and stomped him , before bringing him to the precinct .
He said he was charged with disorderly conduct and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Riley , said she found him curled up in bed , moaning in pain .
“ I snatched the cover off him and I said , ‘ Oh my God .
Who did this to you ?
’ I didn ’ t even know who my son was , they beat my son so bad , ” she said .
Hospital staff told her there was urine in his blood , and he might have died without treatment .
Though Minnesota is viewed as progressive , it ranks among the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That extends to prisons -- black people represent about 7 per cent of the state ’ s population , but make up 36 % of those behind bars .
“ I believe that all of us -- police , prosecutors , defence attorneys , judges , corrections officials -- are complicit.I am complicit , ” said Perry Moriearty , a University of Minnesota Law School professor .
“ We continue to operate within a system that , from its earliest days , has disproportionately criminalized , arrested , prosecuted , locked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laws enacted 30 years ago have led to over sentencing .
In Minnesota , it ’ s possible to get life in prison just for being at the scene of a murder .
And violent crimes are almost never commuted because a unanimous vote is required by the governor , attorney general and chief Supreme Court justice .
When Sen. Amy Kobuchar -- seen as a possible vice-presidential pick -- was Hennepin County ’ s top prosecutor in 1998 , her office worked to convict the alleged killers of two black kids hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The AP spent a year investigating one of those cases .
Myon Burrell was 16 in 2002 when he was accused of firing a gun that killed 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards as she sat at her dining room table doing homework .
It happened blocks away from where Floyd was killed .
In fact , Burrell maintained from the moment he was taken to the police station that Cup Foods -- the same convenience store where Floyd is accused of passing a counterfeit $ 20 bill -- was his alibi .
Surveillance tapes were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story , and friends with him that day were not interviewed .
No DNA , fingerprints , or weapon was found in the case .
Most of the jailhouse snitches used to convict Burrell have since recanted , and police are shown on a video offering a man $ 500 for every name he provides -- even if it ’ s hearsay .
Burrell , now 34 , was sentenced to life .
“ Either an unarmed black man is being snuffed out by a racist white cop , or an innocent black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his life stolen , ” he said .
The second case trumpeted by Klobuchar involved the 1996 gang-related shooting of 11-year-old Byron Phillips .
Two years after his death , Klobuchar put up billboards requesting information .
Not long after , a man named Kawasaki Blanche was arrested .
Police have refused requests from the AP for four months to hand over reports and media files tied to the case , but court records and trial transcripts point to a dubious police probe and prosecution .
There was no physical evidence linking Blanche @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotline tip came from a woman who had 11 felony convictions and 13 aliases .
She received $ 3,700 after saying she saw a gun and overheard Blanche , her nephew and others talking about the shooting .
Before her nephew was scheduled to take the stand , a police officer encouraged the woman to write a letter to her nephew in jail , ensuring his story would be the same .
Eyewitnesses did not testify .
Blanche , now 46 , has been locked up for more than two decades .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two judicial systems here in Minnesota , ” said Burrell , who is housed in the same facility and has now served 18 years .
“ One for blacks and one for whites.
” Associated Press journalist , Angeliki Kastanis , contributed to this report from Los Angeles .

Margie Mason And Robin McDowell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Building works re-start in Paris’ fire-ravaged Notre Dame

PARIS - Works have restarted in Paris ’ fire-ravaged Notre Dame cathedral after a hiatus linked to the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ began to dismantle scaffolding that was already in place before the April 2019 fire amid @ @ @ @ @ old structures .
This current phase of works has been deemed highly dangerous because the @ @ @ @ @ , and is thought to have melted together in areas because of the heat of @ @ @ @ @ access the interior of the cathedral by rope to dismantle the 40,000 tubes , one @ @ @ @ @ is expected to last three months .
President Emmanuel Macron announced a timeline of five @ @ @ @ @ , a figure widely deemed unrealistic .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Bangladesh arrests at least 19 suspected people smugglers

DHAKA , Bangladesh - Authorities in Bangladesh have arrested at least 19 suspected people smugglers following the killings last month of 26 Bangladeshis in Libya who were trying to reach Europe illegally , police said Monday .
Detectives have arrested six people since Sunday in Dhaka , Bangladesh ’ s capital , in connection with the migrant workers who were killed or injured in Libya , raising the total number of detained suspects to 19 , said Abdul Baten , additional commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police .
A series of arrests have been made in Dhaka and elsewhere in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police chief saying the people smugglers will not be spared .
In last month ’ s attack in Libya , the family of a slain Libyan human trafficker attacked a group of migrants in a town that recently had changed hands amid the fighting over the country ’ s capital , killing 26 Bangladeshis and four African migrants .
The Libyan government has said 11 other Bangladeshis were wounded in the May 28 attack .
The U.N. migration agency said the migrants were shot and killed in a smuggling warehouse in the desert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of migrants were being held .
Baten said the crackdown on the rogue recruiters of migrant workers and human smugglers continued after two separate cases were filed by the victims ’ families following the killings .
He said it appeared that the victims of the attack had been trafficked to Libya via India , the United Arab Emirates and Egypt .
He also said the victims were detained in various camps in the North African nation and subjected to physical and mental torture .
The traffickers made video and audio recordings of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bangladesh to extract money , Baten said .
Bangladesh ’ s inspector general of police , Benazir Ahmed , had earlier said that “ the way our people were brutally killed is unacceptable.
” “ No one will be spared who has deceived our citizens … took them overseas and are responsible for these miserable deaths , ” he said .
Migrants fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East typically pass through Libya on their way to Europe , departing Tripoli ’ s rocky coast in inflatable dinghies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European Union to keep migrants from reaching European shores , intercepts boats at sea and returns them to Libya , where many migrants land in detention centres rife with torture and abuse .
Sending workers abroad is crucial for Bangladesh ’ s economy .
Some 10 million Bangladeshis working overseas send home about $ 20 billion per year .
Saudi Arabia has long been the largest source of remittances , followed by the UAE , Qatar , Oman , Bahrain , Kuwait , Libya , Iraq , Singapore , Malaysia , the @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Democrats look to counter GOP vote-by-mail fraud claims

WASHINGTON - Democrats are mounting a new effort to push back against a well-funded Republican campaign that seeks to undermine public confidence in mail-in voting , which President Donald Trump has said , without offering proof , will lead to election fraud .
Fair Fight , an organization led by former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams , has joined forces with Priorities USA , the largest Democratic outside group , and American Bridge , the party ’ s opposition research clearinghouse , to form a new effort called Voter Suppression Watch .
The aim is to not only counter Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too , while playing offence by providing opposition research that often forms the grist of critical news stories .
“ The 2020 election is the most pivotal election that I can think of , and we have known for a while that there would be efforts made to suppress the vote , ” Abrams said Sunday in an interview with The Associated Press .
“ We need to not only have a concerted effort to push back , but we need to raise awareness , too.
” Even before the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was playing out in a handful of state courts .
But now that the virus has raised fears that in-person voting could be a threat to the elderly , those in poor health and people of colour , whom statistics show have disproportionately borne the brunt of its effects , efforts to expand voting by mail have faced stiff opposition from Trump and his allies .
They argue , without offering evidence , that it will lead to increased voter fraud , even as they have encouraged Republicans to cast ballots by mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump casts his own ballots by mail .
Democrats say the Republican opposition to mail voting is also a smokescreen being used to push for broader voting limitations .
“ While everyone is focusing on the vote-by-mail argument , the architecture of their work is incredibly broad , ” Abrams said .
“ One of our missions will be to raise the resources necessary to push back against their efforts across the country.
” Over more than a decade , Republicans have enacted laws at the state level that Democrats argue makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
These include voter ID laws , efforts to limit polling locations in urban areas and rules that limit early voting .
Republicans have argued that their efforts are aimed at limiting widespread voter fraud , though there ’ s little evidence to back those claims up .
Bolstered by a federal court ruling , for the first time in decades , the GOP will also be allowed to conduct poll monitoring on election day in November .
Historically , there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud through mail-in voting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandiose theories casting doubt on the method .
Trump has encouraged the skepticism , saying during a televised briefing that “ a lot of people cheat with mail-in voting.
” Last month , he tweeted : “ Don ’ t allow RIGGED ELECTIONS !
” Democrats and voting rights groups contend they simply want to protect the voting rights of all citizens , and they note that repeated studies have found no widespread fraud and no partisan benefit to expanded voting .
“ We want to build a strong coalition to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican side doesn ’ t go unanswered , ” said Aneesa McMillan , the director of strategic communications and voting rights at Priorities USA .
Thus far , the new Democratic coalition has not raised additional funds for the effort , though that could change .
Abrams , who is among those being considered for Joe Biden ’ s running mate , said she aims to raise millions for the cause .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s a path for Trump getting reelected without voter suppression tactics , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is one of the founders of American Bridge .
“ While there ’ s an improbable path for Trump to get an Electoral College victory , donors should be paying attention and giving to the overall effort.
” His group has already unearthed evidence that Trump and his allies aim to limit ballot access .
A recording the group provided to the AP in December revealed a Trump adviser told Republicans in Wisconsin , a crucial battleground state , that the GOP was counting on voter suppression tactics to provide an edge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s always been Republicans suppressing votes in places , ” Justin Clark , a senior political adviser and senior counsel to Trump ’ s reelection campaign , told Wisconsin Republicans at a November 2019 event .
“ Let ’ s start playing offence a little bit .
That ’ s what you ’ re going to see in 2020 .
It ’ s going to be a much bigger program , a much more aggressive program , a much better-funded program.
” Democrats say Trump ’ s claims of voter fraud have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the party into a broader culture war issue .
“ You can immediately see it is political , ” said McMillan .
“ The bad thing about Donald Trump is that he says the first thing that comes to his mind ; the good thing about Donald Trump is that he says the first thing that comes to mind.
” Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

Brian Slodysko And Nicholas Riccardi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Virus, racial unrest force Trump campaign to recalibrate

WASHINGTON - Less than five months before voters will decide his fate , President Donald Trump is confronting a vastly different political reality than he once envisioned .
For starters , if the election were held today , he ’ d likely lose .
The president , West Wing advisers and campaign aides have grown increasingly concerned about his reelection chances as they ’ ve watched Trump ’ s standing take a pummeling first on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and now during a nationwide wave of protests against racial injustice .
His allies worry the president has achieved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do : igniting enthusiasm in a Democratic Party base that ’ s been lukewarm to former Vice-President Joe Biden .
Trump was facing tougher political prospects even before the death of George Floyd , the black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee for almost nine minutes into Floyd ’ s neck last month .
COVID-19 ’ s mounting human and economic tolls -– and the president ’ s defiant response –- cost him support among constituencies his campaign believes are key to victory in November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , and his cash advantage over Biden , while vast , wasn ’ t growing as quickly as hoped because the pandemic put a halt to high-dollar fundraisers .
Internal campaign surveys and public polling showed a steady erosion in support for Trump among older people and in battleground states once believed to be leaning decisively in the president ’ s direction , according to six current and former campaign officials not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations .
The campaign recently launched a television ad blitz in Ohio , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points four years ago , and it sees trouble in Arizona and warning signs in once-deep-red Georgia .
Trump aides have warned the president that the renewed national conversation about racial injustice and the president ’ s big “ law and order ” push have animated parts of the Democratic base — black and younger voters — whose lagging enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton in 2016 cleared the way for Trump ’ s narrow victory .
“ I have polls , ” Trump told Fox News Radio on Thursday , dismissing a spate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key states .
“ Just like last time , I was losing to Hillary in every state , and I won every state.
” Though outwardly confident , Trump has complained to advisers in their roughly weekly White House meetings about the perception that he is losing to Biden and has pressed his aides for strategies to improve his standing .
Late last month , the Trump campaign moved two veteran political aides into senior leadership roles , reflective of an effort to bring more experience to the campaign team .
And on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former communications chief Jason Miller as a senior adviser as well .
The White House seized on better-than-expected economic news Friday — the nation added 2.5 million jobs in May and the unemployment rate fell — with an over-the-top victory lap , selling it as a sign of a post-pandemic economic comeback that the president ’ s advisers believe will be the single most important factor in victory in November .
The campaign ’ s plan had been to spend the spring of 2020 trying to negatively define Biden , a strategy that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American shores .
Trump ’ s aides have been frustrated that the pandemic has allowed Biden to largely stay out of public sight ; they believe the gaffe-prone Democrat often damages himself when speaking in public settings .
Now discussions are underway for a renewed effort to attack Biden on several fronts , according to the officials .
Among the lines of attack : his ties to China , which the White House blames for the spread of the pandemic ; Hunter Biden , the vice-president ’ s son , whom aides believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corruption ; and Biden ’ s support for a 1994 crime bill , which Trump says helped create conditions that have led to the unrest in American cities .
“ A lot of Americans know of Joe Biden , but not too many know Joe Biden .
And our job is to educate voters about the real Joe Biden , ” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtagh .
“ He ’ s sided with the rioters .
He ’ s barely made a passing reference to all the violence that happened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ too.
“ Driving up Biden ’ s negative ratings is an imperative for the Trump team : It sees little it can do to increase the president ’ s own favourability numbers , which have been stubbornly underwater since Trump took office .
In 2016 , Clinton ’ s negative favourability ratings were nearly as high as Trump ’ s , and voters who disliked both candidates largely broke for Trump .
But those same type of voters , at least for now , favour Biden this time around and the former vice-president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Trump campaign keeps calling the same play , talking a big game and then getting smoked on the field , “ said Biden campaign spokesman TJ Ducklo .
” The Trump Campaign and their Super PAC have spent nearly $ 20 million attacking Biden since April 1 , and they have watched Trump steadily decline in the polls.
“ Trump has tried to adjust to the new reality in which packed rallies are prohibited by social distancing requirements .
He ’ s been scheduling taxpayer-funded official trips to battleground states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Friday ’ s trip to Maine was the latest White House visit doubling as a campaign stop , following others to Michigan , Pennsylvania , Florida and Arizona .
But Trump has been hankering for a return to his old mainstay , so much so that he yanked the public-facing parts of the Republican National Convention from North Carolina , casting doubt on millions of dollars of commitments and more than a year of planning .
Now the boring business of the convention will remain in Charlotte , but the celebratory aspects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will allow Trump to put on the show he desires .
While Trump has demanded that the campaign prepare to schedule rallies as soon as the summer , aides have cautioned that it could be risky to fill an arena — creating the potential for negative news stories if the virus were found to have spread at a campaign event .
And that is if they could even persuade the requisite crowds to gather before there is a vaccine .
Follow Lemire on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/ @ JonLemire and Miller at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story has been corrected to show George Floyd died last month , not last week .

Jonathan Lemire And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Panda escapes from enclosure at Danish zoo; returned safely

COPENHAGEN - One of Copenhagen Zoo ’ s giant pandas escaped from its enclosure early Monday and roamed the park before staff were able to sedate it and bring it back .
Xing Er , a 7-year-old male who arrived at the zoo last year , was seen on surveillance video breaking out of the newly built , 160 million-kroner ( $ 24.2 million ) Panda House that also houses female panda Mao Sun .
Zoo spokesman Bengt Holst said that on the video staff could see how “ the male panda crawls up a metal pole , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... and then crawls out into the garden.
” He said the park now was looking at making changes to security around the enclosure “ to ensure that it does not happen again .
” Zoo staff reacted “ quickly and efficiently , ” the animal was corned and sedated with a dart without being harmed , he said .
Monday ’ s incident happened before the animal park opened to the public .
“ It doesn ’ t change the fact that we want to avoid that kind of situation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enclosure to house the pandas from China ’ s southwestern city of Chengdu , was inaugurated by Queen Margrethe and other dignitaries in April 2019 .
Beijing lends out pandas as a sign of goodwill .
Any cubs born during the 15-year loan period are considered China ’ s property .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Houston to hold 6-hour public viewing of Floyd’s casket

HOUSTON - Mourners will be able to view George Floyd ’ s casket Monday in his hometown of Houston , the final stop of a series of memorials in his honour .
A six-hour viewing will be held at The Fountain of Praise church in southwest Houston .
The viewing is open to the public , though visitors will be required to wear a mask and gloves to comply with coronavirus-related guidelines .
Floyd ’ s funeral will be Tuesday , followed by burial at the Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in suburban Pearland , where he will be laid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd .
George Floyd died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped responding .
His death has inspired international protests and drawn new attention to the treatment of African Americans by police and the criminal justice system .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden plans to travel to Houston to meet with Floyd ’ s family and will provide a video message for Floyd ’ s funeral service .
A Biden aide on Sunday described the plans of the Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the service .
Biden expects to give the family his condolences , said the aide , who discussed Biden ’ s plans on condition of anonymity .
Previous memorials have taken place in Minneapolis and Raeford , North Carolina , near where Floyd was born .
At the Minneapolis tribute Thursday , those in attendance stood in silence for 8 minutes , 46 seconds , the length of time prosecutors say Floyd was pinned to the ground under the officer ’ s knee before he died .
Floyd was raised in Houston ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former high school football player who rapped with local legend DJ Screw .
He moved to Minneapolis several years ago to seek work and a fresh start .
His face now appears on a mural in his old neighbourhood , and his name was chanted by tens of thousands last week at a protest and march in downtown Houston .
Associated Press reporter Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Cristobal is now a depression, moving north toward Canada

NEW ORLEANS - Tropical Storm Cristobal weakened into a depression early Monday after inundating coastal Louisiana and ginning up dangerous weather along most of the U.S. Gulf Coast , sending waves crashing over Mississippi beaches , swamping parts of an Alabama island town and spawning a tornado in Florida .
Heavy rainfall anda storm surge continued posing a threat across a wide area of the coast after Cristobal made landfall Sunday afternoon packing 50-mph ( 85-kph ) winds between the mouth of the Mississippi River and the since-evacuated barrier island resort community of Grand Isle .
At 5 a.m. EDT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 miles ( 65 kilometres ) north of Baton Rouge , Louisiana , with top winds of 35 mph ( 55 kmh ) , and moving north-northwest at 10 mph ( 17 kmh ) .
Cristobal ’ s remnants could be a rainmaker for days .
Its forecast path takes it into Arkansas and Missouri by Tuesday , then through Illinois and Wisconsin to the Great Lakes .
“ It ’ s very efficient , very tropical rainfall , ” National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said in a Facebook video .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Forecasters said up to 12 inches ( 30 centimetres ) of rain could fall in some areas .
The weather service warned that the rain would contribute to rivers flooding on the central Gulf Coast and up into the Mississippi Valley , posing a new test of the beleaguered pumping system designed to drain flood waters from the streets of New Orleans .
Coastal Mississippi news outlets reported stalled cars and trucks as flood waters inundated beaches and crashed over highways .
On the City of Biloxi Facebook page , officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flood waters , mostly on U.S. 90 running along the coast .
In Alabama , the bridge linking the mainland to Dauphin Island was closed much of Sunday .
Police and state transportation department vehicles led convoys of motorists to and from the island when breaks in the weather permitted .
Rising water on Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans pushed about two feet of water into the first floor of Rudy Horvath ’ s residence — a boathouse that sits on pilings over the brackish lake .
Horvath said he and his family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned to take the occasional flood in stride .
They ’ ve put tables on the lower floor to stack belongings above the high water .
“ We thought it would be pretty cool to live out here , and it has been , ” Horvath said .
“ The sunsets are great.
“ Elsewhere in south Louisiana , water covered the only road to Grand Isle and low-lying parts of Plaquemines Parish at the state ’ s southeastern tip .
“ You can ’ t go down there by car , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marina in the area .
“ You have to go by boat.
” In Florida , a tornado — the second in two days in the state as the storm approached — uprooted trees and downed power lines Sunday afternoon south of Lake City near Interstate 75 , the weather service and authorities said .
There were no reports of injuries .
The storm also forced a waterlogged stretch of Interstate 10 in north Florida to close for a time Sunday .
Rain fell intermittently in New Orleans famed French Quarter on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserted , with many businesses already boarded up due to the coronavirus .
Daniel Priestman said people may be “ overwhelmed ” by the coronavirus and recent police violence and protests .
They seemed “ resigned to whatever happens - happens , ” he said .
At one New Orleans intersection , a handmade “ Black Lives Matter ” sign , wired to a lamp post , rattled in a stiff wind as the crew of a massive vacuum truck worked to unclog a storm drain .
The Sewerage & Water Board of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aging street drainage system had limits , so residents should avoid underpasses and low-lying areas prone to inevitable street flooding .
Jefferson Parish , a suburb of New Orleans , called for voluntary evacuations Saturday of some low-lying communities because of threatened storm surge , high tides and heavy rain .
President Donald Trump agreed to issue an emergency declaration for Louisiana , officials said .
Associated Press reporter Curt Anderson in St. Petersburg , Florida , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Tourist rescued after being trapped 6 days in well in Bali

DENPASAR , Indonesia - A Ukrainian man who fell into an abandoned well and broke his leg while being chased by a wild dog on Indonesia ’ s tourist island of Bali was rescued after being trapped for nearly a week , police said Monday .
Roberts Jacob Matthews , 29 , stumbled into the nearly empty 4-meter ( 13-foot ) -deep concrete well and was unable to get out for six days until a farmer in Pecatu village heard his weak voice asking for help on Saturday , police said .
He informed other villagers , who gave Matthews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by throwing him a rope , but he said he couldn ’ t be pulled up because of his injuries .
Police chief Yusak Agustinus Sooai said a team from a local search-and-rescue agency , wearing personal protective equipment because of the coronavirus outbreak , went down into the well and lifted Matthews out late Saturday and took him to a nearby hospital for treatment .
“ He told authorities that he had been trying to evade a wild dog that chased him , ” Sooai said .
“ He survived only by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has been vacationing on Bali since March , holds a Ukraine passport and a driver ’ s license issued by the United Kingdom , Sooai said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--1 dead, 1 missing, dozens rescued in Czech Republic flooding

PRAGUE , Czech Republic - One person died , another is missing and dozens were rescued amid flash flooding in @ @ @ @ @ rescuers said Monday .
Several towns and villages north of the city of Olomouc , @ @ @ @ @ ) east of Prague , were flooded by 1 metre ( 3.3 feet ) of @ @ @ @ @ accompanied by torrential rains overnight .
Police said a 48-year-old woman has died while a @ @ @ @ @ Regional firefighter spokeswoman Lucie Balazova said firefighters rescued three dozen people from flooded buildings , @ @ @ @ @ water .
The situation was calming down Monday morning .


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--Report: European bathing water quality remains high

BRUSSELS - The quality of bathing waters in Europe remains high according to a study by the EU environment agency that found that minimum water quality standards were met at 95 per cent of the sites monitored across the continent last year .
The European Environment Agency , or EEA , said on Monday that on the 22,295 sites that were scrutinized , 84.6 per cent had excellent water quality .
The study covered the 27-nation bloc , the U.K. , Albania and Switzerland .
After nearly three months of coronavirus lockdowns , European citizens will be hoping to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rivers as the EU prepares to lift border controls inside its territory by the end of June .
“ Clean bathing water is usually taken as something that is gifted , but it ’ s actually one of the European collective achievements , “ said Virginijus Sinkevicius , the EU commissioner in charge of the environment .
“ It ’ s the result of hard work by many people over many years .
This year ’ s report once again confirms that European citizens can continue to enjoy very high quality standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures must be taken to continue along this path.
“ A country-by-country breakdown showed that in five nations — Cyprus , Austria , Malta , Greece , and Croatia — at least 95 per cent of bathing waters were of excellent quality .
Of all the countries monitored , Poland was the only one with less than 50 per cent of its bathing waters rated as excellent .
The EEA said the quality of bathing waters is generally better at coastal locations than at inland sites , with 87.4 % of coastal bathing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 79.1 % of inland sites in the EU .
“ Many central European inland bathing water sites are situated on relatively small lakes and ponds as well as low-flow rivers , which , especially in the summer , are more susceptible than coastal areas to short-term pollution caused by heavy summer rains , ” the EEA said .
The agency also noticed a drop in the total of locations where bad water quality can result in illness .
Just 1.3 per cent of all sites in the EU got a poor rating last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2013 .
In six European countries — Albania , Estonia , Hungary , Ireland , the Netherlands and Slovakia — 3 % or more of bathing waters were of poor quality .
Under the the European bathing water directive , bathing must be permanently prohibited or explicitly advised against at locations rated as poor for at least five straight years .
“ In 2019 , this was the case for 55 bathing waters : 36 in Italy , eight in Spain , four in the United Kingdom , two in France , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland , the Netherlands and Sweden respectively , “ the EEA said .
Follow all AP coverage of climate change issues at https : //apnews.com/Climate


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--McEnany’s mission: Stand by, defend, punch back for Trump

He summoned her , after all — to be his fourth White House press secretary and to his side on last week at the steps of St. John ’ s Church after the military forcefully cleared away peaceful protesters .
Everything around them spoke of faith and the nation ’ s suffering : the boarded-up “ church of presidents ” and the Bible in Trump ’ s hand .
The pepper spray in the air .
The crucifix , peeking out from McEnany ’ s collar .
But Trump did not speak of spirituality or the health and racial crises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead promised that “ the greatest country in the world ” would come back on his watch .
At Trump ’ s left , McEnany gave a nod and did not budge until he did , confirming that while she ’ s got a new title , she serves a familiar role as Trump ’ s most visible political advocate .
“ In past White Houses , it was possible to reliably distinguish the transcript of a statement by the White House press secretary from that of the spokesperson for that president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hall Jamieson , director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania .
“ It is increasingly difficult to do so.
” With poise and preparation , McEnany has made clear from her first briefing that she ’ s willing to defend her boss ’ view of himself as well as his most flagrant misstatements .
In exchange , she frequently cites her proximity to the president — the coin of the realm in Washington — as evidence that she can speak credibly to his thinking and intent .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she told reporters last month .
“ His intent is always to give truthful information to the American people.
” And to punch back .
When his photo op at St. John ’ s Church generated condemnations even from some Republicans , Trump rumbled on Twitter that his critics “ got it wrong !
” “ People liked my walk to this historic place of worship !
” he tweeted in part .
A day later , McEnany filled in the “ why.
” It was , McEnany suggested , a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s famed inspections of bomb-damaged London during World War II .
“ Like Churchill , we saw him inspecting the bombing damage and it sent a powerful message of leadership to the British people , ” she said .
Trump holding up the Bible , she added , “ was a very important symbol for the American people to see that we will get through this , through unity and through faith.
” The separation between White House press secretary and campaign spokesperson is traditionally rooted in the idea that taxpayers should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocate .
In fact , all White House press secretaries tell the president ’ s story in the most advantageous way possible , including by “ telling the truth slowly , ” as Mike McCurry , President Bill Clinton ’ s spokesman , wryly described the job .
For presidents , there ’ s always a reelection at stake — if not theirs , then their allies ’ on Capitol Hill and elsewhere .
But the truth is always presumed to be part of the press secretary ’ s message .
“ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to spin , you ’ e going to present the president in the best possible light , you going to kick aside questions that you don ’ t want to answer , “ McCurry said in an interview .
“ But at the same time , people have to have some reliance that they ’ re getting accurate information when it really counts.
” During a testy exchange with reporters last month over the president ’ s false claims about voter fraud , McEnany also showed how she ’ s polished up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casting himself as a victim of a hostile and biased media .
And she ’ s added new dimension to the subject-changing practice known as “ whataboutism.
” Asked about Twitter ’ s move to fact check the president ’ s tweets , McEnany flipped through her briefing book and recited prepared examples of mistakes made by prominent news outlets .
“ So if anyone needs to be fact-checked , ” McEnany concluded , “ I think it should be the media.
” McEnany , 32 , is an alumnus of Catholic school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Miami and Harvard Law Schools , and was a familiar face on CNN as a conservative commentator .
She ’ s also an author .
The dedication of her 2018 book , “ The New American Revolution : The Making of a Populist Movement , ” reveals another influence : the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 .
The book is dedicated in part to Rachel Scott , a Christian and the first person murdered there .
In the dedication , McEnany thanks Scott for “ making the faith my parents had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” She also writes of the effect that images from Columbine had on her , at age 11 : “ It was the day that I saw evil and realized that it was alive in the world.
” McEnany ’ s approach has won plaudits from the president and his staff , according to three aides and Republicans close to the White House who spoke on condition to discuss internal matters .
She and communications director Alyssa Farah were brought in by new chief of staff Mark Meadows , who wanted to bolster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press secretary Stephanie Grisham .
Trump signed off , having admired McEnany ’ s work on TV and for his reelection campaign .
The president was eager for a more robust press operation to defend him .
With her camera-ready appearance , McEnany has told aides that she wanted to both defend Trump on TV and also emulate the tenure of Sarah Sanders , who had close access to the president and became one of his most trusted advisers .
McEnany meets with the president more than a dozen times a day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a strong feel for the president ’ s base and , unlike others who have worked in the West Wing , does not try to reshape Trump into a more conventional chief executive .
McEnany also keeps an eye on the politics .
For example , Trump initially signalled his support for Georgia reopening its economy in April — only to be talked out of it by Dr. Deborah Birx , the coronavirus task force co-ordinator .
When Trump prepared to brief the press a short time later , McEnany urged him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did not want to be associated with any rise in infections , according to one of the officials .
Aides have pointed out that she is trying to improve the responsiveness of the press shop but also sees the job — and particularly the briefings — as an attempt to go on offence .
That means not just pushing the White House perspective , but also at times criticizing news coverage and individual reporters .
McEnany declined to comment .
But Meadows sang her praises .
“ No one is ever better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions at any given time , ” he said .
Follow Kellman and Lemire on Twitter at https : //www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman and https : //www.twitter.com/ @ JonLemire .

Laurie Kellman And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-08--India eases lockdown even as virus cases jump in capital

NEW DELHI - With shopping malls , places of worship , restaurants and state borders reopening Monday , some of the last vestiges of India ’ s 10-week-long coronavirus lockdown disappeared even as the country reported its highest single-day death toll and experts said things would get worse .
In the capital of New Delhi , shoppers applied hand sanitizer and underwent temperature checks before entering Ambience Mall , where a sign read : “ Welcome back to the lifestyle you love.
” The doors were also reopened at New Delhi ’ s historic Jama mosque .
The troughs for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the carpet was replaced with floor markings encouraging worshipers to practice social distancing on their own prayer rugs .
Instead of marigold garlands and other temple offerings , staff at Hanuman Mandir , a famous Hindu temple , gave visitors thermal checks and hand sanitizer .
But a committee of experts warned the New Delhi government that such measures would do little to slow the infection rate , and that it would need to nearly double its hospital bed capacity by the end of June as the number of cases needing treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubling every two weeks , “ we will require 15,000 beds by the end of June , ” the committee ’ s head , Dr. Mahesh Verma , wrote to the government .
About a quarter of New Delhi ’ s 83 hospitals treating COVID-19 patients were full by Monday afternoon , according to a government-run online dashboard .
About half of the city ’ s 512 available ventilators were in use .
The numbers have crossed 28,000 in the capital , stretching limited health resources .
Over the weekend , New Delhi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arvid Kerjiwal , said hospital beds would be limited to city residents , amid rising demand from people in the neighbouring corporate hubs of Noida in the state of Uttar Pradesh and Gurugram in Haryana state .
India ’ s lockdown — one of the world ’ s most stringent — was considered mostly effective in staunching the spread of the virus .
Most industry shut down , and a stay-at-home order was imposed for all but a handful of essential activities .
But in recent weeks , as restrictions have gradually eased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and get millions of poor daily wage earners back to work , cases have soared nationwide .
The Health Ministry reported another 9,983 cases Monday , raising India ’ s count past 256,000 to fifth most in the world .
It also reported 206 fatalities , the highest single-day rise , bringing the country ’ s death toll to 7,135 .
Like elsewhere in the world , the actual numbers are thought to be higher for a number of reasons , including limited testing .
There has been a surge in infections in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who left cities and towns after losing their jobs .
Before Monday , India had already partially restored train services and domestic flights and allowed shops and manufacturing to reopen .
Schools , gyms and metro rail services remain closed , political and sports events are banned and international air travel is limited to foreign residents of India repatriating home .
Associated Press journalist Rishabh R. Jain contributed to this report .

Emily Schmall And Sheikh Saaliq - The Associated Press