thetorontostar--2020-06-03--UN envoy holds cease-fire talks with Libya’s eastern forces

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The United Nations said its top envoy in Libya held talks Wednesday with a delegation from Khalifa Hifter ’ s eastern-based forces to follow up on the agreement by the country ’ s warring parties to resume cease-fire negotiations , calling it “ a positive step.
” U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said acting special representative Stephanie Williams would hold a similar video meeting with a delegation from the U.N.-supported government in the capital of Tripoli “ in the coming days.
” Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 when a civil war toppled long-time dictator Moammar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The country has since split between rival administrations in the east and the west , each backed by armed groups and foreign governments .
Eastern-based forces under Hifter launched an offensive trying to take Tripoli in April 2019 , and the turmoil in the oil-rich country has steadily worsened as foreign backers increasingly intervened despite pledges to the contrary at a high-profile peace summit in Berlin earlier this year .
Dujarric called the meetings with the two delegations “ first steps ... in the right direction.
” “ We will continue pushing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the suffering of the Libyan people , ” he said .
“ To say that the situation on the ground , the violence and the political situation , is complex would be the understatement of the year.
” Dujarric said negotiations on a cease-fire agreement and technical arrangement will continue on the basis of a draft presented to both sides by Libya ’ s U.N. Mission on Feb. 23 .
Hifter ’ s offensive is supported by France , Russia , Jordan , the United Arab Emirates and other key Arab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed by Turkey , which deployed troops and mercenaries to help defend the capital in January , as well as by Italy and Qatar .
Mercenaries , mainly from the Syria battlefield , are now fighting on both sides and complicating the already complex proxy war , according to U.N. experts .
U.S. and Libyan officials have accused Russia of deploying fighters from the Wagner Group in key battleground areas in Libya .
Last month , the U.S. military accused Russia of deploying 14 aircraft to eastern Libya to help Hifter ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Moscow ’ s longer term goal to establish a foothold in the region that could threaten NATO allies .
Russia dismissed those claims as “ stupidity ” and has repeatedly denied playing any role in Libya ’ s fighting .
Dujarric said the United Nations reiterates its concern at “ the persistent violations of the arms embargo on Libya ” and calls on all countries to strictly enforce it .
The U.N. Mission in Libya announced the agreement on a new round of cease-fire talks late Monday , expressing hope they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground ” and allow the country ’ s war-scarred health system to cope with the coronavirus outbreak in the country .
The virus has infected at least 168 people in Libya , but testing is extremely limited .
The impact of a large outbreak would likely be severe given the continued fighting and the state of the country ’ s health system .
France ’ s foreign ministry welcomed the agreement and said it “ intends to do everything in its power to bring about an immediate resumption of discussions and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The worst scenario would be a Turkey-Russia deal imposing their conditions , ” said a top French official , speaking anonymously under the French presidency ’ s customary practices .
“ What we seek is not the victory of one side over another , but political negotiations and resource sharing.
” The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it is “ heartened ” at the agreement and urged the parties “ to relaunch U.N.-led political talks toward a solution as soon as possible.
” The secretary-general ’ s special representative for Libya , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomats say the U.S. has blocked two candidates to replace him .
A replacement needs U.N. Security Council approval .
The State Department said Wednesday that the Trump administration wants the job split in two , with a U.N. special envoy “ who has senior diplomatic clout and personal standing “ focusing exclusively on negotiating a political solution and a separate special representative running the U.N. mission .
Diplomats , speaking on condition of anonymity because consultations have been private , say other Security Council members want one person to fill both roles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foreign-fueled proxy war teeters on the edge of a major escalation and signalled that both sides , and their foreign backers , might prefer to pull back .
On Sunday , Hifter ’ s forces said they recaptured a strategic town after staging airstrikes on militias in the area southeast of the capital .
Hifter ’ s gain more broadly reflects the seesawing nature of the war , which in recent weeks had turned dramatically in favour of rival Turkish-backed Tripoli militias that ousted Hifter ’ s forces from a key western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writers Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-03--US Park Police investigate attack on Australian journalists

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Park Police said Wednesday that it has placed two officers on administrative leave after video showed @ @ @ @ @ during Monday night ’ s protest in Washington , D.C. Acting Chief Gregory T. Monahan @ @ @ @ @ investigated .
Video captured by WJLA-TV in Washington showed reporter Amanda Brace and cameraman Tim @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officials cleared an area near the White House so President Donald Trump could walk @ @ @ @ @ had been damaged during the demonstrations the previous night .
The journalists were reporting live @ @ @ @ @ 7 on the demonstrations protesting George Floyd ’ s death at police hands in Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ with our established practices and procedures , two U.S. Park Police officers have been assigned @ @ @ @ @ an investigation takes place regarding the incident with the Australian Press , ” Monahan said @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .

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thetorontostar--2020-06-03--‘Enough is enough’ Atlanta suburb protest brings large crowd

DECATUR , Ga. - Around 1,500 protesters gathered outside a Confederate monument in Decatur , Georgia , Wednesday as demonstrations continued throughout the state against racism , police brutality and the killing of George Floyd .
The march started Wednesday afternoon in Decatur Square , home to a Confederate monument built in 1908 and a “ contextualized ” marker explaining the racist history of the monument and the Civil War .
The marker reads , “ This monument and similar ones ... were created to intimidate African Americans and limit their full participation in the social and political life of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ square echoed that sentiment .
“ Enough is enough , ” Georgia State University student Chalèah Head said .
“ I ’ m the mother of a young black man .
How do I tell him he has to put his hand on the steering wheel when a cop come by because he doesn ’ t know whether they are going to shoot him or not.
” Head called for the Decatur rally on social media , stating she knew residents in her hometown would remain peaceful , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Decatur , marching through town and stopping traffic at intersections as police and sheriff ’ s deputies looked on .
They read the names of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and other African Americans who they say have recently been killed unjustly by police .
Protests in Atlanta continued for the sixth consecutive day .
Organizers said they would sit down in the intersection of Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive at 8:50 p.m and demand an audience with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms .
Bottoms earlier announced that curfews would start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then at 8 p.m. on Friday , Saturday and Sunday .
All of the curfews end at sunrise .
“ They say they ’ re extending curfew because we ’ re throwing bottles .
Tonight , we ’ re not throwing no bottles .
We ’ re just sitting peacefully and asking the mayor to come talk to us , ” Jay Jarns told the AJC .

Ron Harris And Desiree Mathurin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-03--Atlanta police chief walks tightrope as she handles protests

Atlanta ’ s police chief quickly condemned the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , and acted swiftly when she determined some of her own officers used excessive force , but now she ’ s questioning a further crackdown on her officers .
Chief Erika Shields fired two officers and benched three others involved in an incident with two college students during protests Saturday night .
But then a prosecutor announced criminal charges against six officers .
In a department-wide email Tuesday , Shields questioned the timing and appropriateness of the charges and suggested that handling ongoing protests could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The officers were fired because I felt that is what had to occur , ” she wrote .
“ This does not mean for a moment that I will sit quietly by and watch our employees get swept up in the tsunami of political jockeying during an election year.
” Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , meanwhile , announced Wednesday on Twitter that she would establish a commission to look at the city ’ s use of force policies .
In a video posted on YouTube three days after Floyd ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserve to go to prison .
“ It ’ s not reasonable in any sense of the word , ” Shields said .
“ These officers didn ’ t just fail as cops .
They fundamentally failed as human beings.
” The next evening , Shields walked into the crowd in downtown Atlanta as a peaceful demonstration turned into a tense face-off between protesters and police .
Videos circulated showing her listening and telling protesters she understood their frustration and fear .
That night , she appeared alongside Bottoms , who made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go home .
Both women drew broad praise for their leadership .
After businesses , restaurants and vehicles in the city ’ s downtown and Buckhead neighbourhoods were damaged that night , the mayor implemented a 9 p.m. curfew Saturday .
The chief said her officers would have a zero tolerance policy .
A few hours later , a group of Atlanta police officers confronted the two college students in a car in downtown traffic caused by protests .
Video shows the officers shouting at the pair , firing Tasers at them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the confrontation , the students can be heard screaming and asking what they did wrong .
Shields and Bottoms spent hours reviewing body camera video after the incident gained attention online .
They decided two officers needed to be fired immediately for using excessive force .
Three others were placed on desk duty pending further review .
The students , 22-year-old Messiah Young and 20-year-old Taniyah Pilgrim , and their lawyers applauded that quick action during a news conference Monday .
But they said other officers also needed to face consequences and justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal charges .
The next morning , Young and Pilgrim appeared alongside Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard as he announced aggravated assault charges against four officers and an aggravated battery charge against another , among other charges .
The sixth officer was charged only with criminal damage for breaking the car ’ s window .
Shields lashed out in her Tuesday night email .
Explaining her decision to immediately fire Investigator Ivory Streeter and Investigator Mark Gardner , she said she ’ d expected the videos to show the officers ’ actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we find ourselves in ; one that is highly dangerous and unpredictable.
” But it became “ apparent we were in the wrong , ” she wrote , adding “ we created chaos and we escalated a low-level encounter into a space where we introduced violence.
“ She said her intention was to carry out an administrative investigation into the actions of the other officers , and that “ criminal charges were never part of any discussion that I had with the Mayor or her administration.
” When she learned of the criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney and “ strongly expressed my concern , both to the appropriateness and the timing of any charges.
” Now , Shields wrote , she ’ s “ very concerned with the space we find ourselves in , both tactically and emotionally.
” “ Multiple agencies that were assisting us in managing this incredibly volatile time have pulled out , effective immediately , ” she said .
“ They are not comfortable with their employees being leveraged politically by the potential of also facing criminal charges.
” She wrapped up her email by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s important they know what ’ s going on “ if there is any chance of us navigating our current state safely.
” Howard became district attorney in January 1997 , the first black person elected district attorney in Georgia .
He faces a challenge in Tuesday ’ s Democratic primary election from two former prosecutors in his office .
In an interview with The Associated Press Wednesday , he said he was confused by Shields ’ reported surprise since she had identified the actions of at least two officers as excessive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivated , saying that allegation is made any time he prosecutes a police officer .
“ We like to move forward when the evidence is available , ” Howard said .
“ In this case , the evidence was there , it was available.
” Attorney Lance LoRusso defended Streeter and Gardner in a statement Wednesday , writing that the rush to fire the officers violates policies and the law , and charges brought without a full investigation “ should raise concerns.
“ Officers were pelted with debris and fireworks Saturday night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Young and Pilgrim didn ’ t follow orders , and officers responded with the force they felt was appropriate at the time in compliance with Georgia law , LoRusso wrote .
“ Further , the United States Supreme Court prohibits the use of hindsight in evaluating an officer ’ s use of force , “ LoRusso asserted .
“ The use of force will never appear pleasant or comfortable to watch on a video .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-03--Prosecutors charge 3 more officers in George Floyd’s death

MINNEAPOLIS - Prosecutors charged three more police officers Wednesday in the death of George Floyd and filed a new , tougher charge against the officer at the centre of the case , delivering a victory to protesters who have filled the streets from coast to coast to fight police brutality and racial injustice .
The most serious charge was filed against Derek Chauvin , who was caught on video pressing his knee to Floyd ’ s neck and now must defend himself against an accusation of second-degree murder .
The three other officers at the scene were charged for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder and second-degree manslaughter .
All four were fired last week .
If convicted , they could be sentenced to up to four decades in prison .
Chauvin was initially charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
Those charges still stand .
The new second-degree murder charge alleges that Chauvin caused Floyd ’ s death without intent while committing another felony , namely third-degree assault .
It carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison , compared with a maximum of 25 years for third-degree murder .
The other officers — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thao — face the same maximum penalties for aiding and abetting .
All three men were in custody by Wednesday evening .
Chauvin was arrested last week and is still being held .
The multiple charges against each officer would offer a jury more options to find them guilty .
The charges were sought by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison , who called the protests unleashed by the death “ dramatic and necessary ” and said Floyd “ should be here and he is not.
” “ His life had value , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellison , who cautioned that winning convictions would be hard and said that public pressure had no bearing on his decisions .
Hundreds of protesters were in New York City ’ s Washington Square Park when the charges were announced .
“ It ’ s not enough , ” protester Jonathan Roldan said , insisting all four officers should have been charged from the start .
“ Right now , we ’ re still marching because it ’ s not enough that they got arrested .
There needs to be systematic change.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family , called it “ a bittersweet moment ” and “ a significant step forward on the road to justice.
” Crump said Elison had told the family he would continue his investigation into Floyd ’ s death and upgrade the charge to first-degree murder if warranted .
The move by prosecutors punctuated an unprecedented week in modern American history , in which largely peaceful protests took place in communities of all sizes but were rocked by bouts of violence , including deadly attacks on officers , rampant thefts and arson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday night , violence was far more limited , with curfews , additional law enforcement officers and efforts by protesters to contain lawlessness credited with preventing more widespread damage in New York and other cities .
“ Last night we took a step forward in moving out of this difficult period we ’ ve had the last few days and moving to a better time , ” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said .
Nationwide , more than 9,000 have been arrested in connection with unrest .
At least 12 deaths have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many cases are still being sorted out .
Minnesota has opened a civil rights investigation into whether the Minneapolis Police Department has a pattern of discrimination against minorities .
Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz , speaking after the new charges were announced , said the state and nation need to “ seize the moment ” and use the wrenching events of the past week to confront the effects of racism , including unequal educational and economic opportunities .
“ I think this is probably our last shot , as a state and as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue , ” he said at a news conference .
President Donald Trump has pushed the nation ’ s governors to take a hard line against the violence , saying Tuesday that “ lowlifes and losers ” were taking over New York ’ s streets .
Within hours , thousands of peaceful protesters were in the streets again in the nation ’ s capital , singing “ Amazing Grace ” as they knelt under the watch of law enforcement officers in riot gear .
“ We are not going anywhere !
” they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the demonstrations would continue despite the new charges .
“ That ’ s the least they could do , ” said Jones , who had been attending Washington protests for days .
“ It ’ s not going to wipe away 400 years of pain.
” “ We are glad there are additional charges , but that doesn ’ t mean justice has been served , “ she said .
More than 20,000 National Guard members have been called up in 29 states to deal with the violence .
The protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global outrage over Floyd ’ s death , racial injustice and heavy-handed police tactics .
In Greece , police fired tear gas after young people attacked them Wednesday outside the U.S. Embassy in Athens .
Some 4,000 protesters had been peaceful until near the end of the demonstration , when some threw gasoline bombs and stones at police .
No injuries or arrests were reported .
Other protests were held Wednesday in London , Helsinki , Rotterdam and Bogota , among other cities .
The anger over Floyd ’ s death has spilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
In Philadelphia , for example , a statue of former Mayor Frank Rizzo was removed by the city early Wednesday after repeatedly being targeted by vandals .
Rizzo presided over a police force widely accused of racism and brutality in the 1970s .
In Virginia , Gov .
Ralph Northam was expected to announce plans Thursday for the removal of an iconic statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Richmond ’ s prominent Monument Avenue , a senior administration official told The Associated Press .
The statue in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vandalism during the protests .
Associated Press journalists across the U.S. contributed to this report .

Amy Forliti, Steve Karnowski And Tim Sullivan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-03--Florida officer who shoved protester was reviewed over force

MIAMI - A police officer who was suspended for pushing a kneeling black woman to the ground at a George Floyd demonstration in Florida has been under review numerous times for pointing guns and using force on suspects , and at least once for racial profiling , a review of his personnel files shows .
The files , obtained by The Associated Press in response to an open records request , also reflect that Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Steven Pohorence , 29 , received several commendations over the years for helping people in need and was named Trooper of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Highway Patrol .
Video of Pohorence pushing the woman to the ground on Sunday was shared widely on social media as protests against police violence and racial injustice erupted across the country .
Pohorence ’ s shove escalated a clash in which bottles were thrown and tear gas fired .
Most of the files that detail Pohorence ’ s scrutinized encounters with suspects do not specify the suspects ’ race , and none of the incidents , all of which were reviewed by Internal Affairs , resulted in disciplinary action .
Investigators concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations , according to reports in the files .
Since he began working for the police department in October 2016 , Pohorence has been reviewed 67 times for using force when stopping or detaining suspects , the files show .
In more than 50 incidents , Pohorence pointed his gun at suspects , many for driving vehicles suspected of being stolen .
In a few incidents , he was described as being present when other officers allegedly used force with suspects .
The South Florida Sun Sentinel first reported that Pohorence had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of force .
On two occasions , according to the files the AP obtained , Pohorence and other officers pointed their guns at women suspected of driving stolen cars while their children were in the back , records said .
Both women were released after officers cleared up the confusion .
Another time , Pohorence handcuffed an elementary school-age girl who was trying to attack another student with scissors , and placed her in custody for a mental health evaluation under Florida ’ s Baker Act .
The officer was exonerated in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnecessarily stopped while driving a rental car because he was black .
The man said a Broward Sheriff ’ s Office canine unit arrived to search the vehicle for drugs “ for no valid reason , ” and no narcotics were found .
Pohorence declined to comment when reached by telephone Wednesday .
The Fort Lauderdale Police department said the Internal Affairs department reviews all complaints , including allegations of excessive force .
“ In this case , all of his instances of use of force were reviewed and found to be within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an email .
Pohorence previously served as a state trooper for the Florida Highway Patrol , where he was named Trooper of the Month and nominated for a “ lifesaving award , ” according to employee records .
In his last review in October , supervisor Sgt .
John Jones , said Pohorence “ requires little if any supervision and his self-motivation serves as a role model for others.
” “ He understands and utilizes tactics that put a high probability on safely confronting and detaining violent offenders , ” Jones wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sent to mandatory training “ to improve his interactions with the public with emphasis on public speaking.
” Pohorence was praised for helping to stop a woman from jumping to her death from an overpass in April 2019 , and was commended for providing CPR and applying a tourniquet on an injured man after a crash .
Earlier this year , a lieutenant praised Pohorence for helping to locate and arrest a homicide suspect .

Adriana Gomez Licon - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-03--Handling of street protests creates crisis for Pentagon boss

WASHINGTON - Defence Secretary Mark Esper is facing the most politically charged crisis of his tenure , criticized for calling protester-filled streets a military “ battle space ” and accused of failing to keep the military out of politics .
At the same time , eleven months into the job , Esper is seeing his relationship with President Donald Trump tested by the storm over the police killing of George Floyd and Esper ’ s urging of caution in the use of military force .
Esper , an Army veteran and former Army secretary , has sometimes subtly pushed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intervened in the military justice system last year to pardon two soldiers accused of war crimes .
But he has stayed closely aligned with the president ’ s national security policies and kept in his good graces .
On Wednesday , Esper publicly distanced himself from Trump ’ s threats to use the full force of the military to quell street protests around the country , emphatically arguing against invoking the two-centuries-old Insurrection Act , which would allow Trump to use active-duty troops in a law enforcement role .
The possibility of using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been invoked since the 1992 rioting in Los Angeles , had been discussed in the White House but never explicitly proposed publicly by Trump .
The president has suggested he would use all available military force , however , if state governors couldn ’ t stop the violence .
The Insurrection Act should be invoked , Esper told reporters , “ only in the most urgent and dire of situations.
” He declared , “ We are not in one of those situations now.
” Aides emphasized later that Esper is not opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state law enforcement agencies when asked .
In another sign of the unsettled thinking on troop use , Esper on Wednesday overturned an earlier Pentagon decision to send a couple hundred active-duty soldiers home from the Washington area .
They had been flown in earlier in the week from Fort Bragg , North Carolina , as a backup force in the event that street violence escalated .
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The Associated Press that the reversal came after Esper attended a meeting at the White House , and after other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately clear whether Esper met with Trump or what triggered the reversal .
Asked Wednesday about Esper ’ s standing with Trump , the White House press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , offered something less than a ringing endorsement .
“ If he loses confidence in Secretary Esper , I ’ m sure you all will be the first to know.
” Pressed on this point , she added : “ As of right now , Secretary Esper is still Secretary Esper and should the president lose faith , we will all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The trouble for Esper came into fuller focus on Monday as he strolled out of the White House in a Trump entourage that made its way to nearby St. John ’ s Episcopal Church for a photo op featuring Trump hoisting a Bible .
Afterward , critics pounced on Esper , saying he had allowed himself to be used as a political prop .
James Miller , a top Pentagon policy official during the Obama administration , accused Esper of violating his oath of office by failing to oppose the use of police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the church .
The clearing operation violated the protesters ’ First Amendment right to assemble peacefully , Miller said .
Esper said he was not aware of the police clearing operation and did not know he was heading into a photo op .
He said he understood he was going to view damage at the church and to interact with National Guard troops in the area .
He was accompanied by Gen. Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
Miller credited Esper with having served honourably for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but questioned why Esper had not drawn the line at participating in Monday night ’ s walk .
“ If last night ’ s blatant violations do not cross the line for you , what will ?
“ Miller asked in a letter published in The Washington Post in which he informed Esper he was resigning from the advisory Defence Science Board .
At a Pentagon news conference , Esper defended his actions and insisted he understands his role .
A secretary of defence traditionally is among the least political of the Cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversees is trained to stay out of politics and to be loyal to the Constitution , not to a president .
“ I do everything I can to stay apolitical , ” Esper said .
Esper has come under fire in some quarters for having said on a conference call with state governors that security forces need to dominate the “ battle space ” occupied by protesters and looters .
Critics accused him of militarizing the crisis by suggesting that Americans are treated like enemies .
In his remarks to reporters , Esper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he meant his comment as a compliment to those governors who have successfully used the National Guard to enable peaceful protests to proceed .
“ In retrospect , I would use different wording so as not to distract from the more important matters at hand , ” he said .
Esper ’ s predecessor , retired Gen. Jim Mattis , who resigned in December 2018 out of frustration with Trump ’ s policies , issued a public rebuke of Trump on Wednesday and took a swipe at Esper without citing him by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking of our cities as a ‘ battle space ’ that our uniformed military is called upon to ‘ dominate , ’ ” Mattis wrote , adding , “ Keeping public order rests with civilian state and local leaders who best understand their communities and are answerable to them.
” Esper is no stranger to Washington politics .
He worked on Capitol Hill in senior staff positions in both the House and the Senate and was defence giant Raytheon Co. ’ s chief Washington lobbyist before he became Army secretary in 2017 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin Freking and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--3 charged in slaying of Ahmaud Arbery face court hearing

BRUNSWICK , Ga. - Three men who were charged with murder months after the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery faced a hearing before a Georgia judge Thursday following a week of angry protests in the U.S. over law enforcement biases against black victims .
Glynn County Magistrate Judge Wallace E. Harrell scheduled the hearing to determine whether authorities have enough evidence of murder in Arbery ’ s killing to send the case to a trial court .
Arbery was killed Feb. 23 after a white father and son armed themselves and gave chase when they spotted the 25-year-old black man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ port city of Brunswick .
It wasn ’ t until May 7 that those men — Greg McMichael , 64 , and Travis McMichael , 34 — were charged with felony murder and aggravated assault .
The McMichaels ’ arrests came two days after cellphone video of the shooting leaked online and stirred a national outcry .
The neighbour who filmed the video , 50-year-old William “ Roddie ” Bryan , was also arrested and charged with felony murder and illegally using a vehicle to try to confine and detain Arbery .
Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by the commission of an underlying felony .
It does not require intent to kill .
The minimum penalty is life in prison with a chance of parole .
Protests following the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Breonna Taylor in Louisville , Kentucky , and Arbery have led to outbreaks of violence in many larger cities , including Atlanta .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp promised a “ strong state law enforcement presence ” in the Brunswick area Thursday to coincide with the court hearing .
Defence attorneys requested the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have probable cause to charge the men with murder .
Greg McMichael told police after the shooting in February that he suspected Arbery of committing break-ins in the neighbourhood .
He said Arbery attacked his son before being shot .
Arbery ’ s family has said he was merely out jogging .
The former high school football player ran to stay in shape and lived less than 2 miles ( 3.2 kilometres ) from the subdivision where he was killed .
His mother said he planned to start technical college in the fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for both McMichaels have said much remains unknown about what led to the shooting and have cautioned against rushing to judgement .
An attorney for Bryan has said he was merely a witness to Arbery ’ s death .
All three defendants remain jailed in Glynn County .
A different judge will have to decide whether to allow them to go free on bond .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Focus shifts to Hong Kong’s fate on Tiananmen anniversary

HONG KONG - As China tightens its control over Hong Kong , activists in the city defied a police ban and broke through barricades Thursday evening to mark the 31st anniversary of the crushing of a democracy movement centred on Beijing ’ s Tiananmen Square .
With democracy all but snuffed out in mainland China , the focus has shifted increasingly to semi-autonomous Hong Kong , where authorities for the first time banned an annual candlelight vigil marking the anniversary of the 1989 crackdown .
Police cited the need for social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak and barricaded sprawling Victoria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Beijing is taking a tougher stance following months of anti-government protests last year , in what activists see as an accelerating erosion of the city ’ s rights and liberties .
“ We all know the Hong Kong government and the Chinese government really don ’ t want to see the candle lights in Victoria Park , ” said Wu ’ er Kaixi , a former student leader who was No .
2 on the government ’ s most-wanted list following the Tiananmen Square crackdown .
Hundreds and possibly thousands of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in on the night of June 3-4 , 1989 , to break up weeks of student-led protests that had spread to other cities and were seen as a threat to Communist Party rule .
“ The Chinese Communists want us all to forget about what happened 31 years ago , “ Wu ’ er told the AP in Taiwan , where he lives .
” But it is the Chinese government themselves reminding the whole world that they are the same government ... doing the same in Hong Kong.
” China did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests , despite speculation it might deploy troops , but backed the tough response of the Hong Kong police and government .
It then announced last month at the annual meeting of its ceremonial legislature that it would impose national security laws on Hong Kong , circumventing the city ’ s legislature and shocking many of its 7.5 million residents .
Beijing ’ s Tiananmen Square , where thousands of students had gathered in 1989 , was quiet and largely empty on Thursday .
Police and armoured vehicles stood guard on the vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security checkpoints where they must show IDs to be allowed through as part of mass surveillance nationwide to prevent any commemoration of the event .
As has become customary , many dissidents were placed under house arrest and their communications with the outside world cut off , according to rights groups .
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson offered the government ’ s standard defence of the 1989 crackdown .
“ The Chinese government has made a clear conclusion about the political disturbance that occurred in the late 1980s , “ Zhao Lijian said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have achieved ... have fully demonstrated that the development path China has chosen is completely correct , which conforms to China ’ s national conditions and has won the sincere support of the Chinese people.
” Despite the ban on the candlelight vigil , Hong Kong was bracing for possible “ pop-up ” protests of the type that raged around the city last year and often led to violent confrontations between police and demonstrators .
Thousands have been arrested in the demonstrations , which were sparked by proposed legislation that could have allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for trial .
The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic and Democratic Movements of China that organizes the annual vigil called on people to light candles at 8 p.m. ( 1200 GMT ) and planned to livestream the commemorations on its website .
Alliance Chairman Lee Cheuk-yan and several other members of the Hong Kong Alliance gathered at Victoria Park at 6:30 p.m. ( 1030 GMT , 6:30 a.m. EDT ) , dressed in black shirts with the Chinese characters for “ truth ” emblazoned on the front .
They lit candles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same later on to mourn victims of the massacre and show their support for the democratic cause in China .
Lee then led the group of about 15 members in a candlelit procession around the park , shouting slogans including , “ Stand with Hong Kong.
” “ We have been doing this for 30 years , we have the right to do this , this is a peaceful procession , ” he said , stating that it would be “ absurd ” if this behaviour is criminalized .
The group later removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and entered it to continue their procession .
On Thursday , the Hong Kong legislature passed a law making it a crime to disrespect China ’ s national anthem .
The pro-democracy opposition , which sees the law as an infringement of freedom of expression , boycotted the vote .
“ The Hong Kong government tried to please or show loyalty to Beijing and ban our gathering even before the national security law comes in .
But we are determined , ” Lee said at a kiosk set up by the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay shopping district near the park .
“ The ban comes amid an alarming acceleration of attacks on the autonomy of Hong Kong and the undermining of the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people guaranteed under Hong Kong and international law , ” Sharon Hom , executive director of Human Rights in China , said in a statement .
Other vigils , virtual and otherwise , were planned elsewhere , including in Taiwan , the self-ruled island democracy whose government called again this year for Beijing to own up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State Mike Pompeo tweeted criticism of China and Hong Kong for banning the vigil earlier this week before meeting with a group of Tiananmen Square survivors at the State Department .
Zhao , the Foreign Ministry spokesperson , said , “ We urge the U.S. to abandon ideological prejudice , correct mistakes and stop interfering in China ’ s internal affairs in any form.
” China has released the last of those arrested for directly taking part in the Tiananmen demonstrations , but others who seek to commemorate them have been rearrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huang Qi , founder of the website 64 Tianwang that sought to expose official wrongdoing .
Reportedly in failing health , he is serving a 12-year sentence after being convicted of leaking state secrets abroad .
Moritsugu reported from Beijing .
Associated Press videojournalist Taijing Wu in Taipei , Taiwan , contributed .
Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic and Democratic Movements of China : www.64live.org

Zen Soo And Ken Moritsugu - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Europe rights body urges action for migrants stuck off Malta

VALLETTA , Malta - Europe ’ s leading human rights organization is calling for immediate action to bring to shore some 400 migrants that the Malta government transferred to chartered pleasure boats at sea .
The Council of Europe , based in Strasbourg , France , said in a statement Thursday that the situation ‘ ’ is unsustainable and requires immediate action.
’ ’ The migrants have been living aboard the boats just out of Malta ’ s territorial waters , many for weeks , after having been rescued from human traffickers ’ unseaworthy boats in the Mediterranean Sea .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing its ports due to the coronavirus emergency and says it is waiting for other European Union member nations to step up and take in the migrants .
So far , only France has agreed .
The Council of Europe ’ s human rights commissioner , Dunja Mijatovic , has stressed in recent months that migrants should be brought to shore safely and promptly despite the coronavirus pandemic .
The commissioner also has underlined that human lives should not be put at risks due to disagreements between EU member states .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ships have been rented and that the number of people kept on them , without a clear prospect of prompt disembarkation , has substantially increased , ’ ’ she said Thursday .
SOS Mediterranee , a humanitarian group that has operated rescue boats in the Mediterranean Sea , earlier this week lamented that the migrants being held on the chartered tourist boats were being used as political pawns .
An Associated Press photographer captured images of the migrants walking on the decks of the boats , their laundry hung from improvised clotheslines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby , keeping watch on the four vessels usually used for pleasure excursions to ferry tourists to the tiny Mediterranean island nation ’ s attractions .
France hasn ’ t said how many migrants it will take in , but has insisted it is up to the EU ’ s executive commission to organize with other countries .
The European Commission has confirmed it is facilitating talks among EU nations to identify potential destinations for the passengers stuck on the boats off Malta .
‘ ’ There is an urgent need for co-operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions for those on board the Captain Morgan boats , ’ ’ European Commission spokesman Adalbert Jahnz said Thursday .
‘ ’ They need to be disembarked as soon as possible .
’ ’


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Inmate dies after being pepper sprayed in cell

NEW YORK - An inmate at a jail in New York City died after being pepper sprayed by officers in @ @ @ @ @ Bureau of Prisons said .
Jamel Floyd , 35 , barricaded himself inside his cell @ @ @ @ @ in Brooklyn at 10 a.m. Wednesday and used a metal object to break the cell-door @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Floyd “ became increasingly disruptive and potentially harmful to himself and @ @ @ @ @ responded by using pepper spray to subdue him , the bureau said .
Floyd was @ @ @ @ @ and was taken to a hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
The cause @ @ @ @ @ .
Officials said it does not appear be related to COVID-19 .
Floyd had been @ @ @ @ @ 30 , 2019 , the bureau said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Belarus president names new prime minister ahead of election

MINSK , Belarus - Belarus ’ authoritarian president named his new prime minister Thursday , a move that comes two months before a scheduled presidential election .
President Alexander Lukashenko , 65 , is seeking a sixth term in the Aug. 9 election .
He has ruled the nation of 9.5 million with an iron fist for more than a quarter-century and appears certain to secure an easy victory despite opposition protests .
A day after firing Prime Minister Sergei Rumas , a moderate technocrat , Lukashenko replaced him Thursday with 46-year-old Roman Golovchenko , who previously oversaw military industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a “ reliable man who can be trusted , ” noting that “ it ’ s very important that patriots and professionals come to office now.
” Observers see Golovchenko ’ s appointment as a sign of Lukashenko ’ s intention to further tighten his grip ahead of the vote .
“ Lukashenko is trying to secure full control over the plummeting economy and block protests , and he needs a prime minister who is predictable and ready to fulfil any order , ” said Minsk-based political analyst Valery Karbalevich .
Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our teeth ” and to show more discipline in order to repair the economic damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic and “ save what we have built.
” “ We need to mobilize to cope with multiple new challenges over a short period of time , ” Lukashenko said .
Belarus has been one of the few countries that hasn ’ t shut its borders and hadn ’ t imposed any restrictions to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
It was the only country in Europe to keep playing professional men ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stands .
Lukashenko has rejected strict lockdown measures as “ psychosis.
” Despite numerous warnings from the World Health Organization , Belarus last month held a massive military parade last month marking the 75th anniversary of the Nazi defeat in World War II .
The nation has reported over 45,000 infections , including 248 deaths as of Wednesday .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Farm-to-table dining takes on new meaning amid pandemic

PORTLAND , Maine - Eric Pray is used to shipping seafood all over the country .
But since the coronavirus took hold , he has shifted his focus closer to home — selling lobsters from a homemade tank in his garage .
Pray , of Portland , Maine , is one of hundreds of fishermen , farmers and food producers who have shifted to a direct-to-consumer model amid the virus outbreak .
The pandemic has stressed and sometimes disrupted supply chains , shuttered restaurants and changed the way consumers buy food , leaving some producers scrambling for a new way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement in the United States has grown in recent years , as consumers have increasingly demanded locally sourced food .
But in the past several weeks , the movement has grown out of necessity because some producers can ’ t rely on the complex web of processors , distributors and middlemen to get food to customers .
For some , the challenges have turned into opportunities — and new customers .
“ When restaurants reopen , we ’ ll probably keep doing home delivery , because we ’ ve got a good base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it ’ s not good news for many of America ’ s food producers .
In late April and early May , U.S. beef and pork processing capacity was down 40 % from last year , according to Jayson Lusk , head of the department of agricultural economics at Purdue University .
Plants are now mainly back online but at reduced capacity with beef and pork plants running about 10 % to 15 % below last year , he said .
Some sectors have also suffered reductions in value , in part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are closed .
Live , 1.25-pound lobsters were worth $ 6.74 per pound in the Northeast in April , which was 13 % less than a year ago and 37 % less than two years ago .
“ The two biggest problems are facilitating distribution throughout the supply chain while protecting worker health , and revamping food demand in a way that avoids further disruptions , ” said LaPorchia Collins , a professor in the Department of Economics at Tulane University .
Before the pandemic hit , Gunthorp Farms in LaGrange , Indiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pasture-raised pork and poultry to upscale restaurants , including ones started by famed chef Rick Bayless , as well as to charcuterie shops .
Then , practically overnight , restaurants and shops shut down , drying up the farm ’ s business .
The farm has been able to switch to retail packaging and selling the pork and poultry elsewhere but it ’ s been far from easy , coming after endless hours of work by the family and employees , said Greg Gunthorp .
That involved changing the labeling , adding bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than selling in bulk .
“ It ’ s been way , way too much work , way more changes .
We made more changes in the first two weeks than we had planned to make in two years , ” he said .
Templeton Farm , a small grass-fed beef farm in East Montpelier , Vermont , lost its biggest business — two restaurant accounts — when they had to shut down .
But around the same time , the phone starting ringing with people seeking locally raised beef , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our beef sales have been off the charts , ” he said .
PrairiErth Farm in Atlanta , Illinois , this season doubled its consumer supported agriculture , where customers pay up front for produce throughout the season to 322 members , said Katie Bishop , one of the farmers .
And it has about 75 on its waiting list , she said .
However , it ’ s unclear whether this new model will be sustainable once the coronavirus crisis passes .
Food products that are heavily dependent on restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers back , said John Sackton , an industry analyst and publisher of SeafoodNews.com .
But for now , selling direct to customers is a way to get a better price for those products than they would typically see , he said .
Pray , a Maine fishermen for three decades , said he ’ s managing to make ends meet so far , but it ’ ll be more of a challenge the longer restaurants and processors remain inaccessible .
One of his customers , South Portland anesthesiologist Stephen Harden , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbours as buying great food .
“ My wife and I sort of felt it was our duty to support locally as much as possible , ” he said .
“ And of course , the food is much better quality .
”

Lisa Rathke And Patrick Whittle - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Brees’ anthem comments draw backlash from teammates, others

NEW ORLEANS - As athletes and sports organizations around the world speak out against racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death , Drew Brees drew sharp criticism after he reiterated his opposition to Colin Kaepernick ’ s kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 .
Los Angeles Lakers great LeBron James , Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins and former NFL player Martellus Bennett are just some of the high-profile athletes to criticize Brees on their Twitter feeds .
Brees , a New Orleans Saints quarterback who won the Super Bowl in the 2009 season , was asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to revisit former NFL quarterback Kaepernick ’ s kneeling during the national anthem before games to bring awareness of police brutality and racial injustice .
“ I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States , ” Brees began , adding that the national anthem reminds him of his grandfathers , who served in the armed forces during World War II .
“ In many cases , it brings me to tears thinking about all that has been sacrificed , and not just in the military , but for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights movements of the ’ 60s , and all that has been endured by so many people up until this point.
” Many athletes have repeatedly said the kneeling was not about disrespecting the flag or the military but instead about police brutality .
Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Floyd , a Minneapolis black man who was handcuffed as the officer kneeled on Floyd ’ s neck for more than eight minutes .
Kaepernick hasn ’ t yet responded to the comments by Brees , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma .
“ This shows you that there are a lot of people & companies out there right now that will say they stand with us but only do it so they dont get bashed not because they mean it , ” Kuzma wrote above a photo of Brees kneeling alongside teammates before an NFL game .
Brees has previously said he supports those against police brutality but he does not see the national anthem as the proper forum .
In 2017 , Brees participated with teammates who knelt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood in unison when the anthem was played .
James , who has been a leader in the social justice movement , said he couldn ’ t believe Brees was still confused about what Kaepernick was trying to do .
“ WOW MAN !
!
” James wrote on Twitter .
“ Is it still surprising at this point .
Sure isn ’ t !
You literally still don ’ t understand why Kap was kneeling on one knee ?
?
Has absolute nothing to do with the disrespect of ( American flag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women ) who keep our land free .
My father-in-law was one of those.
” Bennett , who won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots and retired in 2018 , posted a long thread saying none of the white quarterbacks in the league have spoken out when it wasn ’ t easy to do so .
“ And y ’ all wan na applaud them for these statements , when y ’ all crucified every athlete that said something by protesting in the beginning , ” Bennett wrote .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re saying something.. but when they had a chance to make a big play for their black teammates and colleagues most of em remained silent , showed ignorance or didn ’ t say anything of importance when it was really needed.
” Jenkins , who was Brees ’ teammate when the Saints won the Super Bowl , spent the past six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before returning to New Orleans this off-season .
He posted a video of himself on Twitter speaking to his teammate .
“ Drew Brees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurtful , how insensitive your comments are , you are part of the problem , ” Jenkins said .
“ To think that because your grandfathers served in this country that you have a great respect for the flag that everybody else should have the same ideals and thoughts that you do is ridiculous .
“ And it shows that you don ’ t know history .
Because when our grandfathers fought for this country and served , they came back ... they didn ’ t come back to a hero ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked for wearing their uniforms .
They came back to racism .
To complete violence .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Pentagon-Trump clash breaks open over military and protests

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s Pentagon chief shot down his idea of using troops to quell protests across the United States , then reversed course on pulling part of the 82nd Airborne Division off standby in an extraordinary clash between the U.S. military and its commander in chief .
Both Trump and Defence Secretary Mark Esper also drew stinging , rare public criticism from Trump ’ s first defence secretary , Jim Mattis , in the most public pushback of Trump ’ s presidency from the men he put at the helm of the world ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed Trump ’ s threats to use the military to “ dominate ” the streets where Americans are demonstrating following the death of George Floyd , a black man who died when a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes .
Trump had urged governors to call out the National Guard to contain protests that turned violent and warned that he could send in active duty military forces if they did not .
Esper angered Trump when he said he opposed using military troops for law enforcement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s threat to use the Insurrection Act .
Esper said the 1807 law should be invoked “ only in the most urgent and dire of situations.
” He added , “ We are not in one of those situations now.
” After Esper ’ s visit to the White House , the Pentagon abruptly overturned an earlier decision to send a couple hundred active-duty soldiers home from the Washington , D.C. , region , a public sign of the growing tensions with the White House amid mounting criticism that the Pentagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests .
Former Secretary Mattis , a retired Marine general , lambasted both Trump and Esper in an essay in The Atlantic for their consideration of using the active-duty military in law enforcement — and for the use of the National Guard in clearing out a largely peaceful protest near the White House on Monday evening .
“ We must reject any thinking of our cities as a ‘ battlespace ’ that our uniformed military is called upon to ‘ dominate , ’ ” Mattis wrote , referencing quotes by Esper and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we witnessed in Washington , D.C. , sets up a conflict — a false conflict — between the military and civilian society .
” Trump responded on Twitter by calling Mattis “ the world ’ s most overrated General , ” adding : “ I didn ’ t like his ‘ leadership ’ style or much else about him , and many others agree , Glad he is gone !
” Days ago , Esper had ordered about 1,300 Army personnel to military bases outside the nation ’ s capital as Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and send active-duty troops into the city , where the scene of large protests that devolved into violence and looting over the weekend .
But after a night of calm enforced by a large deployment of National Guard troops and heavily armed federal law enforcement agents , defence officials said the troops would begin returning to their home base .
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The Associated Press that the decision was reversed after Esper ’ s visit to the White House .
The White House didn ’ t respond to request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The shift added to confusion over the president ’ s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act for protests following Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis .
White House officials had indicated even before Esper ’ s comments that Trump was backing away from invoking the act , though officials said Trump was upset that Esper ’ s statement conveyed “ weakness.
” Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the president was still willing to deploy federal troops despite Esper ’ s comments : “ If needed , he will use it , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president was taking credit for the deployment of federal and other law enforcement officers to the nation ’ s capital , saying it offered a model to states on how to stop violence accompanying some protests nationwide .
On Wednesday evening , troops and others were out in force in Washington .
A Defence official said at least 2,200 National Guard members would be on the streets .
Helmeted forces ringed Lafayette Park across from the White House .
Military vehicles were parked at intersections , blocking access .
Asked repeatedly if Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , McEnany said , “ As of right now , Secretary Esper is still Secretary Esper , and should the president lose faith we will all learn about that in the future.
” The defence secretary has come under fire from critics , including retired senior military officers , for having walked from the White House on Monday evening with Trump and others for a presidential photo opportunity in front of St. John ’ s Episcopal Church , damaged by protesters .
Esper said that while he was aware they were heading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not aware a photo op was happening.
” He said he also did not know that police had forcibly moved peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square to clear the way for Trump and his entourage .
Mattis , in his essay Wednesday , called the scene an “ abuse of executive authority.
“ The retired general quit the Trump administration in December 2018 after months of conflict with the president as Trump announced he was unilaterally withdrawing American troops from Syria .
The White House laid responsibility for Monday ’ s events in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying he gave the order to clear out the protest before Trump ’ s walk to the church ahead of Washington ’ s 7 p.m. curfew .
McEnany said law enforcement conducted the operation with appropriate force , which included pepper spray and other chemical agents , and officers on horseback and batons clearing a crowd made up almost entirely of peaceful protesters .
Though the crackdown on the Washington demonstrations was praised by some Trump supporters , a handful of Republicans expressed concern that law enforcement officers risked violating the protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been furious about images juxtaposing fires set in the park outside the executive mansion with a darkened White House in the background , according to current and former campaign and administration officials .
He was also angry about the news coverage revealing he had gone to the secure White House bunker during Friday ’ s protests .
Trump acknowledged he visited the bunker but claimed he was only conducting an inspection as protests raged outside .
AP writers Michael Balsamo and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington and Sarah Blake Morgan in West Jefferson @ @ @ @ @ @

Zeke Miller And Robert Burns - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--McCann family seeks closure as Germany presumes girl is dead

LONDON - Madeleine McCann ’ s family is hoping for closure in the case after a key suspect was identified in Germany and as authorities there say they believe the missing British girl is dead .
McCann was 3 at the time of her disappearance while she was on vacation with her family in Portugal in 2007 .
U.K. and German authorities haven ’ t named the suspect but said he is 43 and was in and around the Praia da Luz resort area on the Algarve coast at the time Madeleine McCann disappeared on May 3 , 2007 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case previously , family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said that it seems as if there is something different this time .
“ In more than 13 years of working with the family I can ’ t recall the police being so specific about an individual , ’ ’ Mitchell told Sky News .
“ He is not being named and the police are quite adamant they are not going to do that , certainly not yet , but they want very specific details around his movement in 2007 , even down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madeleine went missing and the fact he changed the registration of his car the day after.
’ ’ Hans Christian Wolters , a prosecutor in Braunschweig , Germany , told reporters investigators are operating on the assumption that McCann is dead .
“ In connection with the disappearance of the then 3-year-old British girl Madeleine Beth McCann on the May 3 , 2007 from an apartment complex in Praia da Luz in Portugal , Braunschweig prosecutors are investigating a 43-year-old German citizen on suspicion of murder , ” he told reporters .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the girl is dead.
” The long-running case of McCann , who vanished shortly before her fourth birthday , has mesmerized Britain for years .
Her parents say Madeleine disappeared after they had left her and her twin siblings asleep in their holiday complex while they had dinner with friends at a nearby restaurant .
More than 600 people had been identified as being potentially significant , but officers were tipped off about the German suspect following a 2017 appeal , 10 years after the girl went missing .
Police said the suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blond hair and a slim build , was linked to a camper van seen in the Algarve in 2007 and was believed to be in the resort area in the days before and after May 3 that year .
Christian Hoppe of Germany ’ s Federal Criminal Police Office told German public broadcaster ZDF that the suspect , a German citizen , is currently imprisoned in Germany for a sexual crime .
He spent numerous years in Portugal and has two previous convictions for “ sexual contact with girls.
” Hoppe said German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual motive .
They said whoever abducted the girl may have broken into the holiday apartment and then spontaneously committed the kidnapping .
The suspect is being investigated on suspicion of murder by prosecutors in the German city of Braunschweig , where he was last registered before moving abroad .
Wolters would not give any other details of the suspect ’ s identity so as not to jeopardize the ongoing investigation .
Police from Britain , Germany and Portugal launched a new joint appeal for information in the case Wednesday .
They asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had seen two vehicles linked to the suspect — a Volkswagen camper van and a Jaguar .
They also sought information on two Portuguese phone numbers , including one believed to have been used by the suspect on the day of Madeleine ’ s disappearance .
The family , as ever , as searching for answers .
“ They do remain hopeful that she could still be found alive , ’ ’ Mitchell said .
“ They ’ ve never given up on that hope , nor will they , until they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary .
But they say that despite all that , whatever the outcome of this particular line of enquiry might be , they need to know as they need to find peace .
’ ’

Danica Kirka And David Rising - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--China easing airline access amid conflict with Washington

BEIJING - Chinese regulators said Thursday more foreign airlines will be allowed to fly to China as anti-coronavirus controls ease , but it was unclear whether the change will defuse a fresh conflict with the Trump administration over air travel .
The announcement came after Washington said Wednesday it would bar four Chinese airlines from the United States because Beijing was failing to allow United Airlines and Delta Air Lines to resume flights to China .
Airlines that were flying to China when controls were imposed in March were allowed to keep making one flight per week .
United and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and asked permission to resume .
Airlines that aren ’ t on the March list can make one flight per week starting Monday , the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on its website .
The announcement appeared to open the door to United and Delta but CAAC gave no indication which carriers were affected .
An employee who answered the phone at CAAC said she had no details .
She would give only her surname , Yan .
Asked what it heard from Chinese regulators about its status , United said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resuming passenger service between the United States and China when the regulatory environment allows us to do so.
” The dispute adds to U.S.-Chinese strains over trade , technology , Taiwan , human rights and the status of Hong Kong .
The Chinese foreign ministry expressed regret at the U.S. announcement and said CAAC was “ making solemn complaints ” to the Department of Transportation .
“ Some progress has already been made in the arrangements .
China has also announced adjustments of its policies , ” said a ministry spokesman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States will not create obstacles for solving the problem.
” Foreign carriers will be allowed to increase flights to two per week if they go three weeks with no passengers testing positive for the virus , CAAC said .
It said a route will be suspended for one week if the number of passengers who test positive reaches five .
Ahead of the Chinese announcement , the Transportation Department accused Beijing of violating a 1980 agreement on air travel .
It said in response , Chinese carriers would be allowed the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlines .
The department said President Donald Trump could put the order into effect before June 16 .
The department protested last month that Beijing was preventing U.S. airlines from competing fairly against Chinese carriers .
The four airlines affected by the order are Air China , China Eastern Airlines , China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines .
The Chinese ministries of commerce and transportation didn ’ t immediately respond to questions about how Beijing might react .
Before the pandemic , there were about 325 passenger flights a week between the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by United , Delta and American Airlines .
While U.S. carriers stopped flying , Chinese airlines made 20 weekly flights in mid-February and 34 by mid-March .
The Transportation Department said it objected to China ’ s March limit but Beijing responded last week that it was not violating the air-travel treaty because the same one-flight limit applies to Chinese airlines .
United and Delta announced last month that they hoped to resume flights to China in June , as air travel has begun to recover recently .
United wants to fly from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Newark , New Jersey , to Shanghai .
Delta seeks to resume flights via Seoul to Shanghai from Seattle and Detroit .
AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing , AP Business Writer David Koenig in Dallas and Associated Press Writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Spain: New prison terms for men in notorious sex abuse case

MADRID - Four Spanish men in prison for raping a woman in a notorious case from 2016 have received new prison terms for a separate incident of sexual abuse the same year .
The men had a WhatsApp group named “ La Manada , ” or “ The Animal Pack , ” and are currently serving 15-year sentences handed down by the Supreme Court for raping an 18-year-old woman during Pamplona ’ s San Fermin festival in 2016 .
The case triggered widespread women ’ s rights protests and soul-searching over the way sex crimes against women are handled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the men of lesser crimes .
On Thursday , a court in the southern Cordoba province ruled that the men sexually abused a 21-year-old woman two months before the Pamplona case .
The assault took place after they had driven her home from a night club , and while she was unconscious .
A video of the assault recorded by the men was key evidence in the trial .
Three of them received 2 years and 10 months of imprisonment for sexual abuse and crimes against the victim ’ s privacy , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recording was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison .
The sentences can be appealed .
A grouping of women against violence has called for an evening protest in Cordoba because they deem the sentence “ shameful ” and “ insufficient.
” Their slogan is “ Without justice there is no equality .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Many more likely sought US jobless aid even as layoffs slow

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government is set to issue its latest report Thursday on the layoffs that have left millions @ @ @ @ @ as many businesses have begun to reopen and to rehire some laid-off workers .
The @ @ @ @ @ been declining over the past two months after the coronavirus had struck hard in March @ @ @ @ @ and sent the economy into a deep recession .
The dwindling pace of jobless claims @ @ @ @ @ the job market may have bottomed out .
Still , by historical standards the number @ @ @ @ @ .
On Friday , the government is expected to report that the economy lost 8 @ @ @ @ @ on top of 20 million lost in April .
Unemployment could near 20 % .
@ @ @ @ @ economy that was seized by the worst downturn since the Great Depression .
Most economists @ @ @ @ @ digits through the November elections and into 2021 .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Democrats prepare police reform bills after Floyd’s death

WASHINGTON - Congressional Democrats , powered by the Congressional Black Caucus , are preparing a sweeping package of police reforms as pressure builds on the federal government to respond to the death of George Floyd and others in law enforcement interactions .
With the urgency of mass protests outside their doors , lawmakers on Capitol Hill are working furiously to draft what could become one of the most ambitious efforts in years to oversee the way law enforcement works .
Sens .
Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California , both former presidential candidates , are expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with a House bill coming soon .
Both the Senate and House efforts are expected to include changes to police accountability laws , such as revising immunity provisions , and creating a database of police use-of-force incidents .
Revamped training requirements are planned , too , among them a ban on the use of choke holds .
Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , has endorsed such a ban .
“ We have a moral moment in our country , ” Rep. Karen Bass , D-Calif. , the chairwoman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call Wednesday .
The political stakes of any police reform effort are high , amplified in an election year by President Donald Trump ’ s “ law and order ” stance , including his threats to call in the U.S. military to clamp down on protesters .
With mass unrest now entering a second week , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought to shift the national tone Wednesday by walking and talking with protesters outside the Capitol .
The House is expected to vote by month ’ s end .
“ We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on MSNBC .
With Democrats in the majority , the bills will almost certainly pass the House .
But the outcome in the Senate is less certain .
Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the chamber would take a look at the issues , but he has not endorsed any particular legislation .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , the chairman of the Judiciary Committee , tweeted that his panel will conduct a hearing “ to shine a bright light on the problems associated with Mr. Floyd ’ s death , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way forward for our nation.
” But much like efforts to stem gun violence after mass shootings , the political momentum for changes to policing procedures could ebb as the protests and images of those who have died fade from public view .
For example , a long-sought federal anti-lynching bill has languished in Congress .
“ Words of kindness and grace are essential to America , but they ’ re not enough right now , ” Booker said during a Senate floor speech this week .
“ It ’ s on us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change the law.
” “ This is just one thing we can do , ” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , D-N.Y. , who is introducing a bill in the Senate similar to one in the House that seeks to make choke-hold suffocation a federal crime .
“ This is a moment that demands leadership , it demands a reckoning.
” Sen. Brian Schatz , D-Hawaii , is considering an upcoming defence bill provision that would ban the transfer of military equipment , including armour and tanks , to police and sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other measures .
Rep. Frederica Wilson , D-Fla. , is proposing a national commission on the status of young black men and boys and Rep. Barbara Lee , D-Calif. , has legislation to establish a national truth and reconciliation commission on black Americans .
It ’ s not clear whether law enforcement will back the changes .
Many of the efforts will likely be supported by other minority lawmakers .
Rep. Judy Chu , D-Calif. , the chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus , convened the call Wednesday with the leaders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucuses .
“ We stand together , ” she said .
Rep. Brenda Lawrence , D-Mich. , is among several members of the black caucus who will be attending memorial or funeral services for Floyd on Thursday in Minnesota and Texas .
She acknowledged the opposition the bills will likely face , but called on fellow lawmakers to consider the option of doing nothing .
“ It ’ s very hard to watch that video and go back in your corner , ” Lawrence said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--On Tiananmen anniversary, Hong Kong bans insults to anthem

Hong Kong ’ s legislature approved a contentious bill Thursday that makes it illegal to insult the Chinese national anthem .
The legislation was approved after pro-democracy opposition lawmakers tried to disrupt the vote .
It passed with 41 lawmakers voting for it and just one voting against .
Most of the pro-democracy lawmakers boycotted the vote out of protest .
The pro-democracy camp sees the anthem law as an infringement of freedom of expression and of the greater rights that residents of the semi-autonomous city have compared to mainland China .
The pro-Beijing majority in the legislature said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show appropriate respect for the anthem .
Those found guilty of intentionally abusing the “ March of the Volunteers ” face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 50,000 Hong Kong dollars ( $ 6,450 ) .
Thursday ’ s vote coincided with the 31st anniversary of China ’ s bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing ’ s Tiananmen Square .
Before debate began , pro-democracy lawmakers stood in silence to mark the anniversary and put signs on their desks saying , “ Do not forget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will not die.
” Debate over the legislative was later suspended after pro-democracy lawmakers staged a protest , with one dropping a pot of pungent liquid in the chamber .
Raising a sign that said “ A murderous regime stinks for ten thousand years , ” lawmaker Ray Chan walked to the front with the pot hidden inside a Chinese paper lantern .
When security guards tried to stop him , he dropped the lantern and the pot , and was ejected from the meeting .
Another lawmaker who accompanied him was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and police and firemen were called in to investigate the incident .
When the meeting resumed , pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui again splashed some liquid at the front of the meeting room and was escorted out .
The president of Hong Kong ’ s legislature , Andrew Leung , called such behaviour irresponsible and childish .
He cut short the debate because of the suspension and called for the vote .
Critics said the shortened debate allowed the bill to be pushed through .
“ I have not cut short the meeting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Leung said afterward .
“ I have told members that I have scheduled 30 hours ( to debate the bill ) so we just work according to the schedule.
“ The contentious debate over the bill comes after China ’ s ceremonial national legislature formally approved a decision last week to enact a national security law for Hong Kong that could see Chinese security agents posted in the city .
The national security law is aimed at curbing subversive activity , with Beijing pushing for it after a monthslong pro-democracy protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and protesters .
Opponents of the anthem law and national security law see them as signs of Beijing ’ s tightening control over the territory .
While experts have warned that the security law could imperil Hong Kong ’ s status as one of the world ’ s best places to do business , at least two banks with a strong Asian presence have publicly backed the decision .
HSBC said in a Chinese social media post that it “ respects and supports all laws that stabilize Hong Kong ’ s social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it believed the national security law would “ help maintain the long-term economic and social stability of Hong Kong.
” Beijing began pushing for the anthem law after Hong Kong soccer fans jeered the national anthem at international matches in 2015 .
As anti-government protests engulfed Hong Kong last year , thousands of fans booed loudly and turned their backs when the anthem was played at a World Cup qualifier match against Iran in September .
FIFA later fined the Hong Kong Football Association over the incident .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Protests turn subdued after new charges in Floyd case

MINNEAPOLIS - Demonstrations in cities across the U.S. to condemn racism and police abuses remained large but turned notably more subdued on the eve of a Thursday memorial service for George Floyd that kicks off a series of events to mourn the man whose death empowered a national movement .
The calmer protests came on the same day that prosecutors charged three more police officers and filed a new , tougher charge against the officer at the centre of the case .
The most serious new charge Wednesday was an accusation of second-degree murder against Derek Chauvin , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s neck .
The three other officers at the scene were charged for the first time with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
If convicted , they could be sentenced to up to four decades in prison .
The move by prosecutors punctuated an unprecedented week in modern American history , in which largely peaceful protests took place in communities of all sizes but were rocked by bouts of violence , including deadly attacks on officers , rampant thefts and arson in some places .
Nationwide , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connection with unrest , an Associated Press tally shows .
More than a dozen deaths have been reported , though the circumstances in many cases are still being sorted out .
Floyd ’ s name has become a rallying cry in other countries , too , unleashing protests against police violence and racial injustice .
In the U.S. , protests were still big , but largely peaceful in California , where NBA stars Steph Curry and Klay Thompson marched with protesters in Oakland .
Some demonstrators lay down to represent the amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee into Floyd ’ s neck while he pleaded for air .
But police kept a mainly hands-off policy during the day even after curfews took effect .
The first of three memorial gatherings for the man whose name has been chanted by hundreds of thousands of people was planned Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis at a service where the Rev .
Al Sharpton , the civil rights leader , and family attorney Ben Crump will speak .
Floyd ’ s body will then travel to Raeford , North Carolina , where he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public viewing and private family service Saturday .
There will be a large service Monday in Houston , where Floyd spent most of his life , and will include addresses from Sharpton , Crump , and the Rev .
Remus E. Wright , the family pastor .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , may attend .
A private burial will follow .
Crump called the additional charges against the officers “ a bittersweet moment ” and “ a significant step forward on the road to justice.
” After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Tim Walz , said the state and nation need to “ seize the moment ” and use the wrenching events of the past week to confront the effects of racism , including unequal educational and economic opportunities .
“ I think this is probably our last shot , as a state and as a nation , to fix this systemic issue , ” he said .
Hundreds of protesters were in New York City ’ s Washington Square Park when the charges were announced .
“ It ’ s not enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisting all four officers should have been charged from the start .
“ Right now , we ’ re still marching because it ’ s not enough that they got arrested .
There needs to be systematic change.
” But the mood in New York turned sombre later in the day after a police officer on an anti-looting patrol was ambushed by a man who walked up behind him and stabbed him in the neck .
That set off a struggle in which two other officers suffered gunshot injuries to their hands .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and second-degree manslaughter , counts that still stand .
The new second-degree murder charge alleges that Chauvin caused Floyd ’ s death without intent while committing another felony , namely third-degree assault .
It carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison , compared with a maximum of 25 years for third-degree murder .
The other officers — Thomas Lane , J. Kueng and Tou Thao — face the same maximum penalties for aiding and abetting .
All three men were in custody by Wednesday evening .
The multiple charges against each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find them guilty .
Also Wednesday , the Hennepin County Medical Examiner ’ s Office released the full autopsy report on Floyd , which noted he had previously tested positive for COVID-19 but was apparently asymptomatic .
The report was released with the family ’ s permission after summary findings Monday that said he had a heart attack while being restrained by officers .
President Donald Trump has pushed the nation ’ s governors to take a hard line against the violence .
He again tweeted Wednesday : “ LAW & ORDER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including officers from the FBI Hostage Rescue Team , the Secret Service , the Drug Enforcement Administration , the Bureau of Prisons and , according to a senior defence official , at least 2,200 National Guard soldiers — was out in force Wednesday as thousands of peaceful protesters demonstrated in the nation ’ s capital .
Military vehicles were parked on streets near the White House .
An FBI plane , an Army surveillance plane and a Park Police helicopter circled overhead .
At one point near the White House , protesters began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knelt in view of officers in riot gear .
“ We are not going anywhere !
” they chanted .
There were no signs of confrontations .
Protester Jade Jones , 30 , said the demonstrations would continue despite the new charges .
“ That ’ s the least they could do , ” Jones said .
“ It ’ s not going to wipe away 400 years of pain.
” In New York City , where high-end stores were looted in earlier days , some retailers fortified their property .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ windows were boarded up , then covered in chain-link fencing and razor wire .
The front of the store was guarded by a line of tattooed men with dogs .
The protests also also taken root internationally as Floyd ’ s name has quickly become familiar around the world .
When other black men were killed at the hands of U.S. police in recent years , the news reached global headlines , but not the streets .
This time is different .
Silent protesters in front of the U.S. Embassy in Paris carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ” - in French .
Protesters waved banners bearing his name from Johannesburg to London , Tel Aviv and Sydney , and seized the moment to call attention to police violence , racial injustice or other problems closer to home .
“ It ’ s a solidarity question .
We stand with our brothers , internationally , our sisters as well , but the same thing is happening here .
It ’ s no different , “ Isaak Kabenge said Wednesday while a protest in Stockholm .
Nomaan Merchant reported from Houston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the world contributed to this report .

Nomaan Merchant, Amy Forliti And Tim Sullivan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Flooding from heavy seasonal rains leaves 16 dead in Yemen

SANAA , Yemen - Floods swept through Yemen amid heavy seasonal rains , leaving at least 16 people dead and flooding dozens of homes , security officials said Thursday .
The casualties were reported in eastern Hadramawt and southern Shabwa provinces , where it began raining late Wednesday , said the officials , who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media .
Yemen ’ s rainy season runs from April to the end of August .
At least 25 houses were flooded and hundreds of livestock killed in Hadramawt , the officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents trapped in valleys by the flooding .
On Wednesday , Yemen ’ s National Meteorological Center issued a statement warning Yemenis to stay away from flood ducts in affected areas and to take necessary precautions .
The Arab world ’ s poorest country has been war-torn since 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels who led an insurgency against an internationally recognized government a year earlier and overran the country ’ s north .
Yemen is located at the southern corner of the Arabian Peninsula , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Deputies: Virginia man assaulted 3 people due to their race

LOCUST GROVE , Va. - Deputies in Virginia said a white man who called to report an assault turned out @ @ @ @ @ and has been charged with attacking three people because of their race .
Authorities responding @ @ @ @ @ Halstead in Locust Grove on Tuesday night “ interviewed several people and determined that the @ @ @ @ @ perpetrator of assault and battery on three individuals , ” the Orange County Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook post .
Halstead , 53 , was booked into a regional jail on charges @ @ @ @ @ counts of felonious assault and battery due to the victim ’ s race .
The @ @ @ @ @ information on the race of the victims .
It was not immediately clear if Halstead @ @ @ @ @ comment on his behalf .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Dozens raided over hate comments on slain German politician

BERLIN - German investigators on Thursday carried out raids on dozens of people suspected of posting hate messages about a regional politician from Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s party who was killed last year .
Walter Luebcke , who led the regional administration in the central Kassel region , was shot on his porch on June 1 , 2019 , and died later that night .
His killing sparked widespread outrage in Germany and warnings about the growing danger of violent far-right extremism .
A man with previous convictions for a string of violent anti-migrant crimes has been charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he attended an October 2015 town hall event where Luebcke defended the German government ’ s decision to allow hundreds of thousands of refugees into the country .
A video of Luebcke ’ s remarks was widely shared in far-right circles , drawing numerous threats .
Frankfurt prosecutors said that authorities in 12 of Germany ’ s 16 states conducted searches and questioning of 40 people suspected of posting “ criminally relevant comments ” about Luebcke , largely on various social media networks .
The action was the result of an investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigated on suspicion of offences including public incitement to commit crimes , endorsing crimes and disparaging the memory of the dead .
Prosecutors in Bavaria , where seven of the suspects live , said the comments were posted both before and after Luebcke ’ s death .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Protests eclipse pandemic, but White House fears resurgence

WASHINGTON - For weeks , President Donald Trump has been eager to publicly turn the page on the coronavirus pandemic .
Now fears are growing within the White House that the very thing that finally shoved the virus from centre stage — mass protests over the death of George Floyd — may bring about its resurgence .
Trump this week has eagerly pronounced himself the “ president of law and order “ in response to the racial unrest that has swept across the nation , overshadowing the pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 105,000 Americans and imperiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the president remain .
Thousands of Americans — many without protective face masks — have jammed the nation ’ s streets over the past week in defiance of social distancing guidelines from governors and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The White House coronavirus task force , which has dramatically scaled back its operations as states reopen their economies , is scrambling to track the potential impact on infection rates .
Any uptick in cases in the weeks ahead could slow the economic rebirth that Trump ’ s advisers believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in five months .
“ A second wave , whether now or in September , would obviously be a setback to the economic recovery and Trump ’ s reelection hopes , ” said Republican strategist Alex Conant .
“ What Trump needs more than anything is a resurgence of consumer and business confidence .
A second wave or prolonged civil unrest will undermine that.
” It could take weeks to judge the impact of the nationwide protests on the spread of COVID-19 , which had been dramatically ebbing across most of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
Those infected with the virus sometimes take several days to display symptoms , creating a lag in the data .
And many protesters were masked and skewed younger — a population that is less affected by the virus but may also have greater numbers of asymptomatic spreaders — complicating predictions .
Dr. Deborah Birx , the administration ’ s coronavirus co-ordinator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began , looking for indicators of potential resurgence in cases , a White House official said .
The official , who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters , said Birx was expected to present the task force with early impressions this week but the fuller picture likely won ’ t be known for some time .
Questions are swirling about whether the White House is prepared to handle a possible resurgence after deliberately placing the government ’ s public health response on the back burner to put more focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force received a stay of execution last month when Trump decided not to dissolve it .
The group now has a smaller portfolio as the federal priority shifts to helping states safely reopen and the race for a vaccine has been put under the separate auspices of “ Operation Warp Speed.
” The task force is still collecting data , co-ordinating the distribution of supplies and test kits , and serving as a sounding board for states , but officials said there ’ s less to do now that critical supply shortages have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadly available .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s leading infectious disease expert , told CNN this week that he had not spoken to Trump in half a month .
White House officials are warily watching metropolitan areas where the protests have ignited , hoping the outdoor settings reduce the risk .
The administration will also encourage governors to reestablish testing sites that were destroyed or shut down due to the protests .
“ President Trump continues to lead the nation through this unprecedented pandemic , including expedited vaccine development and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking decisive action to restore law and order to our streets and ensure justice , ” said White House spokesman Judd Deere .
Soon after the coronavirus reached American shores , the president expressed frustration at how quickly the pandemic crippled the economy , depriving Trump of his best argument for reelection .
Trump also had hoped to revive his 2016 playbook to tarnish Democratic rival Joe Biden as an ineffective and corrupt Washington insider , only to have the pandemic all but suspend the campaign .
Desperate to change the subject , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of a routine intelligence procedure known as unmasking as “ the biggest political crime in history “ to slam Biden and promoted an unfounded murder conspiracy theory against MSNBC host Joe Scarborough , a frequent Trump critic .
The president has spoken about the coronavirus only sparingly over the last week , mostly to level broadsides against China and the World Health Organization for what he sees as a failure to adequately warn the world about the threat of the virus .
Aides have been encouraged by the lack of a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some states ’ reopening .
Trump is slated Friday to visit a factory in Maine that makes swabs used to test for the coronavirus , his first pandemic-themed travel in more than two weeks .
The event has a 2020 backdrop : Maine divides its electoral votes , and the event will be held in the state ’ s 2nd Congressional District , which Trump won four years ago and is banking on again this November .
All of Trump ’ s recent official travel has been to electoral battleground states , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers nervously track his standing in polls .
His campaign has welcomed the recent shift to law-and-order themes , believing the president ’ s combative rhetoric and talk about sending the military into cities will reassure voters concerned about lawlessness , including senior citizens and suburban women .
But , just as with the pandemic , the Biden campaign sees Trump ’ s handling of the protests after Floyd ’ s death as fresh proof for the former vice-president ’ s argument Trump is dangerously unfit for the presidency .
Its pitch is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clean up the mess and “ restore the soul of the nation.
” “ The American people are crying out for leadership , ” said Biden spokesman Andrew Bates .
“ Narcissism , fear , and smallness will never meet this moment , but Trump doesn ’ t know how to offer anything else.
” Lemire reported from New York .
Associated Press writer Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report .
Follow Lemire on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/ @ JonLemire and Miller at https : //twitter.com/ @ zekejmiller .

Jonathan Lemire And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press