thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Oxygen already runs low as COVID-19 surges in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG - The coronavirus storm has arrived in South Africa , but in the overflowing COVID-19 wards the sound is less of a roar than a rasp .
Medical oxygen is already low in hospitals at the new epicenter of the country ’ s outbreak , Gauteng province , home to the power centres of Johannesburg and the capital , Pretoria .
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize , visiting a hospital Friday , said authorities are working with industry to divert more oxygen their way .
Some of the hospital ’ s patients spilled into heated tents in the parking lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle of winter in the Southern Hemisphere , with a cold front arriving this weekend and temperatures expected to dip below freezing .
South Africa overnight posted another record daily high of confirmed cases , 13,674 , as Africa ’ s most developed country is a new global hot spot with 238,339 cases overall .
More than a third are in Gauteng .
“ The storm that we have consistently warned South Africans about is now arriving , ” Mkhize said this week .
A nurse at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 3,000 beds — painted a bleak picture , saying new patients with the virus are now being admitted into ordinary wards as the COVID-19 ones are full .
“ Our hospital is overloaded already .
There has been an influx of patients over the last two weeks , ” the nurse said , speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give interviews .
More and more colleagues at the hospital are testing positive daily for the virus , the nurse said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in COVID wards.
” Already more than 8,000 health workers across Africa have been infected — half of them in South Africa .
How the country struggles to manage the pandemic will be amplified in other nations across Africa , which has the world ’ s lowest levels of health funding and health staffing .
The continent as of Friday had 541,381 confirmed cases , but shortages in testing materials means the real number is unknown .
South Africa ’ s surge in cases comes as the country loosens what had been one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with even alcohol sales banned until June 1 .
Now restaurants have sit-down service and religious gatherings have resumed .
The economy was hurting and needed reopening , authorities said .
But nervous officials in Gauteng province have called for stricter lockdown measures to return .
On Friday , Gauteng Premier David Makhura announced he had tested positive with mild symptoms .
“ We must double our efforts , ” he said in a statement , urging people to wear face masks , wash their hands and distance themselves .
Warning signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provinces could be full within the month , the health minister said this week .
On Friday he said a team is looking at 2,000 additional beds for field hospitals in Gauteng .
In addition to the bed shortage , many hospitals are grappling with limited oxygen supplies to treat patients with the respiratory disease .
Guy Richards , director of clinical care at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg , told the AP they are extremely worried .
“ Even a big hospital like ours has difficulty supplying sufficient amounts of oxygenation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening at Helen Joseph ( Hospital ) , and this is a major problem , ” he said .
At the field hospital in the Nasrec Expo Center in Johannesburg none of the 450 beds have oxygen , said Lynne Wilkinson , a public health specialist who is part of a volunteer effort that ’ s calling for 100 oxygen concentrators .
The purity and volume of oxygen is lower in the portable and usually temporary devices .
Sourcing them is a problem because they ’ re bought up by the private sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the AP : “ They keep them at home.
” Eight hundred new beds will be built at the field hospital , and the health minister on Friday said the facility would receive 1,000 “ oxygen points.
” But that will take weeks , Wilkinson said .
While there ’ s amazing camaraderie among volunteer health workers , “ the patients are scared , very , very scared , ” she said .
“ If you can ’ t breathe and you ’ re not sure you ’ re able to get oxygen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation.
” Tshwane District Hospital , which the health minister visited Friday , is now devoted completely to COVID-19 patients , said Veronica Ueckermann , head of the COVID-19 response team at Steve Biko Academic Hospital , which includes Tshwane District Hospital .
“ Currently we are stretched but we are still coping in terms of our wards , our sisters and doctors are working extremely hard , ” she said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--German convicted of murder in shooting of 6 family members

BERLIN - A court in southern Germany has convicted a 27-year-old man of murder for killing six members of his @ @ @ @ @ German news agency dpa reported that the regional court in Ellwangen sentenced the defendant Friday @ @ @ @ @ fatally shooting his parents , two half-siblings , uncle and aunt during a family gathering @ @ @ @ @ am See .
It also convicted the German man , identified only as Adrian S. @ @ @ @ @ of attempted murder for seriously injuring two other people in the January attack .
The @ @ @ @ @ to take revenge on his mother , alleging she had abused and tried to poison @ @ @ @ @ He did not provide evidence to support those claims .
During the trial , S. @ @ @ @ @ had carefully planned the shooting , including by joining a gun club in order to @ @ @ @ @ but later regretted his actions , dpa reported .

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thetorontostar--2020-07-10--France, Germany lead effort to fire up Serbia-Kosovo talks

BRUSSELS - The leaders of Germany and France led a fresh effort Friday to breathe life into long-stalled talks to normalize ties between Serbia and Kosovo more than 20 years after Belgrade sent troops into its then-province to crush a separatist uprising , but Serbia ’ s president said the Europeans have unrealistic expectations .
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held virtual preparatory talks with Kosovo ’ s prime minister and Serbia ’ s president aiming to pave the way for the first face-to-face meeting of the Balkan countries ’ leaders since November 2018 under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meeting , Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said “ we had really tough negotiations , ” and that he told Macron and Merkel that if Kosovo ’ s independence “ is what they want to talk about , then these talks are completely meaningless.
” “ We will not have an easy time in the future .
I think we will be exposed to great , great , let me not say pressure , but expectations from our European partners , Vucic said .
“ At the same time we are faced with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who want it all , leaving Serbia without anything , ” he said .
Ethnic Albanians made up the Kosovo Liberation Army that fought Serbian troops during a 1998-99 war and now are the majority in Kosovo , which unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 .
Despite the longstanding differences between the neighbouring countries , a French presidential adviser said “ the dialogue is picking up ” and that Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti showed their goodwill simply by coming to Paris for separate meetings earlier this week .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be publicly named under presidential policy , acknowledged that the talks are complex but said that no one underestimates the challenges , and all sides understand that finding a solution is important for regional security .
“ We recognize Kosovo ... Serbia doesn ’ t .
That ’ s the difficulty to resolve , ” said the adviser , who added : “ We should not allow a vacuum to develop in this region.
” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell , who was also involved in the meeting , is due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vucic on Sunday .
EU officials hope the two will come to Brussels in person next Thursday .
Serbia has refused to recognize Kosovo as a separate country , and tensions have continued to simmer between them .
The United States and the European Union have been working to help normalize ties between the two countries .
The EU-facilitated negotiations , which the Europeans say is the only forum that addresses their future aspirations , started in March 2011 and have produced some 30 agreements , but most of them have not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not recognized Kosovo ’ s independence .
The EU and the U.S. officially have the same goal — resolving one of the last major standoffs in the volatile Balkans region after the 1998-1999 war and a NATO intervention to stop a bloody Serb crackdown against Kosovo Albanian separatists .
Still , Sunday ’ s meeting comes after a U.S. effort to get the sides talking , which was not co-ordinated with the Europeans and raised eyebrows in Brussels .
That effort appeared to founder when Hoti cancelled his trip to Washington after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was indicted for alleged war crimes .
European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said it is important to focus on moving things forward and not to get bogged down in the thorny issues involved in the talks .
“ This is not a one-off event .
Dialogue is a process , “ Stano told reporters .
“ What is important at this stage is to get things moving.
” Jovana Gec in Belgrade and Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Asia Today: Australia’s Victoria state has record 288 cases

CANBERRA , Australia - Australia ’ s Victoria state on Friday reported a new daily record of 288 coronavirus cases as well as a record number of tests , more than 37,500 .
Meanwhile , Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the number of citizens and permanent residents allowed to return to Australia each week will be reduced by more than 4,000 from next week .
Sydney , Australia ’ s largest city , has been carrying a disproportionate burden of hotel quarantines that are currently paid for by the New South Wales state government .
Victoria , to the south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hotel quarantine in Melbourne were blamed for Australia ’ s only widespread transmissions of COVID-19 .
Vicotoria Chief Health Officer Breet Sutton said “ certainly , 288 new cases today is a pretty ugly number.
” But he added , “ Our numbers are the numbers that the U.S. gets every 10 minutes .
We are still in a fortunate position and we have gone to a lockdown at this juncture in order not to have those kind of pressures manifest in our system.
” Melbourne went into lockdown again on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become the first state to recommend that its residents wear masks if they can ’ t maintain 1.5 metres ( 5 feet ) of social distancing , such as when they ’ re on public transport or in supermarkets .
Queensland , to the north , charges travellers 2,800 Australian dollars ( $ 1,900 ) for their two weeks in hotel quarantine , making Sydney are more attractive destination for Queenslanders to land from overseas .
Morrison said other states are moving to charge for hotel quarantine as well , given that Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return as soon as possible .
Outside Victoria , most of Australia ’ s COVID-19 cases have been detected in hotel quarantines .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — India ’ s coronavirus caseload is nearing 800,000 with the biggest spike of 26,506 cases reported in the past 24 hours , prompting some states to go back to a stringent lockdown in high-risk areas .
The newly confirmed cases took the national total to 793,802 .
The Health Ministry on Friday also reported another 475 deaths , taking total fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full lockdown in its capital , Patna , and four other districts for a week beginning Friday .
India ’ s most populous state , Uttar Pradesh , with nearly 230 million people , also announced a weekend lockdown .
The two states account for hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who returned to their homes after becoming jobless in late March .
— Tokyo has found 243 new cases of the coronavirus , surpassing 200 for a second day in a row and setting a new record .
Gov .
Yuriko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expanded testing , which has more than tripled from mid-April .
Koike did acknowledge concerns raised by experts over a large proportion of untraceable cases , a sign of infections spreading widely in the community .
She said most of the cases involve young people who work or visit nightlife districts , and that officials are discussing measures targeting the specific population and establishments .
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ’ s government has been reluctant to take additional measures requiring business closures .
A panel of experts on Tokyo ’ s coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread to older people and advised city officials to promptly increase hospital capacity .
Tokyo now has 7,515 cases , compared to more than 20,200 nationwide .
— South Korea has reported 45 new cases of the coronavirus as health authorities scramble to stem infections in major cities across the country .
The figures bring the national caseload to 13,338 , including 288 deaths .
Twenty-three of the new cases came from the Seoul metropolitan area , which has been at the centre of a virus resurgence since late May .
Infections were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Gwangju and Daejeon .
Health authorities say they are stuck in a difficult game of “ whack-a-mole ” with new clusters popping up in various places — including churches , restaurants , nightspots and office buildings .
— China on Friday reported four newly confirmed cases of the coronavirus , all of them brought from overseas .
No new deaths were reported and 342 people remain in treatment .
Another 121 people are in isolation and being monitored as suspected cases or for testing positive for the virus without showing any symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 among 83,585 cases since the virus was first detected late last year in the central city of Wuhan .
— A second man in New Zealand this week is facing charges for escaping from a hotel where he was being held in quarantine , this time allegedly to buy alcohol .
Air Commodore Darryn Webb , head of managed isolation and quarantine , said the man cut through fence ties at the Distinction Hotel in Hamilton on Thursday and was gone for about 30 minutes , visiting a nearby liquor store before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local media as Martin McVicar , made his first court appearance Friday and wasn ’ t required to enter a plea .
Earlier this week , another man who recently returned from India escaped from his Auckland hotel and allegedly went shopping at a supermarket .
He later tested positive for the virus .
New Zealand has eliminated community transmission of the virus and is trying to contain cases at the border by placing new arrivals into a 14-day quarantine at various hotels .
— Sri Lanka has found 196 more COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , taking the number of infections there to 252 .
Authorities reported 56 cases on Thursday after a prisoner who had spent time at the centre tested positive for the virus .
None of the other prisoners who associated him has tested positive .
Sri Lanka had contained community spread of the virus over the past two months , however , new cases in the past two days are raising fears of a resurgence of the disease .
Sri Lanka has reported 2,350 confirmed cases with 11 deaths .
Follow all of AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Seoul mayor’s death prompts sympathy, questions of his acts

SEOUL , KOREA , REPUBLIC OF—The sudden death of Seoul ’ s mayor , reportedly implicated in a sexual harassment complaint , has prompted an outpouring of public sympathy even as it has raised questions about a man who built his career as a reform-minded politician and self-described feminist .
Park Won-soon was found dead on a wooded hill in northern Seoul early Friday , about seven hours after his daughter reported to police he had left her a “ will-like ” verbal message and then left their home .
Authorities launched a massive search for the 64-year-old Park before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there was no sign of foul play at the site though they refused to disclose the cause of death .
On Friday morning , Seoul officials said they were releasing what they called Park ’ s “ will ” found at his residence at the request of his family .
“ I feel sorry to everyone .
I thank everyone who has been with me in my life , ” the note shown on TV said .
It continued with a request that his remains be cremated and scattered around his parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure in South Korean politics .
As a former human rights lawyer , he led two of South Korea ’ s most influential civic groups and was mayor of Seoul , the South Korean capital city with 10 million people , since 2011 .
He was widely considered a leading liberal candidate for president when his political ally and current President Moon Jae-in ’ s single five-year term ends in 2022 .
His supporters wailed and shouted slogans like “ We love you ” and “ We are sorry ” when his body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name was the most popular search word on main internet portal sites , and condolence messages flooded social media .
On one TV program Friday morning , a panelist choked up and couldn ’ t continue talking about Park .
“ I really respected him ...
I hope he can realize all his dreams in heaven , ” Kim Young-hyun , a small-business owner , said near Seoul City Hall .
But anti-Park sentiment also erupted amid media reports that one of his female secretaries had lodged a complaint with police on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend period .
Police only confirmed that a complaint against Park had been filed but cited privacy issues in refusing to elaborate , including about whether the complaint was about sexual behaviour .
The Associated Press made numerous calls to police , who declined to provide more details about the complaint .
Some critics questioned the image of a man who had portrayed himself as “ a feminist mayor ” dedicated to gender equality and a vocal supporter of the “ # MeToo ” movement .
During his days as a human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first sexual harassment conviction in 1998 , following a years-long legal battle in which he represented a Seoul National University research assistant who accused a professor of making sexual advances and firing her after she rejected them .
As mayor , he appointed a special adviser on gender equality issues and introduced policies aimed at designing safer urban environments for women and providing affordable housing for working single women .
“ I think Park did something wrong .
It ’ s also regrettable for anyone in public service to be embroiled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s true or not , ” said Lee Ji-hye , a resident near Seoul .
“ As a former human rights lawyer , he was accused of doing something bad but we can not directly ask him about his position because he ’ s gone now .
That ’ s very disappointing , too.
” Professor Yi Han Sang at Korea University criticized the Seoul city government for planning to establish a public mourning area near its building and use official funds for Park ’ s funeral next week .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could lead to public criticism of the alleged victim and focus on thinking about how to protect her and find the truth about the allegation .
A stream of Park ’ s fellow politicians affiliated with the governing Democratic Party and senior presidential officials visited a private mourning site at Seoul National University Hospital .
Media photos showed sympathy flowers bearing President Moon Jae-in ’ s name placed there .
Presidential chief of staff Noh Young-min told reporters at the hospital that Moon called Park ’ s death “ very shocking , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hae-chan , the Democratic Party chief , confronted journalists there , one asked him how the harassment allegations should be handled .
Lee scolded the journalist for asking a “ rude ” question that he said shouldn ’ t be raised in that place .
There are worries that the public mourning for Park could lead to criticism of the alleged victim , whose identify is largely unknown .
Ryu Ho-jeong of the small liberal opposition Justice Party wrote on Facebook that she won ’ t pay respects to Park , saying she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ feel lonely.
” Her message drew both strong support and opposition online .
Though women ’ s rights have gradually improved in recent years , South Korea largely remains a male-centred society .
The # MeToo movement that began in 2018 in South Korea successfully targeted many male celebrities , but the women who raised allegations sometimes faced strong online attacks and other backlash from supporters of the alleged abusers .
The most prominent South Korean man caught in the # MeToo movement was South Chungcheong Province Gov .
Ahn Hee-jung @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prison term of three and a half years for raping his former secretary .
Earlier this year , Oh Keo-don , the former mayor of Busan , the country ’ s second-largest city , stepped down after a female public servant accused him of sexually assaulting her in his office .

Hyung-Jin Kim - The Associated Press,Kim Tong-Hyung


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Man charged with homicide as hate crime in Wisconsin crash

FOND DU LAC , Wis. - A Mexican American man from Wisconsin is charged with homicide as a hate crime @ @ @ @ @ crashed his pickup truck into a motorcyclist and killed the man because he was white @ @ @ @ @ , of Fond du Lac , told investigators he had been harassed by co-workers and @ @ @ @ @ drugged and verbally attacked by white people because of his race , authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ message Friday seeking comment from Navarro ’ s lawyer .
Phillip Thiessen , 55 , @ @ @ @ @ the town of Taycheedah .
He was a retired special agent with the Wisconsin Department @ @ @ @ @ police officer .
Navarro apparently didn ’ t know Thiessen , but targeted him because @ @ @ @ @ Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt .
Navarro is charged with first-degree intentional homicide @ @ @ @ @ , both as hate crimes .
Fond du Lac County Circuit Court Judge Robert Wirtz @ @ @ @ @ million during an initial court appearance Thursday .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Police: Pop Smoke’s social media led killers to LA home

LOS ANGELES - Authorities believe rising rapper Pop Smoke was shot and killed during a Los Angeles home-invasion robbery in February after his social media posts led five suspects to the house he was renting , police said after detectives arrested the group Thursday morning .
Los Angeles police had initially discounted a robbery theory in the days after the 20-year-old rapper ’ s death Feb. 19 at a home in the Hollywood Hills .
Pop Smoke ’ s legal name is Bashar Barakah Jackson .
Capt .
Jonathan Tippet , who oversees the Los Angeles Police Department ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two teenage boys likely went to the home because they knew Pop Smoke was there from social media posts .
They stole items from the home , though Tippet said he could not divulge what was taken .
The teens were 15 and 17 years old .
“ We believe that it was a robbery .
Initially we didn ’ t really have the evidence but then we discovered some other evidence that showed this was likely a home invasion gone bad , ” Tippet told The Associated Press on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as detectives served several search warrants in Los Angeles .
All are believed to be members of a South Los Angeles gang , which Tippet would not name , and at least some of them are believed to be linked to the 2019 homicide of an 18-year-old man when a fight escalated into a shooting outside the Rose Bowl in Pasadena .
The three men were identified as Jaquan Murphy , 21 , Corey Walker , 19 , and Keandre D. Rodgers , 18 , all of Los Angeles .
Walker and Rodgers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murphy was held on suspicion of attempted murder , police said .
The men were being held in lieu of $ 1 million bail apiece .
The 15-year-old and the 17-year-old also were booked on suspicion of murder .
It wasn ’ t immediately known whether any of those arrested had attorneys .
Pop Smoke and his entourage staying at the home are not believed to be associated with the gang , Tippet said .
No one else was shot during the incident .
The Los Angeles Times reported in February that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by an infinity pool in the home ’ s backyard , as well as a picture of the Los Angeles skyline from what was likely the house ’ s backyard .
In another post , Pop Smoke or a member of his entourage put a picture of a gift bag tagged with the Hollywood Hills address and a different photo showed him posing by a Ranger Rover in a spot where the home ’ s address was partly visible in the background .
“ It ’ s our belief that ( the home-invasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the social media “ posts , Tippet said .
“ It ’ s based on the fact that he was posting his information may have contributed to him knowing where to find him.
” The home where the shooting occurred is owned by Edwin Arroyave and his wife Teddi Mellencamp , daughter of Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famer John Mellencamp and a star of “ The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
” Teddi Mellencamp previously said on Instagram that the couple had been notified of the shooting at their rental property but knew no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media reports .
Pop Smoke arrived on the rap scene in 2018 and broke out with “ Welcome to the Party ” a gangsta anthem with boasts about shootings , killings and drugs that became a huge sensation , and prompted Nicki Minaj to drop a verse on a remix .
Earlier this year , Pop Smoke released the mixtape “ Meet the Woo 2 , ” which debuted at No .
7 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart .
It was the follow up to his first official release , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the popular hit “ Gatti ” with Travis Scott and Jackboys and “ Dior.
” His major label debut album , “ Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon , ” was executive produced by 50 Cent .
It was released posthumously last Friday to mostly positive reviews and features appearances from popular artists including Future , DaBaby and Quavo .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Luxembourg PM criticizes Polish leader’s anti-gay comments

BERLIN - Luxembourg ’ s prime minister is criticizing the Polish president ’ s campaign against LGBT rights in the run-up to a closely fought runoff election this weekend .
Polish President Andrzej Duda , a nationalist conservative , recently has called LGBT rights an “ ideology ” more dangerous than communism , and on Monday formally proposed a constitutional amendment to bar same-sex couples from adopting children .
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel married his partner in 2015 , a year after his Roman Catholic nation approved a law allowing same-sex marriage .
“ Apparently one sometimes says things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns , ” German weekly Der Spiegel quoted Bettel as saying in an interview on Friday .
“ I won ’ t forget them.
” “ I was quite surprised by what Mr. Duda said , ” he added .
“ I have met him several times ; he even invited me to Poland together with my husband.
” Duda faces a tough challenge from liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski as he seeks a second five-year term .
The first round in late June eliminated nine other candidates , leaving the two rivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
While Duda has made his opposition to LGBT rights a key campaign theme , Trzaskowski signed a tolerance declaration last year that triggered a backlash against gay rights in mostly Catholic Poland .
Duda and the governing Law and Justice party , which supports him , have won the backing of older and rural Poles , helped by cash payments to families and other welfare programs .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Depp says feces in bed was last straw in marriage to Heard

LONDON - Johnny Depp said in a London court on Friday that ex-wife Amber Heard ’ s claims he abused her turned him from “ Cinderella to Quasimodo ” in the public eye .
He also said the couple ’ s tempestuous marriage broke down for good after an incident in which feces were found in their bed following a party .
“ I thought that was an oddly fitting end to the relationship , “ he said .
Depp was wrapping up his evidence in his libel case against a British tabloid newspaper that accused him of physically abusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Group Newspapers , publisher of The Sun , and the paper ’ s executive editor , Dan Wootton , over an April 2018 article that called him a “ wife-beater.
” In three and a half days in the High Court witness box , Depp has described a volatile relationship with Heard that descended into screaming matches which sometimes turned physical .
But he has strongly denied hitting Heard and accused her of compiling a dossier of fake claims against him as an “ insurance policy.
” Depp , 57 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set of the 2011 comedy “ The Rum Diary ” and married in Los Angeles in February 2015 .
Heard , a model and actress , filed for divorce the following year and obtained a restraining order against Depp on the grounds of domestic abuse .
The divorce was finalized in 2017 .
Depp said one of the triggering incidents for the couple ’ s separation came when a cleaner found feces in a bed at their Los Angeles penthouse the morning after Heard ’ s 30th birthday party in April 2016 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ party and Depp threw a magnum wine bottle at her .
He denies it .
Heard blamed one of the couple ’ s Yorkshire terriers , Pistol and Boo , for the defecation incident , but Depp was convinced a person had done it .
“ It was not left by a three- or four-pound dog .
I was convinced that it was either Ms Heard herself or one of her cohorts involved in leaving human feces on the bed , ” he said .
He said that after this he realized that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I wanted nothing to do with her , ” Depp said .
The court heard from a text message Depp sent Heard after their separation in which he sent “ all my love and regrets ...
I wish you nothing but good.
” “ That is what I felt , ” he said .
“ I didn ’ t think there needed to be any poison at that time , because the bad part was over , which was the relationship , and now we just had to finish it.
” By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had become “ quite bitter ” because he felt he was being publicly depicted as “ a wife beater.
” “ I went , if you ’ ll forgive the analogy , from Cinderella to Quasimodo in 0.6 seconds and I was without a voice , ” he said .
The following month , Depp wrote in a text to an associate that Heard was “ begging for total global humiliation ... She ’ s gon na get it.
” The Sun ’ s defence relies on a total of 14 allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 2013 and 2016 , in settings including his private island in the Bahamas , a rented house in Australia and a private jet .
He strongly denies all of them .
Under cross-examination by The Sun ’ s lawyer , Sasha Wass , Depp depicted a tumultuous relationship with Heard during a period when he was trying to kick drugs and alcohol , and sometimes lapsing .
He recalled telling Heard several times : “ Listen , we are a crime scene waiting to happen.
” But he denied being violent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a fight at the LA penthouse in December 2015 , Depp , in “ an uncontrollable rage , ” trashed Heard ’ s wardrobe , threw a decanter at her , slapped her , pulled her by the hair and headbutted her , causing two black eyes .
Depp claimed Heard was the aggressor , and he had only tried to restrain her “ to stop her flailing and punching me.
” He conceded he might have head-butted her , but only by accident , and denied causing her injuries .
Depp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he subjected her to a “ three-day ordeal of assaults ” in March 2015 in Australia , where Depp was appearing as Capt .
Jack Sparrow in the fifth “ Pirates of the Caribbean ” film .
He agreed that the couple had an altercation , which ended up with their house being trashed and Depp ’ s fingertip being severed to the bone .
Depp accuses Heard of cutting off his fingertip by throwing a vodka bottle at him .
She denies being in the room when the digit was severed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have done things he can ’ t remember while he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs .
But he denied he could have been physically abusive and not remember it .
“ There were blackouts , sure , but in any blackout there are snippets of memory , ” Depp said .
A short section of Friday ’ s hearing , which related to allegations of sexual violence , was heard in private after the judge agreed to a request by The Sun ’ s lawyers .
Heard is attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give evidence next week .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--WWII-era planes make flyby in honour of late singer Vera Lynn

LONDON - World War II-era aircraft flew over the late singer Vera Lynn ’ s village in southeastern England on @ @ @ @ @ tribute to the “ Forces ’ Sweetheart ” who buoyed the morale of Britain during @ @ @ @ @ The planes flew past Lynn ’ s beloved village of Ditchling , where crowds lined @ @ @ @ @ tribute to her before a private funeral .
Members of the military walked alongside , @ @ @ @ @ as the cortege passed .
Lynn , who serenaded the nation with sentimental favourites such @ @ @ @ @ Meet Again ” and “ The White Cliffs of Dover , ” died June 18 @ @ @ @ @ enjoyed popularity that endured long after the war ended .
Ahead of the day , @ @ @ @ @ was beamed onto the White Cliffs of Dover to commemorate her life .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Singaporeans vote in polls expected to return ruling party

SINGAPORE - Wearing masks and plastic gloves , Singaporeans voted Friday in a general election that is expected to return Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong ’ s long-governing party to power .
Senior citizens were the first to cast ballots at 1,100 polling stations across the city-state , with strict safety measures in place for Southeast Asia ’ s first national election since the coronavirus pandemic began .
People being treated for COVID-19 or under quarantine at home were not allowed to vote .
The health crisis and concerns over an economic recession will likely cause voters to opt for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Action Party .
It faces 10 small opposition parties that are contesting the 93 parliamentary seats mostly on a one-on-one basis against the PAP .
The opposition has said it does not want to govern , but urged the 2.65 million voters to reduce the PAP ’ s overwhelming majority in parliament to deny it a “ blank check.
” Voting is compulsory in Singapore .
The PAP has dominated politics since 1959 , when Lee ’ s father , Lee Kuan Yew , became Singapore ’ s first prime minister and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s richest nations during 31 years in office .
In 2015 , the party won 69.9 % of the total vote and 93 % of parliamentary seats .
But it has also been criticized for tight government control , media censorship and use of oppressive laws and civil lawsuits against dissidents .
Lee and his wife , Temasek Holdings CEO Ho Ching , lined up outside a school around noon to cast their ballots .
He said the safety protocols were practical , although they led to longer-than-expected lines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and from what I know , the teething problems have been sorted out and it ’ s running smoothly now , ” Lee , 68 , told reporters after voting .
“ I am going to chill out until tonight.
” The Election Department later dropped the requirement of donning disposable gloves to cut waiting time for voters .
It also extended voting by two hours until 10 p.m. ( 1400 GMT ) to clear the queues .
The opposition Singapore Democratic Party said the voting extension was unprecedented and “ highly irregular.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents would have to leave , causing some polling stations to be unattended when the boxes are sealed and this could cast doubt on the results .
Retiree Dennis Phua said the election shouldn ’ t have been rushed since the PAP ’ s five-year mandate would last until April next year .
He said he hopes for louder opposition voices in parliament so the PAP wont be “ so arrogant.
“ “ There are so many things we are not satisfied with .
It ’ s a good government , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Phua said as he waited outside a school to vote .
But not all agree .
“ I hope that it will remain as the status quo .
For so many years , it has been the same and so far so good , ” said homemaker Florence See .
She praised the government for putting in place strict measures to protect voters .
Lee has faced opposition from his estranged younger brother , Lee Hsien Yang , who said the PAP had turned into an elitist party .
The younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but is not running in the election .
The prime minister has said the polls are about ensuring a strong government to secure the country ’ s future , not his family feud .
Singapore ’ s election follows polls in Serbia and Mongolia last month and in South Korea in April , when governing parties in all three countries scored resounding victories .
The polls come just weeks after the country emerged from a two-month lockdown aimed at controlling one of Asia ’ s worst coronavirus outbreaks .
The tiny nation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45,000 cases , most of them foreign workers living in crowded dormitories that were overlooked in the early phase of its crisis management .
With the economy forecast to shrink this year by up to 7 % , Lee ’ s government has unveiled several economic assistance packages totalling nearly 100 billion Singapore dollars ( $ 71.7 billion ) but warned the full economic impact hasn ’ t been felt yet .
While coronavirus cases have mostly declined , new daily cases still top 100 .
The government determined the election could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stations increased from 880 to 1,100 and other safety measures such as masks and temperature checks .
Voters were given a two-hour window to cast their ballots to reduce crowding .
Election officials were wearing full personal protective gear and polling booths were to be sanitized every half hour .
The last hour of voting was reserved for those with fevers or on stay-at-home notice after returning from overseas .

Eileen Ng And Ee Ming Toh - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Police: Gunman shoots 2 Texas officers, hits 3rd in holster

RENO , Texas - Two law enforcement officers were shot and a third was nearly wounded when a suspect accused of threatening others opened fire on them in Texas and barricaded himself in a home , authorities said .
The shooting happened when officers responded to the home Thursday night in Parker County , about 22 miles ( 35 kilometres ) northwest of Fort Worth , Reno Police Chief Tony Simmons said in an emailed statement .
Early Friday , flames could be seen rising from the home where the suspect had barricaded himself , the Star-Telegram reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the status of the shooter wasn ’ t immediately known .
A Reno officer was shot in the arm and a Parker County deputy was also wounded , Simmons said .
The officer ’ s injuries were not considered life-threatening , but the extent of the deputy ’ s injuries were unknown .
The deputy was flown to a hospital in Fort Worth for treatment .
A bullet struck a second Reno officer ’ s stun gun holster , preventing him from being shot , Simmons said .
Authorities had responded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son had a gun and was making threats , Simmons said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Swedish ex-envoy acquitted of planning illegal China meeting

HELSINKI - A court has acquitted Sweden ’ s former ambassador to China of exceeding her authority in negotiations with a foreign country , concluding the first trial of its kind involving a Swedish diplomat in more than 200 years .
The Stockholm District Court ruled Friday that the prosecutor couldn ’ t prove that Anna Lindstedt , Sweden ’ s envoy to Beijing during 2016-2019 , had gone beyond her jurisdiction and “ negotiated in a diplomatic matter with someone who represented the interests of the Chinese state.
” The key issue in the trial was the allegation whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be regarded as China ’ s direct representatives .
The Swedish Prosecution Authority said the ambassador was indicted on a charge of “ arbitrariness during negotiations with a foreign power , ” which carries a maximum punishment of two years in prison .
The charge resulted from a January 2019 meeting in Stockholm that Lindstedt , 60 , brokered between the daughter of a Swedish publisher detained in China and two Chinese businessmen with links to China ’ s Communist Party about the publisher ’ s possible release .
The prosecution had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s democratic freedoms by trying to influence Angela Gui , the daughter of publisher Gui Minhai , to stop criticizing how China handled the case concerning her father .
Sweden ’ s Foreign Ministry said it had no advance knowledge of the meeting at the Sheraton Hotel Stockholm .
Lindstedt was summoned home for an investigation the next month and replaced with a new Swedish envoy to Beijing .
During her trial , Lindstedt denied breaking the law and said she informed the Foreign Ministry about the meeting .
Swedish media reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 1794 that a Swedish diplomat had gone on trial for the alleged offence .
Gui Minhai , who was born in China and became a Swedish citizen , is a bookseller and publisher of several books on Chinese politics and politicians .
He went missing in Thailand in 2015 , and sometime later appeared in custody in mainlaind China .
The circumstances surrounding his detention remain unclear .
He is still being held , which has strained Sweden ’ s already icy relations with China .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Trump commutes longtime friend Roger Stone’s prison sentence

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of his longtime political confidant Roger Stone on Friday , just days before he was set to report to prison .
Democrats denounced the move as just another in a series of unprecedented interventions by the president in the nation ’ s justice system .
Stone had been sentenced in February to three years and four months in prison for lying to Congress , witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election .
He was set to report to prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press that Trump had called him earlier Friday to inform him of the commutation .
Stone was celebrating in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , with conservative friends and said he had to change rooms because there were “ too many people opening bottles of Champagne here.
” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany called Stone a “ victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media.
” A commutation does not erase Stone ’ s felony convictions in the same way a pardon would , but it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result .
Democrats were angered by Trump ’ s move , with House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff calling it “ offensive to the rule of law and principles of justice , “ and Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez asking , “ Is there any power Trump won ’ t abuse ?
” The action , which Trump had foreshadowed in recent days , reflects his lingering rage over the Russia investigation and is a testament to his conviction that he and his associates were mistreated by agents and prosecutors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the narrative of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation , with Trump ’ s own Justice Department moving in May to dismiss the criminal case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
Stone told the AP that the president did not mention the statuses of Flynn or his former campaign chairman , Paul Manafort , also ensnared in the Russia probe .
“ What am I going to do now ?
I am going to work as hard as I can to make sure that Mike Flynn gets final justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn is an American war hero and he ’ s done absolutely nothing wrong.
” Stone , for his part , had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation , appealing for the president ’ s help and seeking to postpone his surrender date by months after getting a brief extension from the judge .
Trump had repeatedly publicly inserted himself into Stone ’ s case , including just before Stone ’ s sentencing , when he suggested Stone was being subjected to a different standard than several prominent Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own attorney general , William Barr , who said the president ’ s comments were “ making it impossible ” for him to do his job .
Barr was so incensed that he told people he was considering resigning over the matter .
Schiff said the commutation demonstrated the corruption of the Trump administration .
“ With this commutation , Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America : one for his criminal friends , and one for everyone else , ” he said .
“ Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who enable them pose the gravest of threats to the rule of law.
” Stone , a larger-than-life political character who embraced his reputation as a dirty trickster , was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to have been convicted of charges brought as part of Mueller ’ s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
A longtime Trump friend and informal adviser , Stone had boasted during the campaign that he was in contact with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange through a trusted intermediary and hinted at inside knowledge of WikiLeaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee .
But Stone denied any wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated .
He did not take the stand during his trial , did not speak at his sentencing , and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his defence .
Prosecutors had originally recommended Stone serve seven to nine years in federal prison .
But , in a highly unusual move , Barr reversed that decision after a Trump tweet and recommended a more lenient punishment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the entire prosecution team resigning from the case .
Department officials have vehemently denied Barr was responding to Trump ’ s criticism and have insisted there was no contact with the White House over the decision .
Barr has also pointed out that the judge , in imposing a 40-month sentence , had agreed with him that the original sentencing recommendation was excessive .
Barr , who was attorney general during Stone ’ s trial last fall , has said the prosecution was justified , and the Justice Department did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put off his surrender date .
Though the Justice Department raised concerns about the handling of Flynn ’ s case , including what it said were irregularities about his FBI interview , prosecutors did not point to any similar issues or problems with the Stone prosecution .
Even so , the commutation will almost certainly contribute to the portrait of a president determined — particularly in an election year — to undo the effects of a Russia investigation that has shadowed his administration from the outset , and to intervene on behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest example of Trump using his unlimited clemency power to pardon powerful men he believes have been mistreated by the justice system .
Trump went on a clemency spree in February commuting the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich , a Democrat , and pardoning former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik , financier Michael Milken and several others .
Trump has also offered clemency to other political allies , including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who was awaiting sentencing at the time , conservative commentator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been convicted on campaign finance violations , and Conrad Black , a newspaper publisher convicted of fraud who had written a flattering book about the president .
Trump , however , has spent much more time trumpeting his decision to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson , who was serving life in prison for nonviolent drug offences and who came to Trump ’ s attention after reality star Kim Kardashian West took up her cause .
Her story was featured in a Trump campaign Super Bowl ad .
Stone told the AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the phone call .
“ You know , he has a great sense of fairness , ” Stone said .
“ We ’ ve been friends for many , many years , and he understands that I was targeted strictly for political reasons .
”

Jill Colvin And Eric Tucker - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Tropical Storm Fay weakens after New Jersey landfall

NEW YORK - Fast-moving Tropical Storm Fay made landfall in New Jersey on Friday amid heavy , lashing rains that closed beaches and flooded shore town streets .
The storm system was weakening as it moved over New Jersey and was expected to continue doing so overnight , the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its 8 p.m. advisory .
The storm is expected to bring 2 to 4 inches ( 5 to 10 centimetres ) of rain , with the possibility of minor coastal flooding from New Jersey to Rhode Island as well as flash flooding .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 to 5 inches ( 8 to 13 centimetres ) of rain .
The storm made landfall along the coast of New Jersey about 10 miles ( 15 kilometres ) north-northeast of Atlantic City , according to national forecasters and was around 45 miles ( 72 kilometres ) north-northeast of that city and 50 miles ( 80 kilometres ) south-southwest of New York City as of the latest advisory .
Several beaches in Delaware had been temporarily closed because of the storm .
And police in Ocean City asked drivers to avoid southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already made some roads impassable .
Some streets in the New Jersey shore towns of Sea Isle City and Wildwood were flooded , according to social media posts .
Seaside Heights , New Jersey , reported a sustained wind of 37 mph ( 60 kph ) and New York City ’ s John F. Kennedy International Airport reported a wind gust of 45 mph ( 72 kph ) , said forecasters .
A tropical storm warning remained in effect from Great Egg Inlet , New Jersey to Watch Hill , Rhode Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Long Island Sound in New York , forecasters said .
Heavy rain was falling in New York City on Friday afternoon as the centre of the storm moved northward toward upstate New York and western New England .
“ We expect some pretty heavy winds , and we need people to be ready for that , and some flash flooding in certain parts of the city , ” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a briefing Friday morning .
The summer storm ’ s impact on the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ but de Blasio said it would be a bad night for outdoor dining — the only sit-down service allowed at city restaurants because of the pandemic .
“ If you were going to go out tonight , instead order in and keep helping our restaurant community , ” he said .
The shoreline town of Old Saybrook , Connecticut , was preparing to open the local high school as a 2,000-person shelter .
In a nod to the coronavirus outbreak , Police Chief Michael Spera they will be handing out masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gym or other common areas .
“ They will actually be escorted into individual classrooms , ” he said .
“ If you take a school and make pretend that it ’ s a hotel , we ’ ll be using individual classrooms like individual hotel rooms.
” He said families will be allowed to stay together in one room .
People who indicate they have symptoms that might be associated with the virus will be segregated to a separate area of the school .
President Donald Trump said the storm is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Management Agency was poised to help if needed .
“ We ’ re fully prepared .
FEMA ’ s ready in case it ’ s bad .
Shouldn ’ t be too bad , but you never know , “ Trump told reporters while departing the White House for Florida .
Trump postponed his Saturday rally in New Hampshire due to the weather , Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said .
The storm was moving north Friday evening at about 14 mph ( 22 kph ) and producing top sustained winds of 45 mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier observations showed it moving at 8 mph ( 13 kph ) with top sustained winds of 45 mph ( 75 kph ) .
Fay is the earliest sixth-named storm on record , according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .
The previous record was Franklin on July 22 , 2005 , Klotzbach tweeted .
Two named storms formed before the official June 1 start of the hurricane season .
None of this season ’ s previous five named storms strengthened into hurricanes .
Hill reported from Albany , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed from Columbia , Connecticut .

Karen Matthews And Michael Hill - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--UN fails for 2nd time to agree on Syria aid from Turkey

TANZANIA , Tanzania - A divided U.N. Security Council failed for a second time Friday to agree on extending humanitarian aid deliveries to Syria ’ s mainly rebel-held northwest from Turkey as the current U.N. mandate was ending , leaving nearly 3 million people at risk of losing aid .
Russia and China vetoed a U.N. resolution backed by the 13 other council members that would have maintained two crossing points from Turkey for six months .
A Russian-drafted resolution that would have authorized just one border crossing for a year failed to receive the minimum nine “ yes ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only four countries voting in favour while seven voted against and four abstained .
Diplomats said Germany and Belgium , who insist two crossings are critical especially with the first COVID-19 case just reported in Syria ’ s northwest , circulated a new text .
That resolution , obtained by The Associated Press , would extend the mandate through the Bab al-Hawa crossing for a year and the mandate for the Bab al-Salam crossing — which Russia wants to eliminate — for three months to wind up its activities .
Council members continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting was possible Saturday to vote on the German-Belgium draft as well as likely Russian amendments .
Germann Ambassador Christoph Heusgen said the Russian vote should be “ a last-minute wake-up call “ for Security Council members to resolve their differences .
He said Germany , which holds the rotating council presidency , was “ ready to work around the clock , ” and he urged council members to think of the millions of Syrian waiting for them “ to decide their fate.
” “ To leave this weekend without a solution would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the people in the region , ” Heusgen said , .
The actions Friday capped a week of high-stakes rivalry over cross-border aid .
Russia , Syria ’ s closest ally , has argued that aid should be delivered from within Syria across conflict lines .
But the U.N. and humanitarian groups say aid for 2.8 million needy people in the northwest can ’ t get in that way .
The initial German-Belgium resolution authorizing two crossings for one year won support from 13 of the 15 council members on Tuesday but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Russian draft resolution authorizing one crossing for six months failed to get the minimum nine “ yes ” votes Wednesday .
And a similar Russian amendment to the latest German-Belgium resolution was dramatically rejected Thursday , getting only two “ yes ” votes — from Russia and China .
In January , Russia scored a victory for Syria , using its veto threat to force the Security Council to adopt a resolution reducing the number of crossing points for aid deliveries from four to two , from Turkey to the northwest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandate that had been in place since cross-border deliveries began in 2014 to six months .
U.S .
Ambassador Kelly Craft tweeted Friday : “ Russia & China are using politics to prop up the Assad regime while more than 3 million people are in desperate need of aid .
We can not allow the Bab al-Salaam border crossing , where 30 per cent of UNICEF ’ s aid enters Syria , to close .
The lives of 500,000 children are at risk.
” The president of the International Rescue Committee , David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one crossing point “ would cut essential health supplies to one million people , and leave the U.N. unable to scale up in response both to COVID-19 and deteriorating food security.
” “ Today is yet another example of the age of impunity , where two countries can veto with full knowledge , but utter disregard , for the impact it will have on civilian lives , all against the backdrop of an unprecedented and devastating global pandemic , ” Miliband said .
Without waiting for Friday ’ s announcement of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and signalling its intent to use its veto , Russia announced late Thursday that it had circulated a new resolution that would authorize just one crossing from Turkey for a year .
Russia ’ s deputy U.N. ambassador , Dmitry Polyansky , tweeted that Bab Al-Hawa “ accounts for more than 85 % of total volume of operations.
” “ We categorically reject claims that Russia wants to stop humanitarian deliveries to the Syrian population in need , ” he wrote , urging Western nations to “ seize this opportunity ” and support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation on the ground.
” “ If they block our compromise proposal they will be responsible for the consequences , ” the Russian envoy said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Professional bull riding set to welcome fans back into arena

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
- As bull riders attempted to hang on to their rides for eight seconds Friday night , they were encouraged by something they hadn ’ t heard in months — the cheers of a crowd .
A little more than a thousand fans were on hand in the 9,000-seat arena to watch one of the first indoor professional sporting events since the coronavirus pandemic began .
The Professional Bull Riders event ended a month-long competition that until Friday has played out before silent stands .
It ’ s a cautious step toward giving sports fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to leave their homes and watch a bull attempt to throw a man from its back as the rider tries to hold on .
Other professional sports leagues are watching the bull riding event to observe how fans may be allowed back into stadiums and arenas , competition organizers said .
NASCAR will let thousands of spectators into a race in Texas on July 19 , but English soccer ’ s Liverpool has played out its march to a first league title in 30 years in front of empty stadiums .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sparsely attended here tonight , ” Professional Bull Riders CEO Sean Gleason said .
“ There ’ s only so many seats that you can sell in this building and keep people socially distanced.
” Professional Bull Riders tried to keep both athletes and fans safe from the spread of coronavirus infections by seating spectators apart from each other in a method they call “ pod seating , ” as well as regularly testing riders and their support staff .
The tightly packed lines for the concession stand or bathroom were gone as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space apart .
As the number of COVID-19 cases topped 3 million in the United States this week , South Dakota has seen a relatively low number of coronavirus cases in addition to a governor eager to push reopening economic activity .
Gov .
Kristi Noem has worked with event organizers and even welcomed the event as a way to “ get back to normal.
” The county where the bull riding event is being held had 230 active cases of COVID-19 , according to the South Dakota Department of Health .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bull riders , who wore masks with their cowboy hats , said having a live crowd for the first time in months provided motivation .
“ It does feel a lot cooler when you get to ride your bull and step off and you ’ ve got people screaming your name , ” said Ezekiel Mitchell , a 23-year-old rider from Rockdale , Texas .
“ It ’ s like nothing else , really .
Just to be able to bring light to what a lot of people think of as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to lighten the mood and make somebody ’ s day is amazing .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Trump undercuts health experts  -  again  -  in schools debate

When the president convened a roundtable this week on how to safely reopen schools with coronavirus cases rising , the seats surrounding him were filled with parents , teachers and top White House officials , including the first and second ladies .
But the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , usually the leader of disease-fighting efforts , was relegated to secondary seating in the back with the children of parents who had been invited to speak .
Intentional or not , it was a telling indication of the regard that President Donald Trump has for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he pushes the country to move past the coronavirus .
Whatever they say , he ’ s determined to revive the battered economy and resuscitate his reelection chances , even as U.S. hospitalizations and deaths keep climbing .
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. hit the 3 million mark this week , with over 130,000 deaths now recorded .
The surge has led to new equipment shortages as well as long lines at testing sites and delayed results .
At midnight Friday , Nevada was to enforce new restrictions on bars and restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reno after a spike in cases .
And New Mexico ’ s Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham said her state was halting indoor restaurant service , closing state parks to nonresidents and suspending autumn contact sports at schools in response to surging infections within its boundaries and neighbouring Texas and Arizona .
Yet Trump paints a rosy picture of progress and ramps up his attacks on his government ’ s own public health officials , challenging the CDC ’ s school-reopening guidelines and publicly undermining the nation ’ s top infectious-diseases expert , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci is a nice man , but he ’ s made a lot of mistakes , “ Trump told Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity in a call-in interview Thursday , pointing , in part , to changes in guidance on mask-wearing over time .
In his latest beef with the CDC , the president accused the Atlanta-based federal agency of “ asking schools to do very impractical things “ in order to reopen .
The recommended measures include spacing students ’ desks 6 feet ( 1.8 metres ) apart , staggering start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective hygiene measures to prevent infections .
After Trump ’ s scolding comment , Vice-President Mike Pence announced Wednesday that the CDC would be “ issuing new guidance “ that would ” give all-new tools to our schools.
” But the agency ’ s director , Dr. Robert Redfield , pushed back amid criticism that he was bowing to pressure from the president .
“ I want to clarify , really what we ’ re providing is different reference documents .
...
It ’ s not a revision of the guidelines , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , draft documents obtained by The Associated Press seem to confirm Redfield ’ s assertion , though officials stress the drafts are still under review .
Deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere issued a supportive statement Friday : “ The White House and CDC have been working together in partnership since the very beginning of this pandemic to carry out the president ’ s highest priority : the health and safety of the American public.
” But the flap has touched a nerve amid increasing concern over how the administration has sidelined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC .
Repeatedly now , the administration has shelved or altered CDC draft guidance , or even told the the agency to take down guidance it has already posted .
That includes in early March , when administration officials overruled CDC doctors who wanted to recommend that older and physically fragile Americans be advised not to fly on commercial airlines because of the pandemic .
In May , officials removed some recommendations for reopening religious events hours after posting them , deleting guidance that discouraged choir gatherings and shared communion cups .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21st century ’ s biggest public health crisis , and the CDC has been shunted aside , ” said Dr. William Schaffner , a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville .
They have “ been sidelined and their voices — their clear , consistent , transparent voices — have been muffled or even completely silenced.
” While Trump has led the way , he ’ s not the only one sending messages contrary to those of public health officials .
At a briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force , Pence ’ s message to those in states like Texas , Florida , California and Arizona , where cases are rising , was simple : “ We believe the takeaway from this for every American , particularly in those states that are impacted , is : Keep doing what you ’ re doing.
” Not so , said Dr. Deborah Birx , the task force ’ s response co-ordinator .
She said those states should instead close bars , end indoor dining and limit gatherings “ back down to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or less.
” Experts warn the U.S. has suffered from a lack of clear , science-based messaging during the pandemic — typically provided by the CDC .
But Trump and the White House have kept the agency at arm ’ s length since the early days , when it botched development of a test kit , delaying tracking efforts .
Trump also grew enraged in late February when Dr. Nancy Messonnier — a CDC official who was then leading the agency ’ s coronavirus response but has since been sidelined — contradicted statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was contained .
“ It ’ s not so much a question of if this will happen anymore , but rather more a question of exactly when , ” Messonnier said , sending stocks plunging and infuriating Trump , even though she proved correct .
Many outside the White House also fault Redfield , who was appointed two years ago , for failing to adequately assert himself and his agency .
Redfield does not have a close personal relationship with the president and has rubbed some at the White House the wrong way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tougher comments , Redfield appeared to fold before Trump ’ s complaints , saying that the CDC guidelines should not “ be used as a rationale to keep schools closed.
” “ This is the opposite of good public health practice , “ said Carl Bergstrom , a University of Washington evolutionary biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases .
“ You put guidelines out there about what ’ s necessary to keep people safe and then you expect people to follow them — not act disappointed if people follow them.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chapter in a depressing tale , said Jason Schwartz , a government health policy expert at the Yale School of Public Health .
“ This reflects a failure on the part of the CDC director to defend his agency , his scientists and the science through the pandemic .
And this is what has led to this crisis in the CDC ’ s public standing , and frankly will take years to recover , ” Schwartz said .
Some others expressed more sympathy for Redfield .
Vanderbilt ’ s Schaffner said that Redfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear , but said he nonetheless lacks the standing and forcefulness needed to influence the president ’ s thinking .
“ His rhetorical style is nothing like what would be necessary for him to push back .
And it ’ s unclear how much he could push back without being removed , ” he said .
Stobbe reported from New York .
Associated Press writers Jeff Amy in Atlanta , Susan Montoya Bryan in New Mexico and Michelle Price in Nevada contributed to this report .

Jill Colvin And Mike Stobbe - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--NY eases visitor ban aimed at curbing virus in nursing homes

ALBANY , N.Y. - Certain nursing homes in New York can allow visitors — with restrictions — starting July 15 as the state eases a ban aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable elderly residents .
Only nursing homes and long-term care facilities without any new coronavirus cases among residents and staffers in the last 28 days can allow limited visits , state Department of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said Friday .
The department said the state ’ s policy follows federal guidance and is limited to nursing homes without staffing shortages that have tested all residents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 of the more than 600 nursing homes in the state could qualify to open up to visitors .
Roughly 500 nursing homes had reported COVID-19 cases among staffers in June , according to recently released data from the state , which doesn ’ t release data about the number of cases at individual nursing homes .
Residents can have visits from up to two individuals at a time , and visitors must undergo temperature checks , wear face masks and keep 6 feet ( 2 metres ) away from residents during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visitors must be 18 years of age , according to Zucker .
No more than 10 % of residents can have visitors at any one time , and the state ’ s rules limit visitation to outdoor areas , weather permitting .
Otherwise , visitation can be allowed inside a “ well-ventilated space “ with up to 10 socially distanced individuals wearing face coverings .
The state banned visitors at nursing homes March 13 over fear of spreading the virus that took hold in a Washington nursing home in late February .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 have died in nursing homes , and it ’ s unclear how many have died in hospitals .
“ I know how painful it has been for residents of these facilities to endure such a long period of time without seeing family and loved ones , and my hope is that this adjustment to the visitation policy will provide some comfort to everyone , ” Zucker said .
Nursing homes that allow visitors are required to send visitation plans to the state .
Long-term care ombudsmen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again visit nursing homes and long-term care facilities starting July 15 as well .
Ombudsmen must present the nursing home with a verified negative test result from within the past week , according to the state health department .
The state ’ s ease on visitor restrictions comes as the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations , daily fatalities and daily positive test results have plunged since a peak in mid-April .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s office said hospitals admitted 87 COVID-19 patients for the first time Thursday , up from 73 the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 % of individuals newly tested for COVID-19 in New York have tested positive .
Cuomo announced Friday that the state will also allow concession stands to open at state beaches starting July 12 .
Also on Friday , indoor shopping malls in regions that are in Phase 4 were able to reopen provided they have air filtration systems thought to help remove COVID particles from the air .
Cuomo , a Democrat , also said the state is sending Florida enough of remdesivir — an experimental medicine administered through an IV that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat 280 patients through Saturday .
The governor said the shipment will arrive Saturday and will help Florida as it awaits a federal shipment to arrive .
“ When New York was climbing the COVID mountain with no end in sight and resources were scarce , we were incredibly moved by the generosity of states around the country that stepped up to provide supplies and medical personnel in our time of need , ” Cuomo said .

Marina Villeneuve - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Mali’s president urges dialogue after thousands protest

BAMAKO , Mali - Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita went on national television early Saturday , urging dialogue with his opponents just hours after thousands of anti-government protesters marched through the capital with some pushing their way into state television offices .
Friday ’ s developments marked a major escalation in the growing movement against Mali ’ s president , who still has two years left in office in this West African country long destabilized by Islamic extremists .
Earlier in the day , anti-government protesters had barricaded roads and burned tires in the capital , Bamako .
Keita ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conciliatory gesture days after he had tried to appease the protesters by promising to revamp the constitutional court whose legislative election results back in April have been disputed by several dozen candidates .
“ I would like once again to reassure our people of my willingness to continue the dialogue and reiterate my readiness to take all measures in my power to calm the situation , ” he said in closing .
The movement against Keita ’ s government is now known as the June 5 Movement , or M5 , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets en masse .
Keita ’ s gestures in recent days so far have failed to win favour with the opposition group , which still wants the National Assembly dissolved .
While the group has officially backed down from its calls that Keita leave office , some protesters still want him gone .
Keita came to power in the aftermath of a French-led military operation to oust Islamic extremists from power in northern Mali ’ s towns in 2013 , winning the first democratic elections organized after a military coup the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peacekeepers , and French and regional forces backing Malian troops , the extremist groups have continued to mount attacks .
Last year was particularly deadly for the army as hundreds of soldiers were killed in the north , forcing the military at one point to even close down some of its most remote and vulnerable outposts .
Those losses prompted criticism of how the government was handling the crisis in the north .
Tensions mounted in late April after legislative elections were held , and several dozen candidates disputed the official results issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A mission from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS has suggested that the government re-hold elections in the localities where results are contested .
The last democratically elected leader before Keita , President Amadou Toumani Toure , was overthrown in the 2012 military coup after a decade in power .
The political chaos that ensued has been blamed for creating a power vacuum that allowed the Islamic insurgency to take hold in the northern towns .
Following international pressure , that coup leader later handed over power to a civilian transitional government that @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Plymouth museum changing name; deaf advocate placed on leave

BOSTON - A living history museum in Massachusetts focused on colonial life on the English settlement at Plymouth is planning to change its name to better reflect the Native Americans that long lived in the region .
Plimoth Plantation , in a Facebook post this week , unveiled a new logo bearing the word “ Patuxet , “ the Wampanoag name for the area , juxtaposed with “ Plimoth , ” the one later given to it by English colonists .
The museum , which was founded in 1947 and features colonial reenactors replicating life on the Puritan settlement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year will be “ inclusive of the Indigenous history that is part of our educational mission.
” It said it had long been planning to announce a new name timed with this year ’ s commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims ’ arrival on the Mayflower in 1620 .
“ As our Nation faces a pandemic , an economic crisis , a reckoning with racial injustice and a highly-charged election year , there is no doubt that we have reached an inflection point in our history , one that raises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions , ” the museum said in part in its statement .
“ We recognize that the commemoration of 400 years of shared history is complex and we embrace this moment as an opportunity for reflection and learning.
” A look at other developments in Massachusetts on the national reckoning on racism and injustice : Massachusetts ’ chief advocate for the deaf has been placed on leave after acknowledging he was a member of a now-suspended college fraternity known for wearing robes resembling those of the Ku Klux Klan and making Nazi-like salutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s administration said Thursday that Steven Florio , the commissioner of the state ’ s Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing , will remain on paid leave from his $ 120,000 a year job pending the outcome of an internal investigation .
Patricia Ford , the agency ’ s deputy commissioner , will take over on an interim basis .
Florio recently acknowledged to staff members he was a member of Kappa Gamma Fraternity , which was suspended last month by Gallaudet University , a college in Washington , D.C. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Boston Globe reported .
Members of the university ’ s oldest fraternity were recently seen wearing blue robes with pointed hoods that resemble the white ones worn by the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan , the Washington Post reported .
A recently surfaced photo from 1988 also shows former frat members performing an apparent Nazi salute , the newspaper said .
Ralph Reiser , a lawyer for Kappa Gamma International , an organization for fraternity alumni , disputed the suggestion that the frat ’ s ceremonial robes have been used recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraternity ’ s traditional salute was a Nazi one .
He also stressed that Florio is not in the controversial salute photo .
Florio , who declined to comment through Reiser , recently told commission staff in an email that he made Nazi-like salutes while wearing KKK-like garb during his time at the college three decades ago , the Globe reported .
Florio also said in the message that he disavows his past affiliation with the fraternity .
Florio was the longtime director for the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the role in Massachusetts last February .
Police in Marblehead have released images of a man they say is a person of interest in the vandalism of a Black Lives Matter banner that hung outside of a church .
The incident happened on June 28 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in the coastal town near Cape Ann .
The images show the man walking up to banner , crouching over and then walking away .
Police have not said what damage was done to the banner but said it ’ s been stolen @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Chief: Video shows man killed by Detroit police fired first

DETROIT - Video released by Detroit police show a young man appearing to shoot at an officer at close range Friday before fellow officers opened fire , killing the suspect .
Police Chief James Craig told reporters as he released the video Friday evening that the suspect he identified as 20-year-old Hakeem Littleton was no more than 3 feet ( 0.91 metres ) away when he began shooting .
“ It ’ s simply a miracle he wasn ’ t struck in the head , ” Craig said about the officer .
Hours earlier , dozens of protesters converged at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s west side , yelling at police and chanting “ Black Lives Matter ” and “ Defund DPD !
” Craig said he wanted to released the videos promptly because of what he described as rumours about the shooting , which he said included erroneous social media postings that Littleton had been unarmed .
The shooting occurred about 12:30 p.m. as officers were investigating a Fourth of July block party shooting and arrested a different man , who did not resist .
Police had no plans to arrest Littleton for anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video , even raising his hands before suddenly reaching into his pocket , pulling out a semi-automatic pistol , pointing and shooting it at the officer as they faced each other .
Craig said the officer closest to Littleton hadn ’ t even had a chance to unholster his own weapon before the shooting started .
In all , eight shots were fired over a span of five seconds , four by three different officers and four shots by Littleton , Craig said .
He said Littleton continued to fire after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Littleton , who was on probation for an unarmed robbery , seemed to say something about not allowing officers to arrest his friend before he began firing .
Littleton was pronounced dead at a hospital .
A gun and shell casings were recovered .
No officers were wounded .
Those involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the shooting .
The other man taken into custody had an outstanding warrant .
He is a suspect in a gang-related shooting on July 5 at a block party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others wounded .
Protests have been held in the city and across the U.S. since the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Floyd , who was Black and handcuffed , died after a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes even as Floyd begged for air and eventually stopped moving .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--3 deputies shot in deadly attack released from hospital

KNIGHTSEN , Calif. - Three Northern California sheriff ’ s deputies who were wounded in a deadly confrontation with a shotgun-wielding man have been released from the hospital , authorities said Friday .
During Thursday night ’ s confrontation , a deputy struck in the chest was saved by his bulletproof vest while another was hit in the head by shotgun pellets and the third was wounded in the arm , the Contra Costa County Sheriff ’ s Office said in a statement .
Deputies returned fire , killing 44-year-old Eduardo Martinez of Bay Point .
A photo released by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointing a shotgun at deputies after a daylong standoff at a home in Knightsen , authorities said .
The area is an unincorporated community about 50 miles ( 81 kilometres ) northeast of San Francisco .
Martinez previously had been arrested on allegations ranging from spousal abuse to receiving stolen property and driving under the influence , the Sheriff ’ s Office said .
Deputies were called to the home shortly after 9:30 a.m. Thursday by a woman who said her ex-boyfriend had held her hostage overnight , according to the statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her , “ threw her on a coffee table , tied her to a chair with duct tape , and poured gasoline on her , “ threatening to burn down the house .
The woman said Martinez had a shotgun and a pistol , made threats to shoot law enforcement “ and said he did not want to go back to jail , “ the statement said .
The woman managed to escape from the home and deputies surrounded the residence and called in a SWAT team when he refused to come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiation team repeatedly asked Martinez to surrender .
Instead , he shot at deputies several times during the day , authorities said .
Shortly before 9 p.m. , Martinez came out of the house , fired his shotgun at SWAT team deputies and was shot .
He died at the scene .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--California couple agrees to guilty pleas in college scam

BOSTON - A California couple agreed Friday to plead guilty to paying $ 250,000 to get their daughter into the University of Southern California as a fake volleyball recruit .
Diane Blake and Todd Blake will plead guilty in front of a judge at a future date , the U.S. Attorney ’ s office in Boston said in a statement Friday .
The couple from Ross , California , had initially pleaded not guilty , news outlets previously reported .
The couple was accused of tapping William “ Rick ” Singer , who authorities say was mastermind behind the sweeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s admission into USC .
According to the indictment against the couple posted on the U.S. attorney ’ s website , Todd Blake sent a check for $ 50,000 to USC Women ’ s Athletics and wired $ 200,000 to a sham charity set up by Singer .
USC spokesperson Lauren Bartlett said in an email that the university would not comment the case .
Diane Blake , 55 , will plead guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 54 , will plead guilty to the same charge , as well as one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering , his plea agreement states .
Per their plea agreements , Diane Blake has agreed to serve six weeks in prison , while Todd Blake has agreed to serve four months .
Each also agreed to a $ 125,000 fine and two years ’ supervised release with 100 hours of community service .
Charges of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery and conspiracy to commit money laundering against both Blakes will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An email to the Blakes ’ lawyers wasn ’ t immediately returned .
Singer pleaded guilty and is co-operating with the government ’ s investigation into what authorities have dubbed “ Operation Varsity Blues ” — a series of indictments that have rocked the worlds of higher education , sports and entertainment .
Dozens of wealthy parents , athletic coaches and others were charged last year in the scheme .
Parents paid hefty bribes to get their children into top universities with bogus test scores or fake athletic credentials , authorities say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents to plead guilty in connection with the scam , according to the statement from the U.S. Attorney ’ s office .
Others who have pleaded guilty include “ Full House ” actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband , Mossimo Giannulli , who agreed in May to plead guilty to paying half a million dollars to get their two daughters into USC .
A judge has yet to decide whether he ’ ll accept deals they made with prosecutors .
“ Desperate Housewives ” actress Felicity Huffman also pleaded guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her daughter ’ s entrance exam , and was sentenced to two weeks in prison .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Hundreds try to storm Serbian parliament as protests heat up

BELGRADE , Serbia - Police fired tear gas at hundreds of demonstrators who tried to storm Serbia ’ s parliament on Friday , the fourth night of protests against the Balkan country president ’ s increasingly authoritarian rule .
Demonstrators — who were defying a ban on mass gatherings amid a spike in virus infections — threw bottles , rocks and flares at the police guarding the domed parliament building in central Belgrade and removed the metal fences in front of it .
Smoke rose above the entry stairway .
Police first used their shields to push back the protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But after repeated attacks , they fired tear gas to disperse the crowd , and then ended up in running battles with demonstrators .
Several people were arrested , and many reporters were injured , mainly in attacks by the demonstrators .
Some opposition leaders have said the violence was the work of far-right nationalist demonstrators controlled by the government — with an aim to discredit the peaceful protests that began in response to President Aleksandar Vucic ’ s efforts to reimpose lockdown restrictions against the virus .
But , they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his hard-line rule .
Vucic has denied that “ hooligans , ” who were seen beating up the peaceful protesters earlier this week , are under his control , claiming they were brought in by the opposition .
On Friday evening , he told pro-government Pink TV that all those who were attacking the “ brave “ policemen will be arrested .
“ The masks have fallen , ” Vucic said , describing the protesters as a mix of tycoons and bullies “ who want to take over power.
” Earlier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t worried about losing political power amid the protests , considered the most intense since the overthrow of former Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic in 2000 .
He instead expressed fear about the spread of the virus by the demonstrators .
“ It is so irresponsible to call upon people to gather and demonstrate when we are faced with the most horrific numbers of infections from the coronavirus , “ Vucic told reporters during his state visit to France .
“ I beg people , please let ’ s keep our health safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by force .
Power is taken at the elections .
You can protest as much as you want when the epidemic is over , “ he said .
The Serbian prime minister announced the highest daily number of deaths , 18 , on Friday since the start of the pandemic in the Balkan country .
She said 386 new confirmed were recorded cases in the past 24 hours .
That brings the total to over 17,300 confirmed cases and 352 deaths since March .
Friday ’ s unrest came after a peaceful protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence earlier this week .
The protests started on Tuesday when Vucic announced that Belgrade would be placed under a new three-day lockdown following a second wave of confirmed coronavirus infections .
They have continued even though Vucic suspended his plans to enforce the lockdown .
Instead his government has banned gatherings of more than 10 people in the capital .
After initially handling the pandemic relatively well , Vucic and his government have been accused of allowing the crisis to spin out of control in order to hold a June 21 election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During his nearly three years in office , Vucic has consolidated a tremendous amount of power in the presidency , a role that previously was only ceremonial .
Opponents blame the president for contributing to the large spike in deaths and new cases after he entirely lifted previous very tight lockdown measures .
Mass gatherings at soccer and tennis matches and at nightclubs were allowed despite warnings by experts that this could lead to a spike in infections .
Serbian officials denounced the protests as an attempt to overthrow the government and weaken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union-mediated negotiations on Kosovo , a former province whose 2008 declaration of independence Belgrade doesn ’ t recognize .
Associated Press writer Jovana Gec contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--US appeals to proceed with 1st federal execution in 17 years

WASHINGTON - Determined to proceed with the first federal execution in nearly two decades , the Justice Department plans to appeal a judge ’ s ruling that would halt authorities from carrying it out on Monday .
The family of the victims in the case had requested that it be called off because their fear of the coronavirus would keep them from attending .
Not that they wanted to see the killer die ; they have long asked that he be given a life sentence instead , and their pandemic objection could postpone the execution indefinitely .
Daniel Lee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by lethal injection on Monday .
Lee , of Yukon , Oklahoma , was convicted in Arkansas of the 1996 killings of gun dealer William Mueller , his wife , Nancy , and her 8-year-old daughter , Sarah Powell .
But Chief District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson ruled Friday that the execution would be put on hold because the family ’ s concern about the pandemic , which has killed more than 130,000 people and is ravaging prisons nationwide .
About an hour after the judge ’ s ruling , the Justice Department filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals and filed court papers asking the district judge to stay the order pending the appeal .
The 7th Circuit , based in Chicago , includes Indiana , which is where the execution was to take place at the federal prison in Terre Haute .
The Justice Department argues that it is likely to win an appeal .
It contends that executions require extensive planning and co-ordination with other law enforcement officials and says dozens of staff members were already being brought in from other facilities ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These preparations can not easily be undone , ” the filing says .
Attorney General William Barr has said part of the reason the Trump administration wants to resume executions is to deliver a sense of justice to the victims ’ families .
But relatives of those killed by Lee strongly oppose that idea .
They wanted to be present to counter any contention that it was being done on their behalf .
“ For us it is a matter of being there and saying , ` This is not being done in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , ’ ” said relative Monica Veillette .
The relatives , including Earlene Branch Peterson , who lost her daughter and granddaughter in the killing , have argued that their grief is compounded by the push to execute Lee in the middle of a pandemic .
“ The harm to Ms. Peterson , for example , is being forced to choose whether being present for the execution of a man responsible for the death of her daughter and granddaughter is worth defying her doctor ’ s orders and risking her own life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injunction delays the execution until there is no longer such an emergency .
The court order applies only to Lee ’ s execution and does not halt two other executions that are scheduled for later next week .
The decision to resume executions has been criticized as a dangerous and political move .
Critics argue that the government is creating an unnecessary and manufactured urgency around a topic that isn ’ t high on the list of American concerns right now .
The family hopes there won ’ t be an execution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the federal government will support them by not appealing today ’ s ruling , a reversal of which would put them back in the untenable position of choosing between attending the execution at great risk to their health and safety , or forgoing this event they have long wanted to be present for , ” said Baker Kurrus , an attorney for the victims ’ family .
The relatives would be travelling thousands of miles and witnessing the execution in a small room where the social distancing recommended to prevent the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are currently four confirmed coronavirus cases among inmates at the Terre Haute prison , according to federal statistics , and one inmate there has died .
“ It feels disingenuous to me for someone to say they ’ re doing this in our family ’ s name and for us and no one ’ s taken into account our well-being and health , ” Veillette said .
In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this week , Barr said he believed the Bureau of Prisons could “ carry out these execution without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put a number of additional measures in place , including temperature checks and requiring witnesses to wear masks .
The federal prisons system has struggled in recent months to stem the exploding coronavirus pandemic behind bars .
As of Friday , more than 7,000 federal inmates had tested positive ; the Bureau of Prisons said 5,137 of them had recovered .
There have also been nearly 100 inmate deaths since late March .
Lee ’ s attorneys also sought the delay on grounds that they ’ ve been forced to choose between their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chevie Kehoe , whom prosecutors described as the ringleader of the killers , recruited Lee in 1995 for his white supremacist organization .
Two years later , they were arrested for the killings of the Muellers and young Sarah in Tilly , Arkansas , about 75 miles ( 120 kilometres ) northwest of Little Rock .
At their 1999 trial , prosecutors said Kehoe , of Colville , Washington , and Lee stole guns and $ 50,000 in cash from the Muellers as part of their plan to establish a whites-only nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence from his trial that Kehoe was the man who actually killed Sarah .
The executions appeared set to happen following a Supreme Court decision refusing to block them and a lower court affirming the ruling .
It ’ s not clear what will happen with the other scheduled executions , which are scheduled next week for Wednesday and Friday .
Wesley Ira Purkey , of Kansas , who raped and murdered a 16-year-old girl and killed an 80-year-old woman , is scheduled to die Wednesday .
Dustin Lee Honken , who killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , is scheduled to be executed Friday .
Keith Dwayne Nelson , scheduled to be executed in August , was convicted of kidnapping a 10-year-old girl while she was rollerblading in front of her Kansas home , raping her in a forest behind a church and then strangling her .

Michael Balsamo, Colleen Long And Andrew Demillo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--Correction: Racial Injustice-Elijah McClain story

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Patty Nieberg And Thomas Peipert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-10--11 people drowned at rocky beach in northern Egypt

CAIRO - Eleven people drowned off the coast of northern Egypt , local authorities said Friday , at a beach known for its rocky jetty and fast-moving waters .
The tragedy unfolded at a beach in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria , when a young boy ran into the sea and began having difficulties , said the city ’ s central tourism administration .
When a man from the group jumped in to rescue him , he became caught in the waters , too .
Nine other people then entered the water to help , and they all died , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not immediately clear if they were related .
Emergency teams recovered six bodies and were still searching for the rest late Friday .
The waters off Alexandria are popular in the summer , but beaches are currently closed and lifeguards off duty due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The group went to the shore at dawn to avoid being caught by police , who try to disperse crowds and enforce antivirus restrictions at beaches in the area , authorities said .
Palm Beach has long been known for its deadly waters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sees a rash of drownings due to its strong currents , foamy waters and rocky shore .
Members of parliament have repeatedly demanded that the beach be closed to the public .
As summer temperatures in Egypt reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit , the accident raised concerns over water safety as people seek relief from the heat despite pandemic-related restrictions .