thetorontostar--2020-07-01--UN chief tells Libya’s Hifter there is no military solution

TANZANIA , Tanzania - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the commander of Libya ’ s eastern-based forces Wednesday that there can be no military solution to the conflict he launched in April 2019 against the U.N.-supported government in the capital , Tripoli .
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the commander , Khalifa Hifter , called the secretary-general and they discussed current developments in the oil-rich country , which saw his forces retreat from Tripoli last month .
Guterres also spoke to Libya ’ s U.N.-backed prime minister , Fayez Serraj , who indicated his commitment to a dialogue within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his interest in a political solution based on elections , “ Dujarric said .
The secretary-general told Hifter that “ the solution can only be political , and Libyan-owned and Libyan-led , ” and he reaffirmed the U.N. commitment to talks between the two sides in the Libyan Joint Military Commission , Dujarric said .
The U.N. chief also reiterated his shock at the recent discovery of mass graves in territory recently recaptured from forces commanded by Hifter “ and stressed the need for full respect of international human rights law and international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In his call with Serraj , Guterres also expressed shock at the recent discovery of mass graves “ and stated that the United Nations was ready to assist in efforts to ensure accountability , Dujarric said .
The U.N. said June 12 that at least eight mass graves had been discovered , mostly in Tarhuna , a key western town that served as a main stronghold for Khalifa ’ s forces in their 14-month campaign to capture Tripoli .
The discoveries raised fears about the extent of human rights violations in territories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the difficulties of documentation in an active war zone .
Hifter ’ s failed campaign to capture the capital has led to a humanitarian crisis , with 1 million people in need of aid and almost a half million people internally displaced .
The Prime Minister indicated his commitment to a dialogue within the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission and expressed his interest in a political solution based on elections .
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 , when a civil war toppled long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi , who was later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between rival administrations in the east and the west , each backed by armed groups and foreign governments .
Hifter ’ s forces are backed by the United Arab Emirates , Egypt and Russia , while the Tripoli-allied militias are aided by Qatar , Italy and Turkey .
Tripoli-based forces with Turkish support gained the upper hand in the war in early June after retaking the capital ’ s airport , all main entrance and exit points to the city and a string of key towns near Tripoli .
They threatened to retake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could allow them to gain control of oil fields and facilities in the south that Hifter seized earlier this year as part of his offensive on Tripoli .
Egypt warned that it would intervene militarily if Turkish-backed forces attacked Sirte , leading Italy , Germany and the United States to call for a cease-fire and de-escalation of tensions in Libya last week .
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said any attack on Sirte or the inland Jufra air base would amount to crossing a “ red line.
” He said Egypt could intervene to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring stability , including establishing conditions for a cease-fire .
The Tripoli-based government said it considered el-Sissi ’ s comments a “ declaration of war , ” while authorities in the east welcomed his support .
On Friday , Libya ’ s National Oil Corporation said Russian and other foreign mercenaries had entered the country ’ s largest oil field , describing the development as an attempt to thwart the resumption of halted oil production .
Dujarric said that in his conversation with Hifter , Guterres “ indicated his commitment to help find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil terminals and oil fields in the country.
” He said the the secretary-general and Serraj “ also discussed the need to reopen blocked oil terminals and oil fields in the country.
“ Guterres also reiterated U.N. support to Libya ’ s government in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in his call with the prime minister , Dujarric said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--LAPD funding slashed by $150M, reducing number of officers

LOS ANGELES - City leaders voted Wednesday to slash the Los Angeles Police Department budget by $ 150 million , reducing the number of officers to a level not seen for more than a decade amid nationwide demands to shift money away from law enforcement agencies during America ’ s reckoning over police brutality and racial injustice .
About two-thirds of the funding was earmarked for police overtime and will be used to provide services and programs for communities of colour , including a youth summer jobs program .
The City Council ’ s 12-2 vote will drop the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month to 9,757 by next summer , abandoning a goal of 10,000 officers touted by political leaders and only reached in 2013 .
“ This is a step forward , supporting minority communities in ways in which they deserve — with respect , dignity and an even playing field , ” Councilman Curren Price said .
It ’ s a big change in the nation ’ s second largest city , where the 1992 acquittal of white officers in the beating of black driver Rodney King set off violent unrest that has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
Other cities around the country also have cut police budgets or are moving to do so , including an effort in Minneapolis to disband the city ’ s force .
New York City lawmakers approved an austere budget Wednesday that will shift $ 1 billion from policing to education and social services in the coming year .
In California , liberal Berkeley passed a budget Wednesday that cuts $ 9.2 million from police , while Oakland leaders last week slashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are considering steeper reductions .
The Los Angeles vote reduces the LAPD ’ s nearly $ 2 billion budget .
Democratic Mayor Eric Garcetti had proposed increasing it in April to help preserve the staffing level of 10,000 officers before facing intense pushback after Floyd ’ s death invigorated a nationwide campaign to “ defund ” police .
There was no immediate comment from the LAPD .
Police Chief Michel Moore said in a statement last month that the cut would require “ a top-to-bottom assessment , including how we go about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department already had begun to identify potential cost savings and service reductions .
The move comes a day after the board of the Los Angeles Unified School District voted to immediately cut its school police budget by a third .
The $ 70 million budget for the force of more than 470 officers will be reduced by about $ 25 million and the money dedicated to “ support African American student achievement to the extent of the law , ” according to the resolution .
Some 65 officers will be laid off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be filled , Police Chief Todd Chamberlain told the school board .
He told officers Wednesday that he was resigning immediately , the Los Angeles Times reported .
The school board also called for officers to give up their uniforms and patrol off campus , the newspaper reported .
Board President Richard Vladovic opposed the move on safety grounds , urging a delay .
“ We ’ re walking right into this without knowing where we ’ re going , and how we ’ re going to get there , ” Vladovic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrinking or eliminating police departments , with activists saying police disproportionately arrest Black people and are seen as repressive figures rather than protectors in communities of colour .
“ We need to rethink what it is that makes people safer and makes communities stronger , “ the City Council resolution said .
“ We can not just look at the police in isolation .
There is no doubt that communities of colour suffer disproportionately from negative interactions with the police.
” The LAPD cut was part of a budget modification measure for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Months of social distancing measures , including closing many businesses , have left the city with a drastically reduced tax revenue and a potential shortfall of $ 45 million to $ 409 million , according to finance department estimates .

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thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Novartis pays $678M to resolve suit over sham doctor outings

NEW YORK - Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp. will pay $ 678 million to the U.S. government and various states to settle a lawsuit over a sham speaker program that distributed cash , expensive dinners and other treats to induce doctors to prescribe its products , federal authorities announced Wednesday .
The settlement of the lawsuit was announced by Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss , who said the company splurged on “ speaking fees , exorbitant meals , and top-shelf alcohol that were nothing more than bribes to get doctors across the country to prescribe Novartis ’ s drugs.
” Messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Novartis Pharmaceuticals , which is part of Swiss drug manufacturer Novartis International AG .
The settlement resolves a 2011 whistleblower lawsuit accusing Novartis of violating the federal False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute .
The company admitted giving doctors cash , golf and fishing trips , and lavish meals at some of the nation ’ s fanciest restaurants to induce them to prescribe Novartis cardiovascular and diabetes drugs that were reimbursed by federal healthcare programs , the government said in a release .
Federal authorities alleged that Novartis earned hundreds of millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold by doctors benefiting from tens of thousands of sham educational events at high-end restaurants and other venues .
With the program , the company paid exorbitant speaker fees to doctors who gave no meaningful presentations while their guests enjoyed fine food and drinks , the government said in court papers .
In settling , Novartis made extensive factual admissions and agreed to strict limitations on any future speaker programs , according to terms of the deal .
William F. Sweeney Jr. , head of New York ’ s FBI office , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reprehensible and dishonest.
“ “ Not only did Novartis incentivize doctors to host these speaking events , reps bribed the doctors to write more prescriptions of the company ’ s drugs to give Novartis an advantage over competitors within their field , “ he said .
“ Greed replaced the responsibility the public expects from those who practice medicine.
” Some high-prescribing doctors received tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for their work as Novartis often reimbursed the same group of doctors , colleagues and friends who had dinners together repeatedly , @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--MVP plaque presenters to discuss Landis’ name on MLB trophy

NEW YORK - The baseball organization that presents the annual MVP awards will consider whether the name of former commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis should be pulled from future plaques .
“ The issue is being addressed , ” Jack O ’ Connell , longtime secretary-treasurer of the Baseball Writers ’ Association of America , said Wednesday .
“ It will definitely be put up for discussion.
” Former NL Most Valuable Players Barry Larkin , Mike Schmidt and Terry Pendleton this week told The Associated Press they would favour removing Landis ’ name because of concerns over his handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree more , ” decorated writer and broadcaster Peter Gammons tweeted .
Meanwhile , a lively debate has popped up on social media about whose name should be on the plaque , if anyone at all .
Among those being suggested are Hall of Famer Frank Robinson , the only player to win the MVP in both leagues , Negro Leagues star Josh Gibson and Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey , who signed Jackie Robinson .
Landis was hired in 1920 as MLB ’ s first commissioner .
No Blacks played in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his death in late 1944 — Robinson broke the colour barrier in 1947 and Larry Doby followed later that season .
Landis ’ legacy is “ always a complicated story ” that includes “ documented racism , ” official MLB historian John Thorn said .
Every AL and NL MVP plaque since Landis ’ death has carried his name -- in letters twice as big as the winner -- and an imprint of his face .
Landis gave the BBWAA control of picking and presenting the MVPs in 1931 .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with the topic amid a pandemic , ” O ’ Connell said .
“ It will just be a matter of what form.
” “ It is safe to say that we would prefer to settle this matter before the Winter Meetings , ” he said .
The BBWAA ’ s next scheduled meeting is at the winter meetings in Dallas in December .
The MVP winners are usually announced in November .
Landis ’ name has been on the plaques for 75 years , but it is not pledged to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote by the membership could lead to a redesign by the end of the coronavirus-delayed , 60-game season set to start in three weeks .
“ I don ’ t know that it needs a name , ” Larkin said .
“ MVP says it all .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Police: 24 dead in attack on drug rehab centre in Mexico

MEXICO CITY - Gunmen burst into an unregistered drug rehabilitation centre in Mexico and opened fire Wednesday , killing 24 @ @ @ @ @ Police in the north-central state of Guanajuato said the attack occurred Wednesday in the city @ @ @ @ @ the seven wounded were in serious condition .
Apparently the attackers shot everyone at the @ @ @ @ @ said nobody was abducted .
Guanajuato is the scene of a bloody turf battle between @ @ @ @ @ local gang , and the state has become the most violent in Mexico .
No @ @ @ @ @ attack , but Gov .
Diego Sinhue said drug gangs appear to have been involved @


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Three arraigned in restraint death of Black teen in Michigan

KALAMAZOO , Mich. - Three former Michigan youth centre staff members charged in the death of a Black teenager who was restrained after throwing a sandwich have been arraigned .
Michael Mosley of Battle Creek and Heather McLogan of Kalamazoo turned themselves in Wednesday to authorities and appeared in Kalamazoo County District Court on involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse charges .
A third former employee of Lakeside Academy in Kalamazoo , Zachary Solis of Lansing , was arraigned Tuesday after turning himself in .
They were charged last week in the May 1 death of 16-year-old Cornelius Fredericks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest April 29 while being restrained .
He was hospitalized but died two days later .
His manner and cause of death was listed as a homicide .
A doctor who performed the autopsy , said Fredericks had been restrained on the ground , resulting in asphyxia .
Mosley , 47 , and Solis , 28 , are accused of restraining Fredericks in a “ grossly negligent manner , ” Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said last week while announcing the charges .
McLogan , 48 , is accused of gross negligence for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the teen in a timely manner .
Each was released on bond pending probable cause conferences later this month .
“ She has no prior criminal history whatsoever , ” defence attorney Anastase Markou said of his client , McLogan , during her arraignment .
Solis was “ overcharged ” and only doing what he was told to do by his superiors , his attorney Donald Sappanos told MLive.com Tuesday .
Attorney Kiana Garrity , who represents Mosley , told MLive.com in a statement that Mosley was following Lakeside Academy protocol .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Academy and Sequel Youth and Family Services by Fredericks ’ estate .
Lakeside Academy , a facility for teenagers with behavioural problems , last month lost its contract with the state of Michigan to care for youth in the state ’ s foster care and juvenile justice systems and its license to operate .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Bars, restaurants pay price for California virus surge

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California took a big step back in reopening its economy on Wednesday as Gov .
Gavin Newsom shut down bars , wineries , museums , movie theatres and inside restaurant dining across most of the state for three weeks amid troubling increases in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations .
The order affects Los Angeles and 18 other counties where nearly three-quarters of the state ’ s roughly 40 million people live .
The impacted counties are those seeing the most serious uptick in infections , and include almost all of Southern California , though not San Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bottom line is the spread of this virus continues at a rate that is particularly concerning , ” Newsom said .
To encourage greater adherence to health rules , Newsom also said the state is creating “ strike teams ” of state regulators to more aggressively go after non-compliant businesses .
He also is limiting beach access and imposed statewide changes for religious services — no more singing or chanting — and at gyms , where people now must wear masks while working out .
For the two weeks ended Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 % to nearly a quarter-million and hospitalizations increased 52 % to 5,077 .
About 500 more patients were sick enough for intensive care treatment , bringing the state total to 1,528 in ICUs .
The state ’ s worst outbreak is in Imperial County , an agricultural centre along the border with Mexico .
Infection rates are 20 % -- more than double the state average -- and hospitals are overwhelmed .
Last week the state took the unprecedented step of ordering Imperial officials to come up with a new health order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California was approved -- it bars nonessential gatherings of any size , shopping in stores and indoor religious ceremonies .
Other states , including Texas and Florida , have also paused their reopenings after seeing similar spikes in coronavirus cases .
In Arizona , Gov .
Doug Ducey has ordered bars , gyms and movie theatres to close for 30 days and banned large gatherings .
California authorities have said many things contributed to the increase in the state , including people not following the mandate to wear masks and gathering socially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who heads the California Restaurant Association , said the order is devastating for restaurants that have worked to put in place safety measures and reduced seating to meet the state ’ s requirements for inside dining .
The changes have left many with no room to spare on revenue .
“ This will be the last straw for a lot of restaurants , ” Condi said , adding the state hasn ’ t provided evidence to specifically show dining in restaurants is helping fuel the increase in virus cases .
Newsom imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order in March , earning praise from public health officials as virus cases were kept relatively low in the nation ’ s most populous state for more than two months .
But the order devastated the economy , forcing most businesses to close and prompting more than 6.7 million people to file for unemployment benefits .
As the spread of the virus slowed in May , Newsom moved quickly to begin allowing businesses to reopen across the state .
Bars got the green light on June 12 and quickly images emerged showing throngs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks as required by the state .
Dr. Jeffrey Klausner , an epidemiology professor at the University of California , Los Angeles , said the new restrictions could be an “ over response.
” He said the state should consider other strategies designed to keep young people away from older people , who are more at risk for the virus .
“ It appears we ’ re playing a game of whack-a-mole .
Every time there is an increase in cases we have to take a step backwards , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed they “ can tell people ( that ) health officials are very serious and therefore people are more likely to adopt personal behaviour change.
” Dr. Mark Ghaly , secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency , said the new order is targeted at places where people can ’ t wear face coverings the whole time , like restaurants where they are removed to eat and drink , or where people are likely to mix with others outside their household .
Businesses not on the list , like hair salons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a lower-risk way , ” he said .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Ghaly defended the state ’ s process for reopening , saying officials carefully developed guidance that businesses should follow .
But he noted the state has seen a “ sufficient number ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have always prepared for something like this , we have always been ready , ” he said .
At Crepeville in Sacramento , owner Derar Zawaydeh cussed when informed of the new mandate for restaurants .
He has a few tables outside but most are inside and will be lost .
“ It definitely presents a challenge , ” he said .
“ But on the flip side if that is what we need to do to ... reduce the risk of infection , then we really don ’ t have much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the busy Fourth of July weekend , Newsom also closed state beaches in Los Angeles and Ventura counties to mirror local public health orders .
Other state beaches will stay open , but parking lots will close this weekend to limit overcrowding in Marin , Monterey , Orange , San Diego , San Francisco , San Mateo , Santa Barbara , Santa Cruz and Sonoma counties .
For people planning gatherings of family and friends this weekend , Newsom urged them to reconsider .
In Los Angeles County , Public Health Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past three weeks are linked to parties and gatherings of family and friends , adding “ there are very real risks to celebrating this holiday with people who are not in our households.
” Newsom ’ s order applies to 19 counties that have been on the state ’ s watch list for increasing coronavirus cases for at least three consecutive days : Besides , Los Angeles , they include : Contra Costa , Fresno , Glenn , Imperial , Kern , Kings , Merced , Orange , Riverside , Sacramento , San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Santa Clara , Solano , Stanislaus , Tulare and Ventura .
Associated Press reporters Cuney Dil in Sacramento , John Antczak and Michael R. Blood in Los Angeles , and Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report .

Adam Beam And Kathleen Ronayne - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--House passes bill rebuking China over Hong Kong; Senate next

WASHINGTON - The House on Wednesday joined the Senate in approving a bill to rebuke China over its crackdown in Hong Kong by imposing sanctions on groups that undermine the city ’ s autonomy or restrict freedoms promised to its residents .
The bill targets police units that have cracked down on Hong Kong protesters , as well as Chinese Communist Party officials responsible for imposing a strict “ national security ” law on Hong Kong , which is considered a special administrative region within China and maintains its own governing and economic systems .
The measure also would impose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entities found to violate the law .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the unanimous House vote “ an urgently needed response to the cowardly Chinese government ’ s passage of its so-called ‘ national security ’ law , which threatens the end of the ‘ one country , two systems ’ promised exactly 23 years ago today.
’ ’ Pelosi , a fierce critic of Chinese human rights violations , said , “ All freedom-loving people must condemn this horrific law ’ ’ imposed by China , adding that it is specifically intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong.
’ ’ The House bill is similar to a measure approved last week in the Senate , but makes some minor changes .
Sen. Chris Van Hollen , D-Md.
, a co-sponsor of the Senate bill , said senators will vote as soon as Thursday to give final legislative approval , sending it to the White House .
Lawmakers from both parties have urged the Trump administration to take strong action in response to the crackdown by China against the former British territory , which was granted partial sovereignty under a treaty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
China has said it will impose visa restrictions on Americans it sees as interfering over Hong Kong .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced the threat of a visa ban as a sign of “ how Beijing refuses to take responsibility for its own choices ” and said adoption of the security law “ destroys the territory ’ s autonomy and one of China ’ s greatest achievements.
” Beijing ’ s “ paranoia and fear of its own people ’ s aspirations have led it to eviscerate the very foundation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo said in a statement .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Mississippi bans abortion based on race, sex, genetic issues

JACKSON , Miss .
- Mississippi Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves signed a law Wednesday that bans abortion based on the race , sex or genetic anomalies of a fetus , adding new limits in a state that already has some of the strictest abortion laws in the U.S .
Supporters say the new law would prevent abortion for Down syndrome or other conditions .
“ Women should not be pressured to have an abortion because their child is different : of a different ability , of a different race , of a different sex , ” Jameson Taylor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Public Policy , said in a statement Wednesday .
Opponents said it would unconstitutionally interfere with private medical decisions in a state with one abortion clinic .
“ The Supreme Court has consistently held that abortion before viability is an unqualified right ; the state has no reason to question women on the reason they have made this difficult choice , “ said Beth Orlansky , advocacy director for the Mississippi Center for Justice .
With the addition of conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court , several states have enacted abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are aimed at spurring court challenges seeking to overturn Roe v. Wade , the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide .
Reeves signed the new law two days after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law that required doctors who do abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital .
Mississippi ’ s nearly identical admitting privileges law has long been blocked by a federal judge .
The new Mississippi law that bans certain reasons for abortion took effect as soon as the governor signed the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 10 years for any physician or other health care worker who knowingly violates the ban .
It specifies that the woman getting the abortion would not be punished , and the ban does not apply if the woman faces a medical emergency because of the pregnancy .
Nine states ban abortion because of the sex of the fetus , two ban it because of race and two ban it because of genetic anomaly , according to the Guttmacher Institute , a research group that supports abortion rights .
Until Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned all three .
Kentucky ’ s ban on all three reasons has been put on hold by court order .
Mississippi has long required a 24-hour waiting period for abortions .
Minors also must obtain permission from their parents or a judge .
In 2018 , Mississippi tried to ban most abortions at 15 weeks .
The state ’ s only abortion clinic sued , a federal district judge blocked the law and a federal appeals court agreed with his ruling .
State officials have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislators voted to ban most abortions once fetal cardiac activity can be detected , which can be at about six weeks — before some women know they are pregnant .
A judge blocked the restriction from becoming law .

Emily Wagster Pettus - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Mexico reopening uneven, as virus cases continue high

Mexico City ’ s reopening varied widely Wednesday , with some people wearing face masks and keeping their distance while others jostled in crowded streets .
The limited reopening of restaurants and other businesses in the capital came as cases continued to climb steadily .
On Wednesday , the number of cases nationwide rose by 5,681 to reach 231,770 , and the country added 741 confirmed COVID-19 deaths , bringing the total to 28,510 .
Mexico City has accounted for about 48,000 cases and 5,400 deaths .
As shops opened , Mexico City resident Zeny García and her three children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks and goggles .
But others around her wore their face masks around their necks .
“ We just had to get out , ” García said of the three-month lockdown that just began to ease this week .
Restaurants and hotels are still not allowed to serve their full capacity , and bars , nightclubs and sporting events remained closed .
On the sidewalks of the city ’ s colonial downtown district , taco stands were open and doing a brisk businesses , as promoters handed out fliers to passersby .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s personal electronics , telephone and computing trade , and while most of those businesses were shuttered , touts stood on the sidewalk to drum up black market business for the same items .
Restaurants are now allowed to serve customers at about 40 % capacity , but most appeared to be well under that limit .
Rosa Icela Vázquez was one of those who ventured out to eat at one of Mexico City ’ s most historic restaurants , the centuries-old Casa de los Azulejos , whose exterior is covered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not as if we should be going out yet , but we were getting fed up with being inside , ” said Vázquez , who was sitting at a table with her husband and her granddaughter .
The restaurant closed for the first time in memory during the lockdown .
It had remained open even during the 1910-1917 Revolution , when revolutionary leaders like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata ate there .
“ COVID accomplished what the Revolution couldn ’ t , ” noted the restaurant ’ s manager , Virginia Viedma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wore masks and face protectors and there was hand gel and shoe-sanitizing carpets , it had received only about three dozen customers by the afternoon — a far cry from its daily average of 1,800 diners on a normal day .
“ People are starting to come out , ” Viedma said .
Police closed off some downtown streets and there were no crowds in the central square , but some of the streets leading on to it were packed .
City authorities have tried to manage the partial , gradual reopening by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets to open one day , and those on the other side the next .
But that meant “ people crowd into one side of the street one day , and the other side the next , ” said policeman Edgar López .
Travel company representatives like Luis Oviedo tried to drum up business for tours of the city near the city ’ s cathedral , and while foreign tourists were rare , Oviedo noted that “ people are starting to come out , Mexicans who are stressed and want to get out.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who performs ritual “ cleanings ” against bad luck , said he was doing about 20 ceremonies per day .
“ People are coming to us because there are a lot more problems , with fewer jobs and less money , ” Cerón said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--House approves $1.5T plan to fix crumbling infrastructure

WASHINGTON - The Democratic-controlled House approved a $ 1.5 trillion plan Wednesday to rebuild the nation ’ s crumbling infrastructure , pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into projects to fix roads and bridges , upgrade transit systems , expand interstate railways and dredge harbours , ports and channels .
The bill also authorizes more than $ 100 billion to expand internet access for rural and low-income communities and $ 25 billion to modernize the U.S .
Postal Service ’ s infrastructure and operations , including a fleet of electric vehicles .
Lawmakers approved the Moving Forward Act by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It now goes to the Republican-controlled Senate , where a much narrower bill approved by a key committee has languished for nearly a year .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has not attempted to schedule a floor debate and none appears forthcoming .
The idea of “ Infrastructure Week ” in the Trump era has become a long-running inside joke in Washington because there was little action to show for it .
Still , Wednesday ’ s vote represented at least a faint signal of momentum for the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrats hailed the House bill , which goes far beyond transportation to fund schools , health care facilities , public utilities and affordable housing .
Rep. Peter DeFazio , D-Ore. , chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a sponsor of the legislation , called it a “ transformational investment in American infrastructure that will create millions of jobs.
” Republicans ridiculed the bill for what they called a Green New Deal-style focus on climate .
“ Instead of seeking bipartisan solutions , this bill adds $ 1.5 trillion to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heavy-handed and unworkable Green New Deal regime of new requirements as an ‘ infrastructure bill , ’ ” said Missouri Rep. Sam Graves , the top Republican on the transportation panel .
Graves blamed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats for turning what has traditionally been a bipartisan issue in Congress — infrastructure — into what he called “ a partisan wish list.
” Republicans scored a rare procedural victory , winning approval of an amendment to block money from the bill going to Chinese state-owned enterprises or companies responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Uighur minority .
The White House promised a veto if the measure reaches the president ’ s desk .
In a statement this week , the White House said the bill “ is heavily biased against rural America , ’ ’ is based on debt financing and ” fails to tackle the issue of unnecessary permitting delays “ that have long impeded infrastructure projects .
President Donald Trump has frequently declared his support for infrastructure projects and pledged during the 2016 campaign to spend at least $ 1 trillion to improve infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly called for enactment of an infrastructure package — but those efforts have failed to result in legislation .
Hopes were dashed last year when Trump said he wouldn ’ t deal with Democrats if they continued to investigate him .
The House later impeached him .
Trump said after signing a $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package that low interest rates made it a good time to borrow money to pay for an infrastructure bill .
No formal proposal has emerged , although the White House has suggested the next virus response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The centerpiece of the House legislation is a nearly $ 500 billion , 5-year surface transportation plan for roads , bridges and railways .
The White House said in its veto threat that the proposal is “ heavily skewed toward programs that would disproportionately benefit America ’ s urban areas.
“ The bill would divert money from the Highway Trust Fund to transit and rail projects that “ have seen declining market shares in recent years , ” the White House statement said .
Democrats countered that the bill would rebuild the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by fixing crumbling roads and bridges , but also by investing in public transit and the national rail network , boosting low- and zero-emission vehicles and cutting carbon pollution that contributes to climate change .
The bill also authorizes $ 130 billion in school infrastructure targeted at high-poverty schools with facilities that endanger the health and safety of students and educators , Democrats said .
The schools portion alone could create more than 2 million jobs , they said .
The bill would spend more than $ 100 billion to create or preserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These investments will help reduce housing inequality , create jobs and stimulate the broader economy , ’ ’ Democrats said in a “ fact sheet ” promoting the bill .
The measure also would upgrade child care facilities and protect access to safe drinking water by investing $ 25 billion in a state revolving fund that ensures communities have clean drinking water and remove dangerous contaminants from local water systems .
Three Republicans voted in favour of the bill : Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Reps. Jeff Van Drew and Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two Democrats opposed it : Reps. Collin Peterson of Minnesota and Ben McAdams of Utah .
Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor contributed to this story .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Movement for Black Lives plans virtual national convention

NEW YORK - Spurred by broad public support for the Black Lives Matter movement , thousands of Black activists from across the U.S. will hold a virtual convention in August to produce a new political agenda that seeks to build on the success of the protests that followed George Floyd ’ s death .
The 2020 Black National Convention will take place Aug. 28 via a live broadcast .
It will feature conversations , performances and other events designed to develop a set of demands ahead of the November general election , according to a Wednesday announcement shared first with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being organized by the Electoral Justice Project of the Movement for Black Lives , a coalition of more than 150 organizations .
In 2016 , the coalition released its “ Vision for Black Lives ” platform , which called for public divestment from mass incarceration and for adoption of policies that can improve conditions in Black America .
“ What this convention will do is create a Black liberation agenda that is not a duplication of the Vision for Black Lives , but really is rooted as a set of demands for progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads the Electoral Justice Project .
At the end of the convention , participants will ratify a revised platform that will serve as a set of demands for the first 100 days of a new presidential administration , Byrd said .
Participants also will have access to model state and local legislation .
“ What we have the opportunity to do now , as this 50-state rebellion has provided the conditions for change , is to say , ‘ You need to take action right this minute , ’ ” Byrd said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the benchmarks for what we believe progress is and make those known locally and federally.
” Wednesday ’ s announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the BLM movement .
A surge in public support , an influx in donations and congressional action to reform policing have drawn some backlash .
President Donald Trump lashed out again Wednesday on Twitter over plans to paint “ Black Lives Matter ” in yellow across New York City ’ s famed Fifth Avenue , calling the words a “ symbol of hate.
” White House press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all Black lives matter ” but disagrees with an organization that would make derogatory statements about police officers .
McEnany was referring to an oft-cited chant of individual protesters from five years ago .
The Black National Convention was originally planned to happen in person , in Detroit , the nation ’ s Blackest major city .
But as the coronavirus pandemic exploded in March , organizers quickly shifted to a virtual event , Byrd said .
The first-ever Black Lives Matter convention was held in Cleveland in 2015 .
The most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black people have made up more than a quarter of reported virus deaths in which the race of the victim is known .
Initial work to shape the new platform will take place Aug. 6 and 7 , during a smaller so-called People ’ s Convention that will virtually convene hundreds of delegates from Black-led advocacy groups .
The process will be similar to one that produced the first platform , which included early iterations of the demand to defund police that now drives many demonstrations .
Other platform demands , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and scrapping discriminatory risk-assessment tools used in criminal courts , have become official policy in a handful of local criminal justice systems around the U.S. Cliff Albright , co-founder of Black Voters Matter , which organizes in 15 states , said the 2020 Black National Convention will deepen the solutions to systemic racism and create more alignment within the movement .
“ We ’ re in this stage now where we ’ re getting more specific about how all of this is connected to our local organizing , ” Albright said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the convention , they leave with greater clarity , more resources , connectivity and energy.
” The coalition behind the convention includes Color of Change , BYP100 , Dream Defenders and the Black Lives Matter Global Network , which has 16 official chapters nationwide .
Convention organizers said this year ’ s event will pay tribute to the historic 1972 National Black Political Convention in Gary , Indiana , which concluded with the introduction of a national Black agenda .
The Gary gathering included prominent Black leaders such as the Rev .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sharpton , Rep. Shirley Chisholm , who ran for president , as well as Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale , Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz .
That convention came after several tumultuous years that included the assassinations of Malcolm X and the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. and outbreaks of civil unrest , all of which were seen as blows to the civil rights movement .
The upcoming convention builds on more than a century of Black political organizing .
In 1905 , civil rights activist and scholar W.E.B .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national conference of Black leaders near Buffalo , New York .
In a written address to the country , Du Bois and others decried the rise of institutionalized racial inequality in voting , criminal justice systems and public education .
In the 1950s , William Patterson , founder of the now-defunct Civil Rights Congress , led the effort to charge the U.S. with genocide of African Americans using legal standards set by the United Nation .
The resulting petition , “ We Charge Genocide , ” is an oft-cited document in conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police in the U.S. And in 1998 , organizers of the Black Radical Congress in Chicago met to strategize ways to beat back attacks on affirmative action policies that helped to diversify higher education and other facets of American life .
Like any large political gathering , consensus is not guaranteed .
The National Black Political Convention caused divisions between participating organizations over the Black agenda ’ s position on busing to integrate public schools and statements on global affairs that some viewed as anti-Israel .
Ultimately , the agenda prompted a leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s oldest civil rights organization , to sever ties with the convention .
Somewhat similarly , the Vision for Black Lives platform and its characterization of Israel as an “ apartheid state ” committing mass murder against Palestinian people drew allegations of anti-Semitism from a handful of Jewish groups , which had otherwise been supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement .
The Black Lives Matter movement ’ s coalition has more than doubled in size in the years since the first platform , largely because of organizers ’ laser focus on issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That actually is the Black self determination that our politics require , ” Byrd said , “ that we don ’ t just respond to the Democratic Party .
That we don ’ t just respond to the Republican Party .
We don ’ t just say ‘ Black lives matter ’ and beg people to care .
We build an alternative container for all of us to connect , outside of the white gaze , to say this is what we want for our communities.
” The August convention will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commemorative , in-person march on Washington that is being organized by Sharpton , who announced the march during a memorial service for Floyd , a Black man who died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer held a knee to his neck .
The Black National Convention will broadcast after the march , Byrd said .
August “ is going to be a huge month of Black engagement , ” she said .
Associated Press Writer Darlene Superville in Washington and news researchers Randy Herschaft in New York and Monika Mathur in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a member of the AP ’ s Race and Ethnicity team .
Follow him on Twitter at https : //www.twitter.com/aaronlmorrison .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--New Zealand’s health minister resigns after virus blunders

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - New Zealand ’ s health minister resigned Thursday following a series of personal blunders during the coronavirus pandemic .
David Clark had earlier described himself as an “ idiot ” for breaking the nation ’ s lockdown measures and then last week appeared to blame a beloved health official for border lapses , generating an angry response from the public .
Announcing his resignation , Clark said he ’ d put all his energy into the job .
“ But it has become increasingly clear to me that my continuation in the role is distracting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-19 , “ he said .
Clark said he intended to remain in the parliament as a lower-ranking lawmaker .
New Zealand ’ s health response has been praised around the world after the country managed to eliminate community transmission of the virus .
But Clark himself has been widely ridiculed .
His latest gaffe came last week when he appeared to place the blame for allowing some returning travellers to leave quarantine without being tested with his top official , Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield .
Bloomfield , who was standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stung by the criticism as he frowned and looked away in a video captured by Newshub and viewed tens of thousands of times .
Bloomfield has been the nation ’ s trusted medical expert and public face of the virus response — similar to Dr. Anthony Fauci in the United States .
Many people were angered by Clark ’ s words , and a Twitter campaign dubbed “ Blooms for Bloomfield “ was launched to buy flowers for Bloomfield .
As hundreds of dollars poured in , Bloomfield asked that the money be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was .
It was just the latest in a series of missteps by Clark .
In April , he was stripped of some of his responsibilities after defying the country ’ s strict lockdown measures .
He drove 19 kilometres ( 12 miles ) to the beach to take a walk with his family as the government was asking people to make historic sacrifices by staying at home .
“ I ’ ve been an idiot , and I understand why people will be angry with me , ” Clark said at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a park near his home to go mountain biking , also in defiance of the rules .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at the time she normally would have fired Clark but that the country couldn ’ t afford massive disruption in its health sector while it was fighting the virus .
Instead , she stripped Clark of his role as associate finance minister and demoted him to the bottom of the Cabinet rankings .
But on Thursday , Ardern said she was ready to accept Clark ’ s resignation .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the confidence of the New Zealand public , “ Ardern said in a statement .
“ As David has said to me , the needs of the team must come before him as an individual.
” Ardern appointed Education Minister Chris Hipkins to temporarily take over the role .
The move comes less than three months before New Zealanders vote in a general election .
Ardern , who leads the liberal Labour Party , saw her popularity soar during the early stages of the virus response , although recent opinion polls indicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Todd Muller , is making inroads into Labour ’ s lead .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Appeals court lifts restraint against Trump book publisher

NEW YORK - A New York appeals court cleared the way Wednesday for a publisher to distribute a tell-all book by President Donald Trump ’ s niece over the objections of the president ’ s brother .
The New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division said it was lifting a restraint that a judge put on Simon & Schuster a day earlier that would have blocked distribution of “ Too Much and Never Enough : How My Family Created the World ’ s Most Dangerous Man.
” Although the book was scheduled to be published on July 28 , Simon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 75,000-copy first run of the book had already been sent to bookstores and others .
The appeals ruling , though , left in place restraints against Mary Trump , the book ’ s author and the president ’ s niece , after the president ’ s brother said in court papers that she was part of an agreement among family members not to write about their relationships without permission .
The president ’ s brother , Robert Trump , had sued Mary Trump to block publication .
An email seeking comment was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
The appeals ruling restrained Mary Trump and any agent of hers from distributing the book , but the court made clear it did not consider the publisher to be an agent , though that issue could be decided in further proceedings at the lower court .
“ The evidence submitted is insufficient for this Court to determine whether the plaintiff is likely to succeed in establishing that claim , “ the appeals court said .
In a statement , Simon and Schuster said it was gratified with the ruling , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her story .
The publisher said the book was of “ great interest and importance to the national discourse that fully deserves to be published for the benefit of the American public.
“ It added : “ As all know , there are well-established precedents against prior restraint and pre-publication injunctions , and we remain confident that the preliminary injunction will be denied.
“ Mary Trump ’ s lawyer , Theodore Boutrous Jr. , said in a statement it was “ very good news that the prior restraint against Simon & Schuster has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed a similar finding was necessary for Mary Trump , “ based on the First Amendment and basic contract law.
” Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo in Washington and Jennifer Peltz in New York contributed to this story .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Divided West can do little as China tightens up on Hong Kong

LONDON - From Tokyo to Brussels , political leaders have swiftly decried Beijing ’ s move to impose a tough national security law on Hong Kong that cracks down on subversive activity and protest in the semi-autonomous territory .
But the rhetoric has more bark than bite .
For people in Hong Kong , the question is : Will international anger and statements of concern make any difference ?
Individual countries have little leverage over Beijing on human rights , experts say .
A joint effort could make a difference , but co-ordinated action seems unlikely given strained ties between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s traditional European allies .
“ The U.S.A. and EU are moving in different directions in many areas .
It is perhaps to China ’ s advantage that that should be so , ” said Rod Wye , an Asia-Pacific associate fellow at the Chatham House think-tank in London .
In particular , Europeans do not want to be drawn into the U.S.-China trade war , he said .
“ Expressions of concern are certainly not going to change the Chinese intention one little bit , ” he added .
A joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with China described “ a deep sense of frustration , fatigue , and futility .
The stronger China gets , the less willing it has become to even engage perfunctorily with the West on the issue.
” The report — from the Asia Society , the Bertelsmann Stiftung and George Washington University — said that concern about human rights abuses in China remains deep , from the new security law in Hong Kong , which went into effect Tuesday night , to the repression of Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region in western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism as interference in its domestic affairs .
One of the crimes in the Hong Kong security law explicitly outlaws receiving funding or support from overseas to disrupt lawmaking in Hong Kong or impose sanctions on the city .
“ This issue is purely China ’ s internal affairs , and no foreign country has the right to interfere , ” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said .
Many fear the law will be used to curb opposition voices and see it as Beijing ’ s boldest move yet to erase the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communist Party system and Hong Kong , which was promised a high degree of autonomy and civil liberties under a “ one country , two systems ” principle .
Britain called the law “ deeply troubling ” and said it “ lies in direct conflict with China ’ s international obligations.
” The U.S. warned that China ’ s repeated violations of its international commitments “ is a pattern the world can not ignore.
” And the European Union warned that China risked “ very negative consequences ” to its reputation and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Steve Tsang , who directs the China Institute at London ’ s School of Oriental and African Studies , said that if the EU were to join forces on the issue with the “ Five Eyes ” alliance — the U.S. , Britain , Canada , Australia and New Zealand — the group would have real economic clout .
The EU is China ’ s largest trading partner .
But he said it was “ far-fetched ” for either British Prime Minister Boris Johnson or President Donald Trump to work with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is reasonable for Beijing to calculate that both the U.K. and U.S. are paper tigers , ” Tsang said .
“ Boris is focused on Brexit .
He is happy to co-operate with anyone except for the EU.
” Chinese experts said the West isn ’ t able to sway China because of fundamental differences in their views .
The West stresses political rights , while China emphasizes economic rights , said Yu Wanli , an international relations professor at Beijing Language and Culture University .
“ It is not that China is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it is that China ’ s own policies have achieved results , ” Yu said .
“ China doesn ’ t need to care about pressure from the West.
” Stressing a legal and moral duty to its former colony , Britain on Wednesday announced it is extending residency rights for up to 3 million Hong Kongers eligible for British National Overseas passports , allowing them to live and work in the U.K. for five years .
In Brussels , the European Parliament last month passed a resolution calling on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Court of Justice .
Reinhard Bu¨tikofer , chair of the European Parliament ’ s delegation for China relations , said lawmakers are considering other measures , such as a ban on exports of “ technology utilized to oppress Hong Kong citizens.
” Other options include a “ lifeboat ” offer for Hong Kong democracy activists , and pushing for the United Nations to appoint a special envoy to the city .
“ The major burden is on the incoming German presidency to rally member states in following through in what they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not remain without consequences , ” Bu¨tikofer said .
In the U.S. , the Trump administration has said it will bar defence exports to Hong Kong , cancel policy exemptions that give Hong Kong special treatment , and impose visa restrictions on Chinese Communist Party officials “ responsible for undermining Hong Kong ’ s autonomy.
” Zhao , the foreign ministry spokesperson , said the U.S. will never succeed in blocking Hong Kong ’ s national security legislation through sanctions .
Wye , the Chatham House associate fellow , said the impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be marginal .
“ I don ’ t think Beijing has anything particular to fear because the sanctions they ’ re talking about are mainly withdrawing special status in particular areas of Hong Kong and treating it more like the rest of China , ” he said .
“ So the people likely to be hurt are Hong Kong businesses and Hong Kong people rather than Chinese businesses and the Chinese government .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Texas DA files new charges resulting from deadly drug raid

HOUSTON - The investigation of a Houston Police Department narcotics unit following a deadly 2019 drug raid has resulted in charges being filed against six former officers , who are accused of routinely using false information to get search warrants and of lying on police reports , prosecutors announced on Wednesday .
The work of the narcotics unit has been under scrutiny following the January 2019 drug raid in which Dennis Tuttle , 59 , and his wife , Rhogena Nicholas , 58 , were killed .
Two former members of the unit — Gerald Goines and Steven Bryant — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal court in the case , including two counts of felony murder filed in state court against Goines .
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Wednesday that 15 new felony charges have been filed against Goines and Bryant , as well as four other ex-officers , three who were supervisors .
The other ex-officers are Sgt .
Clemente Reyna ; Sgt .
Thomas Wood ; Lt. Robert Gonzales ; and Officer Hodgie Armstrong .
The supervisors are accused of signing records saying they saw officers pay confidential informants for buying drugs when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The officers are also accused of falsifying government documents to steal money meant for drug buys and falsifying time sheets .
Ogg said the crimes were part of a pattern that eventually resulted in the deadly raid .
“ Some will say that this scheme is just mismanagement .
It is not .
It is long running evidence of graft and corruption than can literally rot an institution from the inside out , ” Ogg said .
Nicole DeBorde , Goines ’ attorney , said she had not yet seen documentation regarding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case to get good publicity “ after a bad week of press.
” “ She is also using this as an opportunity to further damage Mr. Goines ’ s ability to get a fair trial , ” DeBorde said .
An attorney for Bryant did not immediately return an email seeking comment .
Court records did not list attorneys for the other ex-officers .
In a statement , the Houston Police Officers ’ Union called Reyna , Wood Gonzales and Armstrong “ victims ” of a “ political ploy ” by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused Goines , 55 , of lying to obtain the warrant to search the home of Tuttle and his wife by claiming that a confidential informant had bought heroin there .
Goines later said there was no informant and that he had bought the drugs himself , they allege .
Five officers , including Goines , were injured in the raid .
Since the raid , prosecutors have been reviewing thousands of cases handled by the narcotics unit .
One of the cases being reviewed is one involving George Floyd , who pleaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state jail after being arrested on a minor drug charge by Goines .
Floyd ’ s death in May while being arrested by a Minneapolis police officer sparked national protests over racism and police violence .
More than 160 drug convictions tied to Goines have been dismissed by prosecutors .
Prosecutors expect more cases will be dismissed .
Earlier Wednesday , the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals declared that one of the individuals whose case was dismissed earlier this year — Otis Mallet — was innocent .
“ Police misconduct is at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeals court said in a concurring opinion in Mallet ’ s case .
All of the individuals in the more than 160 cases that have been dismissed are minorities and the majority are African American , prosecutors have said .
Ogg said the actions of the six ex-officers “ had a profoundly negative impact and an unknown cost on the minority communities of Houston who have long been over-represented targets in drug enforcement .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Sheriff: I’ll deputize gun owners if violent protests erupt

GREEN COVE SPRINGS , Fla. - A Florida sheriff says he will deputize every gun owner in his county to put down any violent protests his deputies can ’ t handle alone .
Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels gave no indication in a three-minute video released Wednesday that any demonstrations are planned in his suburban Jacksonville county .
Daniels also said he would protect any peaceful protests , but added that if anyone starts “ tearing up Clay County , that is not going to be acceptable.
” “ If we can ’ t handle you , I ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheriff and I ’ ll make special deputies of every lawful gun owner in the county and I ’ ll deputize them to this one purpose : to stand in the gap between lawlessness and civility , ” said Daniels , sporting a white cowboy hat as he stood in front of 18 deputies .
Daniels , who is African American , said in the video that his department has a “ great relationship ” with its residents , but “ if you come to Clay County and think for one second we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you ’ re sadly mistaken.
” “ The second you step out from up under the protection of the Constitution , we ’ ll be waiting on you and give you everything you want : all the publicity , all the pain , all the glamour and glory for all that five minutes will give you.
“ Daniels , a Republican finishing his first term , is being challenged by six opponents in the upcoming election .
He is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement after his former employer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , announced last year that he ’ d had an affair with a co-worker when he was running its jails .
Daniels , who is married , was accused of later having the woman falsely arrested .
He issued an apology , but said he wouldn ’ t discuss specifics .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--French medics sue over mask, equipment shortages amid virus

PARIS - A collective of French health care workers said Thursday it is seeking a broad legal inquiry into France ’ s failure to protect its members and their colleagues by providing adequate masks , gloves and other protective equipment as the coronavirus swept across the country .
The professional association , Collectif Inter Urgences , ( Inter-Emergencies Collective ) , said it was filing a four-count civil complaint alleging manslaughter , involuntary harm , voluntary failure to prevent damage and endangering the life of others .
As is common in French law , the complaint does not target a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine who , across governments past and present , failed to renew personal protective equipment ( PPE ) stocks and adequately supply hospitals to prevent such a crisis .
More than 60 other legal complaints have been filed so far over how France , which has reported the fifth-highest number of virus deaths worldwide , managed its virus outbreak .
The collective is building a database of accounts from paramedics and hopes its complaint has farther-reaching legal impact than those targeting specific government ministers or nursing homes .
“ We ’ ve had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPE , which affected our ability to help people , ” said Yasmina Kettal , a nurse at the Delafontaine Hospital in Saint-Denis in the Paris suburbs .
“ But there was also a constant feeling of insecurity and gutting fear because in some services there was no PPE stock , and in many , very little PPE , which led to misuses.
” The group notably wants to know the reasoning behind the changing protocols around PPE use in France .
As French hospitals faced growing shortages of gear and increasing numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told they could reuse their equipment or keep it for longer periods , for example .
The changing protocols “ made us wonder as to whether they were scientific recommendations or shortage management , ” Kettal said .
The health care workers in the collective said they were also psychologically impacted by the handling of the crisis .
“ We found ourselves in situations with colleagues where we didn ’ t know what to wear , which masks , in which situations , ” Nicolas Kazolias , an emergency medic at Tenon Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t ever want to live this again.
” French Health Minister Olivier Veran acknowledged Thursday that “ our country was not sufficiently stocked with masks ” during the first wave of the virus , and the government is now asking all companies to keep at least 10 weeks worth of masks for their employees in case of a second wave of infections .
France ’ s national health agency has confirmed more than 300 new virus clusters since the country started reopening May 11 , and says about half have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 29,861 deaths linked to the virus , about half of them in nursing homes .
French health care workers are already wondering whether they can make it through a second round .
“ After going through all of this , the question as to who will be here for a second wave is in the minds of all of us , even mine , ” Kettal said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--British judge denies Venezuela’s Maduro gold in London bank

LONDON - A British judge on Thursday refused to give Venezuela ’ s Nicolás Maduro control of over $ 1 billion in gold sitting in a Bank of England vault , ruling that it is unlawful to give it to the socialist leader since Britain does not recognize him as president of the Latin American nation .
Maduro has demanded the gold to help his cash-starved nation fight the coronavirus pandemic .
But the central bank for the United Kingdom , whose government recognizes Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as his country ’ s legitimate leader , had refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialist administration .
The ruling clarifies the question of who is Venezuela ’ s legitimate leader — at least in the eyes of one world power .
Guaidó has sought to preserve the gold stash at the Bank of England to keep it out of the hands of the Maduro government , which it contends is illegitimate and corrupt .
His lawyers reiterated during a recent four-day hearing their stance that the National Assembly leader became Venezuela ’ s rightful leader under provisions of the country ’ s constitution .
The dispute hinged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a country in economic and political crisis where both Maduro and Guaidó have been claiming presidential powers for more than a year .
Venezuela ’ s Central Bank sought to release the gold , which it says now that it wants to sell for food and medical equipment that is desperately needed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic .
But it had also sought the gold before the pandemic began .
A lawyer representing Maduro ’ s side promised to appeal .
Sarosh Zaiwalla said in a statement that the judgment “ entirely ignores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground ” in Venezuela .
“ Mr Maduro ’ s government is in complete control of Venezuela and its administrative institutions , and only it can ensure the distribution of the humanitarian relief and medical supplies needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic , ” he said .
“ This outcome will now delay matters further , to the detriment of the Venezuelan people whose lives are at risk.
” The U.K. recognizes the claim of Guaidó , who heads Venezuela ’ s congress , as does the United States and about five dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interim president in early 2019 , months after Maduro declared victory in an election that his critics say was rigged in his favour .
Despite its support for Guaidó , the U.K. continues to have diplomatic ties with Maduro ’ s government .
The British have not granted diplomatic credentials to the envoy that Guaidó has named ambassador to the U.K .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Fire damages building at Iran nuclear enrichment site

TEHRAN , Iran - A fire broke out early Thursday at a building above Iran ’ s underground Natanz nuclear enrichment facility , though officials said it did not affect its centrifuge operation or cause any release of radiation .
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran sought to downplay the fire , calling it an “ incident ” that only affected an under-construction “ industrial shed , ” spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said .
However , both Kamalvandi and Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi rushed after the fire to Natanz , which has been targeted in sabotage campaigns in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damaged the building , though Natanz governor Ramazanali Ferdowsi said a “ fire ” struck the site , according to a report by the semiofficial Tasnim news agency .
A photograph later released by the atomic energy agency showed a brick building with scorch marks and its roof apparently destroyed .
It wasn ’ t clear if that was the “ shed ” to which Kamalvandi referred .
Debris on the ground and a door that looked blown off its hinges suggested an explosion accompanied the blaze .
Data collected by a U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fire broke out around 2 a.m. local time in the northwest corner of the Natanz compound .
Flames from the blaze were bright enough to be detected by the satellite from space .
“ There are physical and financial damages and we are investigating to assess , ” Kamalvandi told Iranian state television .
“ Furthermore , there has been no interruption in the work of the enrichment site .
Thank God , the site is continuing its work as before.
” There was no previously announced construction work at Natanz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 155 miles ) south of the capital , Tehran .
Natanz includes underground facilities buried under some 7.6 metres ( 25 feet ) of concrete , which offers protection from airstrikes .
Natanz , also known as the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant , is among the sites now monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency after Iran ’ s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
The IAEA said in a statement it was aware of reports of the fire .
“ We currently anticipate no impact on the IAEA ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency said .
Located in Iran ’ s central Isfahan province , Natanz hosts the country ’ s main uranium enrichment facility .
There , centrifuges rapidly spin uranium hexafluoride gas to enrich uranium .
Currently , the IAEA says Iran enriches uranium to about 4.5 % purity , above the terms of the nuclear deal , but far below weapons-grade levels of 90 % .
It also has conducted tests on advanced centrifuges , according to the IAEA .
The U.S. under President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tensions between Tehran and Washington .
Iran now is breaking all the production limits set by the deal , but still allows IAEA inspectors and cameras to watch its nuclear sites .
However , Natanz did become a point of controversy last year as Iranian officials refused to allow an IAEA inspector into the facility in October after allegedly testing positive for suspected traces of explosive nitrates .
Nitrates are a common fertilizer .
However , when mixed with proper amounts of fuel , the material can become an explosive as powerful as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airports and other secure facilities , can detect its presence on the skin or objects .
Natanz also remains of particular concern to Tehran as it has been targeted for sabotage before .
The Stuxnet computer virus , widely believed to be an American and Israeli creation , disrupted and destroyed centrifuges at Natanz amid the height of Western concerns over Iran ’ s nuclear program .
Satellite photos show an explosion last Friday that rattled Iran ’ s capital came from an area in its eastern mountains that analysts believe hides an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Iran has blamed the blast on a gas leak in what it describes a “ public area.
” Another explosion from a gas leak at a medical clinic in northern Tehran killed 19 people Tuesday .

Nasser Karimi And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Somali officer sentenced to death for shooting civilians

NAIROBI , Kenya - A military court in Somalia sentenced a police officer to death on Thursday in the fatal @ @ @ @ @ enforcing coronavirus restrictions in April .
The shootings sparked protests in the capital , Mogadishu @ @ @ @ @ days , with crowds of angry young men burning tires and demanding justice .
Hassan @ @ @ @ @ the “ deliberate ” fatal shooting of Hassan Ali Adawe and Madino Abdullahi Abdi and @ @ @ @ @ firing squad , according to Col. Hassan Alinur Shute , the military court ’ s @ @ @ @ @ police chief had immediately fired the commissioner in charge of security in Bondhere district where @ @ @ @ @ has one of the world ’ s weakest health systems .
The Horn of Africa @ @ @ @ @ confirmed virus cases .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--US peace envoy looks to start of talks to end Afghan war

ISLAMABAD - Washington ’ s peace envoy told Pakistani officials that Afghanistan ’ s Taliban and Kabul ’ s political leaders were close to starting negotiations to decide the face of a post-war Afghanistan , a crucial next step in a U.S. deal signed with the Taliban in February , according to a statement released Thursday by the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad .
Zalmay Khalilzad was in the region to pave the way for intra-Afghan negotiations expected to begin sometime this month .
No date had been set , but Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said late Wednesday the first round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Taliban maintain a political office .
Both sides must still release the remainder of prisoners laid out in the deal , which calls for the Afghan government to free 5,000 Taliban and the insurgents to release 1,000 government personnel .
So far , the government has freed 3,500 and the Taliban about 700 .
“ Ambassador Khalilzad noted how close the sides are to starting intra-Afghan negotiations and the importance of resolving remaining issues quickly , underscoring the promise peace holds for regional stability and development , ” the embassy statement said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ army chief and foreign minister .
Earlier this week , U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Taliban chief negotiator Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar .
In Monday ’ s video call , Pompeo “ made clear the expectation for the Taliban to live up to their commitments , which include not attacking Americans , “ according to the State Department .
Khalilzad ’ s latest foray into the region comes as the White House is embroiled in a controversy over whether Russia paid bounties to Taliban-linked militants or drug dealers close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers in Afghanistan .
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied knowing about the suspected bounties .
Russia has called the charges nonsense and the Taliban said they have not needed financial incentives from foreign intelligence agencies to wage war against U.S. and NATO troops .
The New York Times first reported the bounties , which were confirmed by The Associated Press .
U.S. intelligence officials also said they were looking at whether bounties were involved in the deaths of U.S. soldiers in early 2019 , particularly , and an April 2019 attack that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as in so-called insider attacks in which Afghan National Army soldiers turned on their U.S. allies and killed them .
Khalilzad was appointed in September 2018 to open direct peace talks with the Taliban , however until mid- 2019 both the United States and Taliban were locked in battle as both sides sought to improve their negotiating position with military victories .
The killing of a U.S. soldier in a Taliban attack on the capital Kabul in in September 2019 prompted President Trump to declare peace talks with the Taliban dead .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year the deal was signed in Doha .
At the time , the agreement was touted as Afghanistan ’ s best chance at peace in decades of war .
Under the deal , the Taliban have committed to fighting terrorist groups , not supporting terrorist groups and ensuring Afghanistan is not used by anyone to attack the U.S. or its allies .
The Taliban also said they would not attack U.S. and NATO troops but would continue their fight against Afghan National Security Forces .
One of the first items on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanent cease-fire .
Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said , however , that no talks will begin until all 5,000 Taliban listed in the agreement are freed .
However , President Ghani on Wednesday said the government will announce on Sunday the final list of Taliban who will be released , suggesting some would not be freed and instead replaced by other prisoners .
The Taliban have said there could be no exceptions to the names on their list , which was approved by the U.S. during negotiations .
Khalilzad will hold videoconferences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kabul because of the dangers of the coronavirus pandemic .
Afghanistan has recorded more than 32,000 infections but the real number is thought to be much higher .
Khalilzad , who was also in Uzbekistan was to also travel to Doha , where he is to meet Taliban negotiators .
Associated Press Writer Tameem Akhgar contributed to this report


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Rudolfo Anaya, ‘godfather’ of Chicano literature, dies at 82

RIO RANCHO , N.M. - Rudolfo Anaya , a writer who helped launch the 1970s Chicano Literature Movement with his novel “ Bless Me , Ultima , ” a book celebrated by Latinos , has died at 82 .
Anaya ’ s niece , Belinda Henry , said the celebrated author died Sunday at his Albuquerque , New Mexico , home after suffering from a long illness .
Literary critics say Anaya ’ s World War II-era novel about a young Mexican-American boy ’ s relationship with an older curandera , or healer , influenced a generation of Latino writers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were rare at the time of its 1972 publication .
In a 2013 interview on C-SPAN , Anaya said the idea of the novel came after he had a vision of a woman at the doorway of a room where he was writing .
“ She said , ‘ You ’ ll never get it right unless you put me in it ’ , ” Anaya said .
“ I said , ‘ Who are you ?
’ She said , ‘ Ultima ’ ... And there it was.
” The book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and militant Chicano movement that stressed cultural pride over assimilation .
It also came as Mexican-American college students were demanding more literature by Latino authors .
From activists circles to community centres , the novel was shared along with Tomas Rivera ’ s novel “ ... and the Earth Did Not Devour Him ” and later the poetry of Lorna Dee Cervantes .
“ I was completely transported the first time I picked up ‘ Bless Me , Ultima ’ , ” said novelist and poet Rigoberto Gonzalez , who was mentored by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to capture the backdrop of our community and make us proud.
” Anaya would go on to write a number of novels , including a mystery series featuring Mexican-American detective Sonny Baca .
Anaya used his fame to start a creative writing program at the University of New Mexico and opened up a retreat in Jemez Spring , New Mexico , for aspiring Latino writers .
Despite the popularity of “ Bless Me , Ultima ” on college campuses throughout the years , the novel was banned in some Arizona schools after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book promoted the overthrow of the federal government .
Latino literary critics called those claims outrageous and launched a counter campaign to get Anaya ’ s work and others by Latino authors into Arizona for community libraries near schools where the book was banned .
Anaya hosted a group of book smugglers led by Houston , Texas , novelist Tony Diaz at his Albuquerque home in 2012 .
He donated some of his own books and gave activists travelling on a bus his blessing .
The novel was made into a feature film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center in Albuquerque announced in 2016 it was working to make “ Bless Me , Ultima ” into an opera .
Born in the small central New Mexico railroad town of Pastura , Anaya came from a Hispanic family with deep roots in a region once colonized by Spain .
He was one of seven siblings and the only male in his family to attend primary school .
Years later he would say Spanish-speaking oral storytellers of his youth remained an influence in his writing as an adult .
Anaya graduated from Albuquerque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become an accountant after enrolling in a liberal arts program at the University of New Mexico .
While working on a master ’ s degree , he met and married Patricia Lawless , a guidance counsellor from Lyons , Indiana .
“ I already had a couple of drafts of ‘ Bless Me , Ultima ’ , ” Anaya said in an interview with the Albuquerque Journal in 2010 .
“ And again she just saw that there was something of literary importance there and encouraged me to keep going , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anaya was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama .
Frail and in poor health , Anaya agreed to make the trip to Washington at the last moment and accepted his medal while in a wheelchair .
New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham called Anaya one of the state ’ s greatest artists and a seminal figure in literature .
“ Through his indelible stories , Rudolfo Anaya , perhaps better than any other author , truly captured what it means to be a New Mexican , what it means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here and live here , ” she said in a statement .
Associated Press writer Russell Contreras is a member of the AP ’ s Race and Ethnicity team .
Follow Contreras on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/russcontreras

Russell Contreras - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Charlize Theron hopes daughters are represented in Hollywood

NEW YORK - Charlize Theron says she ’ s making choices as a producer and actor to ensure her “ two small , beautiful African American daughters ” will feel represented on-screen .
The Oscar winner said it can be hard for Black children to “ kind of imagine the possibilities ” when so few films and television series are centred on characters that look like them .
“ I was raised during the Apartheid era in South Africa .
So , I come with a lot of that baggage already , ” Theron said .
“ I was part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white person benefited from in South Africa .
And that ’ s a tremendous amount of guilt that I carried , and still carry my entire life .
I ’ m in therapy over it , ” Theron said in an interview promoting her action thriller “ The Old Guard , ” which hits Netflix July 10 .
“ It would be impossible for me to not have that somehow be rectified in what I can do in my job as a producer , as an actor — and the responsibility that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what I put out there for not only my two young girls , but for young girls out there in general.
” Director Gina Prince-Bythewood directed “ The Old Guard , ” which was based on a graphic novel and stars Theron alongside an international cast including “ Aladdin ” star Marwan Kenzari .
KiKi Layne plays a U.S. Marine who joins Theron ’ s group of centuries-old immortal warriors .
Theron says she ’ s been watching recent protests around racial injustice in the U.S. through the lens of her home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current movement leads to lasting change , particularly in promoting diversity within Hollywood .
“ We move five steps forward and we pat ourselves on the back , and then we just stop .
And that ’ s been the danger , a dangerous place that we ’ ve lived in , in my industry , ” she said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Algerian major opposition figure to be released from jail

ALGIERS , Algeria - An Algerian court on Thursday granted prominent opposition figure and leader of the anti-government protest movement Karim Tabbou release from jail .
Tabbou ’ s lawyer , Abdelghani Badi , said in a Facebook post that the Algiers court granted his request for the release of his client , who is asking for the end of judicial proceedings against him .
Tabbou was sentenced on March 24 to a year in prison , including six months suspended , for “ weakening army morale.
“ Another lawyer , Abderrahmane Salhi , told the AP he was awaiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside Kolea ’ s prison , west of Algiers , with dozens of activists of the anti-government movement .
The court ’ s decision comes one day after President Abdelmadjid Tebboune granted an amnesty to six other anti-government activists ahead of Algeria ’ s Independence Day on Sunday , celebrating the country ’ s independence from France on July 5 , 1962 .
Mass demonstrations brought down the long-time president of Africa ’ s largest country and his entourage in April 2019 .
The pro-democracy movement is looking for more change in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the army since its independence .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Hirokazu Kore-eda and Catherine Deneuve look for ‘The Truth’

VENICE , Italy - Catherine Deneuve plays an icon of French cinema in “ The Truth.
” She even chose her own middle name , Fabienne , for her character who says things like , “ I ’ d rather have been a bad friend and a bad mother and a great actress.
” But don ’ t go looking for some essential truths , or gossip , about Deneuve in lines like that , or in Fabienne ’ s eyeroll at the mention of Brigitte Bardot .
The 76-year-old insists that similarities end with the name .
“ To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Deneuve said , cigarette in hand , after “ The Truth ’ s ” debut at the Venice Film Festival .
“ It ’ s really so far away from me.
” She has a great relationship with her children and her co-stars and can ’ t think of any friendly rivalry with peers from her past .
But it doesn ’ t make “ The Truth , ” available on demand Friday , any less of a fun send-up of an imperious , larger-than-life star who might not remember things the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tragicomic portrait of a star in her final act who is juggling a film , the release of her memoirs and a visit from her daughter , played by Juliette Binoche , comes by way of “ Shoplifters ” director Hirokazu Kore-eda in his first film outside of his native Japan .
It was a truly international affair , with a script primarily in French and English , a director who spoke neither and actors who didn ’ t speak Japanese .
Ethan Hawke , who plays Lumir ’ s actor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either .
Suffice it to say , the Paris shoot was little daunting for everyone considering the film is a dialogue-heavy character study about the nature of truth and memory and a delicate mother-daughter relationship with moments of comedy and drama .
But Hawke found a way to comfort his director .
“ He said , ‘ To make a good movie it ’ s not important to share the same language .
It ’ s important to share the same vision , ’ ” Kore-eda said through a translator .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” And all the actors adjusted in their own way .
Deneuve said after she ’ d finish a take , she would look at her director before anything else .
“ It ’ s important .
You see little signs , ” she said .
“ After that we talk .
But I always try to read something on his face first.
” Deneuve relished the role and getting the chance to work with Binoche .
Somehow the two had never been in a film together .
“ It was really fun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ It reminded me of the actresses from the 50s or 60s in America because you have all these people around .
You know , I don ’ t have a press agent , I don ’ t have a stylist , I don ’ t have a manager.
” Kore-eda counted himself as a fan of Deneuve ’ s and peppered her with questions about her films with French New Wave legends like François Truffaut and Jacques Demy .
“ Having my film in her filmography — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of French cinema itself — is for me a source of both pride and anxiety , ” he said .
On set , he found her to be a free spirit with little vanity but always a cigarette around .
“ She ’ s like a person that is also like a child but extremely charming , ” he said .
“ She ’ s not one who learns all her lines beforehand .
She gets the gist .
She gets on set and she adjusts acting together with the other actors who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this movie that would fit the situation.
” This is not to imply that she doesn ’ t take her work seriously .
She does .
In fact , partway through the movie she came to him and asked if she could see anything edited , especially scenes that she wasn ’ t in herself .
Deneuve wanted to grasp , “ the whole of the movie.
” “ I gave her a DVD with about 1/3 of the movie on it and she was really happy about it , ” Kore-eda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanks to this , I got to understand your humour , your rhythm.
’ ” Deneuve loves to work and despite her revered status will often take a chance on an unknown if the script is compelling .
She ’ d even consider American television , but she doesn ’ t get many offers from across the Atlantic .
The few that do come her way , she said , are “ not very interesting.
” Retirement is not something she thinks of .
The cinema still excites her too much .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before I retire , ” she said .
“ You retire on films when you don ’ t have any parts to be offered.
” Kore-eda did have a little amendment to Deneuve ’ s claim that Fabienne isn ’ t like her at all , however .
Before filming , he asked his star if there was any young actress in France who had “ received her DNA.
” “ She said , ‘ No , there is no one , ’ ” he said .
Kore-eda was so impressed by her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fabienne had to say the same thing .
The truth , sometimes , is relative .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Officials delay decision on Kentucky Confederate statue

OWENSBORO , Ky. - Officials in a Kentucky county have delayed a vote on whether to remove a Confederate statue from the grounds of a courthouse .
Members of the Daviess County Fiscal Court were expected to vote Tuesday on a resolution that would have returned the statue to the Kentucky Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and moved it to property owned by the chapter .
Instead , a commissioner presented a surprise motion to postpone the vote until Aug. 6 that passed on a 3-1 vote , the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reported .
The Rev .
Rhondalyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has led the charge for the statue ’ s removal .
She said she was disappointed by the delay , telling the paper , “ In my heart and mind , I knew something like this would happen.
” Randolph said she is concerned that the Daughters of the Confederacy may want to place the statue somewhere prominent that would continue the “ glorification of the Confederate cause.
” Susan McCrobie , president of the Kentucky Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy , applauded the delay , saying she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public view .
“ The idea that they signify white supremacy is not truthful , ” she said .
“ These monuments were strictly meant to be memorials.
” In emails obtained by the paper through an open records request , McCrobie wrote that the group would not consider proposals from the NAACP on where to place the memorial , saying the organization had “ no standing ” to offer an opinion on the matter .
Randolph noted that those pushing removal of the statue include a coalition of “ people from all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community forward.
“ “ We will continue to make our voices heard and will work to have the statue taken off of public property because it is inappropriate for it to be there , ” she added .
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly cast the sole vote against the delay .
He said the issue has been ongoing since 2012 and neither side was likely to change their position because of a delay .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--UK judge rejects tabloid’s bid to throw out Depp libel suit

LONDON - A British judge on Thursday rejected an attempt by tabloid newspaper The Sun to quash a libel suit from actor Johnny Depp over an article claiming he abused ex-wife Amber Heard .
Judge Andrew Nicol said “ in my view it would not be just to strike out the claim.
” The ruling means the two celebrities and their large legal teams will square off next week at the High Court in London .
Depp , 57 , and Heard , 34 , met on the set of the 2011 comedy “ The Rum Diary ” and married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They divorced in 2017 .
Depp is suing The Sun ’ s publisher , News Group Newspapers , and Executive Editor Dan Wootton over a 2018 article claiming the actor was violent and abusive to Heard .
He strongly denies the allegations .
The Sun ’ s lawyers applied for the case to be dismissed on the grounds that Depp failed to disclose text messages he exchanged with an assistant showing that he tried to buy “ MDMA and other narcotics ” while he was in Australia with Heard in 2015 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said withholding the texts was a breach of a previous court order requiring Depp to provide all documents from separate libel proceedings against Heard in the United States .
He said the lapse endangered the defendants ’ ability to get a fair trial .
The judge ruled that Depp had breached the disclosure order , but granted him “ relief from sanctions , ” meaning the case can proceed .
He also rejected an attempt by Depp to force Heard to disclose evidence including communications with actor James Franco and Space-X founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had affairs while involved with Depp .
“ The central issue for the defence of truth is whether Mr. Depp assaulted Ms. Heard , ” the judge said .
“ Even if she had been unfaithful to him , that would be irrelevant on that central issue .
I am not therefore persuaded that these categories of documents are necessary for the fair disposal of the litigation.
” Depp and Heard are both expected to give evidence in person at the London trial , which was postponed from March because of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to last for three weeks .
Witnesses are likely to include Depp ’ s ex-partners Paradis and Winona Ryder , who have both submitted statements supporting the “ Pirates of the Caribbean ” star .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Trump says he looks like Lone Ranger in a mask and likes it

WASHINGTON - After long resisting wearing a mask in public , President Donald Trump said Wednesday he thinks it makes him look like the Lone Ranger — and he likes it .
“ I ’ m all for masks .
I think masks are good , ” Trump told Fox Business in an interview .
“ People have seen me wearing one.
” Trump ’ s comments came a day after Republican lawmakers suggested that he wear a mask in public to set a good example for Americans .
“ If I were in a tight situation with people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the interview .
Trump has long resisted being photographed in a mask .
In early April , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures were difficult to maintain .
Trump immediately undercut the CDC guidance by flatly stating that he wouldn ’ t be following it , suggesting it would be unseemly for the commander in chief to wear a mask as he meets with heads of state .
On Wednesday , he sounded a different tone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask on .
I sort of liked the way I looked .
OK .
I thought it was OK .
It was a dark black mask , and I thought it looked OK. “ It looked like the Lone Ranger , ” he continued , a reference to the fictional law-and-order character from the American Old West who wore a black eye mask .
“ I have no problem with that , and if people feel good about it , they should do it.
” In recent days , many Republicans and members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been more outspoken in advocating for Americans to wear face masks in public settings as infections have surged in huge swaths of the South and West .
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , former Vice-President Joe Biden , said last week that he would pursue a federal mask mandate , if elected .
In the interview , Trump suggested a federal mandate was unnecessary and continued to frame mask wearing as a matter of choice .
Even so , Trump criticized Biden for wearing a mask while he is some distance away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the covering at times .
“ When there ’ s nobody around , I don ’ t see any reason to be wearing it , ” Trump said in a separate interview Wednesday on “ America This Week.
“ About the virus , Trump continued to characterize it as a nuisance that he hopes will just go away .
“ I think we are going to be very good with the coronavirus .
I think that , at some point , that ’ s going to sort of just disappear , I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway noted Wednesday that Trump is regularly tested for the coronavirus , as are his aides .
White House visitors and members of the news media who are in close proximity to him and Vice-President Mike Pence are also tested .
“ I ’ ve said wear them , the first lady has said wear them , the president ’ s administration has said wear them , ” Conway said .
Trump also told Fox Business that people have seen him wearing a mask .
But only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a mask .
He donned it for a behind-the-scenes tour of a Ford facility in Michigan in May .
Reporters were not allowed to accompany Trump on the tour .
Afterward , he told reporters he had worn a mask in a “ back area ” only because “ I didn ’ t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.
” Other world leaders , including Canada ’ s Justin Trudeau and France ’ s Emmanuel Macron , have worn masks in public to encourage their use .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the notion that some states may have been too quick to open up .
Several states , including Florida , New York and Texas , have paused or slowed down reopening amid the recent increase in confirmed cases .
Trump suggested Democrats are hyping concerns about the spike to politically damage him .
“ I think the Democrats would like to see the country stay closed as long as possible because they figure that ’ s probably good for the election , because it would be bad a little bit for jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump said .

Aamer Madhani And Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--US trade deficit rises 9.7% in May to $54.6 billion

WASHINGTON - The U.S. trade deficit rose for the third straight month in May .
Both exports and imports fell @ @ @ @ @ to take a toll on world commerce .
The Commerce Department said Thursday that the @ @ @ @ @ buys and what it sells abroad rose 9.7 % in May to $ 54.6 billion @ @ @ @ @ .
The coronavirus pandemic has devastated world trade .
U.S. exports fell 4.4 % in @ @ @ @ @ , lowest since November 2009 .
Imports slid 0.9 % to $ 199.1 billion , @ @ @ @ @