thetorontostar--2020-07-20--2020 Watch: Does Trump have a strategy to win in November?

NEW YORK - Presidential politics move fast .
What we ’ re watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign : President Donald Trump insists he ’ s not losing , but by virtually every objective measure Democrat Joe Biden would defeat the Republican president if the election were held today .
Trump demoted his campaign manager last week , acknowledging through his actions , if not his words , that things are not moving in the right direction .
Republican allies have begun to share concern publicly about Trump ’ s political strategy and his inconsistent leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Daily infections are exploding , the death rate is ticking up and the economic recovery is in jeopardy .
Trump on Sunday charged , without evidence , that Democratic state and local officials were planning to close schools and roll back reopening plans just to hurt him .
Multiple polls suggest that a majority of voters , including many Republicans , simply don ’ t believe what Trump says about the pandemic .
Meanwhile , Trump also refused to say whether he would accept the results of the general election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states in just eight weeks .
Does Trump have a strategy to win ?
Scott Walker , the former Wisconsin governor and a Trump ally , tells us that he sees no clear strategy coming from the Trump campaign .
Some might think that ’ s why Trump downgraded campaign manager Brad Parscale last week , except that his replacement , Bill Stepien , had largely been running the political operation already .
There is little evidence that Trump is working to expand his coalition .
He seems to be betting everything that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while depressing turnout among would-be Biden supporters by redefining the lifelong politician with a flood of negative advertising .
Trump ’ s campaign has reserved $ 146 million in television ads this fall , the vast majority of which is going to must-win states like Florida and Ohio he carried four years ago .
Trump ’ s team continues to embrace a kitchen sink messaging campaign against Biden that features questions about his mental competence , his allegiance to the far left , his inconsistent record and conspiracy theories about the integrity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is frustrating allies like Walker , although it ’ s not likely to change anytime soon .
Are school closures already America ’ s next major crisis ?
Several weeks before many elementary and secondary schools are scheduled to open , there are clear signs that surging coronavirus infections will force education officials in several states to keep their doors closed .
That leaves millions of children and their parents in limbo and threatens the economic recovery .
Trump told Fox News Channel on Sunday that Democrats were planning to close schools just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his claim .
He also threatened to strip federal funding from public schools if they refuse to open .
Such rhetoric won ’ t help ensure that it ’ s safe for children and their teachers to get back to the classroom .
The biggest decision of Biden ’ s campaign looms as he continues his search for a running mate .
As few as six serious contenders advanced in the search earlier this summer .
But amid pressure for Biden to make a selection that would satisfy a wide range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined the vetting process in recent weeks , according to multiple Democrats with knowledge of the dynamics .
That ’ s yielding an unusually large field of contenders , including some of the nation ’ s best-known politicians and others who have a lower profile .
Those known to be under consideration earlier include Sens .
Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , Florida Rep. Val Demings , Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms and Susan Rice , who served as President Barack Obama ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate Stacey Abrams , Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and California Rep. Karen Bass have come under greater consideration more recently .
Are we headed toward a constitutional crisis ?
Trump on Sunday refused to say whether he would accept the results of the election if he lost .
“ I have to see , ” he told “ Fox News Sunday ” host Chris Wallace .
“ No , I ’ m not going to just say ‘ yes.
’ I ’ m not going to say ‘ no.
’ ” Trump made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years ago , although it was quickly forgotten after Trump ’ s victory .
With his numbers looking worse heading into 2020 , some are taking the threat more seriously this time .
Of course , the president has also spent several weeks working to undermine the integrity of the election by raising unfounded questions about mail voting .
Combine that rhetoric with an array of ballot issues expected as the coronavirus forces changes into the election system this fall , and it ’ s not hard to imagine a legitimate constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen over and over that it doesn ’ t matter much who Trump taps to serve as his campaign manager or chief of staff .
One man and one man only is making the big decisions that will decide the president ’ s political future and the immediate future of the United States .
Trump told us he was his own best strategist four years ago , yet many still believed he would put experienced and effective leaders around him to guide his decisions .
Four years later , it ’ s become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president as a man whose fate was decided almost exclusively by his own instincts .
Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Atlanta , Will Weissert in Washington and Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento , California , contributed to this report .
2020 Watch runs every Monday and provides a look at the week ahead in the 2020 election .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Polish foreign minister expecting to leave job in reshuffle

WARSAW , Poland - Poland ’ s foreign minister says he is expecting to leave his job in the near future .
Jacek Czaputowicz spoke amid talk of a major reshuffle in the right-wing government following the recent re-election of President Andrzej Duda , the government ’ s ally .
Czaputowicz told the Rzeczpospolita daily ’ s online version late Sunday that he had an agreement with the government head that he would serve until the presidential election , the runoff for which took place July 12 .
“ A few months ago we agreed with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential election , ” Czaputowicz said .
Czaputowicz said he was not under pressure to go , but believes “ this is a good moment for a change at the helm of our diplomacy.
” He said Duda ’ s re-election was a sign of approval for the government ’ s policies and he does not expect any change of course in foreign relations .
Ruling Law and Justice party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Sunday a government reshuffle and reorganization should be expected “ right after summer vacation , ” which could @ @ @ @

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thetorontostar--2020-07-20--UK considers suspending extradition treaty with  Hong Kong

LONDON - UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is considering suspending Britain ’ s extradition treaty with Hong Kong , after China imposed a tough new national security law .
As tensions have grown with Beijing , Raab said it can no longer be “ business as usual.
’ ’ He is reportedly planning to follow the example of the United States , Australia and Canada on Monday by suspending extradition arrangements with the territory .
“ We ’ re working with our international partners to see what other offers they will make to the people of Hong Kong and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d review a whole range of other considerations , ’ ’ Raab told Sky News ’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday .
“ One of the things that we reviewed is our extradition arrangements and I will be updating the House ( of Commons ) on the conclusion of that review.
“ The review comes only days after Britain backtracked on plans to give Chinese telecommunications company Huawei a role in the U.K. ’ s new high-speed mobile phone network amid security concerns fueled by rising tensions between Beijing and Western powers .
Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already criticized China ’ s decision to impose a sweeping new national security law on Hong Kong .
The UK has accused the Beijing government of a serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration under which the U.K. returned control of Hong Kong to China in 1997 , and announced it would open a special route to citizenship for up to 3 million eligible residents of the community .
Beijing has objected to the move .
China ’ s ambassador to Britain , Liu Xiaoming , last week described the offer as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liu told the BBC ’ s Andrew Marr on Sunday that Britain was “ dancing to the tune ” of the U.S. and accused Western countries of trying to foment a “ new cold war ” with China .
He also rejected the allegations of human rights abuses against the mainly-Muslim Uighur people .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Saudi Arabia’s King Salman admitted to hospital for tests

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Saudi Arabia ’ s King Salman has been admitted to a hospital in the capital , Riyadh , for medical tests due to inflammation of the gallbladder , the kingdom ’ s Royal Court said Monday in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency .
The statement said the 84-year-old monarch is being tested at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital .
The brief statement did not provide further details .
The hospital frequently treats royal family members , including recently those who ’ ve contracted the coronavirus .
The facility is specialized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs .
King Salman has been in power since January 2015 .
He is considered the last Saudi monarch of his generation of brothers who have held power since the death of their father and founder of Saudi Arabia , King Abdulaziz .
His health is closely watched by observers because of the absolute powers he holds presiding over one of the world ’ s top producers of oil and one of it ’ s biggest economies .
Salman ’ s reign has been marked by quick , sweeping changes in a country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since coming to power , he ’ s taken the country to war in Yemen , hardened the kingdom ’ s stance toward Shiite rival Iran and severed ties with neighbouring Qatar .
He ’ s empowered his 34-year-old son , Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , as his successor .
The crown prince ’ s assertive and bold style of leadership , as well as his consolidation of power and sidelining of potential rivals , has been controversial .
With the support of his father , Prince Mohammed has transformed the kingdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tourists and eroding decades of ultraconservative restrictions in the society as he tries to diversify the Saudi economy away from reliance on oil exports .
The prince has also detained dozens of activists and critics , overseen the devastating Yemen war as defence minister and rounded up top members of the royal family in his quest for power .
The crown prince has been stalked by suspicion since the brutal slaying of Washington Post columnist and Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi in late 2018 .
Khashoggi ’ s killing inside the Saudi Consulate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shadow over Prince Mohammed — even as the kingdom insisted the crown prince had nothing to do with the killing , which was carried out by officials who worked directly for him .
The Saudi king has not been seen in public in recent months due to social distancing guidelines and concerns over the spread of the coronavirus inside the kingdom , which has one of the largest outbreaks in the Middle East .
He has been shown , however , in state-run media images attending virtual meetings with his Cabinet and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including as recently as Saturday with Kuwait ’ s ruling emir .
Iraq ’ s new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi postponed a planned visit to Saudi Arabia on Monday following news of the king ’ s condition , said Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan .
A delegation of Iraqi officials had already arrived to Saudi Arabia in preparation for the visit .
This would have been al-Kadhimi ’ s first visit to the kingdom as prime minister .
King Salman , who oversees Islam ’ s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and served as defence minister .
For more than 50 years prior to that , he was governor of Riyadh , overseeing its evolution from a barren city to a teeming capital .
On Sunday , Kuwait ’ s 91-year-old ruler underwent a “ successful ” surgery that required the oil-rich nation ’ s crown prince to be temporarily empowered to serve in his place , its state-run news agency reported .
Kuwait has yet to elaborate what required Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah to seek a previously unannounced medical treatment beginning @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Over 100 apply to replace Rep. Lewis on November ballot

ATLANTA - A select group of Georgia Democrats will sift through more than 100 applications Monday to decide who will replace Rep. John Lewis on the November ballot , after the longtime congressman ’ s death last week .
The Democratic Party of Georgia said it received 131 applications by its Sunday evening deadline , as the group works to quickly fill the ballot spot for the 5th Congressional District , which includes parts of Atlanta , per state law .
A special seven-member committee of Democrats — including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , 2018 gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will choose between three to five candidates from the applicant pool by noon Monday .
The party ’ s executive committee will then pick a nominee based on the special committee ’ s recommendations by 4 p.m. Monday .
The nominee will face Republican Angela Stanton-King in November .
Stanton-King is a reality TV personality and was pardoned earlier this year by President Donald Trump for her role in a stolen car ring , after serving six months of home confinement in 2007 .
Lewis won more than 84 % of the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the district in 2016 .
The seat will remain empty until Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp schedules a special election .
The Republican governor has given no indication when he will hold an election with just over six months left in Lewis ’ term .
Lewis , 80 , died Friday , several months after he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer .
Funeral plans have not been announced .
Kemp declared flags in Georgia will be at half-staff until sunset of the day of Lewis ’ funeral .
Hundreds of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near his downtown Atlanta home Sunday to pay their respects .
Flowers , balloons , photos , candles and cards piled up at the base of the building where “ HERO ” was written above the painting of Lewis speaking .
Several people cried or prayed in the small parking lot nearby .
During a news conference alongside family members on Sunday , John Lewis ’ youngest brother , Henry Grant Lewis , remembered the congressman and civil rights icon as “ a great man and public servant , and even greater father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He fought until the very end , ” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Henry Grant Lewis as saying .
“ That was my big brother .
He was a fighter with a tenacious spirit .
But he was always gracious and kindhearted .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Home learning, reopening schools especially hard in Africa

KAMPALA , Uganda - Lessons via radio or TV .
Math problems in newspapers .
Classes on Zoom or WhatsApp .
The options for African students to keep studying while schools remain closed because of the coronavirus pandemic seem varied , but the reality for many is that they will fall behind and possibly drop out of school forever — worsening inequality on an already unequal continent .
“ I think education now is more of an emergency than the health issue , ” said Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo , a literacy expert who runs a Uganda-based education non-profit called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no reported virus deaths and just over 1,000 cases in this East African country , though , as elsewhere , limited testing means those figures are likely undercounts .
Children “ are completely helpless at the moment.
” Although the pandemic has disrupted education across the globe , the schooling crisis is more acute in Africa , where up to 80 % of students don ’ t have access to the internet and even electricity can be unreliable , making distance learning difficult , if not impossible .
Schools also often provide a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that their families can not afford .
Sub-Saharan Africa already has the highest rates of children out of school anywhere in the world , with nearly one-fifth of children between the ages of 6 and 11 and over one-third of youth between 12 and 14 not attending , according to the U.N. culture and education agency .
But getting students back to school also comes with special challenges in Africa , where children in some countries may cram into tiny classrooms by the dozens .
The charity Save the Children called the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our time ” in a report published this week .
It identified 12 countries in which children “ are at extremely high risk of dropping out forever.
“ Nine of them are in sub-Saharan Africa .
With the help of outside groups , some African governments have announced measures to support learning from home .
But many have been hindered by a lack of reliable electricity and poor internet connectivity .
Even newspapers into which learning materials are inserted are not affordable for many in the region .
In Uganda , for instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 800 in 2019 , according to World Bank data .
Uganda ’ s government has pledged to distribute 10 million radios and over 130,000 solar-powered TV sets , but authorities have failed to honour past promises , including giving a free mask to everyone .
In neighbouring Kenya , primary and secondary schools will remain closed through 2020 , although colleges and other institutions of higher learning can reopen in September .
That means Kenyan pupils will repeat an academic year , a phenomenon commonly described as a “ dead year.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited to academic disruption .
“ The critical consequences may be related to health , water and nutrition ” because schools are often oases of stability , according to a report by the Norway-based Chr .
Michelsen Institute .
The development research institute noted that school closures may deny students access to meals and health programs , and sometimes clean water and sanitation .
Schools also provide havens for children from work and exploitation .
Girls may especially suffer , according to the literacy expert Nakabugo , who cited anecdotal reports of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Norway-based institute ’ s report noted happened during West Africa ’ s Ebola epidemic .
The prolonged shutdown could also mean many schools close for good and many teachers quit , exacerbating what is already the world ’ s worst teacher shortage .
Media reports in Uganda cite school owners who are looking to sell their properties or have turned dorms into rental units to keep up with loan payments .
The local association of Ugandan teachers is urging authorities to employ furloughed teachers as village tutors .
“ The teachers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel left out , ” said Stella Maris Basemera , a mathematics teacher who heads a Uganda-based group of tutors called Creative Learning Africa .
“ So some of them are going to run away from the profession.
” In the West African nation of Senegal , education officials tried to keep children learning by broadcasting some classes on television after schools closed in March , a move aimed at reaching students without home internet access .
But electricity is often lacking in villages .
“ The potential of digital technology is enormous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher in Senegal ’ s Louga region .
But “ in many places people are forced to travel long distances just to have enough to charge their phones.
” Some students in Senegal returned to classrooms in June , but , for many in Africa , returning to school may be tricky .
In Zimbabwe , where in many schools up to 70 students may be crammed into a small room , the government is postponing a phased reopening that had been scheduled to begin this month .
Teachers unions had warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lacking face masks , hand sanitizer , and even running water .
Even in South Africa , the continent ’ s most prosperous economy , the government has faced criticism from teachers unions for its decision to reopen schools despite a growing number of cases .
Since schools there reopened in June , at least 650 students and teachers have tested positive in the province of Gauteng , the country ’ s economic hub , forcing 71 schools to close again .
Many private schools across Africa are offering online tutoring .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more likely to spend their days playing games or housekeeping .
“ It is the poorest schools that will continue to suffer and remain closed , while affluent schools reopen , only deepening inequality in both access to and quality of education , ” said Dipolelo Moime , spokesman for One SA Movement , a group of South African activists .
While some parents are paying hundreds of dollars a month for their children to attend online classes , others pay much less to teachers who conduct lessons in backyards .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I can ’ t even afford to buy bread .
Where will I get the money for these private lessons ?
“ said Maud Chirwa , a mother in the Kuwadzana suburb of Zimbabwe ’ s capital , Harare .
“ They are better off at school where there are some controls.
” Babacar Dione in Dakar , Senegal , Farai Mutsaka in Harare , Zimbabwe , and Mogomotsi Magome in Johannesburg , South Africa , contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--World Surf League cancels 2020 season due to coronavirus

MELBOURNE , Fla. - Add surfing to the list of coronavirus casualties .
The World Surf League cancelled the 2020 men ’ s and women ’ s seasons .
The organization said the decision was made based on the uncertainty of international travel and a desire to protect the health of the athletes .
The secondary CT level events and the qualifying series were also nixed .
“ While we firmly believe that surfing is amongst the sports best suited for competition to be held safely during the age of unresolved COVID , we have huge respect for the ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world works to resolve this , ” WSL CEO Erik Logan said in a video announcement Friday .
Florida Today reports the cancellation puts 11-time world champion Kelly Slater ’ s future in doubt , although 11 months rest could be the elixir for the Cocoa Beach superstar .
It would be his 30th season on the world circuit .
It ’ s unclear if Slater would return .
He suffered a broken foot two seasons ago .
The 2021 season is slated to start in December in Oahu , Hawaii , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depending on international travel restrictions .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Biden, lawmakers warn of foreign interference in election

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Monday that he is putting Russia and other foreign governments “ on notice ” that he would act aggressively as president to counter any interference in U.S. elections .
The statement came hours after Democratic leaders issued a new warning that Congress appears to be the target of a foreign interference campaign .
Biden said in a statement that he would treat foreign interference as an “ an adversarial act that significantly affects the relationship between the United States and the interfering nation ’ s government.
” He criticized President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. intelligence agencies ’ assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election .
“ If any foreign power recklessly chooses to interfere in our democracy , I will not hesitate to respond as president to impose substantial and lasting costs , ” Biden said .
The new alarms give a renewed urgency to concerns that foreign actors could be trying to influence the vote or sow disinformation .
Biden said last week that he had begun receiving intelligence briefings and warned that Russia , China and other adversaries were attempting to undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence , but he said that Russia was “ still engaged ” after 2016 and that China was also involved in efforts to sow doubts in the American electoral process .
During an online fundraiser Monday night , Biden added : “ It ’ s going to be tough , there ’ s not much I can do about it now except talk about it , and expose it , but it is a serious concern .
It is truly a violation of our sovereignty.
” And in an interview on MSNBC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows I mean what I say.
” The Democratic leaders said in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Monday that they are concerned that Congress appears to be the target of a “ concerted foreign interference campaign ” to influence the 2020 presidential election .
They asked Wray for an all-members , classified briefing on the matter before the August recess .
The letter from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and the top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees contains no details about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious and specific .
“ We are gravely concerned , in particular , that Congress appears to be the target of a concerted foreign interference campaign , which seeks to launder and amplify disinformation in order to influence congressional activity , public debate , and the presidential election in November , ” wrote Pelosi , Schumer , House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , and Virginia Sen. Mark Warner , the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence panel .
A congressional official familiar with the letter said that there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unambiguous record of the counterintelligence threats of concern.
” The person , who was granted anonymity to describe the confidential letter , said the addendum largely draws from the executive branch ’ s own reporting and analysis .
The FBI said it had received the letter but declined further comment .
While the Democrats ’ exact concerns were unclear , there have been worries since Trump was elected that Russia ’ s efforts to sow American chaos are ongoing in the 2020 election .
The 2016 effort included hacking of Democratic email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence officials and the subsequent disclosure by WikiLeaks .
Intelligence authorities said that hack-and-leak operation was aimed at helping Trump ’ s presidential campaign and harming that of his Democratic opponent , Hillary Clinton .
Russians also used a covert social media campaign to spread misinformation and posts aimed at dividing American public opinion .
In the end , former special counsel Robert Mueller charged 25 Russian nationals for their roles in foreign interference and influence during the campaign .
Democrats , including members of the Senate intelligence panel , have voiced concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s son , Hunter Biden , and his work in Ukraine would amplify Russian disinformation .
That probe is being led by Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson , R-Wis .
In a statement , Johnson spokesman Austin Altenburg said the committee ’ s staff had already requested and received a briefing on Russian disinformation and Johnson had requested an additional briefing at the member level .
While Biden criticized Trump for not acting more aggressively against Russia , his pledge that his intelligence community would report “ publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any foreign efforts to interfere in an American election also appeared to be a course correction of sorts to the approach of the Obama administration , which waited months after Russian hacks of Democratic email accounts in 2016 to officially attribute them to Moscow .
Officials did so only after a rigorous internal debate over what they should say .
Even when the administration did issue its October 2016 statement blaming Russia for the hacks , it did not mention Putin by name nor an ongoing effort to determine whether the Kremlin ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Trump campaign .
Hillary Clinton , who lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump , said Monday she was “ glad ” Biden was speaking up .
“ It ’ s very clear that Russia succeeded , ” she told MSNBC .
“ They believed that they were able to influence the minds and even the votes of Americans , so why would they stop ?
”

Mary Clare Jalonick And Eric Tucker - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--St. Louis couple charged for pulling, waving guns at protest

St. Louis ’ top prosecutor on Monday charged a husband and wife with felony unlawful use of a weapon for displaying guns during a racial injustice protest outside their mansion .
Mark and Patricia McCloskey , who are white , are both personal injury attorneys in their 60s .
Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner told The Associated Press that their actions risked creating a violent situation during an otherwise nonviolent protest last month .
“ It is illegal to wave weapons in a threatening manner — that is unlawful in the city of St. Louis , ” Gardner said .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a statement called the decision to charge “ disheartening as I unequivocally believe no crime was committed.
” Supporters of the McCloskeys said they were legally defending their $ 1.15 million home .
Gardner is recommending a diversion program such as community service rather than jail time if the McCloskeys are convicted .
Typically , class E felonies could result in up to four years in prison .
Several Republican leaders have condemned Gardner ’ s investigation , including President Donald Trump , Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson and Sen. Josh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ William Barr to undertake a civil rights investigation of Gardner .
Parson said in a radio interview Friday that he would likely pardon the couple if they were charged and convicted .
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said in a statement Monday that he filed a brief requesting that the charges be dismissed under the state ’ s Castle Doctrine .
“ The right to keep and bear arms is given the highest level of protection in our constitution and our laws , including the Castle Doctrine , “ Schmitt said in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Missourians who are protecting their property and lives from those who wish to do them harm.
” Sen. Josh Hawley , R-MO , said on Twitter that the charges were an “ unacceptable abuse of power and threat to the Second Amendment.
“ He called for a federal civil rights investigation into the St. Louis Circuit Attorney ’ s Office to ” determine whether this investigation and impending prosecution violates this family ’ s constitutional rights.
” Gardner said Trump , Parson and others are attacking her to distract from “ their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other issues .
St. Louis , like many cities across the country , has seen demonstrations in the weeks since George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis , and the McCloskeys ’ home was initially incidental to the demonstration on June 28 .
Several hundred people were marching to the home of Democratic Mayor Lyda Krewson , a few blocks from the McCloskeys ’ home .
Krewson had angered activists by reading on Facebook Live the names and addresses of some who had called for defunding police .
The McCloskeys live on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A police report said the couple heard a loud commotion and saw a large group of people break an iron gate marked with “ No Trespassing ” and “ Private Street ” signs .
A protest leader , the Rev .
Darryl Gray , said the gate was open and that protesters didn ’ t damage it .
Mark McCloskey confronted protesters with a semi-automatic rifle , screamed at them and pointed the weapon at them , according to a probable statement from police officer Curtis Burgdorf .
The statement said Patricia McCloskey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yelling at protesters to “ go ” and pointing the gun at them .
Protesters feared “ being injured due to Patricia McCloskey ’ s finger being on the trigger , coupled with her excited demeanour , ” the statement said .
Photos emerged as memes on both sides of the gun debate .
Trump spoke by phone with Parson last week to criticize Gardner ’ s investigation .
Parson , when he was in the Legislature , co-authored Missouri ’ s “ castle doctrine ” law that justifies deadly force for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has said that the McCloskeys “ had every right to protect their property.
” Gardner declined to discuss why she decided the castle doctrine didn ’ t apply .
Schwartz said the McCloskeys “ support the First Amendment right of every citizen to have their voice and opinion heard .
This right , however , must be balanced with the Second Amendment and Missouri law , which entitle each of us to protect our home and family from potential threats.
” Gardner , St. Louis ’ first Black circuit attorney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the St. Louis establishment since her election in 2016 .
Most notably , her office charged then-Gov .
Eric Greitens with felony invasion of privacy in 2018 for allegedly taking a compromising photo of a woman during an extramarital affair .
The charge was eventually dropped , but Greitens resigned in June 2018 .
A private investigator Gardner hired to investigate the claims against Greitens was later indicted for perjury for allegedly lying during a deposition .
His case is pending .
Gardner also has butted heads with police leaders , especially after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than two dozen officers who were barred from serving as primary witnesses in criminal cases over what Gardner called credibility concerns .
The move angered Police Chief John Hayden , who also is Black .
In January , Gardner filed a federal lawsuit accusing the city , the police union and others of a co-ordinated and racist conspiracy aimed at forcing her out of office .
The lawsuit also accused “ entrenched interests ” of intentionally impeding her efforts to change racist practices .
Several Black leaders in St. Louis have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay , who has said protesters “ should never be subject to the threat of deadly force , whether by individuals or by the police.
” This story has been updated to remove an incorrect reference to a second charge , a misdemeanour .
No misdemeanour charge was filed .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Workers protest racial inequality on day of national strike

NEW YORK - Workers from the service industry , fast-food chains and the gig economy rallied with organized labour Monday to protest systemic racism and economic inequality , staging demonstrations across the U.S. and around the world seeking better treatment of Black Americans in the workplace .
Organizers said at least 20,000 workers in 160 cities walked off the job , inspired by the racial reckoning that followed the deaths of several Black men and women at the hands of police .
Visible support came largely in protests that drew people whose jobs in health care , transportation and construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ What the protesters are saying , that if we want to be concerned — and we should be — about police violence and people getting killed by the police ... we have to also be concerned about the people who are dying and being put into lethal situations through economic exploitation all over the country , ” said the Rev .
William Barber II , co-chairman of the Poor People ’ s Campaign , one of the organizations that partnered to support the strike .
Barber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s turnout showed the importance of the issue to the people willing to come out during a pandemic to make their voices heard .
“ Sadly , if they ’ re not in the streets , the political systems don ’ t move , because when you just send an email or a tweet , they ignore it , “ he said .
The Strike for Black Lives was organized or supported by more than 60 labour unions and social and racial justice organizations , which held a range of events in more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well beyond expectations , organizers said , although a precise participation tally was not available .
Where work stoppages were not possible for a full day , participants picketed during a lunch break or dropped to a knee in memory of police brutality victims , including George Floyd , a Black man killed in Minneapolis police custody in late May .
Dozens of janitors , security guards and health care workers observed a moment of silence in Denver to honour Floyd .
In San Francisco , 1,500 janitors walked out and marched to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Los Angeles and nursing home workers in St. Paul , Minnesota , also went on strike , organizers said .
At one McDonald ’ s in Los Angeles , workers blocked the drive-thru for 8 minutes and 46 seconds , about how long prosecutors say a white police officer held his knee on Floyd ’ s neck as he pleaded for air .
Jerome Gage , 28 , was among a few dozen Lyft and Uber drivers who joined a car caravan in Los Angeles calling on companies to provide benefits like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gig workers .
“ It ’ s basic stuff , and it creates a more profitable economic environment for everyone , not just the companies , ” Gage said .
Glen Brown , a 48-year-old wheelchair agent at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport , said his job does not give him the option of social distancing .
Brown and fellow workers called for a $ 15 minimum wage during an event in St. Paul , and he said workers were “ seizing our moment ” to seek change .
“ We are front-line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risking our lives , but we ’ re doing it at a wage that doesn ’ t even match the risk , ” Brown said .
In Manhattan , more than 150 union workers rallied outside Trump International Hotel to demand that the Senate and President Donald Trump adopt the HEROES Act , which provides protective equipment , essential pay and extended unemployment benefits to workers who can not work from home .
The House has already passed it .
Elsewhere in New York City and in New Jersey and Connecticut , organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picketed , walked off the job or took other actions to highlight how predominantly Black and Hispanic workers and the residents they serve are at risk without proper protective gear during the pandemic .
In Massachusetts , about 200 people , including health care workers , janitors and other essential employees , joined Democratic U.S. Senate candidates in front of the Statehouse in Boston .
“ We ’ re just being overworked and underpaid , and it makes you sometimes lose your compassion , ” said Toyai Anderson , 44 , a nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Detroit .
“ It makes me second-guess if I am sure this is my calling.
” Anderson makes $ 15.75 an hour after 13 years on the job .
Nationally , the typical nursing aide makes $ 13.38 , according to health care worker advocacy group PCI .
One in 4 nursing home workers is Black .
Hundreds of other workers at six Detroit nursing homes walked off the job , according to the Service Employees International Union .
The workers are demanding higher wages and more safety equipment to keep them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as better health care benefits and paid sick leave .
Participants nationwide broadly demanded action by corporations and the government to confront racism and inequality that limit mobility and career advancement for many Black and Hispanic workers , who make up a disproportionate number of those earning less than a living wage .
The demands include allowing workers to unionize to negotiate better health care , sick leave and child care support .
In South Korea , members of a transport workers union passed a resolution in support of the strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black lives matter ” in Korean and “ No justice , no peace “ in English .
In Brazil , McDonald ’ s workers rallied outside the flagship restaurant in Sao Paolo .
The two largest Brazilian labour federations , together representing more than 24 million workers , filed a complaint with a national prosecutor describing examples of structural racism at the company .
McDonald ’ s said it stands with Black communities worldwide .
“ We believe Black lives matter , and it is our responsibility to continue to listen and learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inclusive society , ” the Chicago-based company said in a statement .
Justice Favor , 38 , an organizer with the Laborers ’ International Union Local 79 , which represents 10,000 predominately Black and Hispanic construction workers in New York City , said he hopes that the strike motivates more white workers to acknowledge the existence of racism and discrimination in the workplace .
“ There was a time when the Irish and Italians were a subjugated people , too , ” said Favor , who is Black .
“ How would you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fully assimilate into society ?
Once you have an open mind , you have to call out your coworkers who are doing wrong to others.
” Associated Press reporters around the U.S. contributed to this report .
Morrison is a member of the AP ’ s race and ethnicity team .
Follow him on Twitter at https : //www.twitter.com/aaronlmorrison .
A note on AP style on Black and white : https : //apnews.com/afs : Content:9105661462


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Chicago violence sparks war of words between Trump, mayor

CHICAGO - The war of words between Chicago ’ s mayor and President Donald Trump escalated Monday after a weekend when 12 were killed in the city and dozens injured by gunfire , with Lori Lightfoot rejecting any suggestion federal law enforcement officers should be dispatched to the city and Trump all but promising to send them .
In a letter sent to the president on Monday , Lightfoot said the deployment of secret , federal agents who “ arrest , and detain residents without any cause ” is a bad idea and urged the president not to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , slammed the president in the letter for “ unhelpful ” rhetoric and detailed ways the federal government could help the city to reduce violence , including gun safety reform , public safety support , community outreach and community investment .
The Trump administration sent federal officers in Portland , Oregon , after weeks of protests there over police brutality and racial injustice that followed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Oregon ’ s governor and Portland ’ s mayor have expressed anger with the presence of the federal agents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had started to ease just as the federal agents started taking action .
However , Trump , framing such protests in the nation ’ s large cities as a failure by “ liberal Democrats ” who run them , praised the officers ’ actions and said he was looking to send agents to other cities .
He pointed to rising gun violence in the nation ’ s third-largest city , where more than 63 people were shot , 12 fatally , over the weekend .
“ How about Chicago ?
Would you say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump told reporters at the White House .
“ You know the numbers that you hear , the numbers ?
Many , many shot .
Many , many killed.
” “ Reasonable local police officials , including our superintendent , know that it is a dangerous road for us to go down , ” Lightfoot said late Monday in an interview on MSNBC .
`` We are not going to have people who don ’ t know our streets don ’ t know our neighbourhoods and then who are engaging in clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city.
” Lightfoot , a former assistant U.S. attorney , said she is prepared to file a lawsuit to block efforts to place federal agents not under the direction of Chicago police in the city .
The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois rejected any deployment of federal forces in Chicago , vowing to hold the “ Trump administration and any such federal forces accountable for unconstitutional actions.
” None of the weekend shootings were connected to a Friday night protest where people marching against police brutality and racial injustice tried to topple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump did not specifically reference that .
Video shows officers using batons to beat protesters , some of whom threw fireworks , pieces of pipe and frozen bottles of water at police .
“ We ’ re going to have more federal law enforcement , that I can tell you , ” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office .
Trump ’ s comments about Chicago come after the president of the local police officer ’ s union wrote him a letter asking “ for help from the federal government ” to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen 414 homicides this year , compared with 275 during the same period last year .
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara , a vocal supporter of Trump , called Lightfoot a “ complete failure who is either unwilling or unable to maintain law and order , ” but did not say what kind of help he was asking for or whether he wants federal troops to be sent to the city .
Lightfoot in turn called Catanzara `` an unhinged leader of the Fraternal Order of Police who is craven and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s comments Monday were not the first time he has made disparaging comments about Chicago leaders , and what he says is their inability to control violence .
Just last month , Trump sent a letter criticizing Lightfoot and Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker for a “ lack of leadership ” in stemming gun violence .
Lightfoot dismissed Trump ’ s letter as a “ litany of nonsense.
” As for the protest Friday night , more than 20 complaints have been filed against police , according to the Civilian Office of Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force and unnecessary use of pepper spray .
The agency is also investigating video of an officer striking 18-year-old Miracle Boyd , an activist who says at least one of her teeth was knocked out .
Lightfoot also said video had surfaced showing a small group of people had broken off from marching protesters , changed into black clothes and , using umbrellas to shield themselves from view , threw the items at police .
“ That ’ s not peaceful protest , that ’ s anarchy and we are going to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Superintendent David Brown said 49 officers were injured , 18 of whom required hospital treatment .
“ Peaceful demonstrations have been hijacked by organized mobs , ” said Brown , adding that he will order officers to wear “ any and all protective gear ” at protests .
Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this story from Washington .

Don Babwin And Sophia Tareen - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Corps to release review of Alaska mine project this week

JUNEAU , Alaska - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to release its final environmental review of a proposed copper and gold mine near the headwaters of a major salmon fishery in southwest Alaska , a review a corps official says will inform a permit decision expected later this year .
For years , the proposed Pebble Mine has been shrouded in controversy that release of the review expected Friday is unlikely to clear up .
Some tribes , tribal groups , fishermen and others say the review has been rushed and is superficial .
Tom Collier , CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project developer , said the work done so far provides confidence the review will show “ why we believe the project can be done without harm to the Bristol Bay fishery.
” The corps previously disclosed a preliminary determination that a northern transportation route would be part of a “ least environmentally damaging practicable alternative.
” David Hobbie , chief of the corps ’ regional regulatory division , told reporters Monday that public comment , work with other agencies and review of information and impacts went into that determination .
Pedro Bay Corp. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Igiugig Village Council , through officials , have raised concerns with that option , citing their ownership of land in the area that they have not given Pebble permission to use .
Hobbie said the corps still deemed the option practicable because Pebble did .
Mike Heatwole , a Pebble spokesperson , by email said the Pebble partnership plans to engage with all landowners along the northern route and believes it “ will be successful in obtaining access to the transportation corridor necessary for the project.
” Hobbie said the review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be expected with a project .
The corps has said there are three options with its later record of decision : issuance of a permit ; issuance of a permit with conditions ; or denial .
Hobbie said a record of decision can not be finalized for at least 30 days from the publishing of the final environmental review .
Daniel Cheyette , vice-president for lands and natural resources for Bristol Bay Native Corp. , cited concerns with the adequacy of the review .
“ I think , based on where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the corps can reach is a denial of the permit , ” he said .
Bristol Bay produces about half the world ’ s sockeye salmon , according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , which under the Obama administration proposed restrictions on development in the region .
Those restrictions were never finalized , and the agency last year withdrew the proposal , saying it was outdated and issued preemptively .
Pebble argued the proposed restrictions were based on hypothetical projects and pushed to have the project go through the permitting process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ owns the Pebble partnership , has been seeking a project partner for years , and Pebble is hopeful that success with permitting will aid in that effort .
Pebble , as part of its push , still would need state approvals .
Critics say the Bristol Bay region is no place for a mine like this and have vowed to continue fighting Pebble .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Wrangling over virus relief persists despite high stakes

MIAMI - The race to corral the coronavirus pandemic took on even greater urgency Monday as a burgeoning economic crisis collided with political turmoil .
While the latest experimental vaccine appeared to show promise , politicians in Washington were far apart in finding a way to bring financial relief to Americans .
With the first federal relief package poised to end , Congress was trying to agree on another deal to ease the financial burden on Americans as businesses have endured repeated closures meant to contain the spread of the virus .
The political turmoil played out amid apparent good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists involved in the development of at least one vaccine reporting promising results in an early trial .
Congressional Republicans at odds with Democrats over how much money is enough for a new rescue package also face pushback from the White House .
GOP leaders met with President Donald Trump as the White House panned some $ 25 billion in the party ’ s plan that would be devoted to testing and tracing , said one Republican familiar with the discussions .
Democrats have passed a $ 3 trillion package in the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 trillion .
“ We have to end this virus , ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on MSNBC .
Any attempt by the White House to block testing money “ goes beyond ignorance.
” The political stakes are high before the November election , especially with the nation registering the most coronavirus infections and deaths in the world .
With 17 straight weeks of unemployment claims topping 1 million , many households were facing a cash crunch and losing employer-backed health insurance coverage .
The number of cases was spiking in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical system , Americans ’ psyche and the economy .
Malls in San Francisco were ordered closed about a month after reopening .
Four months after the San Francisco Bay Area became the first place in the nation to issue broad stay-at-home orders to prevent the virus from spreading , only one Bay Area county is not on the governor ’ s watch list for areas with rising infection and hospitalization rates .
In Chicago , the mayor imposed new restrictions on bars , gyms and personal services such as facials as health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 daily cases on average .
Officials attributed the rise primarily to young people going to bars and restaurants and Lake Michigan beaches .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , a Democrat , flew to Georgia to help deliver masks , test kits , gowns , face shields and hand sanitizer in Savannah .
His visit offered tacit support to a mayor who has been a pacesetter in a revolt against Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp ’ s refusal to allow local governments to order people to wear masks .
Georgia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kemp has been embroiled in a public tussle with some local officials , including Savannah Mayor Van Johnson , over mandates on face coverings .
Cuomo said that “ somehow in this crazy partisan world , we ’ ve even politicized a virus.
” He pledged to help Savannah set up two new public testing sites aimed at lower-income people and said he would share contact tracing expertise .
In Florida , where nearly 9,500 people were hospitalized as of Monday , just 18 % of its ICU units were available .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Arizona said hospitalizations were at the lowest level in more than two weeks , while the number of people on ventilators and in intensive care also decreased .
In Texas , health officials in Houston were cautiously optimistic as the number of people requiring hospitalization “ seems to have tapered off a bit.
” But deaths in the second-largest state soared above 4,000 , and officials in the border state of Starr County , where a team of Navy doctors was sent to help the only hospital , said they were considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital resources .
“ It sounds cold , and I hate to think that we would even have to do it , but we need to at least consider what chances a patient has of surviving , ” County Judge Eloy Vera said .
State governments not only face a strain on medical resources but have been forced to borrow billions of dollars and slash costs by furloughing workers , delaying construction projects , cutting school aid and even closing highway rest areas .
Businesses also are being squeezed .
Potions in Motions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Florida , would ordinarily be in high gear for summer weddings , graduations and corporate events , but with restrictions on group gatherings , they ’ re down to “ micro-events ” with eight to 15 people .
They ’ ve had to cut most of their staff .
“ We ’ re trying to just stay alive and keep as many people employed , ” company founder Jason Savino said .
“ There ’ s no support coming from any government or anywhere that are accommodating these businesses that are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Ludington , Michigan , Timbers Seafood and Steakhouse closed for two days as a precaution after a busboy said he had COVID-19 .
The restaurant lost thousands of dollars .
“ It was heartbreaking , ” manager David Hritco said .
“ I worried about my staff .
I worried about , ‘ Well , now do I have COVID ?
’ ” Timbers was trying to recover during the peak summer season after months of being closed , and the busboy later acknowledged he lied to get a day off , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young kid that made a mistake , ” Hritco said .
“ But this is now a police matter.
” In New Orleans , meanwhile , families picked up fresh peppers , milk , meat and diapers at a food giveaway outside a community centre .
Melanie Richardson , executive director of the non-profit Training Grounds , said she wanted to help families with food and other supplies as they prepare to lose federal unemployment boost payments .
“ We know that that is going to be a huge hit for families , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of virus deaths has risen to more than 608,000 , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
The United States tops the list with nearly 150,000 , followed by more than 80,000 in Brazil .
The number of confirmed infections worldwide has passed 14.6 million .
Experts believe the pandemic ’ s true toll is much higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues .
The virus also has led to political rancour globally .
European Union leaders have been fighting over an unprecedented 1.85 trillion euro ( $ 2.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The prolonged debates have been marked by walkouts , fist slamming and insults .
In the EU , the pandemic has killed around 135,000 citizens and plunged its economy into an estimated contraction of 8.3 % .
There was a glimmer of hope as scientists at Oxford University say their experimental coronavirus vaccine has shown in an early trial to prompt a protective immune response in hundreds of people .
British researchers began testing the vaccine in April in about 1,000 people , half of whom got the experimental vaccine .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientists said they found their vaccine produced a dual immune response in people ages 18 to 55 that lasted at least two months after they were immunized .
The head of emergencies at the World Health Organization hailed the results as “ good news “ but warned “ there ’ s a long way to go.
” “ We now need to move into larger scale real-world trials , ” Dr. Michael Ryan told reporters in Geneva .
White reported from Detroit , Pane reported from Boise , Idaho .
AP journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .

Lisa Marie Pane, Kelli Kennedy And Ed White - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Biden says he’s getting briefings from lawyers on VP options

WASHINGTON - Democrat Joe Biden said Monday that he is getting extensive briefings from lawyers vetting candidates for vice-president and plans to have “ personal discussions ” with his final choices for running mate .
The presumptive presidential nominee said on MSNBC ’ s “ The ReidOut ” that he is getting a “ two-hour vetting report ” on his VP contenders .
He said they ’ ve gone through “ about four candidates ” so far .
He said once the vetting is done , he will narrow the list and then have a conversation with each of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The former vice-president has pledged to choose a woman as his running mate and has said he ’ ll name her before the Democratic National Convention , which begins Aug. 17 .
Biden has been under some pressure to choose a Black woman as his vice-presidential candidate in a nod to the constituency ’ s role as the most dependable Democratic base of voters .
He would not commit Monday to selecting a Black woman when asked on MSNBC , saying only , “ I am not committed to naming any but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them there are four Black women .
So , that decision is underway right now.
” Among the Black women Biden is believed to be considering are California Sen. Kamala Harris , Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , Florida Rep. Val Demings , California Rep. Karen Bass and former Obama administration official Susan Rice .
But he did make one pledge .
“ My administration , I promise you , will look like America , “ Biden said on MSNBC .
” From vice-president , to the Supreme Court , to Cabinet positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House : It ’ s going to look like America.
” He has previously vowed that , if elected and given a vacancy , he would choose a Black woman as a nominee to the Supreme Court .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Retired AP correspondent Arthur Rotstein dies from COVID-19

PHOENIX - Arthur H. Rotstein , a retired Associated Press correspondent who covered southern Arizona for nearly 30 years and documented the wave of illegal immigration that swept the state in the mid-1990s , has died at age 74 .
His daughter , Rebekah Rotstein , said he died Monday morning from COVID-19 after being hospitalized in Tucson for 10 days .
Rotstein worked for the AP for 35 years — about six years in his native Chicago and another 29 years as the news agency ’ s Tucson correspondent — until his retirement in 2010 .
In Tucson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : wildfires , the development of Biosphere 2 , sports at the University of Arizona , a 2001 riot after Arizona lost the NCAA basketball championship , the growing pains of a booming Southwest city , and a 2002 shooting at the university ’ s nursing school in which three professors were killed by a failing student .
He covered the sanctuary movement , an effort by clergy and lay members to help people fleeing political persecution from El Salvador and Guatemala cross the border into the United States .
He reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which eight sanctuary movement members were convicted of conspiracy or other charges .
Above all , Rotstein witnessed the wave of illegal immigration that flooded Arizona in the mid-1990s .
He wrote about immigrants who died while crossing the Arizona desert , the environmental damage caused by large numbers of people crossing through the desert , and drug and immigrant smuggling .
“ He brought curiosity and respect for people to the job , and he was dedicated to helping a wide audience understand his adopted hometown , ” said George Garties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor in Arizona from 1991-1995 and now manages AP ’ s business relationship with several media ownership groups .
Mort Rosenblum , a journalist who worked at AP for 39 years and grew up in Tucson , said Rotstein brought compassion and well-rounded professionalism to his reporting about those who sneaked across the border in hopes of improving life for their families .
“ If you want to find a model of a quintessential AP reporter or human , it was Art , ” Rosenblum said .
Giovanna Dell ’ Orto , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who previously worked as an AP reporter , said Rotstein was a powerful mentor earlier in her career .
“ He was the archetypal correspondent who knew a community inside and out , knew the stories , knew the sources , ” Dell ’ Orto said .
“ And he was always humble to realize that he could learn more and be on the lookout for more.
” Rotstein is survived by his wife , Debby Rotstein , and his daughter , Rebekah Rotstein .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Alaska fishing boat has 85 crew members infected with virus

UNALASKA , Alaska - A factory fishing vessel that docked in the Alaska fishing port of Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands has 85 crew members infected on board with the coronavirus , officials said .
The boat named the American Triumph has departed the Dutch Harbor community of Unalaska late Sunday or early Monday and will travel hundreds of miles to the community of Seward , arriving Wednesday , Alaska ’ s Energy Desk reported Sunday .
The 85 infected workers represent more than two-thirds of the crew on the ship owned by Seattle-based American Seafoods Group LLC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion-dollar Bering Sea pollock fishery .
The crew members who tested positive and medical personnel will be taken to Anchorage for further care and monitoring after the ship arrives in Seward .
American Seafoods spokeswoman Suzanne Lagoni said all crew members will be housed in a secure facility in Anchorage .
The Triumph will be “ deep cleaned and sanitized ” before continuing to fish for pollock in the Bering Sea , Lagoni said .
Lagoni cited privacy protection when declining to provide a breakdown of the nationalities of crew members .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our crews , ” Lagoni said .
“ They all have the right to work on our vessels.
” The ship arrived in Unalaska Thursday with seven crew members reporting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection .
The seven workers tested positive , leading to virus screening of the remaining 112 crew by Unalaska clinic Iliuliuk Family and Health Services .
All crew members were restricted to the vessel or isolation locations while the ship was docked in Unalaska , city officials said .
Unalaska is the largest community in Alaska without a critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room is almost 1,000 miles ( 1,609 kilometres ) away in Anchorage .
American Seafoods staffed the ship with an additional paramedic to assist crew members during the sailing , while the vessel plans to hug the coast for easier evacuation if necessary , said Melanee Tiura , chief executive of the Iliuliuk clinic .
“ There are exit strategies if that additional level of care is needed , ” Tirua said .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
This version corrects that the name of the media outlet is Alaska ’ s Energy Desk , not Alaska ’ s Energy Deck .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Detroit officer charged in rubber pellet shooting at protest

DETROIT - A police corporal accused of shooting three photojournalists with rubber pellets while they covered protests in Detroit against police brutality was charged with felony assault , prosecutors said Monday .
Detroit Police Corporal Daniel Debono , 32 , faces multiple counts of felonious assault for allegedly firing rubber pellets at the three photojournalists during a May protest , Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said .
Shortly after midnight on May 31 in downtown Detroit , MLive.com photojournalist Nicole Hester , 30 , and two independent photojournalists , Seth Herald , 28 , and Matthew Hatcher , 29 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each of the photojournalists was wearing press credentials , identified themselves as news media and raised their hands as they asked to cross the street , Worthy said .
Debono , dressed in riot gear , struck all three with rubber pellets that inflicted bruises and other injuries .
“ The evidence shows that these three journalists were leaving the protest area and that there was almost no one else on the street where they were , ” Worthy said .
“ There are simply no explicable reasons why the alleged actions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were covering the protest in downtown Detroit , which was sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Most of the protesters at the time had already dispersed from the area in downtown Detroit where the photojournalists were shot .
Floyd , who was Black and handcuffed , died after a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for nearly 8 minutes even as Floyd begged for air and eventually stopped moving .
Detroit Police Sgt .
Nicole Kirkwood said Monday in an email to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ immediately launched ” after the department learned about the incident , and Police Chief James Craig suspended the officer .
“ It ’ s important that we do not paint an entire organization with a broad brush , ” Kirkwood said .
“ The actions of this officer should not reflect the vast majority of the men and women who have been working and responded to the protest appropriately for the last ( eight ) weeks.
” The Associated Press left an email Monday afternoon seeking comment from the Detroit Police Officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Debono was listed in court records as of Monday .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Kenai Assembly declares borough ‘Second Amendment sanctuary’

KENAI , Alaska - The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly voted to make the borough a “ Second Amendment sanctuary , ” the Peninsula Clarion reported Thursday .
The assembly passed an ordinance opposing the passage of any legislation that would limit civil liberties associated with the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution .
Among a set of amendments passed by the borough assembly is one clarifying that the assembly does not have law enforcement powers .
Board president Kelly Cooper , who authored the successful amendments , said it was important to be clear about what authority the assembly has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ordinance can not override city , state or federal regulations .
“ Yes , we do support the Second Amendment , “ Cooper said .
‘ No , we do not have that authority .
And we need to make sure that our people in our communities understand that so we do not have misuse or misrepresentation of language that we pass.
” Another amendment encourages people to engage in firearm safety training safely .
This story corrects that Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Kelly Cooper was not the author of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including one noting that the borough does not have law enforcement powers .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Murders in Mexico, especially of women, grew during pandemic

MEXICO CITY - The number of homicides in Mexico has grown during the new coronavirus pandemic , including a 9.2 % spike in killings of women , according to government figures released Monday .
The data for the first half of 2020 showed homicides increased 1.9 % to 17,982 , as compared to 17,653 in the same period of 2019 .
Activists have long worried that the increased confinement of families to their homes would increase killings of women , and they indeed grew from 448 in the first half of 2019 to 489 in the same period of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped the lockdown caused by the coronavirus would limit the drug gang activity that is a major cause of the violencue , but on Monday the Defence Department released an analysis saying that a disturbing video of massed drug cartel gunmen posted online last week was indeed genuine and had received about 16 million views in a few days .
The department said the video showed a column of about 75 Jalisco cartel gunmen dressed in military-style fatigues with a dozen homemade armoured pickup trucks , an anti-aircraft gun , nine belt-fed machine-guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grenade launchers and 54 assault rifles .
The department said the video showed “ evidence of military-style training ” and may have been timed to coincide with the July 17 birthday of Jalisco cartel leader Nemesio “ El Mencho ” Oseguera .
The department said the video was apparently filmed near the border of Jalisco and Guanajuato states and shows an “ elite group ” of cartel gunmen formed in 2019 who have been linked to an attack on police , but who have apparently not used the armoured vehicles in combat or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trucks have welded steel-plate armour , turrets and firing slots .
Some were painted with the Jalisco cartel ’ s initials .
The army said “ the armament , the equipment and the vehicles used show an unlimited use of money earned from illegal activities.
” While other drug cartels have posted videos displaying their impressive firepower in the past , the army said the group shown in the Jalisco tapes “ is the only group of this type.
” The department also suggested the Jalisco cartel may have been filmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to another drug gang leader ’ s suggestion that he might call on the Sinaloa cartel for help in fighting Jalisco .
Jalisco is fighting the Santa Rosa de Lima gang for control of the central state of Guanajuato .
In a video posted in June , José Antonio Yépez , the leader of the Santa Rosa gang , spoke about allying himself with the Sinaloa cartel to fight off the incursion by Jalisco .
That proxy war has already made Guanajuato the deadliest state in Mexico .
Guanajuato was where gunmen burst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July and killed at least 27 people .
Those killings were not included in the figures released Monday .
Mexico security analyst Alejandro Hope wrote in a column in the El Universal newspaper Monday that cartels have displayed similar or larger shows of force in the past , and that the Jalisco force would probably avoid a direct confrontation with the Mexican military .
But he said more rural patrols were needed to establish government control .
“ The importance of the videos shouldn ’ t be minimized , but it is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But the fact that these things occur time and time again shows the structural weakness of the Mexican government .
That is what we should be talking about.
” The Public Safety Department noted in its report that the rate of growth in homicides has eased somewhat .
But the continued high level of killings is likely to draw more attention to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador ’ s policy of avoiding direct confrontation with the cartels .
He prefers to address social problems like poverty and unemployment that he says contribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given federal security forces — the Army , Navy and the newly created National Guard — so many duties outside of law enforcement that it would appear to leave them short-staffed to address the problem of warring drug cartels .
For example , about 50 % of the 173,776 available non-administrative , non-support staff of the three federal forces are currently assigned to non-crime fighting duties , though several thousand more do perform drug eradication or other general patrolling efforts .
The non-military , non-security roles that federal forces play include transport and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , guarding pipelines , policing migrants and building infrastructure projects .
The effects of the lockdown on crime were varied and in some cases unclear .
Officials reported a 12.1 % increase in street-level drug-dealing cases during the first six months of the year , but it was unclear whether that was due to reduced street traffic during the pandemic , which would have made drug deals easier for police to detect .
The pandemic did appear to have resulted in a steep drop in some types of crime .
Because far fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers on public transportation dropped 45.1 % during the first six months of the year , and kidnappings decreased by 37.3 % compared to the same period of 2019 .
Other types of robberies were also down .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Bodies not yet out from partly collapsed New Orleans hotel

New Orleans ’ fire chief says it ’ s taking longer than expected to remove the bodies of two construction workers from a hotel that partially collapsed during construction 10 months ago .
Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell said Monday that crews expect to retrieve the body of Quinnyon Wimberly from the Hard Rock Hotel wreckage by the end of this week , and that of Jose Ponce Arreola around the middle of next week .
He had said last Monday that he hoped to have both bodies out by the end of that week .
In a news conference livestreamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in plans was the main reason for the delay .
“ We lost a day and a half last week to bad weather , ” he said .
But mainly , he said , the demolition company wants to give its cranes more manoeuvring room by collapsing a freestanding wall that has been cabled to the wreckage to stabilize it .
Once that ’ s done , crews must delicately chip away at the slumped wreckage of floors and balconies dangling by rebar and I-beams .
They ’ ll start at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work down from there to the 11th floor , where Wimberly ’ s body is located , McConnell said .
Starting Wednesday , a no-fly zone will keep drones away from the site , he said : “ This is a tricky operation and we want to make sure everyone is safe.
” “ The other victim is in a pile of debris in the middle of the deck of the 8th floor , ” McConnell said .
He said he and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell had been meeting weekly with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in daily touch with them since Thursday .
Three people died in the Oct. 12 building collapse .
Anthony Magrette ’ s body was recovered shortly afterward .
The other men ’ s bodies remained in the wreckage as the city and building developer argued about how best to bring the rest of the building down .
“ We ’ re at more than 10 months now , ” McConnell said .
“ It ’ s very frustrating for rescuers who do this for a living .
It ’ s even more @ @ @ @ @ @

Janet McConnaughey - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Officer in Rayshard Brooks’ slaying wants prosecutor removed

ATLANTA - Attorneys for the former Atlanta police officer charged with felony murder in the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks sought to remove the district attorney prosecuting the case Monday .
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard has repeatedly made comments to inflame public sentiment against Officer Garrett Rolfe , has issued contradictory statements about whether a stun gun is a deadly weapon and is under investigation himself , attorneys Noah Pines and William Thomas Jr. said in a court filing .
“ Paul Howard has systematically sought to deprive Garrett Rolfe of a fair trial and impartial jury since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest Garrett Rolfe , ” the attorneys said .
They are seeking to recuse Howard and the Fulton County district attorney ’ s office from the case .
In a statement , Howard said he had received the filing and will respond to it when it is assigned to a judge .
Police body cameras showed Rolfe , who is white , and another officer having a calm and respectful conversation with Brooks , who was Black , for more than 40 minutes after complaints that Brooks had fallen asleep in his car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 12 .
But when officers told him he ’ d had too much to drink to be driving and tried to handcuff him , Brooks resisted .
A struggle was caught on dash camera video .
Brooks grabbed one of the officers ’ Tasers and fled , firing it at Rolfe as he ran away .
An autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back .
The killing renewed protests in Atlanta that followed the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May .
Howard announced charges against Rolfe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lawyers for both officers have said their actions were justified .
In Monday ’ s court filing , Rolfe ’ s attorneys said Rolfe did not exclaim , “ I got him , ” when he shot Brooks as Howard alleged at a news conference announcing the charges .
They also accused Howard of falsely saying the other officer at the scene , Devin Brosnan , had agreed to serve as a witness for the prosecution against Rolfe , and they questioned the decision to allow attorneys for witnesses and Brooks ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Howard , additionally , should be disqualified because he is facing investigation for subpoenas in the Brooks ’ case and his use of funds , Rolfe ’ s attorneys said .
His statements about Tasers would also make him a witness for the defence , they said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Report: Prosecutors mishandled California mass murder case

LOS ANGELES - California prosecutors committed malpractice and were negligent in their use of a jailhouse snitch in the case of a man convicted of killing his ex-wife and seven others at a Seal Beach hair salon in 2011 , the Orange County district attorney concluded in a report released Monday .
District Attorney Todd Spitzer said prosecutors in his office showed signs of engaging in misconduct in the way they handled the case of Scott Dekraai , a former tugboat operator , who is serving life in prison for the county ’ s largest mass killing .
The review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longtime snitch to get a tainted confession from Dekraai , did not properly disclose that information to a defence lawyer and did not accept responsibility for their lapses .
“ Prosecutors handling People v. Dekraai violated discovery laws and rulings from the court , trampled defendant rights , and denied the full imposition of justice for the victims and their families , ” Spitzer ’ s office said .
Dekraai ’ s lawyer , Scott Sanders , unearthed the use of the snitch in what became known as the “ jailhouse informant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the salon shooting case and involved law enforcement planting jail informants to seek confessions from defendants who weren ’ t supposed to be questioned without a lawyer present .
The move ultimately backfired on prosecutors , who wanted Dekraai executed .
The Orange County district attorney ’ s office was removed from the case and the trial judge prevented prosecutors from seeking the death penalty because their failure to turn over informant-related records jeopardized the killer ’ s right to a fair trial .
Dekraai was in a bitter custody dispute with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walked into Salon Meritage where she worked wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying three guns .
He shot and killed Fournier , then gunned down the salon owner , stylists and customers and a man sitting in his car in the parking lot .
He was arrested within minutes of the rampage .
Dekraai pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight life terms with no chance of parole .
Sanders said the report simply blamed two prosecutors no longer with the office but failed to address the pattern of abuse he found in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheriff ’ s deputies that is now under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice .
“ It accurately identifies the misconduct by the Dekraai prosecutors and then completely ignores the decades of misconduct involving jailhouse informants , “ Sander said .
“ It ’ s a great headline grabber , but the problem is that no other prosecutor is identified as doing anything wrong .
... We know this has been going on for decades.
” Spitzer launched the internal review last year after the state attorney general , who took over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal investigation into the informant scandal without conclusions or recommendations .
Spitzer ousted longtime District Attorney Tony Rackauckas in 2018 , criticizing the use of informants during the campaign and promising to reform the office .
Although Sanders estimated there were 20 cases where informants were used and federal prosecutors are looking into 100 cases , the DA ’ s office found insufficient evidence to determine there was prosecutorial misconduct in five cases it reviewed .
The report did not name the two veteran prosecutors who handled the Dekraai case , Dan Wagner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had resigned and couldn ’ t be punished .
It said evidence of malpractice and intentional negligence by the two would have required severe discipline if they had remained with the office .
It suggested they could still be punished by state authorities .
Neither of the lawyers , who are now in private practice together , immediately returned an email seeking comment .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Renaming Alabama bridge for John Lewis opposed in Selma

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. - Growing calls nationally to honour the late Rep. John Lewis by putting his name on the Alabama bridge where he and other voting rights demonstrators were beaten 55 years ago are being met with resistance in Selma , the majority Black city where “ Bloody Sunday ” occurred .
Some say renaming the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the Georgia congressman who died Friday would dishonour local activists who spent years advocating for civil rights before Lewis arrived in town in the 1960s .
Others fear tourism would be hurt if the Pettus name — which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supremacist — were gone .
Although about 480,000 people have signed one online petition to rename the bridge for Lewis and leaders including Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina and “ Selma ” movie director Ava DuVernay are advocating for the idea , state officials say any decision would have to be approved by Alabama ’ s Republican-controlled Legislature .
State lawmakers are unlikely to act without the backing of area leaders , and right now there ’ s no sign of widespread support .
Rep .
Prince Chestnut , whose state legislative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great and noble man ” but added that renaming the bridge for Lewis “ is not appropriate.
” “ There were many Selmians and Alabamians who were either on the bridge in March 1965 , near the vicinity or precipitated the situation that changed this country for the better .
John was not the only one , ” Chestnut said in a statement to The Associated Press on Monday .
Mayor Darrio Melton called it “ insulting ” that the wishes of Selma residents haven ’ t been taken more into account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back at least five years .
And focusing on a name rather than ways to solve racial and economic inequality disrespects Lewis ’ legacy , he said .
“ Everybody is talking about changing the name of the bridge , but they ’ re not talking about investing in Selma , ” Melton said .
“ To me it ’ s more about the system than it is the symbol.
” Michael Starr Hopkins , a Washington-based consultant who launched the fast-growing online petition , said he ’ s beginning to contact Selma-area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know how much money has been raised by a non-profit he founded to support the renaming idea and likely wouldn ’ t release a fundraising total if he did .
“ We are in a moment .
Are we going to fight each other or the system of oppression that has held Selma back ?
” Hopkins said .
The state senator representing Selma , Malika Sanders-Fortier , said she ’ s heard from no one in Selma who supports renaming the bridge for Lewis only .
A group that was recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a voice in the debate , Selma Matters , has spoken with Hopkins , she said .
“ My hope is that we can come to some sort of compromise , ” said Sanders-Fortier , who succeeded her father , former state Sen. Hank Sanders , in office .
Sanders , who has publicly advocated for renaming the span “ The Bridge to Freedom , “ sponsored a resolution that would have allowed the bridge to be renamed in 2015 when he was still in the Senate , but the measure died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would work with lawmakers if a bill to rename the bridge reached her desk , and aide said , but that seems unlikely to happen .
The Democratic leader in Alabama ’ s Republican-controlled House , Rep. Anthony Daniels , said he ’ d follow Chestnut ’ s lead on the issue since the bridge is in Chestnut ’ s district .
Dedicated in 1940 during the period of legalized segregation , the twin-arched bridge over the Alabama River was named for Pettus , who fought for the Confederacy and was a white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the time , Pettus was praised for his work after the Civil War to fight the emergence of Black political power .
A quarter-century after the bridge opened , Lewis led some 600 voting rights marchers across the span until they were attacked by Alabama state troopers , who beat Lewis and others in a violent spectacle that came to be called “ Bloody Sunday.
” Even more people subsequently made the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march .
Today , the hometown “ foot soldiers ” who marched with Lewis see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and many relish the fact that the name of a one-time Confederate also is associated with civil rights for blacks .
If anyone is honoured anew , they say , it should be local activists .
“ I just feel strongly that it should not be named ‘ John Lewis Bridge , ’ ” Lynda Lowery , who was among the marchers , told The Associated Press in an interview last month .
Chestnut said he hasn ’ t spoken with a single local survivor of the attack who supports renaming the bridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change the name of the bridge , Chestnut said , but he ’ d favour calling it something like “ Bloody Sunday Bridge ” or “ Historic Selma Bridge ” rather than naming it for Lewis .
District Attorney Michael Jackson said the wishes of Selma residents matter most but the national dialogue over renaming the bridge for Lewis should be taken into account .
“ The name of that bridge is bigger than Selma , “ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Montana governor: Federal land agency boss acting illegally

BILLINGS , Mont .
- Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock sued the Trump administration on Monday to block the acting director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management from continuing in the position until he ’ s been confirmed by the Senate .
Federal law prohibits William Perry Pendley from leading the bureau in an acting capacity while his nomination last month by President Donald Trump is still pending , Bullock said .
The bureau , a branch of the Interior Department , oversees nearly a quarter-billion public acres in the U.S. West and much of the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a former property rights attorney from Wyoming and longtime advocate for selling federal lands .
He ’ s headed the bureau for the last year under a series of temporary orders that Democrats alleged were an attempt to skirt the nomination process .
Federal law prohibits acting directors from serving while their nomination is pending .
Bullock ’ s lawsuit said Pendley ’ s “ extreme , unpopular views on public lands “ threatened to harm Montana ’ s natural resources , by placing extractive industries such as oil and gas exploration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ species such as greater sage grouse .
Such policies “ undercut the State ’ s ability to preserve and protect areas that have special fish and wildlife , archaeological , and recreational values , “ the lawsuit said .
Administration officials called the lawsuit “ nonsense.
“ Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has previously declared that Pendley was “ exercising the authority of the director ” but officials said Monday he was never formally named as the bureau ’ s acting director .
“ This is a frivolous and politically motivated claim that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conner Swanson said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Watchdog: Virus stalks Egypt’s prisons amid news blackout

CAIRO - The new coronavirus has struck several Egyptian prisons and killed at least 14 detainees , a leading human rights watchdog said Monday , as authorities seek to stifle news of the virus ’ spread behind bars .
The organization , Human Rights Watch , released an extensive report based on letters smuggled from prison and interviews with inmates and their relatives , documenting multiple cases of detainees who died after experiencing virus symptoms without being tested or receiving adequate medical treatment .
Tens of thousands of people in Egypt are crammed into what rights groups say are overcrowded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi to release thousands of inmates to curb the spread of contagion , authorities have only accelerated a long-running crackdown on dissent , arresting health workers , journalists and critics who voice concerns over the government ’ s handling of the pandemic .
One of them , activist Sanaa Seif , was arrested last month after raising the alarm over a possible outbreak in the prison where her brother , prominent political prisoner Alaa Abdel-Fatah , is being held .
Her family ’ s fears have grown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precaution against infection .
Prison policies have been applied erratically since the start of the pandemic , said her sister Mona Seif , with guards often refusing to let in disinfectants and medicine for inmates or pass letters to families desperate for information .
“ Instead of providing adequate medical care and health measures needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , the Egyptian government tries to obscure a serious health crisis in prisons , ” said Joe Stork , deputy Middle East and North Africa director at HRW .
An Egyptian press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comment on the report .
The group reported that Egypt ’ s National Security Agency summoned , interrogated and punished inmates when news media began to crackle with leaks of suspected virus cases in prisons .
In one case , inmates said they were stripped , beaten with sticks and electric cables for complaining about their conditions .
Despite the news blackout , unofficial reports provide an alarming glimpse at what could be runaway transmission in Egypt ’ s prisons .
The pandemic has surged in Egypt , infecting over 88,402 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll in the Arab world .
Even as the daily infection rate in the nation has declined this month , accounts of virus cases in prisons are mounting .
Last week , prominent journalist Mohamed Monir died of COVID-19 just days after his release from prison .
The HRW report cited Geneva-based human rights group Committee for Justice saying it has documented over 190 suspected COVID-19 cases across a dozen prisons and 29 police stations , including 160 inmates and 30 employees .
Multiple prisoners reported they and their fellow inmates had fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of taste and smell .
Of the 14 deaths , nine died in a hospital after being transferred from detention .
Although Hamdy Abdel Aal Ryaan , 58 , suffered severe virus symptoms for days , he was rushed to a hospital in the Central Security Forces camp , north of the capital , only when he was dying , the report said , citing a relative .
Ryaan , squeezed in a small cell with over 20 others , received almost no medical care .
The cause on his death certificate reads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Mahallah First Police Station , in northern Egypt , three political detainees held without trial died last month .
The family of one of them , retired math teacher Moawad Mohamed Suleiman , 65 , was told he died of a heart attack , but received no medical proof .
Later , his relatives learned that Suleiman had suffered virus symptoms .
Fellow detainee Hassan Ziadah , 56 , was transferred to a health centre designated for COVID-19 patients last month and died handcuffed to his hospital bed .
In almost all cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done little to protect prisoners from infection beyond grouping suspected cases in the same cell .
Officers in at least three prisons prevented inmates from obtaining or wearing masks , it said .
The rights group urged Egyptian authorities to release more detainees , including the many political prisoners excluded from recent gestures of clemency , conduct widespread virus testing and allow inmates regular communication with their lawyers and families .
“ As with any major issue in Egypt , the main concern of authorities is to control any information flow , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoner Abdel-Fatah , in a recent interview .
When her family finally received a letter from Abdel-Fatah after weeks of silence , the content appeared self-censored , she said , mysteriously void of any reference to the health crisis gripping their country .
“ It really is a black hole .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-20--Cuba opens foreign currency-only shops, ends tax on dollar

HAVANA - Cuba opened shops Monday that accept only foreign currencies and eliminated a special tax on the U.S. dollar , deepening a process of collecting stronger currencies to face the country ’ s economic crisis .
By morning , long queues had formed in a half-dozen such shops in Havana dedicated to the sale of food and toiletries .
Under the new system , people buy merchandise using national or foreign cards backed by hard currencies , especially dollars , including Visa or Mastercards .
Cash is not accepted .
The shelves of a large foreign-currency warehouse store visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing from peso-sale stores , including detergent , minced chicken , beef and canned goods .
“ It looks to me like at this critical time , when the country is going without food , there is everything “ in the market , said Lenon Fernández , a 32-year-old entrepreneur who went shopping at a supermarket known as 70 .
The shortages have worsened since the middle of last year when the Trump administration tightened sanctions to pressure for a change in the island ’ s political model .
Now , on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from abroad and internal inefficiencies , Cuba is losing tourist revenues because of the coronavirus pandemic and its GDP growth is close to 0 % .
The result has been long lines and exasperation due to the lack of food .
The new stores in the capital and other Cuban cities add to a dollarization process of retail trade that began in late 2019 , when shops were opened under the modality of foreign currency sales for household appliances .
The effect was an increase in the value of the dollar on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transactions in currencies other than those issued by Cuba was prohibited since 2004 , when the dollar was withdrawn .
This new form of sale in foreign currencies for food and cleaning goods was announced last week by President Miguel Díaz-Canel as a way of obtaining income and providing goods to the population .
The measure reflects the reality on the communist-run island of social sectors with money and dollars to spend - such as entrepreneurs , relatives who receive remittances , employees of foreign companies , etc .
- and those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will keep stores in convertible pesos or CUC – almost equal to the dollar - and in Cuban pesos ( 24 for a CUC ) , which are the other two currencies circulating on the island .
It will also continue to support monthly quotas of basic foods such as rice , beans , some chicken or meat , milk , coffee and sugar .
“ In the midst of an economic crisis of very uncertain scope and duration , the Diaz-Canel administration is using the political credit of its successful management of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than a decade , ” said Cuban economist Arturo López-Levy , professor at Holy Names University in California .
Cuba has managed to control the spread of the new coronavirus .
In four months , authorities say it infected 2,446 people .
But they reported no new confirmed cases on Monday .
In general , Cuban authorities have resist changes - despite a timid process initiated by former President Raúl Castro in 2010 - claiming they want to limit the negative effects of inequality and not hurt vulnerable sectors .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of the U.S. dollar , in force since 2004 , went into effect Monday .
When anyone exchanged 10 dollars for CUC in the local market , they only received nine CUC .


thetorontostar--2020-07-21--German minister in Athens, focused on East Med tension

ATHENS , Greece - German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged Turkey Tuesday to fully engage in planned talks with the European Union and avoid “ provocative actions ” in the Eastern Mediterranean in an effort to head off a potential crisis with neighbouring Greece .
NATO allies Greece and Turkey are at odds over drilling rights in the region , with the EU and the United States increasingly critical of Ankara ’ s plans to expand exploration and drilling operations in the coming weeks into areas Athens claims as its own .
“ We have a very clear position : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , progress in relations with Turkey can only be achieved if Ankara avoids provocations in the eastern Mediterranean , ?
Maas said after talks in Athens .
?
At the same time , within the European Union we see the need to engage in dialogue with Turkey.
?
Maas , whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union , was meeting in Athens with his Greek counterpart , Nikos Dendias , as well as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Katerina Sakellaropoulou .
Greece is hoping Germany will use its influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations .
Earlier this month , Germany hosted unannounced talks with Greek and Turkish officials to try and restart discussions .
Turkey has accused Greece of trying to exclude it from the benefits of oil and gas finds in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean , arguing that sea boundaries for commercial exploitation should be divided between the Greek and Turkish mainland and not include the Greek islands on an equal basis .
Athens rejects the argument as being in clear violation of international law .
Greece is pressing other EU member states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey if it proceeds with its oil-and-gas exploration plans which are expected to start in September , according to Turkey ’ s state-run oil company , TPAO .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell last week said he would launch an initiative to engage Turkey in talks , citing “ worrying developments ?
in the Eastern Mediterranean and the civil war in Libya .
___ Grieshaber reported from Berlin .
Iliana Mier in Athens contributed .
___ Follow Gatopoulos at http : //www.twitter.com/dgatopoulos and Grieshaber at http : //www.twitter.com/kugrieshaber

Derek Gatopoulos And Kirsten Grieshaber - The Associated Press