thetorontostar--2020-06-29--Group smuggling e-waste to Africa busted in Spanish islands

MADRID - Spanish authorities announced Monday that they had dismantled a criminal network that smuggled some 2,500 tonnes of waste , including discarded and hazardous electronic equipment , from Spain ’ s Canary Islands to several countries in Africa .
Spain ’ s Civil Guard arrested 34 people , including a 62-year-old Italian woman who owned a trading business and allegedly forged custom clearance documents for the arrival and departure of the cargo from the port of Santa Cruz , in Tenerife .
The European police co-ordination body , Europol , and Italy ’ s Carabinieri also supported the two-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Civil Guard statement said .
The suspects loaded maritime containers with second-hand items such as vehicle parts and household goods .
A third of the contents was e-waste .
They were sent mainly to Nigeria , but also other African countries , where they were to be sold on to buyers there .
The network allegedly sourced the equipment from bins , flea markets and industrial dumps .
Electronic devices can contain cadmium , mercury , lead , arsenic , oils , gases and other substances that can harm the environment or human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Civil Guard said that informal operations in developing countries , often employing underage workers , use open fires to melt some parts in order to extract aluminum and copper among other minerals that fetch a high value when resold .


thetorontostar--2020-06-29--Afghan official: Bomb, mortars kill 23 civilians in Helmand

KABUL - A car bombing and mortar shells fired at a busy market in southern Afghanistan ’ s Helmand province on Monday killed 23 people , including children , a statement from a provincial governor ’ s office said .
Both the Taliban and the Afghan military blame each other for the attack in Sangin district .
Details of the reported attack could not be independently confirmed as the area , which is under Taliban control , is remote and inaccessible to reporters .
The statement from the office of the governor , Gen. Mohammad Yasin , did not provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of responsibility for the attack .
A Taliban spokesman , Qari Yusouf Ahmadi , denied the insurgents were involved in the bombing .
The Taliban claimed the military fired mortars into the market while the military said a car bomb and mortar shells fired by the insurgents targeted the civilians .
The army also said there was no military activity in the area on Monday and that two Taliban fighters were also killed when the car bomb detonated at the marketplace .
Livestock that the locals were selling on the market , sheep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A statement from the presidential palace said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani strongly condemned the “ brutal and inhumane act , “ and stressed that targeting civilians , especially children and adults , is against Islamic and human values .
“ The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan once again calls on the Taliban to refrain from war and violence and to accept the will of the Afghan people , which is the end of the war and the start of negotiations , “ Ghani ’ s statement said .
The United Nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both sides in the conflict to be more careful of civilian casualties , saying they are on the increase .
Still , violence has continued unabated in Afghanistan , even though talks between the Taliban and Kabul representatives could start as early next month in July in Doha , Qatar , where the Taliban maintain a political office .
One of the obstacles to the start of the negotiations has been the exchange of prisoners , envisaged under a deal the Taliban signed with the United States at the end of February .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were meant to follow — are seen as Afghanistan ’ s best chance for peace and an opportunity for U.S. and NATO troops to leave the war-torn country after nearly two decades of fighting .
The Taliban say the Afghan government has so far released 3,500 Taliban prisoners .
The U.S.-Taliban deal calls for 5,000 Taliban prisoners to be freed by Kabul .
It also said the Taliban should free 1,000 government personnel , including military men , they hold captive .

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thetorontostar--2020-06-29--Trump denies briefing about reported bounties on US troops

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has denied he was made aware of U.S. intelligence officials ’ conclusions Russia secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing American troops in Afghanistan .
The Trump administration was set to brief select members of Congress on the matter Monday .
The intelligence assessments came amid Trump ’ s push to withdraw the U.S. from Afghanistan and suggested Russia was making overtures to militants as the U.S. and the Taliban held talks to end the long-running war .
The assessment was first reported by The New York Times , then confirmed to The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others with knowledge of the matter .
While Russian meddling in Afghanistan isn ’ t a new phenomenon for seasoned U.S. intelligence officials and military commandos , officials said Russian operatives became more aggressive in their desire to contract with the Taliban and members of the Haqqani Network , a militant group aligned with the Taliban in Afghanistan and designated a foreign terrorist organization in 2012 .
Russian operatives are said to have met with Taliban leaders in Doha , Qatar , and Afghanistan ; however , it ’ s unknown if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials the AP spoke to said the intelligence community has been investigating an April 2019 attack on an American convoy that killed three U.S. Marines after a car rigged with explosives detonated near their armoured vehicles as they travelled back to Bagram Airfield , the largest U.S. military installation in Afghanistan .
Three other U.S. service members were wounded in the attack , along with an Afghan contractor .
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on Twitter .
The officials the AP spoke to also said they were looking closely at insider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incidents — from 2019 to determine if they are also linked to Russian bounties .
In early 2020 , members of the elite Naval Special Warfare Development Group , known to the public as SEAL Team Six , raided a Taliban outpost and recovered roughly $ 500,000 .
The recovered funds further solidified the suspicions of the American intelligence community that the Russians had offered money to Taliban militants and linked associations .
One official said the administration discussed several potential responses , but the White House has yet to authorize any step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump was briefed on the bounty matter earlier this year ; Trump denied that , tweeting Sunday neither he nor Vice-President Mike Pence had been briefed .
Trump tweeted Sunday night he was just told intelligence officials didn ’ t report the information to him because they didn ’ t find it credible .
The intelligence officials and others with knowledge of the matter insisted on anonymity to discuss the highly sensitive matter .
The White House National Security Council wouldn ’ t confirm the assessments but said the U.S. receives thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strict scrutiny .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , who golfed with Trump on Sunday , tweeted Saturday it ’ s “ Imperative Congress get to the bottom of recent media reports that Russian GRU units in Afghanistan have offered to pay the Taliban to kill American soldiers with the goal of pushing America out of the region.
” GRU is a reference to the Russian military intelligence agency .
Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming , the No .
3 Republican in the House , called for the White House to share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if true , lawmakers need to know “ Who did know and when ?
” and , referring to Russian leader Vladimir Putin , “ What has been done in response to protect our forces & hold Putin accountable ?
” Democratic presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden said reports Trump was aware of the Russian bounties would be a “ truly shocking revelation ” about the commander in chief and his failure to protect U.S. troops in Afghanistan and stand up to Russia .
“ This unsophisticated plant clearly illustrates the low intellectual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who instead of inventing something more plausible have to make up this nonsense , ” the Russian Foreign Ministry said .
The Kremlin echoed that sentiment Monday and called the report “ a lie.
” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he regretted “ the biggest , respectful and high-class international media organizations have not been above publishing absolute hoaxes in recent years.
” A Taliban spokesman said the militants “ strongly reject this allegation ” and aren ’ t “ indebted to the beneficence of any intelligence organ or foreign country.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was forced out by Trump last September and has written a tell-all book about his White House tenure , said Sunday it ’ s “ pretty remarkable the president ’ s going out of his way to say he hasn ’ t heard anything about it .
One asks , why would he do something like that ?
” Bolton told NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” he thinks the answer “ may be precisely because active Russian aggression like that against the American service members is a very , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been done about it , if it ’ s true , for these past four or five months , so it may look like he was negligent .
But , of course , he can disown everything if nobody ever told him about it.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , one of the few congressional leaders typically briefed on sensitive intelligence matters , told ABC ’ s “ This Week ” she hadn ’ t been informed about the reported bounties and requested a report to Congress on the matter .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and yet the president will not confront the Russians on this score , denies being briefed .
Whether he is or not , his administration knows and our allies — some of our allies who work with us in Afghanistan had been briefed and accept this report , ” she said .
Trump responded to Biden on Twitter , saying , “ Russia ate his and Obama ’ s lunch during their time in office ” But it was the Obama administration , with international allies , that suspended Russia from the Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crimea from Ukraine — a move that drew widespread condemnation .
Biden criticized Trump for “ his embarrassing campaign of deference and debasing himself ” before Putin .
Trump tweeted “ nobody ’ s been tougher ” on Russia than his administration .
Associated Press writer Lynn Berry contributed to this report .

Zeke Miller, James Laporta And Deb Riechmann - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-29--China warns of visa bans on Americans over Hong Kong

BEIJING - China said Monday that it would retaliate against U.S. moves to punish officials tied to political crackdowns in Hong Kong by imposing visa restrictions on Americans it considers to have “ performed badly ” on matters regarding the semi-autonomous Chinese territory .
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian gave no details in making the announcement at a daily briefing .
It wasn ’ t clear if the measure targeted only U.S. government officials or those in the private sector as well .
It comes as China ’ s legislature is expected to pass a national security law for Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severely limit opposition politics and freedom of speech in the city .
The U.S. says it will respond by ending favourable trading terms granted to the former British colony after it passed to Chinese control in 1997 .
The Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a bill to impose sanctions on businesses and individuals — including the police — that undermine Hong Kong ’ s autonomy or restrict freedoms promised to the city ’ s residents .
Zhao reiterated China ’ s insistence that the law was “ purely an internal affair of China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to interfere.
“ “ The U.S. side ’ s attempt to obstruct China from promoting Hong Kong ’ s national security legislation through the so-called sanctions will never succeed , “ Zhao said .
“ In response to the above-mentioned wrong behaviour of the U.S. side , China has decided to impose visa restrictions on U.S. personnel who perform badly on Hong Kong related issues .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-29--Militants attack Karachi stock exchange, killing at least 3

KARACHI , Pakistan - Militants attacked the stock exchange in the Pakistani city of Karachi on Monday , killing at least three people — two guards and a policeman , according to police .
Special police forces deployed to the scene of the attack and in a swift operation secured the building , killing all four gunmen .
A third security guard was reported to be in critical condition following the assault .
There were no reports of any wounded among the brokers and employees inside the exchange and a separatist militant group from a neighbouring province later claimed responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ armed with grenades and automatic rifles , police said .
They launched the attack by opening fire at the entrance gate of the Pakistan Stock Exchange in the southern port city , the country ’ s financial centre .
Heavily armed special forces quickly surrounded the building located in the heart of Karachi ’ s financial district , where the Pakistan State Bank is located , as well as the headquarters of several national and international financial institutions .
Local television stations broadcast images of police in full body armour surrounding the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the stock exchange .
Rizwan Ahmend , a police official at the scene , said that after opening fire , the gunmen entered the stock exchange grounds .
He said that after the attack was over , food supplies were found on the bodies of the gunmen , indicating they may have planned a long siege , which police quickly thwarted .
Inside the stock exchange , broker Yaqub Memon told The Associated Press that he and others were huddled inside their offices while the attack was underway .
As the firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police gathered all the employees and brokers in a single room while security forces went floor by floor to ensure that no explosives had been left behind , he said .
Shazia Jehan , a police spokesman , said the bomb disposal team was also called to the stock exchange to clear the building of any explosive devises .
Later , the Baluchistan Liberation Army , claimed responsibility for the attack .
The group has been waging an insurgency for years , demanding independence for Pakistan ’ s gas-rich southwestern Baluchistan province , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Karachi is the provincial capital .
The group also circulated to the media a photograph of four men in full body armour and camouflage outfits , saying they were the militants who attacked the stock exchange .
At a news conference later Monday , Maj. Gen Omar Ahmed Bokhari who overseas the paramilitary Rangers force , which took part in the operation , accused neighbouring India of aiding the attackers , by allegedly activating “ sleeper cells ” that Pakistan claims Indian intelligence has planted throughout the country .
India and Pakistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attack the other country .
The two nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars , two of them over the disputed Himalayan mountain region of Kashmir , which is divided between the two but coveted by both in its entirety .
The Baluchistan Liberation Army , which Pakistan says has found safe across the border in Afghanistan , has carried out several attacks in Karachi in recent years , including an attack on the Chinese Consulate in November 2018 that killed two people .
Gen. Bukhari said Monday ’ s attack bore the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the level of co-ordination and a large ammunition stockpile found at the scene .
Pakistani police and Rangers found more than a dozen hand grenades , boxes of ammunition and several automatic rifles that the attackers had brought to the stock exchange .
The Arabian Sea port of Gwadar is located in Baluchistan , and is part of China ’ s multi-billion dollar one-road project linking south and Central Asia to China .
The Baluchistan militant group has opposed the one-road project , including a highway connecting the Gwadar port to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange is Pakistan ’ s largest and oldest stock exchange , incorporated today with the exchanges in Islamabad and Lahore .
Associated Press writer Kathy Gannon in Islamabad contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-29--Australian lawmaker says he isn’t a suspect in China probe

CANBERRA , Australia - An Australian state lawmaker said Monday that he was not a suspect in a police investigation into unnamed people advancing China ’ s goals in Australia , days after his home and office were searched by police .
Shaoquett Moselmane , a member of the opposition Labor Party from New South Wales , said he was told the investigation was looking into other people suspected of working with China and denied any wrongdoing .
“ I have never jeopardized the welfare of our country and our people , ” he told a news conference .
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Sydney home on Friday and also executed a warrant for his parliamentary offices .
Australia has accused China of seeking to interfere in its domestic politics , allegations that have strained relations and led Australia in 2018 to pass new national security laws that outlaw covert foreign interference in domestic politics and make industrial espionage for a foreign power a crime .
The raids are the first police investigation to grab public attention since the foreign interference laws came into force and the government bolstered funding to security agencies late last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday that he would co-operate with Australian Federal Police in their investigation but also exercise his right to remain silent .
“ I am under no illusion that this is a serious investigation , ” he said .
Moselmane denied media reports that he had accepted Chinese government-funded trips to China .
In April , he stood down as assistant president of the New South Wales upper house after praising Chinese President Xi Jinping ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic .
He said Xi had demonstrated “ unswerving leadership ” and decisiveness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on China ’ s handling of the pandemic were consistent with those of the U.S. president , vice-president and the World Health Organization .
Police declined to comment on Moselmane ’ s news conference , saying in a statement , “ As this investigation remains ongoing , there will be no further comment.
” Labour Party state leader Jodi McKay said Moselmane ’ s party membership was being suspended .
Moselmane said he would take leave from Parliament until the police investigation was complete .
The Chinese Communist Party-controlled Global Times newspaper on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensifying espionage campaign against China.
” The newspaper cited a Chinese law enforcement agency source as saying Australia was sending agents to China to spy , gather intelligence and “ recruit assets.
” Australia was described as “ the thief who is crying stop the thief.
” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declined to comment on the report .
“ I wouldn ’ t be relying on Chinese state media for your sources for questions , ” Morrison told a reporter who asked him about the Global Times allegations .
Morrison described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious issue ” for police and for the Australian Security Intelligence Organization , the nation ’ s main domestic secret service .
“ We introduced our foreign interference laws because we didn ’ t want Australia ’ s political system or any other part of the country to be interfered with , ” Morrison said .
Morrison described Moselmane , a 55-year-old Lebanese immigrant who was mayor of a Sydney municipality before he was elected to Parliament in 2009 , as a “ very , very long-standing and relatively senior person ” within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , best known as ASIO , confirmed in a statement that “ search warrant activity occurred in Sydney on Friday as part of an ongoing investigation , ” but would not comment on Moselmane or its involvement .
Less than two weeks ago , Morrison said that a “ sophisticated state-based cyber actor ” was targeting Australia in an escalating cyber campaign that was threatening all levels of government , businesses , essential services and critical infrastructure .
Most analysts said Morrison was referring to China , but the prime minister would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Australia and China have been raised by the pandemic .
China in recent weeks has banned beef exports from Australia ’ s largest abattoirs , ended trade in Australian barley with a tariff wall and warned its citizens against visiting Australia .
The measures have been interpreted by many as punishment for Australia ’ s advocacy of an independent probe into the origins and spread of the coronavirus .
Australia ’ s foreign minister has accused China of using the anxiety around the pandemic to undermine Western democracies by spreading disinformation online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disinformation .
This story has been corrected to show that the secret service is the Australian Security Intelligence Organization , not the Australian Security Intelligence Agency .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Army quarantines 90 soldiers with coronavirus at Fort Bragg

FORT BRAGG , N.C. - The U.S. Army has quarantined 90 soldiers and instructors who tested positive for the coronavirus during a survival course at Fort Bragg .
A total of 110 people participated in the course , which was cut short after a single soldier tested positive .
Subsequent tests then showed that 82 students and 8 instructors had COVID-19 , Army spokeswoman Janice Burton told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
Now all 110 are quarantined , although the 20 people who did not test positive were separated from the rest , she said .
Their course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Escape , is naturally isolated from Fort Bragg ’ s other special warfare courses , the Army said .
Guidelines were implemented at Fort Bragg to prevent the spread of coronavirus , and some classes were shifted online .
Portions of classes that could not be taught online were closely monitored .
Students taking the survival course were tested prior to training and received daily welfare checks .
“ The health and wellness of our students and staff is our top priority , ” said Maj. Gen. Patrick Roberson .
“ We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students and their families .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Hong Kong police make first arrests under new security law

Hong Kong police made the first arrests Wednesday under a new national security law imposed by China ’ s central government , as thousands of people defied tear gas and pepper pellets to protest against the contentious move on the anniversary of the former British colony ’ s handover to Chinese rule .
Police said 10 people were arrested under the law , including a man with a Hong Kong independence flag and a woman holding a sign displaying the British flag and calling for Hong Kong ’ s independence — all violations of the law that took effect Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items advocating independence .
Hong Kong police said on Facebook that they arrested some 370 people on various charges , including unlawful assembly , possession of weapons and violating the new law , which was imposed in a move seen as Beijing ’ s boldest step yet to erase the legal firewall between the semi-autonomous territory and the mainland ’ s authoritarian Communist Party system .
The law , imposed following anti-government protests in Hong Kong last year , makes secessionist , subversive , or terrorist activities illegal , as well as foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affairs .
Any person taking part in activities such as shouting slogans or holding up banners and flags calling for the city ’ s independence is violating the law regardless of whether violence is used .
The most serious offenders , such as those deemed to be masterminds behind these activities , could receive a maximum punishment of life imprisonment .
Lesser offenders could receive jail terms of up to three years , short-term detention or restriction .
Wednesday ’ s arrests came as thousands took to the streets on the 23rd anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong to China in 1997 .
For the first time , police banned this year ’ s annual march .
Protesters shouted slogans , lambasted police and held up signs condemning the Chinese government and the new security law .
Some protesters set fires in Hong Kong ’ s trendy shopping district , Causeway Bay , while others pulled bricks from sidewalks and scattered obstacles across roads in an attempt to obstruct traffic .
To disperse protesters , police shot pepper spray and pepper balls , as well as deployed water cannons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong ’ s leader strongly endorsed the new law in a speech marking the anniversary of the handover of the territory — officially called the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region .
“ The enactment of the national law is regarded as the most significant development in the relationship between the central authorities and the HKSAR since Hong Kong ’ s return to the motherland , ” chief executive Carrie Lam said in a speech , following a flag-raising ceremony and the playing of China ’ s national anthem .
“ It is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stability in Hong Kong , ” she said .
A pro-democracy political party , The League of Social Democrats , organized a protest march during the flag-raising ceremony .
About a dozen participants chanted slogans echoing demands from protesters last year for political reform and an investigation into accusations of police abuse .
The law ’ s passage Tuesday further blurs the distinction between the legal systems of Hong Kong , which maintained aspects of British law after the 1997 handover , and the mainland ’ s authoritarian Communist Party system .
Critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one country , two systems ” framework under which Hong Kong was promised a high degree of autonomy .
Britain ’ s foreign secretary , Dominic Raab , told reporters Wednesday the law “ is a clear and serious violation ” of the Sino-British Joint Declaration , the agreement that paved the way for the former British colony ’ s handover to Chinese rule .
The law directly targets some of the actions of anti-government protesters last year , which included attacks on government offices and police stations , damage to subway stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s international airport .
Acts of vandalism against government facilities or public transit can be prosecuted as subversion or terrorism .
Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo said in a news conference that the security legislation does not follow the rule of law and is a dire warning to the free press .
“ This would tell you that they want not just to get us , but to intimidate us into inaction , into a catatonic state , ” Mo said .
Hong Kong ’ s police force said they would consider any flag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong ’ s separation from China to be illegal as well as an expressions of support for independence for Tibet , Xinjiang or the self-governing island democracy of Taiwan that China claims as its own .
Police will use a new purple flag to warn protesters if they display banners or shout slogans that may constitute a crime under the law .
Concerns have also been raised over the fate of key opposition figures , some of whom have already been charged for taking part in protests , as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for September .
In Beijing , the executive deputy director of the Cabinet ’ s Hong Kong affairs office , Zhang Xiaoming , said Hong Kong people are allowed to criticize the ruling Communist Party but can not turn those complaints “ into actions.
” “ What happened recently in Hong Kong has shown a deviation from the right track of the ‘ one country , two systems ’ ( framework ) , ” Zhang told reporters Wednesday .
“ To some extent , we made this law in order to correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ‘ one-country.
’ ” Schools , social groups , media outlets , websites and others will be monitored and their national security awareness will be raised , according to the law , while the central government will have authority over the activities of foreign non-governmental organizations and media outlets in Hong Kong .
The law says central government bodies in Hong Kong will take over in “ complicated cases ” and when there is a serious threat to national security .
Local authorities are barred from interfering with central government bodies operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out their duties .
Security legislation was mandated under Hong Kong ’ s local constitution , but an earlier attempt to pass it in the city ’ s legislative body in 2003 was shelved because of massive public opposition .
Beijing finally decided to circumvent the Hong Kong legislature and have the law passed Tuesday by the Standing Committee of the National People ’ s Congress , China ’ s rubber-stamp parliament .
President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order putting the law into effect , and it has been added to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitution .
The law ’ s passage comes after Hong Kong ’ s legislature in early June approved a contentious bill making it illegal to insult the Chinese national anthem .
On Wednesday , Raab , the British foreign secretary , announced the UK would extend residency rights for up to 3 million Hong Kong residents eligible for British National Overseas passports to five years from the current six-month limit .
After five years , they could apply for settled status and then apply for citizenship 12 months later .
The U.S. is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the territory .
The Trump administration has also said it will bar defence exports to Hong Kong and will soon require licenses for the sale of items that have both civilian and military uses .
The U.S. Congress has also moved to impose sanctions on people deemed connected to political repression in Hong Kong , including police officials .
China has said it will impose visa restrictions on Americans it sees as interfering over Hong Kong .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced the threat of a visa ban as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take responsibility for its own choices “ and said the law ’ s adoption “ destroys the territory ’ s autonomy and one of China ’ s greatest achievements.
” Beijing ’ s “ paranoia and fear of its own people ’ s aspirations have led it to eviscerate the very foundation of the territory ’ s success , “ Pompeo said in a statement .
Taiwan on Wednesday opened an office to facilitate migration from Hong Kong .
AP video journalist Johnson Lai in Taipei and producer Wayne Zhang in Beijing contributed @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Outrage in Colombia over alleged soldier abuse of Indigenous

BOGOTA - Accusations that a group of soldiers sexually assaulted two young Indigenous girls in rural Colombia have sparked protests outside army bases and rekindled fears about the military ’ s human rights record , especially in parts of the country still recovering from decades of armed conflict .
“ The armed forces are supposed to be protecting us , and instead they have become a threat , ” said Kuiru Castro , whose ancestors from the Huitoto tribe suffered similar violence at the hands of rubber tappers in the 1920s .
In one case which came to light last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an army garrison in western Colombia acknowledged abducting an 11-year-old girl from the Embera tribe and sexually assaulting her .
The soldiers were arrested and are being held at a military base while the case is investigated , though Indigenous groups are demanding they be sent to jail .
On Monday , the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation , a Colombian think-tank , revealed details of an alleged second rape case that occurred last September in the southern Guaviare province .
According to the foundation , a group of soldiers from a local army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nukak Maku tribe and held her inside the base for five days , where she was repeatedly sexually assaulted .
A Colombian army general confirmed on Tuesday that six soldiers undertaking compulsory military service were involved in the incident as well as two officers , and that an investigation is underway as well as a probe led by local prosecutors .
No arrests have been made so far .
“ Soldiers took advantage of one of the most powerful institutions in Colombia to abuse some of the most vulnerable women in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of Human Rights Watch ’ s Americas division .
Colombian President Ivan Duque spoke about the first case last week and asked for life imprisonment for the soldiers who authorities say confessed to raping the 11-year-old Embera girl .
“ I will always be a defender of our armed forces , ” Duque said in a television address .
“ But we can not allow a few rotten apples to smear our reputation with that type of atrocity.
” Gimena Sanchez , Andes director of the Washington Office on Latin America think-tank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to stop these crimes .
“ There needs to be education and consciousness raising within the armed forces on how to treat and how to engage with ethnic minorities .
Not just with Indigenous but also Afro-Colombians , ” she said .
Colombia ’ s army has long been at loggerheads with Indigenous communities who have often attempted to keep armed groups like the military , leftist rebels and drug traffickers away from their territories .
The military has sometimes accused Indigenous leaders of trying to interfere with efforts to crack down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is a new low point in the relationship , ” Sanchez said .
Human Rights Watch said the assault cases are not isolated incidents , and that it has credible information of cases involving at least nine more victims from Indigenous tribes .
Some of these cases have occurred among Indigenous groups in Guaviare that only emerged from voluntary isolation in recent decades .
These groups are semi-nomadic and many of their members don ’ t speak Spanish which makes documenting cases more difficult , human rights workers in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guaviare have made authorities aware of at least two other incidents in which soldiers are suspected of sexually abusing young girls .
In one case , in 2018 , two drunken soldiers allegedly sexually abused two young girls in a school .
Last year , advocates learned of another case involving a soldier accused of offering a child under the age of 13 cash in exchange for sex .
In both cases soldiers were abruptly transferred to other areas but no charges filed .
Both incidents were verified by independent human rights investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world in recent years for signing a peace deal with the nation ’ s largest rebel group to end five decades of war that cost the lives of more than 260,000 people .
But smaller guerrilla groups continue to operate in the country and the military has been recently dogged by scandals .
Human rights advocates like Sanchez argue that the U.S. congress must do more to influence the behaviour of Colombia ’ s army .
Colombia is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid in the hemisphere and is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , to fight drug trafficking groups .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Report: Tourism to Latin America hammered by COVID

MIAMI - With the coronavirus keeping Americans at home during the summer , countries south of the U.S. border are bracing for an economic reckoning from a decline in tourism .
A new repor t Wednesday by the Inter-American Development Bank estimates that some of the most tourism-dependent economies in Latin America and the Caribbean could shrink by as much as 19 % as a result of fewer cruise ships , business travellers and student backpackers travelling to the region .
The Caribbean destinations of Aruba , Antigua and Barbuda , the Bahamas , St. Lucia and Dominica are among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
Even larger , more diversified economies depend on tourism for jobs and hard currency earnings .
For example , tourism accounted for about 16 % of Mexico ’ s economic output between 2014 and 2018 , according to the IDB .
The expected economic shock is unprecedented .
While tourism arrivals to the region contracted by as much as about 4 % during the global financial crisis , the near-complete shutdown of both air travel and cruise ship activity beginning in March from the global pandemic could lead to declines of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the report .
“ The COVID-19 shock to tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean represents an unprecedented extreme outlier event , ” conclude the report ’ s authors .
“ Government interventions to support the sector and their citizens must be equally unparalleled .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Retired pope’s elder brother, Georg Ratzinger, dies at 96

BERLIN - The Rev .
Georg Ratzinger , the older brother of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI who earned renown in his own right as a director of an acclaimed German boys ’ choir , has died .
He was 96 .
The Regensburg diocese in Bavaria , where Ratzinger lived , said that he died Wednesday .
His death came just over a week after Benedict made a four-day visit to Regensburg to be with his ailing brother .
Ordained on the same day as his brother , Ratzinger proved to be a talented musician and went on oversee the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world by the Regensburger Domspatzen , a storied choir that traces its history back to the 10th century .
But his reputation was tarnished as he apologized for using corporal punishment to discipline boys amid a wider investigation into sexual and physical abuse in the Church .
He remained extremely close to his brother throughout his career , expressing dismay when Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope that the stress would affect his health and that they would no longer spend so much time together .
The pope had his quarters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment for his brother , who travelled frequently from his home in the Bavarian city of Regensburg to Rome .
Elected to the papacy in 2005 , Benedict stepped down in 2013 and was succeeded by current Pope Francis .
The two came from a religious Catholic family , the sons of police officer Josef and Maria Ratzinger , and great nephews of the German politician Georg Ratzinger , a priest and social reformer who was a member of the Bavarian and Federal parliament .
Born Jan. 15 , 1924 in the Bavarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an early talent for music , playing the church organ at age 11 .
The family eventually settled outside nearby Traunstein in 1937 , where he and his brother joined the seminary .
During World War II , Ratzinger told The Associated Press in an interview that he remembered huddling with the blinds drawn with his younger brother and father listening to Allied radio broadcasts , because their father wanted them to know the truth about the Nazi regime .
Though the Ratzinger family was anti-Nazi , Georg Ratzinger was enrolled into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book , “ Salt of the Earth , ” Benedict remarked on the time and his own subsequent enrolment at age 14 .
Official details of the boys ’ Hitler Youth days no longer exist , as all of the organization ’ s archives for the area were burned ahead of the American advance at the end of the war .
In 1942 , Ratzinger was drafted into a federal labour force , and the same fall entered the regular German armed forces as a radio operator in a signals unit .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Czechoslovakia , Ratzinger was sent in 1944 to Italy where he was wounded in fighting .
He was captured by U.S. forces and spent the rest of the war as a POW , returning to Traunstein in July 1945 — a day the then-Joseph Ratzinger recalled in his memoir “ Milestones , ” remembering that the family had no idea if Georg were alive or dead .
“ A quiet worry hung over our house ... ” he wrote .
“ Suddenly , on a hot July day , we steps were audible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so long was again standing in our midst , tanned from the Italian sun .
Then he sat down at the piano , thankful and relieved , and intoned ‘ Holy God We Praise Thy Name.
’ ” Following the war , the brothers entered the seminary of the archdiocese of Munich and Freising to study for the priesthood .
They were ordained together on June 29 , 1951 , in the Cathedral at Freising on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul .
After working his way up as priest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of St. Peters Cathedral in Regensburg in 1964 , becoming the conductor of the famed cathedral choir , the Regensburger Domspatzen .
As head of this world-renowned choir , whose name means “ Cathedral Sparrows , ” Ratzinger helped build its reputation around the world , running tours that included trips to the Vatican , the United States , Canada , Poland and Japan and performances for Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II .
But well after his retirement from the post , revelations of sexual and physical abuse at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ratzinger apologized for using corporal punishment to discipline boys in the choir , saying he was aware of allegations of physical abuse at an elementary school linked to the choir but did nothing about it .
“ At the beginning I also repeatedly administered a slap in the face , but always had a bad conscience about it , ” Ratzinger told the Passauer Neue Presse , adding that he was happy when corporal punishment was made illegal in 1980 .
“ Of course , today one condemns such actions ; I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , I ask the victims for pardon.
” He claimed he was completely unaware of allegations of sexual abuse , which he said dated from before his tenure as choir director .
“ These things were never discussed , ” Ratzinger said .
“ The problem of sexual abuse that has now come to light was never spoken of.
” His relationship with his brother always played a special role in his life .
Ratzinger once lamented in an interview that his brother ’ s role as pope would mean “ family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and acknowledged that he “ had hoped that the cup would pass him by.
” Still , Georg travelled to the Vatican for his brother ’ s installation , and was given a prominent seat on the basilica esplanade .
While visiting the pope in August 2005 , Ratzinger was hospitalized in Rome because of an irregular heartbeat and had a pacemaker implanted .
Benedict visited him while he was in the hospital .
In October of that year , the brothers got together again .
“ Sanctus , “ a piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vatican concert for the pope and sung by the Domspatzen , while both brothers watched on together .
As Ratzinger ’ s health failed , his brother came to Regensburg in mid-June to visit with him .
Benedict ’ s trip to Germany was his first trip outside Italy in over seven years .
Benedict greeted old neighbours and prayed at his parents ’ grave .
He stayed at a seminary during his trip , visiting his brother twice a day .
Ratzinger ’ s only close living relative is Benedict .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was no immediate word on funeral arrangements , but the diocese said it wasn ’ t likely Benedict would be able to make the trip from Italy .
A previous version of this story was corrected to show that the diocese amended the day of Ratzinger ’ s death to Wednesday , not Tuesday .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Maine, Vermont next in fight over aid to religious schools

PORTLAND , Maine - A U.S. Supreme Court decision that says states can ’ t cut religious schools out of programs that send public money to private education could breathe new life into efforts to force Maine and Vermont to help fund religious educations .
A lawsuit by three families in Maine who want the state to pay for for religious school tuition is already pending in the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston .
A separate case in Vermont that would allow students from religious schools to participate in a program where high school students could take college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York .
Tim Keller of Institute for Justice in Virginia , which is representing the Maine families , said the 1st Circuit judges were skeptical during arguments but he said the Supreme Court ruling Tuesday in a Montana case changes things .
The plaintiffs made a new filing late Tuesday to reference the Montana decision that says states that subsidize private education can not exclude religious private schools , Keller said in an email .
The Maine Department of Education currently allows families who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools to receive tuition to attend a public or private school , as long as it ’ s not a parochial school .
“ Excluding religious schools from the array of options open to Maine parents who receiving the tuition benefit , simply because they are religious schools , is now clearly unconstitutional , ” Keller wrote .
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said the cases are different and that he expects the state to prevail .
The Montana case focuses on its constitution broadly barring government aid to schools operated by religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the same , he said .
“ We remain confident that the First Circuit will uphold Maine ’ s restriction against sectarian schools receiving public funds , “ he said .
Vermont has a long history of using public money to pay for high school educations at private schools for students who live in towns that don ’ t have their own high schools .
But the state Supreme Court ruled in 1999 that public money can not be used for religious schools .
Last year , the group Alliance Defending Freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education Agency on behalf of a number of students from the Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington saying they wished to take college classes under Vermont ’ s Dual Enrollment program , but were excluded because they attend a Catholic high school .
Last month , U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss denied the students a preliminary injunction .
Earlier this month , the students filed their notice of appeal with the 2nd Circuit .
“ In Vermont you have this dual enrolment program that pretty much everybody is eligible for , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school then you are almost universally excluded from it , ” Alliance Attorney John Bursch said Tuesday .
“ So it suffers from the same religious discrimination that was at issue in ( the Montana case ) .
” The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in a dispute over a Montana scholarship program for private K-12 education that also makes donors eligible for state tax credits .
The 5-4 decision overturned a state supreme court ruling that the tax credit violated the Montana constitution ’ s ban on state aid to religious schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the decision in Vermont could go beyond the dual enrolment issues in the current case he is involved in .
“ The U.S. Supreme Court emphatically rejected that and said you are discriminating against religious schools and families who attend religious schools based on their status as religion , ” he said .
Ted Fisher , a spokesman for the Vermont Education Agency , said Tuesday the state had not reviewed the Supreme Court ruling “ or to evaluate its applicability to Vermont .
”

David Sharp And Wilson Ring - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Boston’s famous Faneuil Hall Marketplace is reopening

BOSTON - Faneuil Hall Marketplace , one of Boston ’ s most popular tourist destinations , reopened to the public Wednesday with a pair of special performances by the facility ’ s favourite street musicians .
The market , which includes several buildings of retail outlets and restaurants and lined with cobblestone walkways , was closed in March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Guitarist and singer Ryan LaPerle is scheduled to perform in the South Market and Violin Viiv is expected to perform in the West End of the Marketplace , according to a statement from management .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its large variety of food options to satisfy any taste , and dozens of pushcart merchants selling gifts , souvenirs , T-shirts and other items .
Elected leaders in the small town of North Brookfield have postponed a July 4 celebration because of what it called “ hypocritical ” and “ unconstitutional “ opposition from the town ’ s Board of Health over coronavirus concerns .
The three-member Board of Selectmen planned the Independence Day celebration — which included a parade , events for children and a nighttime laser show — after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the town of fewer than 5,000 residents .
The selectmen in a statement Tuesday said they expected about 250 town residents to attend , but the media attention created by the three-member health board ’ s opposition created the potential for thousands of attendees , making social distancing impossible on the 4.2-acre town common .
“ For overtly hypocritical and purely political reasons , the BOH opposed this small event as a serious public health threat , “ the selectmen said .
Despite a statewide ban on large gatherings because of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under an exemption for political expression .
“ The Board of Selectmen are cognizant of the incendiary times in which we are living and unlike the members of the Board of Health who seem arbitrarily concerned with public health only when it fits their political ideology , we will not expose our residents to the public health and public safety risks artificially created by the BOH ’ s unconstitutional silencing of the free expression of their neighbours , “ the statement said .
Sixteen people in town have tested positive for COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--NYC delays resumption of indoor dining at restaurants

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday that he was delaying the planned resumption of indoor dining at restaurants in the city out of fear it would cause a spike in coronavirus infections .
The mayor , a Democrat , said he was concerned that if the city welcomed diners back into the enclosed spaces of its restaurants , it might experience the same surge in illness now being seen in other states .
“ Honestly , even a week ago , honestly , I was hopeful we could .
But the news we have gotten from around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time.
” Outdoor dining at restaurants , which started about two weeks ago , can continue , de Blasio said .
He said 6,600 restaurants in the city have applied for permits to serve patrons outdoors and he expects more to follow suit .
“ Outdoor dining unquestionably has been abgreat hit , ” de Blasio said .
“ And I think the bottom line is that outdoors is working , period .
This is one of the things we ’ ve learned .
Outdoors is where we need to be to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we fight back this disease.
” New York City is in the second phase of its reopening plan and is expected to get approval from Gov .
Andrew Cuomo to go to a third phase on July 6 .
Under the current rules , large gatherings of people are still banned , but retail stores have been allowed to welcome customers back inside and offices have reopened to workers with some social distancing rules in place .
Rates of infection and hospitalizations for COVID-19 have been declining in New York since the peak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen increases in new cases in recent weeks .
Both de Blasio and Cuomo have faulted states in the South and West for relaxing coronavirus restrictions too quickly .
“ We know a lot of other parts of the country very sadly made decisions based on something other than the data , ” de Blasio said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--France freezes role in NATO naval force amid Turkey tensions

PARIS - France announced Wednesday that it is suspending its involvement in a NATO naval operation in the Mediterranean Sea after a standoff with a Turkish warship , amid growing tensions within the military alliance over the conflict in Libya .
France ’ s Defence Ministry said that the government sent a letter Tuesday to NATO saying it is halting its participation in Sea Guardian “ temporarily.
” It came after NATO investigators submitted their report into the June 10 incident .
A ministry official said France wants NATO allies to “ solemnly reaffirm their attachment ” to the arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policed in part by a European Union naval operation .
The official was speaking on condition of anonymity under the government ’ s customary practices .
France has accused Turkey of repeated violations of the U.N. arms embargo on Libya and branded the Turkish government as an obstacle to securing a ceasefire in the North African nation , which Turkey firmly denies .
France is also calling for a crisis mechanism to prevent a repeat of the incident between Turkish warships and a French naval vessel in the Mediterranean .
France says its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three times by Turkish naval targeting radar when it tried to approach a Tanzanian-flagged civilian ship suspected of involvement in arms trafficking .
The ship was being escorted by three Turkish warships .
The Courbet backed off after the confrontation .
At the time , the French frigate was part of the Sea Guardian mission , which is helping to provide maritime security in the Mediterranean .
France said it was acting based on NATO information and that under the alliance ’ s rules of engagement such conduct is considered a hostile act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Turkey ’ s ambassador to France was questioned in the French Senate on Wednesday and defended Turkey ’ s actions as peaceful and crucial to restoring stability to Libya .
Ambassador Ismail Hakki Musa said he thinks NATO has completed its investigation and that the findings were inconclusive .
NATO confirmed only that investigators had submitted their report but said it was “ classified ” and declined to say what conclusions , if any , had been drawn .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the incident as a “ very serious.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that such incidents aren ’ t repeated among NATO allies , ” Merkel said Wednesday during a question-and-answer session in the German parliament .
Merkel met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday ; Turkey ’ s foreign minister is expected to visit Berlin on Thursday .
Turkey has angered its NATO partners over the last year with its invasion of northern Syria and insistence on buying Russian-made missiles .
At least eight NATO allies have backed France over the naval standoff , according to French officials .
Libya has been in turmoil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toppled leader Moammar Gadhafi , who was later killed .
The country has since been split between rival administrations in the east and the west , each backed by armed groups and different foreign governments .
The government in Tripoli led by Fayez Sarraj is backed not just by Turkey , which sent troops and mercenaries to protect the capital in January , but also Italy and Qatar .
Rival forces under the command of Khalifa Hifter , who launched an offensive on Tripoli last year , are supported by Russia , Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key Arab countries .
France has helped Hifter in the past .
Earlier Wednesday , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his country ’ s support to the Tripoli-based administration in Libya and without naming France , criticized nations who have backed the rival administration led by Hifter .
“ We are following with concern those who , when it comes to words , champion democracy , human rights and laws , but take putschists under their wings , ” Erdogan said , in reference to Hifter .
“ Turkey won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mercy of putschists and will continue to act within the limits of international legality.
” Macron on Monday condemned Turkey ’ s actions in Libya as “ unacceptable , “ and said that Ankara “ doesn ’ t respect any of its commitments.
” He denied backing Hifter and said that France is in favour of finding a “ political solution.
” The French ministry official described the decision to suspend participation in Sea Guardian as “ a very clear political gesture ” to highlight “ ambiguities of an anti-trafficking operation in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a NATO maritime security operation , one of its activities being to control trafficking ” and at the same time “ a member who is trafficking , ” he said .
Lorne Cook reported from Brussels .
Angela Charlton in Paris , Geir Moulson in Berlin , and Suzan Fraser in Ankara , Turkey , contributed to this report .

Sylvie Corbet And Lorne Cook - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Video of neighbourhood dispute spurs anti-racism protest

MONTCLAIR , N.J. - A dispute between neighbours over work being done at a northern New Jersey home this week sparked a brief anti-racism protest march after video of the confrontation was posted on social media .
The dispute began around noon Monday , according to a Black couple who said in a video shared on Facebook that a white woman confronted them about whether they had obtained a permit to build a stone patio in the backyard of their Montclair , New Jersey , home .
As the argument continued , the woman accuses her male neighbour of pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife can be heard off-screen denying .
Several neighbours soon arrived to watch the commotion .
The woman refused the couple ’ s request to leave the area and called Montclair police , who arrived on scene a short time later .
The confrontation eventually concluded without further incident , and authorities said Wednesday that no complaints have been filed by anyone involved in the dispute .
Video of the dispute was then circulated on Facebook , and the poster claimed the woman called police because the couple was Black .
The poster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them for two years .
On Tuesday , about two dozen people — many of them white — gathered at the scene to stage a brief , peaceful protest march and denounce racism .
A phone number for the woman seen in the video could not be located Wednesday , while the couple did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Egypt high court upholds death sentence for former monk

CAIRO - Egypt ’ s highest court Wednesday upheld a death sentence for a former monk convicted of killing an abbot in a desert monastery north of Cairo in 2018 .
The Court of Cassation also reduced a death sentence against another former monk to life in prison .
The two were convicted of killing Bishop Anba Epiphanius , an abbot at St. Macarius Monastery , during the night of July 29 , 2018 .
Both monks were defrocked by the Coptic Orthodox pope , Tawadros II , after the killing .
The two were close friends who led a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abbot ’ s authority , authorities said .
The Damanhur Criminal Court , north of Cairo , sentenced the two to death last year .
The defendants appealed the ruling .
Wednesday ’ s ruling by the Court of Cassation is final .
The abbot ’ s shocking death shook Egypt ’ s Coptic Orthodox Church , one of the oldest in the world and the one that gave monasticism to the faith .
The Coptic church recruits its patriarch and bishops from the monasteries , and some monks are sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad .
Following Epiphanius ’ death , the church took measures aimed at instilling discipline into monastic life .
Among them was a halt in admitting novices to monasteries nationwide for a year .
Orthodox monasteries can be found across Egypt , but those located in remote desert areas , like St. Macarius , have traditionally enjoyed an elevated status because they revived the ascetic traditions of early monasticism .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Death Cafes help ease grief, loss in the time of coronavirus

NEW YORK - Panic attacks , trouble breathing , relapses that have sent her to bed for 14 hours at a time : At 35 , Marissa Oliver has been forced to deal with the spectre of death on COVID-19 ’ s terms , yet conversations about her illness , fear and anxiety haven ’ t been easy .
That ’ s why she headed onto Zoom to attend a Death Cafe , a gathering of strangers willing to explore mortality and its impact on the living , preferably while sipping tea and eating cake .
“ In the Death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Oliver , who was diagnosed with the virus in March .
“ Now , I ’ m writing down everything in my life that I want to achieve.
” Death Cafes , part of a broader “ death-positive ” movement to encourage more open discussion about grief , trauma and loss , are held around the world , in nearly 100 countries .
While many haven ’ t migrated online in the pandemic , others have .
The global virus toll and the social isolation it has extracted have opened old , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual Death Cafes are coping with fresh losses from COVID-19 , cancer and other illness .
Still more bring metaphorical death to the circles : The end of friendships , shattered romances or chronic illness , as Oliver has endured .
At one recent virtual Death Cafe , a 33-year-old man spoke of refusing to pack up his wife ’ s belongings six months after her death from cancer .
A woman who underwent a heart transplant 31 years ago described her peace with the decision not to have another , as her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington , D.C. , the pandemic has intensified memories of her 11 years of sexual abuse as a child , her father ’ s drug and alcohol abuse , and his death about six years ago .
She said sharing and listening to the stories of others in Death Cafes have helped .
“ I feel just really so at peace and relieved when I ’ m in circles where folks are talking about real things in life and not trying to move away from the uncomfortable , ” Carl told a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been on a couple of Zoom calls with close friends who aren ’ t worried about talking about difficult things most of the time but then when COVID ’ S come up it ’ s like , ` Oh well , we ’ re partying right now .
Let ’ s not talk about that , ’ and that just triggers me so much.
” Inspired by Swiss sociologist and anthropologist Bernard Crettaz , who organized his first “ cafe mortel ” in 2004 , the late British web developer Jon Underwood honed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cafe in his London home in 2011 .
The idea spread quickly and the meetups in restaurants and cafes , homes and parks now span Europe and North America , reaching into Australia , the Caribbean and Japan .
Underwood died suddenly as a result of undiagnosed leukemia in 2017 , but his wife and other relatives have carried on .
They maintain a website , Deathcafe.com , where hosts post their gatherings .
One important difference between Death Cafes and traditional support and bereavement groups is the range of stories .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach the room with levity rather than stern seriousness , and extraordinary diversity : a mix of races , genders and ages , from people in the moment with terminal loved ones to those who have lost classmates or relatives to suicide .
Death Cafes aren ’ t intended to “ fix ” problems and find solutions but to foster sharing as the road to support .
They ’ re generally kept to 30 or so , meet monthly and also include the “ death curious , ” people who aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the topic anyway .
Psychotherapist Nancy Gershman , who specializes in grief and loss , has been hosting Death Cafes in New York since they made their way to the U.S. in 2013 .
“ Death Cafes are a place where strangers meet to talk about things regarding death and dying that they can ’ t bring anywhere else , that they can ’ t bring home or to co-workers or to best friends , ” she said .
Registered nurse Nicole Heidbreder is a birth and end-of-life doula .
She also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosting Death Cafes in Washington , D.C. , for about five years .
“ I was working as a full-time hospice nurse and I very quickly recognized how many families I was sitting with whom this was their very first time talking about the end of life .
I just felt it was such an absolute shame , ” Heidbreder said .
“ One of the parallels between birth and death is that a little more than 100 years ago in our country , all of us would have been very well versed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like , “ she said .
” We would have seen our family and neighbours do the tasks of tending to people who are giving birth or families who are losing someone .
And now we simply aren ’ t exposed to that.
” Heidbreder said the coronavirus has changed the conversation yet again .
She said she shifted to offering the virtual cafes “ on a weekly basis at the time of peak COVID in the country.
” She now hosts people not just in the D.C. area , as she did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from California to North Carolina .
More health care workers have shown up , too .
J. Dana Trent is a professor of world religions at Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh , North Carolina .
She served as a hospital chaplain in a death ward at age 25 after graduating from divinity school , assisting in 200 deaths in a year .
The ordained Southern Baptist minister used her experiences in the hospital for a 2019 book , “ Dessert First : Preparing for Death While Savoring Life , ” which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death ” can be achieved .
“ COVID has certainly brought death to the forefront .
It has brought the death-positive movement to the forefront , but we ’ re still scared , ” Trent said .
“ What I ’ m grateful for is that COVID has awakened society to the possibility of death .
None of us is getting out of here alive.
” Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .
Follow Leanne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Emily Leshner at https : twitter.com/leshnerd

Leanne Italie And Emily Leshner - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Germany disbands elite army unit over extremism concerns

BERLIN - Germany ’ s defence minister disbanded a company of special forces on Wednesday saying a culture of right-wing extremism had been allowed to develop behind a “ wall of secrecy.
” Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer told reporters that “ toxic leadership ” in the company was found to have fostered an extreme right attitude among some members of the Kommando Spezialkraefte , or KSK , unit .
Some of the 70 soldiers in the unit will be distributed among the KSK ’ s other three combat companies , while “ those who made clear they are part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution must leave the KSK , “ she said .
The entire organization ’ s training and deployments are being scaled back as the investigation into extremism continues , and reforms are implemented .
It comes at a time of broader concerns that Germany has not done enough to tackle right-wing extremism within its Bundeswehr military in general .
Kramp-Karrenbauer emphasized , however , that she felt reform was the right course rather than the dissolution of the entire unit , saying “ we need the KSK .
“ The vast majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in the Bundeswehr as a whole are loyal to our constitution , with no ifs or buts , ” she said .
The KSK was formed as an army unit in 1996 with a focus on anti-terrorism operations and hostage rescues from hostile areas .
It has served in Afghanistan and the Balkans and its operations are kept secret .
Military investigators have been looking into the unit since a group of public German broadcasters reported in 2017 that at a going-away party , members displayed the Hitler salute , listened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game that involved tossing a pig ’ s head .
In January , the military reported 20 soldiers are under suspicion of being right-wing extremists .
In May , the head of the unit , Brig .
Gen. Markus Kreitmayr , told soldiers that he wouldn ’ t tolerate extremism in the ranks .
That month , Kramp-Karrenbauer established an independent commission to investigate the KSK and propose reforms , after a cache of weapons , explosives and munitions were found at one of the suspected extremist ’ s homes in Saxony which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to the problem .
She said the investigation has revealed “ grave deficiencies ” in the unit ’ s record keeping and that there were many missing items , including ammunition and explosives .
It was not clear whether the munitions were used , left behind after deployments , or pilfered , she said .
“ We can not rule any of these out and are not , ” she said .
A general inventory has been ordered , to include all KSK equipment and supplies .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Former Walmart building in Juneau for sale at reduced price

JUNEAU , Alaska - A former Walmart Inc. store that has been vacant since 2016 is for sale in Alaska at a significantly reduced price .
The asking price for the building in Juneau is $ 6 million , about $ 2.3 million below the value placed on the property by the city assessor ’ s office , KTOO-FM reported Monday .
The assessor ’ s office values the building in the Lemon Creek area at $ 8,262,800 .
City and state records identify the owner through a limited liability corporation as Alex Kim of Anchorage .
Angie Nolan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unlimited Realty , said the owner is private and will not comment .
Walmart remodeled the building before its opening as part of the retail chain in 2008 .
“ The property is still in excellent condition , ” Nolan said .
“ I think one of the myths is with the property being vacant , I ’ ve heard rumours of it being mouldy and having a lot of disrepair , and that ’ s not the case at all.
” The asking price was set so the property would be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been inquiries from businesses in the cannabis industry , but marijuana is forbidden under a noxious-use restriction , Nolan said .
The condition was part of Walmart ’ s sale of the property to her client and remains in place until June 2025 , Nolan said .
Juneau City Manager Rorie Watt last year pitched a $ 27 million concept for a new city hall on top of the Downtown Transit Center parking garage .
The old Walmart would be nearly three times bigger and much cheaper , at about 8 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The city does not have a municipal use for a property the size of the former Walmart that was built for large retail , Watt said .
“ It seems like this property should stay in private ownership , ” Watt said in an email Monday .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Energy surplus and wet weather lower Juneau electric bills

JUNEAU , Alaska - Alaska Electric Light and Power customers are expected to experience lower electric bills as a result of surplus energy and a rainy June .
The company ’ s cost of power adjustment is scheduled to lower the current rate beginning Wednesday , The Juneau Empire reported .
Wet weather raised low reservoirs back to normal levels , while a decrease in the number of cruise ships using Juneau ’ s harbour will not cause an increase in price for customers in the city , said Debbie Driscoll , Alaska Electric Light and Power vice-president of consumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our reservoirs are in good condition .
Without the cruise ships , we have surplus energy , “ Driscoll said .
Money paid by interruptible customers , such as mines and cruise ships , when there are favourable water levels and weather conditions helps offset costs for regular customers , the company said .
The area ’ s mines and cruise ships moored to Juneau ’ s pier are typically the largest customers of consumable power , but mines have handled the excess supply created by a lack of cruise ships , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancelled their regular summer tour seasons in response to the coronavirus .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Seattle cops clear ‘occupied’ zone, more than 20 arrested

Seattle police showed up in force early Wednesday at the city ’ s “ occupied ” protest zone , tore down demonstrators ’ tents and used bicycles to herd the protesters after the mayor ordered the area cleared following two fatal shootings in less than two weeks .
Television images showed no signs of clashes between the police , many dressed in riot gear , and dozens of protesters at the “ Capitol Hill Occupied Protest ” zone that was set up near downtown following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Police swarmed the zone known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loud bang was heard at about 6:15 a.m. followed by a cloud of smoke .
At least 23 people were arrested , said Police Chief Carmen Best .
“ Our job is to support peaceful demonstration but what has happened on these streets over the last two weeks is lawless and it ’ s brutal and bottom line it is simply unacceptable , ” Best told reporters .
Police tore down fences that protesters had erected around their tents and used batons to poke inside bushes , apparently looking for people who might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a sign saying “ we are not leaving until our demands are met : 1 .
Defund SPD by 50 % now .
2 .
Fund Black Communities .
3 .
Free all protesters.
“ Most protesters appeared to have dispersed several hours after the operations started and armed officers looked on from rooftops as clean-up crews of workers arrived to break down tables and tarps that protesters had set up in the zone .
Officers were investigating several vehicles circling the area after police saw people inside them “ with firearms/armour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that the vehicles did not appear to have “ visible license plates.
” The protesters had occupied several blocks around a park for about two weeks and police abandoned a precinct station following standoffs and clashes with the protesters , who called for racial justice and an end to police brutality .
Police said they moved in to protect the public after Mayor Jenny Durkan issued the order for protesters to leave .
“ Since demonstrations at the East Precinct area began on June 8th , two teenagers have been killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late-night shootings , “ Seattle police said on Twitter .
” Police have also documented robberies , assaults , and other violent crimes .
The tweet added that “ suspects in recent shootings may still be in the area , and because numerous people in the area are in possession of firearms.
” Best said she supports peaceful demonstrations but that “ enough is enough.
” “ The CHOP has become lawless and brutal .
Four shootings–-two fatal—robberies , assaults , violence and countless property crimes have occurred in this several block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been mounting calls by critics , including President Donald Trump , to remove protesters following the fatal shootings .
Protesters have said they should not be blamed for the violence in the area .

Martha Bellisle And Lisa Baumann - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--UK firms slash jobs to cope with outbreak’s long term impact

LONDON - Companies linked to hospitality , travel and retail in Britain have announced thousands of more job cuts as the longer term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic take hold , choosing to slim down for survival rather than await potential government handouts .
The owner of sandwich and coffee shop chain Upper Crust was the latest business that caters to travellers to announce cuts Wednesday .
Some 5,000 jobs are under threat as travellers stay home amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
It comes only a day after Airbus cut 15,000 jobs , including 1,700 in the U.K. Budget airline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third of its staff , or 4,500 jobs in all .
Retail is also taking a huge hit .
Even stalwarts such as British shopping icon Harrods reportedly drew plans for 700 cuts , blamed in part on a lack of tourists .
The Guardian newspaper reported that Harrods boss Michael Ward told staff in a memo that “ devastation in international travel has meant we have lost key customers coming to our store.
’ ’ Around 600 workers will lose their jobs at TM Lewin after the shirtmaker said it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewis Partnership warned about store closures and the Topshop empire also revealed redundancy plans for 500 management jobs .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson sidestepped pressure for more direct support to hard-hit industries during question time in the House of Commons on Wednesday , noting that government programs have offered a lifeline to some 11 million workers .
He ’ s putting his money going forward on a public works extravaganza that he ’ s likened to Franklin D. Roosevelt ’ s New Deal .
“ We ’ re going to build , build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , jobs for the people of this country , ’ ’ he said .
That ’ s not helping hard hit sectors such as aviation though .
The sector has been pressing for a bespoke solution .
In the meantime , there have been cuts and promises of more .
EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said job losses and the potential closure of three bases in the U.K. could not be avoided given the near- halt of air travel globally .
Change was necessary for survival .
“ These are very difficult proposals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and difficult time for the airline and the industry as a whole , ’ ’ he said .
“ We are focused on doing what is right for the company and its long term health and success so we can protect jobs going forward.
’ ’ The collapse of travel is also having further ripples into the economy .
BP and Shell have both taken multibillion-dollar write-downs on the value of their assets , warning investors that it will take a long time for the economy to recover after the pandemic .
SSP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business in 30 countries , including the U.S. , India and China , is only making cuts in its UK business .
CEO Simon Smith said that in the U.K. , “ the pace of the recovery continues to be slow , ’ ’ and action needed to be taken .
Unions are alarmed at the waves of promised redundancies , arguing that the government ’ s furlough program is not enough to keep people in work for the long term .
Mick Lynch , assistant general secretary at rail union RMT , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ “ Support services across the rail industry are facing a real crisis in the months ahead which will hammer both the workforce and those who rely on their facilities if the government doesn ’ t intervene as the lockdown eases , ’ ’ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Museum or mosque? Turkey debates iconic Hagia Sofia’s status

ISTANBUL - In its more than 1,400-year existence , the majestic domed structure of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul has served as the Byzantine Empire ’ s main cathedral , a mosque under the Ottoman Empire and a museum under modern Turkey , attracting millions of tourists each year .
The 6th-century building is now at the centre of a heated debate between nationalist , conservative and religious groups who are pressing for it to be reconverted back into a mosque and those who believe the UNESCO World Heritage site should remain a museum , underscoring Istanbul ’ s status as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , Turkey ’ s Council of State , the country ’ s highest administrative court , begins reviewing a request by a group devoted to reverting Hagia Sophia into a mosque .
They are pressing to annul a 1934 decision by the Council of Ministers , led by secular Turkey ’ s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , that turned the historic structure into a museum .
A decision could come later Thursday or within two weeks , the state-run Anadolu Agency reported .
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , who leads an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly changing Hagia Sophia ’ s status to a mosque but has said his government would await the Council of State ’ s decision .
Analysts believe that Erdogan — a populist , polarizing leader who in nearly two decades in office has frequently blamed Turkey ’ s secular elites for the country ’ s problems — is using the Hagia Sophia debate to consolidate his conservative base and to distract attention from Turkey ’ s substantial economic woes .
“ This is not just a debate about a building , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Institute .
“ Ataturk established Hagia Sophia as a museum to underline his vision of secularizing Turkey .
And nearly 100 years later , Erdogan is trying to do the opposite.
” ” ( Erdogan ) feels the pressure of popular support dwindling and therefore he wants to use issues that he hopes will remobilize his right-wing base around nativist , populist , anti-elitist topics , ” said Cagaptay , author of the book “ Erdogan ’ s Empire.
” Built under Byzantine Emperor Justinian , Hagia Sophia was the main seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where emperors were crowned amidst ornate marble and mosaic decorations .
Four minarets were added to the terracotta-hued structure with cascading domes and the building was turned into an imperial mosque following the 1453 Ottoman conquest of Constantinople — the city that is now Istanbul .
The building opened its doors as a museum in 1935 , a year after the Council of Ministers ’ decision .
Islamist groups , however , regard the symbolic structure as a legacy of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror and strongly object to its status as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside Hagia Sophia on the May 31 anniversary of the city ’ s conquest to pray and demand that it be restored as a place of Muslim worship .
In the past few years , Turkey has been allowing readings from the Qur ’ an inside Hagia Sophia and Erdogan himself has recited prayers there .
This year , he oversaw by video conference the recital of the “ prayer of conquest ” on the anniversary of the Ottoman conquest .
On Tuesday , Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I , considered the spiritual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christians , noted that Hagia Sophia had served as a place of worship for Christians for 900 years and for Muslims for 500 years .
“ As a museum , Hagia Sophia can function as a place and symbol of encounter , dialogue and peaceful coexistence of peoples and cultures , mutual understand and solidarity between Christianity and Islam , ” he said .
Bartholomew added : “ the potential conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque will turn millions of Christians across the world against Islam.
” U.S. Secretary of State Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep Hagia Sophia as a museum to serve as “ an exemplar of its commitment to respect faith traditions and diverse history.
” He called on the government in Ankara to ensure the structure remains “ accessible to all.
” “ The United States views a change in the status of the Hagia Sophia as diminishing the legacy of this remarkable building and its unsurpassed ability—so rare in the modern world—to serve humanity as a much-needed bridge between those of differing faith traditions and cultures , ” Pompeo said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ change Hagia Sophia into a mosque , arguing that its designation as a historic monument must be maintained .
“ I hope that President Erdogan does not proceed with something that will deeply hurt Turkey , ” Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said .
“ This monument has endured many things and it will always return , but Turkey ’ s image will take a severe blow.
” Turkish media reports say the government was considering the possibility of keeping Hagia Sophia open to tourists even if it were turned into a mosque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Istanbul ’ s Blue Mosque , which sits right across from Hagia Sophia and functions both as a house of worship and a tourist spot .
Hurriyet and other media have reported that Hagia Sophia could be reconverted into a mosque by a public holiday on July 15 , when the country marks the fourth anniversary of the foiling of an attempted coup .
Cagaptay , the analyst said , the Hagia Sophia issue would likely have a “ temporary impact in keeping Erdogan ’ s base with him.
” “ ( But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth , I can ’ t see him winning elections as he did in the past , ” Cagaptay said .
Suzan Fraser reported from Ankara , Turkey .
Elena Becatoros in Athens and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed .

Suzan Fraser And Ayse Wieting - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Detroit man gets 3 life terms for LGBTQ shooting deaths

DETROIT - A 19-year-old Detroit man has been sentenced to three life terms in prison with no chance of parole for gunning down two gay men and a transgender woman who authorities believe were targeted because of their sexual orientation .
A Wayne County jury convicted Devon Kareem Robinson of first degree premeditated murder in March in the May 2019 killings of 21-year-old Alunte Davis , and 20-year-olds Timothy Blancher and Paris Cameron .
Robinson was also sentenced Tuesday to 10 to 20 years for each of two counts of assault with intent to murder and two years consecutively for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davis and Blancher were gay men and Cameron was a transgender woman .
Prosecutors and police believe they were targeted because of their sexual orientation .
The three victims were slain in the living room of a Detroit home following a house party attended by about 15 people .
Robinson is also accused of shooting and wounding two other people inside the house .
A survivor testified in November that Robinson fired so many bullets that the victims ’ blood seeped through the walls .
“ The defendant ’ s actions were disturbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement .
“ We will continue to be vigilant in our fight to eradicate hate in Wayne County and beyond , ” she said .
Robinson ’ s attorney , Evan Callanan Jr. , said during a November hearing that there was no evidence against his client , calling prosecutors ’ allegations “ a fanciful theory .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Trump, top officials defend response to Russia bounty threat

WASHINGTON - Criticized for inaction , President Donald Trump and top officials on Wednesday stepped up their defence of the administration ’ s response to intelligence assessments that Russia offered bounties for killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan .
Trump ’ s national security adviser said he had prepared a list of retaliatory options if the intelligence proved true .
Trump , meanwhile , called the assessments a “ hoax ” and insisted anew he hadn ’ t been briefed on them because the intelligence didn ’ t rise to his level .
However , National Security Adviser Robert O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did pursue the leads and briefed international allies .
“ We had options ready to go , ” O ’ Brien said on “ Fox and Friends.
” “ It may be impossible to get to the bottom of it.
” At a State Department news conference , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the situation was handled “ incredibly well ” to ensure the safety of U.S. troops .
“ We took this seriously , we handled it appropriately , ” Pompeo said , without giving additional details .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ every single day ” and each is addressed .
Pompeo added that Russian activity in Afghanistan is nothing new and that Russia is just one of many nations acting there .
He said that Congress has had similar information in the past , and that he often receives threat assessments that don ’ t rise to the level of a presidential briefing .
Trump is coming under increasing pressure from lawmakers of both parties to provide more answers about the intelligence and the U.S. response or lack of one .
Democrats who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday suggested he was bowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the risk of U.S. soldiers ’ lives .
The president has repeatedly said he wasn ’ t briefed on the assessments that Russia offered bounties because there wasn ’ t corroborating evidence .
Those assessments were first reported by The New York Times , then confirmed to The Associated Press by American intelligence officials and others with knowledge of the matter .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany pointed to an individual who she said made the decision not to brief Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CIA officer with more than 30 years of experience .
O ’ Brien said the person was a “ career CIA briefer.
” “ The national security adviser agreed with that decision , “ McEnany said .
” It was the right decision to make , and at this moment as I speak to you it is still unverified.
” Trump remained defensive about the intelligence in early morning tweets , dismissing stories about it as “ Fake News ” made up to “ damage me and the Republican Party.
” Later in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television interview that It was a hoax and “ we never heard about it ” because intelligence officials didn ’ t think it rose to that level .
“ The intelligence people , many of them didn ’ t believe it happened at all , “ Trump said on Fox Business .
O ’ Brien said the intelligence wasn ’ t brought to Trump ’ s attention initially because it was unverified and there was no consensus among the intelligence community .
But it ’ s rare for intelligence to be confirmed without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented to senior government decision-makers .
The national security adviser echoed the recent White House talking point faulting not Russia but government leakers and the media for making the matter public .
Senate Republicans appeared split on the matter , with several defending the president and saying that the Russian meddling wasn ’ t new .
Sen. Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania called for administration officials to address the entire Senate and answer questions .
He said he had reviewed classified documents regarding the potential bounties “ upon which recent news reports are based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions .
“ If it is concluded that Russia offered bounties to murder American soldiers , a firm American response is required in short order , ” Toomey said .
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley had similar words on the Senate floor , saying that if the reports are true , “ it demands a strong response , and I don ’ t mean a diplomatic response.
” House Democrats who were briefed at the White House on Tuesday questioned why Trump wouldn ’ t have been briefed sooner and pushed White House officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
They said the administration should brief all members of Congress .
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , one of the Democrats who attended the briefing , said it was “ inexplicable ” why Trump won ’ t say publicly that he is working to get to the bottom of the issue and why he won ’ t call out Putin .
He said Trump ’ s defence that he hadn ’ t been briefed was inexcusable .
“ Many of us do not understand his affinity for that autocratic ruler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schiff said .
Senate Republicans who received their own briefing largely defended the president , arguing along with the White House that the intelligence was unverified .
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson , chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee , said Trump “ can ’ t be made aware of every piece of unverified intelligence.
” Similarly , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he didn ’ t think Trump should be “ subjected to every rumour.
” Intelligence officials , including CIA Director Gina Haspel and Director of National Intelligence John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 8 — McConnell , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the top Republicans and Democrats on the two intelligence committees — in a classified meeting on Capitol Hill Thursday morning .
While Russian meddling in Afghanistan isn ’ t new , officials said Russian operatives had become more aggressive in their desire to contract with the Taliban and members of the Haqqani Network , a militant group aligned with the Taliban in Afghanistan and designated a foreign terrorist organization in 2012 .
The intelligence community has been investigating an April 2019 attack on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marines whenr a car rigged with explosives detonated near their armoured vehicles as they travelled back to Bagram Airfield , the largest U.S. military installation in Afghanistan , officials told the AP .
Three other U.S. service members were wounded in the attack , along with an Afghan contractor .
The Taliban claimed responsibility .
The officials the AP spoke to also said they were looking closely at insider attacks from 2019 to determine if they were linked to Russian bounties .
Intelligence officials told the AP that the White House first became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 — a year earlier than had been previously reported .
The assessments were included in one of Trump ’ s written daily briefings at the time , and then-National Security Adviser John Bolton had told colleagues he had briefed Trump on the matter .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller , Lisa Mascaro , Alan Fram , Matthew Daly and Deb Riechmann in Washington and Jonathan Lemire in Mystic , Connecticut , contributed to this report .

Mary Clare Jalonick, Matthew Lee And James Laporta - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--Stonewall Jackson removed from Richmond’s Monument Avenue

RICHMOND , Va. - Work crews wielding a giant crane , harnesses and power tools wrested an imposing statue of Gen. Stonewall Jackson from its concrete pedestal along Richmond , Virginia ’ s famed Monument Avenue on Wednesday , just hours after the mayor ordered the removal of all Confederate statues from city land .
Mayor Levar Stoney ’ s decree came weeks after Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam ordered the removal of the most prominent and imposing statue along the avenue : that of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee , which sits on state land .
The removal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resolution of several lawsuits .
The Jackson statue is the latest of several dozen Confederate symbols to be removed from public land in the U.S. in the five weeks since the death of George Floyd at the hands of police sparked a nationwide protest movement .
In most instances , state or local governments moved to take down monuments in response to impassioned demonstrators , but in a few cases —including several other Virginia Confederate statues — protesters toppled the figures themselves .
Also this week , Mississippi retired the last state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confederate battle emblem .
Confederate statues were erected decades after the Civil War , during the Jim Crow era , when states imposed new segregation laws , and during the “ Lost Cause ” movement , when historians and others tried to depict the South ’ s rebellion as a fight to defend states ’ rights , not slavery .
In Richmond , the first major monument — the Lee statue — was erected in 1890 .
Work crews spent several hours Wednesday carefully attaching a harness to the massive Stonewall Jackson statue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from its base .
A crowd of several hundred people who had gathered to watch cheered as a crane lifted the figure of the general atop his horse into the air and set it aside .
“ This is long overdue , ” said Brent Holmes , who is Black .
“ One down , many more to go.
“ Eli Swann , who has lived in Richmond for 24 years , said he felt “ an overwhelming sense of gratitude ” to witness the removal of the statue after he and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and others to be taken down .
He said that as a Black man , he found it offensive to have so many statues glorifying Confederate generals for “ fighting against us.
” “ I ’ ve been out here since Day 1 , ” Swann said .
“ We ’ ve been seeing the younger people out here , just coming and constantly marching and asking for change .
And now finally the change is coming about.
” Flatbed trucks and other equipment were spotted Wednesday at several other monuments as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen Confederate statues on municipal land , including one of Confederate Gen. J.E.B .
Stuart .
Mayor Stoney said it will take several days to remove them .
The mayor said he also is moving quickly because he is concerned that people could be hurt trying to take down the gigantic statues themselves .
In Portsmouth last month , a man was seriously injured when protesters tried to pull down a Confederate statue .
“ Failing to remove the statues now poses a severe , immediate and growing threat to public safety , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of demonstrators have held protests in the city for 33 consecutive days .
Stoney said the removal of the statues is “ long overdue ” and sends a message that the city of Richmond — the onetime capital of the Confederacy — is no longer a place with symbols of oppression and white supremacy .
“ Those statues stood high for over 100 years for a reason , and it was to intimidate and to show Black and brown people in this city who was in charge , “ Stoney said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city of Richmond , ” he said .
Stoney ’ s move came on the day a new state law took effect granting control of the monuments to the city .
The law outlines a removal process that would take at least 60 days to unfold .
But during a City Council meeting Wednesday morning , the mayor balked as the council scheduled a special meeting for Thursday to formally vote on a resolution calling for the immediate removal of the statues .
“ Today , I have the ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Stoney said .
“ I think we need to act today.
” Work crews arrived at the Jackson statue about an hour later .
This story has been edited to correct that the mayor has ordered all Confederate statues removed from city land , not all Confederate statues in the city ; and to clarify that there are several lawsuits pending against the Lee statue removal , not just two .

Denise Lavoie And Alan Suderman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-01--TV reporter, cameraman shot to death in northern Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA , Honduras - A television reporter and a cameraman were shot to death Wednesday in La Ceiba , a town on Honduras ’ northern Caribbean coast that has been wracked by gang violence in the past .
National police spokesman Jair Meza said reporter German Vallecillo Jr. and the cameraman/producer he was working with , Jorge Pozas , were on a street when two gunmen stopped in a vehicle and opened fire .
Meza said the motive for the attack was under investigation .
“ Given that German was involved in politics , he may have stopped to greet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Meza added .
Later , police announced that five people had been detained in the case .
“ We captured five people and we ’ re certain that two of them participated in the act .
They ’ re fully identified , ” Ceiba Deputy Police Chief Nelson Mejía said late Wednesday .
No further details were released .
Vallecillo , who is the son of well-known journalist German Vallecillo , has expressed interest in running for a legislative seat from the area , his family said .
The father said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birthday .
He said his son had no known enemies .
Pozas worked as a cameraman and producer for the local television station 45TV , The Honduran association of journalists says 86 media workers had been killed in Honduras since 2001 .
Dagoberto Rodríguez , the association ’ s president , said only seven of those killings had resulted in prosecutions .