thetorontostar--2020-06-14--Tenants behind on rent in pandemic face harassment, eviction

BALTIMORE - Jeremy Rooks works the evening shift at a Georgia fast-food restaurant these days to avoid being on the street past dusk .
He needs somewhere to go at night : He and his wife are homeless after the extended-stay motel where they had lived since Thanksgiving evicted them in April when they couldn ’ t pay their rent .
They should have been protected because the state ’ s Supreme Court has effectively halted evictions due to the coronavirus pandemic .
But Rooks said the owner still sent a man posing as a sheriff ’ s deputy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the couple out a few days after rent was due .
The pandemic has shut housing courts and prompted most states and federal authorities to initiate policies protecting renters from eviction .
But not everyone is covered and a number of landlords -- some desperate to pay their mortgages themselves -- are turning to threats and harassment to force tenants out .
“ Every day , they tried to basically get us out of there .
It was basically like a game to them , ” said Rooks , who wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marietta , Georgia , motel after his employer paid him late and his wife was laid off in the pandemic .
“ One of us had to stay in a room at all times because they wouldn ’ t redo the keys for us.
” The evictions threaten to exacerbate a problem that has plagued people of colour like Rooks long before the pandemic , when landlords across the U.S. were filing about 300,000 eviction requests every month .
The data and analytics real estate firm Amherst projects that 28 million renters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are at risk of eviction .
Tenant advocates expect that number to increase significantly unless protections are put in place , and project that many of those affected will be African Americans and households led by women , both of which historically are more likely to be evicted .
In a sign of what could happen nationally , Virginia has seen a crush of proceedings since eviction hearings resumed May 18 .
About 700 cases already have been heard statewide , according to Christie Marra , director of housing advocacy for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that , 2,200 cases are on the docket for the end of June and early July in Richmond , which has one of the country ’ s highest eviction rates .
Rachel Garland , an attorney at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia , said her group has experienced a spike in calls from tenants who lost their jobs due to the lockdown and fear being evicted .
Philadelphia had the fourth-highest eviction rate in the country .
“ Even if they can ’ t be evicted right now , if the courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatening emails , text messages , asking for rent , threatening to lock tenants out , ” Garland said .
Alieza Durana of Princeton University ’ s Eviction Lab said affected tenants face high rates of depression and suicide from the stress , along with mounting debt and homelessness .
Additionally , court judgments and debt collection actions against renters are reported to credit bureaus , affecting their ability to access housing for years .
Jose Ortiz , deputy director of Essex/Newark Legal Services , which includes New Jersey ’ s largest city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from tenants who have been asked to exchange sex for rent and instances where landlords have threatened to alert immigration authorities about tenants living in the country without legal permission if they don ’ t pay their rent .
“ They are not working .
They don ’ t have the income to pay their bills and they are afraid about what will happen once the eviction ban is lifted , ” Ortiz said .
“ Are they going to be displaced ?
Is there going to be a mad rush to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Tenants also are complaining about landlords locking them out and shutting off utilities .
Unable to pay her April rent in full on her townhouse in Millersville , Maryland , Dawn McBride said she began getting texts from her landlord suggesting she find work at Walmart or Costco .
She said the landlord then tried to get her to sign a rent-deferral agreement , but wouldn ’ t let her fully read it .
She ultimately was handed a 30-day notice to vacate because her lease was month-to-month , a strategy landlords @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it stresses me out a lot because it ’ s me and my children , ” said McBride , who lost her pet-sitting job .
“ And , you know , I ’ m just like , ` Where are we going to go ?
’ ” Some tenants facing eviction have turned the table on landlords and are organizing rent strikes .
From New York to Chicago to San Francisco , tenants are banding together and demanding landlords negotiate with an eye toward forgiving their rent entirely until the pandemic ends .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her job with a political campaign and has helped organized a rent strike in her Brooklyn building with her half-dozen roommates .
are pushing for legislation at the state and federal level to provide rent and mortgage relief .
“ Many of us are worried about our prospects of securing housing without income and with a looming debt of unpaid rent .
For the majority of the house , not being able to secure housing would mean homelessness in the middle of a pandemic , ” Hou said .
Jay Martin , executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which represents 4,000 building owners in New York , said he doesn ’ t condone rent strikes but sympathizes with tenants ’ plight .
“ Renters need a bailout , ” Martin said , adding that landlords are supporting federal proposals that would cover back rent and future payments .
Without those measures , he predicted a drop in property and real estate taxes that would sap state and city budgets .
The federal government ’ s $ 2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package includes eviction moratoriums for most people living in federally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covered by federally backed mortgages .
A second $ 3 trillion coronavirus relief bill passed in May by the U.S. House would provide about $ 175 billion to pay rents and mortgages , but has almost no chance of passing in the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate .
State and local lawmakers across the country also are stepping in with assistance and proposals aimed at averting a wave of evictions .
New Jersey lawmakers passed a $ 100 million rent relief bill , while in Pennsylvania , Gov .
Tom Wolf signed legislation directing $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package to rent and mortgage relief .
Boston is providing $ 8 million for rental assistance , Baltimore has designated $ 13 million in federal coronavirus relief funding to start a rental assistance program , and Philadelphia provided $ 10 million to help about 13,000 people with their rent .
Other proposals would offer long-term payment plans for those unable to afford rent and programs like mediation before cases head to housing court .
“ We have to do something , ” said Philadelphia Council member Helen Gym , whose bill would prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s emergency order was lifted .
“ We can ’ t go back to business as usual in a city that evicts 18,000 people a year , ” she said .
“ That is just not sustainable .
”

Regina Garcia Cano And Michael Casey - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-14--Trump moved Tulsa rally date after learning about Juneteenth

BRIDGEWATER , N.J. - President Donald Trump didn ’ t know the significance to black Americans of the date and location he chose for his first campaign rally since the coronavirus pandemic more than three months ago , key Republican supporters of the president in Congress said Sunday .
Trump had scheduled the rally for June 19 , known as Juneteenth because it marks the end of slavery in the United States .
Tulsa , Oklahoma , the location for the rally , was the scene in 1921 of one of the most severe white-on-black attacks in American history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ move and called on Trump to reschedule .
He resisted until late Friday when , in a rare turnabout , Trump tweeted that he had moved the rally to this Saturday , June 20 , out of respect for the view of supporters and others who had asked him to .
“ There ’ s special sensitivities there in Tulsa , but Juneteenth is a very significant day , so my encouragement to the president was to be able to pick a day around it , ” Sen. James Lankford , R-Okla. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among several people who had spoken with Trump .
Lankford said he had called Trump on an unrelated matter and that Trump broached the issue .
He said Trump told him he was thinking about rescheduling and asked Lankford ’ s opinion .
“ I suggested , ‘ Yes , I think that would be a great idea .
It would be very , very respectful to the community , ’ “ Lankford said .
He said Trump immediately said he didn ’ t want to do anything that would show disrespect to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t see it as disrespectful to be able to do it on Juneteenth , ” Lankford said .
“ Other people interpreted it differently and so he moved the rally date.
” Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C. , said he was “ thankful ” that Trump rescheduled the rally .
“ The president moving the date by a day once he was informed on what the Juneteenth was , that was a good decision on his part , ” said Scott , the only black Republican senator .
Housing Secretary Ben Carson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at how much Trump knew about Juneteenth by the time they talked about it .
He said “ it ’ s probably good ” the rally was rescheduled .
Carson , who is black , suggested Trump was considering delivering remarks to “ acknowledge what had happened there and why we don ’ t want that kind of situation to ever occur in this country again.
” Scott said it wasn ’ t clear to him that Trump ’ s planners understood the significance of June 19 .
But Trump ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials , who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose internal discussions .
When the date was discussed , it was noted that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden had held a fundraiser in 2019 on Juneteenth .
Although selecting June 19 was not meant to be incendiary , some pushback was expected , the Trump campaign officials said .
But they were caught off guard by the intensity and , in particular , the link to the 1921 massacre .
Trump had been under pressure over his response to civil unrest following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , by a white Minneapolis police officer at the time his return to campaign rallies was announced , including tweets that were interpreted as insensitive to African Americans .
Scott also said he ’ s open to making Juneteenth a federal holiday to help raise public awareness .
Trump and the Republican Party are also facing criticism for arranging for Trump to formally accept his party ’ s nomination for reelection in Jacksonville , Florida , on Aug. 27 — a day remembered as Ax Handle Saturday in the city .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of young black men and women had just dispersed from a peaceful protest in downtown Jacksonville when a mob of whites began indiscriminately clubbing African Americans .
The anniversary will be commemorated in a public square across from City Hall — on the same day as Trump ’ s televised address .
Lankford was interviewed on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union , ” Scott appeared on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation ” and Carson spoke on ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” Associated Press writer Zeke Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Darlene Superville - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-06-14--Mexico extradites alleged Chapo aide to US

MEXICO CITY - A man accused of being a senior lieutenant in the Sinaloa drug cartel has been extradited to the United States , Mexican prosecutors announced Sunday .
U.S. officials had been trying for years to extradite Felipe Cabrera Sarabia , nicknamed “ The Engineer , ” who allegedly had overseen cartel marijuana operations in the mountainous northern state of Durango and part of Chihuahua before his arrest in 2011 .
The official announcement of the extradition did not list his full name , but a federal official confirmed it , speaking on condition of anonymity for lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was considered one of the chief aides to convicted drug boss Joaquín “ El Chapo ” Guzman , who is in prison in the U.S .
He faces charges of drug trafficking in the Northern District of Illinois .
At the time of his arrest , the Mexican Army7 said Cabrera and three of his brothers began as marijuana growers and that Cabrera rose through the Sinaloa ranks by using violence against his rivals .
A month after his arrest , one of those brothers was killed in a gunfight with @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-14--In Peru, thousands of faces at Mass -- none now alive

LIMA , Peru - Archbishop Carlos Castillo on Sunday looked out over a catheral full of faces — none of them now alive .
The cleric had his church filled with more than 5,000 portraits of those who have died in the pandemic that is burning across Peru and South America as a whole , using his broadcast homily to criticize a health system he said “ is based on egotism and on business and not on mercy and solidarity with the people.
” COVID-19 has taken at least 6,400 lives in the nation of some 32 million people — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil within South Ameerica Hundred of them have died without receiving help from the health system , and many families have faced financial ruin due to the cost of trying to care for the ill .
The nation as a whole faces a projected economic contraction of 12 % this year , and Castillo called for solidarity with the poor .
“ An even harder moment is coming , “ he said .
“ It would be terrible if in the times to come we have thousands of these photos — but dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filling the pews with images of coronavirus victims , and when the 84 pews were filled , the archbishop ordered thousands of photos more attached to the base of the columns that rise to the arched ceiling .
There were images of doctors , police , firemen and streetsweepers , even an infant .
Some hugged their grandchildren .
A woman danced with her son .


thetorontostar--2020-06-14--Israel OKs plan for new Golan settlement named after Trump

JERUSALEM - An Israeli cabinet minister on Sunday said the government approved plans to build a new settlement in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights named after President Donald Trump .
Settlements Minister Tzipi Hotovely wrote on Facebook that her ministry will start preparations for Ramat Trump — Hebrew for “ Trump Heights ” — to house 300 families .
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in 1981 .
Most of the international community considers the move , and Israeli settlements in the territory , illegal under international law .
But Trump signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plateau as Israeli territory in March 2019 .
The move came during a visit to Washington by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just weeks before Israeli elections .
The decision , just one of several diplomatic moves benefiting Israel , was widely applauded there .
The Israeli government ’ s approval of the plan , which according to Israeli media will involve earmarking 8 million shekels ( $ 2.3 million ) for developing the town , advances a project announced by Netanyahu last year with great pomp and fanfare .
Sunday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although it was unclear if it was connected .
Last June , Netanyahu convened his Cabinet in the small hamlet of Qela for a vote on rebranding the community as a gesture of appreciation for the president ’ s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights .
The small town of Qela is home to under 300 people .
Its original neighbourhood of Bruchim , which will be rebranded as Trump Heights , is home to less than a dozen .
At a Cabinet meeting on Sunday , Netanyahu said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishing the community of Ramat Trump on the Golan Heights , Israel ’ s sovereignty over which was recognized by President Trump.
” Israel has built dozens of settlements in the Golan over the years , with an estimated 26,000 Jewish settlers living there as of 2019 .
Roughly the same number of Arabs live there , most of them members of the Druze sect of Shiite Islam .


thetorontostar--2020-06-14--Israel deports US billionaire’s son for breaking virus rules

JERUSALEM - Israel said Sunday it was deporting the son of American media magnate Shari Redstone for violating the country ’ s coronavirus quarantine rules while paying a secret visit to his model girlfriend .
Israel ’ s Population and Immigration Authority said it had granted Brandon Korff an exceptional permit to enter the country on Friday to visit his brother , who is serving in the Israeli military .
It said Korff “ violated the isolation orders from the moment he entered the country and met his Israeli partner ” and “ stayed with her in the same apartment.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chairwoman of ViacomCBS , was ordered to leave the country immediately .
The statement did not identify the partner .
But Korff , who is in his mid-30s , is dating Israeli model Yael Shelbia .
The 18-year-old model , who is doing compulsory military service , has appeared in campaigns for Israeli clothing company Renuar and Kim Kardashian ’ s KKW Beauty makeup line .
Israel banned entry to non-citizens or residents in March in an effort to clamp down on the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Israel requires all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine for two weeks following their arrival .
Last week , Israel ’ s deputy director of the Health Ministry came under fire after an Israeli billionaire businessman was granted an exemption from the isolation orders .
Teddy Sagi was then spotted attending a party with Israeli celebrities .


thetorontostar--2020-06-14--Report: 40,000 cruise ship workers still trapped at sea

MIAMI - More than 40,000 cruise ship workers are still stuck at sea because of concerns about the coronavirus .
The Miami Herald reports that at least 42,000 workers remain trapped on cruise ships without paychecks , and some still are suffering from COVID-19 , three months after the industry shut down .
Cruise lines stopped sailing in mid-March after several high-profile outbreaks at sea .
More than 600 people fell ill aboard Carnival Corp. ’ s Diamond Princess while it was quarantined off Japan , for example .
Fourteen passengers died .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 .
Some cruise ship workers have started being repatriated to their home countries .
About 3,000 Carnival Cruise Line workers got off in Croatia earlier this month to catch rides and flights home across Europe .
MSC Cruises has flown more than 1,000 Indian crew members home on charter flights from Europe and South America .
Royal Caribbean also flew more than 1,200 Filipino crew members home last week from Greece , Dubai , the United States and Barbados , according to the Herald .
Several Caribbean countries haven ’ t allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of concerns that they would cause spikes in the number of virus cases .
Only Barbados has allowed for crew repatriation flights from its airports .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Turkey renews opposition to US sanctions on Iran

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkey on Monday reiterated its opposition to U.S. sanctions on neighbouring Iran , saying the coronavirus pandemic has shown that the world needs greater co-operation and solidarity .
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made the comments in Istanbul during a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart , Mohammad Javad Zarif , who is the first dignitary to visit Turkey since its outbreak began in March .
“ Iran ’ s stability and peace is important for us , ” Cavusoglu said .
“ We oppose unilateral sanctions .
In fact , the pandemic has taught us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solidarity.
” Zarif said the U.S. had “ tightened the sanctions in order to damage the Iranian economy during the pandemic.
” He thanked Turkey for its support .
President Donald Trump imposed heavy sanctions on Iran after he withdrew the United States from Iran ’ s nuclear agreement with world powers in May 2018 .
American officials contend Iran is working to obtain nuclear-capable missiles , which the Iranians deny .
Meanwhile , the ministers said the two countries were working toward reopening their border for travellers and plan to restart flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The border was closed after the coronavirus outbreak , which hit Iran particularly hard .
It has since been reopened for trade only .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Japan to scrap costly land-based US missile defence system

TOKYO - Japan ’ s Defence Ministry said Monday that it has decided to stop unpopular plans to deploy two costly land-based U.S. missile defence systems aimed at bolstering the country ’ s capability against threats from North Korea .
Defence Minister Taro Kono told reporters that he decided to “ stop the deployment process ” of the Aegis Ashore systems after it was found that the safety of one of the two planned host communities could not be ensured without a hardware redesign that would be too time consuming and costly .
( asterisk ) Considering the cost and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no choice but judge that pursuing the plan is not logical , ” Kono said .
The Japanese government in 2017 approved adding the two missile defence systems to bolster the country ’ s current defences consisting of Aegis-equipped destroyers at sea and Patriot missiles on land .
Defence officials have said the two Aegis Ashore units could cover Japan entirely from one station at Yamaguchi in the south and another at Akita in the north .
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ’ s government will now have to reconsider Japan ’ s missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two missile defence systems already had faced a series of setbacks , including questions about the selection of one of the sites , repeated cost estimate hikes that climbed to 450 billion yen ( $ 4.1 billion ) for their 30-year operation and maintenance , and safety concerns that led to local opposition .
Critics have also said that the systems were to intercept long-range North Korean missiles from hitting Guam or Hawaii rather than for Japan ’ s self-defence , possibly interfering with the country ’ s war-renouncing constitution .
Kono @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion yen ( $ 1.7 billion ) for the systems , but that not everything will go to waste because the system is compatible with those used on Japanese destroyers .
It was ultimately the inability to guarantee the safety of the community in Yamaguchi that was the deal breaker .
Defence officials had promised that any boosters used to intercept a missile flying over Japan would fall only on a military base there , and ensuring a safe fall of boosters to the base was proving impossible with the current design of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chose Aegis Ashore over a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence , or THAAD , system because of its cheaper cost and versatility .
The deployment of THAAD in South Korea triggered protests from China , with Beijing seeing it as a security threat .
The U.S. has installed the land-fixed Aegis Ashore in Romania and Poland , and Japan was to be a third country to host the system .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--US Air Force plane crashes into North Sea

LONDON - A U.S. Air Force fighter plane with one pilot on board crashed into the North Sea on Monday @ @ @ @ @ pilot wasn ’ t known .
The F-15C Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing was @ @ @ @ @ from RAF Lakenheath when it crashed at 9:40 a.m .
The cause of the crash @ @ @ @ @ .
U.K. search and rescue authorities are taking part in the search of the crash @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement that they received reports the plane went down 74 nautical miles @ @ @ @ @ Yorkshire coast .
A helicopter and lifeboats have been deployed .
“ Other vessels nearby @ @ @ @ @ , ” the coast guard said in a statement .
Lakenheath is a Royal Air @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Air Force ’ s 48th Fighter Wing , known as the Liberty Wing .
@ @ @ @ @ miles ( 130 kilometres ) northeast of London .
The wing has more than 4,500 @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--EU leader wants to inject ‘fresh momentum’ in Brexit talks

BRUSSELS - The European Union ’ s top official said time has come to “ inject fresh momentum “ into post-Brexit negotiations to try and secure a trade deal between the 27-nation bloc and the departing U.K. before the end of the year .
Speaking ahead of a video-conference with British Prime minister Boris Johnson and other European officials , EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a Twitter message that the EU is “ available 24/7 , “ as both sides remain at loggerheads on various issues on trade .
The EU and Britain disagree notably on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry in particular , with the U.K. adamantly opposed to EU demands for long-term access to British waters .
Last week , the EU and the U.K. agreed to intensify their negotiations following another inconclusive round of discussions .
The U.K. left the political institutions of the EU on Jan. 31 but remains inside the EU ’ s tariff-free economic zone until the end of the year .
This transition period could have been extended by two years but the U.K. made clear last week it would not seek a prolongation .
European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the president of the European Parliament , will attend Monday ’ s meeting alongside von der Leyen .
Britain ’ s Michael Gove , the minister in charge of Brexit preparations , and David Frost , the U.K chief negotiator , are set to assist Johnson .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Alleged Darfur militia leader appears before ICC judge

THE HAGUE , Netherlands - An alleged Sudanese militia leader charged with more than 50 crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Darfur conflict appeared Monday before a judge at the International Criminal Court for the first time since his transfer to the court last week and said the charges against him were “ untrue.
” Coronavirus restrictions meant that the suspect , Ali Mohammed Ali Abdul Rahman Ali , known as Ali Kushayb , appeared via a video link from the court ’ s detention centre near The Hague ’ s North Sea coastline .
When the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he had been informed of the charges against him , he replied , speaking through an interpreter : “ Yes , I was informed of that , but this is untrue.
” He wasn ’ t required to enter pleas to the charges at the preliminary hearing .
Kushayb was flown to the court last week , more than 13 years after judges issued an international arrest warrant for him .
He earlier surrendered to authorities in a remote corner of northern Central African Republic , near the country ’ s border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rebels from the territory ’ s ethnic central and sub-Saharan African community launched an insurgency in 2003 , complaining of oppression by the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum .
The government responded with a scorched-earth assault of aerial bombings and unleashed militias known as the Janjaweed , who are accused of mass killings and rapes .
Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes .
Prosecutors say Kushayb was a senior Janjaweed leader .
During the hearing , Kushayb ’ s lawyer , Cyril Laucci , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observe a minute of silence “ in memory of all the victims of Darfur and more extensively in Sudan.
” Aitala declined the request , saying “ we all do this individually .
At the ICC we do this very often.
” According to the ICC ’ s arrest warrant , Kushayb is accused of commanding thousands of Janjaweed militia back in 2003-2004 and acting as a go-between for the militia and Sudanese government .
The ICC says he “ personally participated in some of the attacks against civilians ” and allegedly “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided food and other supplies to the Janjaweed militia under his command.
” Among offences listed on his arrest warrant are murder , rape , persecution and pillage .
He initially was charged with 50 offences , but judges subsequently added two new murder charges linked to the alleged slaying of about 100 civilians in early March 2004 and a charge of inhumane acts committed around the same time .
He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted .
A court official read out all the charges during the hearing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aitala read Kushayb his rights .
Aitala said that the next major step in the case , a hearing at which prosecutors attempt to persuade judges that they have enough evidence to merit sending the case to a trial , will be held on Dec. 7 .
In Sudan , Gibreel Hassabu , a lawyer at the Khartoum-based Darfur Bar Association , said Kushayb ’ s arrest was a sign that justice will be delivered to the Darfur people .
He added that the case could pressure the trinational government to quickly hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Bashir and two other suspects wanted by the ICC who have been imprisoned in Khartoum .
“ Kushayb ’ s trial is a starting point to bring justice to the victims .
His arrest restored hope that the government could go forward and hand over other wanted including al-Bashir to The Hague , ” he said .
The Khartoum-based bar association was established by a group of lawyers in 1995 to advocate for victims of violence .
The Darfur conflict took place under the three-decade autocratic rule of al-Bashir , who has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly masterminding the campaign of attacks .
Al-Bashir ’ s rule ended in April 2019 when the military ousted him after mass street protests by a pro-democracy movement which began in late 2018 .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Reports: Chinese billionaire held hostage, rescued by police

BEIJING - The billionaire founder of the world ’ s biggest appliance manufacturer , Midea Group , was held hostage by intruders in his home in southern China but was rescued by police , news reports said Monday .
Police received a call Sunday evening that intruders had broken into a home in Foshan , near Hong Kong , the Foshan police department said on its social media account .
It said five suspects were arrested early Monday .
The police statement identified the victim only by the surname He , but the business news magazine Caixin , the newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was He Xiangjian , Midea ’ s 78-year-old founder .
Midea thanked police in a statement on its social media account but gave no confirmation He Xiangjian was involved .
Phone calls to Midea ’ s press office weren ’ t answered .
A man who answered the phone at the Foshan police headquarters said he couldn ’ t talk about the case .
The police statement said the crime occurred at the Junlan Life Village , which Caixin said is a neighbourhood of villas built by Midea .
He is China ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth of 180 billion yuan ( $ 25 billion ) , according to Hurun Report , which tracks the country ’ s wealthy .
Midea reported 2019 revenue of 280 billion yuan ( $ 32.9 billion ) .
Its 200 subsidiaries include Kuka , a German producer of robotics technology .
Midea grew out of a workshop set up in 1968 by He and other residents of Beijiao , a village that now is part of Foshan .
He stepped down from operations of the company in 2012 but has a seat on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , He Jianfeng , also is a director .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Sheriff searching for 3 who fired at deputies from woods

ZEBULON , N.C. - Authorities in North Carolina are searching for three men who fired at officers from a wooded @ @ @ @ @ outlets reported that Wake County deputies were responding to reports of shots fired near Zebulon @ @ @ @ @ men started firing at them from inside a wooded area , Wake County Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ Curry said .
The three men were armed with assault weapons and continued firing at @ @ @ @ @ stop , Curry said .
No deputies were wounded , he said .
Deputies called @ @ @ @ @ the men , but did not fire back out of concern for the safety of @ @ @ @ @ and the men managed to flee , Curry told WTVD-TV .
Curry said authorities later @ @ @ @ @ and handguns at the scene .
The state highway patrol and Zebulon police have joined @ @ @ @ @ for the suspects and are asking the public ’ s help for any information .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Israeli Supreme Court judge says she got threatening letter

JERUSALEM - An Israeli Supreme Court judge complained to police that she had received a threatening letter , the court said Monday .
Israeli media reported she was given a security team for protection .
The court administration did not disclose further details but noted that the threatening letter sent to Justice Anat Baron contained “ despicable ” content .
Israeli media , however , reported that it included death threats against the liberal-leaning judge and veiled references to a son of hers who was killed in a 2003 suicide bombing attack .
“ This is a direct result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judiciary and its judges , ” the court said in a sharply-worded comment .
“ Attempts to intimidate Israeli judges will not deter them and they will continue to do their job fearlessly.
” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the threatening letter , linking it to threats he says his family also receives .
But critics said Netanyahu bore responsibility for creating the violent climate with his verbal attacks against the courts , the police and the prosecution surrounding his corruption case that recently went to trial .
Netanyahu claims they have colluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his followers have taken to the streets in protest and to social media to personally attack judges and law enforcement officials .
Israel ’ s attorney general also recently filed a police complaint following anonymous threats against him , and the prosecutor in Netanyahu ’ s case was assigned a bodyguard following threats against her .
“ The threat to the Supreme Court justice is a direct result of the incitement coming from Netanyahu .
This is on him , ” tweeted opposition leader Yair Lapid .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Morocco’s king, 56, undergoes successful heart surgery

RABAT , Morocco - King Mohammed VI of Morocco has undergone successful surgery in Rabat for a heart rhythm disorder @ @ @ @ @ reported Monday .
The king , 56 , was treated for a disorder known as @ @ @ @ @ condition in which the heart beats less efficiently .
The king had similar surgery in @ @ @ @ @ his heart rhythm .
He had a recurrence of heart frequency problems so his doctors @ @ @ @ @ was carried out Sunday in the Royal Palace Clinic in the Moroccan capital , MAP @ @ @ @ @ at age 35 from his long-serving father Hassan II , who died of a heart @ @ @ @ @ has presided over reforms meant to open up politics , though ultimate power still rests @ @ @ @ @ his watch , Morocco has also been closely allied with the U.S. in its fight @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Beijing outbreak shows need to be ready as economies reopen

BEIJING - China moved swiftly Monday to try to control a new outbreak of the coronavirus after 36 more cases were confirmed in Beijing .
People were lined up at hospitals and other facilities around the capital as authorities rushed to administer thousands of nucleic acid tests of people who worked at a major wholesale market , anyone who had visited it in the past two weeks or anyone who had come in contact with either group .
Authorities have confirmed 79 cases of the coronavirus over four days in what looks to be the largest outbreak since China largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home more than two months ago .
The new outbreak appears to have started in the Xinfadi market , Beijing ’ s largest wholesale food market , prompting inspections of fresh meat and seafood in the city and elsewhere in China .
“ We must continue to take decisive measures to defend against outside cases and internal resurgences , and mobilize all units to take responsibility , ” said Xu Hejian , the director of the Beijing government information office .
At a time when other countries are loosening virus-related restrictions , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with the inevitable fresh outbreaks .
They can pop up at anytime in unexpected places , even weeks after the epidemic has seemingly died down .
Greece eased restrictions on incoming visitors Monday .
Passengers on some international flights will no longer face compulsory coronavirus tests .
Hotels and museums are opening in the tourism-dependent economy , as are gyms , in the latest step in a phased reopening of businesses .
“ Salut !
” said a masked manager to a pair of regular customers as they entered a brasserie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopened for the first time since the fast-spreading virus forced them to close their doors March 14 .
In the United States , the governor of hard-hit New York state threatened to reinstate business closings as some parts of the country struggled with an outbreak that appeared ready to stretch for months .
China ’ s authoritarian government and tight social controls enable tracking of residents ’ movements through the use of apps and a network of neighbourhood associations .
Entry to many office buildings , stores and restaurants requires proof on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to areas where the virus is still active .
Beijing has closed the Xinfadi market and is requiring anyone who went there to self-isolate for two weeks .
Neighborhoods close to the market have been put on lockdown and more than 76,000 people tested .
Citywide , Beijing has suspended the planned restart on Monday of some primary schools and reversed the relaxation of some social isolation measures .
Inspectors found 40 samples of the virus in the closed market , including on a chopping board for imported salmon .
That prompted some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelves over the weekend , and inspections of markets , stores and restaurants Beijing health officials said gene sequencing showed the virus strain causing the new outbreak was related to that in Europe , though it wasn ’ t clear if it was being spread by the movement of people or transportation of food .
Experts were doubtful the virus was being spread through salmon or other food products .
Ian MacKay , who studies viruses at the University of Queensland in Australia , said there was no evidence to suggest a link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my money , it is more likely to be a person who came into the area with lots of people and the virus has spread , as the virus does , “ he said .
Japanese health ministry officials said they are closely watching the Chinese investigation , as budget sushi restaurants in Japan rely heavily on imported seafood , especially from China .
They added , though , that they have not seen scientific evidence suggesting the virus could be transmitted through food .
South Korea is also among those countries seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reporting 37 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday .
Authorities said 25 of the cases came from the Seoul area , where health authorities are scrambling to trace infections linked to entertainment and leisure activities , church gatherings , warehouse workers and door-to-door salespeople .
Other countries are still battling major outbreaks .
India ’ s home minister offered 500 train carriages Monday for use as makeshift coronavirus hospital wards as New Delhi struggles to contain a spike in cases .
The Health Ministry reported a jump of more than 11,000 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the U.S. , cases in nearly half of states are rising .
New York state officials are trying to avoid the fate of others seeing a surge in new cases after reopening .
Upset by “ rampant ” violations of New York ’ s pandemic-fighting restrictions , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo threatened to reinstate closings in areas where local governments fail to enforce the rules .
He singled out Manhattan and Long Island ’ s tony Hamptons as problem areas .
“ We are not kidding around with this , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You ’ re talking about jeopardizing people ’ s lives.
” Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--GOP candidates balance pros, cons of running with Trump

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is hitting the road again .
And while a campaign event with a president who draws TV cameras and raucous crowds can be gold for down-ballot candidates , these days its value can be debatable .
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis , facing a competitive North Carolina reelection contest , “ is looking forward to campaigning “ with Trump , Tillis ’ spokesperson said .
GOP Sen. Steve Daines tweeted , “ Montana can ’ t wait to have you back , Mr. President !
” after Trump promised to help him battle a strong Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susan Collins , R-Maine , in the reelection fight of her life , “ was at work in Washington ” recently as Trump visited her state to open a marine conservation area to commercial fishing .
The Senate wasn ’ t in session that day .
And while GOP Senate candidate John James appeared with Trump in May in Michigan , where polls have trended against the president , James demurred when asked about his 2017 comment that he backs Trump “ 2,000 % .
” James said he supports Trump , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to running my own race , being my own man.
” Trump is the GOP ’ s unrivaled beast , commanding the unswerving fealty of nearly all its voters .
While some Republican candidates yanked their support late in his 2016 campaign after a decade-old video showed him boasting about groping women , he ’ s since proved that crossing him can be politically fatal .
Yet Trump ’ s divisive law-and-order response to protests against police killings of African Americans , the untamed coronavirus pandemic and the worst economy in decades have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dipped to a dangerously low 39 % in the latest Gallup poll .
That ’ s jeopardized his November reelection , endangered the GOP ’ s Senate control and made a Republican House takeover highly unlikely .
It ’ s also left nervous Republicans debating whether congressional candidates in tight races should link hands with him or create distance .
For most , there ’ s little question that homage to Trump is smartest .
Sens .
John Cornyn , R-Texas , and Joni Ernst , R-Iowa , seeking reelection in states Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rebel .
Sen. David Perdue , R-Ga. , is also not straying .
“ Bring it on , ” Perdue spokesperson Casey Black said of any efforts to attack his closeness with Trump .
Distancing from Trump would be “ a stupid strategy , “ said GOP pollster Neil Newhouse .
“ If the base sees you ’ re turning your back on the president , they will cut you off.
” Others Republicans face tougher choices .
Tillis , Collins , and Sens .
Cory Gardner in Colorado and Martha McSally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well lose .
Republican candidates are “ hostages , ” said Trump critic Tim Miller , an aide to past GOP presidential contenders including Jeb Bush .
But he said Trump ’ s recent problems , like retweeting a false conspiracy theory about an elderly Buffalo , New York , protester shoved to the ground by police , offer an opening .
“ I ’ m not asking them to become Twitter trolls , “ Miller said .
“ But I don ’ t see why they don ’ t take opportunities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president.
” Trump has pushed his Capitol Hill allies to keep rank-and-file Republicans in line and vowed to retaliate against defectors , said three White House and campaign officials , who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to publicly discuss private conversations .
White House aides bridled when Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , a Trump ally , tweeted support for Gen. Mark Milley .
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had publicly defied Trump , saying it had been a “ mistake “ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Bible outside a church after peaceful demonstrators were forcibly cleared away .
After GOP Sens .
Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska criticized Trump ’ s tweet about the manhandled Buffalo demonstrator , he unleashed his wrath at them on Twitter .
Neither is running for reelection this year .
Colorado ’ s Gardner and Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia , both in tough races , were among Republicans who didn ’ t answer reporters ’ questions about Trump ’ s tweet .
“ Anyone who wants to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , ” said Trump campaign spokesperson Erin Perrine .
As Trump continues prodding the country to a partial reopening from coronavirus restrictions , he ’ s announced live rallies in Oklahoma , Florida , Texas , Arizona and North Carolina .
The White House will watch whether candidates attend and look for other signs of discontent , such as coded distancing in ads saying they ’ ll stand up to both parties .
No one expects Republicans to break drastically with Trump because of the price they ’ d pay with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freer to strike contrasts with him once they clear primaries , which Trump voters dominate .
More candidates could stray if polling shows his prospects are bleak as Election Day nears .
With swelling public sympathy for the Black Lives Matter movement , some Republicans have opposed Trump ’ s refusal to remove Confederate leaders ’ names from military bases .
And some are preparing legislation changing policing practices , despite uncertainty over his support , .
In the House , Democrats hope to use allegiance to Trump that GOP candidates touted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s likely in suburban districts in states like California , Pennsylvania and Texas , in which voters tend to be more moderate .
Underscoring how candidates tailor their messaging , Tillis ran ads before his North Carolina primary emphasized his endorsement by Trump .
Now , his most recent spot emphasizes the battered economy as he tells the camera , “ My job is fighting for your job.
” Arizona ’ s McSally has appeared with Trump often and shown no signs of distancing from him .
Instead , she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Kelly , the former astronaut , of being soft on China , whom she blames for the pandemic .
It ’ s battleground state candidates like McSally whose tactics prompt debate about handling Trump .
He ’ s caused “ heartburn “ for Republicans , “ but that doesn ’ t change his political control over the party , ” said Scott Jennings , a GOP consultant .
Countered former Virginia Rep. Tom Davis , another Republican tactician , “ Some of these senators have to be more than Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writers Gary Robertson in Raleigh , N.C. ; Paul Weber in Austin , Texas ; Bob Christie in Phoenix ; Matthew Brown in Billings , Mont .
; David Eggert in Lansing , Mich. ; Sara Burnett in Chicago ; and Benjamin Nadler in Atlanta contributed to this report .

Alan Fram And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--2020 Watch: Will Trump’s return to campaign trail backfire?

MONTCLAIR , N.J. - Presidential politics move fast .
What we ’ re watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign : Days to next set of primaries ( New York and Kentucky ) : 8 President Donald Trump makes his official return to the campaign trail this week .
He ’ s looking to improve his political standing after trying to navigate through nationwide civil rights protests , a public health crisis and related economic devastation that has defined the worst period of his turbulent presidency .
Saturday ’ s rally in Oklahoma will no doubt turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep-red state , but it remains to be seen how he will address his weakness with independents , suburban women and people of colour who will play a critical role come November .
At the same time , health experts worry that Trump ’ s rally could help intensify a second wave of coronavirus infections .
Just as America begins to reopen , the Republican president can not afford to see things slide backwards .
Democrat Joe Biden , meanwhile , has begun to host small public events of his own , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump dominate the news cycle when so much of the news is grim .
Will Trump ’ s return to the campaign trail backfire ?
Lest there be any questions about the risks , the invitation to Trump ’ s first rally since the pandemic began — in Oklahoma at the end of the week — includes a waiver absolving the campaign of any responsibility should attendees get sick .
That won ’ t scare away Trump ’ s die-hard loyalists in a state he won by nearly 37 percentage points , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership among swing voters elsewhere as the nation faces the serious possibility of a surge of new coronavirus infections .
By some accounts , the new wave has already begun .
A Washington Post analysis found double-digit percentage increases in confirmed cases across 16 U.S. states that have gradually loosened restrictions since Memorial Day .
When the Dow plunged more than 1,800 points last Thursday , Wall Street gave us a taste of how the market will react if anything gets in the way of America ’ s economic comeback .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond similarly if Trump can ’ t help the economy improve dramatically by November .
African Americans and their allies forced political leaders in both parties to take them seriously following a period of intense social unrest .
Now , the question becomes whether people of colour will stay engaged for the next 141 days .
History suggests that some of the energy may fade , although Trump ’ s renewed defence of symbols of the Confederacy will certainly keep tensions running high .
Smart strategists remind us that voters are most engaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for — not simply something or someone to vote against .
And as NAACP President Derrick Johnson told us last week , Biden has “ a ton more work to do ” to energize black voters “ enough behind his vision to turn out to vote.
” Biden has embraced a series of public policy reforms , such as banning police choke holds , but he stopped short of endorsing some activists ’ calls to “ defund the police.
” He ’ s also struggled to defend his support for the 1994 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on people of colour .
Biden has significantly narrowed the list of women he ’ s considering to serve as his running mate , we reported late last week .
Democrats with knowledge of the process said Biden ’ s search committee is now considering as few as six serious contenders after the initial round of interviews .
Among those in contention : Sens .
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kamala Harris of California , as well as Susan Rice , President Barack Obama ’ s former national security adviser .
The situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised to pick a woman , is facing increased calls from Democrats to put a woman of colour on the ticket — both because of the outsize role that black voters played in Biden ’ s road to the nomination and because of the reckoning over racism and inequality roiling the nation .
Expect new details to continue trickling out in the coming days .
The clock is ticking .
Biden says he hopes to announce his pick around Aug. 1 .
Are states doing enough to avoid Election Day chaos ?
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several states that hosted primary elections in recent weeks .
And it ’ s unclear if state officials are willing or able to make the changes election experts say are necessary to ensure fair and free elections facing continued pandemic concerns in November .
In case you missed it , primary voters — particularly voters of colour — have been forced to wait three , four and even five hours to cast ballots across battleground states like Wisconsin , Pennsylvania and Georgia .
In Nevada last week , the final voter wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 a.m. — eight hours after polls were supposed to close .
Many voters also reported never receiving requested absentee ballots .
And officials in multiple swing states struggled to report results in a timely manner .
Election experts are screaming for states to take major steps to address the concerns while urging the federal government to send badly needed resources .
But with Election Day just 20 weeks away , it ’ s unclear whether there is enough political will — especially among Republicans — to address the issues .
Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Convention to Jacksonville , Florida , could be read many ways , but it clearly signals that the Republican president ’ s political team knows Biden has a very real chance to win the state .
Trump has almost no path to 270 delegates without winning Florida .
Not long ago , some political observers were asking whether Democrats would invest major dollars in Florida at all this fall given their relatively limited resources and the extraordinary resources required to play there .
There is a new recognition , however , that Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be a game changer .
That ’ s at least part of the reason why the political world will again descend upon the Sunshine State in the peak of hurricane season .
2020 Watch runs every Monday and provides a look at the week ahead in the 2020 election .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Asia Today: Beijing reinstates virus controls as cases rise

BEIJING - China reported 49 new coronavirus cases on Monday as the capital Beijing reinstated measures to contain a resurgence .
Of the new cases , 36 were reported in Beijing , traced to a wholesale market that supplies much of the city ’ s meat and vegetables .
Ten of the other cases were brought from outside the country and three were found in Hebei province just outside Beijing .
The National Health Commission reported 177 people in treatment for COVID-19 , while 115 were in isolation and under monitoring for showing signs of the illness or having tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reported a total of 4,634 deaths from the virus among 83,181 confirmed cases .
The new cases reported in the past few days mark China ’ s highest daily total of coronavirus cases in two months , prompting Beijing to suspend the restart of some classes and reverse the relaxation of some social isolation measures .
Beijing also closed the Xinfadi food market , ordered testing of all its workers and is requiring anyone who travelled there to self-isolate for two weeks .
Eleven residential compounds neighbouring the market have been put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gene sequencing showed the virus strain causing the new outbreak was related to that in Europe , though it wasn ’ t clear if it was being spread by the movement of people or transportation of food .
Restaurants in the city have been ordered to conduct tests on all their uncooked food .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — INDIA MAY EMPLOY TRAIN CARRIAGES : India ’ s home minister has offered 500 railway carriages for use as makeshift coronavirus hospital wards as New Delhi struggles to contain a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 9,000 beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients in public and private hospitals , but a state government panel of experts has said it will need at least 15,000 beds by the end of June .
The Health Ministry reported a jump of more than 11,000 new infections nationwide for a third consecutive day , taking the total number of recorded infections to more than 332,000 .
There have been 9,520 deaths .
— HONG KONG DISNEY SET TO REOPEN : Hong Kong Disneyland will reopen Thursday after being closed since January .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will require masks and health forms and use social distancing .
Activities that require close interaction such as photo sessions with Disney characters will remain suspended , the park said .
Hong Kong ’ s social distancing measures , which prohibits gatherings of more than eight people and limits the capacity of restaurants and eateries , remain in place until Thursday .
The city has reported 1,110 cases of infection , with numbers declining recently .
— SOUTH KOREA REPORTS 37 NEW CASES : South Korea reported 37 new cases , bringing its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 25 of the cases came from the Seoul area , where health authorities are scrambling to trace infections linked to entertainment and leisure activities , church gatherings , warehouse workers and door-to-door sellers .
At least 1,346 infections are linked to international arrivals , mostly South Koreans returning home from abroad .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Global shares skid on fears virus outbreaks are rebounding

TOKYO - Global shares sank Monday and U.S. futures also slipped as a resurgence of coronavirus cases in China and other countries deepened pessimism over prospects for a global economic recovery .
Benchmarks fell in Paris , London , Tokyo and Shanghai after China reported new local infections in Beijing and reimposed precautions to prevent it from spreading .
Stocks are turning wobbly as investors re-evaluate their expectations for economic growth , which many skeptics have been saying were overly optimistic .
Case numbers are still growing in various nations , including emerging economies , and without a vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on further waves of COVID-19 cases .
France ’ s CAC 40 slipped 1.8 % in early trading to 4,750.96 , while Germany ’ s DAX dove 1.9 % to 11,720.92 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 slid 1.3 % to 6,023.99 .
U.S. shares were set for declines , with Dow futures dropping 2.7 % to 24,720.50 .
S & P 500 futures shed 2.2 % to 2,957.88 .
Earlier in Asia , Japan ’ s benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped 3.5 % to finish at 21,530.95 .
South Korea ’ s Kospi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s S & P/ASX 200 shed 2.2 % to 5,719.80 .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng slid 2.2 % to 23,776.95 , while the Shanghai Composite edged down 1.0 % to 2,890.03 .
Shares also fell in India , Taiwan and Southeast Asia .
“ Once again , the pandemic has triggered cause for fear and doubt about the road ahead , ” Hayaki Narita at Mizuho Bank said in a commentary .
Rising COVID-19 cases in Latin American and parts of Asia , re-emerging “ second wave ” risks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and China and so-called “ cluster ” cases in Japan were adding to worries , he said .
Tokyo reported 48 newly confirmed cases on Monday , the highest since the government “ emergency ” for the virus outbreak was called off last month , according to Kyodo News , citing unidentified sources familiar with the records .
China reported 49 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Monday , 36 of them in Beijing , as the capital re-instituted measures to contain a new outbreak .
Authorities were testing tens of thousands of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wholesale market that supplies much of the city ’ s meat and vegetables .
India ’ s public health authorities reported more than 11,000 new cases .
Rolling waves of outbreaks , if left unchecked , could result in more shutdowns to fight the pandemic , or at the very least will undermine consumer and business spending , hindering a global recovery .
“ If globally , we are still in wave 1 , then it is possible that without a vaccine , the big-wave is still lying out there somewhere waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , regional head of research Asia-Pacific at ING .
Still , economists have noted promising signs that the global downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic might be bottoming out .
China ’ s industrial production accelerated in May , suggesting the world ’ s second-largest economy is gradually recovering from earlier shutdowns to fight the coronavirus .
Factory output rose 4.4 % over a year earlier , up 0.5 percentage points from April ’ s rate , the National Bureau of Statistics reported Monday .
But RaboResearch said in a commentary the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ In short , even with a ‘ build it and they will come ’ attitude , and even with the virus ‘ having been beaten , ’ it still looks like China ’ s Q2 GDP will be negative , ” it said .
Benchmark U.S. crude oil lost $ 1.35 to $ 34.91 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It fell 8 cents to settle at $ 36.26 a barrel Friday .
Brent crude oil , the international standard , fell 96 cents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inched up to 107.39 Japanese yen from 107.37 yen .
The euro was flat at $ 1.1258 .

NEW DELHI (AP) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India’s economy will be among the top three in the world within five years, as he marked 76…


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Australia voices concern over man sentenced to die in China

CANBERRA , Australia - Australia ’ s prime minister said Monday that his government is “ very sad and concerned ” by China ’ s sentencing of an Australian man to death for drug trafficking , and that he had repeatedly raised with China the case of the 56-year-old former actor and motivational speaker .
Karm Gilespie was arrested in 2013 at Baiyun Airport in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on charges of attempting to board an international flight with more than 7.5 kilograms ( 16.5 pounds ) of methamphetamine in his check-in luggage .
The Guangzhou Intermediate People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been sentenced to death and ordered the confiscation of all of his personal property .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Foreign Minister Marise Payne and other Australian officials had raised his case with their Chinese counterparts on a number of occasions .
“ I and the government are very sad and concerned that an Australian citizen , Mr. Karm Gilespie , has been sentenced to death in China , ” Morrison told Parliament .
“ We will continue to provide Mr. Gilespie with consular assistance and engage China on his case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ family and his loved ones , ” he added .
The death sentence comes as bilateral relations are under extraordinary strain over Australia ’ s call for an independent investigation into the coronavirus pandemic , which started in China late last year .
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Monday that the sentence was unrelated to those tensions .
“ Applying the death penalty to drug crimes that cause extremely serious harm can help in deterring and preventing drug crimes , ” Zhao said .
Australia should “ earnestly respect China ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case has nothing to do with bilateral relations , ” he added .
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has been trying without success to persuade his Chinese counterpart to accept a phone call over China ’ s decision to effectively end trade in Australian barley through crippling tariffs last month .
China has also banned beef exports from Australia ’ s largest abattoirs and warned Chinese against visiting the country because of pandemic-related racism .
Gilespie is among 62 Australians in detention in China , Australia ’ s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trafficking and fraud charges , The Australian newspaper reported .
The department would not comment on what they were detained for .
The Australian prisoners include Henry Chin , 40 , who was sentenced to death in 2005 for attempting to send 270 grams ( 9.5 ounces ) of methamphetamine to Australia a year earlier .
Birmingham called Gilespie ’ s sentence “ distressing , ” but said it shouldn ’ t necessarily be linked to disputes between China and Australia .
Paul Monk , former head of China analysis for the Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link .
“ He ’ s been in jail for seven years and only now has he been put through a Chinese-style trial and condemned to death for drug smuggling , so I think it ’ s hard not to see it in the present context of diplomatic confrontation , ” Monk told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Gilespie ’ s family asked friends not to speculate on his case .
“ Our family is very saddened by the situation , ” the family said in a statement .
“ We also request that friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his current circumstances , which we do not believe assists his case.
” Gilespie has 10 days to appeal his sentence .
Gilespie made occasional appearances as a character in the popular Australian television crime drama “ Blue Healers ” in the 1990s and toured the country performing a one-man stage show he wrote about Australian poet Banjo Paterson before reinventing himself as an entrepreneur and motivational speaker .
Singapore-based business coach Roger J. Hamilton said on social media that Gilespie was a former student who had been tricked into smuggling drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presents for partners of Chinese businessmen in Australia .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Pilot ejects safely as Indonesian fighter jet crashes

PEKANBARU , Indonesia - An Indonesian air force fighter jet crashed during a training mission on Sumatra island on Monday , injuring the pilot , who was able to eject to safety , an official said .
The pilot was on a solo flight following a routine training mission when the British-built Hawk 200 went down into a residential housing complex in Pekanbaru , the capital of Riau province , said Indonesian air force spokesman Fajar Adriyanto .
He said in a statement that the cause of the crash , which happened about 5 kilometres ( 3 miles ) from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base , was under investigation .
The pilot , who ejected and parachuted to safety and landed on the roof of a house , was taken to a hospital for examination , Adriyanto said .
He said the crash did not cause any casualties on the ground .
Television news channels showed orange flames coming from the crash site , sending black smoke billowing from the wreckage in a house ’ s backyard .
A resident whose home is about 100 metres ( 320 feet ) from the crash site told Kompas TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighter jet as it flew very low before crashing into an empty two-story house .
“ The explosions and blazing from the crash made all the residents run away in fear , ” he said .
The accident comes after the June 6 crash of an Indonesian army helicopter on the main island of Java that killed five of the nine troops on board .
Indonesia , a sprawling archipelago nation of about 270 million people , has been plagued by transportation accidents in recent years , including plane crashes and ferry sinkings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low funding , has also regularly suffered airplane and helicopter crashes .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Turkey says its jets struck Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkey ’ s jets carried out new cross-border airstrikes on Monday targeting Turkish Kurdish rebels in @ @ @ @ @ Defence Ministry said .
Turkey frequently conducts aerial attacks against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party @ @ @ @ @ maintains bases in northern Iraq .
The latest operation , codenamed ” ’ Operation Claw-Eagle @ @ @ @ @ targets in several regions in Iraq ’ s north , including Sinjar , according to @ @ @ @ @ , which claimed 81 PKK targets were struck , including shelters and caves .
The @ @ @ @ @ maximum care not to harms civilians and returned to their bases safely .
There was @ @ @ @ @ PKK , which has waged a more than three-decade-old insurgency in southeastern Turkey .
There @ @ @ @ @ from Baghdad or northern Iraq ’ s semi-autonomous Kurdish region .
The PKK is considered @ @ @ @ @ , the United States and the European Union .
The conflict has led to the @ @ @ @ @ lives since it started in 1984 .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Philippine journalist convicted of libel, given 6-year term

MANILA , Philippines - An award-winning journalist critical of the Philippine president was convicted of libel and sentenced to jail Monday in a decision called a major blow to press freedom in an Asian bastion of democracy .
The Manila court found Maria Ressa of the online news site Rappler Inc. and former reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. guilty of libeling a wealthy businessman .
The Rappler ’ s story on May 29 , 2012 , cited an intelligence report linking him to a murder , drug dealing , human trafficking and smuggling .
The site ’ s lawyers disputed any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filing the libel complaint had passed .
“ Rappler and both accused did not offer a scintilla of proof that they verified the imputations of various crimes in the disputed article upon the person of Keng , ” Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa said in the 36-page ruling .
“ They just simply published them as news in their online publication in reckless disregard of whether they are false or not.
” “ The decision for me is devastating because it essentially says that Rappler , that we are wrong , ” Ressa said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her voice cracking , she vowed that “ we will keep fighting ” and appealed to journalists and Filipinos to continue fighting for their rights “ and hold power to account.
” The businessman , Wilfredo Keng , welcomed the ruling , which he said vindicated him and cleared his name “ which Ressa , with one click of a button , attempted to destroy.
” Ressa was sentenced to up to six years but her lawyer , Theodore Te , said the jail terms and other penalties imposed could not be enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted bail for the case last year and will study possible appeals in the next 15 days , Te said .
“ The verdict against Maria Ressa highlights the ability of the Philippines ’ abusive leader to manipulate the laws to go after critical , well-respected media voices whatever the ultimate cost to the country , ” said Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch , adding the verdict was “ a frontal assault on freedom of the press that is critical to protect and preserve Philippines democracy.
” President Rodrigo Duterte and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Ressa and Rappler were not a press freedom issue but a part of normal judicial procedures arising from their alleged violations of the law .
Keng dismissed the allegations in the 2012 story as baseless and false and said Rappler refused to take down the story online and publish his side of the story .
He provided government certifications in court to show that he has no criminal record and sought 50 million pesos ( $ 1 million ) in damages , but the court awarded a much smaller fine .
Rappler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on an unspecified intelligence report and that Philippine penal law requires a libel complaint to be filed within one year .
Keng filed his lawsuit in 2017 , five years after the story was published .
A cybercrime law , which the Rappler journalists allegedly violated , was also enacted in September 2012 or four months after the story written by Santos was published .
Rappler ’ s lawyers said Philippine penal laws can not be retroactively applied .
Rappler , however , acknowledged that it updated the story in February 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it did not make any other changes .
The Department of Justice , which brought the libel charges to court , contended that by updating the story , Rappler effectively republished the story online in 2014 , an argument dismissed by the news site ’ s lawyers .
The Department of Justice argued a complaint can be filed under the 2012 cybercrime law for up to 12 years , countering Rappler ’ s argument that Keng ’ s complaint was invalid due to being outside the one-year deadline for libel .
As Rappler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces seven other criminal complaints in relation to legal issues hounding her news agency , including an allegation that it violated a constitutional ban on media agencies receiving foreign investment funds .
Ressa , who has worked for CNN and was one of Time magazine ’ s Persons of the Year in 2018 , has accused the government of abusing its power and of using the law to muzzle dissent .
Many news outlets in the Philippines and beyond have criticized Duterte ’ s policies , including his anti-drug campaign that has left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duterte has openly lambasted journalists and news sites who report critically about him , including the Philippine Daily Inquirer , a leading daily , and ABS-CBN , the country ’ s largest TV network which was shut down by the government ’ s telecommunications regulator last month after its 25-year franchise expired .
Congress has been hearing the network ’ s request for a franchise renewal .
The shutdown has been criticized as it cut off a major source of information on the COVID-19 pandemic in a Southeast Asian hot spot of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bangkok contributed to this report .

Jim Gomez And Aaron Favila - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Netanyahu turns to rich friend to fund corruption trial fees

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial for accepting gifts from wealthy friends .
But that has not stopped him from seeking another gift from a wealthy friend to pay for his multimillion-dollar legal defence .
The awkward arrangement opens a window into the very ties with billionaire friends that plunged Netanyahu into legal trouble and sheds light on the intersection of money and Israeli politics .
Netanyahu has asked an Israeli oversight committee to allow a 10 million shekel ( $ 2.9 million ) donation from Spencer Partrich , a Michigan-based real estate magnate , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also happens to be a witness in one of the cases , the committee has asked the country ’ s attorney general for his opinion on the matter .
The request for financial aid from a friend is not illegal , and Israeli politicians have a long tradition of hobnobbing with wealthy Jewish supporters abroad .
But to some , the optics of Netanyahu ’ s request are sketchy .
“ It is a problem that we have prime ministers who have ties to moguls , ” said Tomer Naor , of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good governance group .
“ When the borders blur , you are blinded by the big money .
You want more of it .
Then all of a sudden the friend asks for a little favour and that poses a problem.
” Last month , Netanyahu ’ s trial on charges of fraud , breach of trust and accepting bribes opened in a Jerusalem court .
It is scheduled to resume next month .
The accusations include accepting some $ 200,000 in gifts such as cigars and champagne from two billionaires , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian magnate James Packer .
Netanyahu is also accused of offering to push legislation benefiting powerful Israeli media moguls in exchange for more positive coverage in their publications .
Netanyahu has said he is the victim of a witch hunt and called the bribery allegations baseless , saying accepting gifts from friends isn ’ t a problem .
For his multimillion-dollar legal defence fees , Netanyahu has turned to both his wealthy American cousin , Nathan Milikowsky , and Partrich .
Netanyahu ’ s lawyers have asked a committee in the state comptroller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to allow him to accept 10 million shekels from Partrich .
The approval process revealed that Netanyahu had already received a $ 300,000 donation from Milikowsky as well as suits and cigars from Partrich , which he did not receive permission for and was ordered to repay , according to the committee .
The committee also asked repeatedly for Netanyahu to declare his assets , which he did not do , according to official documents released by the committee .
Last year , it declined his request for the 10 million shekels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the charges against him , the documents show .
The committee said its decision was final .
But when a new committee was formed under Netanyahu ’ s hand-picked state comptroller , it took up the request again , citing “ a significant change in circumstances ” that arose following Netanyahu ’ s indictment in January , according to the committee documents .
It is now awaiting the attorney general ’ s opinion .
Netanyahu has already been allowed to accept a $ 570,000 loan from Partrich , the documents show .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ group , the money was meant to repay the Milikowsky money , which hasn ’ t been repaid , he said .
A person close to Netanyahu said the Partrich aid would not cover all of Netanyahu ’ s legal fees , and that someone earning a public servant ’ s salary could not be expected to pay for the steep fees on his own .
He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn ’ t authorized to discuss the legal fees with the media .
Netanyahu is believed to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real estate holdings and lucrative speaking fees while in the private sector .
The country ’ s attorney general is looking into a murky company share deal with Milikowsky that reportedly netted Netanyahu an exorbitant return on investment .
Multiple messages left with Partrich ’ s office were not returned .
Netanyahu ’ s spokesman declined to comment .
Netanyahu has for decades socialized with the ultra-wealthy and his supporters say he has given up opportunities to amass great wealth to serve the country instead .
But he and his wife have gained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , repeatedly landing in hot water for misusing state funds .
The indictment against Netanyahu highlights his ties .
A number of well-known billionaires appear on the list of 333 potential witnesses , including Milchan and Packer , as well as U.S. casino magnate Sheldon Adelson , a longtime Netanyahu supporter , and Oracle Corp. co-founder and chairman Larry Ellison .
Witness number 283 is Partrich .
According to the permits committee decision from last year , his relationship with Netanyahu stretches back to 1999 , just as Netanyahu ’ s first term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even if afterwards a personal friendship developed , at their core the ties between the two were formed as a relationship between a mogul and a senior politician , ” the committee wrote .
According to a Channel 13 TV exposé , Netanyahu ’ s confidants nicknamed Partrich his “ air taxi in the U.S. ” because of the many times he flew on Partrich ’ s private jet during the decade between stints as prime minister .
A resident of upscale Bloomfield Hills , near Detroit , Partrich sits on the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces , a group that runs programs for Israeli soldiers , and has donated more than $ 2 million to Wayne State University , where he has an auditorium named after him .
He is an avid art collector and a fan of photojournalism .
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz , Partrich purchased Netanyahu ’ s brother ’ s half of the Jerusalem home they inherited from their father .
The deal has raised questions about what interest an American business magnate would have in a relatively small transaction .
Anshel Pfeffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bibi , ” a Netanyahu biography , said seeking money from a wealthy friend is a way for Netanyahu to “ double down ” on his claim that none of the gifts he received were wrong .
“ This kind of says he doesn ’ t give a damn about the optics because he thinks he deserves it , and he doesn ’ t think in any way this should be seen as illegal , ” Pfeffer said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Rise in infections shows need for vigilance as world reopens

BERLIN - European countries reopened borders Monday after a three-month coronavirus shutdown , although international visitors are still being kept away and there was uncertainty over whether many Europeans will quickly embrace travel outside their home countries .
Reopening continued in Mexico and Brazil despite cases climbing in the two largest nations in Latin America , where authorities struggled to handle the pandemic ’ s effect on already-weak medical systems .
In the U.S. , Vice-President Mike Pence encouraged governors to highlight the “ good news “ around efforts to fight the virus despite several states reporting a rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to work and venture out during the summer .
The need for constant vigilance came into sharp focus as China , where COVID-19 first emerged in December , rushed to contain an outbreak in the capital of Beijing .
The head of the World Health Organization said more than 100,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus have been reported globally each day in the last two weeks , and countries that have curbed transmissions “ must stay alert to the possibility of resurgence.
” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that it took over two months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a daily norm .
Each day , nearly three-fourths of the new cases come from 10 countries — mostly in South Asia and the Americas , he said .
Pence said in a private call with governors that except for a few places , the U.S. is seeing strong drops in virus-related hospitalization and mortality rates .
In audio of the call obtained by The Associated Press , Pence urged governors to make it clear to residents that “ there ’ s a lot of really , really good news.
“ White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus surge in places like Arizona and Texas .
On Monday , the nation ’ s second-most-populated state set a one-day high in hospitalizations of coronavirus patients for the seventh time in eight days .
Arizona ’ s hospitals were at about 82 % capacity .
Meanwhile , Germany and France dropped border checks nearly two weeks after Italy opened its frontiers .
Greece welcomed visitors Monday with passengers on flights from other European countries not having to undergo compulsory coronavirus tests .
The European Union ’ s 27 nations and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start reopening to visitors from outside the continent until at least the beginning of July and possibly later .
Spain allowed thousands of Germans to fly to its Balearic Islands without a 14-day quarantine in a pilot program designed to help authorities gauge what ’ s needed against possible virus flare-ups .
Martin Hofman was delighted to board a flight from Dusseldorf to the island of Mallorca because he said his vacation couldn ’ t be postponed .
“ To stay in Germany was not an option for us , ” Hofman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can get out.
” In Mexico City , residents were free to drive without restrictions , and subway and bus stations that had been closed resumed service Monday as the city of 9 million continued its gradual return .
The reopening is based on hospital occupancy levels .
As of Saturday , the capital and the surrounding state had 74 % of their hospital beds occupied .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador encouraged Mexicans to get out of the house and get the economy moving again .
“ Health is the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , the economy , well-being , the return to coexistence , harmony and freedom , ” López Obrador said as he began his second weeklong road trip , this time from the Gulf coast state of Veracruz .
“ We can ’ t let fear overwhelm us.
” In Beijing , where an outbreak was traced to a market that supplies much of the city ’ s meat and vegetables , thousands lined up for tests .
Authorities confirmed 106 cases since Friday in what looks to be the largest outbreak since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than two months ago .
Tests were administered to workers at the Xinfadi market , anyone who had visited it in the past two weeks , or anyone who had come in contact with either group .
The market is Beijing ’ s largest wholesale food market , prompting inspections of fresh meat and seafood in the city and elsewhere in China .
Authorities also locked down the neighbourhood around a second market , where three cases were confirmed .
In all , 90,000 people are affected in the two neighbourhoods in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had relaxed most of its controls after the ruling Communist Party declared victory over the virus in March .
“ We must continue to take decisive measures to defend against outside cases and internal resurgences , ” said Xu Hejian , director of the Beijing government information office .
Beijing suspended Monday ’ s planned restart of some primary schools and reversed the relaxation of some social isolation measures .
Inspectors found 40 samples of the virus in the closed market , including on a chopping board for imported salmon .
That prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their shelves over the weekend and inspect markets , stores and restaurants .
Experts were doubtful the virus was being spread through salmon or other food .
“ For my money , it is more likely to be a person who came into the area with lots of people and the virus has spread , as the virus does , ” said Ian MacKay , who studies viruses at the University of Queensland in Australia , adding there was no evidence to suggest a link between outbreaks and food .
South Korea is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resurgence , reporting 37 new cases of COVID-19 .
Authorities said 25 of those came from the Seoul area , where health authorities are scrambling to trace infections linked to entertainment and leisure activities , church gatherings , warehouse workers and door-to-door salespeople .
In other countries still battling major outbreaks : — Even as Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country was emerging from the health crisis , authorities reported 8,246 new cases in the last 24 hours , bringing its total to 537,210 .
Russia , which has recorded over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind only the U.S. and Brazil in the number of infections .
— India ’ s home minister offered 500 train carriages for use as makeshift hospital wards as New Delhi struggled to contain a spike in cases .
The Health Ministry reported a jump of more than 11,000 infections nationwide for a third straight day .
— Egypt reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases and fatalities in one day , with 1,691 infections and 97 deaths .
It has the highest death rate in the Arab world , at 1,672 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full lockdown to keep the economy functioning .
Even as caseloads multiply , authorities plan to reopen airports for tourism to less hard-hit destinations next month .
— Ukraine resumed flights to some countries , relaxing a ban in place since March 17 .
Authorities will still request those arriving from countries with high infection numbers to spend two weeks in quarantine .
Ukraine ’ s caseload has spiked recently , to nearly 32,000 , following a decision in May to resume public transportation and reopen malls and gyms .
In the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Andrew Cuomo decried “ rampant ” violations of virus restrictions and said restaurants and bars could lose their liquor licenses if they don ’ t enforce masks and social distancing .
“ People are violating everything , ” Cuomo said Monday , adding , “ to local governments , I say do your job.
“ Associated Press journalists around the world contributed .

Ken Moritsugu, Geir Moulson, Menelaos Hadjicostis And Alan Suderman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Travellers accused of breaking quarantine set to leave Hawaii

HONOLULU - Twenty-one travellers arrested on suspicion of violating Hawaii ’ s coronavirus quarantine order have agreed to leave the state because of threats , a member of the group said Monday .
Kendra Carter said some of the harassment involved death threats .
“ People started rolling up to our house calling us all types of names .
Telling us to starve and a whole bunch of stuff .
We ’ ve been getting death threats in our inboxes , ” Carter said .
“ People telling us to get the ( expletive ) off the island.
” Carter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week because police decided to let her and another woman stay with their children .
Arresting them would have meant calling child protective services , which would have meant exposing more people , Hawaii County police Lt. Rio Amon-Wilkins has said .
The group ’ s members spent two years travelling Central America and are misunderstood , Carter said .
“ People like to call us a cult because we like to live a certain lifestyle , ” she said about their vegan diet and a belief that “ everybody is different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group didn ’ t realize that Hawaii ’ s mandatory 14-day quarantine on all people arriving in the state would be strictly enforced .
Court documents say members of the group were seen at a beach park on June 8 .
A video posted on YouTube showed their leader , Eligio Bishop , petting a sea turtle , police said in the documents .
Bishop , 38 , pleaded no contest Monday to the quarantine violation , said Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth .
“ We take our quarantine and our safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re not going tolerate people violating the law.
” The group “ probably spent more time in jail on their trip to Hawaii than they spent outside of jail , “ Roth said .
Attorney Donald Wilkerson , who represents two other men arrested with the group , said Monday the other cases will be dismissed but would be refiled if they return to Hawaii and violate the quarantine .
“ They ’ re leaving Hawaii , ” Wilkerson said of his clients , Denedric Johnson , 23 , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of California .
“ My clients intend to go back to the mainland.
” Members of the group , known as Carbon Nation , which Carter described as a nature-loving family , were so excited to experience Hawaii that they they decided to stop at the beach before going to their Big Island rental home , she said .
The quarantine doesn ’ t allow travellers to leave a residence or hotel room for any reason except medical emergencies .
“ We apologized for it and we ’ re still apologizing for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s court file includes a copy of an “ Order for Self-Quarantine ” that arriving travellers receive at the airport .
It shows what appear to be his initials and signature verifying that he would abide by the quarantine , including going straight to the residence from the airport .
The quarantine has helped Hawaii maintain relatively low infection rates compared to other parts of the U.S. As of Monday , a total 736 people have tested positive since the outbreak began .
There have been 17 deaths .
Even after their arrests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hawaii , Carter said .
But the threats led to their decision to leave , she said .
Jessica Lani Rich , president of Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii , which provides help to tourists , said Monday her organization had been prepared Friday to get them flights out of Hawaii , but they wanted to stay .
She said she ’ s ready to resume the effort if that ’ s what they want .

Jennifer Sinco Kelleher - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Statue of pioneer linked to California Gold Rush is removed

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - A statue honouring a colonizer who laid claim to the land where the discovery of shiny flakes of gold sparked the California Gold Rush was removed Monday outside a hospital bearing his name in the state capital .
Several dozen people cheered as a work crew lifted the statue of John Sutter — a 19th century European colonizer of California who enslaved Native Americans — off its pedestal outside Sutter Medical Center in the latest reckoning of historical figures being removed from public display .
Across the U.S. and Europe , statues of Confederate officers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcibly by protesters , as the uproar over racism spreads after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
“ OK , he ’ s Sutter , but he ’ s a real son of a b—— , ” said Frank Condon , a playwright who was walking to a doctor ’ s appointment .
He had marveled hours earlier that it was still standing and wondered why it hadn ’ t been taken down .
Sutter , a European immigrant who had built a fort in Sacramento in the mid-1800s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American River in Coloma about 35 miles ( 56 kilometres ) away in the Sierra foothills .
James Marshall , a carpenter , was building a mill there for Sutter when he discovered gold in 1848 .
The two tried to keep it a secret , but word got out and men flocked to the foothills in search of their fortune .
In addition to the replica fort in downtown Sacramento that still bears his name across from the hospital , there is a county and several schools and streets named for Sutter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some community members ’ viewpoints , and in the interest of public safety for our patients and staff , we are removing the John Sutter statue that was originally donated to Sutter General Hospital , ” a Sutter Health spokesman said in a statement .
Sutter Health did not say whether it was considering removing Sutter ’ s name from the non-profit hospital system .
Ashwut Rodriguez , a California Indian from Sacramento , spit on the statue of Sutter after it was loaded onto a flatbed and tied down .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a broken arm , but we can ’ t celebrate or consider anything until you stop celebrating these evil people , ” said Rodriguez , 42 , who came out with his family and young children to watch .
The statue will be kept in storage until a decision is made where it will go , Sutter Health spokesman Gary Zavoral said .
Sutter himself did not benefit from the gold rush and his empire crumbled after the discovery was made .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Obama to hold joint fundraiser for Biden next week

WASHINGTON - Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is getting some help from his “ former boss , “ Barack @ @ @ @ @ to fill his campaign coffers and unify the Democratic Party ahead of the November election @ @ @ @ @ Biden will appear together next Tuesday for a “ virtual grassroots fundraiser , ” the @ @ @ @ @ .
It will be the first time the two have appeared together since Obama endorsed @ @ @ @ @ ’ s tweet linked to a campaign fundraising page and to a form for those @ @ @ @ @ question of the two Democrats .
The announcement Monday came hours after Biden said that @ @ @ @ @ groups had raised $ 81 million in May — his strongest-ever fundraising haul .
President @ @ @ @ @ has yet to release its fundraising total for the month .


thetorontostar--2020-06-15--Kansas officers shoot, kill man who pointed gun after chase

LAWRENCE , Kan. - Kansas law enforcement authorities on Monday shot and killed a man wanted by the U.S .
Marshals Service who led them on a car chase then pointed a gun at them , according to the Kansas Highway Patrol .
The patrol didn ’ t identify the suspect , a white man who died at the scene .
The chase started Monday afternoon when Highway Patrol troopers located a man wanted by the marshals near Perry Lake in northeast Kansas , the KHP said in a news release .
Troopers pursued the vehicle into Lawrence , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using tactical manoeuvrs that caused it to spin and come to a halt .
The patrol said the man got out of his vehicle and pointed a gun in the direction of two troopers and an officer with a local law enforcement agency , and they exchanged gunfire .
It ’ s not clear how many of the officers fired their weapons or which officer shot and killed the suspect .
A second person was in the vehicle and is now in custody .
No officers were hurt .
The Johnson County Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t involved in the chase or shooting , will investigate .
The troopers involved will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation , which is standard practice .