thetorontostar--2020-07-28--Trump defends disproved COVID-19 treatment

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump issued a stout defence Tuesday of a disproved use of a malaria drug as a treatment for the coronavirus , hours after social media companies moved to take down videos promoting its use as potentially harmful misinformation .
The president , in a marked shift from the more measured approach he ’ s taken toward the virus in recent days , took to Twitter to promote hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , and to amplify criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing , Trump defended his decision to promote a viral video of a group of doctors promoting the use of the drug Monday , even though his own administration withdrew emergency authorization for its use against the coronavirus .
“ I think they ’ re very respected doctors , “ Trump said , adding they believed in the drug .
” There was a woman who was spectacular in her statements about it.
” The doctors , members of a group called America ’ s Frontline Doctors , took part in an event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dark money group that has helped fund a pro-Trump political action committee .
Scientific studies have shown hydroxychloroquine can do more harm than good when used to treat symptoms of COVID-19 .
Trump , his son Donald Trump Jr. , and others shared video of the event on Facebook and Twitter , prompting both companies to step in and remove the content as part of an aggressive push to keep the sites free of potentially harmful information about the virus — though not before more than 17 million people had seen one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ web .
The decision to remove the videos sparked conservative claims of “ censorship , ” with Simone Gold , one of the doctors , tweeting that “ there are always opposing views in medicine.
” “ Treatment options for COVID-19 should be debated , and spoken about among our colleagues in the medical field , ” she wrote .
“ They should never , however , be censored and silenced.
” Others stressed the differences between medical opinion and peer-reviewed scientific studies .
Many high-quality studies have found no evidence that hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antibiotic azithromycin , as touted many times by Trump , helps treat coronavirus infection or prevent serious disease from it .
They include studies commissioned by the U.S. National Institutes of Health , the World Health Organization and universities in the U.S. and around the world .
Because of the lack of benefit and the risks of serious side effects such as heart rhythm problems , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently revoked its brief authorization of emergency use of the drug for COVID-19 .
NIH treatment guidelines also specifically recommend against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formal studies .
In addition to sharing the video , Trump retweeted several tweets that attacked the credibility of Fauci , a leading member of the White House coronavirus task force .
Later , Trump appeared to back away from his criticism of Fauci , saying , “ I get along with him very well “ and even appearing envious of his widespread approval rating .
“ He ’ s got a very good approval rating , and I like that , “ Trump said , adding that Fauci and White House coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him , “ And yet they ’ re highly thought of but nobody likes me.
” Fauci has become an off-and-on target of Trump and some of his White House aides and outside allies , who disagreed with the doctor ’ s early recommendation to shut down the economy as a way to slow the virus , which is surging again in parts of the country , mostly in the South and West .
Trump , in recent interviews , has described Fauci as “ a bit of an alarmist ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his coronavirus guidance .
But Trump also says he gets along with the longtime head of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
Fauci said Tuesday that he ’ ll deal with the attacks by keeping his head down and doing his job .
He also backed the conclusions of the FDA and others about hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19 .
Asked if he can do his job while Trump publicly questions his credibility , Fauci said the stakes are too high not to stay involved .
“ We ’ re in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an epidemic , a pandemic .
This is what I do , “ Fauci said on ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America.
” ” This is what I ’ ve been trained for my entire professional life and I ’ ll continue to do it.
” Facebook , Twitter and YouTube began scrubbing their sites of the video of the doctors on Monday .
Conservative news outlets , groups and internet personalities shared it .
Facebook said the video is “ sharing false information about cures and treatments for COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter also said it was working to remove the video .
The company also took down a tweet from Donald Trump Jr. describing one version of the video as a “ must watch !
!
!
” and temporarily halted him from tweeting .
In the video , Dr. Stella Immanuel , a physician from Houston whom Trump described as spectacular , promotes hydroxychloroquine as a sure-fire cure for the coronavirus .
She claims to have successfully treated 350 people “ and counting , ” including older patients and some with underlying medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need masks , there is a cure , ” Immanuel says in the video .
But in videos posted to her Facebook page , Immanuel regularly wears masks while preaching during religious events .
“ I thought her voice was an important voice , but I know nothing about her , “ Trump said of Immanuel , sidestepping questions about her history of dubious medical claims .
Trump initially flouted guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on wearing face masks , saying he wouldn ’ t be doing it — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until this month .
After multiple polls showed the public disapproved of his handling of the coronavirus , Trump recently began encouraging people to wear face coverings and tried to project a more serious tone as the virus has surged again , primarily in Arizona , California , Florida and Texas .
Trump wore a face mask in public on Monday in North Carolina , just the second time he has done so during the pandemic .
Last week , he said the situation would probably worsen before it gets better , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for cancelling GOP convention events scheduled for August in Jacksonville , Florida .
More than 4 million people in the U.S. have been infected by the coronavirus and the death toll is nearing 150,000 , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Seitz reported from Chicago .
Associated Press writers David Klepper in Providence , R.I. , and Marilynn Marchione in Milwaukee contributed to this report .

Darlene Superville And Amanda Seitz - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Iran launches underground ballistic missiles during exercise

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran ’ s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched underground ballistic missiles Wednesday as part of an exercise involving a mock-up American aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz , highlighting its network of subterranean bases .
Although state television documentaries have focused on operations underground at the bases , all have avoided showing geographic details revealing their locations .
Wednesday ’ s launch from what appears to be central Iran ’ s desert plateau changes that amid heightened tensions between Tehran and the U.S. over its tattered nuclear deal with world powers and as economic pressures grow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch of ballistic missiles from the depths of the earth for the first time , “ Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh , commander of the Guard ’ s aerospace division , told state TV .
” That means without utilizing conventional launchpads , the buried missiles suddenly rip out of the earth and hit their targets precisely.
” Drone footage captured by the Guard showed two missiles blasting out from covered positions in the desert early Wednesday morning , with debris flying up into the air in their wake .
The Guard did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor the missiles involved .
The launch , six months after the Guard shot down a Ukrainian jetliner and killed all 176 people on board , appeared geared toward demonstrating the strength of its missile program to a domestic audience , missile expert Melissa Hanham said .
The above-ground footage shown on state television , coupled with investigative techniques , make it possible to locate the site , she said .
“ Once you find the silo , it ’ s really not a safe place to keep your missile anymore , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy director of an Austria-based group called the Open Nuclear Network .
Given how corrosive the fuel used for the missiles is and the maintenance required , such weapons can ’ t simply be buried in the desert and forgotten .
Since its bloody 1980s war with Iraq , which saw both nations fire missiles on cities , Iran has developed its ballistic missile program as a deterrent , especially as a U.N. arms embargo prevents it from buying high-tech weapons systems .
The underground tunnels help protect those weapons , Hanham said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do is increase the survivability of their missile forces , “ she said .
” They feel that their missile forces are exposed and that they could be taken out preemptively .
By building this elaborate tunnel scheme , they ’ re trying to increase the survivability.
” The drill , called “ Great Prophet 14 , ” also sends a message to the United States .
Iran has been firing at a fake aircraft carrier resembling America ’ s Nimitz-class carriers towed out to the strait by a tugboat .
Adm. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s naval chief , said its armed drones attacked the bridge of the fake carrier Wednesday , the semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported .
During Wednesday ’ s drills , footage showed a missile striking a target resembling an American missile defence system known as a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence , or THAAD .
Tasnim published a graphic overnight that altered the image of an American carrier into the shape of a casket with a set of crosshairs on it , with a caption quoting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pledging to seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed a top Iranian general in January .
The drill — and the American response to it — underline the lingering threat of military conflict between Iran and the U.S. after a series of escalating incidents last year led to the January drone strike .
Tehran responded to that strike by firing ballistic missiles that wounded dozens of American forces in Iraq .
While the coronavirus pandemic has engulfed both Iran and the U.S. for months , there has been a growing confrontation as America argues to extend the yearslong U.N. weapons embargo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October .
A recent incident over Syria involving an American jet fighter approaching an Iranian passenger plane also has renewed tensions .
Economic pressure from the collapse of the nuclear deal , caused by President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrawing America from the accord , has seen Iran ’ s rial currency drastically drop in value .
At the time of the deal in 2015 , $ 1 cost 32,000 rial .
Today , $ 1 is worth some 235,000 rials .
Ballistic missile fire detected from the drill Tuesday resulted in American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Base in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Al-Udeid Air Base , the forward headquarters of the U.S. military ’ s Central Command in Qatar , the military said .
Troops briefly sought cover during that time .
Both bases are hundreds of kilometres ( miles ) away from where Iran placed the replica aircraft carrier in the strait , the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 % of all oil traded passes .

Amir Vahdat And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Turkey: Social media law’s passage raises censorship worries

ISTANBUL - Turkey ’ s parliament approved a law early Wednesday that gives authorities greater power to regulate social media despite concerns of growing censorship in a country where critical voices are already muted .
The law requires social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter to maintain representatives in Turkey to deal with complaints about content on their platforms .
A company that refuses to designate an official representative could be subject to fines , advertising bans and bandwidth reductions that would make their networks too slow to use .
Most alarming to the Turkish government ’ s critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media providers to store user data in Turkey .
The government says the legislation was needed to combat cybercrime and to protect users of social media .
Speaking in parliament Wednesday morning , ruling party lawmaker Rumeysa Kadak said it would be used to remove posts that contain cyberbullying and insults against women .
Lawmakers who were against the measure termed it a “ censorship law ” that would further limit freedom of expression in Turkey.
” Garo Paylan , a legislator from the pro-Kurdish opposition party that has had members arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the law will further erode avenues for opposition parties to reach the public .
“ This way , the opposition ’ s last remaining windpipe will be cut , “ he said .
The local representative of social media companies would be tasked with responding to individual requests to take down content violating privacy and personal rights within 48 hours or to provide grounds for rejection .
The company would be held liable for damages if the content is not removed or blocked within 24 hours .
After steep fines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bandwidth needed to access the social media network halved and then cut further if the company persists in not appointing a Turkey-based representative .
The storage of user information raises concerns about more than privacy , critics of the legislation said .
Hundreds of people have been investigated and some arrested over social media posts on the COVID-19 pandemic , opposition to Turkish military offensives abroad or insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials .
In Turkey , 54 million of the country ’ s 83 million people identify as active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by polling company Metropoll showed 49.6 % of respondents did not support a law that could limit , shut down or fine social media companies over content .
Some 40.8 % said they would support it .
Istanbul resident Serkan Aslan , 23 , said he supports some regulation of social media .
“ In environments where people share their personal , daily lives like Instagram .
I don ’ t believe interference is right , ” Aslan said .
“ But on channels like Twitter , where people can easily be misled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulation is the right thing to do.
” But Tugrul Calis , 62 , disagrees .
An avid social media user , Calis said he wouldn ’ t want to break the law .
“ So what do you do ?
You automatically self-censor .
And that ’ s the worst : A person not being able to freely share his or her thoughts , to censor one ’ s self , ” Calis said Cyber-rights activist and academic Yaman Akdeniz tweeted : “ A new and dark period is starting in Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued the law would be used to remove content critical of the government rather than to protect users .
Rights groups and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights came out against the bill Tuesday ahead of the vote , with Amnesty International calling it “ draconian.
” “ If passed , these amendments would significantly increase the government ’ s powers to censor online content and prosecute social media users .
This is a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression online and contravenes international human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International ’ s Andrew Gardner said .
Erdogan has demanded the law , vowing to “ control social media platforms ” and eradicate immorality .
Twitter did not respond to a request for comment .
Turkey leads the world in legal requests to Twitter for content removal , with more than 6,000 demands in the first half of 2019 , according to the company ’ s most recent transparency report .
More than 408,000 websites are blocked in Turkey , according to The Freedom of Expression Association , a non-governmental organization .
Online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years before Turkey ’ s top court ruled that the ban violated the right to freedom of expression .
The majority of mainstream media companies are owned by pro-government businesses , and critical journalists have been fired or jailed over the years .
The Journalists ’ Union of Turkey says 76 journalists and media staff are behind bars in Turkey .
The law passed after 16 hours of tense deliberations in parliament , where Erdogan ’ s ruling party and its nationalist ally hold the majority of seats .
It is set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a presidential approval and publication in the Official Gazette .

Zeynep Bilginsoy And Mehmet Guzel - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Officials: US is bringing 6,400 troops home from Germany

WASHINGTON - Spurred on by President Donald Trump ’ s demand to pull troops out of Germany , the U.S. will bring about 6,400 forces home and shift about 5,400 to other countries in Europe , U.S. defence officials said Wednesday , detailing a Pentagon plan that will cost billions of dollars and take years to complete .
The decision fulfills Trump ’ s announced desire to withdraw troops from Germany , at least in part due to its failure to spend enough on defence .
U.S. officials said that some moves will begin in months and would likely send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already have an American troop presence .
The plan leaves about 25,000 troops in Germany .
The announcement is closely tied to the plan to increase the U.S. troop presence in Poland , a shift long-desired by Warsaw and Polish President Andrzej Duda .
The officials , who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans not yet announced , said the moves will cost “ billions ” and require construction at bases in the U.S. to accommodate the additional forces .
The officials said that in the future other troops would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Members of Trump ’ s own political party have criticized the troop move as a gift to Russia and a threat to U.S. national security .
Twenty-two Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee fired back with a letter to Trump saying a reduced U.S. commitment to Europe ’ s defence would encourage Russian aggression and opportunism .
It ’ s also unclear if the plan would survive if Trump is not reelected in November .
Germany is a hub for U.S. operations in the Middle East and Africa .
The decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a clear move by the Pentagon to assuage allies by avoiding the complete withdrawal of 10,000 troops out of the region .
And by spreading forces into the East , it sends a message to Russia that the U.S. is not reducing its commitment to the region and remains ready to protect Eastern Europe from any Moscow aggression .
Sen. Jim Inhofe , the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee , has voiced support for the plan while also acknowledging it will take “ months to plan and years to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue last week , and he issued a statement saying the “ concept for realigning U.S. military posture in Europe ” is sound .
Trump announced last month that he wanted to cut the number of active duty U.S. troops in Germany from roughly 36,000 to a bit more than 25,000 .
Shifting forces out of the country had long been rumoured and is in line with Pentagon efforts to put more troops in the Indo-Pacific .
But Trump ’ s comments indicated the move was tied more directly to his anger over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defence spending goals .
Trump has branded Germany “ delinquent ” for failing to meet a NATO goal set in 2014 for members to halt budget cuts and move toward spending at least 2 % of gross national product on defence by 2024 .
And he asserted that the Germans had long shortchanged the United States on trade and defence , declaring that “ until they pay ” more for their own defence , he will reduce U.S. troops .
At a Rose Garden event last month with Duda , Trump said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to Poland and some would go to “ other places.
” Under an agreement announced last year , the U.S. already said it was sending about 1,000 more troops to Poland , and progress is being made , officials said , to lay the groundwork for those moves .
Based on that agreement , the U.S. will add a division headquarters , a combat training centre , an unmanned aircraft squadron and structure to support an Army brigade that could rotate in and out of the country .
Overall , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Germany , spread out across a number of bases , headquarters and smaller installations .
Most of the 35,000 on active duty are in a handful of larger Army and Air Force bases including Ramstein Air Base , a hub in the region .
There also are 2,600 National Guard and Reserve forces in Germany and almost 12,000 civilians working for the services or the Defence Department .
After Trump ’ s meeting with Duda , Defence Secretary Mark Esper in early July made a rare overseas trip to NATO for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Washington is still committed to the region and that he will consult with them on troops movements .
Because of the coronavirus threats , international travel has been significantly limited .
Several NATO defence ministers had expressed concern about the decision to pull thousands of troops out of Germany , particularly since Trump has talked repeatedly about bringing troops home and getting the U.S. out of “ endless wars .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Ex-Indiana Gov. Kernan, who was a Vietnam POW, dies at 74

INDIANAPOLIS - Former Indiana Gov .
Joe Kernan , a Vietnam prisoner of war who entered politics and was thrust into the state ’ s top office when his predecessor suffered a deadly stroke , died Wednesday at age 74 .
Kernan died at a South Bend health care facility , said Mary Downes , who was his governor ’ s office chief of staff .
Kernan was diagnosed with Alzheimer ’ s disease several years ago , but his family kept his condition private until disclosing earlier this month that he had lost the ability to speak and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Democrat , won three elections as South Bend ’ s mayor before being elected lieutenant governor with Gov .
Frank O ’ Bannon in 1996 and 2000 .
Kernan became governor in September 2003 after O ’ Bannon ’ s death and served for 16 months before he lost the 2004 election to Republican Mitch Daniels .
“ Distinguished isn ’ t a strong enough word to describe him , ” current Gov .
Eric Holcomb said in a statement .
“ Without regard for personal cost , Joe Kernan devoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and again , to upholding the oath he took , and serving the country and state he loved.
” A gregarious campaigner who was a catcher on the University of Notre Dame ’ s baseball team , Kernan was widely praised for the smooth transition after the first death of an Indiana governor since 1891 .
“ This was uncharted territory , ” Republican state Sen. James Merritt said to Kernan during a ceremony just days before he left office in early 2005 .
“ This was your legacy — calm leadership in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navy following his 1968 Notre Dame graduation and he flew as a navigator on combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam .
His reconnaissance plane was shot down during a mission over North Vietnam on May 7 , 1972 .
He ejected and was captured , beginning an 11-month ordeal as a prisoner of war that ended when he was flown out of Hanoi on March 27 , 1973 .
The worst day of captivity came early on , he said , when he talked with another POW .
“ He told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we were presumed dead , ” Kernan said in a 2002 interview .
“ My family thought I was dead , and if the Navy thought I was dead , the thing that goes through your mind is that there ’ s no reason for these guys to keep me alive.
” For decades , Kernan marked every May 7 by playing golf , eating a pizza and drinking some beer .
He said he remembered the date of his capture each year “ without question , ” but sometimes he didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release until a day or a week later .
“ I think it ’ s because if there hadn ’ t have been a May 7th , there never would have been a March 27th , ” Kernan said .
“ It was the day my life changed.
” Kernan ’ s actions as governor included picking former state budget director Kathy Davis to replace him as lieutenant governor — making her the first woman to serve either as Indiana ’ s governor or lieutenant governor .
He also became the first Indiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life of a death row inmate when he stopped an execution just days before it was scheduled to occur in 2004 .
Kernan said he decided it would be unfair to execute Darnell Williams for the 1986 murders of a Gary couple when a mentally disabled accomplice got a life sentence .
Williams ’ sentence was commuted to life in prison without parole .
Kernan had decided against a 2004 run for governor the year before O ’ Bannon ’ s death .
He changed his mind two months after taking over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t want to watch this from the sidelines.
” Republicans attacked Kernan over the state government ’ s budget deficit and tens of thousands of job losses , with Democrats blaming the problems on the 2001 national recession following the dot-com bust .
Kernan lost what was then Indiana ’ s most-expensive gubernatorial campaign to Daniels , who had been President George W. Bush ’ s federal budget director and is now Purdue University ’ s president .
Kernan grew up in the northern Indiana city of South Bend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After his return from Vietnam , he married his wife , Maggie , and worked for local businesses before becoming city controller and then winning his first of three mayoral elections in 1987 .
The couple had no children .
He led a group of investors who owned South Bend ’ s minor league baseball team for about five years before selling it in 2011 .
Kernan ’ s group stopped the team from being moved away from the city , but he said the franchise never turned a profit .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing but to him it was like a gift for South Bend , ” Maggie Kernan told Notre Dame Magazine earlier this year .
Kernan often said he didn ’ t have many bad days after his time as a POW .
Maggie Kernan said she often saw that perspective .
“ Because of his personality and optimistic outlook , he has been able to take it and make something out of it that is positive , ” she said .
“ He will talk about doing something tough and difficult and say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , send me to jail ?
I ’ ve already been there .
’ ”


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Asia Today: China, SKorea, Japan see upticks in virus cases

BEIJING - China reported more than 100 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday as the country continues to battle an outbreak in Xinjiang .
The 101 new cases was China ’ s highest daily increase in weeks .
The northwestern region of Xinjiang accounted for 89 , with another eight in the northeastern province of Liaoning and one in Beijing .
Another three cases were brought from outside the country by returning Chinese citizens .
Outside of Xinjiang , the virus has been largely contained in mainland China with the death toll from COVID-19 remaining at 4,634 among 84,060 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the central city of Wuhan late last year .
Hospitals are treating 482 people for the disease , with another 274 in isolation while being monitored for showing signs of infection or for having tested positive for the virus without displaying symptoms .
Xinjiang ’ s outbreak has centred on the region ’ s capital and largest city of Urumqi , where authorities have isolated some communities , restricted public transport and ordered widespread testing .
In other developments around the Asia-Pacific region : — Vietnam ’ s government said Wednesday it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s first domestic outbreak in more than three months continues to spread .
Starting from a hospital in the popular beach city of Da Nang , 34 cases have been confirmed over the past five days , including an additional 12 on Wednesday .
“ The outbreak this time has a high risk of spreading to other big cities and provinces around Da Nang , ” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at the government ’ s daily COVID-19 meeting .
The cases confirmed Wednesday included an American who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nang hospital and his companion who then moved to another hospital in Ho Chi Minh City .
One person in Hanoi and another in Daklak also tested positive for the coronavirus , the Health Ministry said .
In Hanoi , health officials disinfected the residence and work place of the confirmed case , a man who recently returned from Da Nang after a family vacation .
The alley leading to his house and the pizza restaurant where he works were cordoned off and his contacts were quarantined and tested for the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of domestic tourists cut short their vacations in Da Nang and left after the outbreak there .
— As Japan battles a surge in coronavirus cases , some areas may be running out of isolation facilities to monitor infected people .
The health ministry reported 981 new cases Tuesday and three more deaths from COVID-19 , raising the cumulative toll to 1,000 people .
Most of the new cases were domestic , while 13 were found at airports from incoming flights , it said .
Chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga acknowledged some areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places like hotels , where infected people can be housed and monitored away from other people and prevent the spread of the virus .
The national government stood ready to help regional governments to make sure people can stay in such facilities , Suga said Wednesday .
— South Korea reported 48 additional cases , maintaining an uptick in new infections .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday the additional figures took the country ’ s total to 14,251 with 300 deaths .
Fourteen of the new patients were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from overseas .
South Korea has been reporting roughly 20-60 new cases every day since it eased its strict social distancing rules in early May .
— Australia ’ s hard-hit Victoria state recorded its lowest daily tally of COVID-19 cases in nine days while the state premier expressed hope it was the start of a downward trend .
Victoria reported 295 new cases and nine deaths , seven of which were in aged care homes that are bearing the brunt of the pandemic .
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said “ trends are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he hoped the decline continued .
The outbreak has been concentrated in Melbourne , Australia ’ s second-largest city , which is halfway through a six-week lockdown .
— New Zealand ’ s government says it will rush through new laws to allow some people to be charged for their border quarantine costs .
New Zealand hasn ’ t had any community transmission of the virus for three months , and everybody who enters the country is required to spend two weeks isolated at a hotel .
The cost to taxpayers has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars .
Under the new law , adults who leave or enter the country for short holidays or business trips will be required to pay about $ 2,100 toward their quarantine costs .
But there will be many exceptions to the new fees , and officials acknowledge it will affect less than 10 % of travellers .
— The Philippines will allow fitness gyms , sports facilities , internet cafes , beauty parlours , pet grooming shops and drive-in movie theatres to reopen at 30 % capacity starting Saturday in metropolitan Manila and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases .
Other regions with more relaxed quarantines can also allow massage parlours , tattoo shops and tourist destinations to partially reopen , presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Wednesday .
President Rodrigo Duterte ’ s administration eased a months-long lockdown in the congested capital in June and quarantine restrictions elsewhere in the country after the economy contracted in the first quarter and headed toward a recession .
Duterte and other top officials have walked a tightrope as they try to revive the economy while the virus outbreak continues .
The country has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including nearly 2,000 deaths , among the highest in Southeast Asia .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Plan to get more bikes on road wobbles as UK tackles obesity

LONDON - A plan by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to get more Britons cycling has got off to a rocky start , with a website offering bicycle repair vouchers crashing at launch .
The “ fix your bike ” vouchers worth up to 50 pounds ( $ 65 ) are offered as part of the government ’ s 2-billion-pound plan to boost active travel .
Johnson is simultaneously leading a crackdown on obesity , after a report published last week by Public Health England found that being overweight or obese can dramatically increase the risk of hospitalization and death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was hospitalized in intensive care with COVID-19 in April - admitted Monday that he was “ too fat ” and has long struggled with his own weight .
In a video released to launch the government ’ s anti-obesity strategy , Johnson said he had lost at least 14 pounds after recovering from coronavirus , and urged Britons to follow his lead .
The government launched its offer of bike repair vouchers Wednesday , but a Transport Department statement said the website had been taken offline “ following high levels of interest.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ released gradually to ensure cycle repair shops can cope with the demand .
Government figures show there has been a surge in cycling following the coronavirus outbreak , with bike usage on roads in July nearly doubling that in March .
Officials want to do more : family doctors in some areas are being encouraged to prescribe bike rides , with patients given access to bikes .
Britain is among countries with the highest obesity rate in Europe , and researchers leading a large-scale coronavirus symptom study said Tuesday that lockdown conditions have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Data released Tuesday by the team behind the Covid Symptom Study app , downloaded and used by 4 million people , showed that almost a third of those who responded to a survey - about 450,000 people - reported they had put on weight during lockdown .
Many are snacking more , moving less and eating less healthily , and some are consuming more alcohol , researchers said .
Officials this week announced they plan to help reduce obesity levels by prohibiting “ buy one get one free ” promotions on crisps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ads on television before 9 p.m. Officials hope the measures will help lessen the impact of coronavirus in the U.K. , which , at nearly 46,000 , has the highest official coronavirus death toll in Europe .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Israeli artist takes aim at Netanyahu with life-size statue

TEL AVIV , Israel - Residents of the city of Tel Aviv woke up Wednesday to a jarring sight : a pop-up exhibit depicting a life-size statue of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enjoying a lavish meal by himself at a sprawling table in a mock re-enactment of the Last Supper .
The installation , displayed in Tel Aviv ’ s central Rabin Square , is the latest twist in a summer of demonstrations against Netanyahu .
In recent weeks , thousands of people have taken to the streets , calling on Netanyahu to resign , angry over what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic crisis caused by the coronavirus and depicting him as a hedonist out of touch with common people .
Many critics accuse him of trampling over Israel ’ s democratic traditions as he clings to power while on trial for corruption charges and pushes for emergency powers under the guise of battling the coronavirus crisis .
In an interview earlier this week from his studio outside Tel Aviv , artist Itay Zalait said the installation , made of polymer materials and painted in lively colours , is meant to symbolize the “ last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Facebook post , Netanyahu denounced the display , saying there was no place for incitement and death threats against him , “ including the disgraceful threat of crucifixion today in Tel Aviv.
” The 10-meter ( 11-yard ) long table is filled with platters of juicy fruit , wads of cash , empty bottles of liquor and a cigar — a jab at the expensive gifts Netanyahu is accused of improperly accepting from wealthy associates .
Netanyahu , appearing pudgy and disheveled in a dark suit and red tie , is seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid 12 empty chairs .
“ You have the prime minister of Israel sitting in the centre of the table and grabbing and sucking all this rich food to himself .
Now he ’ s practically finished this meal and he ’ s now at the stage of the dessert , which is referring to the last minutes of time we can do something to save Israeli democracy , ” Zalait said .
Zalait said he found the imagery particularly poignant at a time when unemployment has skyrocketed and tens of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions that have battered Israel ’ s economy .
“ Everyone hopes that this is really Bibi ’ s last supper .
The corruption and disgust are suggested by the disgusting abundance of so much food with meat and milk and cream and sweets , Toval said .
It ’ s not the first time Zalait has taken to life-size art to express his opinion .
Two years ago , he erected a statue of Israel ’ s then-culture minister , Miri Regev , wearing a long white dress and staring into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest Regev ’ s calls for legislation requiring artists to show “ loyalty ” to the state .
Before that , he built a golden statue of Netanyahu to mock what he said was the idolatry of many Israelis toward the longtime leader .
Regev , currently the country ’ s transportation minister , called Zalait ’ s latest public exhibit incitement to violence .
“ Is someone suggesting that the prime minister ’ s future be that of the diner at the Last Supper ?
” she wrote on Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time until there is an exhibit of the gallows and a rope.
” Lawmaker Tamar Zandberg of the leftist Meretz party responded to Regev and others by saying that rather than condemning a work of art , it would be more appropriate for them to denounce the violence their supporters have directed recently against peaceful protesters on the streets .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--UK judge holds hearing in Meghan Markle's lawsuit against newspaper

LONDON - Lawyers for the Duchess of Sussex asked a judge at a London court on Wednesday to keep the names of five of her friends out of the public domain as she wages a privacy-infringement battle against a British newspaper .
Meghan ’ s attorney said the female friends , who defended her in anonymous magazine interviews last year , are innocent parties who fear intrusion if their names come out .
The target of her lawsuit , Associated Newspapers Ltd. , argues that the principle of open justice — the public ’ s right to know — means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Meghan Markle is suing the publisher of the Mail on Sunday newspaper and the MailOnline website at Britain ’ s High Court over five articles that published portions of a handwritten letter she wrote to her estranged father , Thomas Markle , after her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018 .
Meghan , 38 , is seeking damages from the publisher for alleged misuse of private information , copyright infringement and data protection breaches .
Her lawyers say publishing the letter was “ a flagrant and unjustified intrusion into her private and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will strongly contest the claim .
At a half-day pretrial hearing , Meghan ’ s lawyers asked judge Mark Warby to prohibit publishing the personal details of the friends who spoke to People magazine in early 2019 to condemn alleged bullying of the duchess by the U.K. press .
The women ’ s names are included in a confidential court document , but they have been identified in public only as A to E. Meghan ’ s attorney , Justin Rushbrooke , argued that the court had a duty to “ protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that with the full high-profile libel trial yet to begin , the court should be cautious and protect “ the innocent party who fears intrusion.
” But the Mail ’ s lawyer , Antony White , said granting anonymity would undermine the “ vitally important open justice principle.
” “ The friends are important potential witnesses on a key issue , “ White said in a written argument .
He said removing their names ” would be a heavy curtailment of the media ’ s and the defendant ’ s entitlement to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s right to know about it.
” Associated Newspapers says it was Meghan ’ s friends who brought the letter to Thomas Markle into the public domain by describing it in the People article .
It argues that details of the letter in that article must have come “ directly or indirectly ” from the duchess .
But Rushbrooke said Meghan did not know at the time that her friends were speaking to the magazine .
He said the anonymous interviews were arranged by one of the five friends , who was concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the duchess , pregnant at the time with her first child .
In a witness statement submitted in the case , the duchess said “ each of these women is a private citizen , young mother , and each has a basic right to privacy.
” “ These five women are not on trial , and nor am I , ” she wrote .
“ The publisher of the Mail on Sunday is the one on trial .
It is this publisher that acted unlawfully and is attempting to evade accountability ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the point of this case -- that the Mail on Sunday unlawfully published my private letter.
” American actress Meghan Markle , former star of the TV legal drama “ Suits , ” married Queen Elizabeth II ’ s grandson Harry in a lavish ceremony at Windsor Castle in May 2018 .
Their son Archie was born the following year , In January the couple announced they were quitting royal duties and moving to North America , citing what they said was unbearable intrusion from the British media .
Neither Harry nor Meghan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing .
The judge said he would give his ruling “ as soon as I can.
“


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Very different, symbolic hajj in Saudi Arabia amid virus

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Muslim pilgrims , donning face masks and moving in small groups after days in isolation , began arriving at Islam ’ s holiest site in Mecca on Wednesday for the start of a historically unique and scaled-down hajj experience reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic .
The hajj is one of Islam ’ s most important requirements , performed once in a lifetime .
It follows a route the Prophet Muhammad walked nearly 1,400 years ago and is believed to ultimately trace the footsteps of the prophets Ibrahim and Ismail , or Abraham and Ishmael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The hajj , both physically and spiritually demanding , is intended to bring about greater humility and unity among Muslims .
Rather than standing and praying shoulder-to-shoulder in a sea of people from different walks of life , pilgrims this year are social distancing — standing apart and moving in small groups of 20 to limit exposure and the potential transmission of the coronavirus .
The pilgrimage is a journey that Muslims traditionally experience with relatives .
In past years , it was common to see men pushing their elderly parents around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete the hajj , and parents carrying children on their backs .
The communal feeling of more than 2.5 million people from around the world — Shiite , Sunni and other Muslim sects — praying together , eating together and repenting together has long been part of what makes hajj both a challenging and rewarding experience like none other .
This year , however , pilgrims are eating prepackaged meals alone in their hotel rooms and praying at a distance from one another .
The Saudi government is covering all the pilgrims ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and healthcare .
While the experience is starkly different , it remains an opportunity for pilgrims to wipe clean past sins and deepen their faith .
Ammar Khaled , a 29-year-old Indian pilgrim who was born and raised in Saudi Arabia , said although he ’ s alone on the hajj , he ’ s praying for those he loves .
“ Words aren ’ t enough to explain how blessed I feel and how amazing the arrangements have been , “ Khaled said .
“ They have taken every possible precaution.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the government barred Muslims from entering the kingdom from abroad to perform the hajj in order to limit exposure of the coronavirus .
Instead , as few as 1,000 people already residing in Saudi Arabia were selected to take part in the hajj this year .
Two-thirds are foreign residents from among the 160 different nationalities that would have normally been represented at the hajj .
One-third are Saudi security personnel and medical staff .
The pilgrims , who were selected after applying through an online portal , were required to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with no terminal illnesses and showing no symptoms of the virus .
Preference was given to those who have not performed the hajj before .
Pilgrims were tested for the coronavirus , given wristbands that connect to their phones and monitor their movement and were required to quarantine at home and in their hotel rooms in Mecca ahead of Wednesday ’ s start of the hajj .
They will also be required to quarantine for a week after the hajj concludes on Sunday .
Mecca was sealed off for months ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Umrah pilgrimage was suspended earlier this year , with pilgrims already in the city at that time flown back home .
International media were not permitted to cover the hajj from Mecca this year .
Instead , Saudi government broadcast live footage from the Grand Mosque on Wednesday showing limited numbers of pilgrims , moving several feet apart , circling the cube-shaped Kaaba in the first rituals of the hajj .
The Kaaba represents the metaphorical house of God and the oneness of God in Islam .
Observant Muslims around the world face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayers .
During the hajj , women forgo makeup and perfume and wear loose-fitting clothing and a head covering in order to focus inwardly .
Men dress in seamless , white terrycloth garments meant to emphasize the equality of all Muslims and prevent wealthier pilgrims from differentiating themselves with more elaborate garments .
During the first rites of hajj , Muslims circle the Kaaba counter-clockwise seven times while reciting supplications to God , then walk between two hills where Ibrahim ’ s wife , Hagar , is believed to have run as she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before God brought forth a well that runs to this day .
This year , pilgrims will only be able to drink water from this Zamzam well that is packaged in plastic bottles .
Pebbles for casting away evil that are usually picked up by pilgrims along hajj routes will be sterilized and bagged ahead of time .
Pilgrims have also been given their own prayer rugs and special attire to wear during the hajj laced with silver nano technology that Saudi authorities say helps kill bacteria and makes clothes water resistant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shield them from the sun , towels , soaps , sanitizers and other essentials , as well as online sessions in different language about what to expect on the hajj and the regulations in place .
“ The kingdom of Saudi Arabia needs to put these measures in place so we can learn from this experience , ” said Saudi infectious disease expert and World Health Organization official , Dr. Hanan Balkhy .
“ The kingdom and the world will learn together what are the best ways to mitigate transmission during these types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant director-general for the antimicrobial resistance division at WHO ’ s headquarters in Geneva who has worked on past hajj missions .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Man dies in El Paso after campus police use stun gun on him

EL PASO , Texas - A naked man who was chasing a female driver in an El Paso intersection has @ @ @ @ @ a stun gun on him , officials said .
The driver called police at about @ @ @ @ @ a nude man who was running after her car , University of Texas at El @ @ @ @ @ police officers arrived and used a stun gun on the man because he was combative @ @ @ @ @ Paso Times .
Officers then called for medical help because the man was unresponsive .
@ @ @ @ @ whose name has not been released , was pronounced dead at University Medical Center of @ @ @ @ @ of death is not yet known .
The Texas Department of Public Safety and the @ @ @ @ @ death , officials said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Sisters seeking answers after nephew found wandering alone

MIRAMAR , Fla. - Three sisters drove from Alabama to South Florida to reunite with their 2-year-old nephew , who was found Sunday morning wandering alone in the parking lot of an apartment complex .
They met with detectives at the Miramar Police Department in hopes of learning why little Kamdyn Cavett was alone and what happened to his 21-year-old mother , Leila Cavett .
“ We just want to know that my sister is OK , ” Gina Lewis told reporters Tuesday .
“ We ’ re really not sure what ’ s going on.
” Cavett lives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family lives in Jasper , Alabama , which is northwest of Birmingham and some 800 miles ( 1,287 kilometres ) from Miramar .
The family said Cavett didn ’ t have any known ties to South Florida .
They ’ re desperate for answers .
“ If you are OK , please let someone know , ” Lewis said .
“ She would have never just left him like that.
” The boy was spotted around 8 a.m. Sunday by Ebony Williams , who told police she had gone out for coffee and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When she realized the little boy , who was only wearing a T-shirt and a diaper , was alone she walked through the neighbourhood searching for his parents .
Then she called police .
When Miramar police posted the boy ’ s picture on social media , it went viral and his family spotted it online .
Police said in a later post that they were searching for Leila Cavett , who was last seen driving a mid-to-late 90s white Chevy Silverado 3500 , with a red tailgate and a “ Baby on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cavett ’ s family told reporters they last spoke to her about two weeks ago .
“ I FaceTimed her on July 17 .
We were on the phone for about an hour and she was fine , ” one of the sisters said .
“ She didn ’ t have any plans to come to Florida , so we ’ re very confused right now .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Vatican allegedly hacked by China ahead of key talks

VATICAN CITY—The Vatican and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong have been the targets of alleged Chinese state-backed hackers ahead of talks on renewal of a landmark 2018 deal that helped thaw diplomatic relations between the Vatican and China , according to a monitoring group .
The alleged attacks by a group called RedDelta began in May with an eye on September talks to renew a provisional agreement on bishop appointments , according to a report Tuesday by the U.S.-based Recorded Future , which tracks state-backed cyber attacks .
The attacks were first reported by the New York Times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Chinese foreign ministry denied any involvement , calling the report ‘ ’ groundless speculation.
’ ’ Recorded Future said that the Hong Kong Study Mission to China — a key link between the Vatican and China — and the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions also were targeted .
‘ ’ The suspected intrusion into the Vatican would offer RedDelta insight into the negotiating position of the Holy See ahead of the deal ’ s September 2020 renewal , ’ ’ the report said .
It also could provide ‘ ’ valuable intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ position on the pro-democracy movement .
The attacks continued at least through July 21 .
They included an apparent phishing attempt with a document on Vatican Secretariat of State letterhead directed to the head of the Hong Kong Study Mission to China .
China ’ s estimated 12 million Catholics are split between those belonging to the government-backed Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association , which is outside the pope ’ s authority , and an underground church loyal to the pope .
Underground priests and parishioners are frequently detained and harassed .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and China on bishop nominations was aimed at uniting the flock , regularizing the status of seven bishops who were not recognized by Rome and thawing decades of estrangement between China and the Vatican .
But some of China ’ s underground faithful have deep reservations about the deal , seeing it as a sell-out to the Communist government and a betrayal of their long loyalty to the pope .
China routinely denies engaging in a state-sponsored program to steal commercial secrets or sensitive government information over the internet , and says it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks .
The U.S. disputes that and says it has traced cyber intrusions to the Chinese military .
Earlier this month , Washington indicted two Chinese citizens for allegedly launching hacking attacks against companies in the U.S. and other countries .
The Justice Department also said hackers working with the Chinese government targeted firms developing vaccines for the coronavirus .
China says Washington has provided no information to back up the charges .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Japan court recognizes atomic bomb ‘black rain’ victims

TOKYO - A Japanese court on Wednesday for the first time recognized people exposed to radioactive “ black rain “ that fell after the 1945 U.S. atomic attack on Hiroshima as atomic bomb survivors , ordering the city and the prefecture to provide the same government medical benefits as given to other survivors .
The Hiroshima District Court said all 84 plaintiffs who were outside of a zone previously set by the government as where radioactive rain fell also developed radiation-induced illnesses and should be certified as atomic bomb victims .
All of the plaintiffs are older than their late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The landmark ruling comes a week before the city marks the 75th anniversary of the U.S. bombing .
The U.S. dropped the world ’ s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6 , 1945 , killing 140,000 people and almost destroying the entire city .
The plaintiffs were in areas northwest of the ground zero where radioactive black rain fell hours after the bomb was dropped .
The plaintiffs have developed illnesses such as cancer and cataracts linked to radiation after they were exposed to black rain , not only that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and food in the area contaminated with radiation .
They filed the lawsuit after Hiroshima city and prefectural officials rejected their request to expand the zone to cover their areas where black rain also fell .
In Wednesday ’ s ruling , the court said the plaintiffs ’ argument about their black rain exposure was reasonable and that their medical records showed they have health problems linked to radiation exposure .
One of the plaintiffs , Minoru Honke , who was exposed to black rain at age 4 , said more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I want to tell them that we won , “ he said .
Osamu Saito , a doctor who has examined atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima , welcomed the ruling for considering the survivors ’ welfare based on an assumption that anyone who was in these areas and hit by the rain could have been affected by radiation .
Earlier in the day , dozens of plaintiffs walked into the Hiroshima court in the rain , showing a banner saying “ Certificates to all ‘ black rain ’ victims.
” As soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the plaintiffs ran out of the court , showing a banner saying “ Full victory , ” and their supporters applauded and cheered .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that the government will closely examine the ruling and respond after consulting with related government agencies and Hiroshima officials .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--South Africa mourns anti-apartheid activist Mlangeni

JOHANNESBURG - South African officials have gathered — not always at a distance — for the state funeral of anti-apartheid @ @ @ @ @ last surviving member of the group including Nelson Mandela that was sentenced to life in @ @ @ @ @ trial .
Mlangeni died last week at age 95 after being hospitalized with abdominal pains @ @ @ @ @ show masked mourners clustered around his casket Wednesday after a ceremony in which President Cyril @ @ @ @ @ carefully spaced attendees .
South Africa months ago limited funerals to 50 mourners , another @ @ @ @ @ country that now has the world ’ s fifth largest confirmed coronavirus caseload with more @ @ @ @ @ than 7,200 deaths .
Officials believe the real number of deaths is higher .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Holocaust survivors urge Facebook to remove denial posts

BERLIN - Holocaust survivors around the world are lending their voices to a campaign launched Wednesday targeting Facebook head Mark Zuckerberg , urging him to take action to remove denial of the Nazi genocide from the social media site .
Co-ordinated by the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany , the # NoDenyingIt campaign uses Facebook itself to make the survivors ’ entreaties to Zuckerberg heard , posting one video per day urging him to remove Holocaust-denying groups , pages and posts as hate speech .
Videos will also be posted on Facebook-owned Instagram , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Claims Conference and others with comments in 2018 to the tech website Recode that posts denying the Nazi annihilation of 6 million Jews would not necessarily be removed .
He said he did not think Holocaust deniers were “ intentionally ” getting it wrong , and that as long as posts were not calling for harm or violence , even offensive content should be protected .
After an outcry , Zuckerberg , who is Jewish himself , clarified that while he personally found “ Holocaust denial deeply offensive ” he believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive bad speech is with good speech.
” Since then , Facebook representatives have met with the Claims Conference but the group , which negotiates compensation payments from Germany for Holocaust victims , says Zuckerberg himself has refused to .
The goal of the campaign is to get him to sit down with Holocaust survivors so that they can personally tell him their stories and make their case that denial violates Facebook ’ s hate speech standards and should be removed .
“ In Germany or in Austria people go to prison if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a lie , it ’ s libel , ” said Eva Schloss , an Auschwitz survivor who today lives in London and has recorded a message for Zuckerberg .
“ How can somebody really doubt it ?
Where are the 6 million people ?
There are tens of thousands of photos taken by the Nazis themselves .
They were proud of what they were doing .
They don ’ t deny it , they know they did it.
” Schloss ’ family escaped before the war from Vienna to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anne Frank , who lived nearby in Amsterdam and was the same age .
After the German army overran the country , the Schloss and Frank families went into hiding but were discovered by the Nazis separately in 1944 , the Schloss family betrayed by a Dutch woman .
Schloss and her mother survived Auschwitz , but her father and brother were killed , while Otto Frank , Anne ’ s father , was the only survivor of his immediate family and married Schloss ’ mother after the war .
Otto Frank published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the world could hear her story .
Schloss has written about her own story , is a frequent speaker and would like to tell Zuckerberg of her own experience .
“ It was just every day , the chimneys were smoking , the smell of burning flesh , ” the 91-year-old told The Associated Press , adding that she had been separated from her mother and assumed she had been gassed .
“ Can you imagine that feeling ?
I was 15-years-old and I felt alone in the world and it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it takes down Holocaust denial posts in countries where it is illegal , like Germany , France and Poland , while in countries where it is not an offence , like the U.S. and Britain , it is carefully monitored to determine whether it crosses the line into what is allowed .
“ We take down any post that celebrates , defends , or attempts to justify the Holocaust , ” Facebook told the AP .
“ The same goes for any content that mocks Holocaust victims , accuses victims of lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or advocates for violence against Jewish people in any way .
Posts and articles that deny the Holocaust often violate one or more of these standards and are removed from Facebook.
” Earlier this month , a two-year audit of Facebook ’ s civil rights record found “ serious setbacks ” that have marred the social network ’ s progress on matters such as hate speech , misinformation and bias .
Zuckerberg is one of four CEOs of big tech firms who face a grilling by the U.S. Congress on Wednesday over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 500 companies on July 1 began an advertising boycott intended to pressure Facebook into taking a stronger stand against hate speech .
The Claims Conference decided to launch its own campaign after concluding the boycott “ doesn ’ t seem to be making a dent , ” said Greg Schneider , the Claims Conference ’ s executive vice-president .
Several Holocaust denial groups have been identified on Facebook by the New York-based Anti-Defamation League , some hidden and most private .
On one , “ Real World War 2 History , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line between what is and isn ’ t allowed , listing among its rules that members must “ avoid posts that feature grotesque cartoons that FB censors can construe as racist or hateful.
” Another page , the “ Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust , ” features regular posts of revisionist videos , including one from February in which the commentator says the Zyklon B gas used to kill Jews in Nazi death camps was actually employed to kill the lice that spread typhus , claiming “ this chemical was used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce , not increase , camp mortality.
” Though not overtly advocating attacks , such postings are meant to “ perpetuate a myth , anti-Semitic tropes that somehow Jews made this up in order to gain sympathy or political advantage ” and could easily incite violence , Schneider said .
“ The United Nations has acknowledged that Holocaust denial is a form of anti-Semitism , and of course anti-Semitism is hate speech , ” he said .
For Charlotte Knobloch , a prominent German Jewish leader who survived the Holocaust in hiding as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign , it is particularly important for social media platforms to be vigilant about preventing denial because many in younger generations rely on them for information .
“ They have a particular responsibility , ” the 87-year-old told the AP .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--High-ranking Chicago officer dies, apparently shot himself

CHICAGO - A high-ranking member of the Chicago Police Department who was promoted earlier this month was found dead after he apparently shot himself in a station on the city ’ s West Side , authorities said .
An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday at the Cook County Medical Examiner ’ s Office on the remains of Deputy Chief Dion Boyd , whose body was found Tuesday morning .
If the autopsy confirms that the 57-year-old Boyd fatally shot himself , he would become at least the ninth member of the department to die by suicide in the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not discuss the circumstances surrounding Boyd ’ s death .
But the department confirmed that it believes Boyd fatally shot himself , and Brown made sure to reach out to officers and plead with them to seek help if they need it .
“ There is no shame in reaching out for help , ” Brown said during a press briefing during which he announced Boyd ’ s death .
“ Please , officers , please , stay humble , stay human , stay safe and stay well.
” Boyd , who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was sworn in as deputy chief of criminal networks on July 15 , one of several promotions Brown has made .
During the course of his career , Boyd worked as an undercover officer in narcotics , homicide detective and internal affairs officer before moving into command ranks .
Boyd ’ s death is the latest blow to a police force that has seen more than its share of suicides .
In a 2017 report about the department ’ s policing practices , the US .
Justice Department reported that the suicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % higher than the national average of 18.1 per 100,000 .
“ To every officer , we want you to know that you are deserving of help and healing , and no one needs to struggle alone , “ Mayor Lori Lightfoot wrote on Twitter while offering condolences to Boyd ’ s family .
” This City has a fundamental obligation to support each of you , and over the coming weeks , we will be taking steps to bolster our support network so that every first responder understands that help is available.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Homan Square police office by ambulance in a procession that included a fleet of Chicago police vehicles to the medical examiner ’ s office , where dozens of officers had converged in a show of respect .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Pakistani Muslim accused of insulting Islam killed in court

PESHAWAR , Pakistan - A young Pakistani Muslim walked into a courtroom in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Wednesday and shot and killed a fellow Muslim who was on trial for blasphemy , a police officer said .
It was not immediately clear how the assailant , identified as Khalid Khan , managed to get into the court amid tight security .
The attacker was subsequently arrested .
The man on trial , Tahir Shamim Ahmad , had claimed he was Islam ’ s prophet and was arrested two years ago on blasphemy charges , according to Azmat Khan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he could be transported to hospital .
Blasphemy is an extremely controversial issue in Pakistan , where people convicted of the crime can be sentenced to life in prison or the death penalty .
But crowds and individuals in Pakistan often take the law into their own hands .
While authorities have yet to carry out a death sentence for blasphemy , even the mere accusation can cause riots .
Domestic and international human rights groups say blasphemy allegations have often been used to intimidate religious minorities and settle personal scores .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ own guard in 2011 after he defended a Christian woman , Asia Bibi , who was accused of blasphemy .
She was acquitted after spending eight years on death row in a case that drew international media attention .
Faced with death threats from Islamic extremists upon her release , she flew to Canada to join her daughters last year .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--US commander affirms US support for Japan on China dispute

TOKYO - The United States supports Japan ’ s protests over Chinese ships venturing into the economic waters near disputed East China Sea islands , the commander of the U.S .
Forces in Japan said Wednesday .
“ The United States is 100 % absolutely steadfast in its commitment to help the government of Japan with the situation in Senkaku , ” Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider said of the group of islands , which are controlled by Japan .
China also claims the islands , which it calls Diaoyu .
“ That ’ s 365 days a year , 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
There is no deviation in that regard , ” Schneider told reporters .
Japan has long protested the repeated presence of Chinese coast guard vessels in the waters .
Schneider also noted such incursions had increased recently .
He called China the “ No .
1 challenge ” in regional security , although North Korea was the more “ immediate threat , ” given its weapons development .
Schneider said the U.S. was offering Japan surveillance information and other support , such as “ reconnaissance capability , ” which refers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to help Japan “ assess the situation and to figure out exactly what ’ s going on in the water in and around the Senkaku.
” Wang Wenbin , spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry , reasserted China ’ s claim to the islands , stressing it was the country ’ s “ inherent right to carry out patrol and law enforcement ” activities in the area .
“ We hope that relevant parties will do something helpful to maintain regional peace and stability and avoid words and deeds that are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Wang told reporters at a daily press briefing .
Schneider was speaking at an online press briefing that mostly touched on U.S. efforts to combat the coronavirus among its forces in Japan .
Associated Press journalist Haruka Nuga in Tokyo contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Trump seeks out loyal donors in West Texas fracking fields

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s visit to a U.S. fracking hub on the West Texas plains comes during the state ’ s fierce coronavirus outbreak and a global oil and gas glut that is putting the squeeze on his loyal donors in the petroleum industry .
Trump is combining some fundraising Wednesday with his first trip to an oil and gas rig and to his first visit as president to the Permian Basin .
He ’ ll pull in up to $ 100,000 a person at a roundtable with supporters .
“ The amount of money might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they ’ re suffering a bit , ” said Bill Miller , a prominent lobbyist and consultant in Austin .
“ But it ’ s the kind of industry that remembers their friends through thick and thin , and Trump has been their friend.
“ Texas over the past month has experienced a dramatic spike in newly confirmed coronavirus cases , hospitalizations and fatalities .
The state became one of the nation ’ s hot spots as Texas politicians debated masks and other measures .
The pandemic and the intensive oil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a stark drop in global energy demand and to market oversupply , driving down oil and gas prices and hitting the industry and economy .
Trump ’ s government has exerted itself for the oil and gas industry at least as hard it has any other sector .
That includes rolling back environmental and public health protections while promoting a technology-driven surge in U.S. oil and gas production — begun under President Barack Obama — as part of what Trump describes as an American march to global energy dominance .
His administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas to oil and gas interests over the objections of environmental groups .
Trump also has sought to override various regional objections to oil and gas pipelines with executive orders .
And next month , the administration is expected to announce its latest effort blocking regulation of the industry ’ s emissions of methane , a potent agent of climate change .
West Texas activists say the methane emissions are part of a too-little-regulated industry ’ s assault on the air , water and public health in the region ’ s yearslong expansion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal challenges stopped the administration ’ s earlier attempts .
When one is flying at night into the West Texas city of Odessa , among the areas Trump is due to visit , “ it looks like a huge birthday cake , there are so many flares out here ” from facilities burning off methane as an oil and gas byproduct , said the Rev .
Gene Collins , a civil rights and environment and public health activist in the city .
“ There ’ s already methane emissions like you wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins said .
He added that he was one of many in his town using a nebulizer to deal with breathing problems he blames on oil and gas operations .
“ There ’ s a definite effect on the health of individuals here.
” Texas-based environmental advocates like Sharon Wilson , who uses thermography imaging to capture methane emissions not visible to the eye , describe environment-damaging oil and gas emissions surging during the fracking boom and now .
The American Petroleum Institute trade group during this presidential election cycle — featuring Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressive action yet to slow climate change — has stepped up efforts to highlight what it says are industry efforts to cut methane .
Frank Macchiarola , the trade group ’ s senior vice-president for policy , said emission rates in the Permian Basin have fallen despite the boom .
It “ demonstrates how the industry is meeting this challenge and strengthening its environmental performance , ” Macchiarola said .
Texas ’ oil country has long been a reliable well of fundraising for Republican presidents .
But in this campaign , the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden are in a closely fought race in what has been a Republican stronghold .
For years , Democrats have been watching Texas demographics — it has growing populations of Latinos , young people and ex-Californians — and pining for the election cycle when it would be in play .
Though Trump won the state comfortably in 2016 , former Democratic Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke gave Republican Sen. Ted Cruz a scare two years ago , and Democrats have used that race to try to build an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sensing an opportunity , Democrat Joe Biden has begun airing advertisements in Texas as coronavirus cases surge in the state .
When it comes to battleground state claims here , “ the proof is in the amount of money the campaigns spend ” going forward , said Miller , the Austin lobbyist and consultant .
Losing Texas , Republicans fear , would completely scramble their party ’ s ability to obtain the needed 270 electoral votes to capture the White House .
Though privately Trump campaign officials concede the need to spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would prefer to spend elsewhere , they remain confident about their ability to retain the state and have expressed hope that Democrats will waste resources trying to obtain a prize that is out of reach .
But the Trump campaign does now have plans to frequently visit Texas .
Trump ’ s visit Wednesday will allow him to raise needed money — Biden has cut into the president ’ s fundraising advantage — as well as showcase both his administration ’ s deregulation agenda and its attempts to get the economy roaring @ @

Ellen Knickmeyer And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Blast in northern Japanese town injures at least 16 people

TOKYO - At least 16 people were injured and being taken to hospitals in a northern Japanese town after a @ @ @ @ @ , windows and debris in the neighbourhood .
Koriyama fire department official Hiroki Ogawa said @ @ @ @ @ blast came in Thursday morning , There was no sign of fire at the site @ @ @ @ @ cause of the explosion is still unknown .
NHK television quoted a witness who was @ @ @ @ @ away because there was a gas leak , but it wasn ’ t clear if @ @ @ @ @ So far , 16 people were being taken to hospitals .
Two of them were @ @ @ @ @ said .
The area has been closed off and neighbours have been evacuated .
NHK @ @ @ @ @ with skeletons , with pieces of walls and window glass scattered around the area .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Hiroshima court recognizes atomic bomb ‘black rain’ victims


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Divers pull Paralympic hopeful’s prosthetic from ocean floor

LOS ANGELES - When DeWalt Mix lost his prosthetic leg while paddle-boarding off the coast of Long Beach , the local Fire Department dove right in to try to retrieve it for him .
When rescue divers couldn ’ t find it on Sunday , Mix all but gave up hope of ever seeing it again .
He figured it was ensconced on the bottom of the ocean , having taken with it any hope he had of competing in the javelin throw at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo .
They still couldn ’ t find it on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on precisely where Mix was when his leg slipped off , they went out for a third day on Tuesday .
Soon after , one of the divers sent a message to the Hollywood writer-director-producer ’ s cellphone .
“ He texted us a photo of the divers coming out of the water with a triumphant fist in the air , ” Mix recalled Wednesday , letting loose a joyful laugh .
And in one of the divers ’ other hands was Mix ’ s missing carbon fiber and titanium leg .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no worse for being submerged in saltwater for three days .
The great-nephew of early Western movie star Tom Mix lost most of his left leg in a near-fatal crash with a drunk driver who collided with his motorcycle on LA ’ s Sunset Boulevard in 2007 .
A state champion in the javelin at California ’ s Pomona College , he ’ d largely given up the sport after school , but took it back up following the accident .
After sitting out the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games with injuries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one , figuring at age 41 it may be his last chance .
“ I had been biking every day for the past two weeks , but after I lost the leg I had to stop , “ he said .
” So the last couple of days I ’ ve been pretty bummed.
” He made do those days with crutches as he contemplated ordering a new prosthetic , which could take up to seven months to deliver and cost as much as $ 20,000 , which he wasn ’ t sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding the leg was no easy task .
“ That area happens to be pretty challenging because it goes from about 30 feet to about 65 feet ( 9 to 19 metres ) in about zero visibility , ” said Capt .
Omar Naranjo of the Fire Department ’ s Marine unit .
He gave a lot of credit to Mix for being able to recall precisely where he was when the leg slipped off as he was climbing back into a friend ’ s boat in the Long Beach marina .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the story .
“ The biggest part of this whole story is the fact that none of these rescue operators gave up , ” he said .
“ I ’ m just amazed at how professional and dedicated they all are .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Women charged in beating of Wisconsin state senator

MADISON , Wis. - Prosecutors on Wednesday charged two women , including a high school social worker , with attacking a Wisconsin state senator during a chaotic night of violence outside the state capitol last month .
Kerida O ’ Reilly , 33 , and Samantha Hamer , 26 , were each charged with one count of being a party to substantial battery , a felony punishable by up to $ 10,000 in fines and three-and-a-half years in prison , online court records show .
Both women were arrested Monday after they turned themselves in to police .
Both appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released on signature bonds .
Defence attorneys asked for the charges to be dismissed because of insufficient evidence , but a court commissioner denied the request .
Both women are banned from the Capitol Square and are due back in court Aug. 6 , the Wisconsin State Journal reported .
O ’ Reilly ’ s attorney , Nathan Otis , said in an email to The Associated Press that it will become clear that she didn ’ t commit any crime , and that the lack of evidence will become clear as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the AP , Hamer ’ s attorney , Adam Welch , said his client is “ absolutely not guilty ” and that prosecutors ’ case against her “ is shockingly thin.
” Investigators believe the women attacked Democrat Tim Carpenter during June 23 protest outside the state capitol , one of a series of protests in downtown Madison that took place after the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Hamer did approach Carpenter to ask him to stop filming , but other people “ sucker punched ” and assaulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that night was sparked by the arrest of a Black man who shouted at downtown restaurant customers through a megaphone while carrying a baseball bat .
Protesters also toppled two statues outside the Capitol and threw a Molotov cocktail into a government building .
Paramedics treated Carpenter , but he decided against going to the hospital .
O ’ Reilly is a physical therapist and Hamer is a social worker with the Mount Horeb School District .
She was listed on the district ’ s website as a resource for high school students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with emotional distress and other issues .
The district placed Hamer on leave on Monday .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--4 arrested under new Hong Kong security law for online posts

Hong Kong police have signalled their intent to enforce a new Chinese national security law strictly , arresting four youths Wednesday on suspicion of inciting secession through social media posts .
Three males and one female , aged 16 to 21 , were detained , a police official said at an 11 p.m. news conference .
All are believed to be students .
“ Our investigation showed that a group has recently announced on social media that they have set up an organization for Hong Kong independence , “ said Li Kwai-wah , senior superintendent of a newly formed unit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1-month-old law has chilled pro-democracy protesting as activists along with academics and others wonder if their activities could be targeted .
The central government in Beijing imposed the national security law on the semi-autonomous Chinese territory after city leaders were unable to get one passed locally .
The move has raised fears that Hong Kong ’ s freedoms and local autonomy are being taken away .
Police did not identify the suspects or their group .
An organization called Studentlocalism — which announced it was disbanding just before the law took effect — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been arrested on secession charges , including ex-leader Tony Chung .
The police action appeared to target the Initiative Independence Party , which says on its Facebook page that it consists of former Studentlocalism members who have completed their studies and are overseas .
The party , which also posted the news of Wednesday ’ s arrests , advocates for independence because it believes full democracy for Hong Kong is impossible under Chinese rule , its Facebook page says .
Li said only that the group in question had set up recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law took effect late on June 30 .
“ They said they want to establish a Hong Kong republic , and that they will unreservedly fight for it , ” he said .
“ They also said they want to unite all pro-independence groups in Hong Kong for this purpose.
” He warned anyone who thinks they can carry out such crimes online to think twice .
Police have made a handful of other arrests under the new law , all of people taking part in protests and chanting slogans or waving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China promised Hong Kong would have its own governing and legal systems under a “ one country , two systems ” principle until 2047 , or 50 years after Britain handed back its former colony in 1997 .
China , in justifying the new law , says issues such as separatism are a national security concern and , as such , fall under its purview .
The latest arrests came one day after a leading figure in Hong Kong ’ s political opposition was fired from his university post .
Hong Kong University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benny Tai from his position as an associate law professor , local media reported .
Tai has been out on bail since being sentenced to 16 months in prison in April 2019 as one of nine leaders put on trial for their part in 2014 protests for greater democracy known as the Umbrella Movement .
In a posting Wednesday on his Facebook account , Tai said he intended to continue writing and lecturing on legal issues and asked for public support .
“ If we continue in our persistence , we will definitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law in Hong Kong one day , “ Tai wrote .
While the 2014 movement failed in its bid to expand democracy , protests returned last year over a legislative proposal that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to face trial in mainland China .
Although the legislation was eventually shelved , protester demands expanded to include calls for democratic change and an investigation into alleged police abuses .
They grew increasingly violent in the second half of the year .
In a statement issued after the vote to remove Tai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office in Hong Kong said it was “ a punishment for evil doing .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Despite fewer virus cases, Hawaii hesitant to open schools

HONOLULU - The principal of the only school on Lanai thought reopening with full , in-person instruction next month was a no brainer : The Hawaiian island has had no confirmed coronavirus cases , and breezes flow through many of the school ’ s classrooms .
But even there , faculty pushed back , said Lanai High and Elementary School Principal Elton Kinoshita .
In the end , only kindergartners and first-graders will meet face to face daily .
While Hawaii has one of the lowest rates of cases per capita in the country and many schools have open-air campuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to classrooms may still be insurmountable .
Many residents live in multigenerational homes and fear for their elderly relatives , many schools lack the classroom space to allow for desks to be 6 feet ( 2 metres ) apart , and the state is a major tourist destination and could see a rise in cases if restrictions are eased .
As a result , most schools in Hawaii will institute the hybrid approach being adopted in many parts of the country , with students alternating between attending in-person classes and online instruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruction for younger grade levels , but only a handful of schools will offer a full-time , in-person return .
Schools in the only statewide public school system in the nation were scheduled to reopen on Aug. 4 , but the teachers union led an effort to delay that .
The district and the union agreed to a new date of Aug. 17 .
The Hawaii Board of Education will consider whether to approve the delay at a meeting Thursday .
The union , Hawaii State Teachers Association , doesn ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various scenarios , including what happens if someone gets sick or how to pivot to totally remote learning .
“ There is a lot of fear among teachers , ” said Corey Rosenlee , union president , noting that about 30 % of teachers are at least 50 years old .
Older adults and people with existing health problems are at risk of developing more severe illness if infected .
As of Wednesday , the state reported 1,865 confirmed cases and 26 deaths .
Teachers are not the only ones who are concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entering eighth-grader at Kaimuki Middle School in east Honolulu , says many of the school ’ s slatted windows have been shuttered , and the school uses air conditioning .
Burnett , a scientist who is pushing for a phased reopening of schools , said he also supports delaying the start of the school year , so the district can conduct assessments of classroom ventilation .
Indoor spaces with poor ventilation are generally considered less safe than ones with open windows .
Hawaii ’ s status as a premier tourist destination is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring all travellers to self-quarantine for 14 days .
Officials planned to allow travellers to bypass the quarantine if they tested negative no more than 72 hours before travel but delayed implementing the plan to focus on reopening schools , said Gov .
David Ige , a Democrat .
State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said it ’ s currently safe to start the school year , but she cautioned against letting guards down — even in open-air classrooms .
Being outside is helpful , she said , but people still need to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognized that wouldn ’ t always be easy .
“ If anyone ’ s ever sat there in the hot sun in a mask , you feel like you ’ re suffocating , ” said Park , who is also a pediatrician and a mother .
A handful of schools in Hawaii , like Manoa Elementary in a lush Honolulu valley , are in a prized position and plan to fully return to in-person instruction : The school has generous classroom space , and breezes flow freely through wide-open windows and doors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage of the fact that it sits at an elevation of about 1,500 feet ( 460 metres ) , where the morning mist and pine trees cool the campus , allowing most classroom doors and windows to stay open .
But the school is stretched for classroom space and so can still only offer limited in-person instruction if desks are to be kept at a proper distance , said Kinoshita , the principal .
He would also like to see a delayed start to the year , partly because he ’ s nervous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly desk shields coming from Japan .
State Sen. Kurt Fevella , a Republican , is opting for all online classes for his daughter , who will be a junior at the state ’ s largest school , Campbell High , in suburban Honolulu .
His daughter , Abigail , is worried about infecting her 80-year-old grandmother , who lives with the family , and how wearing a mask will affect her own asthma .
“ I ’ m kind of afraid that kids will get sick , ” the 16-year-old said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of kids .
”

Jennifer Sinco Kelleher - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Ruth Bader Ginsburg undergoes medical procedure at hospital

WASHINGTON - Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has undergone a nonsurgical medical procedure in New York City and expects to be released from a hospital there by the end of the week , the Supreme Court said Wednesday night .
The court said in a statement that the 87-year-old Ginsburg underwent a minimally invasive procedure to “ revise a bile duct stent ” at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center .
The stent had originally been placed last August , when Ginsburg was treated for a cancerous tumour on her pancreas .
The statement said that , according to Ginsburg ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurrences and the procedure , performed using endoscopy and medical imaging guidance , was done to minimize the risk of future infection.
” The procedure follows another one earlier this month at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to clean out the stent .
Ginsburg had gone to the hospital after experiencing fever and chills and was treated for a possible infection .
The statement from the court Wednesday said that Ginsburg “ is resting comfortably and expects to be released from the hospital by the end of the week.
” Ginsburg , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced earlier this month that she is receiving chemotherapy for a recurrence of cancer .
The liberal justice , who has had four earlier bouts with cancer , said her treatment so far has succeeded in reducing lesions on her liver .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Trump downplays West Texas energy worries, attacks Democrats

MIDLAND , Texas - President Donald Trump took sweeping digs at “ crazy left radical Democrats ” on a trip Wednesday to the fracking fields of West Texas , launching unsubstantiated claims that a Democratic administration would destroy everything from the country ’ s suburbs to the U.S. energy industry .
Trump , speaking in front of stacked oil barrels , also played down the difficulties of the U.S. oil and gas industry , which is still struggling with the pandemic economic downturn and global oversupply that briefly drove oil prices into negative territory this spring .
Prices have rebounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still below what some producers here need to break even .
“ We ’ re OK now .
We ’ re back , we ’ re back , ” Trump said to a crowd scattered with people wearing cowboy hats and face masks .
He sought to contrast his support for oil and gas with Democratic rival Joe Biden ’ s more climate-friendly energy plan , though Biden himself has stopped short of calling for a ban on hydraulic fracturing , or fracking , the production method that spurred U.S. oil and gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Barack Obama .
“ If they got in , you would have no more energy coming out of the great state of Texas , ’ ’ warned Trump , whose poll numbers for the 2020 election are lagging .
He claimed the same , without evidence , for Ohio and Pennsylvania , two fracking states that also are battlegrounds in the presidential race .
Speaking under a tent on a hot , windy day , Trump alluded to the opposing party in the most extreme terms , saying a Democratic White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington crazy left radical Democrats “ would mean “ the death of American prosperity .
It would destroy our country.
” Trump also praised a step he took last week to rescind an Obama-era fair housing rule for low-income families , one that had Trump tweeting warnings to what he called the “ Suburban Housewives of America.
” “ It ’ s been hell for suburbia , ” he said Wednesday .
“ They want to uproot and demolish every American value .
They want to wipe away every trace of religion from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our children , defund our police , abolish the suburbs , incite riots and leave every city at the mercy of the radical left , “ Trump declared .
Trump was combining campaigning and fundraising in his first trip to an oil and gas rig and his first visit as president to the Permian Basin .
He expected to raise $ 7 million , including $ 100,000 per person for one event .
Trump ’ s loyal donors and supporters in the oil and gas industry are dealing with the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil and gas .
Texas , over the past month , has experienced a dramatic spike in newly confirmed cases , hospitalizations and fatalities .
The state became one of the nation ’ s hot spots as Texas politicians debated masks and other measures .
The outbreak even impinged on Trump ’ s trip Wednesday , as an unexpected positive test result for the coronavirus kept Rep. Louie Gohmert , a Texas Republican who like Trump often declines to wear a mask , from joining the president ’ s flight .
A Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Air Force One carried Trump to Texas , the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported American petroleum use plummeted to a nearly 40-year low this spring , owing to the pandemic lockdown and market oversupply , partly because of intensive oil and gas production that Trump encouraged .
Trump ’ s government has exerted itself for the oil and gas industry .
That includes rolling back environmental and public health protections and speeding up permitting as part of what Trump describes as an American march to global energy dominance .
His administration has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to oil and gas interests over the objections of environmental groups .
Trump also has sought to override various regional objections to oil and gas pipelines with executive orders .
And next month , the administration is expected to announce its latest effort to block regulation of the industry ’ s emissions of methane , a potent agent of climate change .
West Texas environmental activists say the methane emissions are part of a too-little-regulated industry ’ s assault on the air , water and public health in the region ’ s yearslong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Successful legal challenges stopped the administration ’ s earlier attempts .
Flying at night into the West Texas city of Odessa , among the areas Trump visited , “ it looks like a huge birthday cake , there are so many flares out here ” from facilities burning off methane as an oil and gas byproduct , said the Rev .
Gene Collins , an activist demanding more regulation of what environmental groups and satellite data-gathering depict as surging methane emissions in the Permian Basin .
For years , Democrats have been watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latinos , young people and ex-Californians — and pining for the election cycle when it would be in play .
Although Trump won the state comfortably in 2016 , former Democratic Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke gave Republican Sen. Ted Cruz a scare two years ago , and Democrats have used that race to try to build an organization that could swing the state blue .
Sensing an opportunity , Biden has begun airing advertisements in Texas as coronavirus cases surge there .
Losing Texas would upend Republicans ’ plan for capturing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
Though privately Trump campaign officials concede the need to spend time and money in Texas , assets they would prefer to spend elsewhere , they remain confident they can retain the state and have expressed hope that Democrats will waste resources trying to obtain a prize that is out of reach .
The president does have plans to frequently visit Texas .
Trump ’ s Wednesday visit allowed him to raise needed money — Biden has cut into the president ’ s fundraising advantage — and showcase both his administration ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the economy roaring again .
Knickmeyer reported from Oklahoma City .
Associated Press writers Matthew Brown in Billings , Mont.
, and Cathy Bussewitz in New York contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-29--Attorney: 1 victim may be removed from Hard Rock rubble soon

NEW ORLEANS - Contractors believe they may be able to remove one of the two victims still in the debris of the partly collapsed Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans by next week , developer attorneys said .
The bodies of Quinnyon Wimberly and Jose Ponce Arreola were originally supposed to be retrieved earlier this month , after being trapped in the building ’ s top floor rubble since the construction collapse in October .
Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell previously said bad weather and issues with the robots needed to safely clear the debris had forced delays .
At a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Development attorney Kerry Miller said that with new equipment the contractors would be able to reach Wimberly ’ s remains by early next week , The The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported .
1031 Canal are the developers working on the Hard Rock .
The hearing was part of a case the city brought against the developers this year , pressuring them to move forward with the demolition .
City attorney Rachel Wisdom criticized contractors for not having contingency plans to minimize delays .
She also said the developers should do more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victims ’ families up to date .
Another developer attorney , Paul Thibodeaux , said contractors were moving as fast as the could given the safety concerns .
“ At times I feel like the city is pushing ‘ rush , rush , rush ’ and we ’ re pushing back and saying ‘ safety , safety , safety , ’ ” he said .
Three people died in the Oct. 12 collapse .
Anthony Magrette ’ s body was recovered shortly afterward .
Wimberly ’ s body is on the 11th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor by floor and Ponce Arreola ’ s is under a pile of rubble on the deck of the eighth floor , McConnell said .