thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Victims’ family asks for delay of federal inmate’s execution

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
- Family members of the victims of an inmate scheduled to be put to death next week asked a federal judge to delay his execution Tuesday , saying the coronavirus pandemic puts them at risk if they travel to attend it .
The family members of Daniel Lewis Lee ’ s victims asked that Lee ’ s execution be put off until a treatment or a vaccine is available for the virus .
Lee , convicted of killing an Arkansas family as part of a plot to establish a whites-only nation in the Pacific Northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 13 .
Lee is scheduled to be the first federal inmate executed in 17 years .
Lee , 47 , was convicted of the 1996 murders of gun dealer William Mueller , his wife , Nancy , and her 8-year-old daughter , Sarah Powell .
The request to halt the trial was filed by Earlene Peterson , Nancy Mueller ’ s mother and Sarah ’ s grandmother ; Kimma Gurel , who is Nancy Mueller ’ s sister and Sarah ’ s aunt ; and Monica Veillette , who is Nancy Mueller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cousin .
Peterson lives in Arkansas , while Gurel and Veillette live in Washington .
The three have opposed Lee ’ s execution , but have said they wish to exercise their right to witness it .
In the filing , the three say the federal government is putting them in the untenable position of risking their lives by travelling to Indiana for the execution while coronavirus cases surge nationwide .
“ At each stage of these proceedings and their travel to participate in them , plaintiffs face grim risks of exposure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable plaintiffs , could prove lethal , “ the filing said .
The three asked to join a lawsuit seeking to halt the execution of another inmate scheduled to be executed two days after Lee .
A Zen Buddhist priest who is the spiritual adviser for that inmate has made similar arguments about the execution moving forward during the pandemic .
A Roman Catholic priest and a spiritual adviser for a third inmate , scheduled to be executed July 17 , also asked Tuesday to intervene in the case .
Lee ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before a federal judge in Arkansas to delay his execution , also citing concerns about the virus .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Texas passes 10,000 confirmed new virus cases in single day

AUSTIN , Texas - Texas surpassed 10,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day Tuesday for the first time , crossing a sobering milestone rarely seen since the pandemic first hit the U.S. in March .
The record high of 10,028 new cases in Texas served as another alarming new measure of the swift resurgence of COVID-19 nationwide and the failures of the country ’ s response .
Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott of Texas aggressively began one of America ’ s fastest reopenings in May but has begun reversing course in recent weeks , ordering bars closed and mandating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the only other states to record more than 10,000 new cases in a single day .
New York hit that grim total back in April , when New York City hospitals were overwhelmed and hundreds of people were dying every day .
Florida topped 10,000 confirmed cases last week .
The record mark in Texas partly reflects a lag in testing results from the Fourth of July weekend , when newly reported cases were far below what Texas has seen in recent weeks .
But Abbott said the numbers should still be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is skeptical about whether the virus is a threat .
“ We have rapid spread of COVID-19 in the state of Texas right now , ” Abbott told San Antonio television station KENS .
Later in the interview , Abbott was noncommittal about whether he would attend his own party ’ s convention next week in Houston , which the Texas GOP has remained bent on holding even as the mayor , doctors and businesses pressure the party to cancel .
Houston has emerged as one of the nation ’ s hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican activists , some of whom have called the fears overblown , have resolved to press forward with the indoor three-day convention .
Texas surged past 8,000 statewide hospitalizations for the first time over the long holiday weekend — a more than quadruple increase on the past month .
On Tuesday , the number of hospitalizations soared past 9,000 .
Texas also set a new high for deaths in a single day with 60 .
Mayors in some of the biggest cities in the state and U.S. — including Austin , San Antonio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could soon become overwhelmed with coronavirus patients .
Along the Texas-Mexico border , some cities imposed curfew orders in hopes of cutting down on large parties or social gatherings as cases have skyrocketed .
“ Many of us are running at capacity and have created new wards , ” said Michael Mann , the chief executive officer at McAllen Medical Center , which on Tuesday had more than 130 coronavirus patients taking up more than half of the facility ’ s beds .
“ The physical space is obviously limited , and most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that pretty quickly.
” The record count was reported on a day that also saw the State Fair of Texas cancelled for the the first time since World War II .
Fair organizers said the event , which draws more than a million visitors to Dallas each fall , was not feasible during the pandemic .
It also came as President Donald Trump leaned on governors to reopen schools this fall , arguing that some are keeping schools closed not because of the risks from the coronavirus pandemic but for political reasons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings will be mandatory for students older than 10 years old and that school districts must offer on-campus learning to any family that wants their child in a classroom .
Deaths remain lower in Texas compared to other big states .
As of Tuesday , Texas has confirmed that at least 2,715 people have died due to COVID-19 .
But fatalities have climbed in recent days , and in addition to an alarming acceleration in new cases in Texas , the seven-day infection rate has climbed to 13.5 % .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people haven ’ t been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick .

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thetorontostar--2020-07-07--2 female firsts at the Supreme Court announce retirements

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court said Tuesday that the first-ever women to hold two prominent positions at the court , handling the justices ’ security and overseeing publication of the court ’ s decisions , are retiring .
Pamela Talkin ’ s most public role in nearly two decades as the court ’ s marshal has been opening court sessions by announcing the justices ’ entrance into the courtroom and banging a gavel before court begins .
She noted in 2005 : “ I ’ m the only person in the courtroom with a gavel.
” But her responsibilities as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She served as the court ’ s general manager and chief security officer , managing approximately 260 employees , including the Supreme Court ’ s police force .
Christine Luchok Fallon ’ s name wasn ’ t on any Supreme Court decision , but part of her job as the reporter of decisions was to oversee the writing of summaries of the justices ’ opinions that begin each decision , turning lengthy legal explanations into a succinct few pages .
Fallon became the court ’ s 16th reporter of decisions in 2011 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter of decisions in 1989 , eight years after Justice Sandra Day O ’ Connor became the court ’ s first female justice and four years before Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the second .
The court ’ s third and fourth female justices , Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Elena Kagan , joined the court in 2009 and 2010 respectively .
Talkin , for her part , started working at the court just about two months before 9-11 .
“ In terms of the safety and security of the Court , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at security and access to public places , ” Talkin said in a 2005 State Department publication .
In 2010 , for example , the court announced it would no longer allow visitors to enter through the building ’ s front doors for security reasons .
As marshal , Talkin was responsible for ensuring the justices ’ security when they attended events , including the State of the Union , inaugurations and state funerals .
On argument days , visitors to the court would see Talkin donning the traditional outfit lawyers wore to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tails , pinstripe pants and a vest .
“ Oyez !
Oyez !
Oyez !
All persons having business before the Honorable , the Supreme Court of the United States , are admonished to draw near and give their attention , for the Court is now sitting , “ she said in calling the court to order more than 700 times , even when she was hoarse with a cold .
“ God save the United States and this Honorable Court , “ she would announce before banging a gavel .
Before becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Talkin served in government positions for more than 25 years .
She was chief of staff to now-Justice Clarence Thomas during part of his time as head of the U.S .
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission .
When Thomas , now the court ’ s longest-serving justice , faced sexual harassment allegations by former EEOC employee Anita Hill during his 1991 confirmation hearing , accusations he denied , Talkin was one of the people who testified on his behalf .
“ I have been in the workforce for over 30 years .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sexual harassment , sometimes serious , sometimes subtle ...
It is in that context that I tell you that I have never met a man as sensitive .
He has a feminist ’ s understanding of sexual politics .
He is a man who loathes locker room talk , ” Talkin said of Thomas .
In a statement , Chief Justice John Roberts praised Talkin , who will retire July 31 , saying she had taken on “ many crucial projects — including the renovation of our Court building and the modernization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will miss hearing her cry the Court at the beginning of each of our arguments sessions , ” Roberts wrote .
The last time the public heard Talkin announce the beginning of a court session was in May , when the court heard arguments by telephone for the first time , because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Talkin called the court to order , but her words weren ’ t live .
They were prerecorded for simplicity .
On the last day of arguments , May 13 , she announced that the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Latin phrase indicating it was uncertain , because of the pandemic , when the court would next meet in a public session .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Long Island region of New York to enter new reopening stage

ALBANY , N.Y. - Colleges and universities with safety plans can soon reopen and professional sports competitions can take place without fans in Long Island as the region enters the state ’ s fourth phase of reopening .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that the available data suggests that COVID-19 is spreading at a low enough rate to allow the 7 million residents of the populous suburbs east of New York City to enter the fourth phase starting Wednesday .
The state ’ s online dashboard shows Long Island ’ s percentage of positive tests have remained at around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new hospitalizations has slowly declined to around 0.45 per 100,000 residents .
Cuomo divided the state up into 10 regions under a plan that began to allow more businesses to reopen to the public in mid-May under safety guidance developed by the governor ’ s administration .
The fourth phase also covers media production companies and low-risk outdoor and indoor arts and entertainment .
The Cuomo administration is still deciding whether to allow casinos , movie theatres and malls to open their doors anywhere in New York .
Cuomo has also allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Oklahoma — to quarantine for 14 days as more individuals are testing positive for COVID-19 nationwide .
Cuomo ’ s advisory now applies to 19 states with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a seven-day rolling average , or states with a 10 % or higher positivity rate over a seven-day rolling average .
“ As states around the country experience increasing community spread , New York is taking action to ensure the continued safety of our phased reopening , “ Cuomo , a Democrat , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisory will prevent COVID-19 from spreading at high rates again in a state hard-hit by the pandemic .
New York ’ s testing has turned up nearly 400,000 positive test results since the spring , out of 4.2 million tests of individuals .
About 836 people were hospitalized Monday , according to Cuomo ’ s office — up 19 from Sunday , but down from 878 on July 1 .
Overall , New York is seeing a smaller share of individuals test positive for COVID-19 even as the state has amped up its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About 600 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 Monday out of nearly 57,000 tested , according to Cuomo ’ s office .
Cuomo said 10 people with COVID-19 died in hospitals and nursing homes Monday .
The state ’ s numbers are likely an undercount — about 25,000 people with COVID-19 have died in hospitals and nursing homes since March , while New York City says another 4,600 people likely died of COVID-19 .
Also on Tuesday , the Board of Health approved a plan that would allow child care centres to reopen around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The centres would have to follow state regulations , including no more than 15 children in a room , masks for employees , and daily health screenings .
Childcare facilities had been closed for all except essential workers since early April .
“ This decision is rooted in health as well as equity , ” Dr. Oxiris Barbot , the health commissioner , said in a statement .
“ Data show that white and wealthy parents are more likely to have job flexibility or to hire independent caregivers , while these options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , brown and low-income families .
We don ’ t want any New Yorker to have to choose informal or illegal child care ; every child deserves a safe place where they can learn and grow .
”

Marina Villeneuve - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--AP Explains: Bolsonaro has downplayed virus fears for months

SAO PAULO - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for months flirted with the new coronavirus as he flouted social distancing at lively demonstrations and encouraged crowds during outings from the presidential residence , often without a mask .
He has at times downplayed the risk posed by COVID-19 , the disease that can be caused by the virus , and at others expressed fatalism that it will inevitably claim lives .
He says tough measures to cub the virus ’ spread such as lockdowns are a threat to Brazil ’ s economic well-being On Tuesday , he announced that he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him one of the more than 1.6 million Brazilians with confirmed infections .
It is the world ’ s second highest total , though considered by experts to be an undercount due to lack of testing .
Here ’ s a look at what Bolsonaro has said as the tally grew .
HOW HAS HE MINIMIZED THE THREAT OF THE CORONAVIRUS ?
Bolsonaro has argued that alarm about the spread of the virus is overblown .
“ In my understanding , the issue of the coronavirus is more of a fantasy .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says and advertises around the world , ” he said during an event with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on March 10 , when Brazil had confirmed only a handful of cases .
But multiple members of his delegation on the trip proved to have infections .
Still , Bolsonaro insisted in a March 15 interview that worry about COVID-19 was “ hysteria.
” “ Other viruses that were more dangerous happened in the past and we didn ’ t have this crisis , ” he said .
In a March 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defiant tone as he downplayed the virus , sometimes while smirking .
“ In my particular case , because of my history as an athlete , in case I were contaminated by the virus I wouldn ’ t need to worry .
I wouldn ’ t feel anything or it would be , at most , similar to a little flu , or a little cold , ” he said .
Asked two days later if Brazil ’ s situation could become as dire as that of the U.S. , Bolsonaro scoffed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ They don ’ t catch anything .
You see the guy jumping in the sewer , diving in .
And nothing happens to him , ” the president said .
More than three months later , he continues to minimize the risks .
“ Let ’ s take care , especially the elders , those who have comorbidities .
The youngest , take care , too , ” Bolsonaro he said Tuesday .
“ But if you get the virus , stay calm .
For you the possibility of something more serious is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABOUT THE INEVITABILITY OF SUFFERING ?
In early April , when almost 400 people had died from the disease in Brazil , Bolsonaro began to say that the coronavirus would only be vanquished once the population reached so-called herd immunity .
“ The virus is the same as a rainstorm : 70 % of you will get wet .
No one contests that , ” Bolsonaro told supporters in Brasilia .
“ And the whole nation will be free of the pandemic after 70 % are infected and have the antibodies .
Period.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a darker turn .
Asked on April 20 about the surging number of deaths , he responded : “ I ’ m not a gravedigger , OK ?
” Eight days later , with the tally of COVID-19 deaths surpassing 5,000 , Bolsonaro feigned impotence .
“ So what ?
I am sorry .
What do you want me to do ?
” he told reporters .
“ I don ’ t do miracles.
” “ Do I lament the deaths ?
Yes , I lament them .
But it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( someday ) .
No one will be left .
And if you die in the middle of a field , a vulture will eat you , ” he said May 22 , the day after Brazil ’ s death toll surpassed 20,000 .
It has since risen above 65,000 , the world ’ s second highest total .
He added , “ Face the virus like a reality : 70 % of people will get infected .
Why fill people with terror ?
Everybody is going to die.
“ WHAT DOES HE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Bolsonaro ’ s concern about the Brazilian economy has been a fixture of his statements since late March .
He has repeatedly said strict social distancing measures that sacrifice jobs and income will ultimately be more harmful than the virus itself , and he criticized governors and mayors who imposed restrictions .
“ Life is more important than the economy , but we can not exaggerate , “ he said March 22 about the imposition of social distancing by local leaders .
” With unemployment there the catastrophe will be bigger .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheated by these governors and by a big part of the media on this issue of the coronavirus.
“ On May 14 , he warned that “ more people will die -- many , many more -- if the economy continues to be destroyed.
“ Even in announcing that he had tested positive for the coronavrus , Bolsonaro defended his view that Brazil needs to return to normal activity .
“ You can ’ t just talk about the consequences of the virus that you have to worry about .
Life goes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to get the economy in gear , ?
he said .

Mauricio Savarese And David Biller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Coronavirus tests in Alaska village do not find new cases

BETHEL , Alaska - All residents in a small Alaska community who submitted to coronavirus testing have shown negative results , although not everyone agreed to testing , health officials said .
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. found there were no new cases of the virus in the tests conducted in Napaskiak , KYUK-AM reported Tuesday .
The first Napaskiak resident tested positive for COVID-19 June 15 .
After the positive test result , the health corporation screened 263 residents , accounting for 64 % of the village ’ s population .
The testing indicated a positive infection in a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the village to conduct additional tests from June 26 to July 1 , with 156 residents volunteering to be screened .
The corporation announced July 6 that all the results from the second round of tests were negative .
Napaskiak Tribal Administrator Sharon Williams said the village lifted its “ hunker down ” mandate July 5 .
Residents were humiliated and discriminated against after the two positive tests in the village , Williams said .
Napaskiak residents were turned away from businesses in the nearby hub community of Bethel , despite adhering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Williams blamed the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. for disclosing the likely existence of community spread after the positive tests and notifying all its employees that anyone travelling to Napaskiak must be tested .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The number of infections is thought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Torrential rains swamp Tuscaloosa, trap motel guests

TUSCALOOSA , Ala. - Heavy overnight rains quickly swamped the west Alabama city of Tuscaloosa , covering roads with water @ @ @ @ @ a motel .
As much as 5 inches ( 12.7 centimetres ) of rain fell @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , and the resulting flash flood filled cars with water and inundated a motel @ @ @ @ @ I get a phone call ... saying the guests were coming in saying that the @ @ @ @ @ Angie Cook , general manager of Best Western University Inn , told The Tuscaloosa News @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t know what that meant at that time.
” Cook said she and @ @ @ @ @ all the ground floor rooms were flooded , disrupting the night for roughly 40 guests @ @ @ @ @ .
More storms and heavy rains were possible across Alabama on Wednesday , but no @ @ @ @ @ the National Weather Service said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Trump pushes state, local leaders to reopen schools in fall

President Donald Trump launched an all-out effort pressing state and local officials to reopen schools this fall , arguing that some are keeping schools closed not because of the risks from the coronavirus pandemic but for political reasons .
“ They think it ’ s going to be good for them politically , so they keep the schools closed , ” Trump said Tuesday at a White House discussion on school plans for the fall .
“ No way .
We ’ re very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and education leaders from across the nation who said schools and colleges are ready to open this fall and can do so safely .
They argued that the risks of keeping students at home outweigh any risks tied to the coronavirus , saying students need access to meal programs and mental and behavioural health services .
“ We want to reopen the schools , ” Trump said .
“ Everybody wants it .
The moms want it , the dads want it , the kids want it .
It ’ s time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was met with skepticism by some beyond the White House .
The president of the nation ’ s largest education union said Trump is more interested in scoring points for the November election than in keeping students safe .
“ Trump has proven to be incapable of grasping that people are dying — that more than 130,000 Americans have already died , ” said Lily Eskelsen García , president of the National Education Association .
“ Educators want nothing more than to be back in classrooms and on college campuses with our students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way that keeps students , educators and communities safe.
” At the White House event , Trump repeated his claim that Democrats want to keep schools closed for political reasons and not health reasons .
The Republican president made the same claim on Twitter a day before , saying : “ They think it will help them in November .
Wrong , the people get it !
” Trump offered no evidence for the allegation , which has been criticized by health experts who say politicizing the issue will make it harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nuzzo , of Johns Hopkins University ’ s COVID-19 Testing Insights Initiative , said she was “ deeply troubled ” by the claim .
“ When you make it about politics and just people trying to score points and get elected , I mean , I really think it ’ s a disservice to how incredibly important this issue is , ” Nuzzo said in an interview .
“ And it really distracts from what I think we need , which is real solutions and a plan in order to make this happen.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this fall and how has been a topic of growing debate as the coronavirus continues to surge in parts of the United States .
Trump applauded Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis for his state ’ s recent order to open public schools this fall .
And Trump attacked Harvard University for its decision to hold instruction online for the fall term .
“ I think it ’ s ridiculous , I think it ’ s an easy way out and I think they ought to be ashamed of themselves , if you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Tuesday .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has sent mixed signals on the issue , saying students should return to the classroom but also noting that virtual classes present the lowest risk of COVID-19 spread .
Speaking at Trump ’ s event , however , the agency ’ s director said unequivocally that it ’ s better for students to be in school than at home .
Dr. Robert Redfield noted that COVID-19 cases tend to be mild in young people , adding that the greatest risk is transmission from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the CDC encourages all schools to reopen with customized plans to minimize the spread of the coronavirus while giving students access to school services .
“ It ’ s clear that the greater risk to our society is to have these schools close , ” Redfield said .
“ Nothing would cause me greater sadness than to see any school district or school use our guidance as a reason not to reopen.
” The CDC ’ s guidance for schools recommends that students and teachers wear masks “ as feasible , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eat meals in classrooms instead of the cafeteria , and add physical barriers between bathroom sinks .
Some schools have announced plans to bring students back for only a few days a week , an option that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Tuesday said was unacceptable .
“ It ’ s clear that our nations schools must fully reopen and fully operate this school year .
Anything short of that robs students , not to mention taxpayers , of their future , ” DeVos said .
During a call with governors , DeVos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Public Schools to have families decide between fully remote instruction or two days a week at school .
“ A choice of two days per week in the classroom is not a choice at all , ” DeVos said , according to audio of the call obtained by The Associated Press .
DeVos also criticized many schools ’ attempts at distance education after the pandemic prompted them to move classes online last spring .
She said she was disappointed in schools that “ didn ’ t figure out how to serve students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t try.
” The same thing can ’ t happen again this fall , she said , urging governors to play a role in getting schools to reopen .
Among those joining Trump on Tuesday was the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics , which recently issued guidelines suggesting that schools aim to start the academic year “ physically present in school.
” Keeping students at home can lead to social isolation , the organization said , and prevent schools from identifying learning deficits , abuse , depression and other issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — along with their parents ’ — was repeatedly raised in the argument to reopen schools .
“ Children ’ s mental health and social development must be as much of a priority as physical health , ” first lady Melania Trump said at the round-table .
“ The same is true for parents .
Many will be forced to make stressful choices between caring for their children and going back to work.
” But some are calling for greater caution .
Arne Duncan , who served as education secretary under former President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be on making sure students can return safely .
“ We all want children to go back to school , ” Duncan said on Twitter .
“ The question is whether we care enough about our children to ALLOW them to go to school safely .
Our behaviour , our commitment to shared sacrifice — or our selfishness — will determine what happens this fall for kids .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Richmond removing Confederate Soldiers and Sailors statue

RICHMOND , Va. - Work crews have begun taking down the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors statue , the sixth Confederate monument to be removed in Richmond amid national protests against police brutality and symbols many see as racist icons .
Crews arrived at about 7 a.m Wednesday in the city ’ s Libby Hill neighbourhood to take down the monument , which towers 100 feet ( 30.5 metres ) high and was installed in 1894 .
It depicts a Confederate soldier standing atop a pillar .
The phrases “ BLM ” and “ TAKE IT DOWN ” were recently painted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC 12 reported .
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney , citing his emergency powers on July 1 , ordered the removal of all city-owned Confederate statues .
A statue of Gen. J.E.B .
Stuart was taken down by crews on Tuesday and four other monuments were removed last week .
Richmond ’ s largest statue left standing is on state land — the massive monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee .
Its removal , under the orders of Gov .
Ralph Northam , has been blocked at least temporarily by a court injunction @


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases now above a half-million

JOHANNESBURG - Africa now has more than a half-million confirmed coronavirus cases .
The continent-wide total is over 508,000 , according to figures released Wednesday by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , after South Africa recorded another day of more than 10,000 confirmed cases as a new global hot spot .
The true number of cases among Africa ’ s 1.3 billion people is unknown as its 54 countries continue to face a serious shortage of testing materials for the virus .
“ A tremendous problem , a real crisis of access , ” the World Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moeti , said last week .
So far most testing has been concentrated in capital cities , but infections in many cases have spread beyond them .
Already COVID-19 has killed more people in Africa — 11,955 — than Ebola did in its deadliest outbreak from 2014 to 2016 in West Africa , the WHO said Wednesday .
“ With more than a third of countries in Africa doubling their cases over the past month , the threat of COVID-19 overwhelming fragile health systems on the continent is escalating , ” Moeti said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has avoided disaster , “ she added .
If countries can continue to improve testing , tracing and isolating , “ we can slow down the spread of the virus to a manageable level.
” Africa ’ s health systems are the most poorly funded and thinly staffed in the world , and already more than 2,000 health workers have been infected by the virus , according to the WHO .
This week alone , some anxious health workers in Nigeria , Zimbabwe , Congo and Sierra Leone have gone on strike or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay .
The African continent has just 2.2 health workers — and 0.3 doctors — per 1,000 people , according to the WHO .
Experts have warned that even if badly needed supplies such as ventilators are provided to African nations , another challenge is having enough trained workers to operate them .
So far , WHO-organized shipments to African countries have included more than 3,000 oxygen concentrators , another key piece of equipment to help with breathing .
Africa reaches the half-million-case milestone as a growing number of its countries decide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying their economies are sick , too .
Months of closed borders bought time to prepare for the pandemic but hurt the delivery of badly needed humanitarian aid .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--U.S. envoy issues rare public criticism of North Korean official

SEOUL , KOREA , REPUBLIC OF—The top U.S. official on North Korea accused a senior North Korean nuclear negotiator on Wednesday of being “ locked in an old way of thinking , ” days after the negotiator said Pyongyang won ’ t resume talks with Washington because of its “ hostile ” policies .
The comments by Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun were a rare case of a senior U.S. official directly criticizing North Korea since the two countries launched now-stalled diplomacy on North Korea ’ s nuclear arsenal in 2018 .
The comments suggest that Washington may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon .
“ I ’ ve seen some recent press reporting that the North Koreans are not prepared to meet with me on this visit , ” Biegun told reporters after talks with South Korean officials .
“ We did not request a meeting with the North Koreans .
This visit is to meet with our close friends and allies , the Republic of Korea , and we had an excellent discussion.
” Biegun was likely referring to recent North Korean state media reports that cited Vice Foreign Minister Choe Sun Hui as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomacy unless Washington discards what she described as “ hostile ” policies .
Choe , who has been deeply involved in the nuclear talks , also slammed the U.S. for its “ shallow tactic ” to use North Korea for domestic political gains .
“ I also want to be very clear on one point .
I do not take my direction from ( Choe ) , nor from Ambassador John Bolton , ” Biegun said .
Along with Choe , Biegun was referring to President Donald Trump ’ s former national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memoir accused him of pursuing an “ unhealthy negotiation path ” by demonstrating a willingness to negotiate a step-by-step deal advocated by North Korea .
“ Both are locked in an old way of thinking , focused on only the negatives and what is impossible , rather than thinking creatively about what is possible , ” Biegun said in a written statement published later Wednesday .
That comment wasn ’ t included in his earlier verbal remarks to reporters , which were almost identical to the written statement .
It wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarks did not include that comment .
South Korean media speculated that Biegun may have been trying not to provoke North Korea too much , though he could have simply accidentally missed those parts .
In both his verbal and written remarks , Biegun , who has previously described Choe as his potential counterpart when talks resume , said the U.S. would be ready for talks with North Korea when his dialogue interlocutor is named , in his apparent disapproval of Choe as his counterpart .
“ When Chairman Kim appoints a counterpart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to negotiate on these issues , they will find us ready at that very moment , ” Biegun said , referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un .
North Korea ’ s state news agency on Wednesday didn ’ t issue any fresh statements on the United States .
Earlier in the day , it reported that Kim had visited a mausoleum in Pyongyang to pay tribute to his late grandfather and state founder Kim Il Sung on the 26th anniversary of his death .
Trump and Kim have met three times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have fallen apart since their second summit in February last year in Vietnam .
North Korea has repeatedly said in recent months that it would no longer give Trump the gift of high-profile meetings he could boast of as foreign policy achievements unless it gets something substantial in return .
North Korea recently dialed up pressure on South Korea by cutting off virtually all co-operation and blowing up an inter-Korean liaison office in its territory last month .
That followed months of frustration over Seoul ’ s unwillingness to defy U.S.-led sanctions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the North ’ s broken economy .
Some analysts believe North Korea will also avoid serious talks with the Americans for now and instead focus on pressuring the South in a bid to increase its bargaining power before an eventual return to negotiations after the U.S. presidential election in November .
They say North Korea likely doesn ’ t want to make any major commitments or concessions when there is a chance that U.S. leadership could change .

Hyung-Jin Kim - The Associated Press,Kim Tong-Hyung


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Mary Kay Letourneau, teacher jailed for raping student, dies

SEATTLE - Mary Kay Letourneau , a teacher who married her former sixth-grade student after she was convicted of raping him in a case that drew international headlines , has died .
She was 58 .
Her lawyer David Gehrke told multiple news outlets Letourneau died Tuesday of cancer .
He did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press .
Letourneau was a married mother of four in 1996 when she taught 12-year-old Vili Fualaau in her class at Shorewood Elementary in Burien , a south Seattle suburb .
Police discovered them at about 1:20 a.m. on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minivan at the Des Moines Marina .
Letourneau , then 34 , initially told officers the boy was 18 , raising suspicions that something sexual was going on .
At the police station , Fualaau and Letourneau denied there had been any “ touching.
” They claimed Letourneau had been babysitting the boy , and took him from her home after she and her husband had a fight .
About two months later , the evidence was undeniable : Letourneau was pregnant .
They had a daughter — and then , later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Letourneau had pleaded guilty to child rape but before she began serving a 7 1/2-year prison term .
Letourneau and Fualaau married on May 20 , 2005 , in Woodinville , Washington , after her release .
Fualaau and Letourneau characterized their relationship as one of love at that point , even writing a book together — “ Un Seul Crime , L ’ Amour , ” or “ Only One Crime , Love.
” Their story became the subject of a USA Network movie , “ All American Girl.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : King County court records show Fualaau asked for a legal separation from Letourneau on May 9 , 2017 .
Fualaau ’ s mother filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit claiming the city and school district failed to protect her son from the teacher .
But the defendants said the relationship was so bizarre that no one could have predicted it .
The district ’ s lawyer said it began off school grounds , after the academic year had ended .
Police argued they simply had no evidence of sexual abuse until it was too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
Seattle attorney Anne Bremner represented the police in that lawsuit , and befriended Letourneau , visiting her in prison and meeting her for lunch after her release .
“ She accepted that it was a crime and that she had to serve her time , but when she got out she didn ’ t dwell , ” Bremner said .
“ She moved forward in a very positive way and raised those girls .
She was somebody I rooted for .
I really wanted her to do well , and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s relationship : “ Everyone said it wouldn ’ t last , but it did , at least for 20 years .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Brazil’s president says hydroxychloroquine to cure his virus

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he is confident that he will swiftly recover from the new coronavirus thanks to treatment with hydroxychloroquine , the anti-malaria drug that has not been proven effective against COVID-19 .
Bolsonaro said he tested positive for the new coronavirus on Tuesday after months of downplaying its severity while deaths mounted rapidly inside the country .
The president told reporters he underwent a lung X-ray on Monday after experiencing fever , muscle aches and malaise .
As of Tuesday , his fever had subsided , he said , and he attributed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the journalists and removed his mask at one point to show that he looked well .
The 65-year-old right-wing populist who has been known to mingle in crowds without covering his face confirmed the results while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters huddled close in front of him in the capital , Brasilia .
“ I ’ m , well , normal .
I even want to take a walk around here , but I can ’ t due to medical recommendations , ” Bolsonaro said .
Later Tuesday , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking his third dose of hydroxychloroquine , which has also been promoted by President Donald Trump .
But a string of studies in the UK and U.S. , as well as by the World Health Organization , have found it ineffective and sometimes deadly because of its effects on the heart .
Several studies were cancelled early because of that .
“ Today I ’ m a lot better , so certainly it ’ s working , ” Bolsonaro said , downing the dose with a glass of water .
“ We know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help fight the coronavirus .
We know none of them have their efficacy scientifically proven , but I ’ m one more person for whom this is working .
So I trust hydroxychloroquine .
And you ?
” Brazil , the world ’ s sixth-biggest nation , with more than 210 million people , is one of the outbreak ’ s most lethal hot spots .
More than 65,000 Brazilians have died from COVID-19 , and over 1.5 million have been infected .
Both numbers are the world ’ s second-highest totals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the true figures are believed to be higher because of a lack of widespread testing .
On Tuesday alone , 1,254 deaths were confirmed .
Other world leaders who have had bouts with COVID-19 include British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , Britain ’ s Prince Charles , Prince Albert II of Monaco and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández .
Bolsonaro is “ the democratic leader who has most denied the seriousness of this pandemic , ” said Maurício Santoro , a political science professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his credibility .
It will be seen as another example of the failure of his coronavirus response.
” Bolsonaro has often appeared in public to shake hands with supporters and mingle with crowds , at times without a mask .
He has said that his history as an athlete would protect him from the virus and that it would be nothing more than a “ little flu ” if he were to contract it .
He has also repeatedly said that there is no way to prevent 70 % of the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities ’ efforts to shut down economic activity would ultimately cause more hardship than allowing the virus to run its course .
For nearly two months , Brazil ’ s fight against COVID-19 has been in the hands of an interim health minister with no health experience before April .
He took over after his predecessor , a doctor and health care consultant , quit in protest over Bolsonaro ’ s support for hydroxychloroquine .
Brazilian cities and states last month began lifting restrictions that had been imposed to control the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline along with the caseload in intensive care units .
Bolsonaro supporter Silas Ribeiro said on the streets of Rio that the president is correct in saying the dangers of the virus have been exaggerated .
“ Our president is a popular man .
He is showing that he isn ’ t afraid to die , ” said Ribeiro , 59 .
“ He is going to have health and get through this sickness.
” Speaking near recently reopened shops in Rio , Wesley Morielo said he hopes Bolsonaro ’ s sickness prompts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think everything he said before , of not giving importance to COVID-19 , came back against him , ?
said Morielo , a 24-year-old student .
The World Health Organization ’ s emergencies chief , Dr. Michael Ryan , wished Bolsonaro a speedy recovery and said his infection “ brings home the reality of this virus “ by showing that it doesn ’ t distinguish between “ prince or pauper.
” Bolsonaro has repeatedly visited the hospital since taking office , requiring several operations to repair his intestines after he was stabbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he cancelled a trip this week to Brazil ’ s northeast region and will continue working via videoconference and receive rare visitors when he needs to sign a document .
Unlike Britain ’ s prime minister , who moderated his rhetoric after testing positive for the virus , Bolsonaro will probably not change his stance , said Leandro Consentino , a political science professor at Insper , a university in Sao Paulo .
“ He ’ s going down a path of trying to indicate to his base of support that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take advantage of the illness to advertise for chloroquine , ” Consentino said .
Over the weekend , the Brazilian leader celebrated American Independence Day with the U.S. ambassador to Brazil , then shared pictures on social media showing him in close quarters with the diplomat , several ministers and aides .
None wore masks .
The U.S. Embassy said on Twitter that Ambassador Todd Chapman is not showing any symptoms but would be tested .
Bolsonaro tested negative three times in March after meeting with Trump in Florida .
Members of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected .

Marcelo De Sousa And David Biller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Mary Trump’s book offers scathing portrayal of president

NEW YORK - President Donald Trump ’ s niece offers a scathing portrayal of her uncle in a new book , blaming a toxic family for raising a narcissistic , damaged man who poses an immediate danger to the public , according to a copy obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press .
Mary L. Trump , a psychologist , writes that Trump ’ s reelection would be catastrophic and that “ lying , playing to the lowest common denominator , cheating , and sowing division are all he knows.
” “ By the time this book is published , hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been sacrificed on the altar of Donald ’ s hubris and wilful ignorance .
If he is afforded a second term , it would be the end of American Democracy , “ she writes in “ Too Much and Never Enough , How My Family Created The World ’ s Most Dangerous Man.
” Mary Trump is the daughter of Trump ’ s elder brother , Fred Jr. , who died after a struggle with alcoholism in 1981 at 42 .
The book is the second insider account in two months to paint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , following the release of former national security adviser John Bolton ’ s bestseller .
In her book , Mary Trump , who is estranged from her uncle , makes several revelations , including alleging that the president paid a friend to take the SATs — a standardized test widely used for college admissions — in his place .
She writes that his sister Maryanne Trump did his homework for him but couldn ’ t take his tests and he worried his grade point average , which put him far from the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his efforts to get accepted ” into the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania , where he transferred after two years at Fordham University in the Bronx .
“ To hedge his bets he enlisted Joe Shapiro , a smart kid with a reputation for being a good test taker , to take his SATs for him , ” she writes , adding , “ Donald , who never lacked for funds , paid his buddy well.
” White House spokesperson Sarah Matthews called the allegation “ completely false.
” Mary Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s ability to gain the support of prominent Christian leaders and white evangelicals , saying : “ The only time Donald went to church was when the cameras were there .
It ’ s mind boggling .
He has no principles .
None !
” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany slammed the book Tuesday , saying , “ It ’ s ridiculous , absurd accusations that have absolutely no bearing in truth.
” Mary Trump traces much of her pain to the death of her father when she was 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistakes , told The Washington Post last year that he regretted the pressure he and his father had put on Fred Jr. to join the family business when his brother wanted to be a pilot instead .
“ It was just not his thing .
...
I think the mistake that we made was we assumed that everybody would like it .
That would be the biggest mistake .
...
There was sort of a double pressure put on him , ” Trump told the paper .
Yet as her father lay dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald went to the movies.
” She says that , as a child , Donald Trump hid favourite toys from his younger brother and took juvenile stunts — like Fred Jr. dumping a bowl of mashed potatoes on his then-7-year-old head — so seriously that he harboured resentments even when his eldest sister , Maryanne , brought it up in her toast at his White House birthday dinner in 2017 .
She paints Trump , who often called her “ Honeybunch , ” as a self-centred narcissist who demanded constant adulation — even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regard for family members ’ feelings .
Trump ’ s crude rhetoric on the campaign trail , she said , was nothing new , reminding her “ of every family meal I ’ d ever attended during which Donald had talked about all of the women he considered ugly fat slobs or the men , usually more accomplished or powerful , he called losers.
” The book is , at its heart , a lengthy psychoanalysis of the Trump family by a woman trained in the field , who sees the traits of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural progression of behaviours developed at the knees of a demanding father .
For Donald Trump , she writes , “ lying was defensive — not simply a way to circumvent his father ’ s disapproval or to avoid punishment ... but a way to survive.
” Publisher Simon & Schuster announced Monday that it would be publishing the book two weeks early , on July 14 , after a New York appellate court cleared the way for the book ’ s publication following a legal challenge .
Robert Trump , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mary Trump , arguing in legal papers that she was subject to a 20-year-old agreement between family members that no one would publish accounts involving core family members without their approval .
A judge last week left in place a restraint that blocked Mary Trump and any agent of hers from distributing the book , but the court made clear it was not considering Simon & Schuster to be covered by the ruling .
In the book , Mary Trump writes that she didn ’ t take her uncle ’ s run for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion apparently shared by Trump ’ s eldest sister , a retired federal appeals court judge .
“ ’ He ’ s a clown , ’ my aunt Maryanne said during one of our regular lunches at the time .
‘ This will never happen , ’ ” she recalls her saying .
She said she declined an invitation to attend her uncle ’ s election-night party in New York City four years ago , convinced she “ wouldn ’ t be able to contain my euphoria when ( Hillary ) Clinton ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she found herself wandering around her house a few hours after Trump ’ s victory was announced , fearful that voters “ had chosen to turn this country into a macro version of my malignantly dysfunctional family.
” Mary Trump wrote that she considered speaking out against her uncle at various times , including the summer of 2016 , but was reluctant to do so for fear of being “ painted as a disgruntled , disinherited niece looking to cash in or settle a score.
“ After the events of the last three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can no longer remain silent.
“

Larry Neumeister And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--‘Palm Springs’ arrives for the Groundhog Days of quarantine

NEW YORK - Though most of the films that have debuted during the pandemic never got to screen for packed movie houses , “ Palm Springs ” had the kind of premiere filmmakers dream of .
At the Sundance Film Festival in January , the time-loop romantic comedy , starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti drew big laughs , enthusiastic reviews and a record deal for the festival .
Hulu and the indie distributor Neon acquired “ Palm Springs ” for $ 17,500,000.69 .
The extra cents were suggested after negotiations stretched deep into the night by Samberg ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producer on the film .
“ We ’ ve been saying Hulu insisted .
It was either Akiva or Hulu , ” says Samberg , chuckling .
“ It might have been Akiva at , like , 5 a.m. after staying up all night making a deal and having been drinking earlier in the night .
Or it was Hulu .
I can ’ t quite recall.
” That memory may be distant and from another lifetime , entirely .
But “ Palm Springs , ” which premieres Friday on Hulu and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suited to right now .
The film , the feature debut of director Max Barbakow and screenwriter Andy Siara , is about a bridesmaid , Sarah ( Milioti ) , who , after an encounter with a guest , Nyles ( Samberg ) , at her sister ’ s wedding , falls into a time loop .
She begins reliving the day over and over again , a cycle that Nyles has already been stuck in for so long he can ’ t remember .
When other movies were postponing their releases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay put .
With people in some state of lockdown across the country , a movie about the comedy of reliving the same day became weirdly appropriate .
A time loop opened , and “ Palm Springs ” dove in .
When Siara and Barbakow started on “ Palm Springs , ” they didn ’ t intend to wade into “ Groundhog Day ” territory .
The two met in film school and , after making a few shorts together , decided to set their feature debut in Palm Springs after a weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Siara had just gotten married in Palm Springs , and they gravitated toward a nihilistic character who had long tired of standard wedding chit chat .
That the film started character first , not with the high concept , the two say was key .
Still , encroaching on any such story line risked breaching the sacred comedy territory of Harold Ramis ’ “ Groundhog Day.
” “ I went in thinking , ‘ The all-timer of that is done.
’ And I don ’ t think this changes that in the slightest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing about it that made me want to do it anyway is , to me , it feels like it very intentionally picks up where ‘ Groundhog Day ’ leaves off.
” “ Palm Springs ” uses its daily reset to dig into the emotional lives of Sarah and Nyles , both of whom who have shrugged off maturity in various ways .
It ’ s a relationship comedy where the starts and stops of personal and romantic growth happen through surreal science-fiction re-runs .
“ It was dark and weird in ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while also making me laugh and also moving me , ” Milioti says .
“ I just thought it was so delightful and nuts.
” Lonely Island , the trio of Samberg , Schaffer and Jorma Taccone , helped develop the project with Barbakow and Siara .
But if “ Groundhog Day ” was initially an impediment , time-loop tales — like the acclaimed Netflix series “ Russian Doll ” — proliferated while they worked on “ Palm Springs.
” “ We were like , ‘ ( Expletive ) .
’ We talked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” says Samberg .
“ It sort of morphed into feeling like ‘ We shouldn ’ t do this because there are so many ’ into ‘ We should do this because there are so many ’ — like it was just a genre now .
“ Palm Springs , ” the filmmakers realized , hung on the relationship between Sarah and Nyles , and it would be difficult to overstate how much Milioti ( “ Fargo , ” “ Black Mirror ” ) brings to the movie .
Her performance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in genuine self-reproach .
“ When I watch it , I feel like she just absolutely murders it , ” Samberg says .
Over the past month , they have all wondered about whether “ Palm Springs ” really does fit the moment .
While protests around the death of George Floyd forced a national reckoning on ingrained racism , it became clear the pandemic hasn ’ t been “ Groundhog Day.
” It ’ s also been a time of tragedy and reckoning and self-examination .
“ We ’ ve all been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can be really difficult .
That ’ s what happens in the film for Sarah for the first time , and it ’ s a nightmare , ” says Milioti .
“ The silver lining of that is that we , white people , had to sit in the discomfort of ‘ Oh my God.
’ We had to watch things .
We had to sit in the horror of it all and there was no distraction.
” Samberg calls it “ an interesting moment to be putting out a comedy.
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to feel like you ’ re distracting from what ’ s going on right now .
I think it ’ s a moment of wanting to stay vigilant and focused and engaged , ” he says .
“ As someone who is trying to be that way , I also find that at the end of the day , when I put the kid to bed , we want to put on something light half the time to give ourselves a momentary break.
” They ’ ve all found themselves living a strange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But there are some positives .
The main upside , says Samberg , is spending more time with his wife , musician Joanna Newsom , and young daughter .
Siara , who with his wife is soon expecting the birth of their second child , hasn ’ t minded the repetitive days .
“ I ’ m cool with being stuck in the monotony , ” he says .
But no one can compete with Barbakow in terms of syncing with their film .
He proposed to his girlfriend during quarantine .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there ’ s a lot of opportunity for introspection and connection with whoever you ’ re stuck with , “ says Barbakow .
” I ’ m happy to be stuck with my now fiancée .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--In UK libel case, Depp denies hitting ex-wife Amber Heard

LONDON - Johnny Depp denied hitting ex-wife Amber Heard in a jealous rage , dangling her tiny dog out a car window and being a Jekyll-and-Hyde monster , as he was cross-examined for a second day Wednesday by a lawyer for British tabloid The Sun .
The newspaper is defending a libel claim after calling the Hollywood star a “ wife beater.
” Depp is suing The Sun ’ s publisher , News Group Newspapers , and its executive editor , Dan Wootton , over an April 2018 article that said he had physically abused Heard .
The case opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Depp sitting in the witness box and denying Heard ’ s allegations that he assaulted her on multiple occasions .
The “ Pirates of the Caribbean ” star said Heard ’ s “ sick ” claims that he assaulted her on multiple occasions were “ totally untrue.
” He called his ex-wife sociopathic , narcissistic and emotionally dishonest .
Depp , 57 , and Heard , 34 , met on the set of the 2011 comedy “ The Rum Diary ” and married in Los Angeles in February 2015 .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuse one another of abuse .
While Heard isn ’ t on trial , the case is a showdown between the former spouses , who accuse each other of being controlling , violent and deceitful during their tempestuous marriage .
The Sun ’ s defence relies on Heard ’ s allegations of 14 incidents of violence by Depp between 2013 and 2016 , in locations including Los Angeles , Australia , Japan , the Bahamas and a chartered jet .
He denies them all and says Heard , an actress and model , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can and a cigarette , and severed his finger by throwing a vodka bottle at him .
Cross-examining Depp , The Sun ’ s lawyer , Sasha Wass , recounted an allegation of abuse that Heard says took place at her home in March 2013 .
She said Depp became enraged at a painting by Heard ’ s former partner , artist Tasya van Ree , that hung in Heard ’ s bedroom .
Depp acknowledged that he “ could be jealous ” but denied Heard ’ s claim that he took the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set it on fire and slapped Heard when she intervened .
“ I did not hit Ms. Heard and furthermore I have never hit Ms. Heard , “ said Depp , who wore a gray suit , blue shirt and patterned tie for his court appearance .
He also denied hitting Heard in 2013 after she laughed at a tattoo he had that read “ Wino Forever.
” He said he ’ d had it altered from “ Winona Forever ” after he split up with actress Winona Ryder years earlier .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about any of my tattoos , ” Depp said .
Depp rejected every allegation of violence put to him by Wass , dismissing the claims as “ not correct ” and “ patently untrue.
” Asked about an incident in which he allegedly dangled Heard ’ s Yorkshire terrier , Pistol , out a car window , Depp said “ it is absolute , utter falsity.
” “ That is not my idea of fun , although my sense of humour is rather skewed , ” he said .
He denied the lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been impaired by alcohol and drug abuse .
Wass has tried to paint Depp as a volatile personality with a longstanding drug habit and an anger-management problem .
Depp acknowledged taking both prescription and illegal substances since childhood , but said Heard ’ s clam he became a “ monster ” when he drank and took drugs was “ delusional.
” The lawyer read out an email to Depp that Heard had composed in 2013 but never sent , in which she said he was “ like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on disco blood bath.
” Depp said Heard ’ s claims of abuse were a “ hoax ” and said the email was evidence “ that Ms Heard was building a dossier ” as “ an insurance policy for later.
” Depp and Wass also clashed over whether Heard had tried to curb his drinking and drug use .
Heard claims she tried to support Depp to become sober and never took cocaine during their relationship .
“ There were many times in our relationship , early on , where not only did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blade into lines , she would then take the cocaine on her finger and rub it on her gums , “ Depp said .
When Wass said Heard often had two or three glasses of wine during an evening , Depp shot back : “ Two or three bottles.
” “ That is complete nonsense , Mr. Depp , ” the lawyer said .
Heard is attending court and is expected to give evidence later in the trial , which is scheduled to last three weeks .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Two COVID-19-ravaged churches take different recovery paths

NEW YORK - The paths of two New York City churches diverged this week — one reopened and one stayed closed .
But they have shared a tragic fate , together losing at least 134 members of their mostly Hispanic congregations to the coronavirus .
Saint Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church in Queens , where at least 74 parishioners have died from COVID-19 , on Monday hosted its first large-scale in-person services since mid-March : an English-language midday Mass and a Spanish one in the evening .
At Saint Peter ’ s Lutheran Church in Manhattan , with a death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s too risky to open any time soon .
In Saint Bartholomew ’ s , which normally can hold 800 people , every other row of pews was roped off to facilitate social distancing as about 60 worshippers attended the English service .
Except for an infant , all wore face masks .
“ It ’ s great to see you again — you should give yourselves a round of applause , ” said the pastor , the Rev .
Rick Beuther .
He prayed for the parishioners who recently died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s love for them “ is a bond that can never be broken , even in tragic situations.
” Beuther had set the tone for the service beforehand , on the church ’ s Facebook page .
“ This will not be a celebratory opening , ” he said .
“ This will be a slow start out of an abundance of caution.
” Caution also is the watchword at Saint Peter ’ s , which serves churchgoers from across the city , but with a different result .
It is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resuming in-person services while a parish task force , advised by experts , studies how to reopen safely .
Saint Peter ’ s officials say 60 members of the congregation — which numbered about 800 before the pandemic — have died of COVID-19 , almost all of them part of the community of some 400 who attend services in Spanish .
Under city guidelines , Saint Peter ’ s could have reopened this week for 125 people at a time , or 25 % of capacity .
But senior pastor Jared Stahler said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health risks .
“ For a church that has lost so many people , it would be a moral violation to go ahead and reopen right now , ” he said .
“ We would give people a false sense of comfort.
” At both churches , pastors remain deeply concerned for the well-being of their parishioners , many of them immigrants living in the country without legal permission and lacking access to health care .
Some lost jobs ; others risked their health to work because they couldn ’ t afford to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They ’ ve been through a nuclear-like experience .
...
Most of their families are in another place , and they ’ re coming to a church again that is like their second home , “ Beuther said .
Among those in the pews at Saint Bartholomew ’ s on Monday evening was Claudia Balderas .
Above all , she came to pray for her 63-year-old brother , Porfirio Balderas , who died May 12 from coronavirus complications .
“ This is a special place that helps me a lot , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized for weeks .
Balderas said lockdown restrictions kept the family from having a funeral for Porfirio , and they couldn ’ t afford to send his ashes to their native Mexico .
Instead , relatives in the city of Atlixco placed a wooden cross carved with his name next to his mother ’ s grave ; the ashes are in an urn with his wife .
Saint Bartholomew ’ s known COVID-19 death toll among parishioners is 74 , a count based on emails from community members since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t spoken with everyone in the large congregation , and he fears dozens more may have died .
“ As we begin to open , the impact will become clearer , ” he said .
“ It will be tsunami-like in terms of deaths , sicknesses , and especially for the undocumented , those who haven ’ t been able to return to work and need food.
” Saint Bartholomew ’ s and Saint Peter ’ s maintained active ministries during the lengthy lockdown , providing emergency food assistance , helping grieving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and holding a full schedule of online worship services .
On Sunday evening , for the first time since the pandemic took hold , Saint Peter ’ s relaunched online its decades-old tradition of “ jazz vespers , ” in which Stahler ’ s reading of the liturgy was backed by a bass player and jazz singer .
“ Saint Peter ’ s Church has been a holy example of how our buildings may be closed , but our church has always been open , ” said Bishop Paul Egensteiner , who oversees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lutheran Church in America .
Stahler and fellow pastor Fabian Arias depicted the planning for Saint Peter ’ s future reopening as “ step-by-step , health-focused and data-driven , ” studying safety measures such as attendance limits , new protocols for entry , even removing some furniture that might tempt people to congregate .
“ If there is anything we have learned from this pandemic , ” the pastors said in a joint message to the parish , “ it is that we are only as well as the most vulnerable in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved ones to the virus hope to have funerals in the church after it reopens .
For now , he ’ s been offering prayers for the deceased during online services every Wednesday and Sunday .
The pandemic has hit families that are among the most active in Saint Peter ’ s .
Parish secretary Alejandra Mendez , for example , lost her father and brother , both church members , as well as her aunt .
“ We ’ ve not been able to be together and mourn the loss collectively , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Christopher Vergara .
At Saint Bartholomew ’ s , one of the staff members on the front lines has been Sister Lucy Mendez , who runs the religious education program .
When Claudia Balderas was hospitalized , the nun sent her spirit-boosting text messages .
“ I told her that we were with her , that we ’ re praying for her , ” Mendez said .
Mendez herself became infected and at one point feared she was going to die .
She recalled the relentless heartbreak as she and other staffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with families unable to visit them as the pandemic raged .
“ It was very painful , ” Mendez said .
On Monday she welcomed people back to Saint Bartholomew ’ s with a broad smile under her mask — and squirts of sanitizer on their hands .
Associated Press video journalist Jessie Wardarski contributed to this report Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .

David Crary And Luis Andres Henao - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Cambodian province famous for Angkor Wat bans dog meat trade

PHNOM PENH , Cambodia - The Cambodian province that is home to the famous Angkor Wat temple complex , a major destination for foreign tourists , has outlawed the trade in dog meat , which animal rights activists have said is rife in the area .
The authorities in Siem Reap province issued an order Monday banning the buying , selling and butchering of dogs for food .
The trade remains legal in other parts of the country .
A recent report by two animal welfare groups estimated that 2 to 3 million dogs are killed annually in Cambodia for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reap region is a major source of supply of the animals , which are sometimes stolen pets .
The groups — Four Paws , based in Austria , and Animal Rescue Cambodia — said they identified 21 restaurants in Siem Reap specializing in dog meat and 110 in Cambodia ’ s capital , Phnom Penh .
The order banning the trade , which was circulated online Wednesday by several officials , declares that trading in dog meat is punishable according to the law on animal health and production , with violators facing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 7 to 50 million riel ( $ 1,750 to 12,500 ) .
It linked the ban to Siem Reap ’ s popularity as a tourist destination and a sacred site .
The Angkor Wat temples draw more than 2 million visitors a year , though tourism has dried up this year because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The order also pays tribute to dogs for being loyal pets and protectors of homes , farms and field animals , and decries the dog trade as inhumane as well as dangerous because it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eating dog meat because they believe it can bring bad luck , but it has become a minor fashion among younger people .
Neighboring Vietnam is better known for the practice .
The animal welfare groups ’ report on dog meat in Cambodia in 2019 found that an estimated 2,900 dogs per month — or 34,800 per year — are served at restaurants in Siem Reap .
It said their investigation also identified one dedicated dog slaughterhouse in Siem Reap city and five high-volume holding or trading areas located outside the city that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to other parts of Cambodia .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Ethiopia’s week of unrest sees 239 dead, 3,500 arrested

ADDIS ABABA , Ethiopia - At least 239 people have been killed and 3,500 arrested in more than a week of unrest in Ethiopia that poses the biggest challenge yet to its Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister .
In the Oromia region , the toll includes 215 civilians along with nine police officers and five militia members , regional police commissioner Mustafa Kedir told the ruling party-affiliated Walta TV on Wednesday .
Officials earlier said 10 people were killed in the capital , Addis Ababa , eight of them civilians , amid outrage after a popular singer was shot dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rallying voice in anti-government protests that led to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed taking power in 2018 .
Abiy swiftly introduced political reforms that also opened the way for long-held ethnic and other grievances in Africa ’ s second most populous country .
The military was deployed during the outrage that followed Hachalu ’ s death .
In remarks last week while wearing a military uniform , Abiy said dissidents he recently extended an offer of peace had “ taken up arms ” in revolt against the government .
He hinted there could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing of the army chief last year as well as the grenade thrown at one of his own rallies in 2018 .
The 3,500 arrests have included that of a well-known Oromo activist , Jawar Mohammed , and more than 30 supporters .
It is not clear what charges they might face .
The Oromo make up Ethiopia ’ s largest ethnic group but had never held the country ’ s top post until they helped bring Abiy to power .
Local reports have said that in some places ethnic Oromo have attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some people were going home to home checking identity cards and targeting Amhara residents .
Businesses have now begun opening slowly in Oromia after the violence in which several hundred homes in Ethiopia were burned or damaged .
But Ethiopia ’ s internet service remains cut , making it difficult for rights monitor and others to track the scores of killings .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Global shares mixed as pandemic uncertainty squelches buying

TOKYO - Global stock markets were mixed Wednesday as uncertainty over the coronavirus pandemic sapped the buying enthusiasm that has been driving prices higher .
Wall Street appeared set to edge up on the open , with Dow futures up 0.1 % and S & P 500 futures 0.2 % higher .
In Europe , France ’ s CAC 40 fell 0.7 % to 5,007 , while Germany ’ s DAX was down 0.3 % at 12,580 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 was flat at 6,188 .
Given the current murky outlook , investors are likely to cash in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Investors are trying their best to look through the knotty COVID-19 economic entanglement , “ but the recent bullish mood remains on shaky ground , and could easily sour , said Stephen Innes , chief global market strategist at AxiCorp , said in a report .
“ It is impossible for investors not to grow weary and eventually , at some point , fall prey to the endless drip of negative COVID-19 stories and how the second wave virus will crush the market , ” he added .
Japan ’ s benchmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 22,438.65 .
Australia ’ s S & P/ASX 200 dipped 1.5 % to 5,920.30 .
South Korea ’ s Kospi shed 0.2 % to 2,158.88 .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng rose 0.6 % after fluctuating during much of the day to 26,129.18 , while the Shanghai Composite bounced higher , adding 1.7 % to 3,403.44 .
Although some Asian benchmarks fell , trading overall was relatively calm , said Jeffrey Halley , senior market economist at trading platform Oanda .
Much of the regional concern is focused on the rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recovery there to attain growth , he said .
“ Unfortunately , when America catches a cold , the world catches the flu ; that maxim has not changed .
It does have the potential to delay and depress the world ’ s nascent recovery , ” said Halley .
Optimism that the U.S. economy is on the mend as businesses reopen has helped drive stocks higher .
But the recent surge in new coronavirus cases has clouded hopes for a relatively quick economic turnaround .
Investors are also girding for what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health of corporate America as companies begin reporting their second-quarter results .
“ It ’ s not unusual for these five-day runs to be met with a bout of profit-taking , especially given the headlines on the virus , ” said Quincy Krosby , chief market strategist at Prudential Financial .
“ When you move toward overbought conditions it doesn ’ t take much for the market to burn off some of the froth.
” Unprecedented amounts of aid from central banks and governments around the world are helping to prop up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across much of the U.S. are countering that support .
Benchmark U.S. crude was flat at $ 40.62 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It slipped a penny to settle at $ 40.62 per barrel on Tuesday .
Brent crude , the international standard , rose 10 cents to $ 43.18 per barrel .
The dollar inched down to 107.51 Japanese yen from 107.53 yen on Tuesday .
The euro rose to $ 1.1286 from $ 1.1274 .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Pickup truck carrying migrants crashes in North Macedonia

SKOPJE , Macedonia - A pickup truck carrying 32 migrants has crashed in North Macedonia , near the southern borders with Bulgaria and Greece , leaving eight people injured , police said Wednesday .
Police said the pickup truck had been travelling at high speed when it crashed into a car and then into parked vehicles in the town of Strumica on Tuesday .
Authorities said the vehicle was carrying 15 Afghans , nine Pakistanis , six Bangladeshis , one Syrian and one Iraqi .
Eight people were transferred to the local hospital , two of them with serious injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migrant centre in the town of Gevgelija pending deportation to Greece , from where authorities believe the 32 had arrived clandestinely .
The driver , a 27-year-old Macedonian national , was arrested on suspicion of migrant trafficking .
The incident comes a day after authorities said 211 migrants had been found packed into a truck stopped during a routine traffic control in the south of the country .
The Greek border with North Macedonia was closed earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic .
But trafficking networks remain active in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Turkey into Greece and then head north toward more prosperous countries in the European Union ’ s centre and north .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--UK report: Medical treatments caused many ‘avoidable harm’

LONDON - Hundreds of women and their babies suffered “ avoidable harm “ because Britain ’ s healthcare system ignored serious concerns raised about some medical treatments , a scathing review into three National Health Service scandals found Wednesday .
Patients were dismissed and overlooked when they complained about three medical interventions : pelvic mesh , which has been linked to crippling , life-changing complications including chronic pain ; the anti-epilepsy drug sodium valproate , which has been linked to physical malformations in many children when taken by their mothers during pregnancy ; and hormone pregnancy tests such as Primodos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defects and miscarriages .
The review chaired by Julia Cumberlege , a former health minister , said the healthcare system had a “ glacial ” and “ defensive ” response to concerns over the treatments .
The report outlined “ heart-wrenching ?
stories of how the treatments led to “ acute suffering , families fractured , children harmed and much else “ in hundreds of families .
Patients then fought for decades to have their concerns heard .
Cumberlege stressed that it was “ truly shocking ” that no one knows the true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that hormonal pregnancy tests , which were provided in Britain from the 1950s , should have been banned from 1967 — but they were not fully withdrawn in Britain until 1978 .
“ Thousands of women and unborn children were exposed to this risk , ” she said .
“ This should not have happened .
The system failed.
” “ The issue here is not one of a single or a few rogue medical practitioners , or differences in regional practice , “ the report said .
” It is system-wide.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ women whose lives were catastrophically affected .
It also took evidence from the NHS , private healthcare providers , regulators and professional bodies , manufacturers , and policymakers .
Cumberlege acknowledged that at a time when the NHS ’ response to the COVID-19 outbreak had led to praise , her report would offer uncomfortable reading .
But she said the system just wasn ’ t good enough at spotting trends that gave rise to safety concerns .
The report offered nine recommendations , including a fulsome government apology and the need for separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional care and support to those who have experienced avoidable harm .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Boy struck by bullet in St. Louis remains in grave condition

ST. LOUIS - A 4-year-old boy is in grave condition after being shot in the head by an apparent stray bullet in St. Louis on the Fourth of July , police said Tuesday .
Police initially said Monday that the department was reclassifying the shooting of Michael Goodlow III as a homicide after it was notified of his death .
But police later reversed themselves , explaining in an email Tuesday that the department was “ notified that the victim had in fact not succumbed to his injuries , and has not been pronounced deceased as initially advised.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote , “ his condition is still grave at this time .
We apologize for the confusion and do not have anything further to provide at his time.
” Police said the shooting happened Saturday night in a neighbourhood northwest of downtown St. Louis .
The child was taken to a hospital in critical condition .
Police said it appears the child was hit by a stray bullet while outside .
No arrests have been made .
Caldwell said that the investigation was ongoing and that the department couldn ’ t confirm that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This story was first published on July 6 , 2020 .
It was updated on July 7 , 2020 , to correct that police later said the child was in grave condition , not dead .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Atlanta mayor defies governor, require masks in city

Atlanta ’ s mayor has signed an executive order mandating masks in Georgia ’ s largest city , defying Gov .
Brian Kemp ’ s decision to strongly encourage but not require face coverings .
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Wednesday signed the order requiring masks , which could set up a confrontation with the Republican Kemp .
The governor has already clashed with the mayor recently over policing issues , calling out the National Guard to protect state government offices after an 8-year-old girl was fatally shot by armed people at the site of a fast food restaurant where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Black man .
“ We will continue to take active measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 infections in Atlanta , ” Bottoms said in a statement .
“ Public health experts overwhelmingly agree that wearing a face covering helps slow the spread of this sometimes deadly virus.
” Like a number of other local leaders in Georgia , Bottoms has unsuccessfully appealed to Kemp to change his order that local governments can ’ t exceed the state ’ s requirements .
“ Other cities have taken the approach that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s executive order .
Savannah has done it , some other cities have done it , and Atlanta is going to do it today , ” Bottoms told MSNBC in a Wednesday interview .
“ Because the fact of the matter is that COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on our cities , specifically black and brown communities with higher death rates.
” Spokespeople for Kemp did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday .
Kemp on Tuesday asked mayors and county commissioners to help him in a statewide push for voluntary masking .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandate to have Georgians do the right thing , but we do need to build strong , public support , ” Kemp told mayors , according to prepared remarks released by his office .
Bottoms announced Monday that she has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Joe Biden has been considering the Democrat as his vice-presidential running mate .
The dispute over masks is escalating as the state again recorded new high numbers of daily confirmed cases and people hospitalized with COVID-19 .
The number of people in hospitals rose to more than 2,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by more than 3,400 , bringing the state total to 104,000 .
Officials across the state are increasingly voicing worries that hospitals are filling and government-run testing sites are being overrun .
Data released Wednesday showed that 82 % of Georgia ’ s critical care beds are in use , although not every patient in a critical care bed has COVID-19 .
In three of the state ’ s 14 hospital regions , fewer than 6 % of critical care beds were available , including Athens , Valdosta and Atlanta ’ s northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties , officials are moving to extend hours at testing sites , saying there ’ s more demand than they can fill .
Atlanta would not be the first Georgia locality to mandate face coverings .
Savannah and the Atlanta suburb of East Point were joined Tuesday by Athens-Clarke County .
At least three other Atlanta suburbs — Fairburn , South Fulton and Doraville , are considering the move .
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said Tuesday that he believes a mask mandate in his large suburban county would leave police in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law , but at least one DeKalb County commissioner wants a vote on the issue anyway .
Atlanta ’ s move could be more difficult for Kemp to ignore , with the state capitol , the governor ’ s mansion and many state government agency headquarters inside the city .
State universities earlier claimed state property was exempt from Savannah ’ s mask order before they too decided to require masks .
It ’ s unclear if Kemp and state agencies might make the same claim about state property in Atlanta .
John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburb of Brookhaven , said he agrees with others saying police would have questionable legal authority to enforce a mask ban without permission from Kemp .
“ Everyone is at a loss of what to do with this virus because of the hyperpolitical nature of what it ’ s become , “ he said .
Follow all of AP ’ s pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Jeff Amy And Ben Nadler - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Police: $23 million lost due to ongoing Portland protests

PORTLAND , Ore. - Downtown businesses in Portland , Oregon , have sustained about $ 23 million in damages and lost customers because of violent nightly protests that have brought the city to its knees , authorities said Wednesday .
At a police briefing , Deputy Chief Chris Davis said the intensity of the violence by an “ agitator corps ” and the length of the protests that are now in their sixth week are unprecedented in Oregon ’ s largest city .
Davis made a sharp distinction between Black Lives Matter protesters , whom he said were not violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he repeatedly called “ agitators.
” “ Quite frankly , this is not sustainable , “ he said .
” There ’ s a very big difference between protests and the kind of mayhem that we ’ ve seen every night .
...
The Black Lives Matter movement is not violent .
The story that we ’ re going to talk about today is about a small group of agitators that is attempting to hijack that message and use it as a cover for criminal activity.
” Protesters have demonstrated for 41 consecutive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , and they are increasingly focusing their actions on federal properties , including Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse in the heart of the downtown business district .
Authorities have declared riots several times and used tear gas to disperse demonstrators .
A recently issued federal court order bans the police from using the tear gas unless a riot is declared , but critics have challenged the police on what constitutes a riot and who makes the decision to designate a protest as an unlawful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week the day after Gov .
Kate Brown signed a bill into law that banned the use of it unless a riot was declared .
That prompted Brown and Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek to publicly call on Mayor Ted Wheeler , who is also the police commissioner , to rein in the department and de-escalate its interactions with protesters .
Davis defended the decision to use tear gas and said that the alternative was sending officers into a chaotic crowd , which would likely result in injuries to both officers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy if I can go the rest of my career without ever seeing us have to deploy C.S .
gas , “ he said , using another term for the substance .
“ The reason why we ’ re seeing more and more C.S .
gas has to do with really unprecedented levels of violence that we ’ re seeing and not that we ’ re trying to find excuses to use it .
And that would be irresponsible of us to somehow ratchet down the definition of a riot so we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Earlier Wednesday , the president of the police union said he has no confidence that city leaders will move to stop the protests .
“ Our officers have endured weeks of rocks , bricks , bottles , mortars , and other objects hurled at them with hate , ” union President Daryl Turner said .
“ Enough .
The people who put on a badge and uniform every day are human beings.
” On Tuesday the U.S. attorney in Oregon announced federal charges against seven protesters accused of defacing a federal courthouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also arrested two people on state charges of setting fire to a North Portland police precinct last week .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--Driver who hit Seattle protesters charged with 3 felonies

SEATTLE - Prosecutors on Wednesday filed three felony charges against the man who hit two protesters with his car , killing one , while driving on a Seattle freeway that was closed for Black Lives Matter demonstrations .
The King County Prosecuting Attorney ’ s office charged Dawit Kelete , 27 , with vehicular homicide , vehicular assault and reckless driving .
He ’ s scheduled to be arraigned on July 22 and remains in custody on $ 1.2 million bail .
Kelete drove around vehicles that were parked on Interstate 5 to protect the protesters , hitting two people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Washington State Patrol .
Summer Taylor , a 24-year-old veterinary clinic worker , suffered critical injuries and died Saturday night .
Diaz Love , 32 , from Portland , Oregon , was hospitalized in serious condition .
Prosecutors said Love suffered multiple leg and arm fractures and internal injuries and remains hospitalized .
In a note posted on Facebook late Sunday , Love reported being “ alive and stable.
” “ In a lot of pain .
I can not believe Summer was murdered , ” the post said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us back down , they are very wrong .
Very wrong.
” Kelete ’ s lawyer , John Henry Browne , said his client , who is Black , did not intentionally hit the protesters .
He said the crash was a “ horrible , horrible accident.
“ “ There ’ s absolutely nothing political about this case whatsoever , ” Browne told The Associated Press .
“ My client is in tears .
He ’ s very remorseful .
He feels tremendous guilt.
” Kelete is originally from Eritrea , in northeastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Browne said .
He lives with his parents in Seattle , and they ’ re very religious , he said .
During his only court appearance , the judge prohibited photographers from taking pictures of his face because he had not yet been charged .
A message seeking comment from Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County said they have no comment on the charges .
Kelete was the owner of the Jaguar XJL and was alone in the car , according to the state patrol .
A security camera on the REI building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong way up the Stewart Street I-5 exit ramp , past numerous warning signs that said “ Wrong Way , ” according to the charging document .
Since it was an exit ramp , “ a driver must make a deliberate and sharp right U-turn in order to drive southbound on I-5 , ” the document said .
He was travelling at freeway speeds when he first noticed the demonstrators , the document said .
The protesters screamed and scattered as the car approached .
A graphic video shows the vehicle approaching at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to swerve slightly as it came toward two people still in the road .
The car slid sideways as it hit the two protesters , sending them into the air .
“ The defendant stopped several hundred yards from the scene , ” prosecutors said .
“ He was approached by witnesses who yelled at him to exit the vehicle .
After the witness began hitting and pushing his vehicle , the defendant drove away at a high speed , ” prosecutors said .
He was followed by one of the protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s car by driving in front of him until state troopers arrived .
Kelete agreed to take a field sobriety test for drugs and alcohol .
The tests showed he was not impaired , the state patrol said .
“ The driver was reserved and appeared sullen throughout his time in custody , ” Trooper James McGuire wrote in the arrest report .
“ At one point he asked if the injured pedestrians were okay.
” Seattle has been the site of prolonged unrest following the May police killing of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state patrol had closed a section of I-5 for 19 days in a row because of the protesters , troopers said .
Going forward , officials said they won ’ t allow protesters to enter I-5 and will arrest pedestrians on the freeway .


thetorontostar--2020-07-08--UN Council rejects Russia bid to limit Syrian aid deliveries

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected a Russian resolution that would have cut back the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria ’ s mainly rebel-held northwest to just one crossing point from Turkey .
Western countries that voted against the resolution have insisted on keeping the two current crossings from Turkey , with strong backing from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and humanitarian groups .
U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock has called the two crossings from Turkey “ a lifeline for millions of civilians whom the U.N. can not reach by other means.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ yes ” votes in the 15-member council for approval , but Moscow got support from only three other countries — China , Vietnam and South Africa .
Its failure to get the nine votes meant the U.S. , U.K. and France didn ’ t need to consider using their veto .
Those three permanent council members voted against the resolution along with Germany , Belgium , Estonia and the Dominican Republic .
Four countries abstained — Tunisia , Niger , Indonesia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines .
Russia , Syria ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution after it joined China on Tuesday in vetoing a draft resolution co-sponsored by Germany and Belgium to maintain aid deliveries through two border crossing points from Turkey for a year .
It received 13 “ yes ” votes .
The current Security Council mandate for U.N. cross-border aid deliveries expires Friday , and Germany and Belgium are expected to circulate a new proposal , likely to authorize the two current crossings from Turkey for six months .
In a joint statement after the vote , Germany and Belgium said that “ millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council to allow for as much humanitarian access as possible ... ( and ) we will keep on working to this end.
” Whether the differences between the five veto-wielding council members can be resolved in the next 48 hours remained to be seen .
Russia has argued that aid should be delivered from within Syria across conflict lines .
But the U.N. and humanitarian groups say aid for 2.8 million needy people in the northwest can ’ t get in that way .
Moutaz Adham , the Syria director for the humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s failure to reach agreement “ a devastating blow to the millions of Syrian families who rely on this aid for clean water , food , health care and shelter.
” “ Cross-border aid is needed now more than ever , as Syrians face the threat of COVID-19 , ” he said .
“ All available avenues for delivering aid will be critical in helping the more than 11 million people in need of assistance across Syria.
” In January , Russia scored a victory for Syria , using its veto threat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution reducing the number of crossing points for aid deliveries from four to just two , from Turkey to the northwest .
It also cut in half the yearlong mandate that had been in place since cross-border deliveries began in 2014 to six months , as Russia insisted .
The defeated German-Belgian resolution had dropped a call for the re-opening of an Iraqi crossing to the northeast to deliver medical supplies for the COVID-19 pandemic .
In May , Russia ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said : “ Do not waste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed cross-border points.
” The German-Belgian resolution would have extended the mandate for the two border crossings from Turkey to the northwest — Bab al-Salam and Bab al-Hawa — for a year .
The Russian-drafted resolution would only authorize cross-border deliveries through the Bab al-Hawa crossing for six months .
Germany ’ s U.N. ambassador , Christoph Heusgen , said that while the Bab Al-Hawa crossing is used to deliver aid to Idlib province , the Bab al-Salam crossing reaches the region north of Aleppo , where an additional 300,000 Syrians displaced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Both areas are separated by conflict lines , ” he said .
The Russian draft also injected the issue of U.S. and European Union sanctions into the debate .
China ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Zhang Jun on Tuesday blamed unilateral sanctions against Syria for exacerbating the country ’ s humanitarian situation and urged that they be lifted .
The Russian draft expressed “ grave concern ” at “ the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures , ” saying such measures “ worsen the socio-economic and humanitarian situations , undermine the livelihoods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity of Syria to ensure access to food , essential health supplies and medical support to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
” It asked Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to provide a report on “ direct and indirect impact of unilateral coercive measures ” on humanitarian deliveries and Syria ’ s socio-economic situation by Aug. 31 .
The United States and the EU have stated repeatedly that their sanctions have exemptions for humanitarian aid .
Germany ’ s Heusgen said in a statement after the vote that EU sanctions “ are exclusively targeted at representatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were introduced “ because of the repressive policies of the Assad regime against the civilian population of Syria ” and its violations of international human rights and humanitarian law .