thetorontostar--2020-05-07--Eviction protection extended; push for antibody testing

NEW YORK - Gov .
Andrew Cuomo extended protections for New Yorkers unable to pay their rent , and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio set an ambitious goal to test 140,000 people for coronavirus antibodies by early next month .
The state ’ s daily death toll was 231 .
More on the latest pandemic-related developments in New York : New York ’ s moratorium on outbreak-related housing evictions was extended Thursday by Cuomo for two more months .
The governor in March had issued a moratorium on residential and commercial evictions that lasted through June , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxiety of families struggling through the economic shutdown .
It is now extended until Aug. 20 .
“ I hope it gives families a deep breath , ” Cuomo said at his daily briefing .
The executive order will also ban late fees for missed payments and allow renters to apply their security deposit to a payment , though they ’ d have to pay it back over time .
New York ’ s official COVID-19 death count jumped by 720 because of a more thorough reporting of fatalities at nursing homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lacking in the quality of reporting , so we went back and did a thorough review , ” said state Department of Health spokeswoman Jill Montag .
The statewide outbreak toll is now 20,828 .
That total doesn ’ t include more than 5,300 deaths in New York City that were attributed to the virus on death certificates but that weren ’ t confirmed by a lab test .
The health department has been working with nursing homes and adult care facilities to create a system for reporting fatalities in real-time and retrospectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents who were confirmed or presumed to have COVID-19 have died in nursing homes since the outbreak began .
An unknown number of the state ’ s 2,585 presumed nursing home deaths are included in the city ’ s count of presumed deaths .
New York tallied 231 virus-related deaths Wednesday .
Though hospitalizations continued to decrease slowly to under 8,700 , the daily death toll has hovered around 230 for four days .
New York City residents got a special sight Thursday evening , as JetBlue sent three of its specially painted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a special flyover to thank health care workers for their efforts against the coronavirus .
One plane was painted in red with the shield of the Fire Department of New York , while another was mostly blue in honour of the New York Police Department and has the department ’ s flag on the tail .
The third featured JetBlue ’ s logo and the well-known “ I Love NY ” slogan .
The flyover coincided with the launch of a program from JetBlue , donating pairs of round-trip flight certificates to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 15th to nominate workers to receive certificates .
New York City will test 140,000 people for coronavirus antibodies between next week and early June , de Blasio announced Thursday .
The antibody tests , which indicate whether a person has been infected with the virus at some point , will be offered for free by appointment at five locations , the mayor said .
The results will be available in one to two days and will also be used for research , he said .
Researchers say it is unclear whether coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the germ .
The human body produces antibodies days or weeks after fighting an infection .
Most tests use a finger prick of blood on a strip .
“ We are not promising people a rose garden here , “ de Blasio said .
“ We ’ re not saying the antibody test is the last word .
It ’ s not .
But it tells you something.
” The city will use tests made by BioReference Laboratories for the free program .
The state has already performed antibody tests on about 27,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City area .
At a separate briefing Thursday , Cuomo announced that those workers tested positive for antibodies at a lower rate than the general population , a finding he said shows the effectiveness of protective masks and gloves for front-line workers .
“ That is amazingly good news , ” he said .
“ We were afraid of what was going to happen.
” The survey found 12 % of health care workers in New York City tested positive for antibodies , compared with 20 % for the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care workers in Westchester County , just north of the city , were about half of those for the general population , though worker rates were roughly the same on Long Island .

Marina Villeneuve, Karen Matthews And Michael Hill - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-07--Alaska to allow limited reopening of gyms, bars

JUNEAU , Alaska - Gyms , pools and bars will be allowed to open with limitations starting Friday under the next phase of the state ’ s plan to reopen parts of the economy that had been forced to shut down amid efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
Other businesses that were allowed to reopen April 24 , including retail stores , restaurants for dine-in services , personal care services and other businesses that were classified as nonessential , will be able to boost their capacity from 25 % to 50 % under plans announced Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ libraries , theatres and other entertainment venues can reopen with limited capacity , state health Commissioner Adam Crum said .
With gyms , for example , a 10-foot distance will be required between people indoors .
For pools , 50 % of the pool ’ s capacity will be allowed , he said .
Local officials in Juneau don ’ t intend to open public facilities such as pools and libraries until the Assembly has had time to understand the state ’ s approach , according to a city release Thursday that encourages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judiciously.
” The Assembly plans to hear from the state ’ s chief medical officer , Dr. Anne Zink , on Monday .
Gov .
Mike Dunleavy said Wednesday that health is the top priority .
“ But at the same time , I think we all realize that we have to make sure that we don ’ t lose our economy , ” he said , adding later that the state ’ s numbers “ compel us in a way to open up , responsibly.
” Initial unemployment claims for the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to state labour department figures .
That compares with 823 such filings during the same period a year ago .
Alaska has reported more than 370 cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , and 10 deaths .
The most recent death , announced Wednesday , was a man older than 80 from Anchor Point with pre-existing medical conditions , the state health department said .
It was the first COVID-19-related death reported by the state since the death of a Wasilla woman April 12 .
The new coronavirus causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .
While officials have said they feel good about how the state is doing , they urge continued general precautions , including maintaining physical distance from people not in one ’ s household and wearing cloth face coverings .
Crum said online ordering for pickup or delivery is encouraged .
Zink said there ’ s capacity within the current group of just over 100 people doing contact tracing and other work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build up to 500 people by the end of the month , if needed .
Alaska also recently received a supply of personal protective gear that Dunleavy said is supposed to last about six months .

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-05-07--Video shows ‘take down’ arrest after Alabama mask dispute

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. - A woman faces disorderly conduct charges after an altercation that began when a Walmart employee in Alabama asked her to wear a face mask in the store and ended with a police officer performing a “ take-down ” manoeuvr on her , officials said .
Video of the confrontation at a Birmingham Walmart circulated widely on social media .
The video shows the officer picking the woman up and throwing her to the ground .
It appears he was attempting to handcuff her .
The Birmingham Police Department addressed the incident in a video statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee had told the woman to wear a face mask in the store , and the officer became involved because the woman became disorderly .
Mauldin said the woman refused to leave the store and then resisted when the officer tried to detain her .
“ The officer used a take-down measure to gain control due to the other threat factors in the store , ” Mauldin said .
The department said she was charged with disorderly conduct , resisting arrest and criminal trespass .
The department did not release her name .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued any citations or made any arrests as it relates to the city ’ s shelter-in-place ordinance or face covering ordinance .
A group of women who identified themselves as family members of the woman arrested said the woman was leaving the store when the officer used the measure .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Spain: police arrest man suspected of planning terror attack

BARCELONA , Spain - Spanish police arrested a Moroccan man on Friday suspected of planning a terror attack in the @ @ @ @ @ group during Spain ’ s coronavirus crisis .
Spain ’ s Civil Guard said that @ @ @ @ @ Barcelona was aided by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and Morocco ’ s state @ @ @ @ @ Guard said that they had been watching the suspect for four years but that his @ @ @ @ @ had been accelerated during Spain ’ s lockdown that started in mid-March to control its @ @ @ @ @ the man had been motivated by calls made by IS for followers to carry out @ @ @ @ @ residence .
Police said the suspect had made “ public declarations ” of his allegiance @ @ @ @ @ Western countries on social media .
Investigators feared he was planning an attack , perhaps @ @ @ @ @ a vehicle , in Barcelona after observing him breaking virus confinement rules to move around @ @ @ @ @ for a target .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--A devastating jobs report for April will show virus’s impact

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government on Friday is poised to report the worst set of jobs numbers since record-keeping began in 1948 , a snapshot of the devastating damage the coronavirus outbreak has inflicted on the economy .
The unemployment rate for April could reach 16 % or more , according to economists surveyed by the data provider FactSet .
Twenty-one million jobs may have been lost .
If so , it would mean that nearly all the job growth in the 11 years since the Great Recession ended had vanished in one month .
Even those numbers won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage the coronavirus has inflicted on jobs and incomes .
Many people who are still employed have had their hours reduced .
Others have suffered pay cuts .
Some who lost jobs in April and didn ’ t look for a new one in light of their bleak prospects won ’ t even be counted as unemployed .
A broader measure — the proportion of adults with jobs — could hit a record low .
The scale of the job loss has been breathtakingly sudden .
During the Great Recession of 2008-2009 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs over a two-year span .
It was the worst loss in any recession since World War II .
Yet in just April alone , the expected job loss of 21 million would amount to 14 % of all jobs — more than twice as much .
The impact on individuals has been vast .
One of the newly unemployed , Sara Barnard , 24 , of St. Louis , has lost three jobs : A floor manager at a pub and restaurant , a bartender at a small downtown tavern and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was at McGurk ’ s , an Irish pub and restaurant near downtown that closed days before St. Patrick ’ s Day .
She had worked there continually since high school .
McGurk ’ s tried selling food curbside , Barnard said , but it was costing more to keep the place open than the money that was coming in .
Around that time , the bar where she worked closed , and comedy jobs ended when social distancing requirements forced clubs to close .
McGurk ’ s is a St. Louis landmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly once it reopens .
She just doesn ’ t know when .
Job losses and pay cuts are ranging across the world .
Unemployment in the 19-country eurozone is expected to surpass 10 % in coming months as more people are laid off .
That figure is expected to remain lower than the U.S. unemployment rate .
But it doesn ’ t count many people who either are furloughed or whose hours are cut but who receive most of their wages from government assistance .
In France , about half the private-sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whereby they receive up to 84 % of their net salary .
In Germany , 3 million workers are supported in a similar system , with the government paying up to 60 % of their net pay .
In the five weeks covered by the U.S. jobs report for April , 26.5 million people applied for unemployment benefits .
The job loss to be reported Friday may be less because the two are measured differently : The government calculates job losses by surveying businesses and households .
It ’ s a net figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies , like Amazon and many grocery stores , have done .
By contrast , the total jobless claims is a measure of just the layoff side of the equation .
For the United States , a key question is where the job market goes from here .
Applications for unemployment aid , while high , have declined for five straight weeks , a sign that the worst of the layoffs has passed .
Still , few economists expect a rapid turnaround .
The Congressional Budget Office has forecast that the unemployment rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of next year .
A paper by economists at the San Francisco Federal Reserve estimates that under an optimistic scenario that assumes shutdowns are lifted quickly , the unemployment rate could fall back to about 4 % by mid-2021 .
But if shutdowns recur and hiring revives more slowly , the jobless rate could remain in double-digits until the end of 2021 , the San Francisco Fed economists predict .
Raj Chetty , a Harvard economist , is tracking real-time data on the economy , including consumer spending , small business hiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy ’ s health will hinge on when the viral outbreak has subsided enough that most Americans will feel comfortable returning to restaurants , bars , movie theatres and shops .
The data suggests that many small businesses are holding on in hopes that spending and the economy will rebound soon , he said .
Small business payrolls have fallen sharply but have levelled off in recent weeks .
And job postings haven ’ t dropped nearly as much as total jobs have .
But it ’ s unclear how much longer those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s only so long you can hold out , ” Chetty said .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--UN: Live animal markets shouldn’t be closed despite virus

LONDON - The World Health Organization said Friday that although a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan selling live animals likely played a significant role in the emergence of the new coronavirus , it does not recommend that such markets be shut down globally .
In a press briefing , WHO food safety and animal diseases expert Peter Ben Embarek said live animal markets are critical to providing food and livelihoods for millions of people globally and that authorities should focus on improving them rather than outlawing them — even though they can sometimes spark epidemics in humans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather difficult and therefore it ’ s not surprising that sometimes we also have these events happening within markets , ” Ben Embarek said .
He said reducing the risk of disease transmission from animals to humans in these often overcrowded markets could be addressed in many cases by improving hygiene and food safety standards , including separating live animals from humans .
He added that it is still unclear whether the market in Wuhan linked to the first several dozens of coronavirus cases in China was the actual source of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease further .
Ben Embarek said investigations are continuing in China to pinpoint the animal source from which COVID-19 jumped into humans but that studies have since found other species are susceptible to the disease , including cats , tigers , ferrets and dogs .
Identifying other vulnerable species will allow certain interventions to be put in place to prevent future outbreaks .
“ We don ’ t want to create a new reservoir in animals that could continue to create infections in humans , ” he said .
Ben Embarek said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original animal source for the new coronavirus , explaining that extensive studies need to occur first , involving health officials carefully interviewing many of those infected in the early stages of the outbreak , to narrow down what their interactions with animals were before they fell sick .
Scientists would then need to take samples from animals to find a close match to the coronavirus circulating in humans .
To date , China has not invited WHO or other external experts to be part of that investigation .
Ben Embarek said China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such studies and WHO has not noted any problems in China ’ s willingness to collaborate with others .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--After weeks at sea, over 250 Rohingya land in Bangladesh

DHAKA , Bangladesh - More than 250 Rohingya Muslim refugees who had been floating for weeks on a fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal arrived Friday on an island in southern Bangladesh , officials said .
The refugees were brought to Bhasan Char island after they reached elsewhere on Bangladesh ’ s coast , said Mohammed Alamgir Hossain , police superintendent in Noakhali district where the island is located .
He did not say who brought them there .
Louise Donovan , a spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency , told The Associated Press that they received reports that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the island by Bangladesh ’ s Navy .
“ We are seeking further information from the Bangladesh authorities , ” she said .
Another group of 29 Rohingya refugees reached the island on Sunday after weeks of floating at sea and failing to reach Malaysia .
Rights groups said recently that hundreds of Rohingya are stranded on at least two fishing trawlers between Bangladesh and Malaysia .
The refugees reportedly attempted to reach Malaysia , but failed because of strict patrols to keep out the coronavirus .
Currently more than 1 million Rohingya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Cox ’ s Bazar district .
Most of those Rohingya their homes in neighbouring Myanmar after the military launched a counterinsurgency campaign in response to an attack by a Rohingya insurgent group .
Security forces were accused of committing mass rapes , killings and burning thousands of homes .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Dutch police hold suspect after kosher restaurant vandalism

AMSTERDAM - Police used pepper spray to subdue a suspect arrested Friday after a window was smashed at a kosher @ @ @ @ @ , the sixth act of vandalism at the restaurant in recent years .
An attacker @ @ @ @ @ a hole in one of the large windows of the HaCarmel restaurant before pushing a @ @ @ @ @ through the hole .
Amsterdam police tweeted that they had arrested a suspect .
The @ @ @ @ @ anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany to Allied forces in Europe , although there @ @ @ @ @ a link .
The vandalism also came after United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that @ @ @ @ @ “ a tsunami of hate and xenophobia , scapegoating and scare-mongering.
” The U.N. chief @ @ @ @ @ has surged online and in the streets , anti-Semitic conspiracy theories have spread , and @ @ @ @ @ .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Lawmakers ejected in scuffles at Hong Kong’s legislature

HONG KONG - Scuffles broke out at Hong Kong ’ s legislature Friday , with security guards ejecting several pro-democracy lawmakers including one carried out on a stretcher by medics after he was injured .
Tempers flared when a pro-Beijing lawmaker inserted herself as chair of a committee meeting to try to end a months-long impasse that has resulted in a backlog of legislation , including a controversial bill that would criminalize abuse of the Chinese national anthem in the semi-autonomous city .
Pro-Beijing lawmakers have accused pro-democracy lawmaker Dennis Kwok , the deputy chair of the House Committee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selection of a new chair for more than six months .
China publicly rebuked Kwok last month for holding up matters that affect public interest , sparking protests that it was meddling in Hong Kong ’ s internal affairs .
On Friday , pro-Beijing lawmaker Starry Lee , saying she has the authority as the previous chair to preside over the meeting , occupied the seat more than an hour before the meeting ’ s scheduled start .
Security staff and other pro-Beijing lawmakers surrounded the bench to try to keep a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The two sides shouted at each other , with each camp holding up placards condemning either Lee or Kwok .
Scuffles broke out when Lee called the meeting to order , with pro-democracy lawmakers rushing the bench as security guards shoved back .
The guards carried out several pro-democracy lawmakers , including Eddie Chu and Ray Chan , who were ordered to leave due to disorderly conduct .
“ I have not seized power , I am the incumbent chairperson of the House Committee , ” said Lee , urging lawmakers to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Lee a “ vicious Beijing little worm , ” and others chanted “ Starry Lee , step down.
” Pro-Beijing lawmakers countered that Kwok was abusing his power .
Most of the pro-democracy lawmakers eventually walked out of the meeting of the committee , which normally scrutinizes bills and determines when they can be put to a final vote .
The session was later briefly suspended after pro-democracy politician Kwok Wing-kin , who was watching from the public viewing balcony , was dragged away by security guards after he threw a stack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In rebuking Kwok last month , China ’ s liaison office in Hong Kong called for him to be prosecuted for misconduct in public office .
The legislature ’ s legal adviser , Connie Fung , who said last year that Lee does not have the authority to preside and a new chair must be elected , reversed her position Friday .
She said Lee could preside because of the abnormal condition of a chair not being elected for six months .
It wasn ’ t clear whether Lee ’ s move ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would continue to fight .
Dozens of anti-government protesters gathered in a nearby shopping mall in the evening , shouting pro-democracy slogans .
Beijing ’ s criticism of Kwok sparked debate over whether it has the power to intervene in Hong Kong ’ s internal affairs under the Basic Law , Hong Kong ’ s constitution .
The former British colony was handed back to China in 1997 under a “ one-country , two-systems ” framework in which Hong Kong was given freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland and promised a high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 years .
Differences between the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps were sharpened after months of sometimes violent protests sparked by an attempt to pass legislation — later withdrawn — that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to China to face trials .
Previously , the legislature had passed a motion allowing a bill that extended maternity leave to bypass the House Committee , and was criticized by pro-democracy lawmakers as setting a bad precedent for bills to pass without the scrutiny of the committee .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Fugitive arrested in Minnesota slaying of real estate agent

MINNEAPOLIS - A fugitive wanted for killing a real estate agent in Minneapolis in a murder-for-hire plot has been arrested in Illinois , police said .
Berry Davis and another alleged co-conspirator , Cedric Berry , have been indicted on first-degree murder charges for their alleged roles in Monique Baugh ’ s kidnapping and killing on New Year ’ s Eve .
Baugh was lured to a phoney home showing in Maple Grove , a Minneapolis suburb , kidnapped and found shot to death in a Minneapolis alley , according to prosecutors .
Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another agency , but the circumstances of the arrest weren ’ t immediately known , the Star Tribune reported .
Online records for the Cook County Jail in Chicago show Davis was booked May 1 and is being held without bond .
At least eight people were involved in varying degrees in the plot revolving around a dispute over a record deal between Baugh ’ s boyfriend and a fellow rapper , investigators said .
Police believe that Baugh ’ s boyfriend , Jon Mitchell-Momoh , was the intended victim of the alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the couple ’ s home while their two young children were nearby .
The children were not hurt .
The suspected gunman is in federal custody on an unrelated charge , according to authorities .
So far no official charges have been filed against him in the Baugh case .
Mitchell-Momoh told detectives he believed that he was targeted either because he had been flaunting “ a lot of money ” on his social media accounts or that people suspected him of co-operating with police , according to court filings .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former friend over a record deal and that man may have ordered the hit on Mitchell-Momoh ’ s life , according to a warrant .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Troubled Zimbabwe hopes for some relief in tobacco sales

HARARE , Zimbabwe - Adjust Saidi , a foreman at a farm outside Zimbabwe ’ s capital , Harare , paced through rows of tobacco plants .
Desperate to complete the harvest and sell the crop , he pushed workers picking leaves to “ hurry it up.
“ Some carried up to 30 kilograms ( 66 pounds ) of leaves , bound by wire , on their shoulders .
Some wore face masks .
With most economic activity stalled by a coronavirus lockdown , troubled Zimbabwe last month officially opened the tobacco selling season after a month-long delay .
Tobacco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currency earner after gold , and it brought in about $ 750 million last year .
Allowing tobacco selling gives the government an opportunity to ease acute foreign currency shortages in a country whose economy had been collapsing well before the virus .
The government ’ s decision came as a relief to thousands of farmers who were already hard hit by a severe drought .
In a normal season , Saidi would be heading to the auction floors by mid-May but will only be able to finish harvesting at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported for duty “ fearing coronavirus , ” he said .
Other farmers said the new virus restrictions are making things difficult .
Biggie Muronda said it took five hours to travel about 130 kilometres ( 80 miles ) to the auction floors because of police harassment on the roads “ despite producing the letter ( authorizing movement ) .
” Zimbabwe ’ s government later eased restrictions on movement and farmers were given special dispensation to move their crops without hindrance .
“ We are not afraid of coronavirus , “ said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The risk is that farmers could be cheated out of their money due to the new guidelines which say we must give our crop to a representative who will come here to sell on our behalf.
” The new rules stipulating that crops will be sold in the absence of farmers are aimed at preventing thousands of farmers and their families , as well as vendors seeking to cash in on the farmers ’ payouts , from camping at auction floors as usual .
Agriculture Minister Perrance Shiri said tobacco-buying companies should set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid farmers packing the auction floors in the capital as part of the new measures .
Rodney Ambrose , the president of Zimbabwe Tobacco Association , a representative group for farmers , said the companies were yet to set up such centres in most parts of the country .
“ So most farmers are likely to flock into Harare , ” he told The Associated Press .
Zimbabwe has been experiencing a rebound in tobacco growing after the planting of the crop plummeted about two decades ago following often violent seizures of land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mugabe ’ s controversial land reforms .
Last year , farmers produced 259 million kilograms , “ a second consecutive record output , ” said Pat Devenish , chairman of industry regulator the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board .
The government says the rebound is justification that black farmers are up to the task .
The crop is down to about 230 million kilograms this year due to “ grim ” weather conditions , according to TIMB .
One of the world ’ s top tobacco exporters alongside Brazil , Zimbabwe sends most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Middle East .
Shiri , the agriculture minister , said the coronavirus could affect exports .
“ It ’ s likely to affect tobacco sales , yes , in that most countries have now directed their resources towards dealing with the coronavirus epidemic , ” Shiri told reporters recently .
“ It ’ s too early to say how much it ’ s going to affect us.
“ As the minister spoke , an auctioneer rapidly announcing prices and an official using a loudspeaker to encourage social distancing competed for the attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the auction floor .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--City officials in Mississippi propose ‘Ida B. Wells Street’

TUPELO , Miss .
- City officials in Mississippi have proposed to fully name a street after suffragette and civil rights icon Ida B. Wells-Barnett .
Wells-Barnett was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize this week for her reporting on the lynching of African Americans during the Jim Crow era .
Now city council members in Tupelo are looking to change a street that uses the writer ’ s first name to encompass her full maiden name , the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported .
If approved , the street will be transformed from Ida Street to Ida B .
Wells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed to modify the street name because not many people know the street was named after Wells-Barnett .
“ I think it would be a motivating thing in the community to know that it ’ s named after an outstanding woman , ” Davis said .
Wells-Barnett was born in Holly Springs , Mississippi , about 60 miles ( 97 kilometres ) northwest of Tupelo .
She died in 1931 after pushing for women ’ s right to vote and starting organizations designed to help African Americans gain economic and political power .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tupelo is now going through the city ’ s approval process .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Dems eye money for smaller cities, towns in next virus bill

WASHINGTON - Eyeing a major expansion of federal assistance , top Democrats are promising that small- to medium-sized cities and counties and small towns that were left out of four prior coronavirus bills will receive hundreds of billions of dollars in the next one .
Those cities and counties , where the coronavirus has crippled Main Street and caused local tax revenues to plummet , are pushing hard for relief in the next rescue measure to avert cuts in services and layoffs of workers .
It ’ s an effort that the large class of freshman House Democrats has rallied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has the backing of key decision-makers like House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey , D-N.Y. , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
The initial number in an upcoming bill from House Democrats could total $ 800 billion or more , though it ’ s likely to shrink in any final measure negotiated with Senate Republicans and the White House .
That would be more than the huge amounts delivered to the Paycheck Protection Program , the small business relief fund that is especially popular with Republicans .
An earlier , smaller installment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cities with populations greater than 500,000 .
That threshold channeled money to COVID-19 hot spots like New York City and Atlanta but passed over thousands of smaller jurisdictions packed into each of the 435 congressional districts .
Lowey has announced the upcoming , and fifth , coronavirus response bill will contain money for each county in the U.S. , based on population , along with an equal amount of funding for municipalities .
“ Unlike the initial CARES Act , I think it is vital we have separate programs for state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition between governors , municipal leaders , and county executives , ” Lowey said is a recent letter to her colleagues .
Pelosi , D-Calif. , is encouraging the effort .
The approximately $ 2 trillion CARES Act , which passed in late March , was the largest of the coronavirus relief bills so far .
Democrats successfully pressed for $ 150 billion in aid to states and local governments , with $ 120 billion of that aid going to state governments to reimburse them for costs associated with fighting COVID-19 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with populations greater than 500,000 , which helped cities represented by top leaders like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , whose home base of Louisville was eligible , as was San Francisco , home to Pelosi .
That turn of events angered some lawmakers , including dozens of newly-elected Democrats from suburban areas left out of the first round .
“ There are a number of us , particularly freshmen , who were obviously disappointed ” in the first round of the CARES Act , said Rep. Joe Neguse , D-Colo. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rural areas ... were just left behind.
” Conservatives , meanwhile , have embraced the big spending numbers as a bridge to carry the U.S. economy through the coronavirus shock .
That ’ s resulted in progressives like Peter DeFazio , D-Ore. , aligning with hard-right conservatives like Paul Gosar , R-Ariz. , in support of broadly dispersing aid across the country .
The drive to help smaller cities in particular seems to have critical mass , despite growing qualms about the enormous spending and deficit numbers that are being created by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a serious gap since Day 1 is the funding for state and local governments , ” said Rep. Anthony Gonzales , R-Ohio , a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus .
“ We ’ re well run , we ’ re a fiscally sound part of the country , but the reality is our tax base has been devastated.
” Gonzales appeared on a video conference call on Tuesday with a diverse group of lawmakers projecting a mood of bipartisanship .
Even GOP leaders sound sympathetic .
House GOP Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ d support a system where city and county governments could directly apply for aid , rather than having the money funneled through their governors .
And McCarthy is rallying behind an effort to loosen the strings on the first $ 120 billion installment of aid to states to allow them to use it to replace lost tax revenues rather than only for reimbursement for COVID-related costs .
“ If some of this money we ’ ve already sent to the states needs greater flexibility so they can do that , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look at providing them flexibility , especially what we ’ ve already spent , ” McCarthy told reporters .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Czech-Russian relations plunge amid differences over history

PRAGUE , Czech Republic - It began with the dismantling of a statue of a Russian World War II hero and the renaming of a Prague square .
Now three of the Czech capital ’ s mayors are under police protection , fearing they are the targets of a Russian assassin carrying a deadly toxin , and Russian-Czech relations are in crisis .
“ There ’ s a Russian here whose goal is to liquidate me , ” Prague 6 district mayor Ondrej Kolar said recently in a television interview from a secret hideout .
In the week in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory over the Nazis in Europe , relations between Prague and Moscow are taking a turn for the worse amid what the Czechs see as Russia ’ s growing assertiveness over its interpretation of history .
At the centre of the dispute is last month ’ s removal from Kolar ’ s district of a statue of Soviet Marshall Ivan Konev , whose armies completed Prague ’ s liberation on May 9 , 1945 .
The district said the statue would be moved to a museum and a new monument honouring the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The statue ’ s removal caused outrage in Russia , which has angrily lashed out at any attempts to diminish the nation ’ s decisive role in defeating the Nazis .
The Soviet Union had the most casualties in World War II , but its occupation or liberation of territory resulted in the ensuing decades of Moscow-backed Communist regimes in Eastern Europe , including Czechoslovakia .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov charged last week that the Prague authorities ’ action violated a 1993 friendship treaty that included a Czech pledge to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That undermined agreements that have been the bedrock of our relations for the past 30 years , ” Lavrov said .
After Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law in April that made damaging war memorials a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison , Russia ’ s top criminal investigation body launched an investigation into the dismantling of the Konev statue .
The Czech Foreign Ministry called the move unacceptable .
The statue of Konev has long been a source of friction between Russian and the Czech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unveiled a new explanatory text on the monument .
It described Konev ’ s leading role in crushing the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising in Hungary , his contribution to the construction of the Berlin Wall and the preparation of the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia that crushed liberal reforms known as the Prague Spring .
The country was subsequently taken over by a hard-line Communist regime fully loyal to Moscow that was only ousted by the 1989 anti-communist Velvet Revolution .
With tensions spiraling , the investigative Respekt weekly reported last week that Czech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived in Prague with a diplomatic passport three weeks ago and was driven to the Russian embassy was sent to poison Kolar and Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib with ricin , a highly potent toxin .
The story was based on anonymous sources .
The Foreign Ministry only confirmed that a Russian diplomat arrived in Prague in March .
The Russian embassy sent a protest note to the Czech Foreign Ministry , calling the allegations baseless and designed to discredit Russia .
The ministry responded that it was inappropriate for a foreign state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press .
Kolar said he is now receiving police protection , along with Hrib and the mayor of Prague ’ s Reporyje district , Pavel Novotny .
Novotny had provoked Moscow ’ s ire for his plans to build a monument to the soldiers of Gen. Andrei Vlasov ’ s army .
Over 300 of them died when they helped the Czech uprising against Nazi rule and contributed to Prague ’ s liberation .
Their role is controversial for Russia , however , because they previously fought against the Red Army alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unable to face their own history , ” Novotny told The Associated Press .
In a separate move condemned by Russia , in February Prague renamed a square in front of the Russian Embassy after Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov , who was slain in Moscow in 2015 .
Lavrov ridiculed the claims of an assassin in Prague , saying that it made no sense that the Czech authorities would have identified a man carrying ricin and let him through .
In the Czech parliament , the security committee of the upper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian moves “ an unprecedented attack on the ( Czech ) state ’ s sovereignty ” and asked the government to react accordingly , including by presenting a plan to reduce the number of diplomats at the Russian embassy who are suspected of spying activities .
Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek said the Czechs sent the Russian side a note , asking for consultations over their disputes , the first such request based on the 1993 Czech-Russian treaty .
“ There ’ s no surprise that our long-term relations with the Russian Federation don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing Russian actions against Ukraine among other issues .
The Czech and Russian foreign ministers have not met since 2005 .
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last week that Russia doesn ’ t want tension between the countries , and Russia ’ s diplomats are “ doing everything to not let that happen.
” “ We believe these relations should develop with mutual respect , and there have always been grounds for it .
It ’ s a big question why we are now seeing a whole chain of actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gen. Petr Pavel , the Czech former head of NATO ’ s Military Committee , told The Associated Press that the Czech Republic is no longer a Russian satellite and its government should respond resolutely , using its membership in international organizations like NATO and the EU to make sure its voice is heard .
“ In the long term , Russia only respects power , and they keep it as no secret that respect means to fear them .
We don ’ t want to frighten Russia but we want them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen only we if we have enough strength and power , “ he said .
Daria Litvinova in Moscow contributed to this report .
Follow AP ’ s coverage marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe at https : //apnews.com/WorldWarII


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Jetliner hits, kills man on Austin, Texas, airport runway

AUSTIN , Texas - A man was struck and killed by a commercial jet landing on a runaway at an @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
The pilot of Southwest Airlines Flight 1392 , a Boeing 737 @ @ @ @ @ seeing a person on Runway 17R at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport , shortly after the jet @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration .
The FAA said @ @ @ @ @ operations vehicle later found the body on the runway .
Airport spokesman Bryce Dubee said @ @ @ @ @ man was supposed to be on the runway at the time , but they ’ @ @ @ @ @ and determine the events leading up to his death .
The airport said in posts @ @ @ @ @ working with the Austin Police Department on the investigation and that maintenance crews worked early @ @ @ @ @ runway .
No further information , including the identity of the man who died , @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--‘We just did our bit:’ WWII vets recall war 75 years later

LONDON - Seventy-five years after World War II ended in Europe , The Associated Press spoke to veterans who endured mortal danger , oppression and fear .
As they mark Victory in Europe Day on Friday , they also are dealing with loneliness brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
Here is some of their testimony .
SURVIVING NORMANDY AND COVID-19 Tony Vaccaro is one of the few people alive who can claim to have survived the Battle of Normandy and COVID-19 .
He was dealt a bad hand early , as his mother died during childbirth a few years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age 5 , he was an orphan in Italy , enduring beatings from an uncle .
By World War II he was an American G.I .
Now , at age 97 , he is recovering from COVID-19 .
He attributes his longevity to “ blind luck , red wine ” and determination .
“ To me , the greatest thing that you can do is challenge the world , ” he said .
“ And most of these challenges I win .
That ’ s what keeps me going.
” Vaccaro ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photography that began as a combat infantryman when he stowed a camera and captured close to 8,000 photographs .
One of his famous images , “ Kiss of Liberation , ” showed a U.S. sergeant kissing a French girl at the end of Nazi occupation .
Vaccaro documented the reconstruction of Europe and returned to the U.S. where he worked for magazines such as Look and Life and has fond memories of photographing celebrities including Sophia Loren , John .
F. Kennedy , Georgia O ’ Keefe and Pablo Picasso .
Vaccaro lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borough ravaged by the coronavirus , and next to his family .
He might have caught the virus in April from his son or in their neighbourhood , his daughter-in-law Maria said .
He was in the hospital two days and spent another week recovering .
“ That was it , ” she said .
“ He ’ s walking around like nothing happened.
” REMEMBERING THE JOY OF HOMECOMING VE-Day was the end of four days of celebration for Ken Hay .
It began when the former prisoner of war got his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year from a Lancaster bomber he flew back in .
“ I went back to get a glimpse of England and was at first disappointed to see only water , but quickly realized that I was looking backwards ... And then , rather like a medal ribbon , there was the edge of the water , a grayish-blue , the white breakers , a white cliff edge and then green grass -- there ’ s no colour like English green , ’ ’ he said .
The past 11 months had been grim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 43rd Wessex Division , he was separated from his brother , Bill , and captured by Germans during the invasion of Normandy .
He was forced to work in a coal mine until the Nazi war machine began to unravel , and he was liberated in Germany by American troops .
After returning home to London , Hay learned Bill was stationed nearby .
“ Home , ’ ’ Hay wired his brother .
“ Can you get leave ?
’ ’ On VE Day , Hay and his family listened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then attended a special service at church .
“ We were walking back home … when I heard footsteps , ’ ’ Hay said .
“ I turned around and there was my brother running down the road to get home , and he ’ d spotted us .
We just threw our arms around each other .
The last time I ’ d seen him was out in the field in Normandy.
?
Both went into town in their uniforms .
There were crowds everywhere , and some girls called for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demur ?
” he said .
MISSING THE BIG PARTY — TWICE Mervyn Kersh likes to joke that he was probably the last British soldier to learn the Nazis had surrendered .
Pvt .
Kersh , who was with forces that liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp , was ordered to return to England for deployment to Japan so he was on a blacked-out train crossing Europe when the celebrations began .
By the time he got to London , the party was over .
The cancellation of festivities marking the 75th anniversary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nothing going on , which is a great shame because this is the last chance those who took part in the war will have , ’ ’ he said .
“ If you wait for another five years -- 80 years -- I don ’ t think many of us will be here .
Not many of us are here now.
” It is also a time to remember — not just the war but its aftermath .
Kersh is proud that Europe has remained largely peaceful since then , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I may have been a small cog , ?
Kersh , 95 , said .
“ But I made sure that I never let the greater machine down !
‘ ’ ‘ SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE ’ Forgive British veteran Bob Sullivan for being unfussed about VE-Day .
After all , on May 8 , 1945 , he was lying in Cossham Hospital , having been wounded in the closing days of the fight to defeat the Nazis .
As he couldn ’ t move because of a plaster cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t even able to attend a celebratory supper .
But more than that .
Sullivan points out that the war wasn ’ t really over .
“ The war in the Far East was still going on , ’ ’ he said .
“ I had visions of fighting it out with the Japanese.
’ ’ Sullivan is 97 now , and while proud of his service , he points out that it wasn ’ t just the soldiers who won the war .
Everyone was involved in the defeat of Adolf Hitler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ ’ he said .
“ Everyone was in the same boat .
Something had to be done.
’ ’ Now a pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea , a home for Army veterans , Sullivan has taken a philosophical view to lockdown and the downsizing of the anniversary celebrations .
His movements are restricted , so something simple — like a walk in the sunshine — is more meaningful than a parade these days .
“ We have a beautiful park here , ’ ’ he said .
“ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Richard Drew contributed from New York and Raf Casert from Brussels .
Follow AP ’ s coverage marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe at https : //apnews.com/WorldWarII


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Georgia recalls its ambassador in Ukraine over ex-president

TBILISI , Georgia - Georgia ’ s Foreign Ministry on Friday recalled its ambassador in Kyiv after the former Georgian president was appointed to lead an advisory body in Ukraine .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday put Mikheil Saakashvili in charge of the executive committee of the National Reform Council .
The move angered Georgia , where Saakashvili was president from 2004-2013 .
In a statement Friday , Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani pointed out that Saakashvili has been convicted by a Georgian court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest .
“ That is why we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ambassador in Ukraine , Temuraz Sharashenidze , for consultations in Tbilisi .
I want to emphasize that despite this regrettable decision , we are not considering termination of diplomatic relations between our countries or overlooking our strategic partnership , ” Zalkaliani said .
A Georgian court in 2018 convicted Saakashvili on abuse of power charges that he and his allies described as politically motivated .
Saakashvili was initially hailed for streamlining the government and fighting corruption , but his popularity was eroded by a crackdown on protests and the 2008 war with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two separatist provinces .
Saakashvili ’ s appointment marks a remarkable political comeback for the former Georgian leader .
He started a new political career in Ukraine in 2015 when then-President Petro Poroshenko appointed him governor of the Odessa region .
The two fell out a year later , and the president stripped Saakashvili , who led anti-government protests , of Ukrainian citizenship .
Zelenskiy , the comedian who unseated Poroshenko in last year ’ s election , quickly restored Ukrainian citizenship for Saakashvili .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Prominent lawyer, Trump donor representing Biden accuser

WASHINGTON - Tara Reade , a former Senate staffer who alleged Joe Biden sexually assaulted her 27 years ago , is being represented by a prominent lawyer and political donor to President Donald Trump ’ s 2016 Republican campaign .
Attorney Douglas Wigdor told The Associated Press he was not currently being paid for his work with Reade .
His firm also denied there was a political motivation for his decision to represent Reade in her accusations against Trump ’ s presumptive Democratic opponent in the November election .
“ We have decided to take this matter on because every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the firm said in a statement .
Reade has said for weeks that she was struggling to find a lawyer willing to represent her .
She ’ s accused Biden of sexually assaulting her in 1993 , when she worked on his Senate staff .
He has denied her allegation .
On Thursday , Reade said she wanted Biden to be “ held accountable ” and called on him to drop out of the presidential race .
Her comments came in her first on-camera interview , conducted by former Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pressed by a Florida television station about Reade ’ s comment , Biden reiterated his denial of the allegation .
“ The truth is what matters , ” he told Bay News 9 .
“ In this case , the truth is these claims are flat-out false.
” Wigdor is well known for his work on prominent cases related to sexual harassment and assault .
He represented six women who accused Harvey Weinstein , the disgraced Hollywood producer , of sexual misconduct .
He has also represented a number of Fox News employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the network , including Juliette Huddy , one of the women who accused Bill O ’ Reilly of pursuing a sexual relationship with her and retaliating when she refused .
In 2018 , he spoke out in the media defending Christine Blasey Ford , the woman who accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault .
Wigdor has been a supporter of Trump and provided about $ 55,000 in campaign contributions in 2016 , according to Federal Election Commission records .
He has also given tens of thousands of dollars to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York , including New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and New York Attorney General Letitia James .
He has not donated to either Trump ’ s or Biden ’ s 2020 campaign .
Wigdor said he plans to help Reade in her dealings with the media and any independent investigations into her allegations that might occur .
He said the two have not discussed bringing a lawsuit based on her claims , but he did not rule that out .
Wigdor suggested Reade ’ s earlier struggles to find a lawyer to represent her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think highly of a lot of these people , ” he said .
“ These are my friends and colleagues , people who I respect , but they tend to be Democrats or liberals , and they were not interested , because of that , in representing Tara Reade.
” Over the weekend , another attorney , William Moran , told the AP he was working with Reade .
Moran , who works at a law firm in Columbia , Maryland , previously wrote and edited for Sputnik , a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-owned media company Rossiya Segodnya .
A January 2017 report released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Russia ’ s interference in the 2016 campaign said Sputnik was part of “ Russia ’ s state-run propaganda machine , ” which “ contributed to the influence campaign by serving as a platform for Kremlin messaging to Russian and international audiences.
” Reade herself has faced questions about her past writing praising Russian President Vladimir Putin .
Reade on Thursday expressed concern to Kelly about having been “ called a Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a death threat from someone who “ thought I was being a traitor to America.
” There is no evidence to suggest Reade or Moran worked at the behest of Russia with respect to the Biden allegation .
Moran contacted the AP on behalf of Reade to complain about and seek changes in a story detailing what Reade says she remembers writing in a Senate complaint about Biden .
Reade told the AP she did not allege sexual assault in the complaint and did not explicitly use the words “ sexual harassment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes she was describing .
Moran told the AP in a text message Thursday that he found the focus on his past work “ disgraceful.
” He said Reade requested that he reach out to the AP “ on a limited matter.
” “ I do not turn away clients who I believe and who have credible causes of action .
I never will , ” he said .
Wigdor said Reade told him she was connected to Moran through Katie Halper , a podcaster who first interviewed Reade about her sexual assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unclear how Reade connected with Wigdor , who said he believed she found the firm through “ word of mouth and our reputation.
” Reade first spoke out about her alleged interactions with Biden in 2019 , telling journalists he had touched her inappropriately while she worked on his Senate staff .
She came forward in 2020 , around the time Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee , with new allegations of assault .
She says she didn ’ t initially disclose the assault allegations because she was scared of backlash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what had happened to her .
AP Washington Bureau Chief Julie Pace and writer Brian Slodysko contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--World War II veterans to join Trump at V-E Day ceremony

WASHINGTON - Eight World War II veterans — the youngest of them age 96 — will join President Donald Trump at a wreath-laying ceremony Friday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe .
Their hopes to mark the day in Moscow were dashed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
White House officials described the veterans as “ choosing nation over self “ by joining Trump at the World War II Memorial ceremony .
“ These heroes are living testaments to the American spirit of perseverance and victory , especially in the midst of dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deere said .
The veterans joining Trump include Gregory Melikian , 97 , of Phoenix , who sent the coded message to the world that the Germans had unconditionally surrendered .
Participants in the D-Day invasion that turned the tide in the war include Steven Melnikoff , 100 , of Cockeysville , Maryland ; Guy Whidden , 97 , of Braddock Heights , Maryland ; Harold Angle , 97 , of Chambersburg , Pennsylvania ; and Frank Devita , 96 , of Bridgewater , New Jersey .
Other veterans joining Trump are Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who fought in some of the war ’ s fiercest fighting in Italy , John Coates , 96 , of Maryland , who fought in the Battle of the Bulge , and Jack Myers , 97 , of Hagerstown , Maryland , was part of a unit that liberated the Dachau concentration camp .
Timothy Davis , director of the Greatest Generations Foundation , which helps veterans return to the countries where they fought , said the U.S. soldiers were originally slated to travel to Moscow for a commemoration event .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question during the pandemic , the veterans talked to him about trying to commemorate the day in Washington .
“ Of course , we presented to them the risk we are facing , “ Davis said .
“ They said , ‘ It doesn ’ t matter , Tim , ’ ” and asked him to press ahead , saying they viewed the commemoration as “ a blessing to all who fought , died and served in World War II.
“


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Shares rise on talk of more relief for US as job losses soar

TOKYO - Global shares rose Friday ahead of a U.S. report that is expected to show 21 million jobs were lost in April as pandemic shutdowns took hold .
Hopes are rising for another round of relief for stricken American businesses even as the recession deepens .
Democratic calls for further government intervention will likely intensify Friday with the release of the April unemployment numbers .
France ’ s CAC 40 rose 0.6 % in early trading to 4,527.47 , while Germany ’ s DAX added 0.7 % to 10,835.90 .
Trading was closed in Britain for a holiday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the future for the Dow industrials up 0.8 % at 24,031.0 .
S & P 500 futures gained 0.8 % to 2,903.12 Analysts expect the U.S. government to report the worst set of job numbers since record-keeping began in 1948 , with the unemployment rate for April perhaps reaching 16 % or more , according to economists surveyed by the data provider FactSet .
If 21 million jobs are lost as expected , that would mean nearly all the job growth in the 11 years since the Great Recession ended vanished in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market swings , investors appeared to be factoring that expectation in and focusing on hopes that reopening economies in the U.S. and elsewhere might keep the downturn short .
“ Plenty of dark clouds out there , but we have gone through pretty tempestuous economic times before , and this , too , shall pass , ” Stephen Innes , chief global markets strategist at AxiCorp , said in a report .
“ This is a policy-induced downturn , and the speed and structure of the recovery could track a different path from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much quicker.
” Japan ’ s benchmark Nikkei 225 jumped 2.6 % to 20,179.09 , helped partly by reports the ruling Liberal Democratic Party plans to offer subsidies to help small and medium-size businesses cover their rent .
Although Japan ’ s state of emergency involves only voluntary , partial shutdowns and requests for social distancing , the economy was already sinking into recession even before the pandemic hit , devastating demand .
Elsewhere in Asia , South Korea ’ s Kospi added 0.9 % to 1,945.82 .
Australia ’ s S & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng gained 1 % to 24,230.17 , while the Shanghai Composite picked up 0.8 % to 24,230.17 .
A Chinese state media report saying that top trade negotiators for Beijing and Washington held a phone conversation and agreed on co-operation on economic and public health issues and on working to implement a trade deal helped soothe concerns over that friction is building between the two biggest economies .
Vice Premier Liu He , U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin spoke Friday morning Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It said the two sides agreed to “ strive for positive outcomes “ and “ maintain communication and co-ordination.
” Recent comments by President Donald Trump had revived worries that antagonisms over the pandemic might spoil progress on a trade deal that helped establish a truce in the two countries ’ tariffs war .
Investors are cautiously looking ahead to data expected next week , including those that gauge economic growth in Great Britain , China and Malaysia .
Major Japanese companies have begun reporting their financial results .
Toyota Motor Corp. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are due to release earnings next week as they struggle to cope with production halts and trade obstacles .
Nintendo Co. reported higher profits earlier this week as people stayed home and turned to playing games .
Benchmark U.S. crude oil added $ 1.17 to $ 24.72 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It fell 44 cents , or 1.8 % , to $ 23.55 a barrel on Thursday .
Brent crude oil , the international standard , gained 94 cents to $ 30.40 a barrel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 106.28 yen on Thursday .
The euro edged up to $ 1.0824 from $ 1.0833 .

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


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Train kills 15 migrant workers walking home in India

NEW DELHI - A train in India on Friday plowed through a group of migrant workers who fell asleep on the tracks after walking back home from a coronavirus lockdown , killing 15 , the Railways Ministry said .
The driver of the cargo train tried but failed to stop in time , the ministry tweeted .
The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state .
Survivors said the group had moved from the road to the tracks .
“ After walking for about 36 kilometres ( 22 miles ) , they became tiresome and sat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some rest and gradually got into deep sleep , ” the ministry said in a statement .
Fourteen people on the track were killed on the spot and one died in a hospital , the ministry said .
Two were injured .
Another three who were sitting away from the track escaped unhurt , it said .
The Press Trust of India news agency said the workers were walking to their home state of Madhya Pradesh in central India after they lost jobs when the country went into a strict lockdown on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was anguished by the loss of lives in the accident and he promised assistance to hundreds of thousands of workers stranded across the country .
Early this week the government started running trains to carry stranded workers to their home states .
But a lack of trains led many to walk back .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Virus tracing app raises privacy concerns in India

NEW DELHI - As India enters an extended coronavirus lockdown , the government is actively pursuing contact tracing to help control infections .
At the heart of the effort in the country of 1.3 billion people is a smartphone app that evaluates users ’ infection risk based on location services such as Bluetooth and GPS .
In April , India launched the Aarogya Setu app , which helps people identify whether they have been near someone who tested positive for the virus .
Since then , the app has been downloaded more than 90 million times in a country with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
To popularize it , a campaign featuring Bollywood celebrities was launched .
But the monitoring technology has prompted a raft of questions about privacy , security and potential data breaches — and whether it compromises civil liberties and gives the government snooping powers .
“ Aarogya Setu is a form of surveillance and inflicts tangible privacy injury , ” said Apar Gupta , executive director of the Internet Freedom Foundation .
On Wednesday , Ravi Shankar Prasad , a senior minister , said the app was “ robust ” in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government also said no data or security breach had been identified with the app after concerns about potential security issues were raised by tech experts .
Mobile tracing apps to help contain infections have already been developed in the U.S. , China , Singapore , Australia and many European countries .
Other countries are scrambling to deploy their own smartphone tools .
But in India , the technological intervention has exacerbated concerns like in no other country .
India still doesn ’ t have a comprehensive data privacy law to protect people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more alarming , experts say , are sweeping orders that make the use of the app mandatory for many Indians .
The government requires the Aarogya Setu app be used by all workers , both private and public , and by members of the military .
Installation of the app is also mandatory in regions declared as containment zones .
Stranded Indians abroad who wish to be repatriated also need to install it on their mobile phones before entering the country .
Now , the police are stepping in .
In Noida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s drive from New Delhi , police have made it a punishable offence if people don ’ t use the app .
Millions of Indians , many of them oblivious of any privacy concerns , have enthusiastically downloaded the app at Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s urging .
Some were encouraged by their employers who said they can not work without the app .
“ It will be very good if almost everyone uses it , ” said Umesh Ram , a food delivery rider .
But some are cautious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently deleted the app from his phone .
“ Imagine if I put wrong details by mistake , then it will give wrong information about me , ” Rastogi said .
The government has not said if it plans to impose fines on people who don ’ t install the app , but hopes that if infections are tracked with the help of the app , more people will be able to resume at least part of their normal routines .
India is the hardest-hit country in South Asia , with over 46,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
Critics have raised concerns about the possibility of breaches of the database and fear the monitoring technology could be used to collect personal information .
They also say the app is vague about which government departments will have access to the database .
“ The app needs some independent oversight mechanism , “ said Anirudh Burman , a scholar at Carnegie India .
Most privacy rights organisations say if the government makes the app ’ s source code publicly available , it will increase transparency .
The monitoring technology is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last week its leader , Rahul Gandhi , called the app “ a sophisticated surveillance system.
” Abhishek Singh , the chief executive of MyGovIndia , which developed Aarogya Setu , said the app “ will not reveal anyone ’ s personal details ” and the “ data in the app is completely secure.
” “ No third party will be given access to the data , ” Singh said .
“ The app is secure and no one should be worried about privacy concerns.
” India is not new to privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a controversial billion-member biometric database called “ Aadhaar ” was breached , putting the identity details of more than 1 billion citizens at risk .
Similar cases of data breaches have been reported during the pandemic .
Many Indian states published quarantine lists on their official websites which included names of people who were suspected of being virus carriers .
The app , experts say , presents similar concerns but on a much larger scale .
Apart from the privacy concerns , there is little evidence that the app will be effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lacks .
India is testing around 75,000 samples daily .
Health experts say this number is not enough .
A recent study by epidemiologists at Oxford University estimated that 60 % of the population in any given area need to use a contact tracing technology , combined with other measures such as broader testing and the quarantining of vulnerable people , for the app to be able to contain the virus .
“ India has to couple contact tracing technology with far more broader testing .
Testing is the primary solution to halt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anant Bhan , a public health and bioethics expert .
___ Associated Press journalist Shonal Ganguly contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Asia Today: South Korea finds 13 new cases tied to clubgoer

BANGKOK - South Korean officials said Friday more than a dozen new coronavirus infections were linked to clubgoers in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , raising fears of a resurgence just as the country had eased social distancing due to a slowing caseload .
Overall Friday , South Korea reported 25 new cases , its first jump above 10 in five days .
The figures from the Centers for Disease Control included 12 confirmed in the 24 hours to midnight Thursday and the rest in the hours since .
Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said the 13 newest cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visited three nightclubs in Seoul ’ s Itaewon district last Saturday before testing positive on Wednesday .
One was an office colleague of the patient and the others were clubgoers , including three foreigners and a soldier .
Kim said there was a “ very high possibility ” more infections will be confirmed as health workers are scrambling to trace contacts .
He said the clubs ’ visitor lists show they received more than 1,500 customers combined on Saturday .
“ A drop of ink in clear water spreads swiftly , ” Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maintain hard-won gains against the virus .
“ Anyone can become that drop of ink that spreads COVID-19.
” Three of the cases reported earlier Friday were detected at airport screenings , and three were in the hardest-hit city of Daegu .
South Korea has reported more than 10,800 cases and 256 deaths .
South Korea has not reported a daily jump above 100 since April 1 , which allowed officials to ease social distancing guidelines , schedule the reopening of schools and allow professional sports to return without fans in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soccer league began its new season on Friday , following Tuesday ’ s baseball openers .
Earlier this week , South Korean troops were allowed to resume leaves after two months of restrictions .
Health officials urged people to reconsider visiting their elderly parents on Friday , which is national parents ’ day , and over the weekend .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — INDIA CROSSES 56,000 : India recorded 3,390 new infections and 103 deaths , pushing its case total past 56,000 with 1,886 fatalities , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected , 16,539 have recovered .
The coastal state of Maharashtra , which includes Mumbai , continues to remain worst affected with almost 20,000 cases and 651 deaths .
India has also began returning its citizens stranded overseas when it suspended all international travel in March .
More than 340 Indians returned home in the first two flights from the United Arab Emirates .
Officials say at least 200,000 Indians abroad have registered for repatriation .
They must pay their own fares and be quarantined upon their return .
— KIM PRAISES XI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Un sent a personal message to Chinese President Xi Jinping praising what he described as China ’ s success in getting its coronavirus epidemic under control .
The report by North Korea ’ s state media followed an assessment by South Korea ’ s spy agency that the pandemic is hurting the North ’ s economy , already crippled by policy failures and U.S.-led sanctions over its nuclear program .
China is North Korea ’ s most significant ally and economic lifeline , accounting for about 90 % of the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caseload easing , some experts say the North could reach out to China to reinvigorate cross-border trade that had been significantly reduced in past months .
— ABE , TRUMP DISCUSS Co-operatION : Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Donald Trump have agreed to closely co-operate in developing vaccines and drugs for COVID-19 .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters the leaders exchanged views on the COVID-19 situation , measures to prevent further spread of the virus , development of drugs and vaccines and steps for reopening the economies in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone call .
The Japanese Health Ministry , in a rare fast-track process , approved Gilead Sciences Inc. ’ s antiviral drug remdesivir on Thursday to treat COVID-19 patients .
— CHINA CENSORS EU OP-ED : The European Union delegation to China says Beijing allowed a Chinese state newspaper to publish an op-ed from the delegation only after a reference to the Chinese origins and spread of the coronavirus was removed .
“ The EU Delegation to China made known its objections to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in no uncertain terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement Friday .
However , it said it decided to proceed with publication to convey key messages on climate change and sustainability , human rights , the importance of multilateralism and debt relief for highly indebted countries .
Only the English-language China Daily published the editorial .
— NO TRAVEL TO AUSTRALIA JUST YET : Australia plans to reopen the economy in stages by July , but there are no plans to open to general international travellers in the foreseeable future .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the states will set their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the second and third stages of the plan had yet to be finalized .
Most of Australia hasn ’ t seen new cases for multiple days but its most populous states , New South Wales and Victoria , are continuing to record new cases daily .
Morrison was open to international students returning to Australian universities but said general international travel was some time away .
The first stage of a national plan agreed upon Friday would let small cafes and restaurants open with customers spaced apart .
Children will return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed to gather outdoors .
Playgrounds , golf courses , swimming pools and libraries will reopen .
— LOW-KEY VESAK IN SRI LANKA : Sri Lanka ’ s majority Buddhists celebrated Vesak — the most important religious festival of the year — in low key because of the COVID-19 outbreak , as the government released 228 prisoners to mark the event .
The Health Ministry has cancelled all celebrations and mass gatherings .
Buddhist temples were deserted on Friday and Thursday as monks requested devotees to observe the holiday at home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of Lord Buddha .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Mexican police search home of ex-border state governor

TIJUANA , Mexico - Detectives searched the home of a former governor of Mexico ’ s northern border state of Baja California on Friday .
An official of the state prosecutor ’ s office who was not authorized to be quoted by name said the search was carried out at the home of Francisco Vega de Lamadrid in the city of Tijuana , across the border from San Diego , California .
The raid was related to accusations of corruption that have been raised against De Lamadrid by his successor , Jaime Bonilla , who took office in October .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents took part in the search , but did not specify exactly what charges might have motivated the operation .
In March , state officials said they had filed criminal complaints against Vega De Lamadrid for alleged embezzlement or misuse of state funds , related to money destined for the state ’ s public university , teachers ’ salaries and public works projects .
Baja California was governed by Vega De Lamadrid ’ s conservative National Action Party for decades before Bonilla ’ s Morena party won last year ’ s elections .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Alaska court says recall effort against governor can proceed

JUNEAU , Alaska - The Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday that an effort aimed at recalling Republican Gov .
Mike Dunleavy from office can proceed , a movement initially fueled by public outrage over spending cuts he ’ d proposed .
The court had previously allowed the Recall Dunleavy campaign to proceed with a second signature-gathering phase while it heard the case .
The campaign must gather 71,252 signatures in a bid to force a recall election .
It has reported gathering more than 34,000 signatures so far .
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures , just two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Gov .
Gray Davis in 2003 and North Dakota Gov .
Lynn Frazier in 1921 .
Wisconsin Gov .
Scott Walker withstood a 2012 recall challenge .
Dunleavy , who took office in December 2018 , has argued the recall effort is political .
He agreed to reverse or moderate some of the vetoes that spurred outrage .
His administration this year requested additional funds for Medicaid after the level of cuts sought last year didn ’ t pan out .
The court ’ s brief written order affirms a Superior Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order is expected later .
Justice Craig Stowers dissented with part of the decision .
“ We know that we still deserve a governor that follows the law and that shares our values and acts in our best interests , ” she said .
“ And it ’ s go time.
” Attorney General Kevin Clarkson , in a statement , said the court “ ignored Alaska ’ s constitutional history and has effectively rewritten our Constitution and statutes to adopt no-cause political recall .
By the Court ’ s decision , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be subject to recall for virtually any reason.
” Clarkson is a Dunleavy appointee who was confirmed by the state Legislature .
Jeff Turner , a Dunleavy spokesperson , said the governor ’ s communications office does not comment on the recall issue .
The state ’ s elections director in November rejected the recall application , citing an attorney general opinion that found the reasons listed for recall were “ factually and legally deficient.
” Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth later ruled all but one allegation against Dunleavy could proceed .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recall in Alaska are lack of fitness , incompetence , neglect of duties or corruption .
The recall campaign said the governor violated the law by not appointing a judge within a required time frame , misused state funds for partisan online ads and mailers and improperly used his veto authority to “ attack the judiciary.
” The group also said Dunleavy mistakenly vetoed more funds than he told lawmakers he intended to cut and that the action could have cost the state Medicaid dollars if not corrected .

Meta will soon block news on their platforms.
Every single Canadian should have access to trusted news.
Stay connected now for only $0.50/week.


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--NY State cites COVID-19 in presidential primary appeal

NEW YORK - An appeals court should let a June 23 primary election in New York state proceed without voters and poll workers being forced to risk exposure to the coronavirus to vote for a Democratic candidate for president when the race is essentially over , lawyers for the state said Friday .
The written arguments were filed by Attorney General Letitia James and Senior Assistant Solicitor Judith N. Vale after a judge ordered the state to include the presidential race on the ballot even though former Vice-President Joe Biden is essentially running unopposed .
The 2nd U.S .
Circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oral arguments for next Friday .
On Tuesday , U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres said it was unconstitutional to eliminate the Democratic presidential primary after delegates for withdrawn candidates Bernie Sanders and Andrew Yang complained that doing so weakens their standing at the Democratic Convention .
She noted that a primary for contested races across New York state was occurring June 23 anyway and said the state had enough time to figure out how to safely carry out the election .
But James and Vale said in their papers filed late Friday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to work the presidential primary in a state where three elections employees have already died from the coronavirus .
They said many election workers also have health issues that make them vulnerable to the sometimes deadly illness .
They said county election boards are already severely understaffed because of workers with COVID-19 related issues and the boards also face significant challenges in creating sufficiently safe polling sites and in hiring , retaining , and protecting poll workers .
They said eliminating the presidential primary was not unconstitutional because the state legislature switched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change .
They also noted that Sanders and Biden were negotiating the issue of delegates , and they said Sanders or Yang could have remained in the race if they wanted to be in the primary .
In the papers , the lawyers said 18 of New York ’ s 62 counties contain subdivisions , such as cities , towns , or election districts where no election will be necessary without the Democratic presidential primary .
And seven counties would require no election at all .
Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Missing Idaho kids’ uncle died of blood clot in Arizona

PHOENIX - A pulmonary blood clot killed the brother of an Idaho woman who ’ s facing charges in the disappearance of her children — a case that attracted worldwide attention with revelations of her doomsday beliefs and connection to three mysterious deaths .
Autopsy and toxicology reports were released Friday for Alex Cox , who died in Arizona in December .
In July , Cox fatally shot his sister ’ s estranged husband , Charles Vallow , in what he said was self-defence .
Police in Gilbert , Arizona , say detectives investigating Cox ’ s death will review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still active .
Lori Vallow , Cox ’ s sister , is being detained in Idaho on charges related to the disappearance of her two children : Joshua “ JJ ” Vallow , 7 , and Tylee Ryan , 17 .
They were reported missing in September .
Lori Vallow moved last summer from suburban Phoenix to Rexburg , Idaho .
She married Chad Daybell just two weeks after his wife died in October .
Though her obituary said the death was from natural causes , law enforcement became suspicious when Daybell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains have been exhumed , but the autopsy report has not yet been released .
Lori Vallow reportedly believes she is “ a god assigned to carry out the work of the 144,000 at Christ ’ s second coming in July 2020 , ” according to divorce documents Charles Vallow filed before his death .
She and Chad Daybell were involved in a group that promotes preparing for the biblical end times .
Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell moved to Hawaii in December , shortly after police went to her apartment in Rexburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandparents ’ request .
Lori Vallow was arrested in Hawaii in February .
Lori Vallow is being held on $ 1 million bail .


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Tekashi 6ix9ine releases new video from home confinement

NEW YORK - Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine lit up social media on Friday , releasing a new song and video created during his home confinement just weeks after being freed from a Manhattan federal lockup over coronavirus fears .
In “ Gooba , “ the multi-tattooed rapper whose real name is Daniel Hernandez puts on a rainbow-colored performance accompanied by six women and a puppy .
At times , his ankle monitor is plainly visible .
U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer ordered Tekashi 6ix9ine freed on April 2 , to serve the last four months of his two-year sentence at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has asthma , would be at risk from the virus in federal prison .
Engelmayer relaxed his home-confinement requirements on April 29 to permit him to create his music during certain hours with approval from his Probation Department officer .
The rapper was sentenced in December after he had testified against members of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods gang .
The deal earned him leniency from charges that could have subjected him to a mandatory minimum 37 years in prison for crimes that included orchestrating a shooting in which an innocent @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Video shows man charge at officer who fatally shot him

SILVER SPRING , Md .
- Video released Friday from a Maryland police officer ’ s body camera captures him warning the man to drop a knife and get down on the ground before he fatally shot the man as he charged at the officer .
Montgomery County Police Sgt .
David Cohen fired the first of at least five shots about one minute after he exited his patrol vehicle and confronted Finan H. Berhe , 30 , in a residential parking lot on Thursday afternoon .
“ Put the knife down !
” Cohen screamed as Berhe ran toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from the officer , who was pointing a gun at him .
“ Get on the ground !
I don ’ t want to shoot you !
” Cohen shouted just before Berhe started running at the officer again .
As the officer opened fire , Berhe collapsed and dropped an object he was holding .
Police said investigators recovered a knife that Berhe was brandishing when Cohen shot him .
Berhe died at a hospital , police said .
No officers were injured .
Department spokesman Rick Goodale said the officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black , according to online court records .
Cohen was the first officer to respond to a call about a man who threw a rock at a neighbour ’ s window and yelled for them to call police , according to police Chief Marcus Jones and a police department news release .
The officer performed first aid on the man before he was taken to the hospital , according to Jones .
The chief said there also is eyewitness video of the incident , but that wasn ’ t immediately released .
Cohen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been placed on paid administrative leave , a standard procedure after a police shooting .
Police detectives ’ findings will be submitted to the Howard County state ’ s attorney ’ s office .
That office also is reviewing evidence in another recent deadly shooting by Montgomery County police .
The police department has said an officer shot and killed 21-year-old Duncan Socrates Lemp at his home on March 12 .
The department has said Lemp was armed with a rifle and ignored commands to show his hands , but a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Lemp was asleep in his bedroom when police opened fire from outside his house in Potomac , Maryland .
While the department released the bodycam video from Berhe ’ s shooting a day after the incident , it hasn ’ t released any body camera footage from Lemp ’ s shooting nearly two months later .
Family attorney Rene Sandler said the department hasn ’ t acknowledged whether any bodycam video of Lemp ’ s shooting exists .

Michael Kunzelman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--White father, son charged with murder in Ahmaud Arbery case

BRUNSWICK , Ga. - The white father and son stood quietly Friday as the judge read murder and aggravated assault charges against them in the fatal shooting of a black man who was running through their Georgia neighbourhood .
In just a few minutes , their first court appearance was over .
It was a moment that many in Ahmaud Arbery ’ s community had waited more than two months for , as a series of prosecutors declined to bring charges against the men .
Earlier in the day — on what would have been Arbery ’ s 26th birthday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , most wearing masks to protect against the coronavirus , gathered outside the Glynn County courthouse for about 90 minutes and sang “ Happy Birthday ” in his honour .
With the coronavirus dominating the news and drastically altering Americans ’ lives , Arbery ’ s shooting initially drew little attention outside Brunswick , about 70 miles ( 115 kilometres ) south of Savannah .
The working-class port city of about 16,000 also serves as a gateway to beach resorts on neighbouring St. Simons and Sea Islands .
The Satilla Shores neighbourhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies at Brunswick ’ s edge , with comfortable brick and stucco homes nestled next to marshland .
A wooden cross and flowers left as a memorial near the spot where Arbery died was decorated with foil birthday balloons Friday .
A video of the shooting shared widely on social media Tuesday thrust the case into the national spotlight and prompted widespread outrage .
The investigation led by local authorities had seemed stalled and , amid the national uproar , a prosecutor specially appointed last month asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GBI announced the arrests of Gregory and Travis McMichael .
Though the arrests were welcomed , Arbery ’ s family and their supporters expressed frustration at the long wait and fears that the justice system will fail them .
Gregory McMichael , 64 , and Travis McMichael , 34 , told police they pursued Arbery , with another person recording them on video , after spotting him running in their neighbourhood .
The father and son said they thought he matched the appearance of a burglary suspect who they said had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
Arbery ’ s mother , Wanda Cooper Jones , has said she thinks her son , a former high school football player , was just jogging in the Satilla Shores neighbourhood before he was killed .
Some of the encounter was apparently recorded in two 911 calls , with a dispatcher trying to understand the problem .
“ There ’ s a black male running down the street , ” a caller says .
“ I just need to know what he was doing wrong , ” the dispatcher responds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six minutes later , someone can be heard yelling “ Stop .
... Dammit .
Stop.
” Then , after a pause , “ Travis !
” Arrest warrants for Gregory and Travis McMichael filed in court Friday confirmed , as the initial police report stated , that Travis McMichael “ pointed and discharged a shotgun ... at Ahmaud Arbery.
” But there were no new details .
The felony murder charges against the McMichaels mean that a victim was killed during the commission of an underlying felony , in this case aggravated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require intent to kill .
A murder conviction in Georgia carries a minimum sentence of life in prison , either with or without parole .
In a letter to Glynn County police in early April , a prosecutor previously assigned to the case outlined reasons he believed there was “ insufficient probable cause to issue arrest warrants ” in the case .
Waycross District Atttorney George E. Barnhill argued that the McMichaels ’ actions were legal under Georgia laws on citizen ’ s arrests , the open carry of guns and self-defence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ running at a jogging pace .
The truck is stopped in the road ahead of him , with one of the white men standing in the pickup ’ s bed and the other beside the open driver ’ s side door .
The running man attempts to pass the pickup on the passenger side , moving just beyond the truck , briefly outside the camera ’ s view .
A gunshot sounds , and the video shows the runner grappling with a man over what appears to be a shotgun or rifle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the runner can be seen punching the man .
A third shot is fired at point-blank range .
The runner staggers a few feet and falls face down .
“ They did not arrest the killers of Ahmaud Arbery because they saw the video , ” Arbery family attorney Ben Crump said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press .
“ They arrested the killers of Ahmaud Arbery because we saw the video , the public saw the video and it went viral .
It was shocking .
People were astonished.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ case by the local police and prosecutors , and said he wants the GBI to “ investigate the entire case from top to bottom.
” Gregory McMichael retired last year as an investigator for Glynn County District Attorney Jackie Johnson , and the connection caused her to recuse herself .
Barnhill then got the case before recusing himself under pressure from Arbery ’ s family because his son works in Johnson ’ s office .
“ All that matters is what the facts tell us , ” Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stone will be uncovered.
” Addressing the question of racial intent , Reynolds noted that Georgia has no hate crime law .
That has prompted many civil rights activists to call for a federal investigation .
“ The work is just beginning , ” John Perry , president of the Brunswick NAACP chapter , told the crowd gathered outside the courthouse Friday morning .
“ We can ’ t stop now .
We can ’ t lose focus and we ’ ve got to make sure the prosecution gets done.
” Anthony Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbour for about a decade .
He said he wants to see the McMichaels get the same treatment in the legal system as black defendants .
“ Just arresting them , that ain ’ t doing nothing , ” Johnson said .
“ We want them convicted .
We want them sent to prison for life .
”

Russ Bynum And Kate Brumback - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--VP Pence’s press secretary tests positive for coronavirus

WASHINGTON - Vice-President Mike Pence ’ s press secretary has the coronavirus , the White House said Friday , making her the second person who works at the White House complex known to test positive for the virus this week .
President Donald Trump , who publicly identified the affected Pence aide , said he was “ not worried ” about the virus spreading in the White House .
Nonetheless , officials said they were stepping up safety protocols for the complex .
Pence spokeswoman Katie Miller , who tested positive Friday , had been in recent contact with Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is married to Stephen Miller , a top Trump adviser .
The White House had no immediate comment on whether Stephen Miller had been tested or if he was still working out of the White House .
Katie Miller had tested negative Thursday , a day before her positive result .
“ This is why the whole concept of tests aren ’ t necessarily great , ” Trump said .
“ The tests are perfect but something can happen between a test where it ’ s good and then something happens.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came one day after White House officials confirmed that a member of the military serving as one of Trump ’ s valets had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Six people who had been in contact with Miller were scheduled to fly with Pence on Friday to Des Moines , Iowa , on Air Force Two .
They were removed from the flight just before it took off , according to a senior administration official .
None of those people were exhibiting symptoms , but were asked to deplane so they could be tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” a senior administration official told reporters travelling with Pence .
All six later tested negative , the White House said .
The official said staff in the West Wing are tested regularly but much of Pence ’ s staff — which works next door in the Executive Office Building — are tested less frequently .
Katie Miller was not on the plane and had not been scheduled to be on the trip .
Pence , who is tested on a regular basis , was tested Friday .
White House chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepping up mitigation efforts already recommended by public health experts and taking other unspecified precautions to ensure the safety of the president .
Meadows said the White House was “ probably the safest place that you can come , ” but he was reviewing further steps to keep Trump and Pence safe .
The White House requires daily temperature checks of anyone who enters the White House complex and has encouraged social distancing among those working in the building .
The administration has also directed regular deep cleaning of all work spaces .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president and vice-president is tested daily for COVID-19 .
“ We ’ ve already put in a few protocols that we ’ re looking at , obviously , to make sure that the president and his immediate staff stay safe .
But it ’ s not just the president , it ’ s all the workers that are here ... on a daily basis , “ Meadows said .
Trump ’ s valet ’ s case marked the first known instance where a person who has come in close proximity to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present at his private Florida club were diagnosed with COVID-19 in early March .
The valet tested positive Wednesday .
The White House was moving to shore up its protection protocols to protect the nation ’ s political leaders .
Trump said some staffers who interact with him closely would now be tested daily .
Pence told reporters Thursday that both he and Trump would now be tested daily as well .
Madhani reported from Chicago .
AP writer Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report .

Darlene Superville And Aamer Madhani - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-08--Records: $325K deal paid in handcuffed man’s shooting death

BATON ROUGE , La .
- A Louisiana sheriff ’ s office in 2018 paid a $ 325,000 settlement after the fatal shooting of a black man who had been handcuffed in the back seat of a patrol car , according to newly released records .
Copies of the check from the Iberia Parish Sheriff ’ s Office in the settlement case of Victor White III were released this week after a federal court ruled in March that the payment had to be made public , The Advocate reported .
White ’ s family filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Louis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was resolved in 2018 but the federal judge declined to make the settlement amount public and the mother of White ’ s child agreed with the judge .
A $ 133,000 annuity presumably went to White ’ s child , the newspaper reported .
The remaining $ 192,000 was paid to the attorney .
In 2014 , White , 22 , was shot in the right side of his chest while handcuffed from behind in the back of a patrol car .
A parish coroner ruled White ’ s death a suicide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no federal charges would be filed in White ’ s death .
However , White ’ s unusual death put the sheriff ’ s office and then Sheriff Louis Ackal in the spotlight .
A woman who worked for Ackal said she heard the sheriff give coded instructions for writing reports to justify beatings of detainees .
She also said Ackal referred to black people as “ gorillas ” and another racial slur , the lawyers said .
A federal civil right probe resulted in guilty pleas by 11 deputies , several of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse , often racially motivated , on the streets of New Iberia and inside the parish jail , the newspaper reported .
Deputies said Ackal orchestrated the racially motivated attacks but he was acquitted in 2016 .
The $ 325,000 settlement was among the bigger payouts from lawsuits during Ackal ’ s tenure , which totalled more than $ 6 million .