thetorontostar--2020-07-21--Facing federal agents, Portland protests find new momentum

PORTLAND , Ore. - Mardy Widman has watched protests against racial injustice unfold in her hometown of Portland , Oregon , for more than seven weeks but stayed away because , at age 79 , she feared contracting the coronavirus .
But that calculus changed for Widman when President Donald Trump sent federal law enforcement agents to the liberal city to quell violent demonstrations — a tactic he ’ s said he ’ ll use for other cities .
On Monday , a masked Widman was in the street with more than 1,000 other Portland residents — a far larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent days as it entered its eighth week of nightly protests .
“ It ’ s like a dictatorship , “ Widman , a grandmother of five , said , holding up a sign that read : “ Grammy says : Please feds , leave Portland.
” “ I mean , that he can pick on our city mostly because of the way we vote and make an example of it for his base is very frightening , “ she said .
Far from tamping down the unrest , the presence of federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whisked people away in unmarked cars without probable cause — has given new momentum and a new focus to protests that had begun to devolve into smaller , chaotic crowds .
The use of federal agents against the will of local officials has also set up the potential for a constitutional crisis , which could escalate if Trump sends federal agents elsewhere .
Federal forces were deployed to Portland in early July , and tensions have risen since : On July 11 , a protester was hospitalized with critical injuries after a U.S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head with a round of less-lethal ammunition .
Then , anger flared again over the weekend after video surfaced of a federal agent hitting a Navy veteran repeatedly with a baton while another agent sprays him in the face with pepper spray .
Richard Cline , principal deputy director of the Federal Protective Service , told reporters Tuesday that the officers are part of the Marshals Service and that the Justice Department ’ s inspector general is investigating .
Crowds in Portland had recently numbered fewer than 100 people but swelled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they ’ re once again attracting a broader base in a city that ’ s increasingly outraged .
Federal agents again used force to scatter protesters early Tuesday and deployed tear gas and rubber bullets as some banged on the doors of the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse and tried to pull plywood off the shuttered entryway .
The boarded-up courthouse , which has been a focus of protests , is now covered with graffiti .
Portland police said some protesters lit fires in the street and tried several times to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is time for the Trump troops to go home and focus their attention on other activities , ” Democratic Gov .
Kate Brown said on MSNBC .
State and local authorities didn ’ t ask for federal help and are awaiting a decision on a lawsuit seeking to restrain the federal agents ’ actions .
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in court papers that masked federal agents have arrested people on the street , far from the courthouse , with no probable cause and whisked them away in unmarked cars .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Western States Center , two state representatives and others who argued that agents violated protesters ’ 10th Amendment rights by engaging in police activities designated to local and state governments .
Federal agencies defended the actions in Portland .
Some in the crowd this weekend used radio frequency jammers and shot pellet and airsoft guns to injure officers , according to the Justice Department .
It ’ s also investigating “ suspicious devices “ outside the courthouse that could have caused ” serious harm to those in the building , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demonstrators also tried to barricade federal officers inside the courthouse and set the building on fire , Kupec said .
In a news conference in Washington , acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said agents have been assaulted with lasers , bats , fireworks , bottles and other weapons and “ yet the city of Portland takes little to no action.
” Wolf said the agency has clear authority to protect government property and detain people suspected of threatening personnel or damaging that property .
He disputed that unidentified agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word “ police ” on their uniforms and that officers wear camouflage like they do when working on the border .
“ These police officers are not storm troopers , they are not Gestapo .
That description is offensive , ” Wolf said .
He said federal agencies have made 43 arrests since July 4 .
While U.S. authorities can enforce federal laws on federal property , state and local officials say the agents have operated beyond their jurisdiction .
constitutional law experts said federal officers ’ actions are “ unprecedented ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what could become a test case of states ’ rights as the Trump administration expands federal policing .
Homeland Security plans to deploy about 150 of its agents to Chicago to help local law enforcement deal with a spike in crime , according to an official with direct knowledge of the plans who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to speak publicly .
The Trump administration also sent more than 100 federal law enforcement officers to Kansas City , Missouri , to help quell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of a young boy there .
For days after the death of George Floyd — a Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck — protests against racial injustice in Portland attracted thousands and were largely peaceful , though smaller groups vandalized federal property and police buildings and clashed violently with authorities .
Portland police used tear gas on multiple occasions until a federal court order banned them from doing so without declaring a riot .
Now , anger is building as federal officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swelled again , most prominent are the Wall of Moms and PDX Dad Pod , self-described parents who have shown up by the hundreds each night since the weekend , wearing yellow T-shirts and bicycle helmets and ski goggles for protection .
Some wielded leaf blowers Monday night to help disperse tear gas as they marched down a downtown street .
“ It ’ s appalling to me , and it ’ s a unifying thing .
Nobody wants them here , ” said Eryn Hoerster , a mother of two children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attending her first nighttime protest .
Associated Press writers Colleen Long , Ben Fox and Michael Balsamo in Washington and Sara Cline in Salem , Oregon , contributed to this report .
This story has been updated to correct that Wolf spoke Tuesday , not Wednesday .


thetorontostar--2020-07-21--Los Angeles County approves anti-racist policy agenda

LOS ANGELES - Leaders of the nation ’ s largest county on Tuesday unanimously approved a sweeping plan to address systemic racism and bias in its policies , practices and services .
The measure passed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is intended to strengthen efforts to combat inequality within bureaucracy and hold officials accountable if they fail to uphold antiracist policies .
The motion was introduced by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas , who is Black .
He said it was inspired by nationwide protests over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd .
Ridley-Thomas said the plan should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism in areas from health care to law enforcement , to ensure that all policies address inequities faced by minority residents .
Department heads would be evaluated on their efforts to meet at least one goal of the antiracist policy agenda .
The county would also be graded annually through a report on the state of Black people in the county , written by a university or research institute , the Los Angeles Times reported .
The approval also makes LA County the 37th county in the nation since last year to declare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the National Association of Counties .
On a separate motion , the supervisors voted 4 to 1 to put a measure on the November ballot that would require at least 10 % of the county ’ s general fund go toward social service and racial justice programs .
The measure would ask voters to approve the reallocation via a change to the county charter .
Money would be redirected to areas including job training , mental health services and affordable housing .
Additionally , the supervisors approved a spending plan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus relief funds .
Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the money would be used to “ provide essential services , expand testing , contract tracing and meet tangible needs for working families and small businesses who are struggling and increasingly bearing the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic.
?
A chunk of the federal funds will go toward a three-year , $ 800 million plan to house 15,000 homeless people in Los Angeles County who are considered most vulnerable to the coronavirus .
The plan provides various housing measures , including rental subsidies , through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the next two years , efforts would be made to move people into permanent housing .

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thetorontostar--2020-07-21--Bolivia police recover 420 dead in possible COVID-19 cases

LA PAZ , Bolivia - A special police unit collected 420 bodies over the preceding five days in two Bolivian cities , and 80 % to 90 % of the deceased were thought to have succumbed to COVID-19 , authorities said Tuesday .
Col. Ivan Rojas , director of the special crime-fighting force , said his officers recovered the bodies from streets , vehicles and homes in the capital , La Paz , and in Bolivia ’ s biggest city , Santa Cruz .
Bolivia ’ s Institute of Forensic Investigations said that nationally from April 1 through Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in possible COVID-19 cases .
Andrés Flores , director of the agency , said the Santa Cruz department which includes the city of that name , had the highest number of deaths , followed by Cochabamba .
As of Tuesday , officials said Bolivia has recorded 60,991 confirmed coronavirus infections and 2,218 deaths from COVID-19 .
Earlier in the day , a scientific committee advising the Bolivian government proposed that the presidential election scheduled for Sept. 6 be postponed because of the pandemic .
Bolivia is trying to resolve the political crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over allegations of election fraud led President Evo Morales to resign after nearly 14 years in power .


thetorontostar--2020-07-21--Minnesota judge lifts gag order in George Floyd case

MINNEAPOLIS - A Minnesota judge on Tuesday lifted a gag order in the criminal case against four former officers charged in death of George Floyd , but said he would take under advisement a news media coalition ’ s request to make body camera footage more widely available .
In announcing his ruling , Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill said he agreed with defence attorneys ’ arguments that a gag order would be unfair to their clients and limit their ability to defend against negative publicity .
Cahill also said the gag order wasn ’ t working , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ tiptoe around the order , “ and some media outlets spoke to anonymous sources .
The judge said attorneys would still be subject to Minnesota court rules relating to pretrial publicity and professional conduct .
Also on Tuesday , Cahill ruled that he would not hold the lead prosecutor in the case , Attorney General Keith Ellison , in contempt of court as two defence attorneys requested .
Cahill determined that a statement Ellison made when he announced that additional attorneys would be assisting the prosecution was innocuous and did not violate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black man who was handcuffed , died May 25 after Derek Chauvin , a white police officer , pressed his knee against Floyd ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd said he couldn ’ t breathe .
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder , third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Three other officers who were at the scene , Tou Thao , Thomas Lane and J. Kueng , are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter .
All four officers were fired .
Police body camera videos were filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attorney , Earl Gray , as part of a request to have Lane ’ s case dismissed .
Gray said he wanted the videos to be made public— prompting Cahill to issue the gag order barring attorneys and parties from discussing the case .
Cahill made the videos available for in-person , by-appointment viewing only .
Leita Walker , an attorney for the news media coalition which includes The Associated Press , and Gray both argued Tuesday for wider dissemination of the body camera footage .
Walker said making the footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court ’ s effort to impanel a jury because the public already has access to bystander video , transcripts of the footage and reporting by press who watched the videos .
“ This case has international interest .
To expect every member of the media to fly to Minneapolis and schedule an appointment ... during quarantine is a de facto sealing , ” Walker told the judge .
Speaking to reporters after the hearing , Walker said : “ The media coalition ’ s view is that there ’ s a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is entitled to a complete picture ... the media can only report a full story if it ’ s able to see everything and talk to both sides.
” Gray argued in court that the news media has been unfair to his client , and body camera footage would clear up some misrepresentations .
He alleged the body camera footage shows Floyd stuffed counterfeit bills in his car seat and put drugs in his mouth .
Two AP writers who viewed the body camera footage at the courthouse last week did not see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Gray described .
Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank argued for the prosecution that releasing the body camera footage could have a negative impact on impaneling an impartial jury .
The issue of whether audio and visual coverage of the trial will be allowed was also discussed at the hearing .
The defendants ’ attorneys made no objection .
Frank said prosecutors will weigh in on that issue by day ’ s end Monday .
Mohamed Ibrahim is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .


thetorontostar--2020-07-21--Donald Trump strikes a new tone at COVID-19 briefing, but some old habits remain

WASHINGTON— “ It will probably get worse before it gets better , ” President Donald Trump said Tuesday at the first White House coronavirus briefing he ’ s held since late April .
“ That ’ s something I don ’ t like saying about things , but that ’ s the way it is , it ’ s what we have.
” The last time the president held a briefing on the virus , he was bragging that his handling of the pandemic meant deaths in the U.S. would probably top out at “ 60,000 , 70,000.
” Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to more than 140,000 — more than 5,000 of those in the past week alone — as states that followed his demands to reopen early such as Florida and Texas are in crisis .
His reelection poll numbers have plummeted .
By Tuesday , the numbers were not all that had changed : reviving the media briefings in an apparent attempt to turn his campaign around , the president ’ s message was notably tweaked , acknowledging surges in the southwestern states that required a response and the prospects for things to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging people to wear masks .
“ Wear a mask , ” he said .
“ Whether you like the mask or not , they have an impact .
They ’ ll have an effect .
We need everything we can get.
” Trump ’ s past resistance to masks has fuelled a culture war in the U.S. over the face coverings recommended by public health authorities .
Asked about his own use , he pulled one bearing the presidential seal out of his pocket and said that while he and others around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger level , he wears one in many situations .
“ I ’ m getting used to the mask , ” he said .
“ It helps .
It helps.
” Trump also urged people to avoid crowded bars and indoor situations where social distancing is difficult .
He acknowledged there were things the U.S. could have done better , and said he ’ s willing to listen to doctors on the need to improve the availability of rapid-response testing .
Of course , not everything in Trump ’ s message had changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China virus ” and blamed that country for it ; he still said his handling of the virus early on was made up of “ tremendous moves ” that saved thousands of lives ; he still referred to statistics to portray the U.S. situation as good by international standards when in fact the country suffers among the highest death rates by population in the world .
Yet for Republicans hoping to see Trump address dismal reviews for his handling the pandemic , the news conference likely accomplished some of its immediate goals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rails , in the freewheeling and often accusatory improvisational style that characterized his briefings in the spring , during which he often ad-libbed comments that directly contradicted the messages he and his advisers were delivering in prepared remarks .
On Tuesday , Trump ’ s new message would be welcomed as progress , and he stayed on that message pretty much as closely as he ever does — at least , on the topic of coronavirus .
He raised eyebrows , however , when he was asked about Ghislaine Maxwell , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collaborated with her late friend , Jeffrey Epstein , in the sexual abuse of teenage girls .
Trump was asked if he thought Maxwell was likely to turn in any powerful men .
“ I just wish her well frankly .
I ’ ve met her numerous times over the years , especially since I lived in Palm Beach and I guess they lived in Palm Beach .
But I wish her well , whatever it is , ” Trump said , claiming he hadn ’ t been following the case closely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ best wishes for the defendant in the world ’ s highest-profile sex crimes prosecution wasn ’ t part of the preferred message .
Soon after , he cut off questioning .
Trump ended by promising these revived briefings would be held regularly .
In the past , commentators have noted that at points where Trump appears to have changed message or adopted different tone , he often reverts to his previous form within hours or days .
If he continues to hold prime-time briefings again as promised , Americans will soon see if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he ’ ll continue to read a script written to address problems as he did on coronavirus today , or veers off from it and creates new problems as he did on the question of Maxwell , and has so often in the past .


thetorontostar--2020-07-21--Search for child leads Mexican police to 23 abducted kids

MEXICO CITY - The search for a 2 1/2 year-old boy who was led away from a market in southern Mexico three weeks ago led police to a horrifying discovery : 23 abducted children being kept at a house and forced to sell trinkets in the street .
Prosecutors in Chiapas state said Tuesday that most of the children were between two and 15 years old , but three babies aged between 3 and 20 months were also found during a raid Monday at the house in the colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas .
San Cristobal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is popular among tourists .
It is not unusual to see children and adults hawking local crafts like carvings and embroidered cloth on its narrow cobblestone streets .
But few visitors to the city suspected that some of the kids doing the selling had been snatched from their families and kept in deplorable conditions .
The Chiapas state prosecutors ’ office said in a statement that the children “ were forced through physical and psychological violence to sell handicrafts in the centre of the city , ” adding the kids showed signs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the children , many of them were forced to go out on the streets to sell things , and moreover they were forced to return with a certain minimum amount of money for the right to get food and a place to sleep at the house , ” said state prosecutor Jorge Llaven .
According to video presented by the prosecutors , many of the children slept on what appeared to be sheets of cardboard and blankets on a cement floor .
Three women have been detained in the case and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges .
The children were handed over to child welfare authorities .
Authorities showed a photo of some of the children , their faces blurred , having a boxed lunch after their rescue .
The search was set off by the June 30 disappearance of 2 1/2-year-old Dylan Esaú Gómez Pérez , when he was with his mother at a public market in San Cristobal .
A surveillance camera from a nearby shop showed that a young girl who appeared to be about 13 had grabbed the little boy by the hand and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some of the children were used to abduct other kids .
After the disappearance of the boy , who reportedly speaks the Indigenous language Tzotzil , his mother and relatives began a desperate campaign to locate him .
But the Chiapas state prosecutors office did not immediately confirm whether Dylan , who will turn 3 in November , was among the children rescued from forced labour this week .
Interviewed Tuesday outside the National Palace in Mexico City , his mother , Juana Pérez , said officials told her that her son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None of the children ( rescued ) is my son , ” Pérez said , sobbing .
“ I haven ’ t heard anything about my son.
” Pérez , who travelled to Mexico City to ask President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to help find her son , works at the market selling fruit and vegetables .
She said her son would sometimes wander off to play , but that no children had ever been snatched from the market before .
The boy ’ s father emigrated to California to find work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to raise Dylan and his sister by herself .
She described him as a chubby , happy boy who market vendors nicknamed “ Gordito , ” and tearfully appealed for help in finding him .


thetorontostar--2020-07-21--Ohio House speaker, 4 others arrested in $60M bribery case

COLUMBUS , Ohio - The powerful Republican speaker of the Ohio House and four associates were arrested Tuesday in a $ 60 million federal bribery case connected to a taxpayer-funded bailout of Ohio ’ s two nuclear power plants .
Hours after FBI agents raided Speaker Larry Householder ’ s farm , U.S. Attorney David DeVillers described the ploy as likely the largest bribery and money-laundering scheme that had “ ever been perpetrated against the people of the state of Ohio.
” Gov .
Mike DeWine , also a Republican , called on Householder to resign immediately , saying it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effective legislative leader given the charges against him .
The head of the Ohio Republican Party , the state attorney general and the Senate president also urged Householder to step down .
The leaders of the House Republican Caucus called the allegations shocking but stopped short of asking Householder to resign .
Householder was one of the driving forces behind the nuclear plants ’ financial rescue , which added a new fee to every electricity bill in the state and directed over $ 150 million a year through 2026 to the plants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were Householder adviser Jeffrey Longstreth , longtime Statehouse lobbyist Neil Clark , former Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matthew Borges and Juan Cespedes , co-founder of The Oxley Group , a Columbus-based consulting firm .
Previous attempts to bail out the nuclear plants had stalled in the Legislature before Householder became speaker .
Months after taking over , he rolled out a new plan to subsidize the plants and eliminate renewable energy incentives .
The proposal was approved a year ago despite opposition from many business leaders and the manufacturing industry .
Investigators said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that received $ 60 million from an unidentified company over the past three years .
In exchange , Householder and the other defendants worked to pass the nuclear plant bailout and block attempts to overturn it , according to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI .
The group was charged as a corporation in the case .
Householder and the others used the money to preserve and expand his political power , the complaint said .
Almost $ 100,000 was used for Householder ’ s 2018 campaign , and more than $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Florida home , according to the complaint .
The amounts increased once the legislation was introduced , and after it was signed into law , roughly $ 38 million was wired into Generation Now accounts to defeat an effort to put a repeal of the bailout law on Ohio ’ s ballot , the complaint said .
A former spokesman for the effort declined to comment .
One of the defendants said the money was “ unlimited , ” while another referred to it as “ Monopoly money.
” All of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court hearing in Columbus .
A magistrate judge released them on their own recognizance , with travel restrictions and orders to give up any weapons and their passports .
Householder , wearing jeans and a T-shirt and wearing a mask despite previous refusals to don one , walked out of the courthouse to a crowd of protesters calling for his resignation .
He could not be driven away until police intervened , including arresting one protester .
After the court hearing , the state ’ s Republican elections chief announced that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio Elections Commission based on allegations in the complaint , including converting campaign funds for personal use .
FirstEnergy Corp. , whose former subsidiaries owned the plants , donated heavily to Householder ’ s campaigns and his backers in the Ohio House .
The utility ’ s political action committee contributed $ 25,000 to Householder ’ s campaign in 2018 , according to an analysis by Common Cause Ohio , a government watchdog .
Householder flew to President Donald Trump ’ s inauguration on the company ’ s plane in 2016 .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments of $ 250,000 from the unidentified company sent through Generation Now , the complaint said .
The group then spent millions backing Ohio House candidates who would back Householder ’ s bid for speaker and support the bailout legislation .
FirstEnergy Solutions , the subsidiary which has since changed its name to Energy Harbor , now operates the nuclear plants as an independent company .
It spent millions on lobbying and campaign contributions while trying to persuade federal and state officials to give the nuclear plants a lifeline .
FirstEnergy Corp. said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subpoenas Tuesday in connection with the investigation and intends to co-operate .
A message seeking comment was left with attorney Dave Thomas , who was representing both Householder and Longstreth .
Borges has increasingly been on the outs with the Ohio Republican Party establishment since it was taken over by devotees of President Donald Trump .
He was recently censured by the party ’ s central committee , including for helping launch a PAC in June to turn out GOP voters for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
Borges ’ attorney declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s best connected lobbyists , representing a high-powered stable of clients from the pharmaceutical , gambling and alcoholic beverage industries , among others .
His attorney , Will Ireland , said he did not “ see any culpability ” in the case .
Cespedes is a former investment officer with the Ohio Treasurer ’ s Office who was appointed by then-Gov .
John Kasich as commissioner for the Ohio Civil Rights Commission , where he oversees efforts to stop discrimination .
His term ends July 29 .
Cespedes ’ attorney , Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 82-page affidavit .
Householder is a veteran state lawmaker in his second stint as speaker .
He held the same position from 2001 to 2004 .
He left state politics more than a decade ago because of term limits and returned in 2016 and took up a contentious fight to win back the chamber ’ s top job .
At the time he left office , he and several top advisers were under federal investigation for alleged money laundering and irregular campaign practices .
The government closed the case without filing charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press Writer Andrew Welsh-Huggins in Columbus and AP/Report for America reporter Farnoush Amiri contributed to this report .
Amiri is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

Julie Carr Smyth And John Seewer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-21--Trump says of Ghislaine Maxwell, ‘I wish her well’

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Tuesday offered sympathetic words to Ghislaine Maxwell , the longtime companion of Jeffrey Epstein who stands accused of facilitating the abuse of girls by the now-deceased sex offender .
“ I just wish her well , frankly , “ Trump said when asked about Maxwell during a news conference .
Maxwell , 58 , was denied bail last week and is to remain behind bars as she awaits trial on charges she recruited girls for the financier to sexually abuse more than two decades ago .
The British socialite was a romantic partner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several weeks after being charged with sex trafficking .
An indictment alleged that Maxwell groomed the victims to endure sexual abuse and was sometimes there when Epstein abused them .
It also alleged she lied during a 2016 deposition in a civil case .
Epstein associated over the years with many high-profile figures in politics and business , including Trump , former President Bill Clinton , Prince Andrew of Britain and the retail mogul Leslie Wexner .
“ I ’ ve met her numerous times over the years , especially since I lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they lived in Palm Beach , ” Trump said of Maxwell .
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida of procuring a person under 18 for prostitution and felony solicitation of prostitution .
He served 13 months , most of it on work release program at a county jail .


thetorontostar--2020-07-21--Chicago restaurateur joins mission to feed America’s hungry

CHICAGO - Before coronavirus arrived , Manish Mallick ’ s trips to this city ’ s South Side had been limited to attending graduate classes at the University of Chicago .
Now Mallick is a South Side regular — and a popular one .
He regularly arrives bearing food for the hungry from his Indian restaurant several miles to the north , in the city ’ s downtown .
“ Thank you , sugar , for the meals .
They ’ re so delicious !
” one woman recently shouted to Mallick outside a South Side YWCA .
He recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it with his staff .
“ God bless you !
” she added , raising her arms for emphasis .
Mallick has personally delivered thousands of meals cooked and packed by his staff –- among them , chickpea curry and tandoori chicken with roasted cottage cheese , sweet corn , peas and rice .
Volunteers from neighbourhood organizations then take them to children , retirees and the multitudes who ’ ve been laid off or fallen sick during the pandemic .
“ We all need to help each other , ” Mallick says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to get through a crisis.
” His restaurant , ROOH Chicago , is one of more than 2,400 eateries , from New York City to Oakland , California , working with the non-profit World Central Kitchen to provide meals to the hungry .
Traditionally , the organization has set up kitchens to feed people affected by natural disasters , such as Hurricane Maria , which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017 .
Now the organization is focused on this current and enduring crisis and is paying restaurants $ 10 for every meal they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is part of a larger effort bolstered by food banks and other non-profits , as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture , which is buying produce , meat and dairy products from farmers for its growing food box program .
Many U.S. children also have been receiving meals provided by a large network of public and private sources at school pickup sites .
World Central Kitchen is among those that provide meals to schoolchildren .
But its leaders are worried about their ability to sustain the effort in an extended crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide federal emergency funding to help bring the restaurant model to every state .
The idea is to help not only the hungry , but also restaurants workers and farmers , who ’ ve been hard-hit by the impacts of the coronavirus .
“ It ’ s a domino effect of impact , ” says Nate Mook , CEO of World Central Kitchen , which was founded by chef Jose Andres and his wife , Patricia .
They ’ ve tagged this latest response # ChefsForAmerica .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP bill soon .
Whether it will contain language from a World Central Kitchen-inspired bill — originally called the FEED Act and sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers — remains to be seen .
Congress resumes this week and lawmakers are on two-week sprint hoping to approve the next round of virus aid by month ’ s end .
Mook says the longevity of this crisis requires federal aid , and he and others anticipate food insecurity worsening in the months to come as unemployment benefits end for some .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the storm , ” says Sherrie Tussler , executive director of the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee .
Tussler also is frustrated with the sometimes chaotic nature of donations in this current climate and the difficulty –- partly due to social distancing –- of determining the nature of people ’ s food emergencies .
Rather than the government distributing food boxes , for instance , she supports increasing food stamp assistance , also known as SNAP , to ensure that those most in need are fed .
Either way , Verna Swan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and volunteers to deliver meals from ROOH and other restaurants , says the service is greatly appreciated .
She and her 14-year-old nephew , Israel Swan , took meals to seniors in their neighbourhood in recent days .
“ We ’ re family .
We look out for each other , ” says Verna Swan , a volunteer for I Grow , an organization that serves the neighbourhood , where she first moved when she was 13 years old .
She says these meals also have connected the residents with new people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food before .
This is not how Mallick , a longtime tech executive , had envisioned things going last year , when he first opened ROOH , which specializes in what he calls progressive Indian cuisine .
But he pivoted , first delivering meals to hospital staff when Chicago cases skyrocketed in the spring .
To survive , he has turned a parking lot next to his restaurant into an outdoor dining patio and beefed up delivery services .
And he ’ s looking to grow his mission with World Central Kitchen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more kitchen staff .
Lisa Mascaro , the AP ’ s chief Congressional correspondent , contributed to this story .
Martha Irvine , an AP national writer and visual journalist , can be reached at mirvine @ ap.org or at http : //twitter.com/irvineap .


thetorontostar--2020-07-21--LA’s U.S. Bank Tower sold to World Trade Center developer

LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Bank Tower , one of the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi River and a landmark in downtown Los Angeles , will be sold to the developer of the new World Trade Center in New York .
Singapore real estate company OUE said it will sell the 73-story skyscraper to Manhattan-based Silverstein Properties at a discount after stay-at-home orders to combat the coronavirus reduced its leasing revenues .
The price of $ 430 million was knocked down 34 % from OUE ’ s valuation of the building in its annual report last year , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal will close in September .
The cylindrical tower with its distinctive glass-paneled crown opened in 1989 .
Many business offices have closed or their employees have been working from home since Gov .
Gavin Newsom first issued a stay-at-home order in mid-March that closed all but essential businesses , such as markets .
Other businesses have since been allowed to reopen but many offices remain closed .
“ Due to the measures implemented by state governments in the U.S. in response to the COVID-19 pandemic , the tenants in the property have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their operations , and the rental income from the property has been correspondingly affected , ” OUE said in a statement .
More than a fifth of the U.S. Bank Tower ’ s square footage isn ’ t leased to tenants , the Times said , citing real estate data provider CoStar .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--US orders China to close its consulate in Houston

BEIJING - The United States said Wednesday that it has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston “ to protect American intellectual property “ and the private information of Americans .
China strongly condemned the move , the latest in a series of steps by the Trump administration as it ratchets up pressure on the world ’ s second-largest economy over trade , technology , human rights and security .
In Houston , firefighters responded to reports of papers being burned on the consulate grounds Tuesday night but were barred entry , according to news media reports .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not provide any details on why the consulate in Texas was targeted .
“ The United States will not tolerate ( China ’ s ) violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people , just as we have not tolerated ( its ) unfair trade practices , theft of American jobs , and other egregious behaviour , ” said the statement , which was attributed to State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Trump administration is taking action to halt long-running intellectual property theft , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals accused of hacking .
“ President ( Donald ) Trump has said ‘ Enough , we ’ re not going to allow this to continue to happen , ’ ” he said while on an official visit to Copenhagen .
The U.S. also has decided not to reopen its consulate in the city of Wuhan , which was closed in late January at the height of the coronavirus outbreak in China , a Trump administration official said .
The official , who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure of the Wuhan consulate might mitigate China ’ s response to the shutdown of the Houston consulate .
China was informed of the decision Tuesday , Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said , calling it “ an outrageous and unjustified move that will sabotage relations between the two countries.
” “ The unilateral closure of China ’ s consulate general in Houston within a short period of time is an unprecedented escalation of its recent actions against China , ” Wang said at a daily news briefing in Beijing .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not reverse itself .
Besides Wuhan , the U.S. has four other consulates in China — in Shanghai , Guangzhou , Chengdu and Shenyang — along with its embassy in Beijing , according to its website .
Houston media reports said authorities responded to reports of a fire at the Chinese Consulate .
Witnesses said people were burning paper in what appeared to be trash cans , the Houston Chronicle reported , citing police .
Police were told that occupants were given until 4 p.m. Friday to leave the property , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tweet that officers responded to “ a meet the firefighter ” call at the Chinese Consulate building at 3417 Montrose Blvd .
The tweet said smoke was observed in an outdoor courtyard area , and that officers were not allowed to enter the building .
Wang accused the U.S. of opening Chinese diplomatic pouches without permission multiple times , confiscating Chinese items for official use and imposing restrictions on Chinese diplomats in the U.S. last October and again in June .
He also said that U.S. diplomats in China engage in infiltration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two , it is only too evident which is engaged in interference , infiltration and confrontation , ” Wang said .
He also said that the Chinese Embassy in Washington has received bomb and death threats , and accused the U.S. government of fanning hatred against China .
President Trump , his reelection prospects damaged by the coronavirus outbreak , has blamed China repeatedly for the pandemic .
Almost every day brings a fresh U.S. action against what Trump has called the rising Asian superpower ’ s exploitation of America .
Already this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 Chinese companies over alleged human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region and the Justice Department said two Chinese stole intellectual property and targeted companies developing coronavirus vaccines .
Pompeo is expected to continue the attacks Thursday in a speech on U.S.-China relations at the Nixon Library in California .
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi , saying U.S.-China relations face their most severe challenge since diplomatic ties were established in 1979 , asked recently if the two nations would be able to stay the course after a more than four-decade voyage .

Ken Moritsugu And Matthew Lee - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Ukraine’s leader reveals details of talks with hostage-taker

KYIV , Ukraine - An armed man who took more than a dozen hostages on a long-distance bus in Ukraine ’ s western city of Lutsk on Tuesday fulfilled the agreement he had reached with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and released them shortly after Zelenskiy urged Ukrainians to watch an animal rights documentary , the president said Wednesday .
Zelenskiy spoke to the hostage-taker for several minutes on Tuesday evening , the president ’ s office said .
“ We had information about an injured ( hostage ) , and I asked him to release the injured ( hostage ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said the injured hostage doesn ’ t exist , it was a bluff .
So we agreed that he will let three people go and after that I will record a video ( message ) , “ Zelenskiy said in a statement on the 12-hour-long hostage drama .
The assailant , identified by police as Maksim Krivosh , a 44-year-old Ukrainian born in Russia , seized the bus with 13 people on Tuesday morning , prompting a standoff with police in Lutsk , 400 kilometres ( 250 miles ) west of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assailant threw explosives out of a window but no one was hurt .
He also fired several shots at a police drone .
One of his demands was that Zelenskiy post a video message on the president ’ s Facebook page urging Ukrainians to watch “ Earthlings , ” a 2005 American documentary exposing humanity ’ s cruel exploitation of animals .
A video of Zelenskiy saying : “ Movie ‘ Earthlings ’ , 2005 .
Everybody should watch “ appeared on his Facebook page shortly after the first three hostages were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Krivosh promised to release the others half an hour after the video was posted .
“ So it happened : In 30-40 minutes he released the hostages , ” the president said .
The video was later deleted from his Facebook account .
According to authorities , Krivosh reportedly had been convicted twice on a range of charges — robbery , fraud , illegal arms handling — and spent a total of 10 years behind bars .
Ukrainian media said he was an animal rights activists who helped protect stray dogs .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he treated them well and only asked them to remain calm .
The man is in custody and is reportedly co-operating with law enforcement .
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said police detained several of his accomplices on Tuesday night .
Avakov didn ’ t give details on what prompted the incident , saying only that the assailant was “ an unstable man who painted his vision of the world and invented a revenge for it .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--UK to open citizenship path to Hong Kongers from January

LONDON - Britain ’ s government announced Wednesday that it will open a new special pathway to obtaining British citizenship for eligible Hong Kongers from January 2021 .
In a statement , the Home Office said holders of the British National Overseas passport and their immediate family members can move to the U.K. to work and study .
The change to immigration rules was introduced after China imposed a new , sweeping national security law on Hong Kong .
Those eligible can access the British job market at any skill level and without a salary threshold , but will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.K. has a strong historic relationship with the people of Hong Kong and we are keeping our promise to them to uphold their freedoms , ” Home Secretary Priti Patel said .
Those who come to the UK through the new pathway will be able to apply to settle in Britain permanently once they have lived in the U.K. for five years .
Then after a further 12 months , they can apply for British citizenship .
Britain handed over Hong Kong , its former colony , to Chinese rule in 1997 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Systems ” framework that was supposed to guarantee the city a high degree of autonomy and Western-style civil liberties not seen on mainland China .
“ Today ’ s announcement shows the U.K. is keeping its word : we will not look the other way on Hong Kong , and we will not duck our historic responsibilities to its people , ” British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--UK: Labour pays damages to ex-workers in anti-Semitism probe

LONDON - Britain ’ s opposition Labour Party has agreed to pay substantial damages to seven whistleblowers who sued for defamation after they voiced concerns of anti-Semitism within the party .
The seven former employees appeared on a BBC investigative program last year looking into whether the Labour Party was anti-Semitic .
They criticized Labour ’ s handling of anti-Semitism complaints and sued after the party issued a statement describing the group as having “ personal and political axes to grind.
” The former employees , who worked in the party ’ s governance and legal unit , were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was Labour ’ s leader at the time .
Mark Henderson , a lawyer for the party , told the High Court on Wednesday that the party acknowledged that “ the claims about the claimants are untrue ” and apologized to the group .
The settlement and the apology underlined how much the party ’ s new leader , Keir Starmer , is seeking to tackle the anti-Semitism claims that have plagued Labour for years .
Starmer hopes to steer the party back toward the centre after the divisive tenure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longtime supporter of Palestinians and a critic of Israel , has faced allegations that he allowed anti-Semitism to fester in the party .
“ Anti-Semitism has been a stain on the Labour Party in recent years , ” the party said in a statement Wednesday .
“ If we are to restore the trust of the Jewish community , we must demonstrate a change of leadership.
” But Corbyn said Wednesday that settling the case was “ a political decision , not a legal one.
“ He said it was a “ disappointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to misleading and inaccurate allegations ” about previous actions to tackle anti-Semitism within Labour .
The party also agreed to pay damages to the journalist who made the television program , and apologized for alleging at the time that he “ invented quotes ” and “ flouted journalistic ethics.
” The total amount of the damages wasn ’ t disclosed .
Corbyn stepped down as leader in December after Labour had its worst general election showing since 1935 .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Telescope snaps family portrait of 2 planets around baby sun

CAPE CANAVERAL , Fla. - For the first time , a telescope has captured a family portrait of another solar system with not just one , but two planets posing directly for the cameras while orbiting a star like our sun .
This baby sun and its two giant gas planets are fairly close by galactic standards at 300 light-years away .
The snapshot — released Wednesday — was taken by the European Southern Observatory ’ s Very Large Telescope in Chile ’ s Atacama Desert .
What makes this group shot so appealing is it ’ s a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Alexander Bohn of the Netherlands ’ Leiden University , who led the study .
Bohn said he was “ extremely excited “ about the discovery .
“ This is the first time astronomers were able to capture such a shot , ” he said in an email .
The observations can help scientists better understand the evolution of our own solar system .
Astronomers typically confirm worlds around other stars by observing brief but periodic dimming of the starlight , indicating an orbiting planet .
Such indirect observations have identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s much harder and less common for a telescope to directly observe these so-called exoplanets .
To directly spot two of them around the same star is even rarer .
Only two multi-planet solar systems have been spotted using the direct method , both with stars quite different than our sun , according to the observatory .
Of the 4,183 exoplanets confirmed to date , only 48 of them have been directly imaged — just 1 per cent , according to NASA statistics .
Direct imaging provides humanity ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solar system , if it exists , Bohn said .
By observing light from the planets themselves , the atmospheres can be analyzed for molecules and elements that might suggest life .
The work published in Wednesday ’ s Astrophysical Journal Letters reveals “ a snapshot of an environment that is very similar to our solar system , but at a much earlier stage of its evolution , ” Bohn said .
The star — officially known as TYC 8998-760-1 and located in the Musca , or the Fly , constellation — is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrast , our sun is 4.5 billion years old .
The two newly discovered gas giants around this young star orbit at a much greater distance than Jupiter and Saturn do our sun — requiring a few thousand years to complete one revolution , or calendar year .
They also weigh in with greater masses than our own outer planets .
The researchers took multiple images of this youthful solar system over the past year to verify the findings , while reviewing older data .
A disk on the telescope known as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two much fainter planets .
Future instruments like ESO ’ s Extremely Large Telescope , still five years away , should be able to detect even smaller , less dense planets .
The main mirror will span 128 feet ( 39 metres ) , more than four times the size of the Very Large Telescope , making it the “ the world ’ s biggest eye on the sky , ” according to the ESO .
For now , there is no evidence that this young star has more planets , but “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just be too faint , ” Bohn said .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Cops: 15 shot as gunfire erupts outside Chicago funeral home

CHICAGO - Fifteen people were shot , one person was being questioned and multiple suspects were being sought after gunfire erupted outside a funeral home on Chicago ’ s South Side where at least one squad car was present , police said .
First Deputy Superintendent Eric Carter said mourners outside a funeral home in the Gresham neighbourhood were fired upon Tuesday from a passing vehicle .
Carter said several targets of the shooting returned fire .
The vehicle later crashed and the occupants fled in several directions .
Carter said all the victims were adults .
A person of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no arrests had been made , police said .
Police spokeswoman Sally Bown confirmed Wednesday morning ahead of a news conference planned by the city ’ s police superintendent and mayor that the 15 people were shot .
Police were still trying to determine what sparked the shooting , including whether it may have been gang-related , she said .
“ At this point I don ’ t think they know , ” Bown said .
The shooting comes as the Department of Homeland Security is planning to deploy dozens of federal agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in violent crime in the city .
Most victims were taken by the Chicago Fire Department to nearby hospitals in serious condition , said spokesman Larry Langford .
They include 10 women from the ages of 21 and 65 , including one of whom was shot in the chest , police said .
The 65-year-old was treated at the scene .
Other victims include a man who was shot in the chest , arm and forearm , and two men , 32 and 22 , who were shot in a hand , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted online by police early Wednesday showed that six people were in serious condition and that the nine others were in good condition .
More gun violence struck early Wednesday .
A few miles away in the city ’ s South Shore neighbourhood , a 3-year-old girl was hospitalized in serious condition after being shot in the head while riding in a vehicle with her parents , police said .
Her parents told police two people fired at them from a corner .
No one was immediately arrested .
Police said Tuesday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at or near the site of a funeral or post-funeral event for a man fatally shot last week in the Englewood neighbourhood .
Arnita Geder and Kenneth Hughes said they heard gunshots while in their home watching television , adding that they came outside to find bodies that were shot up and “ laying everywhere.
” “ We thought it was a war out here , ” Geder told the Chicago Sun-Times .
“ It ’ s ridiculous all the shooting that ’ s going on out here , it really has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday night in a series of Twitter posts that “ far too many people “ have attended funerals and attempted to begin the process of healing entire communities following another “ senseless tragedy.
” She added that people with information should speak up , even if anonymously .
“ When a person picks up a gun , we suffer as a city .
This can not be who we are .
Too many guns are on our streets and in the hands of people who should never possess them , ” Lightfoot continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable.
“ Carter said at least 60 shell casings were found at the scene of the shooting .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if anyone other than attendees of the funeral were victims , nor if anyone in the SUV had been wounded .
The person being questioned was uninjured , according to authorities .
Investigators haven ’ t determined how many people were involved in the shooting .
A squad car was assigned to monitor the funeral as a precaution because of the sizable number of mourners attending , Carter said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any warnings from community activists that trouble at the funeral was imminent .
“ The district commander took every precaution that he could , ” Carter said .
Lightfoot , after threatening to sue if President Donald Trump acted without her permission , also noted earlier Tuesday that the city would be working with federal agents to fight crime .
Lightfoot has been skeptical of federal agents being sent to Chicago by Trump due to the controversy in Portland , Oregon , where the Trump administration sent federal officers after weeks of protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that followed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Lightfoot said she expects Chicago will receive resources that will plug into existing federal agencies that already work with the city , including the FBI , Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives .
Oregon ’ s governor and Portland ’ s mayor have expressed anger with the presence of the federal agents , saying that the city ’ s protests had started to ease just as the federal agents started taking action .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s large cities as a failure by “ liberal Democrats ” who run them , praised the officers ’ actions and said he was looking to send agents to other cities .
He pointed to rising gun violence in Chicago , the nation ’ s third-largest city , where more than 63 people were shot , 12 fatally , over the weekend .
Associated Press writer Torrance Latham contributed to this report .

Herbert G. McCann - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Turkey, Russia say they seek lasting cease-fire in Libya

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkish and Russian delegations met Wednesday in Turkey ’ s capital to discuss the war in Libya and agreed to press ahead with efforts for a lasting cease-fire in the North African country , Turkey ’ s Foreign Ministry said .
A joint statement released after the meeting said the sides — who back rival parties in the conflict — had agreed to work together and encourage Libya ’ s opposing factions to create “ conditions for a lasting and sustainable ceasefire.
“ They also agreed to joint efforts to advance a political dialogue .
Turkish-backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tripoli , the capital , are mobilizing on the edges Sirte and have vowed to retake the Mediterranean city , along with the inland Jufra airbase , from rival forces commanded by Khalifa Hifter .
Hifter ’ s forces are based in the east .
The Turkish and Russian delegations will consider creating a joint working group on Libya and were scheduled to hold more consultations in Moscow “ in the near future , ” according to the statement .
The meeting between Turkish and Russian officials comes amid heightened tensions between powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict .
This week , Egypt ’ s Parliament authorized the deployment of troops outside of the country in a move that threatened to escalate the spiraling war and bring Egypt and Turkey into a direct confrontation .
Libya was plunged into chaos when a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi , who was later killed .
Drawn by Hifter ’ s anti-Islamist stance , Egypt , the United Arab Emirates and other foreign powers have provided his forces with critical military assistance .
Russia has also emerged as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mercenaries through the Wagner Group , a private military company .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--French blaze: Brothers drop from window, caught by rescuers

PARIS - A boy and a toddler escaped from a blazing apartment in the southeastern French city of Grenoble by dropping 10 metres ( 33 feet ) from a window and being caught by members of the public .
French media said that the two brothers were unharmed by the fall , but might have suffered some smoke inhalation .
Footage of Tuesday ’ dramatic rescue showed one of the brothers being dropped out of the window at least three stories up in the building as flames engulfed a balcony and black smoke billowed from windows .
To a chorus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother hung out of the window and then let himself fall into the arms of the rescuers gathered below .
The boys were hospitalized along with 17 of the building ’ s residents after inhaling fumes , according to French media .
Four of the people who caught the boys were also hospitalized to check if any bones were fractured by the impact of the jumps .
Athoumani Walid , 25 , a student in Grenoble , broke one of his wrists as he helped catch the children .
He heard screams and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire from his nearby apartment .
With four of five other people , he immediately tried to help .
“ We didn ’ t know what to do , but we walked up ” to the apartment that was in flames , Walid told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
“ We wanted to break the door but it wasn ’ t possible.
” So they walked back downstairs and shouted out for the boys to jump in their arms .
Although he was initially afraid for the boys , “ when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was to catch ” them , he said .
Walid hopes the rescue will change people perceptions of the Villeneuve neighbourhood of Grenoble where the events happened , and where there is a large immigrant population .
“ We are told it ’ s a ‘ sensitive ’ neighbourhood , ” Walid said , “ but yesterday we showed we are here for each other , and we save each other.
” Eric Piolle , the Grenoble mayor , congratulated the Villeneuve residents on the rescue , which he said underscored the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutual help.
” In May 2018 , a young Malian migrant rescued a child dangling from a balcony and was offered French citizenship .
Video of the rescue showed 22-year-old Mamoudou Gassama climbing up four floors of the apartment building in just seconds to rescue the child , to cheers from onlookers .
By the time Parisian emergency services arrived at the building , he had already pulled the child to safety .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Police in riot gear clear NYC’s ‘Occupy City Hall’ camp

NEW YORK - Police in riot gear moved in early Wednesday to clear a month-long encampment of protesters and homeless people from a park near New York ’ s City Hall .
A line of officers with helmets and shields entered City Hall Park shortly before 4 a.m. and forced the remaining people who were camped there out .
At least seven people were arrested .
Charges were pending .
The encampment in City Hall Park started last month forming following weeks of protests sparked by the May death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a national “ defund the police ” movement seeking to redirect funds from policing to community needs like housing and education .
Mayor Bill de Blasio , a Democrat , had resisted calls to move the protesters out of the park that adjoins the historic building where he works .
Asked about it Tuesday , de Blasio cited “ a balance we always strike between the right to protest and especially public safety.
” He added , “ That decision will be made by the NYPD as things emerge .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
But again , I think we look at the specific facts of what ’ s going on and then decisions will be made day by day.
“ De Blasio said Wednesday he ’ ll resist any effort by President Donald Trump to send federal officers to New York as the president has done in Portland and has threatened to do in other cities .
De Blasio said on MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe ” that if Trump sends officers to the city , “ We will be in court immediately @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Bodies of young Afghans who died seeking asylum brought home

KABUL - The bodies of five Afghans who died when their boat crowded with migrants capsized in stormy weather in a lake in eastern Turkey last month were returned home to Afghanistan on Wednesday .
The five were among 29 Afghans whose bodies have been recovered after their boat sank in Lake Van , said Foreign Ministry spokesman Gran Hewad .
The lake , largest in eastern Turkey , lies close to the border with Iran .
The other migrants were mostly from Pakistan and Iran , according to the Turkish authorities .
Hashmatullah Noor was at the Kabul airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his 19-year-old niece and nephew .
He lost 10 relatives , all of them under 22 years old , in the tragedy .
He bemoaned the sorry state of Afghanistan , ravaged by war that has driven so many young people to flee .
“ There are no jobs , only war .
Our young people have no choice but to leave , “ Noor said .
“ They go in hopes of getting somewhere to find a job and sometimes they die trying.
” The boat was reported missing in stormy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated it was carrying between 55 and 60 migrants when it went down .
Turkish authorities believe smugglers transport migrants across Lake Van to avoid several police and military checkpoints on the traditional transit routes used to traffic migrants crossing into Turkey from Iran .
Turkey , which hosts about 3.7 million Syrian refugees , is a main crossing point for migrants trying to reach Europe .
Turkish authorities have detained five people in connection with the tragedy and have removed a local administrator from office .
Afghan Ministry of Repatriation and Refugees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 35,000 Afghans applied for asylum in the European Union last year .
He could not say how many had fled to Turkey .
Mawladad , who like many Afghans uses only one name , was at Kabul airport to take the body of his 15-year old son .
He said the last time he saw him was on May 27 when they said goodbye .
“ I sent him , I had no other choice but to send him because all we have here is war and unemployment , ” Mawladad said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his home district of Jalrez in Afghanistan ’ s central Wardak province .
In December of last year , a boat carrying migrants from Pakistan , Bangladesh and Afghanistan sank in Lake Van .
Seven people died and 64 were rescued in that incident .
According to the European border guard agency Frontex , almost 9,300 migrants tried to illegally enter Europe in the first six months of 2020 , which is 73 % more than in the same period in 2019 .
Of those , 17 % were Afghans .
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Germany: More details emerge of forest fugitive’s flight

BERLIN - A man accused of disarming four police officers at gunpoint and hiding in Germany ’ s Black Forest for more than five days says he took no food when he fled , largely switched off his cellphone and spent his time in ditches and holes , authorities said Wednesday .
The 31-year-old suspect , Yves Rausch , was arrested on Friday after sightings by two witnesses .
The drama started the previous Sunday when police were alerted to a suspicious person carrying a bow and arrow .
Officers conducted an ID check on the man at a hut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said Rausch initially co-operated but suddenly pulled a gun , threatening the officers and forcing them to hand over their service weapons .
Nobody was injured .
The incident triggered a manhunt that involved more than 2,530 officers .
The suspect after his arrest said he had hurriedly packed the four weapons and other “ essentials ” and fled into the forest , police and prosecutors said in a statement Wednesday .
He didn ’ t take food .
He said he noticed a police helicopter and assumed that a search was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that he couldn ’ t be located .
Rausch stayed in the forest around the small town of Oppenau in southwestern Germany for most of the time , moving mainly at night and sheltering in ditches and holes during the day , the statement said .
“ His dietary intake was limited mainly to water , ” it said .
A document found on the suspect appears to be a personal letter he wrote to relatives in case something happened to him , police and prosecutors said .
Rausch lost his apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address since then , authorities have said .
Wednesday ’ s statement didn ’ t cast new light on the reason for his actions .
It said that , after giving extensive information immediately after his arrest , he remained silent in subsequent formal questioning and during an appearance last weekend before a judge .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--US signs contract with Pfizer for COVID-19 vaccine doses

WASHINGTON - Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced Wednesday that the U.S. has signed a contract with Pfizer for delivery in December of the first 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine the pharmaceutical company is working to develop .
The U.S. could buy another 500 million doses under the agreement , Azar said .
“ Now those would , of course , have to be safe and effective ” and be approved by the Food and Drug Administration , Azar said during an appearance on Fox News .
Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced separately that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department for a vaccine candidate the companies are developing jointly .
The agreement is part of President Donald Trump ’ s Operation Warp Speed vaccine program , under which multiple COVID-19 vaccines are being developed simultaneously .
The program aims to deliver 300 million doses of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine by January 2021 , according to HHS .
Under the initiative , the government will speed development and buy vaccines — before they are deemed safe and effective — so that the medication can be in hand and quickly distributed once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use .
Pfizer and BioNTech said the U.S. will pay $ 1.95 billion upon receipt of the first 100 million doses , following FDA authorization or approval .
Azar said the contract with Pfizer and BioNTech brings to five the number of potential coronavirus vaccines that are under development .
Trump said Tuesday at a briefing that “ the vaccines are coming , and they ’ re coming a lot sooner than anyone thought possible , by years.
” But other countries are also scrambling to get their hands on a vaccine for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 617,000 people , according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
Nearly 4 million Americans have been infected by the new coronavirus and at least 142,000 have died from COVID-19 , the disease it causes , according to Johns Hopkins .
Britain announced Monday it had secured access to another 90 million experimental COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and others , a move some campaigners warned could worsen a global scramble by rich countries to hoard the world ’ s limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines .
Nearly two dozen potential vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worldwide , with a handful entering necessary late-stage testing to prove effectiveness .

Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Trump has been on both sides of the states’ rights argument

WASHINGTON - When it comes to states ’ rights , President Donald Trump is all over the map .
To battle the coronavirus , he ’ s told states they ’ re largely on their own .
But when it comes to stamping out protests in cities led by Democrats , Trump is sending in federal troops and agents — even when local leaders are begging him to butt out .
It ’ s a driven-by-expedience approach that ’ s been a hallmark of his stormy presidency , one that has little to do with ideology and more to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in the White House for three and a half years , anyone expecting to find classical ideological consistency is bound to be mistaken , “ said Andrew J. Polsky , a political science professor at Hunter College .
“ All of this is done for partisan political purposes with an eye toward the election.
” For months now as he ’ s tried to skirt responsibility for the nation ’ s flawed response to the coronavirus , Trump has put the onus on states , first to acquire protective gear and testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact tracing .
“ The federal government is not supposed to be out there buying vast amounts of items and then shipping .
You know , we ’ re not a shipping clerk , ” Trump said in March when testing in the U.S. severely lagged behind other countries and governors were pleading for help as they competed against one another on the open market .
Just a month later , Trump flipped to asserting vast executive authority as he pushed states to reopen their economies fast .
“ When somebody is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority is total , ” he declared in April , in an inaccurate interpretation of the Constitution .
He quickly reversed course , saying he ’ d leave reopening plans up to the states , but continued to threaten to intervene if he didn ’ t like what they were doing .
Now , he ’ s pressuring schools to fully reopen in September , saying he ’ ll pull funding from school districts that continue to keep kids home .
That approach stands in stark contract with Trump ’ s view of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mantle under which he ’ s decided to run his 2020 race .
After National Guard troops were deployed to Washington , D.C. , to quell protests near the White House following the police killing of George Floyd , the Department of Homeland Security now has agents patrolling Portland , Oregon , to protect federal buildings , despite pleas from the mayor , governor and local activists to leave .
And DHS is poised to deploy about 150 Homeland Security Investigations agents to Chicago to bolster local law enforcement , according to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who wasn ’ t authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity .
“ Keep your troops in your own buildings , or have them leave our city , ” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Friday .
“ We are trying to help Portland , not hurt it , “ Trump tweeted in response .
“ Their leadership has , for months , lost control of the anarchists and agitators .
They are missing in action .
We must protect Federal property , AND OUR PEOPLE.
” Chad Wolf , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created after the Sept. 11 attacks to protect the country from terrorist threats , said Monday on Fox News the agency had every right to protect some 9,000 federal facilities across the country .
“ I don ’ t need invitations by the state , state mayors or state governors to do our job , “ Wolf said .
” We ’ re going to do that , whether they like us there or not.
” But Jann Carson , interim executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using munitions and abducting people in unmarked vans have escalated tensions and made the situation worse .
“ What the federal agents are doing in Portland should concern people everywhere in the United States , “ she said .
“ We know that the president is trying to change the narrative ( and say ) that cities like Portland are in crisis , that he ’ s got to send in federal agents to bring about law and order , and that couldn ’ t be further from the truth .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ But he is not bringing law and order .
This is lawlessness and needs to be stopped.
” Oregon ’ s two U.S. senators and two of its House members have demanded U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Wolf immediately withdraw “ these federal paramilitary forces from our state.
” And top leaders in the U.S. House said Sunday they ’ ve called on federal inspectors general to investigate .
Still , Jennifer Selin , an assistant professor of constitutional democracy at the University of Missouri whose work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the separation of powers , said that , while Trump has been unusually blatant in his efforts , presidents have relied on politicized interpretations of federalism since George Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion over taxes .
Selin pointed to the 1950s and 1960s as the country grappled with the extent to which it should be up to states to integrate schools and allocate housing .
“ I think that the short answer is that federalism can be used strategically and politically , which , to be 100 % honest , is nothing new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , when it comes to the virus , Trump has attempted “ to displace responsibility for dealing with the pandemic onto states , onto governors .
I don ’ t think that was driven by ideology .
I think that was driven by wanting to keep responsibility as far from him as possible.
” But when it comes to law enforcement , Polsky sees an attempt to stoke “ unrest in sites that can then be broadcast on television , at least in the conservative and right-wing media ” to rouse the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believing a strong approach is needed .
“ It ’ s selective federalism , ” added Julian Zelizer , a historian at Princeton University .
“ I think obviously when it comes to closing and how to do reopening , he has been incredibly hands-off ... he hasn ’ t used his presidential hand in ways that he could have .
And then you have protests in the city of Portland , which really shouldn ’ t be a centre of discussion right now , and then you have these troops being sent.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s no logic to it , “ Zelizer said — other than what may serve his political interests .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--UN agencies warn of more food shortages in war-torn Yemen

CAIRO - U.N. agencies warned Wednesday that food shortages will rise sharply in parts of war-torn Yemen in the next six months , mainly because of the overall economic decline and the pandemic that has ripped through the Arab world ’ s poorest country .
A report by the World Food Program , the U.N. Children ’ s Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organization said the number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity is expected to increase from 2 million to 3.2 million in the country ’ s south .
Yemen has been the site of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mostly because of the war that pits the country ’ s Houthi rebels against a Saudi-led coalition fighting on the side of the internationally recognized government .
Economic shocks , conflict , floods , desert locusts and now COVID-19 are creating a perfect storm that could reverse hard-earned food security gains in Yemen , the report said .
“ Yemen is facing a crisis on multiple fronts , ” said Laurent Bukera , the WFP director for Yemen .
“ We must act now .
In 2019 , thanks to a massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reverse the deterioration in the worst hit areas of Yemen.
” Yemen ’ s conflict has killed more than 100,000 people and created the world ’ s worst humanitarian disaster , with more than 3 million people internally displaced and two-thirds of the population reliant on food assistance for survival .
Donor countries recently cut back on aid to Yemen amid the coronavirus pandemic and also due to concerns that the aid might not be reaching intended recipients in territories controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis .
“ Yemen is again on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
...
Unless we receive the funding we need now , we won ’ t be able to do the same this time , ” said Lise Grande , the U.N. humanitarian co-ordinator for Yemen .
She said the U.N. agencies faced the similar situation 18 months ago , but they were “ generously funded ” and “ prevented a famine.
” Some 24 million Yemeni people , which is 80 % of the country ’ s entire population , require some form of assistance or protection , according to the U.N. Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or OCHA .
And 75 % of U.N. programs for the country , covering essentially every sector , from food to health care and nutrition , have already shut their doors or reduced operations .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--South Asia floods displace millions, kill 550

DHAKA , Bangladesh - More than 9.6 million people across South Asia have been affected by severe floods , with hundreds of thousands struggling to get food and medicine , officials and aid organizations said Wednesday .
About 550 people have died in India , Bangladesh and Nepal , while millions have been displaced from their homes since the flooding began last month , said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies , or IFRC .
The organization warned of a humanitarian crisis , saying that close to one third of Bangladesh has already been flooded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
It said that 2.8 million people have been affected , and that more than 1 million are isolated .
In India , over 6.8 million people have been affected by the flooding , mainly in the northern states of Assam , West Bengal , Bihar and Meghalaya bordering Bangladesh , the IFRC said , citing official figures .
In India ’ s northeastern state of Assam alone , some 2.5 million people were affected and at least 113 have died , authorities said .
M.S .
Manivannan , head of Assam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many rivers were still flowing above the danger level .
More than 100 animals , mostly deer , have died in floods that have submerged Kaziranga National Park , 225 kilometres ( 139 miles ) east of the state capital , Gauhati .
More rain is expected in the next few days .
In Bangladesh , experts say this year ’ s monsoon is going to last longer than usual because more waters are expected to rush in from upstream India , which shares 53 common rivers with downstream Bangladesh .
Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forecasting and Warning Center , said floodwaters were not expected to start receding before the second week of August .
In Kurigram , one of the worst affected districts in northern Bangladesh , thousands of people took shelter at higher ground , leaving their homes and belongings behind .
“ Many people are not having three meals a day , “ Mizanur Rahman Soikat , a volunteer for the Bidyanondo Foundation , a local charity , said by phone .
” The government and volunteer groups are trying to give them food and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep track of the affected people because of rising waters.
” Jagan Chapagain , secretary general of the IFRC , said South Asia could face a humanitarian crisis .
“ People in Bangladesh , India and Nepal are sandwiched in a triple disaster of flooding , the coronavirus and an associated socioeconomic crisis of loss of livelihoods and jobs , “ he said .
” Flooding of farmlands and destruction of crops can push millions of people , already badly impacted by COVID-19 , further into poverty , ”

Julhas Alam And Wasbir Hussain - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Ohio speaker’s arrest in bribery probe muddies 2020 election

COLUMBUS , Ohio - The arrest of Ohio ’ s House speaker on federal bribery charges has suddenly thrown a shadow over not just his political future , but that of his party , in a state where Republicans have been preparing to solidify control .
Federal prosecutors say Republican Speaker Larry Householder and four others — including a former state GOP chairman — perpetrated a $ 60 million federal bribery scheme connected to a taxpayer-funded bailout of Ohio ’ s two nuclear power plants .
How many others got caught up in the sweeping probe is yet to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatens to unfurl the GOP ’ s tight hold on Ohio ’ s governing body , which is set to draw new congressional maps in 2021 in one of the country ’ s most gerrymandered states .
The chance to control Ohio ’ s representation in Washington for the next decade has put flipping at least some legislative seats on Democrats ’ national radar .
The scandal ’ s potential political fallout for Republicans was evidenced by the swift rebukes of Householder by politicians and party leaders alike .
Practically before he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a who ’ s who of top Republican brass was calling for Householder ’ s resignation .
They included Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine , Lt. Gov .
Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost .
An angry GOP Chair Jane Timken went further .
Emphasizing that Republicans stand for “ accountability and rule of law , ” she distanced the organization from Householder and hinted that Democrats who participated in his bipartisan election to the speakership should share culpability for placing him in power .
“ When Mr. Householder worked closely with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes necessary to become Speaker , I realized that he does things his own way , ” she said .
“ He will now face his own reckoning.
” While loosening the GOP ’ s grip on the Ohio Legislature is a big job — Republicans control 61 of 99 House seats and 24 of 33 Senate seats — Householder ’ s arrest could give a boost to Democrats ’ hopes .
Before the afternoon was out , Democrats had begun soliciting political donations in support of the GOP ’ s ouster , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture of corruption ” they blamed on one-party rule .
“ Our greatest hope for Ohio is that those officials who have defrauded the taxpayers and abused the people ’ s trust finally have a moment of accountability , whether that comes from the legal system or at the ballot box this November , ” Ohio Democratic Chairman David Pepper said in a statement .
Among U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers ’ allegations is that Householder used millions of dollars caught up in the scheme to fund his own campaign and the campaigns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative newcomers who would eventually support his bid for the speakership .
Those 21 candidates — who ran in the 2018 primary and general elections — were not named in the complaint , but DeVillers did not rule out future charges in the probe .
“ This is by no means over , ” he told reporters Tuesday .
The remaining members of Householder ’ s leadership team issued a statement saying no other member of the Ohio General Assembly was under investigation , to their knowledge , in relation to the probe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Republican congressional candidates in tight districts that Democrats believe they could swing this fall .
U.S. Rep .
Troy Balderson , a first-term GOP congressman who won a narrow victory in 2018 , joined the chorus of Republicans seeking Householder ’ s resignation .
He said “ holding public office is a high honour and should be treated as such ” and that the allegations against Householder , if true , are “ shocking.
” The arrests come as former Democratic Vice-President Joe Biden has seen a boost in the polls and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided states like Ohio , which Republican President Donald Trump won handily in 2016 .
Still , the cast of characters caught up in the government ’ s bribery investigation reflects Ohio ’ s political complexities when it comes to Trump .
Householder is a Trump supporter whose caucus includes one member who refused to have her temperature taken before entering the Statehouse and another who urged the public not to get tested for COVID-19 .
He wore a mask for the first time in public Tuesday .
A political maverick who harbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participated in conservative pushback against DeWine over his early aggressive moves against the coronavirus .
The speaker backed legislation that would have undercut the DeWine administration ’ s power to enforce its virus-related health orders .
DeWine vetoed the bill Friday .
Borges , on the other hand , has jumped ship on Trump .
An ally for former Republican Gov .
John Kasich , an outspoken Trump detractor expected to speak at the Democratic National Convention , Borges was recently censured by the GOP ’ s state central committee for helping launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Trump this fall .
In her statement , Timken called on Borges to “ stop lobbying and end all of his association with the efforts to assist former governor John Kasich and elect Joe Biden president .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Powerful quake jolts Alaska towns, produces small tsunami

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - A powerful earthquake off Alaska ’ s southern coast jolted coastal communities late Tuesday , and some residents briefly scrambled for higher ground over fears of a tsunami .
There were no immediate reports of damage in the sparsely populated area of the state , and the tsunami warning was cancelled after the magnitude 7.8 quake off the Alaska Peninsula produced a wave of a less than a foot .
According to the U.S. Geological Survey , the earthquake struck Tuesday at 10:12 p.m. local time and was centred in waters 65 miles ( 105 kilometres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perryville , at a depth of 17 miles ( 28 km ) .
Because of the temblor ’ s location , nearby communities along the Alaska Peninsula did not experience shaking that would normally be associated with that magnitude of a quake , said Michael West , Alaska State Seismologist .
That doesn ’ t mean they slept through it , West said residents in small towns within a hundred miles ( 160 kilometres ) of the quake reported very strong shaking .
Some shaking was also felt more than 500 miles ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , West said .
“ No reports of any damage , ” Kodiak Police Sgt .
Mike Sorter said early Wednesday morning .
“ No injuries were reported .
Everything is nominal.
” Kodiak is about 200 miles ( 320 kilometres ) northeast of where the earthquake was centred .
The tsunami warning prompted coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground , with social media posts showing long lines of people fleeing towns like Homer and Kodiak as tsunami sirens wailed in the background .
On Kodiak Island , the local high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuees , the Anchorage Daily News reported .
“ We ’ ve got a high school full of people , ” said Larry LeDoux , superintendent of the Kodiak School District .
“ I ’ ve been passing out masks since the first siren sounded , ” he told the Daily News .
“ Everything ’ s as calm as can be .
We ’ ve got probably 300 , 400 people all wearing masks , ” he said before the warning was cancelled .
Tsunami warnings are commonplace for people who grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been doing these since I was a little kid , ” LeDoux told the newspaper .
“ Old news.
” Officials at the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer , Alaska , began calling off tsunami advisories and warnings after a wave of less than 1 foot ( 30 centimetres ) was recorded in the community of Sand Point .
“ I might have expected a little bit more water , but I ’ m happy that there wasn ’ t , ” said David Hale , the senior duty scientist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quake was more powerful than the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that caused damage in the Anchorage area in November 2018 .
“ This earthquake released about 15 times as much energy as that earthquake , said West , the state seismologist .
More than a dozen aftershocks of magnitude 4.0 or higher were reported immediately after the earthquake , he said from the Alaska Earthquake Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks .
” We got people here who are going be working all night , ” West said early Wednesday morning .
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go and go.
” The Alaska-Aleutian Trench was also where a magnitude 9.2 quake in 1964 was centred .
That remains the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded .
The temblor and ensuing tsunami caused widespread damage and killed 131 people , some as far away as Oregon and California .
Alaska is the most actively seismic state .
Nearly 25,000 earthquakes have been recorded in Alaska since Jan. 1 , according to the centre .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Social media heroes: Afghan teen, her brother fought Taliban

KABUL - An Afghan teenager and her younger brother are being hailed as heroes on social media after reportedly fighting off Taliban militants who killed their parents during a firefight last week in central Afghanistan .
Following the attack and the social media attention the incident triggered , the children were being brought to the capital , Kabul , to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani , possibly later on Wednesday .
The Associated Press could not confirm the reports and the children and the officials accompanying them on the trip to Kabul could not be immediately reached for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ghor province where the incident took place , said 16-year-old Qamar Gul and her younger brother , 12-year-old Habibullah , are modern-day champions in the fight against the Taliban .
According to reports , dozens of Taliban fighters stormed the village of Geriveh in the Taywara district where Gul and her brother were living with their parents .
It wasn ’ t clear what the reason for the raid was ; some reports said the Taliban came to extort “ taxes “ from the villagers .
During the raid , three of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s home , grabbed and pulled Gul ’ s parents outside .
The Taliban “ took both my father and mother out and shot them in front of my eyes , “ Gul told reporters on Tuesday at the governor ’ s office in Feroz Koh , the provincial capital .
The teen recounted how she and her brother , who had been asleep when the attack started , each grabbed a gun their father had kept in the house and started shooting .
“ I had no choice but to take my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , “ she said .
“ Two were killed and another of them was wounded.
” She said she kept shooting until the other villagers came , at which point the Taliban fled .
Why Gul ’ s parents were targeted remains unclear , said Aber , who described the children ’ s father as a government supporter who had in the past stood up to Taliban tax collectors who plundered the villages .
Zabihullah Mujahid , a Taliban spokesman , denied the report .
He said the Taliban last week attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Taywara .
Two of their fighters were wounded in the gunbattle with local forces , he said .
No one was killed .
Taywara is under government control but has not been immune to Taliban incursions in the past , Aber said .
Fearing another attack that would go after the children , the authorities moved them to Feroz Koh .
Meanwhile , a photograph of Gul holding an AK-47 — presumably her father ’ s — has gone viral , triggering a flurry of praise and admiration for the teenager .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said one post .
The Taliban have stepped up attacks across Afghanistan despite signing a peace deal with the United States in February .
That agreement was intended to pave the way for talks between the insurgents and the government in Kabul , leading to an end to decades of war .
Those talks were supposed to begin this month , but the process has stalled over the implementation of a prisoner release detailed in the U.S.-Taliban deal .
The peace deal called for the Afghan government to free 5,000 Taliban prisoners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captive government personnel .
So far , the government has freed more than 4,200 and the Taliban have freed around 800 .
On Tuesday night , a Taliban suicide bomber targeted Afghan troops in southern Helmand province ’ s Gareshk district , killing two soldiers and wounding six , the defence ministry said .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Ethiopia’s leader hails 1st filling of massive, disputed dam

ADDIS ABABA , Ethiopia - Ethiopia ’ s prime minister on Wednesday hailed the first filling of a massive dam that has led to tensions with Egypt , saying two turbines will begin generating power next year .
Abiy Ahmed ’ s statement , read out on state media outlets , came a day after he and the leaders of Egypt and Sudan reported progress on an elusive agreement on the operation of the $ 4.6 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam , the largest in Africa .
The first filling of the dam ’ s reservoir , which Ethiopia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ has shown to the rest of the world that our country could stand firm with its two legs from now onwards , ” Abiy ’ s statement said .
“ We have successfully completed the first dam filling without bothering and hurting anyone else .
Now the dam is overflowing downstream.
” The dam will reach full power generating capacity in 2023 , the statement said : “ Now we have to finish the remaining construction and diplomatic issues.
” Ethiopia ’ s prime minister on Tuesday said the countries had reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way for a breakthrough agreement.
” Meanwhile , new satellite images showed the water level in the reservoir at its highest in at least four years , adding fresh urgency to the talks .
Ethiopia has said it would begin filling the reservoir this month even without a deal as the rainy season floods the Blue Nile .
But the Tuesday statement said leaders agreed to pursue “ further technical discussions on the filling ... and proceed to a comprehensive agreement.
” The dispute centres on the use of the storied Nile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ethiopia says the colossal dam offers a critical opportunity to pull millions of its nearly 110 million citizens out of poverty and become a major power exporter .
Downstream Egypt , which depends on the Nile to supply its farmers and booming population of 100 million with fresh water , asserts that the dam poses an existential threat .
Sudan is in the middle .
Negotiators have said key questions remain about how much water Ethiopia will release downstream if a multi-year drought occurs and how the countries will resolve any future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final stage .
Sudanese Irrigation Minister Yasser Abbas on Tuesday told reporters that once the agreement has been solidified , Ethiopia will retain the right to amend some figures relating to the dam ’ s operation during drought periods .
Abbas also said the leaders agreed on Ethiopia ’ s right to build additional reservoirs and other projects as long as it notifies the downstream countries , in line with international law .
“ There are other sticking points , but if we agree on this basic principle , the other points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Years of talks with a variety of mediators , including the Trump administration , have failed to produce a solution .


thetorontostar--2020-07-22--Child abduction, forced labour scandal widens in south Mexico

MEXICO CITY - A scandal involving the abduction and exploitation of young children in a colonial Mexican city popular with tourists widened Wednesday when prosecutors released additional evidence that an adult apparently used other children to help kidnap a missing 2-year-old boy .
The search for Dylan Esaú Gómez Pérez led prosecutors in southern Chiapas state , on the Guatemalan border , to a house in San Cristobal de las Casas where 23 abducted children were being kept in deplorable conditions and forced to sell trinkets and handicrafts in the street .
But Dylan , who turns 3 in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveillance cameras , state prosecutor Jorge Llaven said that a boy and a girl , both apparently around 12 , were seen talking to a woman who is a suspect in the June 30 abduction .
Llaven identified the woman as only as “ Ofelia , ” and offered a $ 13,500 reward for information about the location of her or the missing boy .
In photos from cameras , the boy and the girl enter the public market where Dylan ’ s mother worked in the colonial city .
Dylan appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girl takes Dylan by the back of the jacket and walks out of the market with him .
The girl is later seen returning alone , apparently having handed the missing boy over to someone else .
Llaven said Tuesday that a search carried out Monday , apparently related to Dylan ’ s disappearance , had revealed a house where children — most between 2 and 15 years old , but three infants aged between 3 and 20 months — were forced to sell things on the street .
“ Moreover , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimum amount of money for the right to get food and a place to sleep at the house , ” Llaven said .
San Cristobal is a picturesque , heavily Indigenous city that is popular among tourists .
It is not unusual to see children and adults hawking local crafts like carvings and embroidered cloth on its narrow cobblestone streets .
But few visitors to the city suspected that some of the kids doing the selling had been snatched from their families .
The Chiapas state prosecutors ’ office said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and psychological violence to sell handicrafts in the centre of the city , ” adding the kids showed signs of “ malnutrition and precarious conditions.
” According to video presented by the prosecutors , many of them slept on what appeared to be sheets of cardboard and blankets on a cement floor .
Three other women have been detained in that case and may face human trafficking and forced labour charges .
Dylan was with his mother , Juana Pérez , at the market on the day he was snatched .
Pérez , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to help find her son , works at the market selling fruit and vegetables .
She said her son would sometimes wander off to play , but that no children had ever been snatched from the market before .
The boy ’ s father emigrated to California to find work , and thus Pérez , 23 , has had to care for Dylan and his sister by herself .