thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Minneapolis police station torched amid George Floyd protest

MINNEAPOLIS - Cheering protesters torched a Minneapolis police station that the department abandoned as three days of violent protests spread to nearby St. Paul and angry demonstrations flared across the U.S over the death of George Floyd , a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer kneeled on his neck .
A police spokesman confirmed late Thursday that staff had evacuated the 3rd Precinct station , the focus of many of the protests , “ in the interest of the safety of our personnel “ shortly after 10 p.m. Livestream video showed the protesters entering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sprinklers ran as blazes were set .
Protesters could be seen setting fire to a Minneapolis Police Department jacket .
Late Thursday , President Donald Trump blasted the “ total lack of leadership ” in Minneapolis .
“ Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way .
Any difficulty and we will assume control but , when the looting starts , the shooting starts , ” he said on Twitter .
Trump , who called protesters in Minneapolis “ thugs , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetoric , saying it violated the platform ’ s rules about “ glorifying violence.
” A visibly tired and frustrated Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey made his first public appearance of the night at City Hall near 2 a.m. Friday and took responsibility for evacuating the precinct , saying it had become too dangerous for officers there .
As Frey continued , a reporter cut across loudly with a question : “ What ’ s the plan here ?
” “ With regard to ?
” Frey responded .
Then he added : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anger right now in our city .
I understand that ... What we have seen over the past several hours and past couple of nights here in terms of looting is unacceptable.
” He defended the city ’ s lack of engagement with looters — only a handful of arrests across the first two nights of violence — and said , “ We are doing absolutely everything that we can to keep the peace.
” He said National Guard members were being stationed in locations to help stem looting , including banks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning , the Minnesota State Patrol arrested a CNN television crew as they reported on the unrest in Minneapolis .
While live on air , CNN reporter Omar Jimenez was handcuffed and led away .
A producer and a photojournalist for CNN were also led away in handcuffs .
CNN said on Twitter that the arrests were “ a clear violation of their First Amendment rights ” and called for their immediate release .
Thick smoke rose over the city as fires burned Friday morning .
Firefighters worked to contain a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to streets where businesses had been damaged .
They marched side by side and block by block as they expanded a perimeter around a heavily damaged area .
Protests first erupted Tuesday , a day after Floyd ’ s death in a confrontation with police captured on widely seen citizen video .
On the video , Floyd can be seen pleading as Officer Derek Chauvin presses his knee against him .
As minutes pass , Floyd slowly stops talking and moving .
The 3rd Precinct covers the portion of south Minneapolis where Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Guard at the Minneapolis mayor ’ s request .
The Guard tweeted minutes after the precinct burned that it had activated more than 500 soldiers across the metro area .
A couple dozen Guard members , armed with assault-style rifles , blocked a street Friday morning near a Target store that has sustained heavy damage by looters .
The Guard said a “ key objective ” was to make sure fire departments could respond to calls , and said in a follow-up tweet it was “ here with the Minneapolis Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move was made to put out the 3rd Precinct fire .
Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner said fire crews could not safely respond to fires at the precinct station and some surrounding buildings .
Earlier Thursday , dozens of businesses across the Twin Cities boarded up their windows and doors in an effort to prevent looting , with Minneapolis-based Target announcing it was temporarily closing two dozen area stores .
Minneapolis shut down nearly its entire light-rail system and all bus service through Sunday out of safety concerns .
In St. Paul , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as police armed with batons and wearing gas masks and body armour kept a watchful eye on protesters along one of the city ’ s main commercial corridors , where firefighters also sprayed water onto a series of small fires .
At one point , officers stood in line in front of a Target , trying to keep out looters , who were also smashing windows of other businesses .
Hundreds of demonstrators returned Thursday to the Minneapolis neighbourhood at the centre of the violence , where the nighttime scene veered between an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At one point , a band playing in a parking lot across from the 3rd Precinct broke into a punk version of Bob Marley ’ s “ Redemption Song.
“ Nearby , demonstrators carried clothing mannequins from a looted Target and threw them onto a burning car .
Later , a building fire erupted nearby .
But elsewhere in Minneapolis , thousands of peaceful demonstrators marched through the streets calling for justice .
Floyd ’ s death has deeply shaken Minneapolis and sparked protests in cities across the U.S. Local leaders have repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please stay home .
Please do not come here to protest .
Please keep the focus on George Floyd , on advancing our movement and on preventing this from ever happening again , ” tweeted St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter , who is black .
Erika Atson , 20 , was among thousands of people who gathered outside government offices in downtown Minneapolis , where organizers had called for a peaceful protest .
Many protesters wore masks because of the coronavirus pandemic , but there were few attempts at social distancing .
Atson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her 14- and 11-year-old brothers tackled by Minneapolis police years ago because officers mistakenly presumed the boys had guns .
She said she had been at “ every single protest ” since Floyd ’ s death and worried about raising children who could be vulnerable in police encounters .
“ We don ’ t want to be here fighting against anyone .
We don ’ t want anyone to be hurt .
We don ’ t want to cause any damages , ” she said .
“ We just want the police officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marched peacefully for three hours before another confrontation with police broke out , though details were scarce .
After calling in the Guard , Walz urged widespread changes in the wake of Floyd ’ s death .
“ It is time to rebuild .
Rebuild the city , rebuild our justice system and rebuild the relationship between law enforcement and those they ’ re charged to protect , ” Walz said .
Much of the Minneapolis violence occurred in the Longfellow neighbourhood , where protesters converged on the precinct station of the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mall across the street from the 3rd Precinct station , the windows in nearly every business had been smashed , from the large Target department store at one end to the Planet Fitness gym at the other .
Only the 24-hour laundromat appeared to have escaped unscathed .
“ WHY US ?
” demanded a large expanse of red graffiti scrawled on the wall of the Target .
A Wendy ’ s restaurant across the street was charred almost beyond recognition .
Among the casualties of the overnight fires : a six-story building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 apartments of affordable housing .
“ We ’ re burning our own neighbourhood , ” said a distraught Deona Brown , a 24-year-old woman standing with a friend outside the precinct station , where a small group of protesters were shouting at a dozen or so stone-faced police officers in riot gear .
“ This is where we live , where we shop , and they destroyed it.
” No officers could be seen beyond the station .
“ What that cop did was wrong , but I ’ m scared now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowd saw something different in the wreckage .
Protesters destroyed property “ because the system is broken , ” said a young man who identified himself only by his nickname , Cash , and who said he had been in the streets during the violence .
He dismissed the idea that the destruction would hurt residents of the largely black neighbourhood .
“ They ’ re making money off of us , ” he said angrily of the owners of the destroyed stores .
He laughed when asked if he had joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I didn ’ t break anything.
” The protests that began Wednesday night and extended into Thursday were more violent than Tuesday ’ s , which included skirmishes between officers and protesters but no widespread property damage .
Protests have also spread to other U.S. cities .
In New York City , protesters defied New York ’ s coronavirus prohibition on public gatherings Thursday , clashing with police , while demonstrators blocked traffic in downtown Denver and downtown Columbus .
A day earlier , demonstrators had taken to the streets in Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police confirmed that at least seven people had been shot Thursday night as protesters demanded justice for Breonna Taylor , a black woman who was fatally shot by police in her home in March .
Anger over the killing also has spread in Africa , where the head of the African Union Commission on Friday rejected “ continuing discriminatory practices against black citizens of the USA.
” In a series of tweets , Moussa Faki Mahamat urged the “ total elimination ” of all forms of racism in the U.S .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls to resign following his remarks about Floyd ’ s death .
The Republican on Twitter asked “ Why in the world would anyone choose to become a police officer in our society today ?
” and in a follow-up tweet said he “ didn ’ t see anything unreasonable.
“ Amid the violence in Minneapolis , a man was found fatally shot Wednesday night near a pawn shop , possibly by the owner , authorities said .
Fire crews responded to about 30 intentionally set blazes on Wednesday , and multiple fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projectiles , the fire department said .
No one was hurt by the blazes .
The city on Thursday released a transcript of the 911 call that brought police to the grocery store where Floyd was arrested .
The caller described someone paying with a counterfeit bill , with workers rushing outside to find the man sitting on a van .
The caller described the man as “ awfully drunk and he ’ s not in control of himself.
” Asked by the 911 operator whether the man was “ under the influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Something like that , yes .
He is not acting right.
” Police said Floyd matched the caller ’ s description of the suspect .
The U.S. Attorney ’ s Office and the FBI in Minneapolis said Thursday they were conducting “ a robust criminal investigation ” into the death .
Trump has said he had asked an investigation to be expedited .
The FBI is also investigating whether Floyd ’ s civil rights were violated .
Chauvin , the officer who kneeled on Floyd ’ s neck , was fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the arrest .
The next day , the mayor called for Chauvin to be criminally charged .
He also appealed for the activation of the National Guard .
Associated Press writers Steve Karnowski , Jeff Baenen and Doug Glass in Minneapolis , and Gretchen Ehlke in Milwaukee contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Hungary commemorates victims of 2019 Danube boat catastrophe

BUDAPEST , Hungary - Commemorations were held Friday in Hungary for the anniversary of an accident on the Danube River in which over two dozen South Korean tourists died after their tour boat collided with a river cruise ship .
At least 25 out of 33 South Korean tourists died when the Hableany ( Mermaid ) boat capsized and sank on the night of May 29 , 2019 .
The boat ’ s two-man Hungarian crew also died , while a female South Korean tourist is still missing .
In a ceremony organized by the operators of the Hableany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a boat near the site of the catastrophe , close to the Hungarian neo-Gothic parliament in Budapest .
Later , a memorial event with authorities from Hungary and South Korea took place on the banks of the Danube by the foot of the Margit Bride , where the Hableany was hit from behind and practically pushed underwater in a few seconds by the Viking Sigyn river cruise ship .
The event began with a minute of silence .
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Sziijjarto said a memorial to those who died would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once the relatives of the victims approved the design .
“ We naturally hold the victims in our hearts and we will never forget the day of the tragedy , ” Szijjarto said .
“ At the same time , I have to tell you that this horrible tragedy , this accident , has strengthened the friendship of the Hungarian and Korean nations.
” South Korea ’ s ambassador to Hungary spoke about the grief of the victims ’ relatives .
“ Although a year has passed , the shock and the wounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Ambassador Choe Kyoo-sik said .
“ The family members who since then live with the pain of not being able to get back their relatives who visited Hungary , are still in pain in Korea.
” The ambassador , the foreign minister and Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony all spoke also about the need to bring to justice anyone responsible for the catastrophe .
“ It is even more painful and terrible in the tragedy of the Hableany , that it was caused by human offence , ” Karacsony said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring back the innocent lives , there are no years in prison that would serve as comfort in this terrible situation.
” The cruise ship ’ s captain is on trial in Budapest for his alleged responsibility in the crash , but court sessions have been postponed until at least September because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Karacsony also vowed to better regulate ship traffic on the Danube River in Budapest , which in normal times teems with tour boats , cruise ships and cargo vessels , and where numerous floating restaurants and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include requiring large river cruise ships to dock outside downtown Budapest .
“ Even if we can ’ t grasp the loss that the family members feel every day since the event , it is still important to declare that this should not have happened , “ Karacsony said .
” The only thing that we politicians and leaders can do is to prevent all of this or something similar from happening again .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Masks on Leatherneck Square: Virus changes Marine training

PARRIS ISLAND , S.C. - The booming shouts of the rain-soaked Marine recruits echo across Leatherneck Square training field , barely muffled by their masks .
And as they jog by , belting out responses to drill instructors in a rhythmic cadence , the white fabric across their faces is the only telltale sign of the coronavirus ’ effects on their quest to become Marines .
But in ways big and small , the virus is impacting training at the Marine Corps ’ Parris Island Recruit Depot and across the military .
And defence leaders say some of the adjustments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maj. Gen. James Glynn , commander of Parris Island , said requiring recruits to spend two weeks in quarantine before their training has had unexpected benefits .
“ They are singularly focused on two weeks of mental and emotional prep for what you guys are seeing today , ” he said during a visit Wednesday by Defence Secretary Mark Esper .
“ I think it ’ s pretty evident it ’ s making a difference .
They ’ re mentally focused and have reconciled why they ’ re here.
” Until this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a complex of large white tents and bathroom and shower trailers that was quickly built on the base to allow health monitoring and keep them isolated .
But now recruits are spending the two weeks in dorms at the Citadel , the Marine college in Charleston , about a two-hour drive north .
Esper , who toured the tent area with Glynn , said the new precautions — including masks , social distancing and the quarantine — have greatly lowered the amount of other respiratory illnesses recruits traditionally get .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call right across the board when it comes to infection , so they ’ re going to keep that .
And we ’ re going to keep some other practices , “ said Esper , adding that by breaking the recruits into smaller groups , “ they ’ ve seen a higher level of unity and esprit .
And they bonded much more quickly.
” As Esper walked around the soggy field , recruits were going through what Marines call the “ confidence course.
” They were clambering over large log obstacles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strung over a net , and swinging over streams of water .
In other sections , recruits were paired off to battle with pugil sticks , which replicates rifle and bayonet combat .
Staff Sgt .
Katheryn Hunter , a drill instructor for three years at Parris Island , said the main difference she sees due to the virus is that the number of female recruits she has in 4th Battalion , Oscar Company , has dropped to 70 .
And she has 35 recruits in squad bays that usually hold up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training , women , who have their own battalion , are largely separated from men .
Marine Corps leaders staunchly defend the segregation , saying it helps build confidence , but some members of Congress have demanded change .
On the confidence course , female recruits were together on the various obstacles , while the male recruits were doing other tests .
The course , Hunter said , is critical .
“ We have a lot of recruits that are scared of heights , recruits that are scared of water or are scared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that the course ” actually tests recruits ’ fears , also builds their confidence that they can accomplish stuff as long as they set their minds to it.
“ In the larger formations , the recruits wore masks , but during some physical tests — even those where teamwork was required and social distancing impossible — the masks came off .
Most of the drill instructors wore theirs at all times , as did Esper and his entourage .
Commanders noted that the recruits had finished their two-week quarantine and were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — so they had been largely isolated for about a month .
Marine recruits go to either Parris Island or to Camp Pendleton in southern California , for 13 weeks of training .
Another change , Esper said , is that military recruits often get to go home for two weeks after graduation .
That leave has been suspended because of the virus .
Instead , the Marines are getting three or four days of little or no duty before reporting to their next schooling or station .
“ They ’ re showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in much better shape , ” said Esper , noting that they haven ’ t been able to go out drinking and partying .
He said Marine leaders are “ seeing a better product entering the next phase of training , so they ’ re starting to think maybe we won ’ t go back to the 10 days off.
” Glynn said the plan to use the Citadel for quarantine was inspired by his mother-in-law , who sent him an article about how colleges and the military worked together during the Spanish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with its two-person rooms , is working out well , Glynn said he ’ ll need another solution when classes resume .
He said they are reviewing several options , including some nearer Parris Island , but have not made a decision .
The Army has made similar changes in its recruit training , which is a longer , 22-week course for infantry and armour soldiers .
But instead of separating the incoming recruits at a distant location for the two-week quarantine , Army leaders changed the course schedule .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks , with many classes done virtually or outside , with little physical interaction , spaced chairs and social distancing .
The recruits then move into what Army officials described as a training bubble , where they begin their more traditional physical and combat instruction .
Both the Marine Corps and the Army screen recruits for the virus when they arrive at processing stations , and again when they get to the training base .
Army recruits go to one of the four training centres at Fort Benning , Georgia ; Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wood , Missouri ; and Fort Sill , Oklahoma .
Defence leaders said they have been intrigued to see some good come from the virus precautions .
“ I mean , it ’ s funny , ” said Esper , as he flew home from Parris Island , “ Even once coronavirus fades or we have a vaccine , you may come out with a boot camp that produces a better product because of things learned .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--French carmaker Renault to cut 15,000 jobs worldwide

PARIS - French carmaker Renault said Friday it will cut 15,000 jobs worldwide as part of a 2 billion-euro ( $ 2.2 billion ) cost-cutting plan , as a brutal drop in industry sales during the pandemic worsened the company ’ s pre-existing problems .
Renault , which employs 180,000 and is already negotiating a bailout with the French government , said nearly 4,600 jobs will be cut in France and more than 10,000 in the rest of the world over three years .
It will shrink its global production capacity from 4 million vehicles in 2019 to 3.3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the group , the major crisis facing the automotive industry and the urgency of the ecological transition are all imperatives that are driving the company to accelerate its transformation , ” the statement said .
Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard said at a news conference that “ each decision , each cost cut has been weighed at length with employees in mind.
” Senard said the company will rely on voluntary departures , rather than firings , to meet its targeted cuts and is starting talks with unions .
Renault ’ s leadership is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions , ” he said .
The COVID-19 crisis “ only adds to the emergency of this plan.
” The company is suspending plans to increase capacity in Morocco and Romania .
It is also considering adapting its facilities in Russia to new products and will stop producing Renault-branded fuel-powered cars in China .
It will close one site in France , in Choisy-le-Roi , in the Paris suburb , which employs about 250 people .
“ No to shutdown ” read banners unfurled by dozens of workers protesting outside the plant on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Renault said it wants to focus its 13 other French sites on “ areas with a promising future ” including electric vehicles , light commercial vehicles and high value-added innovation .
Fabien Gache , from the CGT union at Renault , expressed concerns over the future of several French plants and denounced what he saw as a “ very clear intention to wipe definitively from France vehicle production capacities.
” He called for more protests to put pressure on Renault ’ s leadership .
“ Now people are a bit stunned ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will need to find ways to protest and oppose the plan.
“ Gache said that cuts at Renault would likely lead to many more job losses more widely in the industry among suppliers and equipment manufacturers .
Renault ’ s interim CEO , Clotilde Delbos , said no other factory closure has been decided at this stage in France or abroad .
The new chief executive , Luca de Meo , the former head of Volkswagen ’ s Seat brand , will provide his “ strategic vision ” when he starts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came into the coronavirus crisis in particularly bad shape : Its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi is a major global auto player but has struggled since the 2018 arrest of its longtime star CEO Carlos Ghosn .
Nissan said this week that it will close factories in Spain and Indonesia and reported its first losses in years in 2019 .
The French government is Renault ’ s single biggest shareholder with a 15 % stake , and has been in talks on a 5 billion-euro loan guarantee .
Senard said he expects the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon .
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire earlier this week that the group ’ s survival is at stake .
The crisis is not hitting all automakers equally : while Renault is cutting billions in costs , Volkswagen is investing the same sum - 2 billion euros ( $ 2.2 billion ) - to expand its presence in China ’ s electric car industry in the biggest foreign investment announced since the country ’ s economy began to reopen following the coronavirus pandemic .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--7 shot at Louisville protest over fatal police shooting

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - At least seven people were shot in Louisville as protesters turned out to demand justice for Breonna Taylor , a black woman fatally shot by police in her home in March .
Louisville Metro Police confirmed in a statement early Friday that there were at least seven shooting victims , at least one of whom is in critical condition .
The statement said there were “ some arrests , ” but police didn ’ t provide a number .
“ No officers discharged their service weapons , ” police spokesman Sgt .
Lamont Washington wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington said that all seven were civilians .
Around 500 to 600 demonstrators marched through the Kentucky city ’ s downtown streets on Thursday night , the Courier Journal reported .
The protests continued for more than six hours , ending in the early hours of Friday as rain poured down .
At one point , protesters took turns hoisting the stone hand of King Louis XVI after it was broken off his statue outside City Hall .
Shots were later heard , prompting some of the protesters to scramble for safety .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer tweeted just before midnight , sharing a Facebook post that appealed for people to remain non-violent as they demand justice and accountability from police .
“ As Breonna ’ s mother says let ’ s be peaceful as we work toward truth and justice , ” the mayor wrote .
Taylor , a 26-year-old emergency medical tech , was shot eight times on March 13 after Louisville narcotics detectives knocked down her front door .
No drugs were found in the home .
Attention on Taylor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police department this month .
The case has attracted national headlines alongside the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in a Georgia neighbourhood in February .
Thursday ’ s demonstration came as protesters across the country — from Los Angeles to Memphis , Tennessee , to New York to Minneapolis itself — have demonstrated against the death of a black man , George Floyd , in Minneapolis police custody .
Around 12:20 a.m. , Fischer tweeted a video that he said was a message from Taylor ’ s family .
“ Louisville , thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s name tonight .
We are not going to stop until we get justice , ” a woman says in the video .
“ But we should stop tonight before people get hurt .
Please go home , be safe and be ready to keep fighting.
” Meanwhile , live video from downtown Louisville around 12:30 a.m. showed some protesters behind makeshift wooden barricades , which appeared to be made out of picnic tables spray-painted with the words “ You can ’ t kill us all.
” A small fire inside a trash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street .
Police in body armour and face shields held batons and lined up downtown .
They appeared to fire rubber bullets and deploy tear gas canisters , fogging the air and inducing coughs among the remaining members of the crowd .
Protesters recorded officers with their cellphones .
Kentuckians are still under social distancing mandates driven by the coronavirus pandemic .
Many protesters wore masks .
Chants early Friday included “ No justice , no peace ” and “ Whose streets ?
Our streets .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Asia Today: Indonesians return to mosques, at a distance

JAKARTA , Indonesia - Muslims in some parts of Indonesia attended Friday prayers as mosques closed by the coronavirus for weeks were allowed to start reopening in the world ’ s most populous Muslim nation .
The guidelines for worship facilities released by religious affairs minister Fachrul Razi on Friday change many traditions in mosques .
Worshippers usually pray shoulder to shoulder , and they huddle , hug and shake hands once the prayer ends , with cheek-to-cheek kisses common .
Muslims in the Jakarta satellite city of Bekasi were expected to stay at least one meter ( yard ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shorter sermons .
No children were allowed to join the prayers , and police and soldiers ensured health protocols such as social distancing and mask wearing were observed .
Similar scenes were seen in another satellite city of Bogor , and in Makassar , a big city on Sulawesi island .
President Joko Widodo said his administration wants Indonesia to remain productive economically but also safe from the virus .
The government is gradually deploying 340,000 security personnel to enforce health rules as the country prepares to reopen its economy .
Indonesia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,500 deaths , the highest number of fatalities in Southeast Asia .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — MANILA LOCKDOWN EASING : Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is relaxing a lockdown in the capital as the economy weakens and the government helps feed millions restricted to their homes .
Metropolitan Manila will move to a more relaxed quarantine on Monday after more than two months of police- and military-enforced lockdown .
More work and business operations , along with public transport , will be allowed to resume , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required .
Duterte made the announcement hours after the Department of Health reported a single-day spike of 539 infections , more than 60 % of them in the congested capital .
That brought the total number of infections to 15,588 , including 921 deaths .
— ANOTHER RECORD JUMP IN INDIA : India registered another record daily increase with 7,466 new coronavirus cases .
The Health Ministry ’ s new figures on Friday show India now has 165,799 confirmed cases with 4,706 deaths , which both now exceed China .
India ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s government is expected to issue new guidelines this weekend , possibly extending the lockdown in worst-hit areas as it promotes economic activity .
Most cases are concentrated in states with densely populated cities , but cases have been increasing in some of India ’ s poorest eastern states after migrant workers who lost jobs in the cities returned to their native villages .
— THAI RULES EASING : Thai authorities are further relaxing restrictions imposed two months ago to contain the coronavirus .
Cinemas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday but must limit the number of admissions .
Cinemas can sit a maximum of 200 people at a time , seated at a safe distance from each other with the exceptions of couples .
Other establishments allowed to reopen include massage parlours , gyms , bowling alleys and sports venues .
Thailand has had only single-digit increases in cases for most of May .
On Friday it announced 11 new cases , bringing the total to 3,076 including 57 deaths .
— WAREHOUSE CONCERNS : South Korea reported 58 new cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stem transmissions linked to a massive e-commerce warehouse near the capital .
The figures brought national totals to 11,402 infections and 269 deaths .
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun called for officials to examine working conditions at warehouses of online shopping companies and other congested workplaces where infection risks may be high .
— RULES RELAXED FOR CHURCHES : Australia ’ s New South Wales state will allow larger religious gatherings starting Monday .
Australia ’ s largest state changed its guidance after Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher noted the rules were unfairly more strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits will increase from 10 to 50 people from Monday .
“ It is crucial that worshipers remember to follow health advice , “ especially people vulnerable to the virus , state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said .
The state ’ s chief health officer , Kerry Chant , advised finding alternatives to church practices that might spread the virus , like singing , sharing books and passing around collection plates .
— ONE ACTIVE CASE : New Zealand is down to just one person in the entire nation of 5 million people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus after no new cases have been detected for the past week .
In total , 1,504 people were found to have contracted the virus .
Of those , 1,481 have recovered and 22 died .
About 275,000 people have been tested .
The country has set a goal to eliminate the virus altogether , an ambition aided by a strict lockdown in late March that has been gradually eased in recent weeks .
— NO NEW CASES IN CHINA : China on Friday again reported no new cases of the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain in hospitals and another 414 are being isolated and monitored for possibly having the disease or for having tested positive without showing any symptoms .
China has reported a total of 4,634 deaths from the disease among 82,995 cases .
— THANKS TO MEDICAL WORKERS : A Japanese Air Self-Defence Force ’ s aerobatics team performed a demonstration flight to express gratitude to medical workers .
The six Blue Impulse aircraft flew for about 20 minutes over Tokyo to thank medical personnel , who have faced discrimination from those who fear being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of emergency on Monday .
It had 16,719 cases and 874 deaths as of Thursday , according to the health ministry .
The governor of Tokyo , Yuriko Koike , said Friday the city is ready to move to step 2 of a three-phase road map to gradually reopen businesses .
As of June , theatres , cinemas , gyms and retailers will be allowed to open .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Trump calls Floyd death ‘shocking,’ calls protesters ‘thugs’

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Friday called protesters in Minneapolis “ thugs ” and said that “ when the looting starts , the shooting starts ” — drawing another warning from Twitter for his rhetoric .
Trump tweeted after protesters outraged by the death of a black man in police custody torched a police station .
Earlier Thursday , Trump said , “ I feel very , very badly “ about George Floyd ’ s death while handcuffed and in the custody of Minneapolis police .
” That ’ s a very shocking sight.
” It was the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to the disturbing video of a black man gasping for help as a white policeman pinned him to the street by the neck .
But it was a very different tone for Trump , who has often been silent in the face of white-on-black violence and has a long history of defending police .
Trump ’ s language got more aggressive as violence boiled over in Minneapolis on Thursday night .
“ These THUGS are dishonouring the memory of George Floyd , and I won ’ t let that happen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way .
Any difficulty and we will assume control but , when the looting starts , the shooting starts .
Thank you !
“ Twitter added a warning to Trump ’ s tweet about the Minneapolis protests , saying it violated the platform ’ s rules about “ glorifying violence.
” It did not remove the tweet , saying it had determined it might be in the public interest to have it remain accessible , something it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
A user looking at Trump ’ s timeline would have to click to see the original tweet .
Earlier this week , Twitter applied fact checks to two of Trump ’ s tweets about mail-in ballots .
Once more likely to hew to the “ blue lives matter ” mantra , Trump and his allies have been questioning an officer ’ s conduct and calling for justice for Floyd .
But some activists doubt that Trump has suddenly evolved on the issue of police brutality and instead see election year political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race-tinged case that I ’ ve ever heard him address ” as president , said the Rev .
Al Sharpton , a civil rights activist and Trump critic who has known the president for decades .
“ So therefore he can not be upset when people feel that it ’ s empty words because it is so out of character.
” Trump has been silent on a number of high-profile police-involved killings , including that of Stephon Clark , a black man shot by Sacramento , California , police in 2018 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter and that ’ s something that we feel should be left up to the local authorities , ” then-White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said at the time .
Trump has never addressed the 2014 death of Eric Garner , who was placed in a chokehold by police trying to arrest him for selling loose cigarettes .
Video of the encounter was viewed millions of times online , and Garner ’ s dying words , “ I can ’ t breathe , ” became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invoked those words on several occasions to mock political rivals , even bringing his hands to his neck for dramatic effect .
Trump has a long history of injecting himself into racially sensitive cases .
In 1989 , he took out full-page newspaper ads calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five , five young men of colour who were wrongly convicted of a brutal assault on a jogger .
Trump has never apologized , telling reporters last year : “ You have people on both sides of that.
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality .
And he has even appeared to advocate for the rougher treatment of people in police custody , speaking dismissively of the police practice of shielding the heads of handcuffed suspects as they are being placed in patrol cars .
But Trump ’ s tone has changed in recent weeks as he has repeatedly expressed dismay at footage of the killing of Ahmaud Arbery , the 25-year-old black man fatally shot in February in Georgia while jogging .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to the parents and the family and the friends , “ he told reporters this month .
” It ’ s a heartbreaking thing.
” The president has notably left open the possibility of some other explanation , saying : “ it could be something that we didn ’ t see on tape.
“ Trump and his allies have been even clearer on the death of Floyd , who can be heard and seen on tape pleading that he couldn ’ t breathe before he slowly stops talking and moving .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that video , “ White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Thursday .
“ He wants justice to be served.
” Trump ’ s conservative allies also rallied to the cause .
Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity said he is “ a big supporter of law enforcement ” but expressed outrage Wednesday , telling his audience : “ The lack of training here is breathtaking.
” “ We got to get to the very bottom of how this poor individual was treated , and the death of him on the video itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said .
Even conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh , who once called Black Lives Matter a “ terrorist group , ” said Floyd ’ s death was totally “ unjustified ” and he was “ so mad.
” The outpouring comes as the Trump campaign has sought to chip into the advantage Democrats have with black voters .
The campaign hopes either to win enough black support to keep pivotal states such as Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin in play or minimize enthusiasm for Democratic rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small window after Biden last week told a prominent black radio host that African Americans who back Trump “ ain ’ t black , ” a gaffe he later said he regretted .
Trump and his allies have seized on that and other Biden statements , even though Biden , who served as vice-president under the nation ’ s first black president , remains deeply popular among black voters , who helped him secure the Democratic nomination .
Indeed , a recent Fox News poll found that just 14 % of African Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favourable opinion of Trump , versus 75 % who have a favourable view of Biden .
Chris White , the longtime director of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality , questioned the sincerity of Republicans ’ response to the deaths of Arbery and Floyd .
The White House and Department of Justice have long had the power to address these issues .
“ Any time we hear politicians speaking about dealing with police brutality in the middle of election year , it ’ s just meaningless rhetoric that has a hollow promise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the magnitude of outrage in response to Floyd ’ s death as well as the upcoming election for the changed approach .
But he doubted many black voters will be swayed with an approach they may see as too little , too late .
“ It ’ s like a father that misses a kid ’ s graduation of high school , graduation of college , “ he said .
“ He can ’ t be upset when the kid looks at him suspiciously when he ’ s there when he graduates with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stafford in Detroit contributed to this report .

Jill Colvin And Colleen Long - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--No Eiffel, Mona Lisa or Versailles: Iconic sites stay closed

LE PECQ , France - Hold that smile , Mona Lisa .
The Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles will remain off-limits for the immediate future , too .
None of France ’ s three most iconic tourist sites will reopen when the country lifts most of its remaining coronavirus lockdown restrictions next week .
Some of Europe ’ s other major cultural sites are also taking their time to reopen .
The Eiffel Tower likely won ’ t be able to reopen before the second half of June , according to Stephane Dieu , a labour representative for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they still need to fine tune with the site ’ s management how to protect employees and visitors and to maintain social distancing .
“ For the moment , it ’ s not possible with all of the best will in the world , ” Dieu said .
When the tower does reopen , sightseers seeking breathtaking views of Paris may be in for a stair workout : the elevators that usually whisk visitors to the three different levels will likely remain closed , Dieu said .
At the Louvre Museum , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen some time between the end of June and mid-July , said Andre Sacristin , a labour representative who has been involved in the planning discussions .
When the museum reopens , there will be strict public hygiene rules and visiting “ the Louvre will not at all be as it was before .
That ’ s impossible , ” Sacristin said .
He said he expects everyone , staff members and visitors , will have to wear face masks .
About 20 % -30 % of the museum ’ s rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mona Lisa will be open , “ Sacristin said .
Details will be ironed out in further meetings between management and staff .
The Versailles Palace , the former home of France ’ s kings , also won ’ t reopen Tuesday , when most of the remaining lockdown restrictions are lifted in France .
The palace said a date for reopening hasn ’ t yet been decided .
Adapting major tourists draws to coronavirus imperatives is taking time elsewhere , too .
In Madrid , the Prado , Reina Sofía and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the arts ” - are scheduled to jointly reopen on June 6 , two weeks after they were officially allowed to welcome visitors again .
Initially , some of their exhibition space will remain closed and visitor numbers will be limited to 30 % of their size before the pandemic .
While smaller Spanish museums were quick to reopen this month , major ones said they needed more time to prepare protective gear for staff , temperature checks for visitors and crowd-control measures .
The Prado , the crown jewel of Spanish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goya , Diego de Velázquez and other masters , has been shut since March 11 , its longest closure in eight decades , since the 1936-1939 Civil War .
The slogan chosen by the museum for its re-opening is “ Re-encounter .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Locust invasion wreaks havoc on Pakistan’s crops, orchards

MULTAN , Pakistan - An invasion of locusts has spread across Pakistan , officials said Friday , causing damage to crops and orchards and posing a threat to food security in an impoverished Islamic nation already struggling to tackle a virus pandemic that has caused more than 1,300 deaths .
Massive swarms of the desert locust , which experts say originates in Africa and is the most destructive of the locust species , began damaging crops in Pakistan last month .
But the situation worsened this week and authorities began dispatching aircraft and spraying machines filled with pesticides mounted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are roughly the length of a finger and fly together by the millions .
Farmers could be seen wading through clouds of the insects as some tried to kill them with sticks .
Chaudhry Asghar , an agriculture officer in Multan , said millions of desert locusts had already damaged orchards , crops and vegetables .
“ We have intensified efforts to save our crops from any further invasion of locusts , ” Syed Fahar Imam , minister for National Food Security , said Friday .
He said the government will buy five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insects have wreaked havoc on swathes of farmland in eastern Punjab , southern Sindh and southwestern Baluchistan provinces .
They also attacked crops in the northwest bordering Afghanistan .
The locusts have also brought agricultural destruction to neighbouring India , where critics pointed the finger at Pakistan as a new breeding ground for the desert locusts .
Pakistani officials said no country should blame another for the situation , but all affected countries need to make collective efforts to prevent a possible food crisis in the region .
Farmers say while crops of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were sown in winter and harvested in the spring , locusts are damaging cotton and vegetable crops sown in April .
“ I have already lost my cotton crop and vegetables because of these locusts , ” Abdul Rehman , a farmer in Baluchistan province , said .
He asked what they would eat if the locusts continued unchecked .
The National Disaster Management Authority said resources were being mobilized and operations were underway to curb the locust invasion .
Meanwhile , Pakistan has struggled to contain the spread of the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,300 fatalities .
The country reported 57 virus-related deaths in the past 24 hours , its most in one day since the outbreak began in February .
Infections increased in Pakistan , including Islamabad , recently after the government eased lockdown restrictions — ignoring warnings from medical professionals .
Associated Press writer Abdul Sattar contributed to this story from Quetta , Pakistan .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Columbus protest over George Floyd’s death turns violent

COLUMBUS , Ohio - Protesters angry over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody turned out for a demonstration in Columbus that began peacefully but turned violent , with windows smashed at the Ohio Statehouse and storefronts along surrounding downtown streets .
The crowd of around 400 people entered into a standoff with Columbus police Thursday night , blocking the intersection of key streets in the Ohio capital for hours , the Columbus Dispatch reported .
The demonstration began as a peaceful protest , but news outlets reported protesters began throwing objects like water bottles at officers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowd .
A scuffle between a protester and an officer broke out around 9:45 p.m. , WCMH-TV reported .
Some protesters attempted to breach the Ohio Statehouse later Thursday , the TV station reported .
Videos obtained by The Associated Press show people smashing the building ’ s windows .
Calls and emails to Columbus police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol , which covers Capitol security , from the AP weren ’ t returned overnight .
“ I understand why some residents are angry and taking to the streets .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , state and right here in Columbus .
We are committed to addressing racism wherever we see it , ” Mayor Andrew Ginther tweeted before 9 p.m. “ I respect peaceful protests and ask residents to remain peaceful in their actions tonight and every night.
” Earlier Thursday , video showed the crowd marching down Broad Street and blocking High Street , two downtown arteries near the statehouse .
As they marched , protesters engaged in a call-and-response chant : “ Say his name , “ followed by “ George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispersed by pepper spray broke windows along South High Street and broke into the DGX store , a subsidiary of Dollar General , on the street .
Photographs from the Dispatch showed a smashed storefront at the Einstein Bros. Bagels shop across the street from the statehouse .
Floyd , a black man , was handcuffed and pleading for air as a white police officer kneeled on his neck Monday .
His death has touched off protests across the country this week , including in Minneapolis itself , where protesters torched a police @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Minneapolis cop who knelt on handcuffed man's neck is arrested, charged with murder

MINNEAPOLIS - The white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on George Floyd ’ s neck was arrested and charged with murder Friday , and authorities imposed an overnight curfew to try to stem three nights of often-violent protests that left dozens of stores burned and looted .
Derek Chauvin , 44 , was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the case .
He was also accused of ignoring another officer at the scene who expressed concerns about the black man as he lay handcuffed on the ground , pleading that he could not breathe .
Floyd had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill at a small grocery store .
An attorney for Floyd ’ s family welcomed the arrest , but said he expected a more serious murder charge and wants all four officers involved to be arrested .
Meanwhile , Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey declared a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday .
The order said no one can be out in public except emergency responders and people seeking medical care , fleeing danger or those who are homeless .
“ I know that whatever hope you feel today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outrage , “ Frey said in a statement .
“ Today ’ s decision from the County Attorney is an essential first step on a longer road toward justice and healing our city.
” According to the criminal complaint , Chauvin allegedly disregarded the concerns of another officer , who wanted to roll Floyd onto his side as he was being held down .
The papers also said that an autopsy revealed nothing to support strangulation as the cause of death .
The exam concluded that the combined effects of being restrained , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his underlying health issues , including heart disease , likely contributed to his death .
Floyd ’ s family was seeking an independent autopsy .
Police were trying to put Floyd in a squad car when he stiffened up and fell to the ground , saying he was claustrophobic , the complaint said .
Chauvin and officer Tou Thoa arrived to help and tried several times to get the struggling Floyd into the car , it said .
At one point , Chauvin pulled Floyd out of the car ’ s passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handcuffed , went to the ground face down .
Officer J.K. Kueng held Floyd ’ s back , and officer Thomas Lane held his legs , while Chauvin put his knee on Floyd ’ s head and neck area , the complaint said .
When Lane asked if Floyd should be rolled onto his side Chauvin said , “ No , staying put is where we got him.
“ Lane said he was “ worried about excited delirium or whatever , ” and Chauvin replied , “ That ’ s why we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the complaint .
After Floyd apparently stopped breathing , Lane again said he wanted to roll Chauvin onto his side .
Kueng checked for a pulse and said he could not find one , the complaint said .
In all , Chauvin had his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for 8 minutes , 46 seconds , including nearly three minutes after Floyd stopped moving and talking , according to the complaint .
Chauvin ’ s attorney had no comment when reached by The Associated Press .
Freeman , whose home has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ extraordinary speed ” in charging the case just four days after Floyd ’ s death , but also defended himself against questions about why it did not happen sooner .
He said his office needed time to put together evidence , including what he called the “ horrible ” video recorded by a bystander .
All four officers at the scene of Floyd ’ s arrest on Monday were fired the next day .
After the charges were announced , protesters outside government offices chanted , “ All four got to go.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chauvin ’ s arrest would quiet the unrest , which escalated again Thursday night as demonstrators burned a Minneapolis police station soon after officers abandoned it .
Protests also spread across the U.S. , fueled by outrage over Floyd ’ s death , and years of violence against African Americans at the hands of police .
Demonstrators clashed with officers in New York and blocked traffic in Columbus , Ohio , and Denver .
News of the arrest came moments after Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz acknowledged the “ abject failure ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for swift justice for the officers .
Walz said the state had taken over the response to the violence .
“ Minneapolis and St. Paul are on fire .
The fire is still smouldering in our streets .
The ashes are symbolic of decades and generations of pain , of anguish unheard , ” Walz said .
“ Now generations of pain is manifesting itself in front of the world — and the world is watching.
” President Donald Trump threatened action , tweeting “ when the looting starts , the shooting starts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter for “ glorifying violence.
” Trump later said he was referring to shooting that had happened during the protests .
The governor faced tough questions after National Guard leader Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen blamed a lack of clarity about the Guard ’ s mission for a slow response .
Walz said the state was in a supporting role and that it was up to city leaders to run the situation .
Walz said it became apparent as the 3rd Precinct was lost that the state had to step in .
Requests from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ never came , ” he said .
“ You will not see that tonight , there will be no lack of leadership , ” Walz said .
On Friday morning , nearly every building in a shopping district a couple blocks from the abandoned police station had been vandalized , burned or looted .
National Guard members carrying assault rifles were lined up at some intersections , keeping people away from the police station .
Dozens of volunteers swept up broken glass in the street .
Dean Hanson , 64 , lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is home to many older residents .
He said his building lost electricity overnight , and residents were terrified as they watched mobs of people loot and burn their way through the neighbourhood .
“ I can ’ t believe this is happening here , ” he said .
“ It was pure hell.
“ Dozens of fires were also set in St. Paul , where nearly 200 businesses were damaged or looted .
A visibly tired and frustrated Frey , the Minneapolis mayor , took responsibility for evacuating the police precinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for officers .
Attorney Benjamin Crump , who is representing Floyd ’ s family , asked to take custody of Floyd ’ s body to have an independent autopsy performed .
Crump said that talk of a heart condition or asthma was irrelevant because Floyd was walking and breathing before his contact with police .
The doctor who will do the autopsy is Michael Baden , former chief medical examiner of New York City , who was hired to do an autopsy for Eric Garner , a black man who died in 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a chokehold by police and pleaded for his life , saying he could not breathe .
State and federal authorities are also investigating Floyd ’ s death .
The owner of a popular Latin nightclub said Floyd and Chauvin both worked as security guards at the club as recently as the end of last year , but it ’ s not clear whether they worked together .
Chauvin worked at the El Nuevo Rodeo club as an off-duty security guard for nearly two decades , but Floyd had only worked there more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African American music , Maya Santamaria told The Associated Press .
Santamaria said if Chauvin had recognized Floyd , “ he might have given him a little more mercy.
” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said more charges were possible .
He said the investigation into the other three officers continues , but authorities “ felt it appropriate to focus on the most dangerous perpetrator.
” Santamaria , who recently sold the venue , said Chauvin got along well with the regular Latino customers but did not like to work the African American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a fight , he would spray people with mace and call for police backup and half-dozen squad cars would soon show up , something she felt was “ overkill.
” Associated Press writers Steve Karnowski , Jeff Baenen and Doug Glass in Minneapolis , Gretchen Ehlke in Milwaukee , and Aaron Morrison and Bernard Condon in New York contributed to this report .

Amy Forliti And Tim Sullivan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Police: Woman killed after charging officer with knife

TEMPLE TERRACE , Fla. - A woman armed with a butcher knife was fatally shot Friday after charging police officers @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
Temple Terrace Police Chief Kenneth Albano said during a news conference @ @ @ @ @ the City Hall building , the Tampa Bay Times reported .
Heba Momtaz Alazhari , @ @ @ @ @ Hall and asked for an officer ’ s help , officials said .
When a @ @ @ @ @ the chief said she charged at him with a knife for unknown reasons .
Multiple @ @ @ @ @ , though Albano wouldn ’ t say how many .
The officer who was attacked @ @ @ @ @ t life-threatening .
The chief did not say how many officers were involved , how @ @ @ @ @ how many times the woman was shot .
The officer who was attacked did fire @ @ @ @ @ .
Officials didn ’ t release the race of the woman or the officers involved @


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Trump strikes China over virus, Hong Kong and student visas

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump announced Friday that he would withdraw funding from the World Health Organization , end Hong Kong ’ s special trade status and suspend visas of Chinese graduate students suspected of conducting research on behalf of their government , escalating tensions with China that have surged during the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump has been expressing anger at the World Health Organization for weeks over what he has portrayed as an inadequate response to the initial outbreak of the coronavirus in China ’ s Wuhan province late last year .
The president said in a White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their reporting obligations to the WHO and pressured the organization to mislead the public about an outbreak that has now killed more than 100,000 Americans .
“ We have detailed the reforms that it must make and engaged with them directly , but they have refused to act , ” the president said .
“ Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms , we will be today terminating the relationship.
” The U.S. is the largest source of financial support for the WHO , and its exit is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said the U.S. would be “ redirecting ” the money to “ other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs , ” without providing specifics .
He noted that the U.S. contributes about $ 450 million to the world body while China provides about $ 40 million .
Congressional Democrats said in April , when the president first proposed withholding money from the WHO , that it would be illegal without approval from Congress and that they would challenge it .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday called the move “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics of the administration ’ s decision to cut funding called it misguided , saying it would undermine an important institution that is leading vaccine development efforts and drug trials to address the COVID-19 outbreak .
“ Severing ties with the World Health Organization serves no logical purpose and makes finding a way out of this public health crisis dramatically more challenging , ” said Dr. Patrice Harris , president of the American Medical Association .
The WHO declined to comment on the announcement .
Officials of the U.N. agency have not directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the general director on May 18 warning that he would make permanent a temporary freeze on U.S. funding and reconsider U.S. membership unless it committed to “ major substantive improvements within the next 30 days.
” Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , chairman of the Senate health committee , also warned that the president ’ s decision could interfere with vaccine trials and international co-operation during future outbreaks .
“ Certainly there needs to be a good , hard look at mistakes the World Health Organization might have made in connection with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is after the crisis has been dealt with , not in the middle of it , ” said Alexander , echoing a point made by others , including the head of the United Nations .
At an event later Friday , Trump was asked about relations with China , and he repeated his earlier suspicions about how the country managed to apparently contain the virus in Wuhan while it spread to Europe and the United States .
“ Well , we ’ re certainly not happy with what happened with respect to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tensions over Hong Kong have increased over the past year as China has cracked down on protesters a nd sought to exert more control over the former British territory .
Trump said the administration would begin eliminating the “ full range ” of agreements that had given Hong Kong a relationship with the U.S. that mainland China lacked , including exemptions from controls on certain exports .
He said the State Department would begin warning U.S. citizens of the threat of surveillance and arrest when visiting the city .
“ China has replaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two systems , with one country , one system , ” he said .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo notified Congress on Wednesday that Hong Kong is no longer deserving of the preferential trade and commercial status it has enjoyed from the U.S. since it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997 .
It ’ s not yet clear what impact the decision will have on U.S. companies that operate in Hong Kong or on the city ’ s position as Asia ’ s major financial hub , or how China will react to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the bilateral relationship has now reached lows not seen since the June 4 , 1989 , Tiananmen massacre , and there is little reason to expect things to get better soon , ” said Dexter Tiff Roberts , an Asia expert at the Atlantic Council , which publishes nonpartisan policy analysis .
Rep. Chris Smith , a New Jersey Republican who is a commissioner of the Congressional Executive Commission on China , praised the decision on Hong Kong as an overdue response to the government of President Xi Jinping for human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Xinjiang region .
“ After years of human rights admonishment and cheap rhetoric devoid of any meaningful penalties , Xi has concluded that the West is all talk , no action , ” Smith said .
“ President Trump , however , is today beginning to change that and is doing what previous presidents have failed to do.
” The president also said the U.S. would be suspending entry of Chinese graduate students who are suspected of taking part in an extensive government campaign to acquire trade knowledge and academic research for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development .
Allowing their continued entry to the country would be “ detrimental to the interests of the United States , ” Trump said in an order released after the White House announcement .
Revocation of the visas has faced opposition from U.S. universities and scientific organizations that depend on tuition fees paid by Chinese students to offset other costs and fear possible reciprocal action from Beijing that could limit their access to China .
The president ’ s order includes an exemptions for students whose work was not expected to benefit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent days that it was hoping to ease tensions .
Premier Li Keqiang told reporters on Thursday that both countries stood to gain from co-operation and to lose from confrontation because their economies have become so interconnected .
“ We must use our wisdom to expand common interests and manage differences and disagreements , ” Li said .
Still , the country has insisted that its control of Hong Kong is an internal matter , and it has disputed that it mishandled the response to the virus .
Associated Press writers Kevin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geneva contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Transcripts released of Flynn’s calls with Russian diplomat

WASHINGTON - Transcripts of phone calls that played a pivotal role in the Russia investigation were declassified and released Friday , showing that Michael Flynn , as an adviser to then-President-elect Donald Trump , urged Russia ’ s ambassador to be “ even-keeled ” in response to punitive Obama administration measures , and assured him “ we can have a better conversation ” about relations between the two countries after Trump became president .
Democrats said the transcripts showed that Flynn had lied to the FBI when he denied details of the conversation , and that he was undercutting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had just interfered in the 2016 presidential election .
But allies of the president who maintain that the FBI had no reason to investigate Flynn in the first place said the transcripts showed he had done nothing wrong .
The transcripts were released by Senate Republicans on Friday after being provided by Trump ’ s new national intelligence director , John Ratcliffe , who waded into one of the most contentious political topics in his first week on the job .
Ratcliffe ’ s extraordinary decision to disclose transcripts of intercepted conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing efforts by Trump allies to release previously secret information from the Russia investigation in hopes of painting Obama-era officials in a bad light .
The transcripts are unlikely to significantly reshape public understanding of the contact between Flynn and then-Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak , a central moment in the Russia investigation .
The information released Friday conforms with the rough outlines of the call described in the 2017 guilty plea that Flynn reached with special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s team of prosecutors .
But the documents will undoubtedly add to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have intensified in the last month with the Justice Department ’ s decision to seek to dismiss the prosecution .
Rep. Adam Schiff , the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee , said in a statement that the transcripts show that Flynn lied not only to the FBI but also to Vice-President Mike Pence , who erroneously stated publicly that Flynn and Kislyak had not discussed sanctions .
Trump later forced Flynn out for misleading the administration .
“ These calls took place shortly after the Russian government interfered in the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win , and Flynn was engaged in trying to mute the Russian reaction to sanctions imposed by the Obama Administration over that very interference , “ Schiff said .
But Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley , one of the GOP senators who released the transcript , said Flynn had done nothing wrong .
Attorney General William Barr has similarly called the conversation laudable .
“ Our justice system doesn ’ t work when one side holds all the cards .
But this isn ’ t just about safeguarding access to justice ; it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of power by those entrusted to uphold and defend the law , ” Grassley said .
Flynn attorney Sidney Powell tweeted that Flynn “ should be applauded for asking for ‘ cooler heads to prevail ’ and trying to keep things on ‘ an even keel ’ — encouraging the mutual interest of Russia and the United States in stability in the Middle East and fighting radical Islam.
” The documents do show that Flynn and Kislyak spoke multiple times between the time Trump had been elected and took office .
The call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place Dec. 29 , 2016 , the day after President Barack Obama signed an executive order hitting Russia with sanctions for election interference .
During the call , Flynn urged Kislyak that any action Russia took in response to the sanctions be “ reciprocal.
” “ Don ’ t — don ’ t make it — don ’ t go any further than you have to .
Because I don ’ t want us to get into something that has to escalate , on a , you know , on a tit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ambassador ?
“ Flynn said , according to the transcripts .
Kislyak replied that he understood , but that there were angry sentiments “ raging ” in Moscow .
Flynn said that even so , “ cool heads ” need to prevail since the U.S. and Russia have common interests in fighting terrorism in the Middle East .
“ I know , I — believe me , I do appreciate it , I very much appreciate it .
But I really don ’ t want us to get into a situation where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where we do this and then you do something bigger , and then you know , everybody ’ s got to go back and forth and everybody ’ s got to be the tough guy here , you know ?
” Flynn said .
The FBI interviewed Flynn about the call in January 2017 .
In that interview , according to a guilty plea reached with Mueller ’ s team , Flynn denied that he had asked Kislyak to refrain from escalating tensions over sanctions .
He also said he did not recall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which the ambassador intimated that Moscow had decided against an aggressive response to the sanctions .
“ Your proposal that we need to act with cold heads , uh , is exactly what is uh , invested in the decision , ” Kislyak said .
The release follows the declassification this month by Richard Grenell , Ratcliffe ’ s predecessor as intelligence director , of names of intelligence and Obama administration officials who in late 2016 and early 2017 asked the National Security Agency to reveal to them the name of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence reports .
Names of U.S. citizens are routinely redacted in intelligence reports documenting routine surveillance of foreign targets , but officials can ask to learn the identity if they believe it is vital to understanding the intelligence .
The nature of those intelligence reports remains unclear , and they were not among the documents released Friday .
He was not identified by name in those reports , and the use by U.S. officials of a routine process known as “ unmasking ” to learn his identity has become a major issue for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unusual about unmasking requests , which have been more prevalent at the beginning of the Trump administration than they were at the end of the Obama administration .
But supporters of Trump have suggested that the requests were made for political reasons .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Arrest made after California homeless fed poisoned food

SANTA ANA , Calif. - One person was arrested after eight homeless people were given poisoned food that sent several @ @ @ @ @ California authorities said Friday .
The poisonings occurred over the course of about a week @ @ @ @ @ in Orange County south of Los Angeles , authorities said .
The victims were given @ @ @ @ @ , “ which is twice as strong as the pepper spray used by police , @ @ @ @ @ poisoned food were filmed , “ according to an advisory from the county district attorney @ @ @ @ @ planned to provide more details at a news conference next Monday .
“ The victims @ @ @ @ @ including seizure-like symptoms , difficulty breathing , vomiting , and intense mouth and stomach pain @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Several of the victims required hospitalization.
” An investigation continued to determine whether @ @ @ @ @ suspects , authorities said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Trump takes aim at WHO as US economic outlook worsens

WASHINGTON - With new U.S. economic numbers highlighting the rough road ahead for a hoped-for rebound , President Donald Trump on Friday took aim at the World Health Organization and China , blaming both for their roles in the pandemic ’ s devastation .
Trump announced that the United States will end its support for WHO , charging it didn ’ t respond adequately to the health crisis because of China ’ s “ total control ” over the global organization .
Trump said Chinese officials “ ignored ” their reporting obligations to the WHO and pressured the agency to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first discovered .
Earlier Friday , U.S. Commerce Department statistics showed a record-shattering 13.6 % drop in spending in April , a day after a federal jobs report showed another 2 million-plus Americans went out of work last week .
The depth of the spending drop is particularly damaging because consumer spending is the primary driver of the economy .
The bad economic news was echoed in Europe , where an extensive social welfare net was showing signs of fraying , as protests erupted for a second day in Spain against layoffs by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief central banker warned that “ uncertainty is rife.
” Some U.S. states were going ahead with steps to reopen businesses and leisure activities needed to spur spending and restore jobs , but there were also reminders of the risks of moving too quickly .
In Missouri , officials said they were trying to notify “ mass numbers of unknown people ” after someone who attended crowded pool parties Memorial Day weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks tested positive for COVID-19 .
Video of the parties circulated widely online , with many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines .
Arkansas over the past week has seen a steady rise in active coronavirus cases , following moves by Gov .
Asa Hutchinson to reopen businesses shuttered during the pandemic .
Health officials on Thursday announced the number of active cases , excluding people who have recovered or died , hit a new high of 1,830 in the state , which has had a total of 6,538 cases .
Arkansas also hit a record for a one-day increase in infections in the community , meaning ones that don ’ t include the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to go back , but we want people to follow those guidelines , make sure they do everything they can to avoid the spread and we can get through this , ” Hutchinson said .
However , a rural Northern California county decided to temporarily rescind its order allowing reopening of restaurants , shopping and other services after its first coronavirus cases developed .
Lassen County had no reported coronavirus cases until May 22 , when state data showed it was one of only two California counties with zero cases .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30,000 people had reported five known cases .
Lassen County had started reopening businesses under state rules on May 11 .
New York City , meanwhile , was on track to begin reopening June 8 as the state gradually loosens restrictions , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Friday .
The nation ’ s worst pandemic hot spot was meeting goals set for hospital rates and testing , will “ stockpile ” personal protective equipment like masks and will focus on infection rates in outbreak areas by ZIP code , he said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of upstate New York got the go-ahead Friday to reopen hair salons , retail shops and offices under strict guidelines .
New York City remains the only region of the state that hasn ’ t started reopening .
A federal public health study released Friday shed more light on the contagion ’ s beginnings in the United States .
The most comprehensive federal study to date concluded that the spark that started the U.S. coronavirus epidemic arrived during a three-week window from mid-January to early February , before the nation halted travel from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were getting sick from the coronavirus as early as November and that infections were spreading in the U.S. before any case was identified , said Dr. Robert Redfield , the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Redfield said the study “ puts data into the discussion.
” The U.S. Commerce Department figures showed that consumers are unable or reluctant to spend , even as incomes soared 10.5 % in April , reflecting billions of dollars in government payments in the form of unemployment aid and stimulus checks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the key component of overall income — sank by an annualized $ 740 billion in April .
By contrast , income in the form of government support jumped by an annualized $ 3 trillion .
That form of income will likely fade in coming months as government aid programs expire .
Until Friday ’ s spending report for April , a revised 6.9 % decline in March had been the record for the steepest one-month fall in records dating to 1959 .
Debate in Congress over whether to extend the $ 600 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployed looked sure to intensify , with the number of people receiving the aid now topping 30 million — one in five workers .
The money , included in a government relief package enacted in March , is set to expire July 31 .
The latest job-loss figures from the U.S. Labor Department brought to 41 million the running total of Americans who have filed for unemployment since shutdowns took hold in mid-March .
Adam DuPaul , owner of City Barber Shop in Keene , New Hampshire , said he applied for unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to include self-employed workers in mid-March , but still hasn ’ t “ gotten a dime.
” Though hair salons and barbershops were allowed to reopen earlier this month , he wanted to wait due to safety concerns , but he ’ s feeling he has no choice now .
“ I truly feel like I ’ m forced to open this coming Monday , ” DuPaul said .
“ I really want to get back to what I love , but I don ’ t want to feel unsafe doing it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all but eradicated the coronavirus with just one person in the nation of 5 million known to be infected .
But developments were grim in other nations , with India reporting a record increase in cases , and Pakistan and Russia record numbers of deaths .
In the first major increase since France started gradually reopening on May 11 , authorities there reported more than 3,000 new daily nfections .
It was not immediately clear if the spike was due to a greater availability of testing .
Worldwide , the virus has infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 360,000 , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
The true dimensions of the disaster are widely believed to be significantly greater , with experts saying many victims died without ever being tested .
Sewell reported from Cincinnati .
Associated Press writer Holly Ramer contributed from Concord , New Hampshire , with AP reporters from around the world also contributing .

Martin Crutsinger And Dan Sewell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--‘I can’t breathe’ a rally cry anew for police protests in US

Eric Garner uttered those words six years ago , locked in a police chokehold .
It became a rallying cry after his death for demonstrators across the country who protested the killings of African Americans by police .
Then came the 2016 presidential election of Donald Trump .
As the political divide widened , so much competed for the nation ’ s attention — Russian interference in the election , debates over immigration , and impeachment — and with a new Justice Department shifting civil rights priorities , the moment slowly faded from the national stage .
Until this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , while handcuffed and pinned at the neck under the knee of a white police officer , galvanizing the movement anew and prompting mass protests around the country .
“ There is something happening at this moment , ” said activist Carmen Perez .
“ It ’ s not that the police killings stopped , it ’ s just that we were refocusing our direction toward Donald Trump because we also felt this need to come together to call him out.
“ It ’ s possible , though , with the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic , people have fewer distractions and can refocus on the issue , she said .
The swift firing of the officers involved , the empathetic response from the Minneapolis mayor who also called for criminal charges , and the unusual public criticism of the officer ’ s actions from law enforcement nationwide have done nothing to quell the anger or calls for justice .
That ’ s in part because killings continue to happen .
Floyd ’ s death came after Ahmaud Arbery was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former district attorney investigator and his son , who were not arrested until after video emerged months later .
An EMT in Kentucky , Breonna Taylor , was killed in March when three officers entered her apartment by force to serve a search warrant in a narcotics investigation .
“ This has been going on for way too many years , and it is time for a change , ” said Erika Atson , protesting in Minneapolis Thursday .
“ Because we are tired.
” The protests that began with chanting and marching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video emerged that showed Floyd pinned for eight minutes have grown to mass demonstrations , some violent , in Minnesota and around the country .
Lawmakers nationwide are again talking about how to prevent such deaths .
The Senate Judiciary committee announced Friday it would hold a hearing on police use of force .
Outrage over the images of Floyd ’ s last moments even came from those who have a history of defending police , like Trump .
Though the president later called the protesters “ thugs ” in a tweet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting starts.
” Civil rights attorneys in the three recent cases said what inspires the anger is , in part , that authorities initially propagated narratives that Arbery , Taylor , Floyd were responsible for their own deaths before video and 911 calls showed otherwise .
“ There is a false narrative ... put out there , “ said civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump .
In the years before the 2016 election , though , it felt like policing was shifting .
The mothers of some of the men killed by police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department frequently criticized violent police confrontations and opened a series of civil rights investigations into local law enforcement practices .
But after Trump was elected , it shifted .
Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered a review of consent decrees , legal agreements meant to effect change , that the Obama-era Justice Department had used to fight police misconduct , in part over a belief that the Democratic administration had vilified the police .
The decrees included those with the police in Ferguson , Missouri , after the killing of Michael Brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of Freddie Gray .
Hours before he resigned as attorney general in November 2018 , Sessions signed a memo that scaled back the practice , making consent decrees more difficult to enact .
Attorney General William Barr has similarly been a staunch advocate of police officers and has condemned what he ’ s called a “ disturbing pattern of cynicism and disrespect shown toward law enforcement.
” The department , however , has continued to pursue civil rights investigations involving police shootings and other alleged misconduct , including into Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ harrowing to watch and deeply disturbing.
“ Barr ’ s office closed the Garner case in September because there was insufficient evidence to prove a federal crime .
Gwen Carr , Garner ’ s mother , said that even if police abuses hadn ’ t been talked about in recent years as they were following her son ’ s 2014 death , that didn ’ t mean abuses weren ’ t happening .
“ Police officers are still coming into our communities and brutalizing , terrorizing and killing us , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s murder and Floyd ’ s murder , that ’ s not the only murders that has taken place.
” Garner had been arrested on charges of selling loose , untaxed cigarettes , a non-violent crime , and cried out “ I can ’ t breathe ” 11 times on a Staten Island sidewalk .
The officers involved were not charged ; the one who performed the chokehold was fired five years later .
Floyd lay on the street , as Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into the man ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a forgery charge , accused of passing a bad bill at a grocery store after he got laid off .
“ Please I can ’ t breathe , ” Floyd cried .
“ My stomach hurts .
My neck hurts .
Everything hurts .
They ’ re going to kill me.
” At one point , he cried out for his mother as a crowd of shocked bystanders begged for police to move .
Chauvin was arrested Thursday on a murder charge .
Meanwhile , protesters are seizing the moment in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday in Minneapolis , Maurice Davis stood close to the burned police station near a line of National Guardsmen .
Davis has gone to some protests , but came this morning with his two adolescent children to show them what was happening .
“ This has been happening for years , ” he said .
“ We ’ re tired of being killed and no one doing anything about it.
“ He ’ s not surprised the protests are spreading .
“ Because it ’ s not just our city where this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hajela reported from Essex County , New Jersey .
Associated Press Writers Jeff Baenen and Tim Sullivan in Minneapolis , Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia , Michael Balsamo in Washington and Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles contributed to this report .

Colleen Long And Deepti Hajela - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--California prison employees suspended over racist remarks

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California prison officials said Friday that they suspended multiple employees who made racist jokes about the death of an unarmed black man in police custody in Minneapolis , a disclosure that came amid protests across the state and nation .
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation “ was made aware of abhorrent comments made on social media by some employees that will not be tolerated , ” spokeswoman Dana Simas said .
“ The employees who made the comments were immediately suspended , and we are investigating the incidents fully.
” Secretary Ralph Diaz said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he described as “ distasteful jokes and comments ” about the death of George Floyd dishonoured the department .
He called the comments “ extremely hurtful and disrespectful to ( Floyd ’ s ) family and members of the community.
” “ In addition to racist remarks , a religious group was also singled out for disparagement , ” he said , without elaborating .
Simas would not say how many employees were suspended , where they are located , or whether they are correctional officers or have other duties , citing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist conduct will not be tolerated regardless of whether employees are sworn correctional officers or other employees , or happen while they are on duty or off duty .
The union representing correctional officers did not immediately comment .
Floyd died after several Minneapolis police officers sat on him and one was shown in a viral video with his knee on Floyd ’ s neck .
That officer , Derek Chauvin , was charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Virus protection adds new wrinkle to Southwest heat relief

PHOENIX - Trying to stay safe during a global pandemic is hard enough , but people in Southwest desert cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas where temperatures can soar into the triple digits are also trying to protect themselves from the brutal heat .
A 48,000-square-foot ( 4,459-square-meters ) hall of the Phoenix Convention Center was being transformed Friday into a daytime heat relief centre for homeless people , with city officials offering free transportation to get them there .
But with most other government-run spaces like libraries and community centres still closed this week to prevent the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-profit groups were shouldering a big load of the responsibility for ensuring people stay cool and hydrated amid extreme heat warnings for some parts of the southwestern U.S. At a dozen of their sites in metro Phoenix , Salvation Army staff and volunteers Thursday asked people to wear masks , clean their hands with the alcohol-based sanitizer gel provided and stay at least 6 feet ( 2 metres ) away from others as a precaution amid the virus outbreak .
” There are still few places where our homeless can go , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group ’ s downtown centre .
“ Here , they can get some water , get out of the heat.
” Phoenix malls and some restaurants are just starting to reopen after being closed for more than two months for social distancing to stop the virus from spreading .
Some of the city ’ s most popular cooling centre sites remain closed , including the large Burton Barr Public Library in central Phoenix .
While homeless people comprise the bulk of those using the cooling stations , Yardley said they are open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about elderly people who may turn off their air conditioning to save money or who don ’ t have the cash to fix broken units .
“ Everyone needs to check on their seniors , ” he said .
Blistering temperatures can endanger health , and can lead to heat exhaustion , heat stroke and even death .
The daily high temperatures in Phoenix were forecast to hit 110 degrees ( 43C ) or very close to it during the extreme heat warning in effect through Sunday , National Weather Service forecasters said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drink plenty of fluids , stay out of the sun and remain in air-conditioned areas to prevent heat-related illness .
There were 197 heat-related illnesses last year in Maricopa County , where Phoenix is located , up from 183 in 2018 , according to county statistics .
The cooling stations in metro Phoenix open when the weather service declares extreme heat warnings .
They were also open for a string of days during an extreme heat warning in late April .
In metro Las Vegas , where an excessive heat warning is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief stations were open .
Nevada ’ s Clark County said precautionary protocols like screening , social distancing and mask wearing were in effect at the sites in Las Vegas , the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson and the Nevada city of Mesquite at the stateline with Arizona .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Trump, N.C. governor speak about GOP convention details

RALEIGH , N.C. - President Donald Trump and North Carolina ’ s governor disagreed on Friday over the viability of a full-fledged Republican National Convention , the governor ’ s office said , as Trump does not want to see signs of the pandemic in his renomination audience .
Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper and Trump spoke by phone , during which they discussed the scheduled August convention in Charlotte , a Cooper spokeswoman confirmed Friday night to the The Associated Press .
Trump this week threatened to move his formal renomination elsewhere if he does not get guarantees by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large-scale event .
The convention set to begin Aug. 24 is supposed to have events in Charlotte ’ s downtown sports arena , capped by Trump ’ s nomination speech on the 27th .
During the call , when Trump “ insisted on a full convention arena with no face coverings and no social distancing the governor expressed concerns and suggested a scaled back event with fewer attendees , ” Weiner wrote in an email .
“ They agreed to continue talking about ways to have a safe convention in Charlotte.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s health secretary , Mandy Cohen , called for more specifics beyond the safety protocols that the GOP convention ’ s leaders sent her in a letter on Thursday .
Cooper ’ s administration has wanted more planning about public health and safety given the uncertainty COVID-19 has caused regarding commerce and movement restrictions .
Cohen wrote Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and convention CEO Marcia Lee Kelly asking them to confirm whether Trump wanted the convention ’ s final night to have “ people together in a crowd-like setting ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participants .
Cohen also wanted numbers on how many people would be inside the Spectrum Center nightly , and how social distancing would occur there .
Kelly and McDaniel wrote that they needed further direction and assurances from him by next Wednesday to move forward on a convention they said would bring a massive economic boost to the city .
The Republican National Committee declined to comment Friday night .
Earlier Friday , McDaniel told a Charlotte radio station it appeared Cooper was dragging his feet on a decision and attributed it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and politics .
Cooper is seeking reelection this fall in a state Trump won in 2016 .
“ We are very happy for them to give us guidelines , but ultimately it ’ s going to come down to the elected officials to tell us how we can conduct our convention , and then we can plan , ” McDaniel told WBT .
“ We ’ re still hoping to make it work , but we ’ re not going to wait indefinitely.
” Cooper suggested to reporters on Thursday that the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s governors have said they ’ re interested in hosting the convention .
Right now , Cooper ’ s COVID-19 executive order prevents mass indoor assemblies of more than 10 people , but that could change in the weeks leading up to the convention if case and hospitalization numbers keep improving .
While Republicans offered on Thursday several proposed steps to screen and protect convention attendees ’ health , it lacked a final safety plan — something Cohen and Cooper said they want , such as one that NASCAR offered before racing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ albeit with no fans .
Cooper has gradually eased business restrictions in the state , with restaurants now allowed to offer limited indoor dining .
But entertainment venues , bars and gyms remain closed .
Mecklenburg County , which includes Charlotte , has by far the most COVID-19 cases in the state , with more than 3,800 cases as of Friday morning and roughly 90 deaths .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Gary D. Robertson And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Police: Trans man fatally shot by officer after pointing gun

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - A transgender black man was fatally shot by an officer in Florida after fatally stabbing another man and pointing a gun at the officer , authorities said .
Tony McDade , 38 , was shot and killed by a Tallahassee police officer Wednesday after McDade fatally stabbed her next-door neighbour 21-year-old Malik Jackson , news outlets reported .
McDade went by male pronouns on Facebook and local LGBTQ organizations identified McDade as a transgender man .
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said officers found Jackson suffering from fatal stab wounds in front of his mother ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found 15 minutes later at a different apartment complex , Revell said .
McDade had a gun and pointed it at an officer , who then shot him , Revell said .
Police haven ’ t released the officer ’ s identity but witnesses said the officer was white , news outlets reported .
During a news conference , Revell said there was no indication that the shooting was racially motivated nor was there an indication that the shooting was unjustified .
McDade posted a video on Facebook before the stabbing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on several men who attacked him the previous day .
McDade also said he would have a standoff with police , adding “ I ’ m living suicidal right now.
” Another social media video shows a group of men attack a person believed to be McDade .
Police said they were working to authenticate the videos .
McDade was arrested on May 4 and accused of aggravated assault and pointing a gun at someone .
Police said McDade was carrying a BB gun and that he always carried a BB gun with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killing of George Floyd , a Minneapolis man who died while being detained by police .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Partygoer at Missouri’s Lake of Ozarks positive for COVID-19

OSAGE BEACH , Mo .
- Health officials said Friday that they were seeking to “ inform mass numbers of unknown people ” after a person who attended crowded pool parties over Memorial Day weekend at Missouri ’ s Lake of the Ozarks tested positive for COVID-19 .
Camden County Health Department said in a release that the resident of Boone County in mid-Missouri tested positive on Sunday after arriving at the lake area a day earlier .
Officials said there have been no reported cases of the virus linked to coronavirus in residents of Camden County , where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media took place .
Because “ mass numbers of unknown people ” need to be notified , the officials released a brief timeline of the person ’ s whereabouts last weekend , including stops at a bar called Backwater Jacks , a bar and restaurant that has a pool , as well as a dining and pool venue called Shady Gators and Lazy Gators .
Backwater Jacks owner Gary Prewitt said previously in a statement that no laws were broken , though the images appeared to show people violating Republican Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring social distancing .
Parson allowed businesses and attractions to reopen May 4 , but the state order requires 6-foot ( 2-meter ) social distancing through at least the end of May .


thetorontostar--2020-05-29--Phoenix march to protest George Floyd’s death turns violent

PHOENIX - A rally in downtown Phoenix to protest the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis turned violent when protesters in Arizona ’ s largest city threw rocks and bottles at officers , broke windows at police headquarters , and damaged businesses and vehicles , officials said .
Phoenix police say hundreds of protesters marched Thursday evening from City Hall to the state capitol , where demonstrators tried unsuccessfully to enter a building and instead broke windows .
They moved away from the Capitol and threw rocks and bottles at officers , leading police to issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warnings that protesters had to leave the area .
Some protesters refused to leave .
Officers fired pepper spray and rubber bullets .
“ Unfortunately , the actions of a small group of individuals changed that peaceful protest to one that was criminal , ” Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said .
On Friday morning , the broken windows at the Phoenix police headquarters were boarded up , and workers used sanders to scrape graffiti from sidewalks .
Eight people were arrested , most for unlawful assembly .
One protester who was exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered from heat exhaustion were brought to hospitals and have since been released .
The Phoenix protest was organized by All Black Lives Matter Arizona and local activist Jarrett Maupin .
The group is not affiliated with Black Lives Matter Phx Metro , which put out a statement on Facebook accusing Maupin and his group of leading protesters “ into dangerous situations without regard for safety or legal consequences.
” Maupin told The Arizona Republic that the protest was successful .
“ Things got a little rough there towards the end .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we made it there , ” he told the newspaper .
“ Our event was nonviolent.
” At a news conference Friday afternoon , Maupin said it was organizations like Black Lives Matter Phx Metro that were behind the protest turning “ riotous.
” But he didn ’ t elaborate on his accusation .