thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Confederate flag emblem removed in South Dakota community

GETTYSBURG , S.D .
- Officials have confirmed that a logo that included a Confederate flag has been removed from police department cars , buildings and patches in a small South Dakota community named for the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg .
Mayor Bill Wuttke and the City Council issued a joint statement Monday night that said police Chief Dave Mogard has removed the logo from all uniforms , vehicles and buildings .
Local residents had earlier said that the department removed decals from its squad cars that featured a Confederate battle flag next to an American flag .
Mogard last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decal had been removed .
The council on Monday took no formal action on the emblem , saying it was a decision for the police chief .
“ The patch that has been the focus of media coverage in 2020 was applied in 2009 solely by the authority of the office of police chief , ” the statement said .
“ This officer is no longer employed by the city of Gettysburg.
” Gettysburg , which is in central South Dakota and about 190 miles ( 305 kilometres ) west of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was named after the famous battle in and around Gettysburg , Pennsylvania , that many view as the turning point of the Civil War .
Several local residents , including Selwyn Jones , an uncle of George Floyd , wanted the decal to be removed because they viewed it as a symbol of oppression and hatred .
Jones called for the change after Floyd , a Black man , died after police arrested and restrained him on a Minneapolis street May 25 .
A white police officer used his knee to pin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes as Floyd begged for air and eventually stopped moving .
Floyd ’ s death led to charges against four officers who took part in the arrest and to worldwide protests over police brutality and racial injustice .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Slovakia drug bust yields huge shipment of methamphetamines

BRATISLAVA , Slovakia - Slovakia has seized 1.5 tons of methamphetamines , with an estimated street value of some 2 @ @ @ @ @ billion ) , which was being smuggled into the country and originated in Mexico , @ @ @ @ @ seizure was described by Slovak authorities as the country ’ s largest-ever .
Officials said @ @ @ @ @ at the end of May with the help of Hutch , a service dog employed @ @ @ @ @ financial administration , after customs officials became suspicious about the contents of two large metal @ @ @ @ @ The shipment arrived in Slovakia by way of a Croatian port and is thought to @ @ @ @ @ sold throughout the European Union .
Inspectors drilled holes at the bottom of the tanks @ @ @ @ @ a white crystalline substance later identified as methamphetamine .

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thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Dutch police arrest 6 men, uncover makeshift torture chamber

THE HAGUE , Netherlands - Dutch police arrested six men after discovering sea containers that had been converted into a makeshift prison and sound-proofed “ torture chamber ” complete with a dentist ’ s chair , tools including pliers and scalpels and handcuffs , a high ranking officer announced Tuesday .
Authorities said police conducted the raid before the torture chamber could be used and alerted potential victims , who went into hiding .
The grisly discovery was made last month by officers investigating leads generated by data from encrypted phones used by criminals that were cracked recently by French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netherlands have already arrested hundreds of suspects based on the encrypted messages .
Tuesday ’ s announcement gave a chilling insight into the increasingly violent Dutch criminal underworld , which is involved in the large scale production and trafficking of drugs .
Dutch police said last week that their investigations , code-named 26Lemont , based on millions of messages from the EncroChat phones , had led to the arrest of more than 100 suspects and seizure of more than 8,000 kilograms ( 17,600 pounds ) of cocaine and 1,200 kilograms ( 2,600 pounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dismantling of 19 synthetic drugs labs and seizure of dozens of firearms .
On June 22 , Dutch national police force officers arrested six men on suspicion of crimes including preparing kidnappings and serious assault .
Detectives also discovered the seven converted sea containers in a warehouse in Wouwse Plantage , a small village in the southwestern Netherlands , close to the border with Belgium , according to a statement released Tuesday .
They were tipped off by messages from an EncroChat phone including photos of the container and dentist ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and foot supports .
The messages called the warehouse the “ treatment room ” and the “ ebi , ” a reference to a top security Dutch prison .
The messages also reaveled identities of potential victims , who were warned and went into hiding , police said .
Video released by the police showed a heavily armed arrest team blasting open a door at the warehouse and discovering the improvised prison .
Another armed team detained a suspect in Rotterdam .
“ Six of the containers were intended as cells in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ container was intended as a torture chamber , ” Andy Kraag , head of the police ’ s National Investigation Service , said in a video released by police , adding that the police operation “ prevented a number of violent crimes.
” A search of the containers uncovered bags containing tools including hedge cutters , scalpels and pliers .
The tools “ were likely intended to torture victims or at least put them under pressure , “ the police statement said .
In searches of other properties , including what police described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the port city of Rotterdam , officers found police uniforms and body armour , stolen vehicles , 25 firearms and drugs .
A court in Amsterdam ordered the six suspects held for 90 days as investigations continue .
“ This is a great result of the 26Lemont investigation , ” Kraag said .
“ And , take it from me , many more results will follow .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Ravens quarterback to hold Florida social event amid virus

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson announced he will hold his annual “ Funday with LJ ” event in Florida amid the state ’ s spike in coronavirus cases .
Jackson ’ s third annual event will be held Saturday and Sunday in his hometown of Pompano Beach , Florida , according to a flyer shared on his Instagram page Monday .
Social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people is currently not allowed in Pompano Beach , according to the city ’ s website .
The flyer , which says “ come have some fun in the sun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slides among other activities .
It also says adults must wear face masks , and a waiver must be signed for children to participate .
The announcement for the event comes more than a week after Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis said in a news conference that interactions among young people are driving the surge in confirmed cases .
In Broward County , where the event is scheduled to be held , there are more than 21,000 positive coronavirus cases and about 400 people have died from the virus , according to Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 200,000 coronavirus cases in the state , and about 3,800 Florida residents have died from the novel coronavirus , according to Florida ’ s Health department .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Richmond removing statue of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart

RICHMOND , Va. - Work crews have begun taking down an enormous monument to Confederate Gen. J.E.B .
Stuart , the third major Confederate statue to be cleared away in Richmond in less than a week as the Confederacy ’ s former capital rushes to remove symbols of oppression in response to protests against police brutality and racism .
Crews blocked off the area and brought in a cherry picker and a crane on Tuesday , with plans to use power tools to separate the 22-foot-high bronze equestrian statue from its base .
Then , they ’ ll strap it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lift it onto a truck to be driven away .
The Stuart statue was installed on Richmond ’ s Monument Avenue in 1907 , a time when white leaders across the South sought to glorify the ‘ lost cause ’ of the Civil War and suppress attempts by Black people to assert their equality .
It depicts James Ewell Brown ( JEB ) Stuart , commander of the Cavalry Corps of Robert E. Lee ’ s Army of Northern Virginia , in full uniform with a sword at his side , turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atop a granite base .
Inscriptions on the base of the statue are filled with accolades to Stuart , who was fatally wounded by a Union soldier and died at age 31 on May 12 , 1864 .
“ He gave his life for his country and saved his city from capture , ” reads one inscription .
The Stuart monument is one of several targeted by protesters in Richmond since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 prompted nationwide demonstrations .
Police declared an unlawful assembly on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statue with ropes .
Mayor Levar Stoney , citing his emergency powers , ordered the removal of all city-owned Confederate statues on July 1 .
A statue of Stonewall Jackson was removed that day , followed the next day by a statue of Naval officer Matthew Fontaine Maury .
The Stuart statue has been the last major statue left , other than a massive statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee that ’ s located on state land .
The Lee monument also is slated for removal , but that has been blocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one of several lawsuits filed after Gov .
Ralph Northam ordered its removal last month .

Steve Helber And Denise Lavoie - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--How risky is dining out during the COVID-19 pandemic?

How risky is dining out during the COVID-19 pandemic ?
There is some risk , but health officials say there are precautions you can take to minimize the chances you ’ ll be exposed to the virus .
Ordering takeout or delivery is still the safest option for getting restaurant food , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
If you decide to eat at a restaurant , it ’ s best to opt for outdoor seating where tables are at least six feet apart , the agency says .
Dining inside a restaurant that hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distanced tables poses the most risk , it says .
The coronavirus spreads through droplets that are emitted when people talk , laugh , sing , cough or sneeze .
Indoor spaces are more risky than outdoor spaces because it might be harder to keep people apart and there ’ s less ventilation , the CDC says .
Diners should assess what other safety steps the restaurant is taking .
For example , servers should be wearing masks and the restaurant should have a process to ensure people are not congregating too closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Susan Casey Bleasdale , an infectious disease expert at the University of Illinois at Chicago .
Digital or disposable menus and throwaway utensils are also preferable , according to the CDC .
The agency says touchless payment options , like those available on your mobile device , are optimal .
Otherwise , restaurants should have procedures for avoiding hand-to-hand contact with cash and credit cards .
If you are gathering at a restaurant with a group , Bleasdale suggests only dining with people you know , and checking if they have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People more vulnerable to severe illness from the virus , such as the elderly , might want to avoid eating out at restaurants altogether .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Suicide bombing, attack in Afghanistan kill 7 policemen

KABUL - A suicide car bomber targeted an Afghan police convoy in eastern Nangarhar province on Tuesday morning , killing four officers , including a police commander , a local official said .
Three other officers were killed in an attack in the country ’ s south .
The suicide bombing , which struck at a market in the district of Khewa , also wounded 11 people — nine civilians and two members of the security forces , according to Attahullah Khogyani , the spokesman for the provincial governor .
He identified the slain commander as Mir Zaman ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodyguards .
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack , but both the Taliban and the Islamic State group are active in eastern Afghanistan , especially in Nangarhar .
Afghanistan has seen a recent spike in violence , with most attacks claimed by the local IS affiliate .
Earlier in May in the same district , an IS suicide bomber targeted the funeral of a pro-government militia commander and former warlord , killing 32 people and wounding 133 .
The dead in that attack included Abdullah Lala Jan , a provincial council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a lawmaker , was wounded in the attack .
Also Tuesday , at least three policemen were killed and three were wounded in southern Zabul province when insurgents attacked their convoy in Shinkia district , authorities said , blaming the Taliban for the attack .
The Afghan military has also been launching attacks against the Taliban the Defence Ministry has so far refused to give details .
The Taliban did not immediately comment on the attacks in Zabul .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Tropical Storm Cristina forms far off coast of Mexico

MEXICO CITY - Tropical Storm Cristina has formed in the eastern Pacific far off the coast of Mexico and forecasters @ @ @ @ @ Center said it is likely to beome that region ’ s first hurricane of the @ @ @ @ @ about 535 miles ( 860 kilometres ) south-southeast of Manzanillo , Mexico , had maximum @ @ @ @ @ ( 65 kph ) early Tuesday and it was heading to the west-northwest at 13 @ @ @ @ @ .
It posed no immediate threat to land .
Forecasters said it was likely to @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday while heading off into the Pacific .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Mississippi board votes ‘no’ on moving Confederate monument

OXFORD , Miss .
- Officials in a Mississippi county unanimously voted to keep a Confederate monument where it stands , saying moving the statue wouldn ’ t fix racial tensions .
In a 5-0 vote , the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors rejected a proposal to relocate the Confederate statue , which stands in the middle of Oxford Square , news outlets reported .
The all white male board was not initially scheduled to vote on relocating the monument , but amended Monday ’ s meeting .
Several board members said they did not believe moving the statue would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
District 4 Supervisor Chad McLarty said his African Americans friends and constituents have not told him “ the monument was an issue.
“ “ I myself have been a victim of racism due to the colour of my skin , ” McLarty said .
“ I ’ ve also been a victim of police brutality .
What I do know is there are a lot of bad people in this world , and no matter how many statues , flags or pancake boxes you take down , they will still exist.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t “ understand how things like statues and street names can be offensive to some.
” Board President and District 5 Supervisor Mike Roberts said said the community lacks unity and protesters on both sides haven ’ t exhibited “ common sense.
” The relocation vote comes after officials allowed residents to voice their opinion on relocating the monument .
There were passionate arguments on both sides , news outlets reported .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Tear gas, arrests as Kenyans protest police brutality

NAIROBI , Kenya - Kenyan police on Tuesday fired tear gas and detained protesters demanding an end to police brutality .
About 100 people took part in demonstrations across the capital , Nairobi .
Many Kenyans have been angered by a fresh wave of alleged police abuses while enforcing coronavirus restrictions .
“ We are not armed and we just wanted to take our petition very peacefully , but as you can see they are very armed , they have arrested some of us and they have injured some of us , ” protester David Oluoch said .
Nairobi-area police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been arrested and that protesters had not been “ observing distance ” for the coronavirus pandemic .
“ It ’ s dangerous to hold such meetings now , ” he said .
A protest organizer said 56 people had been arrested .
Human rights activists say at least 22 people , including a 13-year-old boy , have been killed by officers enforcing the virus restrictions .
But activists say there has been no groundswell of widespread public protest in Kenya , one of Africa ’ s biggest economies , that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
Kenya ’ s police force for two decades has been ranked as the country ’ s most corrupt institution .
It ’ s also the most deadly , according to human rights groups say .
Protest co-ordinator Gacheke Gachihi said social justice groups from 16 slums organized Tuesday ’ s event to mark 30 years since opposition politicians protested to demand democratic reforms from the single-party autocratic regime at the time .
Gachihi said the police killings have targeted people in slums and people are demanding that their rights be respected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand for that anymore , “ activist Amelia Hopkins Philips said .
“ We are going to keep standing up and peacefully protesting until that message gets through .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--New at Saudi hajj: Bottled holy water, sterilized pebbles

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Saudi Arabia has issued guidelines for about 1,000 pilgrims who will be allowed to perform the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca later this month , an experience that will be unlike any before because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The pilgrims will be only be able to drink holy water from the Zamzam well in Mecca that is packaged in plastic bottles , and pebbles for casting away evil that are usually picked up by pilgrims along hajj routes will be sterilized and bagged ahead of time .
Pilgrims will also have to bring their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced Monday as Saudi authorities prepare for a very limited hajj , which for the first time will not include pilgrims from outside the country .
Instead , the kingdom said that 70 % of pilgrims allowed to make the pilgrimage this year will be from among foreign residents of Saudi Arabia and 30 % would be Saudi citizens .
Saudi pilgrims will be selected from among healthcare workers and security personnel who have recovered from COVID-19 , the illness caused by the virus .
The government said their selection represents a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing care “ during the pandemic .
Saudi Arabia has one of the Middle East ’ s largest outbreaks of the virus , with infection rates rising by 3,000-4,000 cases daily .
More than 213,000 people have contracted the virus in the kingdom so far , including 1,968 who have died .
The new guidelines also mandate that the foreign residents making this year ’ s pilgrimage should be between the ages of 20 and 50 , and that they have not performed the hajj before .
The pilgrims will have to quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will be tested for the coronavirus .
Those eligible have until Friday to submit an application through the Hajj Ministry ’ s website .
Saudi Arabia has dramatically scaled back the hajj due to concerns about overcrowding at the annual pilgrimage , which usually draws about 2.5 million people , saying its decision was aimed at preserving global public health .
At the hajj , the crowds move , pray and stand in extremely close proximity , often squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder , as they carry out five days of rites around Mecca .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , authorities said anyone participating in the hajj will not be allowed to touch the cube-shaped Kaaba , which is Islam ’ s holiest site and the metaphorical house of God .
Pilgrims this year will also have to wear masks , maintain physical distance during prayers and sleep in tents that follow guidelines on social distancing .
In other developments in the Middle East , Iran ’ s health ministry on Tuesday announced the highest single-day spike in deaths from coronavirus , with 200 new fatalities .
Spokeswoman Sima Sadat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 from Monday , when 160 were reported to have died of COVID-19 .
She blamed the spike on large gatherings for weddings and other ceremonies , where people do not observe distancing regulations .
Iran on Sunday instituted mandatory mask-wearing even as its public increasingly shrugs off the danger of the virus .
Iran has reported more than 245,000 cases of the virus so far and 11,931 deaths .
Elsewhere , Israel ’ s parliament passed an emergency bill early Tuesday allowing the government to bypass the house in making immediate decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Lawmakers supporting the bill said it was essential , given the fast-spreading nature of the virus , but some opposition lawmakers decried the sidelining of the legislature as another step in undermining the foundations of Israeli democracy under the guise of an emergency .
The Israeli government reimposed new restrictions on the public on Monday , limiting gatherings and ordering reception halls , restaurants , bars , theatres , fitness centres and pools be shut down again .
Just weeks ago , Israel had appeared to have contained its initial outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
But after reporting just a handful of new cases a day in early May , it has experienced a steady uptick following an easing of restrictions .
Currently , Israel is reporting upward of 1,000 new cases a day — higher than its peak during the previous wave .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who was largely seen as having capably handled the outbreak , has suffered in opinion polls more recently amid the new surge and economic consequences of the pandemic .
He convened Tuesday a high-profile consultation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former governor of the Bank of Israel .
But a top health ministry official stepped down in protest over how Israel was handling the latest uptick in cases .
Sigal Sadetsky , who headed the department of public health services , said in a lengthy resignation letter that the “ handling of the pandemic had lost direction.
” Since the start of the outbreak , Israel has seen more than 31,000 cases and 338 deaths .
Meanwhile , the Dubai Financial Market , the sheikhdom ’ s stock exchange , reopened on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcoming tourists again .
The market closed mid-March over the pandemic , but trading continued online throughout the closure .
“ We ensured that there is physical distancing between investors and employees ’ offices , which is the most important element for safety during this time , ” market official Jamal al-Khadhar told The Associated Press .
“ There are glass barriers , there are iPads that people can use for any transactions , there ’ s also a whole setup and sanitizers available and the entire market was sanitized to implement safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Jerusalem , Malak Harb in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Nasser Karimi and Amir Vahdat in Tehran , Iran , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Global stocks slip as virus outbreaks dim hopes for rebound

TOKYO - World stock markets were mostly lower Tuesday as spreading coronavirus outbreaks dimmed hopes for a global recovery , despite an overnight rally in tech shares that pushed the Nasdaq to another record high .
The EU executive meanwhile lowered its forecasts for economic growth this year and predicted a slower rebound in 2021 , highlighting how the recovery from the global recession and the lockdowns on business will take longer than expected .
U.S. shares were set to drift lower , with Dow futures falling 0.9 % and S & P 500 futures sliding 0.8 % .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell 0.9 % to 5,035 , while Germany ’ s DAX slipped 1.1 % to 12,598 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 dropped 1.2 % to 6,210 .
Government stimulus and hopes for an economic turnaround have kept investor sentiment upbeat recently , Prakash Sakpal and Nicholas Mapa , senior economists at ING , said in a report after the Nasdaq hit a record .
But pandemic uncertainties are lingering , and the situation is fragile .
“ Investors continue to look past the sustained pickup in new infections in the southern part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the world like Israel , but a sustained influx of downbeat reports could change sentiment , ” their report said .
In Asian trading , Japan ’ s benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped 0.4 % to finish at 22,614.69 and South Korea ’ s Kospi gave up 1.1 % to 2,164.17 .
Australia ’ s S & P/ASX 200 was little changed , edging less than 0.1 % lower to 6,012.90 .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng shed 1.5 % to 25,946.86 , while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.4 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the executive body of the 27-nation EU said the bloc ’ s economy is forecast to contract 8.3 % this year , before growing 5.8 % in 2021 .
In the previous forecasts released in May , GDP was forecast to contract about 7.5 % this year and to bounce back 6 % next year .
Industrial production in Germany rebounded in May , but less than expected and remains far below levels from before the pandemic caused factories to close .
While investors have focused on hopes for a robust bounce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worry is that pandemic will continue worsening , with hotspots stretching across the U.S. South and West .
Cities in major economies like Australia and Britain have seen pockets of new contagions , requiring new lockdown measures .
That trend is likely to keep shoppers and businesses from spending .
The worst-case scenario for markets is that governments resume more widespread lockdowns implemented during the spring and choke off the budding economic recovery .
Either way , many economists expect it will take years for the global economy to return to the level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Benchmark U.S. crude oil lost 42 cents to $ 40.21 a barrel .
It fell 2 cents to $ 40.63 a barrel Monday .
Brent crude oil for September delivery fell 35 cents to $ 42.75 a barrel .
The dollar rose to 107.71 Japanese yen from 107.37 yen .
The euro inched down to $ 1.1291 from $ 1.1309 .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Bus in China plunges into a lake, killing 21

BEIJING - Authorities say 21 people were killed Tuesday when a bus ran through a roadside fence and plunged into @ @ @ @ @ Chinese city .
Surveillance video posted by state broadcaster CCTV on its social media account @ @ @ @ @ across six lanes of traffic and through the fence .
The cause of the accident @ @ @ @ @ city government in Guizhou province said in a statement that 15 people were rescued and @ @ @ @ @ .
The bus was hauled out of Hongshan Lake in a large rescue operation .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Police fatally shoot gunman at VA hospital in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE - A man armed with a shotgun was killed by police as he tried to enter a Milwaukee veterans hospital , according to Department of Veterans Affairs officials .
The man was stopped by VA police outside an entrance to the Milwaukee VA Medical Center about 8:40 p.m. Monday .
Police ordered him to drop his gun , but he refused and threatened police , who fired multiple shots , authorities said .
He was taken to the hospital ’ s emergency department , where he died , officials said .
No one else was injured , the Milwaukee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney John Chisholm joined investigators at the scene .
The gunman was not identified and details about why he was at the hospital weren ’ t immediately released .
Police temporarily closed entrances to the federally run health care facility , which sits on 245 acres ( 99 hectares ) on Milwaukee ’ s west side .
Besides the hospital , the property also includes a nursing home and a domiciliary for inpatient substance abuse and psychiatric rehabilitation .
VA facilities have been the sites of shootings elsewhere .
On Monday , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wounding two people inside a Florida veterans clinic last year was committed to a mental health care facility for 25 years .
In January , VA police at a hospital in Dallas fatally shot a man who came to the facility and threatened them with a knife .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Iraqis mourn expert on armed groups killed by unknown gunmen

BAGHDAD - Iraqi mourners and relatives on Tuesday carried the body of a respected analyst shot and killed the previous night in Baghdad after receiving threats from Iran-backed militias .
Many Iraqis expressed their shock over the slaying .
Hisham al-Hashimi , 47 , was gunned down on Monday night outside his home in Baghdad ’ s Zeyouneh neighbourhood .
His casket , draped in the Iraqi flag , was taken to his family home before being driven to the burial site .
Al-Hashimi , a leading expert on the Islamic State group and other militant organization , was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expertise was often sought by government officials , journalists and researchers .
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the killing , which comes weeks after he confided to close friends that he had received threats from militia groups .
The slaying also coincides with a spate of rocket attacks targeting U.S. interests that has been blamed on Iran-backed armed groups .
Authorities launched a raid last week in Baghdad , in which they detained 14 members of the powerful Kataib Hezbollah group , suspected of orchestrating the attacks .
All but one detainees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mustafa al-Kadhimi said Iraqi security forces would “ spare no effort ” in pursuing al-Hashimi ’ s killers .
Hours after al-Hashimi ’ s killing , authorities fired the top police officer for Zeyouneh and launched an investigation into his activities , according to an order from the prime minister ’ s office , seen by The Associated Press .
Condemnations from Iraqi officials poured in as shock reverberated across the country at the news of al-Hashimi ’ s killing .
Nechirvan Barzani , president of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perpetrators of this terror act and bring them to justice , ” in a tweet on Tuesday .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Thermometers in hand, Dubai opens for tourists amid pandemic

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - From French soccer jerseys to slick online campaigns , Dubai is trumpeting the fact that it reopened for tourism on Tuesday — but what that means for this sheikhdom that relies on the dollars , pounds , rupees and yuan spent by travellers remains in question .
With travel uncertain and the coronavirus still striking nations Dubai relies on for tourists , this city-state wants to begin coaxing people back to its beaches and its cavernous shopping malls .
By instilling the idea that Dubai is safe , authorities likely hope to fuel interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter months for tourism .
But all that depends on controlling a virus that the United Arab Emirates as a whole continues to fight .
Armed with thermometers , mandatory face masks and hand sanitizer , Dubai is wagering it is ready .
“ I think that will give people confidence — when they ’ re ready to travel — to come to Dubai , “ said Paul Bridger , the corporate director for operations at Dubai-based Rove Hotels .
“ It will take time to come back .
... We are expecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be back because of the confidence that we can give to people that are travelling.
” That Dubai is a tourist destination at all is largely thanks to its ruler , Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , who used the state-owned long-haul carrier Emirates to put this one-time pearling post on the map .
Attractions like the Burj Khalifa , the world ’ s tallest building , and the sail-shaped Burj Al-Arab luxury hotel draw transit passengers out of Dubai International Airport , the world ’ s busiest for international travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16.7 million international guests , up from 15.9 million the year before , according to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing .
The top seven tourist-sending nations were India , Saudi Arabia , the United Kingdom , Oman , China , Russia and the U.S .
The city ’ s 741 hotels saw around 75 % occupancy for the year , with visitors staying on average 3 1/2 days .
Those travellers also fuel Dubai ’ s vast restaurant , bar and nightlife scene .
Though drinking is illegal in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iran , Kuwait and Saudi Arabia , alcohol sales remain a crucial part of Dubai ’ s economy .
Though bars only briefly reopened to quickly close again , alcohol-serving restaurants abound .
But even before the pandemic , lower global energy prices , a 30 % drop in the city ’ s real estate market value and trade war fears have led employers to shed staff .
The virus outbreak accelerated those losses , especially as Dubai has postponed its Expo 2020 , or world ’ s fair , to next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening for tourism that much more important , even though Dubai ’ s top three tourist-feeding countries remain hard-hit by the virus , said Rabia Yasmeen , a consultant at the market-research firm Euromonitor International .
Even retail sales are affected by tourism , with some 35 % of all revenue coming from tourists , she said .
“ It ’ s good for them to go ahead and announce because there needs to be a call for the confidence to come back , ” Yasmeen said .
“ Someone has to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” And Dubai has , in typical headline-baiting fashion , taken those steps .
French football club Olympique Lyonnais , under a sponsorship with Emirates , wore “ Dubai Is Open ” jerseys at a recent match .
Dubai passport controllers have begun putting stickers on foreigners ’ passports reading in English and Arabic : “ A warm welcome to your second home.
“ But there ’ s a risk , particularly in allowing more travel as the virus stalks other countries .
Emirates stopped flying to Pakistan over virus fears .
Across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arab Emirates , there have been 52,600 confirmed cases of the virus among the 9 million people living here , and 326 deaths .
At Rove Hotels , a new budget chain run by state-linked firms Emaar and Meraas , thermometer-carrying staffers check the temperature of everyone coming inside .
Cleaners fog disinfectants over rooms and wipe down tables and chairs .
Even a camel statue and an oversized stuffed animal wore a mask .
The chain , like others in Dubai , also has sought outside certification over its cleaning routines on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s kind of the icing on the cake to give people comfort that we ’ re following those standards , ” Bridger said .
There are still risks .
In order to travel , tourists must take a COVID-19 test within 96 hours of their flight and show the airline a negative result .
Otherwise , they will be tested on arrival and required to isolate while awaiting the results , which travellers say typically takes a few hours .
Travellers must also have health insurance covering COVID-19 or sign a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment and isolation .
“ A key question comes in : Is the traveller ready to come to Dubai ?
” Yasmeen asked .
“ That ’ s a big question mark.
” Associated Press writer Fay Abuelgasim in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Plan to bring back Suez Canal statue stirs debate in Egypt

CAIRO - A proposal to bring back the statue of a French diplomat behind the idea to build the Suez Canal has stirred controversy in Egypt , with many saying it would be a salute to colonial times and a “ humiliation ” to the memory of tens of thousands of Egyptian labourers who died building the waterway in the 1860s .
The debate started when the daily el-Shorouk reported last month that local authorities in the Mediterranean province of Port Said were thinking of returning the statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps to where it once stood , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lesseps , who came to Cairo in 1833 as a consul and was later posted to Alexandria , had been inspired by the idea of joining the Red Sea and the Mediterranean .
He persuaded the Ottoman governor of Egypt to build the canal and in 1859 , he symbolically swung a pickax to launch the construction , which took 10 years .
The canal was officially opened on Nov. 17 , 1869 .
A 33-foot bronze statue of de Lesseps by French sculptor Emmanuel Frémiet , was erected in Nov. 1899 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his right hand extended to welcome visitors entering the Suez Canal , his left holding a map of the canal .
The statue was destroyed by Egyptian fighters amid the 1956 Mideast War , when Israeli forces pushed into Egypt toward the Suez Canal after Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the canal .
It was later restored by the Paris-based Association des Amis du Canal de Suez , and is now housed in a shipyard in Port Fouad .
The Egyptian government registered the statue as an artifact in 2019 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return of the de Lesseps statue , another statue would be erected next to it , showing an Egyptian farmer , symbolizing the workers who had dug the canal .
A local official in Port Said , speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters , told The Associated Press that no decision has yet been made and that more “ public debate “ is needed before the statue can be returned .
Lawmaker Mustafa Bakry on Monday condemned the proposal .
Abdallah el-Senawy , a columnist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced labourers during the canal ’ s construction was a “ racist crime that requires accountability , condemnation , and an apology.
“ Hundreds of thousands of Egyptian peasants were drafted into low-wage digging work with hand tools and tens of thousands died before the practice was banned and steam-powered excavators took their place .
In 1956 , Nasser nationalized the canal from the British and French companies that owned it , a moment cherished by Egyptians as a defiant break from imperialist control .
Britain , France and Israel invaded in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States and the Soviet Union , in what was seen across the Arab world as a defining victory for Nasser and Arab nationalism .
Around 10 % of the world ’ s trade flows through the waterway , which is one of Egypt ’ s top foreign currency earners .
In 2015 , the government of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi completed a major expansion of the canal , allowing it to accommodate the world ’ s largest vessels .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Indian, Chinese soldiers move away from site of deadly clash

SRINAGAR , India - Indian and Chinese soldiers have backed away from the site of a deadly clash last month in the Galwan Valley along the undemarcated border , Indian security officials said , a sign of the countries ’ progress in disengaging from a months-long standoff .
The two sides also appeared to have dismantled recent construction along the river valley high in the Karakoram mountains , satellite images showed .
Three Indian security officials familiar with the developments said soldiers on both sides have moved back about a kilometre ( 0.6 mile ) from the site of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel fought with rocks , clubs and their fists in hand-to-hand combat that left 20 Indian soldiers dead .
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter and in keeping with government regulations .
The two sides have also moved apart at two locations in the Hot Spring area , out of at least five places where Indian officials said the Chinese had crossed the Line of Actual Control , the area of the border that remains disputed following a 1962 war that ended in an uneasy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand at close range at two other sites along the 3,380-kilometre ( 2,100-mile ) line of control , at Depsang and Pangong Lake .
At the picturesque lake , the Chinese were 8 kilometres ( 5 miles ) within the disputed border area , the officials said .
Satellite images from June 28 appeared to show that the Indians had built a wall on their side of the Galwan Valley and the Chinese had expanded a camp at the end of a long road connected to Chinese military bases farther from the poorly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But images released on Monday by Maxar , a Colorado-based satellite imagery company , showed those recent additions now gone .
“ There are no structures or vehicles visible within 1.3 kilometres ( 0.8 mile ) of the LAC in the valley , ” said Nathan Ruser , an imagery analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute .
However , Ruser said satellite images showed a “ large tent structure ” of about 900 square meters ( 9,687 square feet ) appeared just under a mile ( 1.6 kilometres ) from the Line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not appear in June 28 images of the same area .
The purpose of the tent and its possible contents , if any , were unclear .
The countries ’ special representatives on the border issue , Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi , agreed in a phone call Sunday that “ maintenance of peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas was essential for the further development of our bilateral relations , ” and to “ complete the ongoing disengagement process along the LAC expeditiously , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement Monday .
The phone call came after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unannounced visit to a military base in the Indian territory of Ladakh , visiting injured soldiers and praising their bravery .
The face-off began in early May , first at three places including Pangong Lake , and then escalated to two other places in Depsang and Galwan in June .
India and China have blamed each other for provoking the June 15 brawl in the Galwan Valley , the Asian giants ’ most violent encounter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims to the area where it occurred .
China ’ s ambassador to India , Sun Weidong , told the Press Trust of India news agency that there were “ casualties between the two sides , ” but Chinese officials have not detailed any deaths or injuries on their side .
The countries went to war in 1962 over their competing claims to the arid border region , with the conflict spilling over into Ladakh .
Lt. Gen. D.S .
Hooda , a former head of the Indian military ’ s Northern Command @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of disengagement was a “ good , positive step.
” “ Good that some stalemate is broken but it ’ s going to be a long and protracted negotiation for a substantial disengagement at military level .
The full de-escalation will be hard bargaining at diplomatic level , ” he said .
Hooda said it remained unclear what China wanted to achieve in the standoff .
“ I ’ ll be looking at what Chinese demands are going to be as a cost for complete disengagement .
We know neither side will quietly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that India hoped to restore “ status quo ante , the position the two countries were in April.
” The coming winter would pose an extreme challenge for both sides if the face-off continues , Hooda said .
The vast undemarcated border region becomes inhospitable during winter months , when temperatures can drop to minus 50 Celsius ( minus 58 Fahrenheit ) .
Schmall reported from New Delhi and McNeil reported from Beijing .

Aijaz Hussain, Emily Schmall And Sam McNeil - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--July 14 bail hearing date set for Epstein’s ex-girlfriend

NEW YORK - Jeffrey Epstein ’ s ex-girlfriend will appear remotely by video for a July 14 courthouse arraignment and bail hearing on charges she recruited girls for him to sexually abuse over two decades ago , a judge said Tuesday .
U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan set the date in an order as she announced special arrangements to allow limited public access to the video feed of Ghislaine Maxwell facing charges for the first time in Manhattan federal court next week .
The 58-year-old British socialite was arrested last week at a $ 1 million estate she bought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors say she had been hiding after Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan lockup last August .
At the time , Epstein , 66 , was facing sex trafficking charges .
Maxwell was brought to New York City by the U.S .
Marshals Service on Monday , when she was housed at a Brooklyn federal detention centre .
Her lawyers did not return a message seeking comment , though they said in court papers that they spoke with her Monday evening .
Prosecutors say they plan to ask that Maxwell be kept incarcerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the money , the overseas connections and the incentive to flee .
They said she also was a citizen of the U.S. , the United Kingdom and France .
Besides a telephone feed available to the public for the hearing , the judge said a video feed of the remote proceedings also will be set up in the courthouse jury assembly room .
“ Due to social distancing requirements , seating will be extremely limited , “ the judge wrote .
All visitors to the courthouse will also have their temperatures checked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
In an indictment unsealed last week , prosecutors relied on statements by three women who alleged they were recruited by Maxwell and sexually abused by Epstein from 1994 through 1997 .
The court papers alleged that the abuse began when one of them was as young as 14 and occurred at residences in Palm Beach , Florida ; Santa Fe , New Mexico , and London .
Maxwell has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and called some of the claims against her “ absolute rubbish.
“


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Mexico president heads to Washington for meeting with Trump

MEXICO CITY - For his first foreign trip as president , Mexico ’ s Andrés Manuel López Obrador travels to Washington Tuesday to meet with President Donald Trump , who has repeatedly taken shots at Mexico and Mexican migrants to rally his base .
The visit , coming just four months before U.S. elections , has many Mexicans cringing .
Trump has insulted them , threatened crippling tariffs to strongarm Mexico into playing an uncomfortable role in U.S. immigration policy and insisted they will pay for a border wall meant to keep migrants out of the U.S .
But López @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump .
He likes to point out that more recently Trump helped Mexico reach a deal with other oil-producing nations to cut production and aided Mexico in obtaining more ventilators to face the coronavirus pandemic .
Both presidents talk about a blossoming friendship that seems to stem from their pursuit of unapologetically nationalist agendas .
López Obrador hints at the real reason for the trip when he reels off U.S. economic statistics — the size of the U.S. pandemic stimulus package , the number of jobs the U.S. got back in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recession before the pandemic , has shed about 1 million jobs since and is forecast to contract this year by as much as 10 % .
“ This helps us by being neighbours , ” López Obrador said Tuesday , before departing .
“ This is about the economy , it ’ s about jobs , it ’ s about well-being.
” By late Tuesday his flight had arrived in Dulles International Airport after a layover in Atlanta .
There is no doubt Trump will try to use the visit to his advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trade accord replacing one Trump said was a bad deal and will allow the president to bash former Vice-President Joe Biden for voting in favour of the old North American Free Trade Agreement .
Trump could stir his base with sharp words for Mexico or simply play up López Obrador ’ s desire to express his gratitude .
In 2016 , Trump , then a candidate for the presidency , visited López Obrador ’ s predecessor , an invitation for which President Enrique Peña Nieto was harshly criticized , inlcuding by López @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flew to Arizona where he railed against immigrants .
López Obrador , a pragmatist and nationalist above all , knows there is no more important ally than the behemoth to the north , especially as Mexico ’ s economy plunges deeper into recession .
If Trump wins a second term , López Obrador could be calculating he ’ ll have a friend for the remaining four years of his administration .
If the Democrats take office , he trusts they will respect the importance of the bilateral relationship and not hold a grudge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right bet and we don ’ t know it , ” said Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera , associate professor at George Mason University ’ s Schar School of Policy and Government .
She expects Trump to use the visit to rally his base , perhaps even reviving the claim that Mexico will pay for the border wall , a topic López Obrador repeatedly dodged Tuesday .
“ He ’ s conscious of what can happen , ” she said .
“ It happened to Peña Nieto .
It can easily happen to him.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire to be drawn into U.S. domestic politics .
He says he ’ s going to mark the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement , which took effect July 1 .
“ There is no way ( López Obrador ) can spin this visit in his favour , ” said Tony Payan , director of the Center for the United States and Mexico at Rice University ’ s Baker Institute for Public Policy .
Payan said the trade accord doesn ’ t merit wading into U.S. political waters .
“ The ( trade ) agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ There is no need to thank anyone .
There is no need to express any kind of gratitude .
There is no need for a pilgrimage.
” That ’ s a decision Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apparently reached in deciding not to attend the meeting .
“ If we have a good relationship with the United States government , we are going to avoid mistreatment ” of Mexicans living in the U.S. , López Obrador said .
López Obrador has repeatedly raised the importance of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them as heroes .
Payan said immigration is always on the bilateral agenda , but he sees little chance for Mexico winning any concessions from Trump , whose administration continues to curtail legal and illegal immigration .
“ I think Trump is more interested in restricting access to the American labour market today more than ever , ” Payan said .
Mexico ’ s worrisome level of violence — 2019 saw the highest number of murders on record — could be an opening .
López Obrador could ask for more U.S. assistance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transactions .
He says he won ’ t undermine Mexico ’ s sovereignty and has been a harsh critic of the Merida Initiative that brought U.S. financial and material support to Mexico as his predecessors battled the cartels .
For Trump , the visit is an opportunity to criticize his opponent for supporting NAFTA more than two decades ago , possibling helping garner votes in the Midwest states where workers blamed the old trade deal for prompting U.S. companies to shift manufacturing to Mexico , where labour costs were lower .
Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” was one of the biggest promises he made to his supporters in 2016 .
Trade was perhaps the single biggest reason he ran for president in the first place , Trump says .
He is fond of saying that after NAFTA was created , the U.S. lost one in four manufacturing jobs while asserting that the new deal will create nearly 100,000 new , high-paying American auto jobs , boost exports for U.S. farmers and ranchers and increase trade with Mexico and Canada .
Trump is correct that the United States has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that pact took effect in January 1994 .
But most economists attribute the losses more to the recessions of 2001 and 2007-2009 , automation and low-cost competition from China .
Biden has said he didn ’ t regret voting for NAFTA during his time in the Senate .
“ Fair trade is important , ” Biden has said .
“ Not free trade .
Fair trade .
And I think that back in the time during the Clinton administration , it made sense at the moment.
” From López Obrador ’ s perspective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House is Mexico ’ s best policy .
“ We ’ re going to offer our opinion , but we ’ re not planning for confrontation , ” López Obrador said Tuesday .
“ We ’ re going to look to convince , we ’ re going to seek understanding.
” __ AP writer Deb Riechmann in Washington contributed to this report .

Christopher Sherman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Atlanta Mayor: No need for troops, despite governor’s order

ATLANTA - The mayor of Atlanta said Tuesday that she doesn ’ t agree with the Georgia governor ’ s order to mobilize the National Guard in her city as a surge in violence became a political talking point .
Gov .
Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Monday and authorized activation of up to 1,000 Guard troops after a weekend of gun violence in Atlanta left five people dead , including Secoriea Turner , an 8-year-old girl .
Police on Tuesday released a short video of an armed man who they described as a person of interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta Police Lt. Pete Malecki said the video comes from a surveillance camera near where Secoriea was shot while riding in the back seat of an SUV .
The reward for information in the case was doubled to $ 20,000 .
Kemp ’ s office said troops will provide support at sites such as the Capitol , governor ’ s mansion and the state Department of Public Safety headquarters — damaged by a group early Sunday — freeing state law enforcement to patrol other areas of the city .
Some National Guard troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was no visible presence by mid-morning Tuesday .
“ Peaceful protests were hijacked by criminals with a dangerous , destructive agenda .
Now , innocent Georgians are being targeted , shot , and left for dead , ” the Republican governor said .
But Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Kemp issued his order without asking if the city needed help .
The city had already been co-ordinating with the Georgia State Patrol , and “ at no time was it mentioned that anyone felt there was a need for the National Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America.
” Maj. Gen. Tom Carden , who oversees the Georgia National Guard , told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that troops stood guard at the three sites Monday night and will return Tuesday night .
He said the first night was peaceful .
Carden declined to say how many troops were deployed , citing safety concerns .
There were four Humvees with 10 to 12 armed troops outside the Georgia state capitol Tuesday evening .
Secoriea Turner was riding with her mother and another adult Saturday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burned after a Black man , Rayshard Brooks , was fatally shot by a white police officer in the restaurant parking lot last month .
When the SUV Secoriea was in tried to enter a parking lot , they were confronted by “ a group of armed individuals ” blocking the entrance , police said .
The girl ’ s mother , Charmaine Turner , said shots were fired and Secoriea was hit before they could make a U-turn .
The video released Tuesday shows a Black man in a white shirt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tan stock and grip .
“ I ’ m going to ask , I ’ m going to plead , for the assistance of the public in helping us get a person of interest identified in the case , ” Malecki told reporters .
“ I ’ m confident that somebody , somebody knows the name of this male.
” Malecki said police believe “ numerous armed individuals ” were present at the barricade on University Avenue and that at least four people may have participated in the shooting .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired into the Jeep after Turner tried to drive across the barricade .
The fast food outlet was burned the night after Brooks ’ death , and the site had become a focus of frequent demonstrations against police brutality .
At least intermittently , armed people had manned a barricade on the street in front of the Wendy ’ s .
Police had removed barricades at least once before , but one journalist was assaulted near the site and gunmen threatened or turned back other people .
Atlanta police helped sanitation crews clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said they were not part of the violence .
Nikema Williams , a state senator and chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Georgia , called Kemp ’ s decision reckless .
Critics of such mobilizations have said that deploying troops on city streets could provoke more violence .
“ His choice to deploy National Guard troops for today ’ s selfish purpose is outrageous and will endanger lives , ” she said in a statement .
But Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia said Tuesday he agreed with the governor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must not be allowed to exist in Atlanta or any other American city .
“ After what we saw this past weekend , I think it was the right move , ” said Collins , who is running for U.S. Senate .
Over the holiday period from Friday through Sunday , 31 people were shot in 11 different incidents , Atlanta police said .
When asked about the surge in violence , the mayor said she thinks people are anxious and frustrated about the coronavirus pandemic and high-profile cases of police brutality .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a perfect storm of distress in America , ” said Bottoms , who learned Monday that she , her husband and one of their four children have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Associated Press writers Jeff Amy and Jeff Martin and photographer John Bazemore contributed to this story .

Kate Brumback And Ben Nadler - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--In risky bid, Trump stokes racial rancour to motivate voters

NEW YORK - President Donald Trump is wielding America ’ s racial tensions as a reelection weapon , fiercely denouncing the racial justice movement on a near-daily basis with language stoking white resentment and aiming to drive his supporters to the polls .
The incendiary discourse is alarming many in his own party and running contrary to the advice of some in his inner circle , who believe it risks alienating independent and suburban voters .
It ’ s a pattern that harks back to cultural divisions Trump similarly exploited in his victorious 2016 campaign .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the derision or the vitriol .
The actual issue is understanding the appeal to white resentment and white fear , ” said Eddie Glaude , chair of the Department of African American studies at Princeton University .
“ It ’ s all rooted in this panic about the place of white people in this new America.
” Though Trump has long aired racially divisive language and grievances in the public sphere , his willingness to do so from behind the presidential seal — and on his Twitter account — has reached a breakneck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grapples with racial injustice .
The president tweeted — and later deleted — a video of a supporter yelling “ white power.
“ He referred to the Black Lives Matter mantra as a “ symbol of hate.
” He took a swipe at NASCAR for removing the Confederate flag from its races and falsely suggested a Black driver had carried out a racially charged hoax .
He mused about overturning a suburban fair-housing regulation and spoke approvingly of the current branding of the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians , team nicknames that many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notably , he has engaged in a full-throated defence of the Confederate legacy , which he at times has cloaked within tributes to the Founding Fathers , including during a pair of high-profile Fourth of July weekend speeches .
“ Those who seek to erase our heritage want Americans to forget our pride and our great dignity , so that we can no longer understand ourselves or America ’ s destiny , ” Trump said Friday at the base of Mount Rushmore .
“ In toppling the heroes of 1776 , they seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyalty that we feel for our country , and that we feel for each other .
Their goal is not a better America ; their goal is the end of America.
” In defending Thomas Jefferson and George Washington that night , Trump did not mention the Confederacy .
Instead , he painted racial justice demonstrators with a broad brush that made no distinction between the many who oppose honouring the Confederacy and the relative few who question celebrating Founders who owned slaves .
But Trump has repeatedly called for the preservation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its generals on military bases — all assailed in the protests that have swept from coast to coast in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd .
His comments are an apparent descendant , a half-century later , of Richard Nixon ’ s coded outreach to white voters known as the Southern Strategy .
Trump himself has embraced Nixon ’ s phrase “ the Silent Majority ” to describe his own supporters .
By all accounts , the president ’ s actions are , at times , born of impulse and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on television .
However , according to current and former Trump campaign officials , his overarching strategy is an appeal to white voters — some of them racist and some who fear being left behind by a government seemingly consumed with helping others .
Those officials were not authorized to publicly discuss such private matters and commented only on condition of anonymity .
The belief is that his appeals will generate enthusiasm among the same disaffected white voters who made up the president ’ s base of supporters four years ago .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounding the alarm that 2020 is not 2016 .
White House advisers Kellyanne Conway and Jared Kushner , according to the officials , have both warned that some of the racist rhetoric , including the use of China-blaming “ kung flu ” to describe the COVID-19 pandemic , could turn off swaths of voters .
And some believe there was more of an audience for inflammatory rhetoric about immigration four years ago , particularly as polls show the Black Lives Matter movement gaining widespread support .
“ The 2016 debate about immigration was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American worker , and our culture .
The issues that involve race now are completely different , ” said Sam Nunberg , a former Trump campaign adviser .
“ It ’ s not easy to conflate people who want to tear down the statues of the Confederacy and the few who want to get George Washington , ” said Nunberg .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s a winning argument in a time of a pandemic .
This doesn ’ t affect people ’ s daily lives .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months before Election Day , Republicans are nervously watching polls that show Trump slipping behind his Democratic rival Joe Biden .
They have grown increasingly worried that his focus on racial rancour could force GOP senators locked in tough campaigns to distance themselves from their party ’ s president .
“ Defending the Confederacy and racial dog whistles is not going to help win the suburbs .
He is solely focused on a small part of his base when he should be looking to grow his support , ” said Alex Conant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rubio ’ s presidential bid .
“ If Joe Biden proposed tearing down Mount Rushmore , that would be a huge opening for Trump .
But Biden is not doing that.
“ Sen. John Thune , R-S.D.
, said GOP candidates “ need to do what they need to do to win .
And in some states , he will be a benefit in some parts of the country .
In other parts of the country , less so.
” The Trump campaign dismisses accusations of racism .
“ President Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highlighting America ’ s highest ideals of freedom and individual liberty , ” said campaign spokesman Ken Farnaso .
“ He both educated citizens on our shared history and pushed for a more united front combating those who want to create chaos.
” Democrats have charged that the president ’ s recent rhetoric is consistent with Trump ’ s history , including his call in the 1980s for the death penalty for Black teenagers later exonerated for the rape of a jogger in Central Park and for questioning whether the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was born in the United States .
“ We are beyond dog whistles with this president , ” said TJ Ducklo , the Biden campaign ’ s national press secretary .
“ Donald Trump openly embraces racist rhetoric and sends blatant signals of support for the causes of white supremacists -- and he does it from the highest office in the land.
” Associated Press writer Alan Fram contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--The Latest: Cory Booker wins N.J. Democratic Senate primary

WASHINGTON - The Latest on Tuesday ’ s primary elections in New Jersey and Delaware ( all times local ) : The incumbent Booker had faced Lawrence Hamm , who was running on Bernie Sanders ’ “ Not Me .
Us.
” slogan .
Booker arrived in the Senate in 2013 after serving as mayor of Newark .
He also ran for president in 2020 , ending his campaign in January after struggling to raise the type of money required to support a White House bid .
His campaign ’ s message of unity and love failed to resonate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxiety .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden has won New Jersey ’ s mostly mail-in Democratic presidential primary .
Biden faced Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on the ballot Tuesday , even though Biden has accumulated enough delegates to become the party ’ s presumptive nominee .
New Jersey ’ s already-late primary got pushed a month later because of the COVID-19 pandemic , and Democratic Gov .
Phil Murphy mandated that the election take place mostly by mail-in ballots .
New Jersey ’ s 14 electoral votes have gone to Democrats in every presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won Delaware ’ s Democratic presidential primary , while President Donald Trump has won the state ’ s Republican presidential primary .
Biden , a longtime senator from Delaware before serving two terms as vice-president , is already the party ’ s presumptive nominee .
He has accumulated enough delegates to win the nomination at Democrats ’ convention next month .
Republicans have coalesced around Trump , who is seeking his second term in office .
Republicans are also holding their presidential nominating convention next month .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Andrew Jackson statue loses status in city named for him

JACKSON , Miss .
- A Mississippi city named after former U.S. President Andrew Jackson will remove a downtown statue of him and put it in a less prominent spot .
The City Council in Jackson , Mississippi , voted 5-1 Tuesday to relocate the bronze figure that has stood outside City Hall for decades .
It ’ s the latest of many changes in the United States as people reconsider monuments to historical figures with connections to slavery and racism .
No immediate plans were made for a time or place to move the Andrew Jackson statue , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows him standing in a military uniform .
The statue was made in 1968 and dedicated in 1972 .
City Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay said it could go to a museum .
Councilman Kenneth Stokes proposed removing the statue , saying the city is showing leadership by making the change .
The only dissenting vote came from the council ’ s lone Republican , Ashby Foote .
Jackson is Mississippi ’ s capital city , with a population of about 160,600 .
About 82 % of its residents are African American .
Andrew Jackson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1829 to 1837 .
In addition to owning enslaved people , he also oversaw the forced migration of Native Americans in which many died .
His face is on the $ 20 bill .
Four people have been charged with trying to pull down a large statue of Jackson near the White House during protests June 22 in Washington .
This story has been corrected to show that Andrew Jackson ’ s presidency ended in 1837 , not 1873 .

Emily Wagster Pettus - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Cases of coronavirus in Idaho spike after businesses reopen

BOISE , Idaho - For a time in Idaho , it seemed like the worst of the coronavirus pandemic could be over .
After an initial onslaught of confirmed cases in the spring , by June numbers had dropped to a point that state leaders felt comfortable allowing businesses to reopen and life to get back to nearly normal .
A new spike of COVID-19 occurrences has prompted some concern , however .
The number of daily confirmed new cases has quadrupled over the past two weeks to roughly 345 — nearly double what the numbers were during the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still far from being a national hot spot : The state ranks about 14th in the nation for new confirmed cases per capita , and death rates linked to COVID-19 are minimal here compared to other states — with about 5.4 deaths per 100,000 residents , compared to about 171 deaths per 100,000 New Jersey residents , for example .
Death reports can lag behind coronavirus diagnoses by weeks , however , so it ’ s too soon to tell if Idaho ’ s death rate will remain low .
Despite his concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state back down .
He says hospitals have sufficient capacity and stocks of personal protective equipment .
But the heads of two major hospital systems in southwestern Idaho told regional public health officials Tuesday that testing systems are overwhelmed and stocks of protective equipment soon could see shortages as well .
Previous shutdown efforts have been controversial and sparked protests .
For the heavily Republican , agriculturally focused state , the coronavirus has highlighted an ongoing clash between ultraconservatives who abhor government mandates and traditional conservatives who believe science and individual responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Idaho reached Phase 4 of Little ’ s four-step reopening plan in mid-June , allowing bars to reopen and large gatherings as long as people wore masks and took other precautions such as social distancing .
By the middle of the next week , however , health officials announced an outbreak linked to infected patrons who visited half a dozen Boise bars .
Another outbreak was linked to a grocery store in central Idaho .
And in eastern Idaho , officials reported that an infected patron spent more than eight hours at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals say the Boise area is experiencing exponential growth , and that doesn ’ t seem likely to change anytime soon .
“ Our modeling shows week after week increases , ” said Chris Roth , the CEO of St. Luke ’ s Medical System .
“ There ’ s nothing that we ’ ve been able to determine is going to change the trajectory at this point , given the collective behaviours of the community.
” Bruce DeLaney , who co-owns Rediscovered Books with his wife , Laura DeLaney , says responding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation at his home over the past several weeks .
He doesn ’ t want to see Boise become another New York City , at one point the nation ’ s biggest hot spot , where his mom and brother saw the toll of the virus firsthand .
“ It ’ s tough hearing the stories out of there .
You can ’ t talk to people who ’ ve been there and not have that colour what ’ s going on here , ” he said .
“ I have a staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers have families and I don ’ t want anybody getting sick because I made them come to work in unsafe conditions.
” The state ’ s introduction to COVID-19 started with a boom in March .
Within days , Blaine County , home to the tony Sun Valley Resort , was under an emergency stay-at-home order amid a spike in cases sparked largely by out-of-state traffic to the region .
Yet many in the state were unconcerned .
They still saw the coronavirus as a big-city problem , not something that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generations-old homesteads have withstood drought , blight and economic depressions .
Social media posts with sentiments such as , “ If you ever licked a salt block as a kid , you can ’ t get coronavirus , ” started to become popular .
On March 25 , Little expanded the stay-at-home order statewide .
Within a few hours , the governor was garnering both praise for taking decisive action and complaints from those who said he overstepped .
Some far-right lawmakers said mask recommendations and forced business closures violated residents ’ personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was repeatedly critical of Little .
“ I lose sleep at night because the heavy hand of our government is hurting so many Idahoans , ” she wrote in a May editorial , adding that many residents were still waiting for unemployment benefits .
Idaho ’ s conservative lawmakers have long been reluctant to legislate medical matters , with frequent attempts to limit abortion , transgender care and other reproductive care issues being the big exceptions .
The state is one of a few that still has “ faith healing ” exceptions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid prosecution if a child dies from lack of medical care .
Idaho ’ s vaccination requirements are also flexible , allowing unvaccinated kids to attend school if their parent objects to vaccines .
As a result , the state has pockets with very low vaccination rates , and Idaho has become a popular destination for so-called “ anti-vax refugees ” from California and other areas with stricter vaccination rules .
That ethos has spread to the pandemic public policy debate , and anti-vaccine groups such as Health Freedom Idaho have joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idaho Freedom Foundation to protest the stay-at-home orders .
Hospital capacity seems to be adequate so far : As of Sunday evening , state health department officials said there had been 369 people hospitalized , 124 of whom were admitted to the ICU .
The state still had just over 100 available ICU beds and 468 ventilators available as of Sunday , however , according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare .
DeLaney , like many other Idaho business owners , initially offered delivery services , then added curbside pickup and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store are limited and everyone must wear a mask and use hand sanitizer .
For the most part , he said customers have been understanding , though some have pushed back against the rules .
“ They are pleased that we seem to value their well-being over being the best capitalists that we can be , ” he said .
Some local government leaders are taking action in the absence of a statewide face-mask mandate .
Starting last Saturday , Boise ’ s mayor , Lauren McLean , made face coverings mandatory for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t be observed .
The order was met with relief by many , and protests by some .
Health Freedom Idaho organized a protest that brought a few hundred people to Boise ’ s City Hall last Friday .
Some protesters burned masks and chanted , “ We will not comply !
“


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--FBI investigating reported assault on Black Indiana man

INDIANAPOLIS - The FBI said Tuesday it ’ s investigating the reported assault of a Black man by a group of white men at a southern Indiana lake .
Vauhxx Booker , a civil rights activist and member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission , said the men pinned him against a tree , shouted racial slurs and one of them threatened to “ get a noose ” at Monroe Lake near Bloomington over the Fourth of July weekend .
Much of the assault was captured on cellphone video by Booker ’ s acquaintances .
“ The FBI is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” spokeswoman Chris Bavender said .
Booker ’ s attorney , Katherine Liell , said the FBI was questioning witnesses and that charging decisions could be made soon .
“ We want this investigated as a hate crime .
It was clearly racially motivated , ” Liell said .
“ We will continue our quest every day until some justice is served.
” Booker said he ’ s pleased the FBI got involved .
“ I ’ m sad that this happened , honestly , ” Booker said .
“ I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some friends.
” Liell also complained that law enforcement officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources “ did not move rapidly enough ” in response to reports of the attack .
She said their failure to make arrests at the scene warrants further investigation from other law enforcement agencies .
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton said at the news conference that police continue to search for two people accused of knocking a woman unconscious and dragging a man with their car at a protest over the assault on Booker .
Police Capt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the confrontation happened near the Monroe County courthouse in Bloomington on Monday evening .
A male passenger got out of a red Toyota car and went to move an electric scooter that had been left in the road near the protest site , Pedigo said .
A 29-year-old woman approached the car and placed her hands on the hood , he said .
The driver accelerated into the woman , launching her onto the hood .
A 35-year-old man then grabbed the driver ’ s side of the car and held on as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were eventually flung to the ground and the car fled the scene , Pedigo said .
The woman was knocked unconscious and suffered a cut to her head , while the man scraped his arm .
She was transported by ambulance to a hospital but her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening , Pedigo said .
Authorities have not released the identities of the injured nor said if they were participating in the protest .
The red Toyota has not been located and investigators are still trying to determine the identities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver , police said in a news release .
Several protesters provided police with cellphone footage , Pedigo said .
“ The event last evening is being actively and aggressively investigated right now , ” Hamilton said .
“ We are taking whatever steps it takes to bring justice to that event.
” The protesters had gathered in Bloomington , about 50 miles ( 80 kilometres ) southwest of Indianapolis , to demand arrests in the assault on Booker .
This story has been corrected to show that Chris Bavender is an FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Feds unseal 2018 indictment charging Kazakh man in hacks

SEATTLE - Two weeks after a cyber-security firm released the identity of an alleged hacker from Kazakhstan , federal authorities in Seattle on Tuesday unsealed a 2018 indictment charging the man with an array of computer crimes .
Andrey Turchin , known in hacking circles as “ fxmsp , ” and his accomplices ran a prolific hacking ring that attacked hundreds of victims , including government agencies , schools , banks and luxury hotel chains on six continents , the indictment said .
Turchin , 37 , is believed to be in Kazakhstan ; prosecutors had kept the indictment sealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being sought .
But in a motion to unseal the charges , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Seattle wrote that they now believe Turchin knows about the criminal investigation and , given the security firm ’ s public identification of him , there was little reason to keep the indictment sealed .
The government still hopes to have him arrested and sent to the U.S. to face charges , the prosecutors said .
It was unclear if Turchin had obtained an attorney who could speak on his behalf .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement partners at the UK ’ s National Crime Agency , along with victims , private sector security researchers and great co-operation from our international law enforcement partners in Kazakhstan , the FBI was able to disrupt Mr. Turchin and his alleged co-conspirator ’ s criminal intrusions , ” Raymond Duda , the special agent in charge of the FBI ’ s Seattle field office , said in a news release .
The Singapore-based cyber-security firm Group-IB , which has previously co-operated with international law enforcement agencies , published a report last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hacker as Turchin .
The firm said Turchin and his associates would attack organizations and then sell access to their networks on underground forums or in private sales , promising buyers they would become the “ invisible god of networks.
” The group brought in at least $ 1.5 million , Group-IB said .
According to the indictment , the hackers would sometimes modify antivirus software settings to remain undetected .
They typically sold network access for thousands or tens of thousands of dollars , but for some they sought more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a port authority in Cowlitz County , Washington — the Port of Longview announced that it had been the victim of a major hack in 2018 — as well as a petroleum products company in Alaska , an airline based in New York , a software developer in California , a Colorado law firm and an African bank , the indictment said .
It did not name the alleged victims .
Turchin faces five criminal counts , including conspiracy to commit computer hacking , computer fraud and abuse , conspiracy to commit wire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The most serious charge , conspiracy to commit wire fraud , carries a sentence of up to 20 years .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Brazil’s President Bolsonaro tests positive for coronavirus

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil ’ s President Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday he has tested positive for the new coronavirus after months of downplaying its severity while deaths mounted rapidly inside the country .
The 65-year-old right-wing populist who has been known to mingle in crowds without covering his face confirmed the results while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters huddled close in front of him in the capital , Brasilia .
He said he is taking hydroxychloroquine , the anti-malaria drug that he , like President Donald Trump , has been promoting even though it has not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m , well , normal .
I even want to take a walk around here , but I can ’ t due to medical recommendations , ” Bolsonaro said .
“ I thought I had it before , given my very dynamic activity .
I ’ m president and on the combat lines .
I like to be in the middle of the people.
” Brazil , the world ’ s sixth-biggest nation , with more than 210 million people , is one of the outbreak ’ s most lethal hot spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 , and over 1.5 million have been infected .
Both numbers are the world ’ s second-highest totals , behind those of the U.S. , though the true figures are believed to be higher because of a lack of widespread testing .
On Tuesday alone , 1,254 deaths were confirmed .
Other world leaders who have had bouts with COVID-19 include British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , Britain ’ s Prince Charles , Prince Albert II of Monaco and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández .
Bolsonaro is “ the democratic leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this pandemic , ” said Maurício Santoro , a political science professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro .
“ Him getting infected is a blow to his credibility .
It will be seen as another example of the failure of his coronavirus response.
” Bolsonaro has often appeared in public to shake hands with supporters and mingle with crowds , at times without a mask .
He has said that his history as an athlete would protect him from the virus and that it would be nothing more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contract it .
He has also repeatedly said that there is no way to prevent 70 % of the population falling ill with COVID-19 and that local authorities ’ efforts to shut down economic activity would ultimately cause more hardship than allowing the virus to run its course .
For nearly two months , Brazil ’ s fight against COVID-19 has been in the hands of an interim health minister with no health experience before April .
He took over after his predecessor , a doctor and health care consultant , quit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hydroxychloroquine .
Bolsonaro on Tuesday likened the virus to a rain that will fall on most people and said that some , like the elderly , must take greater care .
“ You can ’ t just talk about the consequences of the virus that you have to worry about .
Life goes on .
Brazil needs to produce .
You need to get the economy in gear , ?
he said .
Brazilian cities and states last month began lifting restrictions that had been imposed to control the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with the caseload in intensive care units .
Bolsonaro supporter Silas Ribeiro said on the streets of Rio that the president is correct in saying the dangers of the virus have been exaggerated .
“ Our president is a popular man .
He is showing that he isn ’ t afraid to die , ” said Ribeiro , 59 .
“ He is going to have health and get through this sickness.
” Speaking near recently reopened shops in Rio , Wesley Morielo said he hopes Bolsonaro ’ s sickness prompts him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think everything he said before , of not giving importance to COVID-19 , came back against him , ?
said Morielo , a 24-year-old student .
The World Health Organization ’ s emergencies chief , Dr. Michael Ryan , wished Bolsonaro a speedy recovery and said his infection “ brings home the reality of this virus “ by showing that it doesn ’ t distinguish between “ prince or pauper.
” The president told reporters he underwent a lung X-ray on Monday after experiencing fever , muscle aches and malaise .
As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , and he attributed the improvement to hydroxychloroquine .
He stepped back from the journalists and removed his mask at one point to show that he looks well .
Brazil ’ s benchmark Ibovespa stock index fell after Bolsonaro ’ s announcement , and closed 1.2 % down on the day .
Bolsonaro has repeatedly visited the hospital since taking office , requiring several operations to repair his intestines after he was stabbed on the campaign trail in 2018 .
He said on Tuesday that he cancelled a trip this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will continue working via videoconference and receive rare visitors when he needs to sign a document .
Unlike Britain ’ s prime minister , who moderated his rhetoric after testing positive for the virus , Bolsonaro will probably not change his stance , said Leandro Consentino , a political science professor at Insper , a university in Sao Paulo .
“ He ’ s going down a path of trying to indicate to his base of support that COVID-19 is just a little flu and take advantage of the illness to advertise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday afternoon , Bolsonaro posted a video to Facebook of him taking his dose of hydroxychloroquine .
“ I trust hydroxychloroquine .
What do you think ?
” he said while laughing .
Over the weekend , the Brazilian leader celebrated American Independence Day with the U.S. ambassador to Brazil , then shared pictures on social media showing him in close quarters with the diplomat , several ministers and aides .
None wore masks .
The U.S. Embassy said on Twitter that Ambassador Todd Chapman is not showing any symptoms but would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times in March after meeting with the Trump in Florida .
Members of his delegation to the U.S. were later reported to be infected .
AP video producer Diarlei Rodrigues contributed to this report from Rio .

Marcelo De Sousa And David Biller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Sons of ex-Panama president held in Guatemala on US charges

GUATEMALA CITY - Two sons of former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli will be held in jail in Guatemala pending hearings Friday , officials said Tuesday as the U.S. government seeks their extradition for their alleged role in a bribery and money laundering scheme .
Luis Enrique , 38 , and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli , 40 , were arrested Monday in Guatemala as they tried to board a private plane out of the country .
The brothers were supposedly headed to Panama with stops scheduled in El Salvador and Nicaragua .
A criminal complaint was unsealed Monday in New York alleging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht to a close relative who was then a “ high-ranking government official in Panama , ” according to a statement from the U.S. Justice Department .
Each brother faces a charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering .
Both are also sought by the Panamanian government for allegedly receiving more than $ 20 million in bribes from Odebrecht .
Panama originally sought their arrest in 2017 .
The brothers have denied all the allegations .
Their family said in a statement Monday that they hoped the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint alleges that between 2009 and 2014 the brothers opened and managed secret bank accounts to move bribe payments .
They were also signatories on shell company bank accounts and made wire transfers though shell company accounts “ to conceal and spend bribery proceeds , ” the complaint says .
On Tuesday , the brothers were sent to a VIP prison in Guatemala that has housed former government officials , businessmen and drug traffickers .
The Martinellis entered Guatemala by land from El Salvador on June 30 , according to the Guatemalan Immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida in 2018 for immigration reasons , but were released on $ 1 million bond for each .
Ricardo Martinelli , who governed from 2009 to 2014 , was detained in the U.S. and Panama for more than two years on allegations of political espionage and misuse of public funds .
A court found him not guilty in 2019 and he was released .
In Panama , the Martinelli brothers ’ lawyer , Luis Eduardo Camacho , said the Guatemalan government had not respected their diplomatic status as substitute Central American deputies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also raised questions .
Camacho said the brothers were on their way back to Panama to face the allegations there when they were stopped in Guatemala .
Why would the U.S. order their arrest now if they lived in the United States for four years and “ how can they investigate the brothers for the same thing they ’ re being investigated in Panama for ?
” he said .
Neither Panamanian justice officials handling the Odebrecht investigation nor the country ’ s foreign ministry have commented on their arrests .
The arrests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new corruption case for which he was ordered not to leave the country last week .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Serbs storm parliament after virus lockdown announced

BELGRADE , Serbia - Thousands of protesters fought running battles with police and tried to storm the parliament building in Belgrade on Tuesday after the Serbian president announced that a coronavirus lockdown will be reintroduced in the Balkan country .
Police fired several rounds of tear gas at the protesters , some chanting “ Resignation !
Resignation !
“ as they gathered in front of the downtown parliament building in the Serbian capital .
Some of the protesters briefly managed to enter the parliament by force , but were pushed back by riot police .
The protesters responded by hurling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the police .
Several clashes erupted between some of the most extremist rioters apparently belonging to far-right groups and the baton-wielding police .
Protesters also clashed with police in front of the state TV building .
The broadcaster is accused by the opposition of having a pro-government bias .
A number of police vehicles were set on fire .
Serbian police director Vladimir Rebic told the state television that a number of demonstrators have been detained and police officers injured , but did not specify how many .
He said smaller protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I appeal to the citizens ... to help ease the tensions , ” Rebic said .
“ I ’ m certain police will respond adequately and prevent any form of hooligan behaviour.
” Earlier , President Aleksandar Vucic called the virus situation in Belgrade “ alarming ” and “ critical ” as the city ’ s hospitals neared their capacity limits after health officials reported highest single-day death toll from the coronavirus on Tuesday .
Vucic said the government would reimpose a curfew as of Friday .
He said it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday till 5 a.m. on Monday .
He also said the groups of no more than five people will be allowed together .
Many blame the autocratic Serbian president for lifting the previous lockdown measures just so he would cement his grip on power after parliamentary elections .
He has denied those claims .
Soccer and tennis matches were played in packed stands and the election was held on June 21 despite warnings from experts that the mass gatherings without social distancing could lead to a new coronavirus wave .
Serbian Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying the state will protect law and order and accused opposition politicians of being behind the storming of parliament .
“ I strongly condemn the vandalism of politicians who are behind the violent break into the Serbian Parliament at the moment when the state and the health system face the toughest blow from the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic , ” Brnabic said .
The country ’ s Health Ministry said Tuesday that 13 people had died in 24 hours in Serbia and 299 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 330 virus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic in Serbia , which went from having one of Europe ’ s strictest lockdowns to a near-complete reopening at the beginning of May .


thetorontostar--2020-07-07--Russia and China veto cross-border aid to Syria’s northwest

TANZANIA , Tanzania - Russia and China vetoed a U.N. resolution Tuesday that would maintain two border crossing points from Turkey to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria ’ s mainly rebel-held northwest for a year , which the United Nations says is crucial to save millions of lives .
Russia , Syria ’ s close ally , immediately circulated a draft Security Council resolution that would authorize the delivery of aid through a single crossing point from Turkey for six months .
Germany ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Chistoph Heusgen , the current council president , announced the 13-2 result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which saw the United States attack Russia and China over their vetoes .
“ We ’ re ashamed by what this council has to do right now because of the cynical attempts of the Russian Federation and the People ’ s Republic of China to put politics above the lives of the Syrian people , ” U.S. Minister-Counselor Rodney Hunter said .
China ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Zhang Jun blamed unilateral sanctions against Syria , which have been imposed by the U.S. and the European Union , for exacerbating the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be lifted .
He also rejected the U.S. heaping “ blame ” on China , saying “ it ’ s once again demonstrating the hypocritical approach adopted by this country while they are imposing unilateral sanctions.
” Hunter retorted that U.S. sanctions have humanitarian exemptions “ and they in no way harm the people of Syria.
” “ The only thing that ’ s harming the people of Syria and preventing them from getting the assistance that they need is the Assad regime being helped out by the People ’ s Republic of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
The defeated resolution , drafted by Germany and Belgium , had dropped a call for the re-opening of an Iraqi crossing to the northeast to deliver medical supplies for the COVID-19 pandemic .
In May , Russia ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said : “ Do not waste your time on efforts to reopen the closed cross-border points.
” Russia has argued that aid should be delivered from within Syria across conflict-lines .
But U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock has insisted that the two crossings from Turkey to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of civilians whom the U.N. can not reach by other means.
” In January , Russia scored a victory for Syria , using its veto threat to force the Security Council to adopt a resolution reducing the number of crossing points for aid deliveries from four to just two , from Turkey to the northwest .
It also cut in half the year-long mandate that had been in place since cross-border deliveries began in 2014 to six months , as Russia insisted .
The draft resolution which the 15 council members voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic would have extended the mandate for the two border crossings from Turkey to the northwest — Bab al-Salam and Bab al-Hawa — for a year .
The Russian-drafted resolution would only authorize cross-border deliveries through the Bab al-Hawa crossing .
Nebenzia assured the council that if its resolution is adopted , cross-border aid deliveries will continue .
But Belgium ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve said “ this is not yet over.
” “ We will in the coming hours and days further engage in efforts with all parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
China ’ s Zhang echoed the hope that “ we will find a way out and narrow our differences.
” U.N. humanitarian chief Lowcock told the council on June 29 that “ An estimated 2.8 million people in the northwest – 70 per cent of the region ’ s population – require humanitarian assistance.
” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ’ latest report to the Security Council circulated Tuesday said cross-border operations in the northwest “ continued at record levels in response to the catastrophic deterioration of the humanitarian situation that occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between December 2019 and March 2020.
” The U.N. chief said the U.N. World Food Program delivered food to 1.3 million people in April and more than 1.3 million in May through the two border crossings , and the U.N. World Health Organization delivered over 420,000 emergency health kits and essential medicines to the northwest in May .
“ The cross border crossings are vital to the well being of the civilians in north west Syria .
And we very much hope that these will be extended , ” U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
” In northeast Syria , Guterres said despite increasing quantities of assistance reaching the region , “ medical supplies from those deliveries did not reach the majority of medical facilities that had previously depended on the cross-border delivery of supplies.
” Kurdish fighters , who allied with the US-led coalition in fighting to defeat Islamic State militants , control most of oil-rich northeast Syria .
But Turkey invaded areas along its borders and now controls sliver of lands there .
Tensions have persisted between Turkish-allied fighters and Kurdish groups , which Ankara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. troops still stationed in northeast Syria .