thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Bishop: North Carolina priest kept on leave on abuse claims

CHARLOTTE , N.C. - A Catholic priest in North Carolina will remain on administrative leave after allegations of sexual abuse against him were revealed last year , the Charlotte diocese ’ s bishop said .
Bishop Peter Jugis made the announcement to St. Matthew parishioners in a letter Wednesday , writing that he had accepted the recommendation of the diocese ’ s Lay Review Board to keep the Rev .
Patrick Hoare out of ministry , The Charlotte Observer reported .
Hoare was originally put on administrative leave in December after the diocese received “ an allegation against him of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have occurred in Pennsylvania more than 25 years ago , before Father Hoare entered ministry ” the Charlotte Observer quoted Jugis as writing .
The Bishop ’ s letter said officers from the Abington Township Police Department in Pennsylvania investigated the allegations and told the diocese in February they “ found the claimants to be credible ” but couldn ’ t bring charges against Hoare due to the statute of limitations .
That ’ s when Jugis said he asked the diocese ’ s board to conduct its own investigation into the allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credible , ” but didn ’ t identify a “ specific incident of sexual abuse of a minor , ” the paper quotes Jugis as saying .
Jugis said the board also considered three complaints that allege Hoare showed “ several instances of inappropriate physical contact with minors ” at two Charlotte parishes , including at St. Matthew Catholic Church .
The complaints involved a hug , rubbing the shoulders or abdomen of a minor , and being “ very touchy , ” the paper quotes Jugis as saying .
Hoare has previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--US adds 4.8 million jobs as unemployment falls to 11.1%

WASHINGTON - U.S. employers added a substantial 4.8 million jobs in June , and the unemployment rate fell to 11.1 % , as the job market improved for a second straight month yet still remained far short of regaining the colossal losses it suffered this spring .
The nation has now recovered roughly one-third of the 22 million jobs it lost to the pandemic recession .
And with confirmed coronavirus cases spiking across the Sun Belt states , a range of evidence suggests that a job market recovery may be stalling .
In those states and elsewhere , some restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-opened are being forced to close again .
The re-closings are keeping layoffs elevated : The number of Americans who sought unemployment benefits barely fell last week to 1.47 million .
Though that weekly figure has declined steadily since peaking in late March , it ’ s still more than double the pre-pandemic peak set in 1982 .
And the total number of people receiving jobless aid remains at a sizable 19 million .
California has re-closed bars , theatres and indoor restaurant dining across most of the state .
Florida has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reversed some of its efforts to reopen its economy .
New York has paused its plans to allow indoor dining .
Credit and debit card data tracked by JPMorgan Chase show that consumers reduced their spending last week after having increased it steadily in late April and May .
The reversal has occurred both in states that have reported surges in COVID-19 and in less affected states , said Jesse Edgerton , an economist at J.P. Morgan .
Nationwide , card spending fell nearly 13 % last week compared with a year ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous week , when year-over-year card spending had fallen just under 10 % .
And Kronos , which produces time management software , has found that in the past two weeks , growth in the number of shifts worked has slowed in the Southeast and is now rising at just half the rate of the Northeast .
“ The pace of recovery is starting to slow , ” said Dave Gilbertson , an executive at Kronos .
“ We are expecting to see more of a plateauing over the next couple of months.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on data gathered in the second week of June , which helps explain why the figures reflect an improving trend .
Last week ’ s plateau in work shifts will instead affect the July jobs figures , to be released in early August .
McDonald ’ s has paused its reopening efforts nationwide , and Apple says it will re-close 30 more of its U.S. stores , on top of 47 that it had already shut down for a second time .
Economists have long warned that the economic benefits of allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus wasn ’ t brought under control .
Until most Americans feel confident enough to dine out , travel , shop or congregate in groups without fear of infection , restaurants , hotels and retailers will lack enough customer demand to justify rehiring all their previous workers .
Still , some bright spots in the economy have emerged in recent weeks .
Manufacturers expanded in June after three months of shrinking , the Institute for Supply Management , a trade group , said Wednesday .
New orders are flowing in , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ISM said .
And record-low mortgage rates are encouraging more home buyers .
Purchases of new homes rose sharply in May .
And a measure of signed contracts to buy existing homes soared by a record amount , a sign that sales should rebound after falling for three straight months .
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story is below : U.S. employers likely rehired several million more workers in June , thereby reducing a Depression-level unemployment rate , but the most up-to-date data suggests that a resurgent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have forecast that businesses , governments and nonprofits added 3 million jobs — a record high — and that the unemployment rate fell a full percentage point to 12.3 % , according to data provider FactSet .
The predicted hiring gain would be up from 2.5 million jobs in May .
Even so , the combined job growth for May and June would recover only a fraction of the 22 million jobs that were lost in March and April , when the virus forced business shutdowns and layoffs across the country .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t fully capture the scope of the pandemic ’ s damage to the job market and the economy .
Millions more people are working part time but would prefer full-time work .
And an unusually high proportion of workers have been subject to pay cuts , research has found .
With confirmed coronavirus cases spiking across the Sun Belt , a range of evidence suggests that a nascent recovery is stalling .
In states that are suffering the sharpest spikes in reported virus cases — Texas , Florida , Arizona and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses closing again and workers losing jobs , in some cases for a second time .
On Wednesday , California re-closed down bars , theatres and indoor restaurant dining across most of the state .
And Arizona ’ s outbreak grew more severe by nearly every measure .
Florida has closed some beaches .
Credit and debit card data tracked by JPMorgan Chase show that consumers have slowed their spending in just the past week , after spending had risen steadily in late April and May .
The reversal has occurred both in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID cases and in less affected states , said Jesse Edgerton , an economist at J.P. Morgan .
Nationwide , card spending fell nearly 13 % last week compared with a year ago .
That was worse than the previous week , when year-over-year card spending had declined just under 10 % .
Real-time data from Homebase , a provider of time-tracking software for small businesses , shows that the number of hours worked at its client companies has levelled off after having risen sharply in May and early June .
Business re-openings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced by the initial lifting of shutdown orders may have run its course .
Still , Thursday ’ s jobs report will be based on data gathered in the second week of June , so it will still likely reflect an improving hiring trend .
Last week ’ s plateau in hours worked will instead affect the July jobs figures , to be released in early August .
“ Whatever picture the jobs report gives us , things have become worse since then , “ said Julia Pollak , a labour economist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutdowns across the Sun Belt , New York City has postponed plans to reopen indoor seating at restaurants in the face of more confirmed virus cases .
Such moves are causing another round of layoffs or will limit future hiring .
McDonald ’ s has paused its reopening efforts nationwide .
And Apple said it will re-close 30 more of its U.S. stores , on top of 47 it had already shut down for a second time .
Economists have long warned that the economic benefits of allowing businesses to reopen would prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought under control .
Until most Americans feel confident enough to dine out , travel , shop or congregate in groups without fear of infection , restaurants , hotels and retailers won ’ t have enough demand to justify rehiring all their previous workers .
“ The path forward for the economy is extraordinarily uncertain and will depend in large part on our success in containing the virus , ” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told a House committee this week .
“ A full recovery is unlikely until people are confident that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broad range of activities.
” Still , some bright spots in the economy may emerge in Thursday ’ s jobs report .
Manufacturers expanded in June after three months of shrinking , the Institute for Supply Management , a trade group , said Wednesday .
New orders are flowing in and factories are adding more jobs , the ISM said .
And record-low mortgage rates are encouraging more home buyers .
Purchases of new homes rose sharply in May .
And a measure of signed contracts to buy existing homes soared by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sales should rebound after falling for three straight months .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-07-02--China, pro-Beijing activists condemn ‘meddling’ in Hong Kong

HONG KONG - China ’ s government and pro-Beijing activists in Hong Kong condemned what they called foreign meddling in the territory ’ s affairs on Thursday , as countries moved to offer Hong Kongers refuge and impose sanctions on China over a new security law .
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said no amount of pressure from external forces could “ shake China ’ s determination and will to safeguard national sovereignty and Hong Kong ’ s prosperity and stability.
” He urged the U.S. to abide by international law and stop interfering in Hong Kong ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill into law .
His comments came after the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday joined the Senate in approving a bill to rebuke China over its crackdown in Hong Kong by imposing sanctions on groups that undermine the city ’ s autonomy or restrict freedoms promised to its residents .
If the bill becomes law , “ China will definitely take strong countermeasures , and all consequences will be borne by the U.S. side , ” Zhao said at a daily briefing .
Meanwhile , dozens of pro-Beijing activists and lawmakers protested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to demand that the U.S. stop meddling .
The group said it gathered 1.6 million signatures online in support of its call .
Tam Yiu-Chung , Hong Kong ’ s sole delegate to the National People ’ s Congress Standing Committee , said on public broadcaster RTHK on Thursday that the new security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong was not harsh .
If it were , no one would dare violate the law , he said .
His comments came a day after thousands of protesters marched against the security law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Tuesday .
The security law outlaws secessionist , subversive and terrorist acts , as well as any collusion with foreign forces in intervening in the city ’ s affairs .
Critics say the law effectively ends the “ one country , two systems ” framework under which the city was promised a high degree of autonomy when it reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997 .
The maximum punishment for serious offences under the legislation is life imprisonment , and suspects in certain cases may be sent to stand trial on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has jurisdiction .
The law takes aim at actions that occurred during anti-government protests last year .
It says destruction of government facilities and utilities would be considered subversive , while damaging public transportation facilities and arson would constitute acts of terrorism .
About 370 people were arrested during and after Wednesday ’ s protests , including 10 on suspicion of violating the new security law .
Some of those arrested allegedly possessed materials that advocated Hong Kong ’ s independence .
Hong Kong police arrested a man on a London-bound flight early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer in the arm during Wednesday ’ s protests .
The 24-year-old man , surnamed Wong , was arrested on a Cathay Pacific flight after police received an anonymous tip-off about his travel plans , police said .
Wong had purchased a ticket on Wednesday and boarded the flight with no check-in luggage , police said .
He did not respond to the crew when they called him by name , and was not in his designated seat .
Police identified him after conducting a sweep of the plane .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in jail on Thursday for vandalizing a ticketing machine at a rail station in September last year .
They were among nearly 9,000 arrests by police in connection with the anti-government protests between last June and May this year .
The central government ’ s passage of the security law for Hong Kong has triggered concern from the territory ’ s former colonial ruler , Britain , and other countries .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday that imposition of the law was a “ clear and serious breach ” of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guaranteed the former British colony would enjoy a high degree of autonomy and civil liberties for at least 50 years after its handover to Chinese rule .
The Foreign Office summoned Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming on Wednesday to a meeting with Permanent Secretary Simon McDonald , who reiterated Britain ’ s concern .
Britain also announced that it is extending residency rights for up to 3 million Hong Kongers eligible for British National Overseas passports , stressing that it would uphold its historic duty to its former colony .
Those eligible will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.K. for five years before applying for settled status and then again for citizenship .
On Thursday , the Chinese Embassy in London said such a move would be in breach of “ international law and basic norms governing international relations.
” “ We firmly oppose this and reserve the right to take corresponding measures , ” it said in a statement , without elaborating .
“ We urge the British side to view objectively and fairly the national security legislation for Hong Kong , respect China ’ s position and concerns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any way.
” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Thursday his government is considering a move to provide a “ safe haven ” to Hong Kongers , and Taiwan opened an office to help Hong Kongers move to Taiwan for employment and other purposes .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Funeral planned Wednesday for retired pope’s elder brother

BERLIN - A funeral is to be held in Germany next week for the Rev .
Georg Ratzinger , the older brother of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI who died Wednesday at the age of 96 .
The Diocese of Regensburg said Thursday that Ratzinger will be laid to rest in the Bavarian city ’ s Catholic cemetery Wednesday afternoon following a service led by Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer .
The acclaimed boys ’ choir Ratzinger headed for several decades will stage a farewell concert Sunday .
The public is invited to attend prayers in Regensburg Cathedral on Monday evening and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Regensburger Domspatzen choir , which traces its history back to the 10th century , toured the world under Ratzinger ’ s leadership , performing for Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II .
But after his retirement from the post , Ratzinger apologized for using corporal punishment to discipline boys amid a wider investigation into sexual and physical abuse in the Roman Catholic Church .
Georg Ratzinger remained extremely close to his brother throughout his career , expressing dismay when then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope in 2005 that the stress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would no longer spend so much time together .
Benedict made a four-day visit to Regensburg to be with his ailing brother just over a week before Ratzinger ’ s death .
The diocese said it wasn ’ t likely the retired pope , who is 93 , would be able to make the trip from Italy again to attend the funeral .
Pope Francis on Thursday sent a personal note of condolences to Benedict , thanking his predecessor for having informed him about the death of his “ beloved brother.
” Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his brother and for Benedict himself .
“ I want to renew my deepest condolences and spiritual proximity in this moment of pain , ” wrote Francis , who succeeded Benedict after his retirement in 2013 .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--More than 80 reported killed this week in Ethiopia’s unrest

ADDIS ABABA , Ethiopia - More than 80 people have been killed in unrest in Ethiopia after a popular singer was shot dead this week , the state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation says .
He was buried Thursday amid tight security .
The deaths reported Wednesday , citing police in the Oromia region , followed the killing of Hachalu Hundessa on Monday .
He had been a prominent voice in anti-government protests that led to a change in leadership in 2018 .
Angry protests , including three bomb blasts , followed his death in the capital , Addis Ababa .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Abiy Ahmed , who took power in 2018 and introduced sweeping political reforms .
The singer ’ s killing further increased tensions after the government recently delayed the national election , citing the coronavirus pandemic .
Abiy on Thursday said the government will do whatever it takes to restore calm in Ethiopia and accused the perpetrators of the singer ’ s killing of trying to kill the country as well .
We will come out of this , the prime minister said , hinting there could be links to the killing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grenade thrown at one of his own rallies in 2018 .
Police late Wednesday said three people had been arrested in the death of the singer , who was buried in his hometown of Ambo .
His service was carried on national television .
The mood remained tense and fearful in Addis Ababa as some residents formed protection groups to defend their property from vandals .
Hundreds of cars this week have been burned or damaged .
Downtown streets were largely empty aside from fire trucks and ambulances .
Internet and mobile data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights groups raise concerns about the restrictions .
The shutdown has “ made it impossible to access information on those killed and injured in the protests , ” Human Rights Watch said .
Other arrests this week include that of a well-known Oromo activist , Jawar Mohammed , and more than 30 supporters .
The arrest of opposition figures “ could make a volatile situation even worse , ” Human Rights Watch said , Abiy has seen his administration ’ s sweeping reforms challenged as the loosening of political space opened the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some cases to deadly intercommunal violence .
Abiy earlier called the singer ’ s killing a “ tragedy ” and declared that “ our enemies will not succeed .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Asia Today: India’s virus cases surpass 600,000, curve rises

NEW DELHI - India ’ s number of coronavirus cases passed 600,000 on Thursday with the nation ’ s infection curve rising and its testing capacity being increased .
The 19,148 new cases reported in the past 24 hours raised the national total to 604,641 , with nearly 100,000 of them in the past four days .
A total of 17,834 people have died so far due to the virus , according to India ’ s Health Ministry .
More than 60 % of the cases are in the worst-hit Maharashtra state , Tamil Nadu state , and the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the western beach of state of Goa , a popular backpacking destination , opened for tourism on Thursday with the state government allowing 250 hotels to reopen after more than three months .
Tourists will either have to carry COVID-19 negative certificates or get tested on arrival .
The state has reported 1,387 positive cases with four deaths .
Many industries and businesses have reopened since the country eased its strict lockdown in early June , and Indians have cautiously returned to the streets .
Schools , colleges and movie theatres remain shuttered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a live address Tuesday that the death rate is under control but the country is at a “ critical juncture.
” He urged more stringent enforcement of distancing and other health guidelines .
The Health Ministry said testing has been ramped up to more than 200,000 every day , with 8.8 million test conducted so far .
The recovery rate is 59.43 % .
In other developments around the Asia-Pacific region : — Tokyo Gov .
Yuriko Koike warned Thursday that the spread of the coronavirus is beginning to accelerate again in Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections jumped to a two-month high of 107 .
She urged residents to take more precautions and stay away from nightlife districts .
Thursday ’ s rise in new cases spiked from 67 the day before and is the highest since 154 on May 2 , when Japan was under a state of emergency for the pandemic .
The number tripled from 31 in just over a week .
Tokyo now has 6,399 cases with 325 deaths , accounting for about one-third of Japan ’ s national total .
Koike said , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask for business closures across Tokyo .
“ Nobody wants to go back to that situation , ” she said .
“ We are now in the phase of living with the coronavirus .
Our policy is to balance the economy and social activity with disease prevention.
” The majority of recent cases were younger people in their 20s and 30s , and about 40 % were linked to nightlife establishments , Koike said .
— A coronavirus outbreak in Australia ’ s second-largest city continued to grow , and the Northern Territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The man from the Northern Territory had travelled overseas and stayed in the virus hot spot of Melbourne recently .
The territory ’ s health minister did not say whether the man was likely infected in Melbourne or overseas .
Most of Melbourne ’ s 77 latest cases were in suburbs that were put under a one-month lockdown Wednesday night .
— The Philippine government is shifting defence spending and putting on hold military modernization projects to help finance the response to COVID-19 .
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told a news forum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s budget was shifted to the pandemic campaign .
Defence spokesman Arsenio Andolong told The Associated Press the country ’ s military modernization program may be set back by up to three years after its annual allocation was also slashed by $ 348 million , which will be used to fight the virus .
It ’ s a tough balancing act for a country with a surfeit of security concerns , including Muslim and communist insurgencies and South China Sea territorial conflicts .
Its coronavirus cases exceed 38,500 , including 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 54 new cases as the virus continues to spread beyond the capital area and reach cities like Gwangju , which has shut schools and tightened social restrictions after dozens were found infected this week .
Health Minster Park Neung-hoo during a virus meeting expressed alarm over the rise of infections in Gwangju , which had one of the smallest caseloads among major South Korean cities before this week .
Park urged the city ’ s residents to refrain from unnecessary gatherings , maintain distance from others and wear masks .
— China reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one case of local transmission in the capital Beijing , appearing to put the country where the virus was first detected late last year on course to eradicating it domestically , at least temporarily .
The other two cases were brought from outside the country , according to the National Health Commission .
China credits strict quarantine , social distancing and case tracing policies with reducing its cases .
Masks are require for entry into many buildings , sometimes along with proof on a mobile phone app that the person is healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister resigned following a series of personal blunders during the coronavirus pandemic .
David Clark had earlier described himself as an “ idiot ” for breaking the nation ’ s lockdown measures and then last week appeared to blame a beloved health official for border lapses , generating an angry response from the public .
Clark said he was becoming a distraction from the country ’ s virus response .
— Indonesia announced 1,624 newly confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday , its highest single-day increase , bringing its total to 59,394 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 53 more people died for a total death toll of 2,987 .
Ali Ghufron Mukti , a Ministry of Research and Technology official , said Indonesia is working to develop a vaccine with companies in China and South Korea to insure it has access once a viable one is developed .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Supreme Court blocks curbside voting in Alabama

MONTGOMERY , Ala. - The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision Thursday blocked a lower court allowing curbside voting in Alabama and waiving some absentee ballot requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Conservative justices granted Alabama ’ s request to stay a federal judge ’ s order that would allow local officials to offer curbside voting in the July runoff and loosens absentee ballot requirements in three of the state ’ s large counties .
The order will remain stayed while the court decides whether to hear Alabama ’ s appeal .
U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s election rules will cause sick or elderly voters to “ likely face a painful and difficult choice between exercising their fundamental right to vote and safeguarding their health , which could prevent them from casting a vote in upcoming elections.
” Kallon said Alabama can ’ t prevent local election officials from offering curbside voting at in-person polling locations in the July 14 runoff .
Kallon also ruled Alabama can ’ t require some absentee ballot voters in three counties to submit photocopies of their identification and witness signatures if it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic because of their age and underlying health conditions .
The ruling applies to the July 14 runoff election .
The three counties are where plaintiffs in the lawsuit live .
Alabama argued that it would be confusing to change absentee ballot rules in three of Alabama ’ s 67 counties and that curbside voting would be a major change done right before the election .
The state also argued that Alabama ’ s rules are needed to combat voter fraud and are not unreasonable .
“ But this dichotomy between voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
The individual plaintiffs in this case regularly see at least one other person .
Can they really not find a safe way to have a second person watch them sign a piece of paper ?
” lawyers for the state wrote in their petition to the Supreme Court .
The court ’ s five conservative justices ruled in favour of Alabama while the four more liberal justices indicated they would deny the state ’ s application for a stay .
The justices did not offer an explanation for their decision in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The court rulings stem from a lawsuit filed by the NAACP Legal Defence and Educational Fund , the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program .
The lawsuit contended Alabama ’ s rules force people to choose between voting and protecting their health .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Sponsor FedEx asks Redskins to change their name

WASHINGTON - The title sponsor of the Washington Redskins ’ stadium wants the NFL team to change its name .
“ We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name , “ FedEx said in a statement Thursday .
The company paid the team $ 205 million in 1999 for the naming rights to FedEx Field in Landover , Maryland .
In addition to the stadium name and sponsorship agreement , FedEx CEO Frederik Smith is a minority owner .
Majority owner Daniel Snyder has shown no indications he ’ ll change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Amid the national debate over race , pressure has been mounting on the organization to abandon the name called a “ dictionary-defined racial slur ” by experts and advocates .
Investors this week wrote to FedEx , PepsiCo and other sponsors asking them to request a change .
FedEx is believed to be the first to take action .
On Thursday night , Nike appeared to remove all Redskins gear from its online store .
The other 31 NFL teams were listed and a search for “ Redskins ” came up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to an email message seeking comment .
Asked about Snyder changing the name , a spokesman said recently the team had no comment .
The team last week removed the name of racist founder George Preston Marshall from its Ring of Fame at FedEx Field , and a monument to him was removed from the site of the old RFK Stadium .
Washington , D.C. , mayor Muriel Bowser also said the name was an “ obstacle ” to the team returning to the District .
The team ’ s lease at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is still talking to Washington , Virginia and Maryland about building a new stadium .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Only verified intelligence? A look at presidents’ briefings

WASHINGTON - The White House says President Donald Trump was never briefed on intelligence that Russia had put a bounty on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan because there wasn ’ t corroborating evidence .
But former intelligence officials say presidents are routinely informed about intelligence even when it ’ s not definitively confirmed .
Intelligence that may be on shaky ground today may foreshadow tomorrow ’ s calamity .
Some questions and answers about how presidents are briefed on intelligence , what sort of information they receive and how this applies to the situation with Russia : Both orally and through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Daily Brief .
The PDB , as it is known , is a compilation of intelligence and national security assessments from government analysts .
It ’ s material the intelligence community thinks the president should know .
The document has been provided to presidents in some form since Harry Truman occupied the White House .
Some presidents are said to have been voracious consumers of their briefings ; Trump , by contrast , is known to demand only the sparest details .
Today , the PDB is co-ordinated by the Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes contributions from the CIA and other members of the intelligence community who effectively pitch stories for inclusion , said Rodney Faraon , a former CIA analyst who served from 1999 to 2001 on the briefing team for the White House .
“ It ’ s not unlike what you would see in a journalistic newsroom , ” he said .
WHAT SORT OF INFORMATION GETS BRIEFED TO A PRESIDENT , AND HOW DO AGENCIES KNOW IF IT ’ S CREDIBLE ?
Depending on the day , and the particular interests of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest inside information about a country a president is preparing to visit , intelligence about potential national security threats or other secrets relating to current events .
“ There ’ s no mathematical formula ” for deciding what gets briefed to the president , said David Priess , a former CIA intelligence briefer and author of “ The President ’ s Book of Secrets : The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America ’ s Presidents.
“ “ The job of the analysts is to decide , ‘ does the president need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing for the president , “ he added .
There ’ s also no mathematical formula for evaluating the credibility of intelligence .
Sometimes , information is deemed reliable because it comes from a trusted source , because it matches up with a separate piece of intelligence or fits into a pattern , or because it derives from surveillance or intercepted recordings .
“ A lot of it comes down to the source of the information : Did the source have first-hand access ?
” said former CIA officer Cindy Otis .
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person with fourth-hand access who heard it from a dude who heard it from a dude and so on down the chain ?
“ “ You ’ re not going to put garbage in front of the president , ” she added .
DO PRESIDENTS RECEIVE INTELLIGENCE ONLY WHEN IT ’ S CONFIRMED ?
Absolutely not .
If that were the case , the PDB would be both brief — since intelligence deals more often with uncertainty than fact — but also boring , restricted to observations that are obvious and likely already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Because it ’ s intelligence , that means it deals with the unknown , things that are uncertain — but things that are of grave importance to U.S. national security and worthy of the president ’ s attention , “ he said .
“ Nothing in there says that it has to be fully verified or certain because intelligence is rarely certain.
” Modern history is loaded with examples of briefings to presidents that contained warnings , or informed suppositions , but not certifiable facts .
One month before the Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George W. Bush was famously warned in a PDB that Osama bin Laden was determined to strike the U.S .
The intelligence , including chatter picked up by counterterrorism analysts , was seen as urgent and credible enough to bring to the president ’ s attention though it lacked details about date , location and method .
Nearly a decade later , President Barack Obama ’ s advisers alerted him to their belief that bin Laden was in a compound in Pakistan — despite disagreement over the strength of that intelligence .
Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laden .
In his book , “ The Great War of Our Time : The CIA ’ s Fight Against Terrorism from al-Qaida to ISIS , “ former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell writes that his confidence level was at 60 per cent .
Other analysts felt more secure .
When Obama asked about the disparity , Morell said it reflected differences in individual experiences but not differences in the information people had .
Intelligence that may be on shaky ground today may precede an actual crisis , so briefers are expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picture to prepare for something that may soon require maximum attention .
That ’ s especially true when even unclear or uncorroborated intelligence indicates that American lives or infrastructure could be at risk .
“ The president is going to get hard decisions , and those hard decisions normally come with murky facts and gray areas , “ said Larry Pfeiffer , a 32-year intelligence community veteran who held positions as CIA chief of staff and senior director of the White House Situation Room .
To account for the uncertainty , briefers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among different intelligence agencies so that presidents understand a situation ’ s nuance .
HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO THE SITUATION WITH RUSSIA ?
White House officials have repeatedly insisted that the president hadn ’ t been briefed that Russia offered bounties to Taliban-linked fighters in Afghanistan to kill American troops , though officials have told The Associated Press and other news organizations that the information was included in the President ’ s Daily Brief .
The AP , citing officials familiar with the matter , also has reported that national security adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter with Trump and that former national security adviser John Bolton told colleagues that he had done the same last year .
O ’ Brien has denied that and Bolton has declined to comment .
O ’ Brien has said the CIA and Pentagon did pursue the lead and briefed international allies .
But he said the intelligence wasn ’ t brought to Trump ’ s attention initially because it was unverified and there was no consensus among the intelligence community .
After news broke about the intelligence , Trump was briefed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials say it ’ s a matter Trump absolutely should have been briefed on earlier , whether corroborated or not .
“ The safety and security of American troops posted in a war zone is of the highest importance , “ said Faraon , a partner at the Martin + Crumpton Group , a business intelligence firm .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Mexican state eyes closing US border as Arizona cases rise

MEXICO CITY - Mexico ’ s coronavirus outbreak rose by a record 6,741 confirmed cases and 679 deaths Thursday , putting the country ’ s toll of 29,189 COVID-19 deaths higher than Spain ’ s , though the milestone was overshadowed by the resurgence in the United States .
Reacting to a spike in virus cases reported in Arizona , the top health official in the neighbouring Mexican state of Sonora is asking Mexico ’ s federal government to temporarily close the border to non-essential visits from the U.S. “ No more crossings from the United States into Mexico for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Sonora state Health Secretary Enrique Clausen said Wednesday .
“ They should only be allowed for work or business.
” He said he was asking only for entry into Sonora to be suspended .
The United States and Mexico previously agreed to limiting non-essential border crossings into the U.S. during the pandemic , but Mexico has not moved to block entry into its territory and it seemed unlikely the Foreign Relations Department would grant Clausen ’ s request .
The agency did announce it would screen incoming visitors from the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checking temperatures and asking about symptoms as a preventative measure .
Several towns in Sonora are popular with U.S. visitors because they offer lower-cost health , vision and dental services .
Puerto Peñasco , a resort also known as Rocky Point , is also popular with visitors from Arizona .
The Mexican state has only about one-tenth as many confirmed cases as Arizona — 8,976 as compared to 87,425 — but the two states are more comparable in COVID-19 deaths — Sonora with 909 and Arizona with 1,757 .
Mexico ’ s rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of infections and deaths , because Mexico in general does very little testing .
Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell was asked Thursday about a Washington Post story in which he was quoted as saying about three times as many people died in Mexico City from March through May than in previous years .
“ I recognize that the number of people who have died from COVID-19 could be much higher here — concretely , the comment was three times as many as what we present here ( at daily briefings ) every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing on a number of occasions , ” Lopez-Gatell said .
On Thursday , Gov .
Francisco Cabeza de Vaca of Tamaulipas , another border state , announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus , the latest in a string of Mexican state governors and federal officials who have been infected .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Complaint: Missing Texas solider was killed at Fort Hood

AUSTIN , Texas - Federal and military investigators said Thursday a soldier missing since April was killed by a fellow soldier stationed at the same Texas base .
The revelation followed demands for the Army to release details about its investigation of the disappearance .
A criminal complaint released by the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Western District of Texas charges a civilian with helping hide the body of 20-year-old solider Vanessa Guillen .
The document , prepared in conjunction with the Army Criminal Investigative Command and the FBI , says the civilian helped the other soldier get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a hammer at Fort Hood in Central Texas and later dismembered and dumped the body .
Human remains were found Tuesday near the Leon River in Bell County , about 20 miles ( 32 kilometres ) east of Fort Hood , in the search for Guillen .
Her family said through attorney Natalie Khawam that they believe evidence shows the remains are Guillen , but authorities said they are still awaiting positive identification .
“ The whole thing is devastating , gruesome , barbaric , ” Khawam said .
The Army said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s disappearance had killed himself .
In a press conference Thursday , the Army identified the soldier suspected in Guillen ’ s disappearance as Aaron David Robinson .
Army investigators declined to comment further on the details of Guillen ’ s case , saying they did not want to compromise the ongoing investigation .
The criminal complaint released later Thursday said the civilian arrested in connection to the Guillen case is Cecily Aguilar , 22 , of Killeen , Texas , near Fort Hood .
Aguilar faces one count of conspiracy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help him dispose of Guillen ’ s body , according to the complaint .
Aguilar later recognized Guillen , the complaint says , and helped Robinson mutilate and hide her body .
Aguilar was arrested Wednesday and was being held Thursday in the Bell County Jail in Belton , Texas , according to booking records .
It was unclear whether she had an attorney to speak on her behalf .
Khawam said the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division told her Robinson cleaned up the area where Guillen was killed , placed her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to his car .
After driving to pick up Aguilar , Khawam said , the pair drove to a nearby river and tried to burn Guillen ’ s body , but later chopped it up with a machete .
Then , they put cement on the body and buried the remains .
Tim Miller , of Texas Equusearch , who was assisting in the search for Guillen , told KHOU that investigators found a lid last week that belonged to a container consistent with one a witness saw loaded into a car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Investigators were called back to the scene this week when a man working in the area reported a foul odor .
Miller said it appeared the suspect “ buried her , put lime on her , mixed up concrete , put that over her , put dirt over her , rocks and stuff.
” The family had said they believe Guillen was sexually harassed by the military suspect and is calling for a congressional investigation , Khawam said Wednesday .
Guillen ’ s older sister , Mayra Guillen , told The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after learning details about her sister ’ s disappearance .
The family had previously said they believe the Army was covering up details of Vanessa Guillen ’ s disappearance .
“ There are a lot of horrifying things that happened that day , ” said Mayra Guillen , 22 .
“ There are just no words.
” ” Mayra Guillen said her sister had spoken with their mother about experiencing sexual harassment , but that her mother has been to devastated to talk about it .
From their text conversations , Mayra Guillen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during her time at Fort Hood .
Army investigators said Thursday that they had no credible evidence that Vanessa Guillen had been sexually harassed or assaulted .
“ We are still investigating their interactions but at this time there is no credible information for reports that specialist Robinson sexually harassed specialist Guillen , ” said Fort Hood CID Special Agent Damon Phelps .
Guillen was last seen April 22 in a parking lot at Fort Hood .
She was set to be promoted to specialist this month .
Her car keys , barracks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were found in the room where she was working the day she disappeared .
Authorities said Wednesday that Robinson , 20 , of Calumet City , Illinois , a Chicago suburb on the Indiana border , pulled a gun and shot himself as police were trying to make contact with him .
The Army CID and the League of United Latin American Citizens offered a $ 50,000 reward for information leading to Guillen ’ s whereabouts .
Acacia Coronado is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Kansas City police officer shot, suspect dead after shooting

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
- A shooting Thursday in Kansas City , Missouri , left a suspect dead and a police officer in critical condition after being shot in the head , police said .
The unidentified officer , who has been with the department for about 2 1/2 years , was hospitalized for emergency surgery following the shooting that happened just before 5 p.m. , Kansas City police said on Twitter .
Highway patrol officials said police were called to a McDonald ’ s restaurant where the unidentified suspect was waving a gun , then fled on foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned and opened fire on the officers , striking one .
A second officer fired back , highway patrol officials said .
Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt .
Bill Lowe said police believe there was only one suspect .
No further information was immediately available .
“ We talk about the violence in this town , ” Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith said .
“ We can see where this is headed .
Mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted his support for the police following the shooting .
“ The women and men of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Lucas said .
“ Always have been .
Always will be .
We owe them our prayers tonight and our thanks and our resolve—all of us—to call out those who are terrorizing so many in our community.
” The shooting is the second that injured a Kansas City officer Thursday .
Three people including a police officer were shot earlier Thursday after a reported robbery at a bus stop .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Mexico’s top human rights official says she was threatened

MEXICO CITY - The head of Mexico ’ s governmental human rights commission said Thursday she has received threatening telephone @ @ @ @ @ social media postings .
Human Rights Commissioner Rosario Piedra Ibarra said the threats started after @ @ @ @ @ of a young man who was allegedly beaten to death by police in May after @ @ @ @ @ wearing a face mask during the coronavirus pandemic .
The death occurred in Jalisco state @ @ @ @ @ an opposition party , and the man ’ s death has become a political issue @ @ @ @ @ filed a complaint with prosecutors after receiving threats from more than 100 telephone numbers .
@ @ @ @ @ mentioned her family .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Texas governor issues mask order to fight coronavirus

AUSTIN , Texas - Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott on Thursday ordered that face coverings must be worn in public across most of the state , a dramatic ramp-up of the Republican ’ s efforts to control spiking numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitalizations .
Abbott , who had pushed Texas ’ aggressive reopening of the state economy in May , had previously said the government could not order individuals to wear masks .
His prior virus-related orders had undercut efforts by local governments to enforce mask requirements .
But faced with dramatically rising numbers of both newly confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of patients so sick they needed to be hospitalized , Abbott changed course with Thursday ’ s mask order .
It requires “ all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases , with few exceptions , “ the governor ’ s office said .
“ We are now at a point where the virus is spreading so fast , there is little margin for error , ” Abbott said .
Texas reported 7,915 newly confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 8,000 mark for the first time on Wednesday .
The 7,382 hospitalizations means the state has more than quadrupled its numbers in that category since the end of May .
The true number of cases is likely much higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest that people can be infected and not feel sick .
Abbott ’ s action comes as Texans approach the Fourth of July weekend , a time usually marked by gatherings and parties .
Along the coast , local officials have said that access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And a l akeside concert by 1990s rapper Vanilla Ice that was set to take place outside of Austin on Friday was postponed after being criticized for planning to gather hundreds of fans in one of the nation ’ s coronavirus hot spots .
The mask order takes effect Friday and the minimum case count would cover most of the state ’ s 254 counties and most of the population .
Counties with fewer than 20 cases cover mostly rural areas and will be allowed to apply with the governor ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be fined up to $ 250 .
There are exceptions for people who have a medical condition or disability , who are exercising outdoors , or who are participating in a religious service or voting .
Texas this week began its monthlong early voting period for its primary elections .
Abbott also gave mayors and county authorities the ability to ban outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people .
In his order and a statement , Abbott said wearing a mask is a proven method to slowing down the virus ’ spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extreme measures may be avoided.
” Abbott has said he doesn ’ t want to roll back his previous orders to reopen the economy .
But last week he moved to reclose bars and limit dine-in capacity in restaurants to 50 % .
“ We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheque , but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another — and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under extreme pressure from both Democrats and Republicans on his reopening plans .
Democrats , most notably the leadership of the state ’ s largest cities , have complained Abbott reopened Texas too quickly and have pointed to the record numbers of confirmed new cases and hospitalizations .
Conservative lawmakers battered Abbott ’ s early moves to combat the virus , including business , school and child-care closures and a stay-at-home order that expired in May .
In April , Republican Lt. Gov .
Dan Patrick called attempts by local governments in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fines the “ ultimate government overreach.
” “ The move to mandate facemasks comes far too little , far too late for Governor Abbott , “ Texas Democratic Party Communications Director Abhi Rahman said .
“ Texans are still getting sick .
Families are still suffering ... All of this could have been prevented if Governor Abbott had listened to experts and medical professionals in the first place.
” The Texas Medical Association applauded the mask order .
The doctors ’ group had urged the state Republican Party to cancel its in-person convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A statement from the group did not address the convention “ There is no question about it , face masks reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
They help protect the people wearing masks , and they help protect the people around them , ” said the association ’ s president , Dr. Diana L. Fite .
This story has been corrected to remove references to it being a statewide mask order , and to show that the TMA had urged the state GOP to cancel its in-person convention not just require masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 20 positive COVID-19 infections .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Judge: NY lockup’s COVID-19 response lacked common sense

NEW YORK - A Manhattan federal lockup failed to implement common-sense measures to protect prisoners after a COVID-19 outbreak infected dozens of inmates at the facility , a judge said Thursday .
U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos said four inmates who sued over conditions at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on behalf of themselves and others were unlikely to prove deliberate indifference to their plight .
Still , the Manhattan jurist allowed their lawsuit to proceed in their quest to improve conditions at the jail and win release for vulnerable inmates .
Arlo Devlin-Brown , a lawyer for inmates , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the judge cited the fact that the facility ’ s warden has promised to address shortcomings as he observed that “ the MCC may fall short in its efforts to improve its pandemic response.
” “ Time will tell whether the MCC practices what it preaches , “ Devlin-Brown said .
“ The lawsuit is not over , and we ’ ll continue our efforts to hold the MCC accountable should it fail to take necessary measures to minimize the spread of this deadly virus within its walls and treat with proper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ The inmates are likely to show that the MCC ’ s response to the pandemic was ad hoc and overlooked many gaps in its scheme to identify and isolate infected inmates — creating conditions that posed a substantial risk to the health of all inmates , “ Ramos said .
He noted that at least 5 % of the MCC ’ s more than 700 inmates contracted the coronavirus in March and April .
The federal Bureau of Prisons on its website continued to show Thursday that only one inmate currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even though a government lawyer admitted weeks ago that nearly three dozen inmates were believed to have had it .
Lawyers for inmates have estimated the true number of infections among inmates was more likely 75 to 150 .
“ Although no inmate died , many were debilitated by coughs that wracked their bodies , fatigue so extreme they could not rise from bed , and a host of other symptoms , “ Ramos said .
“ Even now , after the peak of the outbreak at the MCC , a handful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease.
” “ While the management of the MCC was well aware of the threat posed by the virus and of the guidance that was issued to address it , it failed to implement common-sense measures to stop the spread of the virus , “ the judge said .
He said the inmates may still be able to prove they should be released , but he stopped short of ordering court oversight of the facility where convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein killed himself last August as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jail that has housed many famous mobsters , white-collar criminals and terrorists in recent decades .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Fort Hood soldier slain, dismembered on post, family attorney says; suspect named

KILLEEN , TEXAS—U.S .
army officials at Fort Hood on Thursday identified the soldier who killed himself this week after he was questioned about his possible involvement in the disappearance of Spc .
Vanessa Guillen .
Authorities on Thursday said 20-year-old Spc .
Aaron David Robinson of Illinois , who was assigned to a building adjacent to where Guillen worked , first ran away from Fort Hood on Tuesday night after officials said they found partial human remains near the Leon River in Bell County .
Local law enforcement later found Robinson on East Rancier Avenue , east of Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he pulled a gun and shot himself when confronted by Killeen police early Wednesday .
While Guillen ’ s family and their attorney , Natalie Khawam , say the remains found near the river are likely that of the missing soldier , U.S. army officials at Fort Hood on Thursday said the remains had yet to be identified .
Special Agent Damon Phelps with the U.S. army Criminal Investigation Command on Thursday said a second suspect also was arrested this week .
However , he declined to release the woman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilian in the custody of local authorities , Army CID will not be releasing any further information concerning her or her status at this time , ” Phelps said , adding that no organization had yet been assigned to the woman ’ s case nor was anyone given the authority to release her name .
Several media outlets on Thursday , however , identified the woman as Cecily Anne Aguilar , a 22-year-old Killeen resident .
Bell County Jail records online show Aguilar was charged Wednesday with tampering or fabricating physical evidence with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a second degree felony .
She was being held without bail .
U.S. army officials on Thursday would not say whether Robinson and the woman knew each other , citing an ongoing investigation .
However , officials did say the woman was a civilian and the estranged wife of a former Fort Hood soldier .
But Khawam publicly announced what U.S. army officials told the family after the remains were located , according to Army Times .
Khawam said she was told Robinson and his unnamed girlfriend were having an affair and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had killed Guillen with a hammer .
Khawam said Robinson hid Guillen ’ s body in a Pelican case — a hard-sided , watertight storage in common use in the military — stored in the armoury room before later dumping her body near the Leon River .
Robinson and his girlfriend allegedly tried to destroy and conceal Guillen ’ s body , according to the attorney .
“ At first they tried to set her on fire , but she wouldn ’ t burn , ” Khawam told Army Times .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s body with a machete .
She needs to be brought to justice.
” Guillen , a 20-year-old Houston native who received her rank of specialist on Wednesday , was last seen between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on April 22 in the parking lot of the Regimental Engineer Squadron Headquarters where she worked at Fort Hood , officials said .
Phelps on Thursday said , as reported previously , that Guillen ’ s identification card , wallet and the keys to her car and post apartment were later found in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the day .
However , U.S. army officials on Thursday would still not release a timeline of the events before and following her disappearance , citing an active investigation .
Officials would also not say whether Guillen ’ s supervisors tried to check in with her at any point during the day after she was suspected to have been abducted .
Guillen ’ s family , joined by friends and strangers in the Killeen community , worked tirelessly to demand justice and a thorough search for the missing soldier .
Those efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past months .
The family has maintained that Guillen was sexually harassed by superiors at Fort Hood .
Those claims even sparked a viral hashtag called # IamVanessaGuillen on social media , which many soldiers have used to share their stories of sexual harassment and assault on military installations .
Khawam earlier this week said a man at Fort Hood had walked in on Guillen while she was showering naked .
Khawam said the family revealed those allegations to investigators late last month .
However , Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no evidence linking sexual harassment to Guillen ’ s disappearance .
Phelps said hundreds of acquaintances and friends were interviewed and “ there is no allegation whatsoever that she ’ s been sexually assaulted or harassed and any hint of information that was sexual harassment was completely looked at without any credible information.
” Efflandt on Thursday added that he personally invited a team to the post earlier in the week to inspect its Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program , or SHARP .
The inspection ’ s goal is to examine how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supportive of soldiers reporting sexual harassment and assault , officials said in a statement Wednesday .
The team also is charged with “ identifying any potentially systemic issues with the SHARP program at Fort Hood , as well as any resource constraints.
” In addition to finding remains at the Leon River , officials also recovered the remains of another Fort Hood soldier , Pvt .
Gregory Morales , right outside the post in Killeen last month .
Morales , a 24-year-old who also used the last name Wedel before his marriage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 .
He was scheduled to be discharged from the Army within a couple of days of his disappearance , Fort Hood officials have said .
Fort Hood officials suspected foul play in the disappearances of both Morales and Guillen , but said they did not believe they were linked .
Fort Hood is the largest active duty armoured unit post in the U.S. military , according to the post ’ s website .
Nearly 40,000 infantrymen , cavalrymen , tankers , engineers , mechanics and health care professionals work at Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Place.
” The post straddles Bell and Coryell counties across 340 square miles of arid scrubland .
Soldiers can and have gone missing , and it can take a while to find them , even when foul play is not suspected .
In 2007 , a 25-year-old soldier was found dead of dehydration and hyperthermia four days after he disappeared during a solo training exercise testing on map-reading and navigation skills .

Heather Osbourne - Austin American-Statesman


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--US tries to seize Iranian gas heading toward Venezuela

MIAMI - U.S. federal prosecutors are seeking to seize four tankers sailing toward Venezuela with gasoline supplied by Iran , the latest attempt to disrupt ever-closer trade ties between the two heavily sanctioned anti-American allies .
The civil-forfeiture complaint filed late Wednesday in the District of Columbia federal court alleges that the sale was arranged by a businessman , Mahmoud Madanipour , with ties to Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard Corps , a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization .
“ The profits from these activities support the IRGC ’ s full range of nefarious activities , including the proliferation of weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery , support for terrorism , and a variety of human rights abuses , at home and abroad , ” prosecutor Zia Faruqui alleges in the complaint .
Alireza Miryousefi , a spokesman for the Iranian mission to the United Nations , said any attempt by the U.S. to prevent Iran ’ s lawful trading with any country of its choosing would be an act of “ piracy , pure and simple.
” “ This is a direct threat to international peace and security and in contravention of international law including the UN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on ship owners to abide by sanctions against U.S. adversaries like Iran , Venezuela and North Korea .
In May , it issued an advisory urging the global maritime industry to be on the lookout for tactics to evade sanctions like dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and the turning off of mandatory tracking devices — both techniques used in recent oil deliveries to and from both Iran and Venezuela .
The campaign appears to be working .
On Thursday , the U.S. Treasury Department lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found to have transported Venezuelan crude .
The move followed an attempted auction Wednesday by federal marshals in Houston of 100,000 barrels of gasoline seized from a Greek-managed ship whose owner suspected the cargo was heading toward Venezuela .
None of the five parties at the auction agreed to the minimum $ 2.5 million bid .
As commercial traders increasingly shun Venezuela , Nicolás Maduro ’ s socialist government has been increasingly turning to Iran .
In May , Maduro celebrated the arrival of five Iranian tankers delivering badly needed fuel supplies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas lines even in the capital , Caracas , which is normally spared such hardships .
Despite sitting atop the world ’ s largest crude reserves , Venezuela doesn ’ t produce enough domestically-refined gasoline and has seen its overall crude production plunge to the lowest in over seven decades amid the ongoing crisis and fallout from U.S. sanctions .
We are “ two rebel nations , two revolutionary nations that will never kneel down before U.S. imperialism , ” Maduro said at the time .
“ Venezuela has friends in this world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The flotilla ’ s arrival angered the Trump administration , which struck back by sanctioning the five Iranian captains of the vessels .
The four tankers named in the complaint filed Wednesday — the Bella , Bering , Pandi and Luna — are currently transporting to Venezuela 1.1 million barrels of gasoline obtained via risky ship-to-ship transfers , prosecutors allege .
Of the four , the Bella is currently sailing near the Philippines , ship tracking data shows , while the Pandi appears to have turned off its satellite tracking system on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran and the UAE .
The other two were last spotted in May — the Bering near Greece and the Luna sailing between Oman and Iran .
One of the companies involved in the shipment to Venezuela , the Avantgarde Group , was previously linked to the Revolutionary Guard and attempts to evade U.S. sanctions , according to prosecutors .
An affiliate of Avantgarde facilitated the purchase for the Revolutionary Guard of the Grace 1 , a ship seized last year by Britain on U.S. accusations that it was transporting oil to Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grace 1 was eventually released .
But the seizure nonetheless triggered an international standoff in which Iran retaliated by seizing a British-flagged vessel .
According to the asset forfeiture complaint , an unnamed company in February invoiced Avantgarde for a $ 14.9 million cash payment for the sale of the gasoline aboard the Pandi .
Nonetheless , a text message between Mandanipour and an unnamed co-conspirator suggest the voyage had encountered difficulties .
“ The ship owner doesn ’ t want to go because of the American threat , but we want him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will also buy the ship , ” according to the message , an excerpt of which was included in the complaint .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Lee button found in time capsule under Confederate monument

RALEIGH , N.C. - A button that experts believe was from Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee ’ s dress coat and a strand of hair from his horse are among the items found inside a time capsule discovered when workers removed the base of a Confederate monument from the grounds of the North Carolina state capitol .
Workers found the time capsule while dismantling a 75-foot ( 23-meter ) Confederate monument that stood on the state capitol grounds for 125 years , The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Thursday .
Time had taken its toll on the capsule , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Cultural Resources .
There was rust on the metal box that kept the contents , which the department said were “ severely damaged by the elements.
” Also , the department recovered Confederate money , song books and flags and a stone believed to be from Gettysburg .
The capsule also contained newspapers from across the state .
Gov .
Roy Cooper had ordered the removal of that statue and others for safety reasons after protesters toppled other statues .
Protests had followed the death of George Floyd , a black man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis .
Viewed as symbols of white supremacy , many Confederate monuments are being taken down .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--U.S. colleges rescind admissions offers as racist social media posts emerge

A star high school athlete recruited to play football for Cornell University will no longer be attending the school after a Snapchat video of him using a racial slur went viral .
Marquette University revoked an incoming freshman ’ s admission offer because of a Snapchat post mocking the death of George Floyd .
And an honours student bound for the University of Florida now has to make other college plans after the university learned of an Instagram post in which the student declared she was “ most definitely ” a racist .
Amid a national accounting over entrenched and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in police custody on Memorial Day , at least a dozen schools have rescinded admissions offers to incoming students over instances of racism that circulated widely online , often after outraged students and university alumni demanded swift action .
In this digital age , when social media posts can ricochet across the internet at furious speed , the message from those universities to the students caught posting racist sentiments online has been uncompromising : You are no longer welcome here .
While private schools are not bound by the First Amendment and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as government institutions , must contend with the potential legal consequences of penalizing students for racist or sexist language , said Clay Calvert , the director of the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project at the University of Florida .
But the First Amendment does not guarantee the right to be admitted to a state university with an admissions process that considers “ the whole person , ” beyond just grades and test scores , Calvert said .
“ A public university is going to have an easier time rescinding an offer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is taking classes and says something offensive , ” he said .
When confronted with recent online videos of incoming students using racist language , Louisiana State University and Missouri State University both cited free speech protections in their decisions not to revoke their admissions , although the students withdrew on their own from the schools .
“ As a public university , we are legally required to uphold the principles of free speech embodied in the First Amendment to the Constitution , ” Clif Smart , the Missouri State University president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The video — as hurtful , insensitive and offensive as it is — is protected by the First Amendment , as was the language in the social media posts.
” The most recent student to face consequences is Nate Panza , 18 , a football recruit for Cornell University from Watchung , New Jersey , who was recorded using a racial slur in a Snapchat video in late June .
“ Oh , wait , you can ’ t put that one up , ” he says in the recording .
The video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he issued an apology , Panza lost his spot on the football team the next day , according to The Cornell Daily Sun .
But the move failed to quell calls to revoke his admission offer , including in an online petition signed by more than 400 people .
On Tuesday , the student newspaper reported that Panza would no longer be attending Cornell , although the exact reason remains unclear .
Panza could not be reached , and a university spokeswoman declined to comment .
At a time when many American institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism , Cornell ’ s silence stands in marked contrast to several other universities , including the University of Richmond , which announced last week that it had rescinded its admissions offer to the student who recorded the video of Panza and who can also be heard using a racial slur while mentioning Floyd .
The video “ did not reflect the University ’ s values or its commitment to a thriving and inclusive community , ” according to a statement the university posted on Twitter , which said the student ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mounting public pressure over recent episodes , many other universities have taken a similar approach .
In early June , Marquette University , a private Catholic school in Milwaukee , announced that it had rescinded both its admissions offer and an athletics scholarship to a white student who had proclaimed on Snapchat that “ it ’ s OK to kneel on someone ’ s head ” because some people think kneeling during the national anthem is acceptable .
Xavier University in Cincinnati revoked the admission of an incoming student athlete over tweets that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ thugs.
” Alumni had demanded his admissions offer be reconsidered .
In some cases , the revoked admissions offers are the results of concerted efforts by teenagers who have leveraged large social media followings and created Google spreadsheets to collect and document racist and offensive behaviour with screenshots , videos and the names of those involved .
For some students , the offensive social media posts that cost them their admission were made years earlier , as was the case for Kyle Kashuv , a survivor of the school shooting in Parkland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defender of the Second Amendment and was later accepted into Harvard University .
Last June , he announced that Harvard had rescinded its admission offer over a trail of derogatory and racist screeds that Kashuv wrote as a 16-year-old .
More recently , Liberty Woodley , 17 , the 2020 valedictorian of her high school class in Cape Coral , Florida , had accepted an offer to attend the University of Florida .
But she will not be enrolling in the fall .
The sudden change came after an actress last month called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send her screenshots of hateful social media posts , and one of Woodley ’ s old Instagram posts was surfaced .
“ I really try so hard not to be a racist person , but I most definitely am ; there ’ s no denying it , ” read the screenshot caption , which Woodley wrote when she was 16 .
In the post , she also used derogatory language to refer to two Black students in her class .
Woodley and her parents could not be reached for comment , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gainesville Sun that she had apologized and had written the post out of anger at a time when she was being constantly bullied .
The post first resurfaced last year , prompting death threats .
“ I am not racist at all , and I am not full of hate , ” she said , according to the newspaper .
Steve Orlando , a spokesman for the University of Florida , declined to comment about Woodley , citing confidentiality rules , but said “ there ’ s a prospective student who made racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospective student will no longer be coming to the University of Florida.
” While the pushback from universities appears to have spiked in the weeks since Floyd ’ s killing , they are not limited to incoming freshmen .
In early June , a student at Clemson University was included in an online spreadsheet that listed the personal information of young people who had reportedly posted racist content online .
“ Twitter , do your thing , ” a user declared in a post that highlighted a photo of the student smiling beside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the student ’ s Instagram page and Clemson ’ s phone number .
Asked whether the university had taken any action over the post , a spokesman on Wednesday said the student was “ no longer enrolled at Clemson .
”


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--PG&E exits bankruptcy, pays $5 billion into wildfire fund

SAN FRANCISCO - Pacific Gas & Electric has emerged from a contentious bankruptcy saga that began after its long-neglected electrical grid ignited wildfires in California that killed more than 100 people .
The nation ’ s largest utility announced Wednesday it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and paid $ 5.4 billion in initial funds and 22.19 % of its stock into a trust for victims of wildfires caused by its outdated equipment .
“ This is an important milestone , but our work is far from over , ” Bill Smith , PG & E interim chief executive officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergence from Chapter 11 marks just the beginning of PG & E ’ s next era — as a fundamentally improved company and the safe , reliable utility that our customers , communities and California deserve.
” A federal judge last month approved a $ 58 billion plan for the company to emerged from bankruptcy by June 30 , the deadline that the company had to meet to qualify for coverage from a $ 21 billion wildfire insurance fund created by California last year .
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay $ 25.5 billion for losses from devastating fires in 2017 and 2018 .
Dozens of lawsuits were settled during the ordeal , with $ 13.5 billion earmarked for more than 80,000 people who lost family , homes , businesses and other property in the fires .
The company plans to find a new CEO to replace Bill Johnson , who stepped down June 30 after just 14 months on the job .
It has overhauled its board of directors , including 11 members who were just recently appointed .
PG & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its sprawling territory into regional units to be more responsive to the different needs of the 16 million people who rely on it for power .
Financing the plan requires PG & E to nearly double its debt , saddling the company with a burden its critics fear will make it more difficult to raise the estimated $ 40 billion for improvements that the utility still needs to make to its electrical grid .
This marks the second time in 16 years that PG & E has navigated a complex bankruptcy case that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operate in the future .
The last time the company emerged from bankruptcy , in 2004 , electricity rates soared and management focused even more on boosting profits instead of upgrading its power supply .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--2 Oklahoma police officers charged in death of man

OKLAHOMA CITY - Two police officers from a small southern Oklahoma town have been charged with second-degree murder after being accused of using their stun guns more than 50 times on a 28-year-old man who died .
Wilson police Officers Joshua Taylor , 26 , and Brandon Dingman , 34 , were charged Wednesday in the death last year of Jared Lakey , according to court documents .
Court documents said the two officers used their stun guns on Lakey more than 50 times , “ which greatly exceeded what would have been necessary or warranted by the attendant circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factor ” in Lakey ’ s death .
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation , which assisted with the investigation at the request of the Carter County sheriff ’ s office , said that after Taylor and Dingman used a their stun guns on Lakey on July 4 , 2019 , Lakey was hospitalized and died on July 6 , 2019 .
Taylor and Dingman had come into contact with Lakey after responding to a call that he was acting in a disorderly way , OSBI said .
The agency said that when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers ’ commands , they used their stun guns multiple times .
A deputy with the Carter County sheriff ’ s office eventually responded to the scene and helped get Lakey into custody .
OSBI said that shortly after that , Lakey stopped breathing and became unresponsive .
He was taken to the hospital .
OSBI said that on Wednesday , prosecutors issued arrest warrants for Taylor and Dingman .
OSBI said both turned themselves in Thursday morning .
They were each given a $ 250,000 bond and both have bonded out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor or Dingman and home phone numbers for the men could not be found .
If convicted , each faces a punishment of 10 years to life in prison .
Wilson is located about 100 miles south of Oklahoma City .


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Geoffrey Berman, U.S. Attorney ousted by Barr, will testify privately before Congress

WASHINGTON — Geoffrey S. Berman , the former top federal prosecutor in Manhattan who was abruptly dismissed last month , has agreed to testify in a closed-door hearing before lawmakers next week as part of an inquiry into potential politicization at the Justice Department , according to a House Judiciary Committee notice reviewed by The New York Times .
Berman , who was fired after a brief but highly public standoff over his status with Attorney General William P. Barr , will meet privately on July 9 with members of the committee to discuss the circumstances surrounding his surprise ouster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the terms of his testimony .
Berman ’ s planned testimony comes amid a shakeup at the federal prosecutor ’ s office in Brooklyn .
Richard P. Donoghue , the office ’ s top prosecutor , will come to Washington to serve as the No .
2 official in the office of the deputy attorney general , Jeffrey A. Rosen , a key department post .
Donoghue is seen within the department as a close ally of Barr .
The position is currently held by Seth DuCharme , who plans to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he was previously the head of the criminal division .
He is being considered to run the office , according to two people familiar with the deliberations .
The moves , coming weeks after Berman ’ s firing , are likely to stir speculation that they are politically motivated .
But President Donald Trump has yet to nominate a successor to Donoghue , who expects his top deputy , Mark Lesko , to serve as the acting U.S. attorney immediately after his departure .
Trump could install DuCharme to run the office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berman , the Manhattan federal prosecutor ’ s office pursued cases that touched on Trump ’ s inner circle , exposing misdeeds by his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen .
From nearly the moment that Barr took office last year , he clashed with Berman about politically sensitive investigations , including the decision to charge Cohen with campaign finance offences and how prosecutors in Manhattan should investigate Halkbank , a Turkish state-owned bank that they indicted last year , according to multiple people familiar with those investigations who were not authorized to publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tenure appeared to be hastened after Jay Clayton , the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission , told Trump and Barr weeks ago that he would be interested in running the Southern District .
Barr decided to install a lawyer with whom he had a better working relationship , the attorney general said in an interview with NPR .
But Berman refused to resign , and Barr issued a news release late on a Friday night last month declaring that Berman intended to leave .
That notice prompted Berman to publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving .
In the end , because of legal issues surrounding Berman ’ s appointment , Barr was forced to ask Trump to fire him .
He also backed away from his plan for temporary succession and installed Berman ’ s deputy , Audrey Strauss , to run the office for now .
Berman ’ s dismissal also came at a time when Trump had been pushing out other administration officials with a degree of independence , including inspectors general who are tasked with rooting out agency fraud and abuse .
On Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Eastern District of New York , notified his office that he would be stepping down to become an official with the Justice Department in Washington , according to people familiar with the matter .
The post he will assume — principal associate deputy attorney general , working under Rosen — is considered extremely influential , as Rosen ’ s office oversees the nation ’ s federal prosecutors ’ offices .
A previous official in the role , Edward O ’ Callaghan , was best known for overseeing the day-to-day of the Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under Rosen , who has never been a prosecutor .
DuCharme , who is Rosen ’ s current top deputy , will return to the Brooklyn office , where he had worked for his entire career as a prosecutor before he came to Washington last year to advise Barr on criminal and national security matters .
Berman will testify just a week after two Justice Department lawyers told the House Judiciary Committee that political appointees in the prosecutor ’ s office in Washington and in the antitrust division had intervened in investigations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr .
Aaron S.J .
Zelinsky , a prosecutor who worked on the investigation into Roger Stone , Trump ’ s longtime friend , told the committee that senior officials in the Washington U.S. Attorney ’ s Office demanded a more lenient prison sentence for Stone “ because of politics.
” He named several career lawyers who told him that the lenient sentence would be done essentially to appease Trump , and that the office ’ s top political appointee feared the president .
A Justice Department spokeswoman has said that Zelinsky ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that he had no conversations with the political appointees whose intentions he described .
John W. Elias , a senior career official in the antitrust division , said that Barr sought to use an antitrust investigation to harass cannabis companies because he personally disliked the industry .
He also said that to please Trump , the division opened an investigation into automakers who had decided to make cars that emitted fewer pollutants .
Leaders in the antitrust division denied those accusations in an internal memo circulated to the division .
Their testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the House Judiciary Committee ’ s scrutiny of whether Barr has politicized the Justice Department and wielded its power to protect and support Trump ’ s interests .
Barr will appear before the panel on July 28 .

Katie Benner - The New York Times,Nicole Hong


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Officials: Students in Alabama threw COVID contest parties

TUSCALOOSA , Ala. - Several college students in an Alabama city organized “ COVID-19 ” parties as a contest to see who would get the virus first , an official said .
Students hosted the parties to intentionally infect each other with the new coronavirus , news outlets quoted Tuscaloosa City Councilor Sonya McKinstry as saying .
McKinstry said party organizers purposely invited guests who tested positive for COVID-19 .
She said the students put money in a pot and whoever got COVID first would get the cash .
“ It makes no sense , ” McKinstry said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuscaloosa Fire Chief Randy Smith told the City Council on Tuesday that fire officials confirmed some students had attended parties despite knowing they were infected .
The department thought the parties were rumours , but Smith said after some research , officials discovered they were real .
“ Not only do the doctors ’ offices confirm it but the state confirmed they also had the same information , “ Smith said .
State Health Officer Scott Harris said he had seen the news story about the reported parties , but could not officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local physician , was quoted by the Tuscaloosa News as saying that there had been rumours of parties for about a month .
“ While my nursing staff was triaging patients for COVID-19 swabbing , they were told about the COVID-19 house parties and were even shown videos of the parties by college students , ” Peramsetty said .
“ When students are called for results , we noticed that some were very excited and happy that they were positive , while others were very upset that they were negative.
” McKinstry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the students attend .
Tuscaloosa is home to The University of Alabama and several other colleges .
The University of Alabama issued a statement saying they have heard rumours of such parties and are working to educate students .
“ We have been aware for weeks of the rumours about COVID parties .
We conducted a thorough investigation , and although we have been unable to identify any students who may have participated in these types of activities , we will continue to follow up on any information we receive and educate our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university said in a statement .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and those with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness and even be fatal .
This story has been edited to clarify that the fire chief confirmed only that students had attended parties knowing they were infected .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--Audit criticizes Houston police unit tied to fatal drug raid

HOUSTON - An audit of a Houston Police Department narcotics unit that ’ s been under scrutiny following a deadly 2019 drug raid found that officers made hundreds of errors in cases , often weren ’ t thorough in their investigations , lacked supervision and overpaid informants for the seizure of minuscule amounts of drugs .
A group of state lawmakers who had been fighting for months for the audit ’ s release criticized the report , calling it a “ scam ” for not detailing the systematic problems within the unit and the police department that ultimately led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dennis Tuttle , 59 , and his wife , Rhogena Nicholas , 58 , were killed .
“ This was not a single rogue officer .
This was not even a single rogue unit .
This was an entire rogue division .
This is an entire branch of the Houston police department that just did whatever it felt like doing , ” state Rep. Gene Wu said Friday .
A Houston police spokesman said Chief Art Acevedo and the department were not expected to comment on the audit .
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narcotics unit with a “ very critical eye “ and Houston police have since “ stepped up and already made a number of revisions.
” The 66-page audit reviewed the work of two former members of the narcotics unit — Gerald Goines and Steven Bryant —along with the work of squads within the unit .
Goines and Bryant have previously been charged in state and federal court in the case , including two counts of felony murder filed in state court against Goines for the deaths of the couple .
The audit found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three years leading up to the raid that were handled by Goines and Bryant .
Some of the errors the audit tied to Goines included not getting approval for informant payments , missing documentation regarding the payment of informants and overpaying informants .
Goines ’ use of informants has been one of the key issues that ’ s been investigated in the deadly raid .
Prosecutors had previously accused Goines , 55 , of lying to obtain the warrant to search the home of Tuttle and his wife by claiming that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goines later said there was no informant and that he had bought the drugs himself , they allege .
Five officers , including Goines , were injured in the raid .
Nicole DeBorde , Goines ’ attorney , said Friday she couldn ’ t immediately comment as she was still reviewing the audit .
The audit also reviewed the work of officers in four squads within the narcotics unit and found they had made over 700 errors in cases from the two years leading up to the raid .
One squad was cited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as officers “ failed to document pertinent details in the offence report , such as who was present , location of the evidence , and other information that would aid the prosecution.
” Some officers took up to a year to turn in completed reports .
Officers and supervisors normally have 15 days to complete case paperwork and turn it in , according to the audit .
Acevedo had declined to release the audit , arguing it would harm an ongoing investigation by prosecutors .
But after Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bryant and four other former officers , Houston released the audit on its Twitter page later that evening .
In the weeks since the killing of George Floyd , a former Houston resident who died in May while being arrested by a Minneapolis police officer , Acevedo has given interviews and talked to protesters about being committed to police transparency and accountability .
But he ’ s been criticized for not releasing the audit sooner and for not releasing body camera footage from six deadly Houston police shootings that took place within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .
Wu , D-Houston , said he and other lawmakers planned to craft legislation to ensure the deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas “ mean something .
We want there to be true reform from this.
“ The raid “ did not happen in a vacuum .
That kind of conduct can only happen when there is an environment , a long standing and pervasive custom and practice of illegal conduct that is known by and condoned by the highest levels of the department , ” said Boyd Smith , an attorney representing @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-07-02--UK to end quarantine for travellers from ‘low-risk’ countries

LONDON - The British government said Friday it is scrapping a 14-day quarantine rule for arrivals from a number of countries deemed “ lower risk ” for the coronavirus , including France , Spain , Germany and Italy .
The change takes effect July 10 , just over a month after the U.K. began requiring international arrivals to self-isolate for two weeks .
The full list of exempted countries will be announced later Friday , the government said .
It is considered unlikely the United States , which has the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , the government will also exempt several countries from its advice against overseas travel , meaning U.K. tourists can once again head abroad on vacation .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the changes are “ good news for British people and great news for British businesses.
” But he stressed that the government could re-impose quarantine restrictions “ in countries we are reconnecting with.
” The changes announced apply only to England , a sign of friction between Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s central government and semi-autonomous administrations in the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Northern Ireland .
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been particularly critical of Johnson ’ s approach to easing coronavirus lockdown measures and has taken a more cautious approach .
The British government also made the announcement without securing reciprocal agreements that British travellers will not face quarantines .
The Department for Transport said its “ expectation is that a number of the exempted countries will also not require arrivals from the U.K. to self-isolate.
” Britain has the highest COVID-19 toll in Europe , with almost 44,000 confirmed deaths .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown imposed in March , with bars , restaurants and hairdressers allowed to reopen in England on Saturday .
The European Union re-opened its borders this week to people from 14 countries including Canada , Japan , South Korea and Morocco — but not the U.S. Britain left the EU on Jan. 31 but continues to be bound by its rules during a transition period that lasts until the end of the year .


thetorontostar--2020-07-03--Portland, Oregon, protest turns violent; several arrested

PORTLAND , Ore. - Several people were arrested after a demonstration turned violent in downtown Portland and resulted in damage @ @ @ @ @ authorities said Friday .
Protests have occurred regularly in the city since the May killing @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said in a statement that protesters broke into the Justice Center and broke @ @ @ @ @ courthouse nearby .
They threw cans of food , large rocks and commercial-grade fireworks at @ @ @ @ @ the scene .
Protesters also set a fire on the street .
Protesters were warned @ @ @ @ @ be declared , a sign that harsher tactics would be employed , if they did @ @ @ @ @ “ Because of the violent nature of the demonstrators while officers cleared the area , @ @ @ @ @ and several arrests were made , ” the statement said .
Demonstrators also threw mortars @ @ @ @ @ without specifying what type they were .


thetorontostar--2020-07-03--Train hits bus carrying Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan: 20 dead

LAHORE , Pakistan - A passenger train crashed into a bus carrying Sikh pilgrims at an unmanned railway crossing in eastern Pakistan on Friday , killing 20 people , including seven women , officials said .
At least eight pilgrims were injured .
The accident happened in the district of Sheikhupura in Punjab province , according to Raja Ijaz , an official at the state-run emergency service .
Ghazi Salahuddin , the district police chief , said the dead and injured were taken to a nearby hospital .
The Sikh pilgrims were from the northwestern city of Peshawar and were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrine of Nankana Sahib in Sheikhupura .
The officials said the injured were later transported to a hospital in Lahore , the capital of Punjab province , with two of the victims listed in critical condition .
Asghar Joya , a government official in Sheikhupura , said an initial assessment indicated the bus driver tried to cross the railway tracks as the train neared but the bus skidded and got stuck .
He said , however , that officials were still investigating .
TV footage showed the train and the badly destroyed bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dilbir Singh said the pilgrims , after visiting the shrine and before leaving for Peshawar , had also visited the home of a relative whose family member had recently died .
Pakistan ’ s President Arif Ali and Prime Minister Imran Khan issued statements expressing their sorrow and ordering local authorities provide the best possible treatment for the injured .
Sikhs have several shrines of their religious leaders in Pakistan .
One , of Sikh founder Guru Nanak , built after he died in the 16th century , is located in the Punjab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with India .
Many Sikh holy sites became part of Pakistan after the British partitioned the subcontinent into India and Pakistan in 1947 following two centuries of colonial rule .
Ties between the rival nuclear-armed neighbours deteriorated sharply after India revoked the disputed Kashmir region ’ s semi-autonomous status in early August .
Train accidents are common in Pakistan , mainly due to lack of enforcement of safety standards , a poorly kept railroad system and negligence of drivers .
In February , a train crashed into a bus carrying passengers at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rohri in southern Pakistan , killing 19 people and injuring 28 others .
Last November , a fire caused by a cooking gas stove swept through a train in Punjab , killing 74 people .
Survivors at the time said it took nearly 20 minutes for the train to stop ; there were also contradictory reports about the condition of the train ’ s brakes .
Associated Press writer Asim Tanveer in Multan , Pakistan , contributed to this story .


thetorontostar--2020-07-03--2 dead, 73 injured in blast at Turkish fireworks factory

ANKARA , Turkey - An explosion at a fireworks factory in northwestern Turkey on Friday has killed two people and @ @ @ @ @ people , officials said .
There were an estimated 150 workers at the factory outside @ @ @ @ @ in Sakarya province , Gov .
Cetin Oktay Kaldirim told state-run Anadolu Agency .
Two @ @ @ @ @ explosion while 73 others were hospitalized with injuries , Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ two air ambulances and 11 rescue teams were sent to the area .
Several firefighter @ @ @ @ @ the factory , which is away from residential areas .
Efforts to bring the fire @ @ @ @ @ continuing explosions , reports said .
The cause of the blast wasn ’ t immediately @ @ @ @ @ video showed a large , mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke rising from the factory .
HaberTurk @ @ @ @ @ leading to the factory .
Families rushed to the site for news of their loved @ @