thetorontostar--2020-06-01--2020 Watch: Will Tuesday clinch the nomination for Biden?

WASHINGTON - Presidential politics move fast .
What we ’ re watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign : Days to next set of primaries ( Indiana , Maryland , Montana , New Mexico , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , South Dakota , District of Columbia ) : 1 THE NARRATIVE The only real open question going into Tuesday ’ s eight primaries is whether Joe Biden will rack up enough votes to formally clinch the Democratic presidential nomination .
That he we will win those contests is not in doubt .
The former vice-president needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stake to do so .
That sounds easy since he ’ s the last candidate standing in a once-crowded primary field .
But supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders have continued to urge voters to cast ballots for him so he can amass delegates and have a greater influence on the party policy platform ahead of the Democratic National Convention .
Biden has met the 89 % threshold in only two contests since Super Tuesday : Mississippi ( 94 % ) and Nebraska ( 100 % ) .
Protests nationwide , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overshadow the presidential race .
Indiana , Maryland , Pennsylvania and Rhode Island all had earlier primaries that were pushed back to Tuesday because of the pandemic .
New Jersey was supposed to vote Tuesday but delayed its primary until July 7 .
Nearly all of Tuesday ’ s primary balloting will be by mail , just like in most of the states voting in recent weeks amid the vrius outbreak , including Ohio .
Still , activists in Maryland and Pennsylvania have expressed concerns that delays in efforts to send ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t arrive in time for the primaries there — and similar problems could arise in other places .
President Donald Trump has been an outspoken critic of increasing voting by mail for November ’ s election , arguing it is a recipe for widespread fraud — even though such cases are exceedingly rare .
He ’ s also hinted that political calculations could be at the core of his claims about protecting voter integrity , tweeting that widespread mail-in ballots “ WILL ALSO LEAD TO THE END OF OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PARTY.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue , but Texas ’ Supreme Court ruled recently that fear of contracting the coronavirus wasn ’ t an adequate excuse for requesting an absentee ballot .
Will this be Steve King ’ s last stand ?
A Republican congressional primary in Iowa on Tuesday could cripple the career of veteran Republican Steve King , who was stripped of his committee assignments last year after suggesting that white nationalism wasn ’ t offensive .
King is facing four challengers for his party ’ s nomination .
Iowa ’ s Democratic presidential caucus was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials mailed out absentee ballot request forms so voters could participate in the primary by mail — but in-person balloting will also be available .
How much worse will it get ?
Racially charged protests erupted at virtually the same time the United States surpassed the 100,000 coronavirus deaths , even as the economic downturn sparked by shutdown efforts to slow the pandemic continued to deepen .
More than 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment , and the nation ’ s Gross Domestic Product fell at an annual rate of 5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states start to ease stay-at-home orders , Trump is arguing that an economic recovery could be quick and has begun touting the slogan “ Transition to Greatness.
” Biden has struck a far more sombre tone .
He says that the Trump administration ’ s incompetence in the face of the virus cost lives and that , while he will use the outbreak to push for an overhauled economy that can work better for more Americans , he ’ s not making any promises about how long it might take .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen to health experts and authorities rather than rush back to some approximation of normal life .
Will some top veepstakes contenders see their stock fall ?
The violence raging across the nation is likely to increase pressure on Biden to choose an African American woman as his running mate .
Among those who are now in the spotlight : Rep. Val Demmings of Florida , a former police chief who also served on the House committee that voted to impeach Trump , and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta , who struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
They would join an unofficial list that also includes Sen. Kamala Harris of California and former Georgia state legislator Stacey Abrams , among others .
Some top Democrats have suggested that the fallout from Minnesota will remove home-state Sen. Amy Klobuchar from Biden ’ s perceived shortlist for running mate .
Meanwhile , two governors had coronavrius-related dust-ups that could perhaps hurt their standing on Biden ’ s perceived shortlist for the veepstakes .
Michigan ’ s Gretchen Whitmer faced fierce criticism and eventually suggested her husband was joking when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dock owner to move their boat into the water ahead of his trip to their vacation home for Memorial Day weekend .
Whitmer had urged residents to “ think long and hard ” about such travel .
Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico was criticized for ordering jewelry online and picking it up at an Albuquerque store amid stay-at-home orders she directed .
Biden said he hoped to make a pick by around Aug. 1 .
The violence over the weekend underscored a core truism of presidential politics .
It is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones , that typically determine the outcome .
A global pandemic and economic free fall would have seemed to be enough to make that true .
But now add violent protests rooted in what Biden has called “ systemic ” racism .
2020 Watch runs every Monday and provides a look at the week ahead in the 2020 election .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--World stocks rebound after Trump avoids reigniting trade war

BEIJING - Hong Kong ’ s stock market surged more than 3 % and other global markets also gained Monday after President Donald Trump avoided reigniting a trade war with China amid tension over Hong Kong and the coronavirus pandemic .
London and Paris opened higher .
Shanghai gained 2.2 % and Tokyo was up nearly 1 % .
U.S. futures declined .
Global markets sank Friday as investors waited for Trump ’ s response to Beijing ’ s security law on Hong Kong .
In the end , Trump ended Hong Kong ’ s special trade status and suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulling out of a truce in a tariff war with Beijing that weighs on global growth .
“ Markets may draw hollow consolation that the U.S. is treading carefully , ” said Mizuho Bank in a report .
However , it warned , relief may be “ set to evaporate.
” In early trading , the FTSE 100 in London added 0.8 % to 6,125.05 and the CAC 40 in France advanced 1 % to 4,742.58 .
German markets were closed for a holiday .
On Wall Street , futures for the benchmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dow Jones Industrial Average were off 0.2 % .
On Friday , the S & P 500 ended the week up 3 % and the Dow fell 0.1 % .
The Nasdaq composite , heavily weighted with technology stocks , climbed 1.3 % .
In Asia , Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng index jumped 3.4 % to 23,732.52 .
The Shanghai Composite Index rose to 2,915.43 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo added 0.8 % to 22,062.39 .
A monthly gauge of Chinese manufacturing issued by a business magazine , Caixin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but new export orders fell from an already low level in a sign of weak global demand .
Also Monday , South Korea reported exports fell 23.7 % in May from a year earlier .
In Seoul , the Kospi in Seoul added 1.7 % to 2,065.08 .
Australia ’ s S & P-ASX 200 was 1.1 % higher at 5,819.20 and India ’ s Sensex added 3.2 % to 33,474.98 .
Singapore gained 1.9 % and Bangkok rose 0.6 % .
U.S.-Chinese tension has weighed on investor optimism about the global economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the 1930s .
As China and some European countries revive economic activity , stock markets have been regaining much of this year ’ s losses despite rising numbers of virus cases in the United States , Brazil and some other countries .
Before the virus outbreak , the global economy already was under pressure from the U.S.-Chinese dispute over Beijing ’ s technology ambitions and trade surplus .
The world ’ s two biggest traders had raised tariffs on billions of dollars of each other ’ s goods .
They signed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to market jitters by threatening to pull out if China doesn ’ t buy more American goods .
On Friday , Trump said Washington would begin eliminating agreements that gave Hong Kong privileges that China lacked , including exemption from some import controls .
That followed the ceremonial Chinese legislature ’ s endorsement of a security law for Hong Kong that pro-democracy advocates say undermines the autonomy promised to the former British colony .
It is unclear how the decision might affect U.S. companies in Hong Kong or the territory ’ s status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Business groups say the uncertainty might hurt its appeal to foreign investors .
In energy markets , benchmark U.S. crude lost 19 cents to $ 35.30 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
The contract gained $ 1.78 on Friday to settle at $ 35.49 .
Brent crude , used to price international oils , gained 2 cents to $ 37.86 per barrel in London .
The dollar declined to 107.45 yen from Friday ’ s 107.81 .
The euro retreated to $ 1.1139 from $ 1.1165 .

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thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Deadly police raid fuels call to end ‘no knock’ warrants

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - It ’ s the stuff of nightmares : Breonna Taylor and her boyfriend were in bed when a trio of armed men smashed through the front door .
Gunfire erupted , killing the 26-year-old black woman .
The three men turned out to be plainclothes police detectives , one of whom was wounded in the chaos and violence that March night .
Taylor ’ s death led to protests and a review of how Louisville police use “ no knock ” search warrants , which allow officers to enter a home without announcing their presence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from getting rid of a stash .
Taylor ’ s name is one of those being chanted during nationwide protests decrying police killings of black people .
The unrest began after the death of George Floyd , a black man who pleaded that he couldn ’ t breathe as a white Minneapolis police officer pinned him to the ground with a knee .
More than two months after Taylor ’ s death , Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced last week that the police department ’ s use of no-knock warrants has been suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a permanent ban , though Oregon and Florida are the only states that have outlawed such warrants .
Fischer changed the policy after an outcry from Taylor ’ s family and they sued the department and the three officers who served the warrant .
The new policy requires Louisville ’ s police chief to sign off on all no-knock warrants before they go to a judge .
“ These changes , and more to come ... should signal that I hear the community and we will continue to make improvements anywhere that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The three narcotics detectives had a no-knock warrant when they busted down the door of Taylor ’ s apartment after midnight on March 13 .
They were investigating a drug dealer named Jamarcus Glover , who was arrested elsewhere the same day .
Police said Glover was using Taylor ’ s address to receive packages they believed could be drugs .
No drugs were found at her apartment .
Tom Wine , the city ’ s top criminal prosecutor , said he believes police knocked and announced their presence .
“ Simply because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not mean they can ’ t knock and announce , ” Wine said last week .
But the lawsuit filed on behalf of Taylor ’ s mother says neighbours didn ’ t hear the plainclothes detectives knock or identify themselves as officers before they crashed into the apartment .
Taylor ’ s boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , told investigators that he thought he was being robbed or that it might be an ex-boyfriend of Taylor ’ s trying to get in .
Walker told police he heard knocking but didn ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Taylor were moving toward the door when it was knocked down , so he fired a shot that hit an officer .
Authorities had charged Walker with attempted murder but dropped the case last week .
Wine said he wanted to let state and federal authorities complete their review of the shooting .
Meanwhile , the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky has urged city leaders to ban no-knock warrants , saying they lead to the deaths of innocent people .
A 2014 ACLU report on police militarization detailed several botched SWAT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including one that year in Georgia that ended with a toddler in a medically induced coma .
More recently , police in Montgomery County , Maryland , shot and killed 21-year-old Duncan Lemp in his family ’ s home while serving a no-knock search warrant .
An eyewitness said Lemp was asleep in his bedroom when police opened fire from outside his house , according to an attorney for his family .
Police said Lemp , who was white , was armed with a rifle and ignored commands .
Lemp family attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrants decades ago as a tool in the nation ’ s war on drugs .
They have become the “ norm ” for many kinds of criminal cases , including non-violent offences , she said .
“ It ’ s an abuse of authority across the board , ” said Sandler , a former county prosecutor .
Law enforcement consultant Melvin Tucker , who ’ s been a police chief in four cities in the U.S. South , said the element of surprise afforded by no-knock warrants isn ’ t always justified .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a drug case where the quantity is so small that they could dispose of it by flushing it down the toilet , you probably shouldn ’ t be there with a search warrant in the first place .
It ’ s not worthwhile , ” said Tucker , who has been an expert witness in dozens of court cases .
The number of no-knock warrants served during SWAT team deployments has grown from approximately 1,500 annually in the early 1980s to about 45,000 in 2010 , according to Eastern Kentucky University professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militarization .
He said police are adept at working around restrictions and tailoring paperwork to suit the standards of judges issuing search warrants .
“ Banning no-knock warrants , if any jurisdiction can pull that off , is an important step , ” Kraska said .
“ At the end of the day , banning them probably won ’ t accomplish much in the real world .
But getting them off the books on one level is important.
” Kentucky has a “ stand your ground ” law that gives residents the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those laws generally haven ’ t protected people who unwittingly shoot at officers entering their homes , but Walker ’ s dropped charges suggests the circumstances of Taylor ’ s death could be an “ ideologically compatible situation for the left and right , ” Kraska said .
“ These different groups that normally would be at odds with one another all agree on the inappropriateness of no-knock warrants , ” he added .
“ There ’ s been a lot more political agreement that this is problematic .
”

Dylan Lovan, Michael Kunzelman And Adrian Sainz - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--World’s reaction to US weaves solidarity, calls to change

BANGKOK - Several thousand people marched in New Zealand ’ s largest city on Monday to protest the killing of George Floyd in the U.S. as well as to stand up against police violence and racism in their own country .
Many people around the world have watched with growing unease at the civil unrest in the U.S. after the latest in a series of police killings of black men and women .
Floyd died on May 25 in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed his knee on Floyd ’ s neck until he stopped breathing .
The officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The protesters in Auckland marched to the U.S. Consulate , where they kneeled .
They held banners with slogans like “ I can ’ t breathe ” and “ The real virus is racism.
” Hundreds more joined the peaceful protests and vigils elsewhere in New Zealand , where Monday was a public holiday .
In Iran , which has in the recent past violently put down nationwide demonstrations by killing hundreds , arresting thousands and disrupting internet access to the outside world , state television has repeatedly aired images of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mousavi urged the U.S. government and police to stop the violence .
“ To American officials and police : Stop violence against your people and let them breathe , ” Mousavi said at a news conference in Tehran on Monday .
He also told the American people that “ the world is standing with you.
” He added that Iran is saddened to see “ the violence the U.S. police have recently ” set off .
At a gathering in central London on Sunday , thousands offered support for American demonstrators , chanting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and waving placards with the words “ How many more ?
” In other places , too , demonstrators wove solidarity with the U.S. protesters with messages aimed at local authorities .
In Brazil , hundreds of people protested crimes committed by the police against black people in Rio de Janeiro ’ s working-class neighbourhoods , known as favelas .
Police used tear gas to disperse them , with some demonstrators saying “ I can ’ t breathe , ” repeating Floyd ’ s own words .
In Canada , an anti-racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some demonstrators .
Police declared the gathering illegal after they say projectiles were thrown at officers who responded with pepper spray and tear gas .
Some windows were smashed and some fires were set .
In authoritarian nations , the unrest became a chance to undermine U.S. criticism of their own situations .
Iranian state television repeatedly aired images of the U.S. unrest .
Russia said the United States had systemic human rights problems .
And state-controlled media in China saw the protests through the prism of American views on Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has long said the U.S. encouraged .
In a commentary , the ruling Communist Party newspaper Global Times said Chinese experts had noted that U.S. politicians might think twice before commenting again on Hong Kong , knowing “ their words might backfire.
” North Korea ’ s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Monday reported about the demonstrations , saying that protesters “ harshly condemned ” a white policeman ’ s “ lawless and brutal murder ” of a black citizen .
Three large photos from the Minneapolis Star Tribune , Reuters news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent days in the city where Floyd was killed .
The article said hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the White House chanting “ No justice , no peace , ” and that demonstrations were occurring in other cities and were expected to grow .
It did not make any direct comments about the Trump administration .
Follow the AP ’ s latest news about the protests in the U.S. at https : //apnews.com/GeorgeFloyd


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--UN forced to cut aid to Yemen, even as virus increases need

CAIRO - Aid organizations are making an urgent plea for funding to shore up their operations in war-torn Yemen , saying they have already been forced to stop some of their work even as the coronavirus rips through the country .
Some 75 % of U.N. programs in Yemen have had to shut their doors or reduce operations .
The global body ’ s World Food Program had to cut rations in half and U.N.-funded health services were reduced in 189 out of 369 hospitals nationwide .
“ It ’ s almost impossible to look a family in the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and say , ‘ I ’ m sorry but the food that you need in order to survive we have to cut in half , ’ ” Lise Grande , resident U.N. co-ordinator for Yemen , told The Associated Press .
The dwindling funds are the result of several factors , but among the top reasons is obstruction by Yemen ’ s Houthi rebels , who control the capital , Sanaa , and other territories .
The United States , one of the largest donors , decreased its aid to Yemen earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s yet to be seen whether the Houthis will allow monitoring and oversight or give U.N. agencies the space to operate .
A U.N. pledging conference for Yemen on Tuesday seeks $ 2.41 billion to cover essential activities from June to December .
Grande said the Houthis are working to become more transparent , and that she hopes this will encourage donor countries to give aid .
Her optimism , however , comes as the Houthis face heavy criticism for suppressing information about the number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no mitigation measures in place .
Tuesday ’ s conference will be co-hosted for the first time by Saudi Arabia — a major player in Yemen ’ s civil war since it first unleashed a bombing campaign in 2015 to try to push back the Iranian-backed Houthis who had seized the northern half of the country .
Critics question the Saudis ’ high-profile role in rallying humanitarian support even as they continue to wage a war — as do the Houthis — that has created the world ’ s worst humanitarian crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a non-resident fellow at the Sana ’ a Center for Strategic Studies , said the kingdom is trying to repair its international image by changing the conversation .
Saudi Arabia “ has always tried to change the narrative of the war and present itself as a backer of the legitimate government , not part of the conflict , ” she said .
In past years , the kingdom has been one of the top donors for U.N. humanitarian aid operations in Yemen .
The Saudi ambassador to Yemen , Mohammed al-Jaber , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion dollars this year to support U.N. programs , including $ 25 million for a COVID-19 response plan .
The U.N. itself has also investigated allegations of corruption and diversion of aid in Yemen in its own ranks .
Reports indicate that the coronavirus is spreading at an alarming rate throughout the country .
Among the slashed programs is financial support to thousands of health workers who haven ’ t received salaries from the government for nearly three years .
Grande said that just a week before the first coronavirus case was announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop paying health workers .
Without salaries , medical staff won ’ t be able to provide health services to patients amid the pandemic .
The U.N. received around $ 3.6 billion in 2019 in international donations for its campaign , short of its $ 4.2 billion goal .
For its 2020 plan , it has so far received only 15 % out of the needed $ 3.5 billion .
Yemen has been caught in a grinding war since 2014 when Houthi rebels descended from their northern enclave and took over Sanaa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the spring of 2015 , a U.S.-backed , Saudi-led coalition began a destructive air campaign to dislodge the Houthis while imposing a land , sea and air embargo on Yemen .
The air war and fighting on the ground has killed more than 100,000 people , shut down or destroyed half of Yemen ’ s health facilities , and driven 4 million Yemenis from their homes .
Cholera epidemics and severe malnutrition among children have led to thousands of additional deaths .
As the war enters its sixth year , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suffering looks set to continue .
Fighting has continued unabated along several front lines in Yemen , including in Marib , an oil-rich eastern province , threatening new waves of displacement .
The U.N. ’ s massive aid program , totalling $ 8.35 billion since 2015 , is vital to keeping many Yemenis alive .
Ten million people are on the brink of famine and 80 % of the 30 million population are in need of aid , according to the U.N. With the coronavirus spreading , more money is needed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Yemen ’ s internationally recognized government reported 283 cases , including 85 deaths .
The Houthis declared only four cases , including one death .
The World Health Organization believes that there is a significant underestimation of the outbreak , which could further hinder efforts to get supplies into Yemen that are needed to contain the virus .
Richard Brennan , the WHO ’ s regional emergency director , told the AP that he believes the deaths are in the hundreds and cases in the thousands , based on what he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he said the lack of funding means the organization ’ s health programs are hanging by a thread .
The International Rescue Committee , an aid group , said Yemen is conducting just 31 tests per one million people , among the world ’ s lowest scores .
With increasing needs and fewer funds , the U.N. refugee agency will have to stop cash assistance and shelter programs for more than 50,000 displaced families by August , said spokeswoman Heba Kanso .
She said the agency will be forced to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will have let go more than 1,500 national staff .
Relief agencies worry that donors will give less as many countries struggle their own virus outbreaks .
But they warn that the world ’ s worst humanitarian crisis can indeed get much worse .
“ The world ’ s attention is diverted elsewhere and these are the vulnerable among the most vulnerable on the planet , and we need a commitment , ” said Brennan .

Maggie Michael And Maggie Hyde - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--More Kentucky parks set to reopen in June

FRANKFORT , Ky. - More Kentucky parks are set to reopen in June .
Four Kentucky State Park lodges that @ @ @ @ @ of the state ’ s coronavirus emergency response will reopen on June 8 , Gov @ @ @ @ @ They include Lake Cumberland State Resort Park , Lake Barkley State Resort Park , Blue @ @ @ @ @ and Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park .
A decline in cases of the virus means @ @ @ @ @ necessary for response efforts , officials said .
“ We are making every effort to @ @ @ @ @ the commonwealth and offer in-state travel opportunities for Kentuckians to enjoy , ” Beshear said @ @ @ @ @ from in-state travel will foster economic growth in local communities and help Kentucky rebound with @ @ @ @ @ officials continue to stress the need for masks and social distancing to limit the spread @ @ @ @ @ also plan to reopen the Kentucky Horse Park on June 11 .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--States, cities plead for virus aid as Congress faces crises

WASHINGTON - One small-town Oklahoma mayor testified before Congress she ’ s worried the city ’ s 18-bed hospital can ’ t handle a second Covid-19 wave .
Many counties are slashing sizable chunks of their government work force .
States are staring down red ink as the fiscal year comes to a close .
As local leaders are pleading for more federal aid — even before protests over police violence erupted in almost every corner of the country — the Senate resumes session Monday with no immediate plans to consider a fresh round of relief .
The House ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mothballed in the Senate , where Republicans are focused instead on trimming unemployment benefits and getting Americans back to work .
Quick action by Congress is skidding to a halt .
The standoff is perhaps standard Washington negotiating , but “ they ’ re playing a very dangerous game of chicken , ” said Meredith McGehee , executive director at Issue One , which advocates for a government reforms to ease political gridlock .
Congress is confronting mounting crises — the virus outbreak , the shattered economy and now nationwide protests over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police — all crashing into an election year .
It ’ s a moment that calls for steady leadership .
But the House is working remotely rather than risk convening in the pandemic , while the Senate wants to wait and see if nearly $ 2 trillion in previously approved aid is sufficient while it focuses on President Donald Trump ’ s priorities .
As the Senate gavels in , Republicans who control the chamber will focus on investigations Trump wants of the Obama administration ’ s handling of the probe of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ties to Trump ’ s campaign .
Key hearings this week over what Trump calls “ Obamagate ” are scheduled at the Judiciary and Homeland Security committee .
Both are scheduled to consider issuing subpoenas for testimony from current and former officials .
Rather than unleash more federal aid to counter the pandemic , Senate Republicans want to cut back unemployment benefits they worry are preventing workers from returning to their jobs and create a liability shield to protect businesses that do re-open from lawsuits related to COVID-19 .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do another rescue package and it ’ s been my view we need to be a little bit careful , ” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell during a radio interview Friday in his home state of Kentucky .
McConnell said the Senate won ’ t be considering the $ 3 trillion “ grab bag ” of the House-passed Heroes Act .
In urging action , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday linked the death of George Floyd in Minnesota to the “ injustice ” of the virus outbreak ’ s impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The fact is that the coronavirus has taken an undue toll among people of colour , ” Pelosi said on ABC .
She said there is not enough virus testing in minority communities .
“ This , again , is an injustice.
“ Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called on McConnell to cancel the “ conspiracy hearings ” and focus on the health and economic needs .
Schumer said Senate Republicans are turning the Senate “ into an extension of the president ’ s reelection campaign.
” Deadlines are fast approaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new fiscal year starting July 1 .
The $ 600 boost to unemployment benefits approved in the previous aid package is set to expire July 31 .
Small businesses that tapped the Paycheck Protection Program will start seeing loans come due without adjustments by Congress .
Teryn Zmuda chief economist at the National Association of Counties , said local governments have been ” on the forefront ” of the COVID response but there is a dollar amount that is associated with that .
Many jurisdictions faced the double-whammy of increased overtime pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-home orders cut sales and gas taxes , toll fees and other revenue streams .
The result has been 800,000 jobs lost in the local government sector in April alone , according to a report from the association .
More are expected .
“ The cost has stacked up at the local level , ” Zmuda said .
At a hearing of the new House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis , Mayor Mary Jane Scott of Mangum , Oklahoma , testified Friday that the area ’ s small hospital , which receives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was overloaded when the community faced an outbreak .
She can ’ t imagine trying to withstand second wave .
Yet Jacksonsville , Florida , Mayor Lenny B. Curry warned the committee there ’ s also a high-cost of staying home .
He said the city has seen a spike in substance abuse overdose calls .
Republicans argue against what some call bailouts for states , warning some have overextended with generous services , pensions or mismanagement .
Sen. John Thune , R-S.D.
, the majority whip , who appeared at an online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Congress has already “ flooded the zone ” with a “ staggering amount ” of funds .
“ I don ’ t expect we ’ ll see any immediate action in the Senate , ” Thune said .
McGee notes that Washington often haggles as all sides try to cut a deal .
But she said , “ playing that game in the middle of the pandemic and our economic — I hate to say collapse , but close to that — the game becomes more than a political game — it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s economic ruin .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--One dead after police, National Guard soldiers return fire at protest in Kentucky

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - Louisville ’ s police chief was fired Monday after the mayor learned that officers involved in a shooting that killed the popular owner of a barbecue spot failed to activate body cameras during the chaotic scene .
A huge group marched hours later to the spot in a peaceful protest .
David McAtee , known for offering meals to police officers , died early Monday while police officers and National Guard soldiers were enforcing a curfew amid waves of protests over a previous police shooting in Kentucky ’ s largest city .
Police said they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.S. attorney said federal authorities will join state police in investigating the fatal shooting .
Later Monday evening , the massive group stretching for several blocks marched a couple of miles ( kilometres ) from downtown to the site where McAtee was killed just hours earlier .
As the protesters passed , some motorists put their fists in the air and honked in solidarity with the marchers .
Earlier , Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer revealed that authorities lacked body camera video for the investigation just hours after Kentucky ’ s governor demanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This type of institutional failure will not be tolerated , “ Fischer said .
“ Accordingly , I have relieved Steve Conrad of his duties as chief of Louisville Metro Police Department.
” Gov .
Andy Beshear later said the lack of body camera footage was unacceptable .
“ This is the entire reason that we have those cameras , “ the Democratic governor said at the state capitol in Frankfort .
“ And every other officers ’ cameras should be reviewed , and if they captured any part of the scene it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state police to independently investigate the shooting .
He pledged the probe will be conducted in an “ honest and transparent way that will not take months.
” U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman announced that federal authorities will be part of the investigation .
“ We understand this community ’ s need for answers and we will assess all the information , and will take any appropriate action that is warranted by the facts and the law.
” Coleman ’ s office said .
The governor said he had counted on body camera footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way that spoke for itself , at a time when trust is difficult and people deserve to be able to see and evaluate.
“ The shakeup at the top of the city ’ s police department came a month earlier than expected .
Conrad had previously announced his resignation , which was to take effect at the end of June .
Deputy Chief Robert Schroeder will step in immediately as chief , Fischer said .
The mayor also said the city ’ s curfew was being extended until June 8 .
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that showed how the shooting unfolded , Schroeder said .
“ It is taken from a distance , but it gives an overview of the scene and clearly shows the officers reacting to gunfire , ” he said .
Two Louisville officers and two Guard soldiers returned fire , he said .
The two officers violated policy by not wearing or activating body cameras , Schroeder said , adding they have been placed on administrative leave .
McAtee , whose YaYa ’ s BBQ Shack is near where the shooting occurred , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the site hours afterward even before a march by others headed to the site Monday evening .
Christopher 2X , an anti-violence activist and executive director of the group Game Changers , said McAtee was well-liked .
“ I ’ ve never known him to be aggressive in any kind of way , ” he said .
Schroeder agreed that McAtee was friendly to police officers .
“ Over the years he ’ s been a good friend to the police officers ... frequently making sure our officers had a good meal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Before his dismissal , Conrad confirmed the shooting happened around 12:15 a.m. Monday outside a food market on West Broadway , where police and the National Guard had been called to break up a group of people violating the city ’ s curfew .
Someone fired a shot at law enforcement officials , and both soldiers and officers returned fire , he said .
Several “ persons of interest ” were being interviewed , he said .
News outlets showed video taken by someone in a car parked at a gas station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being fired as groups of police and Guard soldiers crouched behind cars .
Kris Smith said he was at a restaurant — “ just outside having a good time , having drinks , eating barbecue ” — when the soldiers arrived .
“ As soon as I walk to my car they jump out with the sticks , the police jump out with their sticks and their shields and stuff on , “ Smith said .
“ It looked like something out of a movie .
It looked like a freaking war zone.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a few minutes later gunfire , he said .
Smith , who is black , said the group had nothing to do with the protests .
“ Never thought I would experience that here in America , ” he said .
Last week , before the National Guard was mobilized , seven people were wounded when gunshots erupted during a protest in downtown Louisville .
Police said none of the seven , who are recovering , were shot by police .
They have not announced any arrests .
Protesters have been demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman killed in her home in Louisville in March .
The 26-year-old EMT was shot eight times by narcotics detectives who knocked down her front door as they attempted to enforce a search warrant .
No drugs were found in the home .
After Taylor ’ s death , the mayor said Louisville police would be required to wear body cameras .
Fischer said recently that officers in plainclothes units like the one that served a warrant at Taylor ’ s home would now wear the cameras during search warrants .
Taylor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her plea for peace Monday while demanding justice for her daughter .
Associated Press contributors include Rebecca Reynolds Yonker in Louisville .
Tulp reported from Atlanta .

Bruce Schreiner And Sophia Tulp - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Democratic governors reject Trump’s call to send in military

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - Democratic governors of some of the nation ’ s most populous states on Monday pushed back against President Donald Trump ’ s threat to deploy the U.S. military unless they dispatch National Guard units to “ dominate the streets ” in reaction to the violence that has erupted across the country .
Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said he doesn ’ t believe the federal government can send military troops into his state .
He accused the president of creating an “ incendiary moment ” by threatening to do just that to quell violence that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets in reaction to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
“ I reject the notion that the federal government can send troops into the state of Illinois , “ Pritzker said on CNN after Trump urged governors to deploy the Guard .
If they did not , he said he would send in “ thousands and thousands ” of soldiers .
Pritzker was among the first governors to react to Trump ’ s comments , which came hours after the president called governors “ weak ” and urged them to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It came as Americans gathered to protest police brutality against black Americans following the killing of Floyd , who was handcuffed and on the ground pleading for air as a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck for several minutes .
Some demonstrations have turned violent , with people breaking into and stealing from businesses , smashing car windows and setting fires .
In New York , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has not deployed the state ’ s National Guard to New York City , although he said earlier Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can use at any moment.
” “ I say thank you but no thank you , “ Cuomo said on CNN about Trump ’ s call to send military troops to the states .
At least 23 states and the District of Columbia had already deployed guard troops as of Monday morning , according to a statement from the National Guard .
It wasn ’ t clear whether the action would be enough to satisfy the president .
Trump took no questions from reporters and did not say how he would decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficient .
Democratic Gov .
Jay Inslee of Washington , who has activated the state ’ s guard , said in a statement he prays “ no soldier and no civilian is injured or killed by this reckless fit.
” “ This president has repeatedly proven he is incapable of governing and shown nothing but false bravado throughout the chaos that has accompanied his time in office , “ Inslee said in a statement .
In neighbouring Oregon , Gov .
Kate Brown said the violence is being perpetrated by a small segment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Guard on Sunday at Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler ’ s request because she was concerned it would escalate a tense situation .
“ You don ’ t diffuse violence by putting soldiers on the streets , ” Brown , a Democrat , said earlier Monday in reaction to Trump ’ s comments about governors being weak in their response .
“ Trump wants governors to deploy the National Guard as a show of force to intimidate the public .
I want to ensure that the public can safely raise their voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She didn ’ t immediately comment on Trump ’ s remarks about deploying the U.S. military .
Nor did Newsom , who has deployed thousands of guard troops to Los Angeles and other cities .
He called Trump ’ s morning comments “ noise ” and avoided addressing them directly , although he said the nation is desperate for leadership .
Guard members can assist law enforcement and perform duties such as traffic control , communications support and extinguishing fires .
Associated Press reporters Gillian Flaccus in Portland , Oregon , and Rachel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--South America ignores Europe and reopens as virus peak nears

RIO DE JANEIRO - South American countries on Monday began easing COVID-19 restrictions even as the region hurtles toward its viral peak , disregarding the example set by European nations that were battered earlier by the virus .
Some of Brazil ’ s hardest hit cities , including the jungle metropolis Manaus and coastal Rio de Janeiro , are starting to allow more activity .
Bolivia ’ s government authorized reopening most of the country and the government of Venezuela ’ s Nicolás Maduro unwound restrictions .
Ecuador ’ s airports were resuming flights and shoppers returning to some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures runs counter to Europe ’ s approach of waiting for the worst to pass before resuming activity , and South America trails much further behind on its viral curve .
Even European nations that lifted restrictions earliest in their respective outbreaks – the U.K. and Russia - did so only after clearing their initial peaks .
The executive director of the World Health Organization ’ s emergencies program , Mike Ryan , expressed concern over South America ’ s climbing contagion , telling reporters Monday that the region had become an “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” which had not yet reached its peak .
“ Clearly the situation in many South American countries is far from stable .
There is a rapid increase in cases and those systems are coming under increasing pressure , ” he said .
Data from the WHO ’ s Pan American Health Organization shows the region ’ s seven-day rolling average of new cases continues rising , due in large part to Brazil , which accounts for more than half the total .
Manaus , the Amazon rainforest ’ s largest city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care system collapsed .
For weeks , overwhelmed intensive-care units were unable to admit patients , deaths at home surged and a city cemetery buried bodies in mass graves .
Such burials continue , yet the capital of Amazonas state on Monday began loosening its clamp on non-essential businesses .
Amazonas registered 818 new COVID-19 cases Sunday , bringing the total number of cases above 40,000 .
There are more than 500,000 confirmed cases in Brazil , the second most in the world , and experts believe the true toll to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rio de Janeiro , the Brazilian city with the second-most cases after Sao Paulo , on Monday announced it would begin gradually relaxing restrictions the following day .
Already a city in its metropolitan region , Sao Joao de Meriti , started allowing salons , auto mechanics , and hotels to operate on Monday .
“ Brazil tends to look at Europe , and the problem is that there they did one or two months of strict quarantine and are now reopening , ” said Renato Mendes Coutinho , a specialist in mathematical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent group of more than 50 Brazilian researchers .
“ The difference is that the lockdown they implemented and the restriction measures were much more efficient and thorough.
” Ecuador was one of the first South American nations slammed , with grim scenes of people leaving corpses outside their doorsteps in Guayaquil through March and April .
The nation ’ s caseload continues to surge , yet its airport will resume international flights on June 3 , according to Nicolás Romero , the airport ’ s spokesperson , though he said arriving passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without specifying how such quarantine will be enforced .
The airport in capital , Quito , recorded its first flight in 80 days on Monday , and flights to Miami and Houston will take off on June 4 .
“ It has just been one flight so far , but the important thing is the message it gives , of flying safely , ” Luis Galárraga , the airport ’ s spokesperson , told The Associated Press .
Across Ecuador ’ s border , Colombia has shut the international airport in its capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down an entire working-class district home to 1.5 million people .
But in the nation ’ s second city , Medellin , malls cautiously began opening their doors on Monday , though checking customers ’ temperatures upon entry .
Medellin ’ s Mayor Daniel Quintero highlighted that the city registered no COVID-19 deaths in the prior 30 days .
The national death toll , however , continues rising .
Marcos Espinal , director of PAHO ’ s communicable diseases department , said by phone that reopening too soon could cause harm in certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If you ’ re in the middle of the epicenter , we don ’ t recommend to open , ” Espinal said from Washington .
“ People ’ s lives are precious , and there shouldn ’ t be any negotiations of that.
” Venezuela on Monday allowed barbershops , beauty salons , auto shops , construction sites and banks to begin operations , along with other sectors .
The nation is dialing down restrictions because it has reported relatively low COVID-19 impact : 1,510 cases and 14 deaths .
Experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as suspicious .
Bolivia on Monday instituted a so-called “ dynamic quarantine ” in most of the country , keeping parks and shows shuttered while resuming work , commerce and public transport , even as contagion continues rising .
The government ’ s public works minister , Iván Arias , suggested Monday that men shave their beards and moustaches to prevent infection .
The Health Ministry ’ s epidemiological director , Virgílio Prieto , offered less optimism about recalibrating the nation ’ s quarantine , admitting it “ could bring about an explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ocean , in Europe , nations have debated reopening even after passing their contagion peaks .
Britain only began easing lockdown once new deaths , hospitalizations and infections had clearly topped out .
Still , some public health experts believe the government has acted too soon and there will likely be a new rise in infections .
Russian officials say that the nation is now past its peak , making it safe to gradually ease restrictions , even though some experts warn that the significant daily increase of about 9,000 cases makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , non-food retail stores , dry cleaners and repair shops reopened in the Russian capital that accounted for about half of the nation ’ s caseload .
Having seen first-hand the worst of the virus ’ damage in Europe , Jesús Gómez-Gardeñes , an associate professor in physics and computational epidemiology at the University of Zaragoza , in Spain , looks on South America ’ s rush to reopen with concern .
“ Opening their doors when we have recent growth in the number of daily cases is something that could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
___ AP journalists Mayra Pertossi contributed from Buenos Aires , Argentina ; Marcelo de Sousa from Rio de Janeiro ; Scott Smith from Caracas , Venezuela ; Carlos Valdez from La Paz , Bolivia ; Gonzalo Solano from Quito , Ecuador , and Christine Armario from Bogota , Colombia .

Diane Jeantet And David Biller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Congress confronts dual crises of protests, virus outbreak

WASHINGTON - Congress convened Monday with protests outside its door and across the nation , the Capitol already struck by the COVID-19 outbreak now confronting a deepening crisis over the treatment of black people in the United States .
The civil unrest over the death of George Floyd at the hands of police combined with the coronavirus pandemic that ’ s disproportionately striking African Americans sparked an urgent plea for understanding from some leaders as the world watches a nation in turmoil .
Notably , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell read into the Senate record the names of black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police .
George Floyd .
Ahmaud Arbery .
Breonna Taylor .
“ To me , ” McConnell , R-Ky. , said in a speech in the Senate chamber , and to “ millions of outraged Americans , these disturbing events do not look like three isolated incidents .
They look more like the latest chapter in our national struggle to make equal just and equal protection under the law a fact of life for all Americans.
“ As protesters gathered outside the Capitol , still partly locked down due to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some lawmakers urged comity and federal aid to prevent the country from slipping into further conflict .
Others sided with President Donald Trump ’ s threat to use military force if necessary to end the protests .
House and Senate lawmakers swiftly began drafting legislation to address police violence and confront the inequities facing black Americans .
Sen. Cory Booker , D-N.J. , proposed a sweeping overhaul of law enforcement procedures .
Rep. Barbara Lee , D-Calif. , pushed to establish the first U.S. Commission on Truth , Racial Healing , and Transformation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rep. John Lewis , D-Ga. House Democrats , working from home from because of health risks convening during the pandemic , met over a lengthy conference call on next steps .
“ The murder of George Floyd and the current COVID-19 crisis illustrate once again the painful and dangerous legacy that white supremacy has had in our country , ” Lee said in introducing the measure .
“ This inequality is at the heart of every crisis we ’ re dealing with right now.
” There was a shift in tone as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have countered “ Black Lives Matter ” protests with “ Blue Lives Matter ” support for law enforcement acknowledged the concerns .
After countless incidents of police being called to investigate black people doing ordinary things — most recently when a white woman in New York summoned 911 over an African American bird watcher in Central Park — many lawmakers agreed public attitudes and police tactics need review .
Yet , some Trump allies pushed for a show of military action to quell the protests now stretching into their sixth day .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to end tonight , ” tweeted Sen. Tom Cotton , R-Ark .
He suggested bringing in the 101st Airborne — an elite Army unit — to confront outside agitators influencing the protests .
McConnell also suggested if state and local leaders can ’ t secure safety , “ I hope the federal government is ready to stand in the breech.
” Ahead of Trump ’ s Tuesday evening remarks in the Rose Garden , Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , said he didn ’ t think there was a speech the president could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to calm things down.
” Trump ’ s remarks focusing on the possibility of using the military in response to violent protests , coming as military police and law enforcement clashed with protesters near the White House , were widely criticized .
Sen. Ron Wyden , D-Wash. , tweeted that “ the fascist speech ” by Trump “ verged on a declaration of war against American citizens.
” Protests over Floyd ’ s death hit a nation already in crisis over the virus outbreak and economic shutdown that has left 41 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress struggles to respond .
State and local leaders pleaded for more federal aid as they stare down red ink due to the rising costs of addressing the COVID-19 crisis and plummeting revenues as Americans stay home .
The House approved a new $ 3 trillion rescue package from Democrats , but the Senate had no immediate plans to consider a fresh round of relief .
Instead , Senate Republicans focused on kick-starting the economy and eliminating a $ 600 unemployment benefit to push Americans back to work when jobs return .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect businesses that do reopen from lawsuits related to COVID-19 .
A bipartisan group of economists called on Congress Monday to provide $ 1 trillion in additional aid to states and cities , on par with the House-passed bill .
Mark Zandi , chief economist at Moody ’ s Analytics , said roughly 3 million state and local government employees could lose their jobs in the next year — in addition to the nearly 1 million that have already been laid off .
“ This is about as close to a no-brainer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Glenn Hubbard , an economist at Columbia University and a former economic adviser to President George W. Bush , said on the conference call organized by the liberal Economic Policy Institute .
Deadlines were fast approaching .
Most states have budget deadlines with the new fiscal year starting July 1 .
The $ 600 boost to unemployment benefits approved in the CARES Act aid package was set to expire July 31 .
Small businesses that tapped the Paycheck Protection Program will start seeing loans come due without adjustments by Congress .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chamber with a prayer over lawmakers .
“ May they strive to find a vaccine to inoculate our nation against hate , sin and despair , ” he said .
Associated Press writer Chris Rugaber contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Egypt’s former PM faces torture allegations in Washington DC

CAIRO - After his arrest in 2013 for documenting the deadliest crackdown on protesters in Egypt ’ s modern history , Mohammed Soltan landed in a notorious prison where he says he was brutally tortured for 21 months .
He never thought he ’ d get a chance to fight back - let alone make it out alive .
But on Monday , Soltan , a 32-year-old U.S. citizen now living in Virginia , used a little-known federal statute to accuse former Egyptian prime minister Hazem el-Beblawi of crimes against humanity .
The law , called the 1991 Torture Victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torture and extrajudicial killings committed by foreign officials abroad to seek justice through the American court system .
It ’ s the first such case against an Egyptian official , made possible by the grim coincidence that el-Beblawi now lives just miles from Soltan , in Washington D.C. , where he serves as an executive director of the International Monetary Fund .
“ He ’ s completely gotten away with it , and is walking free downtown , ” said Soltan .
“ I just want to regain some of the justice and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer of 2013 , after the military-led ouster of the country ’ s first democratically elected but divisive president , Mohamed Morsi , Egyptian security officers descended on a protest camp packed with his Islamist supporters , killing hundreds .
Soltan , an Ohio State graduate and the son of a prominent member of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood , was shot in the arm while working as a stringer for Western news organizations in Rabaa al-Adawiya Square .
Before long he was picked up by security forces .
In a mass trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soltan was sentenced to life in prison on charges of spreading “ fake news “ to tarnish Egypt ’ s image .
In the maximum-security Tora prison complex , Soltan says he endured unspeakable torments overseen by el-Beblawi and other high-ranking officers .
He says he was denied medical care for his festering bullet wound , beaten to unconsciousness , held in solitary confinement and forced to listen to the sounds of his father being tortured in a nearby cell .
He lost 160 pounds over the course of a 16-month hunger strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure from the Obama administration , Egypt released Soltan in 2015 , although his father remains in prison .
He has attempted to build a new life in Virginia , advocating for fellow political prisoners still in Egypt and pursuing a master ’ s degree at Georgetown University .
But memories from his dark cell in Tora still haunt him .
“ There ’ s this perpetual , compounded trauma every single day , ” he said , “ where you get up and look in the mirror and see the scars and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it changes you.
” Eric Lewis , a lawyer with Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss , who represents Soltan , says he hopes the case sends a message to Egypt ’ s government “ that they can not commit crimes against humanity and then seek haven in the United States.
” An estimated 60,000 political prisoners languish in Egypt ’ s jails , according to Human Rights Watch , including many journalists and critics on held on vague terrorism charges without trial .
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi , who came to power in 2013 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The lawsuit lists el-Sissi , intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and three other former senior security officials as culpable , saying that they can be served if they set foot in the United States .
El-Bablawi , contacted through the International Monetary Fund , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Judge tosses ex-basketball players’ ‘Fortnite’ dance lawsuit

SILVER SPRING , Md .
- A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit in which two former University of Maryland men ’ s basketball players accused makers of the “ Fortnite ” video game of misappropriating a dance move that the ex-teammates popularized .
U.S. District Judge Paul Grimm in Maryland ruled Friday that the Copyright Act preempts claims that Jared Nickens and Jaylen Brantley filed in February 2019 against Epic Games Inc. , creator of the wildly popular online shooting game .
Nickens and Brantley claimed the Cary , North Carolina-based company misappropriated their identities by digitally copying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they performed in social media videos and on “ The Ellen DeGeneres Show ” in 2016 .
Their copyright infringement lawsuit claimed the “ Running Man ” dance “ emote ” that Fortnite players can purchase for their characters is identical to the dance that Nickens and Brantley took credit for creating .
The judge said the key question is whether plaintiffs have a claim that is “ qualitatively different ” than the rights protected by the Copyright Act .
“ And here Plaintiffs claim is based on Epic Games allegedly ‘ capturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dance to create the Fortnite emote that ‘ allows the player ’ s avatars to execute the Running Man identically to Plaintiffs ’ version.
’ ” This is squarely within the rights protected by the Copyright Act , ” he wrote .
Brantley , of Springfield , Mass.
, and Nickens , of Monmouth Junction , N.J. , were seeking more than $ 5 million in damages .
Epic Games spokesman Nick Chester declined to comment Monday on the judge ’ s ruling .
Celebratory dances in Fortnite are called “ emotes.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play , players can purchase the “ emotes ” and other character customizations .
Other artists , including Brooklyn-based rapper 2 Milly and “ The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ” star Alfonso Ribeiro , also have sued Epic Games over other dances depicted in the shooting game .
Ribeiro dropped his lawsuit against Epic Games last year after the U.S .
Copyright Office denied him a copyright for the “ Carlton ” dance that his character performed on the 1990s sitcom .
Nickens and Brantley appeared on DeGeneres ’ talk show alongside two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posting videos of the dance online before the two University of Maryland basketball players filmed their own version .
Brantley told DeGeneres that Nickens first showed him the dance in a video on Instagram .
“ We dance every day for our teammates in the locker room , ” Brantley said .
“ We were like , ‘ Hey , let ’ s make a video and make everybody laugh.
’ ” One of their dance videos has millions of views on Instagram , YouTube and Facebook , their lawsuit said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for invasion of privacy , unfair competition and unjust enrichment based on preemption under the Copyright Act .
He also threw out their trademark claims and claims accusing the company of unfair competition and “ false designation of origin ” under the Lanham Act .
“ Plaintiffs seek to place the same square peg into eight round holes in search of a cause of action against Epic Games for its use of the Running Man dance in its game Fortnite .
But Plaintiffs ’ claims that Epic Games copied the dance do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge wrote .
Plaintiffs ’ attorney Richard Jaklitsch said his clients may not be able to afford the costs of appealing the judge ’ s ruling .
He said it seems “ un-American ” for the company to “ profit off the backs of “ Nickens and Brantley .
“ Epic can still step up and do the right thing .
Epic can still step up and acknowledge what these kids did , “ he said .
Nickens was playing professional basketball in Canada and Brantley was working as a sports agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Jaklitsch .

Michael Kunzelman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Trump declares he’s president of law, order amid protests

WASHINGTON - Amid racial unrest across the nation , President Donald Trump on Monday declared himself “ the president of law and order ” and threatened to deploy the United States military to American cities to quell a rise of violent protests .
As Trump spoke , an incredible TV split screen developed around the White House .
While he addressed the nation in the White House ’ s idyllic Rose Garden , a series of military vehicles rolled out front on Pennsylvania Avenue and military police and law enforcement clashed with protesters at Lafayette Park .
Those peaceful demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the park to St. John ’ s Episcopal Church , known as “ The Church of the Presidents , ” which suffered fire damage in a protest this week .
Holding a Bible , he then stood with several of his Cabinet members as the cameras clicked .
“ We have the greatest country in the world , “ Trump declared .
“ We ’ re going to keep it safe.
” Trump said he would mobilize “ thousands and thousands “ of soldiers to keep the peace if governors did not use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests .
Loud tear gas explosions could be heard as authorities moved what appeared to be peaceful protests in the park .
The escalation came just after Attorney General William Barr came to the park to to survey the demonstrators .
According to senior defence officials , between 600 and 800 National Guard members from five states were being sent to Washington to provide assistance .
Those troops were either already on the ground or will arrive by midnight .
Under the Civil War-era Posse Comitatus Act , federal troops are prohibited from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making arrests , seizing property or searching people .
In extreme cases , however , the president can invoke the Insurrection Act , also from the Civil War , which allows the use of active-duty or National Guard troops for law enforcement .
The officials said that some of the National Guard in D.C. will be armed and others will not .
They said that the D.C. guard members do not have non-lethal weapons .
The military police that are visible in the city are members of the Guard .
THIS IS A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original story is below .
President Donald Trump on Monday derided many governors as “ weak ” and demanded tougher crackdowns on burning and stealing among some demonstrations in the aftermath of violent protests in dozens of American cities .
Trump spoke to governors on a video teleconference that also included law enforcement and national security officials , telling the state leaders they “ have to get much tougher.
“ “ Most of you are weak , ” Trump said .
“ You have to arrest people.
” The days of protests were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a black man who died when a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
The demonstrations turned violent in several cities , with people trashing stores , smashing and burning police cars and igniting fires in historic Lafayette Park across from the White House .
Accused by critics of doing too little to defuse the crisis , Trump was to address the nation early Monday evening .
The president urged the governors to deploy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for helping calm the situation Sunday night in Minneapolis .
He demanded that similarly tough measures be taken in cities that also experienced violence , including New York , Philadelphia and Los Angeles .
“ You ’ ve got to arrest people , you have to track people , you have to put them in jail for 10 years and you ’ ll never see this stuff again , ” said Trump .
“ We ’ re doing it in Washington , D.C. We ’ re going to do something that people haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the governors they were making themselves “ look like fools ” for not calling up more of the National Guard as a show for force on city streets .
Attorney General Bill Barr , who was also on the call , told governors that a joint terrorist task force would be used to track agitators and urged local officials to “ dominate ” the streets and control , not react to crowds .
He urged the governors to “ go after troublemakers.
” Trump ’ s angry exhortations at the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of escalating violence , images of fires and looting and clashes with police filling the nation ’ s airwaves and overshadowing the largely peaceful protests .
The protests had grown so heated Friday night that the Secret Service rushed the president to an underground bunker previously used during terrorist attacks .
On Monday , Trump also spoke of trying to criminalize flag-burning .
The Supreme Court has conservative new members since it last ruled on that issue , and Trump said that “ I think it ’ s time to review that again.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength , using inflammatory tweets and delivering partisan attacks .
As cities have burned night after night and images of violence have dominated television coverage , Trump ’ s advisers have discussed the prospect of an Oval Office address in an attempt to ease tensions .
The notion was quickly scrapped for lack of policy proposals and the president ’ s own seeming disinterest in delivering a message of unity .
Trump did not appear in public on Sunday and was not scheduled to on Monday either .
The demonstrations in Washington appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sparked one of the highest alerts at the White House complex since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 .
Trump has told advisers he worries about his safety , while both privately and publicly praising the work of the Secret Service .
Demonstrators returned Sunday afternoon , facing off against police at Lafayette Park into the evening .
Trump retweeted a message from a conservative commentator encouraging authorities to respond with greater force .
“ This isn ’ t going to stop until the good guys are willing to use overwhelming force against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in a message amplified by the president .
In recent days security at the White House has been reinforced by the National Guard and additional personnel from the Secret Service and the U.S. Park Police .
The Justice Department deployed members of the U.S .
Marshals Service and agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration to supplement National Guard troops outside the White House , according to a senior Justice Department official .
The official could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity .
Lemire reported from New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Darlene Superville , Kevin Freking and Michael Balsamo contributed to this report .

Jonathan Lemire, Jill Colvin And Alan Suderman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Protesters invoke different names to decry police treatment

CHICAGO - In Baltimore , protesters shouted the name of Freddie Gray .
In Topeka , Kansas , T-shirts were emblazoned with the name of Dominique White .
In Tulsa , Oklahoma , people gathered in a spot where white mobs killed hundreds of blacks a century ago and chanted the name of Terence Crutcher .
Across the U.S. as protesters poured into the streets to voice anger about last week ’ s death of George Floyd , they also marked the occasion with reminders that the handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as on officer pinned him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck is simply the latest addition to a grim roster .
Their stories have substantial differences , but protesters used their names and faces on posters to drive home the point that Floyd is part of a larger story about the dangers of being black in the United States .
“ George Floyd is causing people in their own communities to recall , reflect and then get angry all over again about their own police killings , “ said Marshall Hatch , a Chicago minister who eulogized Bettie Jones , who was struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a domestic dispute at a neighbour ’ s house that also left 19-year-old Quintonio LeGrier dead in 2015 .
Hatch said Floyd ’ s death has served as a reminder to continue to push for justice in deaths throughout the country .
He said that on Wednesday , he and other religious leaders plan to gather outside police headquarters to demand the officer who was fired after fatally shooting Jones and LeGrier also face criminal charges .
“ There is a lot of feelings of incomplete justice all over the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose brother , Botham Jean , was killed in 2018 inside his apartment by a white Dallas police officer who said she mistook his apartment for her own told WFAA television in Dallas , “ It is like pouring salt into an open wound every time there is another case.
” “ Yes , it ’ s a different name , but it ’ s the same situation , ” Findley said In New York , many protesters shouted , “ I can ’ t breathe , ” a reminder that the words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life echoed what Eric Garner , stopped by police in New York City ’ s Staten Island for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes , said when a police officer put him in what appeared to be a chokehold in 2014 .
One of the first things Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said publicly about Floyd ’ s death was that it brought back to her the pain that the city felt in 2015 when a video of a white police officer shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald was released .
In Oakland , California , protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 22-year-old who was pulled by police from a Bay Area Rapid Transit train early on New Year ’ s Day 2009 and killed in one of the first police shootings captured on video by bystanders .
Grant ’ s mother , Wanda Johnson , could not help but think of her son when she saw a bystander ’ s video of Floyd ’ s final moments .
“ It brought back so many memories of them trying to demonize him , then trying to have other officers there and none trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told KRON-TV in the Bay Area .
In Baltimore , it was impossible not to think of what happened in 2015 — from the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray after he suffered major spinal injuries while being transported in a police van to the unrest that followed .
“ It was a stark reminder of our own city ’ s trauma , ” Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “ Jack ” Young told the Baltimore Sun .
While Gray ’ s name has remained part of the national conversation about police treatment of blacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations in every corner of the country tell their own piece of a larger story .
Terence Crutcher was fatally shot in 2016 by a white police officer , Betty Shelby , who was later acquitted of manslaughter .
“ If you all could just scream at the top of your lungs and let Terence know that you still care , that you haven ’ t forgotten , ” his twin sister , Tiffany Crutcher , told a Tulsa crowd .
Michael Ramos , described by friends and family as black and Hispanic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas , police in April as the 42-year-old drove away from officers after first being shot with a beanbag .
The shooting remains under investigation , and Ramos ’ mom , Brenda Ramos , questioned why the officer who shot him hasn ’ t been arrested or at least suspended .
“ Now I am in this terrible heartbreaking club , “ Ramos ’ mom , Brenda Ramos , told reporters over the weekend .
” It ’ s a club of mothers of black Americans who have been murdered by police.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of , “ Say his name !
Dominique White.
” The 30-year-old Topeka man was armed when officers , responding to a report of gunfire , confronted him and fatally shot him in 2017 .
While an internal police investigation found the officers followed department policies , protesters still have questions , as do relatives who have filed a lawsuit .
In New York , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo posted a slide with the names of many black men killed or abused by police in cities around the nation .
“ You are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are still treating each one like a unique situation , ” he said at his Saturday morning press briefing .
“ How many times have we seen the same situation ?
“ Yes , the names change .
But the colour doesn ’ t. ” Associated Press reporters David Caruso in New York ; John Hanna in Topeka , Kan. ; Dylan Lovanin Louisville , Ky. ; Kate Brumback in Atlanta ; and Paul Weber in Austin , Texas , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--US adversaries highlight unrest to undercut criticism

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Standing at a lectern with a backdrop map of the world behind him reminiscent of one at the State Department , the spokesman of Iran ’ s Foreign Ministry made a point Monday to criticize the U.S. in English amid ongoing protests over police killings of black people .
“ To the American people , the world has ... heard your outcry over this state oppression , “ Abbas Mousavi told reporters in Tehran .
So too have Washington ’ s adversaries in Iran and elsewhere .
Long the target of American criticism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killing of George Floyd as an opportunity to hit back at the country held up by U.S. leaders for decades as “ the shining city upon a hill.
” By putting forth images of the unrest , they portray the U.S. as a hypocritical superpower unable to secure its own people , as well as normalizing the violence and repression they visit on their own citizens .
“ To be clear , though they are trying to sympathize with protesters in the U.S. , their aim is to leverage the internal divisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the debate on this , ” said Ariane Tabatabai , a Middle East fellow who studies Iran at the Washington-based German Marshall Fund .
“ Regime officials particularly like the theme of racial tensions in the U.S. because it allows them to point the finger at Washington , which is often front and centre condemning human rights abuses by the regime , ” she said .
That ’ s particularly valuable to Iran , which has violently put down recent nationwide economic demonstrations by killing hundreds , arresting thousands and disrupting internet access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already-ailing economy crater since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from Tehran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers , cutting off its oil sales .
“ The American regime is pursuing violence and bullying at home and abroad , ” Mousavi said .
That criticism has extended to Twitter , which Iranian officials use extensively despite the website being banned since the mass protests and crackdown surrounding its disputed 2009 presidential election .
Former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , whose disputed re-election sparked the 2009 unrest , called Floyd ’ s killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif offered a rewritten statement earlier issued by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , crossing out Iran and replacing it with America .
State-controlled media in China saw the protests through the prism of American views on Hong Kong ’ s anti-government demonstrations , which China has long said the U.S. encouraged .
In a commentary , the ruling Communist Party newspaper Global Times said Chinese experts had noted that U.S. politicians might think twice before commenting again on Hong Kong , knowing “ their words might backfire.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own criticism at a Beijing news conference .
The protests “ once again reflect the racial discrimination in the U.S. , the serious problems of police violent enforcement and the urgency of solving these problems , ” Zhao said .
He added that China hopes the U.S. will “ safeguard and guarantee the legal rights of ethnic minorities.
” That ’ s as China continues a yearslong , massive crackdown that has locked away more than 1 million ethnic minorities , most of them Muslims .
In North Korea , the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the demonstrations , saying that protesters “ harshly condemned ” a white policeman ’ s “ lawless and brutal murder ” of a black citizen .
Three large photos showed protests from recent days from Minneapolis , where Floyd died May 25 after a white police officer pressed his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes .
The officer was fired and charged with murder , but protesters are demanding the three other officers at the scene be prosecuted .
Rodong Sinmun noted hundreds of protesters gathered in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice , no peace.
” It did not make any direct comments about Trump , whom North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met three times in high-profile summits .
Russia said the United States had systemic human rights problems , criticism that followed a pattern dating to the Cold War .
The 1957 integration of Little Rock Central High School by nine African American students supported by bayonet-carrying soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division saw one Soviet newspaper use the headline : “ Troops Advance Against Children !
” That information warfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. intelligence agencies say Russia meddled America ’ s 2016 presidential election .
Tabatabai said she and her colleagues had been tracking Chinese , Iranian and Russian social media accounts using the hashtags # BlackLivesMatter and # GeorgeFloyd .
U.S. allies as well have been expressing their own opinions on the unrest .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s spokesman said the arrests and assaults on journalists were “ very concerning.
” Zimbabwe summoned the U.S. ambassador over U.S. national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien ’ s allegation this weekend that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adversaries taking advantage of the demonstrations .
Meanwhile , Germany ’ s centre-left Social Democratic Party , which is a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s governing coalition , on Monday described itself as “ 157 ( years old ) and Antifa .
Naturally.
” The tweet appeared to be a response to Trump ’ s assertion that he would designate Antifa , an umbrella description for the far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations and other events , “ a terrorist organization.
” Across from the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knelt in silent protest , urging the French government to take racism and police violence more seriously .
Despite a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people because of the coronavirus , they held signs reading “ I Can ’ t Breathe ” in English , or “ Racism is suffocating us ” and “ We are all George Floyd ” in French .
Thousands of people packed Dam Square in central Amsterdam and spilled into several side streets in an unexpectedly large protest to denounce police brutality in the U.S. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter !
” raising their fists and holding anti-racism signs .
In Perth , Australia , the hundreds of demonstrators who peacefully protested Floyd ’ s death also sought to highlight injustices against indigenous Australians .
“ I believe it ’ s important as a young indigenous woman to vocalise that this isn ’ t just an American issue , this is a black people issue and indigenous people fit into that category , ” organizer Tanesha Bennell told Nine Network television .
Protesters carried banners with messages including “ No Pride in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names of indigenous people who have died in Australian police custody were read to the crowd .
Associated Press writers Ken Moritsugu in Beijing , Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul , South Korea , Frank Jordans in Berlin , Jill Lawless in London , Farai Mutsaka in Harare , Zimbabwe , and Colleen Berry in Milan contributed .
Follow the AP ’ s latest news about the protests in the U.S. at https : //apnews.com/GeorgeFloyd


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--On the spot where George Floyd died, his brother urges calm

MINNEAPOLIS - George Floyd ’ s brother pleaded for peace in the streets Monday , saying destruction is “ not going to bring my brother back at all.
” Terrence Floyd ’ s emotional plea came as the United States braced for a third straight night of violence in response to Floyd ’ s killing a week ago .
Chants of “ What ’ s his name ?
George Floyd !
” filled the air as a large crowd gathered at the spot where the black man who became the latest symbol of racial injustice in America lay dying as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into his neck .
Wearing a face mask with George ’ s Floyd ’ s image on it , his brother dropped to his knees at the storefront that has been turned into a memorial covered with flowers and signs .
As he kneeled silently , many who were around him joined him on the ground .
The memorial site was a space of calm compared to the devastation left in the wake of fires and violence that paralyzed the city for days last week before it spread nationwide .
“ I understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt y ’ all are half as upset as I am , ” said Terrence Floyd , who lives in New York .
“ What are y ’ all doing ?
... That ’ s not going to bring my brother back at all.
” George Floyd , 46 , died last week after he was arrested in Minneapolis , accused of using a forged $ 20 bill to pay for goods at a grocery store .
The white officer , Derek Chauvin , has been charged with murder .
Terrence Floyd took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officer pinned his brother , and he sobbed .
Addressing the crowd , he said he did not understand why the three other police officers who arrested Floyd and who were fired with Chauvin have not also been arrested and charged .
Still , he said , the Floyd family , which he described as “ peaceful ” and “ God-fearing , ” wants calm protests at this time with hopes that justice will follow .
“ In every case of police brutality the same thing has been happening .
You have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want us to destroy ourselves .
Let ’ s do this another way , ” he said , encouraging the crowd to vote and to educate themselves .
“ Let ’ s switch it up , y ’ all.
” Before his death , George Floyd — like millions of Americans during the coronavirus pandemic — was out of work and looking for a new job .
He and some friends moved to Minneapolis from his native Houston around 2014 to find work and start a new life , his lifelong friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was laid off when Minnesota shut down restaurants as part of a stay-at-home order .
“ My brother moved here from Houston .
He loved it here , ” Terrence Floyd said Monday .
“ So I know he would not want you all to be doing this.
” He said he appreciates the show of support and love for his brother and their family .
Civil rights leader Rev .
Kevin McCall of New York , said he brought Terrence Floyd , community members and others out to the memorial site to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending a message to people all over the country , ” he said .
“ Stop the looting and throw up the peace sign .
Don ’ t stop protesting , but throw up the peace sign.
” At the end of his remarks , Terrence Floyd led the crowd in more chants .
“ What ’ s his name ?
” he said .
Morrison is a member of the AP ’ s Race and Ethnicity team .
Follow Morrison on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/aaronlmorrison .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Trump threatens military force against protesters nationwide

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump threatened on Monday to deploy the United States military unless states quickly halted the violent protests that have convulsed cities from coast to coast , speaking in the White House Rose Garden as tear gas canisters could be heard exploding just a block away .
Trump said he was recommending that governors deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers to “ dominate the streets.
” If governors fail to take action , the president said , he will mobilize “ thousands and thousands ” of U.S. soldiers and “ quickly solve the problem for them.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world , ” the president declared .
“ We ’ re going to keep it safe.
” Minutes before Trump began speaking , police and National Guard soldiers began aggressively forcing back hundreds of peaceful protesters who had gathered in Lafayette Park , across the street from the White House , where they were chanting against police brutality and the Minneapolis death of George Floyd .
Floyd died last week after he was pinned to the pavement by a police officer who put his knee on the handcuffed black man ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His death set off protests that spread from Minneapolis across America .
His brother Terrence pleaded with protesters on Monday to remain peaceful .
The demonstrators in Lafayette Park were cleared so that after his brief statement , Trump could walk across the park to St. John ’ s Episcopal Church , known as “ The Church of the Presidents , ” which suffered fire damage in one of the protests .
Holding a Bible , he then stood with several of his Cabinet members as the cameras clicked .
The moment was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo saying the president “ used the military to push out a peaceful protest so he could have a photo op at a church.
“ “ It ’ s all just a reality TV show for this president , “ he said on Twitter .
“ Shameful.
” The country has been beset by angry demonstrations for the past week in some of the most widespread racial unrest in the U.S. since the 1960s .
Spurred largely by Floyd ’ s death , protesters have taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of black people by police .
The protests come at a time when the country is already buckling because of the coronavirus outbreak and the Depression-level unemployment it has caused .
On Monday , police fired tear gas at hundreds of protesters who spilled onto an interstate highway in the heart of Philadelphia just before a 6 p.m. curfew took effect .
While most of the demonstrations have been peaceful , others have descended into violence , leaving neighbourhoods in shambles , stores ransacked , windows broken and cars burned , despite curfews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of National Guard members in at least 15 states .
Earlier Monday , Trump told the nation ’ s governors in a video conference that they they “ look like fools ” for not deploying even more National Guard troops .
“ Most of you are weak , ” he said .
He added : “ You ’ ve got to arrest people , you have to track people , you have to put them in jail for 10 years and you ’ ll never see this stuff again.
” Washington Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissed Trump ’ s comments as the “ rantings of an insecure man trying to look strong after building his entire political career on racism.
” Former Vice-President Joe Biden , the Democratic presidential candidate , vowed to address institutional racism in his first 100 days in office .
He met in person with black leaders in Delaware and also held a virtual meeting with big-city mayors .
Biden said hate emerges “ when you have somebody in power who breathes oxygen into the hate.
” In Minneapolis , Floyd ’ s brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the site where Floyd was arrested .
“ Let ’ s switch it up , y ’ all .
Let ’ s switch it up .
Do this peacefully , please , “ Terrence Floyd said .
The crowd chanted , “ What ’ s his name ?
George Floyd !
” and “ One down , three to go !
” in reference to the four officers involved in Floyd ’ s arrest .
Officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with murder , but protesters are demanding that his colleagues be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired .
The gathering was part rally and part impromptu eulogy as Floyd urged people to stop the violence and use their power at the ballot box .
“ If I ’ m not over here messing up my community , then what are you all doing ?
” he said .
“ You all are doing nothing .
Because that ’ s not going to bring my brother back at all.
” Meanwhile , an autopsy commissioned for Floyd ’ s family found that he died of asphyxiation from neck and back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
That distinguishes it from the official autopsy , which said he died from the effects of being restrained along with underlying health problems and potential intoxicants in his system .
The official autopsy found nothing “ to support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation.
” The second autopsy was done by a doctor who also examined the body of Eric Garner , a New York man who died in an officer ’ s chokehold six years ago .
Authorities in many cities have blamed the violence on outside agitators , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that up .
But on Monday , federal authorities arrested a 28-year-old Illinois man , Matthew Lee Rupert , saying he had posted self-recorded video on his Facebook page last week that showed him in Minneapolis handing out explosive devices and encouraging people to throw them at law enforcement officers .
The video also showed him attempting to light a business on fire , and looting , according to an FBI affidivit .
Early Sunday , he posted more videos of himself in and around Chicago , saying “ let ’ s start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago for violating the city ’ s curfew .
At least 4,400 people nationwide have been arrested over the past week for such offences as stealing , blocking highways and breaking curfew , according to a count by The Associated Press .
Police officers and National Guard soldiers enforcing a curfew in Louisville , Kentucky , killed a man early Monday when they returned fire after someone in a large group shot at them , police said .
In Indianapolis , two people were reported dead in bursts of downtown violence over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Detroit and Minneapolis .
While police in places tried to ease tensions by kneeling or marching in solidarity with the demonstrators , officers around the country were accused of treating protesters with the same kind of heavy-handed tactics that contributed to the unrest in the first place .
Cities struggled to keep police in line .
In Fort Lauderdale , Florida , an officer was suspended for pushing a kneeling woman to the ground during a protest .
In Atlanta , two officers were fired after bashing in the window of a car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupants .
In Los Angeles , a police SUV accelerated into several protesters , knocking two people to the ground .
In New York , the police commissioner said about six incidents were being investigated by the department ’ s internal affairs bureau , including a weekend confrontation in Brooklyn in which two police vehicles appeared to plow through a group of protesters .
In another incident , an officer pointed a gun at protesters , drawing condemnation from the mayor .
Sullivan and Morrison reported from Minneapolis .
Associated Press journalists across @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Darlene Superville, Tim Sullivan And Aaron Morrison - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Alaska governor says jump in virus cases not cause for panic

JUNEAU , Alaska - Gov .
Mike Dunleavy said Alaska ’ s largest single-day increase in confirmed coronavirus cases is manageable given the state ’ s health care capacity .
“ We are not panicked , ” he said Sunday , after officials reported 27 additional residents had tested positive for COVID-19 .
The state has allowed businesses to reopen after closures to try to slow the spread of the virus , with guidance that encourages face coverings , extra cleaning and the ability for people to practice social distancing .
The state has called on organizers of large events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cases reported Sunday were tied to a nursing rehabilitation centre in Anchorage , which as of Monday afternoon had 17 cases , said Dr. Michael Bernstein , chief medical officer of Providence Health and Services Alaska .
Bernstein said officials began testing residents and staff at Providence Transitional Care Center after a resident there tested positive Friday .
They also started testing residents and staff at Providence Extended Care , a nearby facility .
He said it ’ s “ highly unlikely ” the individual who first tested positive had acquired the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person ’ s duration of stay .
“ So , we believe they did acquire the infection within the facility , ” he said .
Since March , the campus has not allowed visitors except for end-of-life situations , he said , adding he was unsure if there were any such cases .
Providence has been screening and taking temperature readings of staff and asking that people admitted to the centre are tested , Bernstein said .
Another round of testing is planned , he said .
Dr. Anne Zink , the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there appeared to be community spread in the Matanuska-Susitna , Anchorage and Kenai regions .
“ At least some of the cases ” appear linked to “ some clusters relating to some large celebrations , ” Zink said , without specifying the events .
“ We always knew that open never meant over , ” she said , urging people to keep using masks in public and maintaining distance from non-household members .
Dunleavy has repeatedly encouraged Alaskans to take precautions , including avoiding unnecessary contact with others .
But last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where he shook hands and posed for pictures without a face covering .
Others in the photos on his social media accounts also weren ’ t wearing masks .
The state said more than 800 hospital beds were available Monday and announced seven new COVID-19 cases among residents .
That brings the total to 467 , with 10 deaths .
There also have been 21 cases involving non-residents , many of them tied to the seafood industry .
The coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people .
For some , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health problems , it can cause more severe illness or death .


thetorontostar--2020-06-01--Florida Keys reopen to visitors as Miami-area beaches closed

KEY LARGO , Fla. - The Florida Keys reopened for visitors Monday after the tourist-dependent island chain was closed for more than two months to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
As the Keys took down barriers , Miami-Dade County decided to keep its beaches closed because of protests in South Florida and across the country over the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Roadblocks were taken down shortly after midnight near Key Largo , the northernmost island in the chain .
Almost half of all workers in the Keys are employed by hotels , bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the rest are involved in commercial and sport fishing .
Richard Stanczyk , owner of Bud N ’ Mary ’ s marina in Islamorada , said the 40 captains who operate fishing boats out of the 76-year-old business have had virtually no customers for weeks and welcome the reopening of the area to visitors .
“ There has been a real uptick in phone calls .
There have been more charter bookings , ” Stanczyk said .
“ We are encouraged .
It ’ s going to come back.
” Yet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keys and was popularized by singer Jimmy Buffet in songs like “ Margaritaville ” may not return for some time .
The Monroe County Tourist Development Council made clear on its website that visitors must adhere to health guidelines related to the coronavirus .
“ Bring facial coverings , gloves , hand sanitizer , reef-safe sunscreen and personal essential medicines .
If you ’ re feeling unwell , please stay home , ” the council says on its website .
The Keys have been relatively unscathed by the coronavirus .
As of Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the disease , three deaths and 12 hospitalizations .
The total population is a shade under 80,000 .
Since March 22 , the Keys have been closed to nonresidents who don ’ t work or own property in the county .
Airports in Key West and Marathon were open , but passengers are screened and told to self-quarantine for 14 days .
The roadblocks on U.S. 1 — the only road in or out and known as the Overseas Highway — went up on March 27 .
Down in Key West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the house formerly owned by Nobel Prize-winning writer Ernest Hemingway .
Jacque Sands , general manager of the home , said it and its 59 cats will be open for business Tuesday .
Many of the cats have six toes , unique descendants of a feline named Snow White given to Hemingway by a ship ’ s captain , according to the home ’ s website .
Sands said she sees all types of visitors , although none in in the past couple of months .
“ Some come for the cats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ernest Hemingway .
I ’ m getting calls from all over , ” she said .
“ The guests will have to wear masks .
We have plenty of masks that we will hand out to guests if they don ’ t have one.
” On the Florida mainland , Legoland Florida Resort on Monday became one of Florida ’ s first theme parks to reopen since March .
Visitors at the Winter Haven , Florida , theme park were being screened for illness , and were encouraged to wear masks and bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone cashless .
Later this week , Universal Orlando was set to open its doors to guests for the first time since March , and Walt Disney World was scheduled to do the same on a rolling basis next week .
In Miami-Dade County , officials had planned to open its beaches Monday but opted against it given the protests and a curfew over the Floyd death .
Still , hotels were reopening in the Miami area with restrictions , including a requirement that guests wear masks except inside their rooms .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the second time an executive order that placed a freeze on evictions and mortgage foreclosures .
The freeze had been set to end Tuesday but will now last until July 1 .
The original order was signed April 2 and renewed May 14 .

Curt Anderson And Lynne Sladky - The Associated Press