thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Kentucky panel votes to remove Davis statue from Capitol

FRANKFORT , Ky. - A Kentucky commission voted Friday to take down a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from the state capitol , adding its voice to a global push to remove symbols of racism and slavery .
The Historic Properties Advisory Commission met remotely through video teleconferencing at the request of Gov .
Andy Beshear and then voted 11-1 to move the 15-foot ( 4.5-meter ) marble statue of Davis to a state historic site in southern Kentucky where the Confederate leader was born .
The commission is responsible for statues in the state capitol .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my state capitol , and knowing our history , I can ’ t find a lot of reasons to honour this man in that way , “ said commissioner member Cathy Thomas , adding that he “ enslaved human beings ” and “ rebelled against the United States of America.
“ Relocating the Davis statue means it will no longer share space in the ornate Capitol Rotunda with a statue of Abraham Lincoln , his Civil War adversary and the president who freed the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation .
Both were Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prep work Friday for the statue ’ s removal from the Rotunda , but it wasn ’ t immediately clear when it would go .
The panel ’ s vote came two days after another Davis statue was toppled by protesters in Virginia .
It comes amid a reignited effort to pull down Confederate monuments around the U.S. after the deaths of black Americans at the hands of police .
A black man in Minnesota , George Floyd , died after a Minneapolis police officer pinned him down by putting his knee on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , protesters have demanded justice for Breonna Taylor , who was killed in her home in March .
The African American EMT was shot eight times by narcotics detectives who knocked down her door while attempting to enforce a search warrant .
No drugs were found .
Beshear , who said he expected the commission to remove the statue from the Capitol Rotunda , called it an historic day after the vote .
The Democratic governor has referred to the statue as a divisive symbol that needed to go .
“ It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this action , “ Beshear said in a statement .
“ But what it will mean is that ... every child who walks into this Capitol feels welcome , and none of them have to look at a symbol and a statue that stands for the enslavement of their ancestors.
” The Davis statue has stood in the Kentucky statehouse since 1936 .
It occupied a corner of the Rotunda near a bronze likeness of Lincoln .
Their statues are among several on display in the Rotunda , a popular place for rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advocates have for years been asking state officials to remove the Davis statue .
In 2018 , officials removed a plaque declaring the only president of the Confederacy to be a “ Patriot-Hero-Statesman.
” Kentucky was a border state during the Civil War and did not secede from the Union , though some of its citizens owned slaves and Kentuckians fought on both sides of the conflict .
The statue was placed in the Capitol during a time of Jim Crow segregation to maintain white rule , Thomas said during the commission ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose was clear in the 1930s as it is today , “ she said .
“ The statue was placed to reaffirm a legacy of white supremacy ... during a time when black Kentuckians lived with threats of violence and lynchings and a system of segregation that denied us basic rights as American citizens.
” Voting against the statue ’ s removal , commission member Brandon Wilson said : “ I came on this board with the intent to protect history .
I didn ’ t come on the board to remove history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tough history.
” Wilson said he sees the push to move the Davis statue as a “ cultural movement trying to suppress ” history .
He accused the governor of “ politicizing ” the issue and “ using our board as a weapon ” to achieve an agenda .
He said the proximity of the Davis and Lincoln statues offered the chance for a “ great teaching moment ” for visitors to the Capitol .
The commission called for the statue to be moved to the Jefferson Davis Historic Site , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 351-foot monument and a museum , according to a state website .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Biden’s VP list narrows: Warren, Harris, Susan Rice, others

WASHINGTON - Joe Biden ’ s search for a running mate is entering a second round of vetting for a dwindling list of potential vice-presidential nominees , with several black women in strong contention .
Democrats with knowledge of the process said Biden ’ s search committee has narrowed the choices to as few as six serious contenders after initial interviews .
Among the group still in contention : Sens .
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kamala Harris of California , as well as Susan Rice , who served as President Barack Obama ’ s national security adviser .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said the process remains somewhat fluid .
Additional candidates may still be asked to submit to the extensive document review process now underway for some top contenders .
Those familiar with Biden ’ s search spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the process .
The campaign dismissed the idea of a shortened list as early speculation .
“ Those who talk don ’ t know and those who know don ’ t talk , ” said Andrew Bates , a Biden spokesperson .
Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman as his running mate , is facing increased calls from Democrats to put a woman of colour on the ticket — both because of the outsize role that black voters played in Biden ’ s road to the nomination and because of the reckoning over racism and inequality roiling the nation following the death of George Floyd .
The black Minneapolis man died after a white police officer pressed his knee on his neck for several minutes , an episode that was captured on video .
Terry McAuliffe , the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman , said that while Biden ’ s choice was likely to be “ all about personal chemistry , “ it would be “ exciting for the party ” to have a black woman on a major party presidential ticket for the first time .
The campaign ’ s list includes several black women , including Harris and Rice .
Advisers have also looked closely at Florida Rep. Val Demings and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , both of whom are black , and New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had conversations with a larger group of women earlier this spring ; those continuing on in the process have been asked to turn over financial records , past writings and other documentation .
Biden has had various public and private interactions with many of the women his vetting committee has considered thus far , but has not yet had any formal one-on-one interviews expressly to discuss the No .
2 spot on the ticket .
Those aren ’ t expected for several weeks .
Rice , who worked closely with Biden during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a favourite among some former Obama administration officials and is personally close to the former president .
She has never held elected office but has extensive foreign policy experience , including as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations .
She ’ s also been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration since leaving the White House and considered running for U.S. Senate in Maine .
Rice has long been a target of Republicans , including for statements she made after the deadly 2012 attacks on Americans in Benghazi , Libya .
Republicans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn , Trump ’ s first national security adviser , though records declassified by the Trump administration show no evidence of Rice improperly accessing any information .
Harris and Warren have been seen as top contenders for the No .
2 spot since ending their own presidential campaigns .
Warren and Biden have forged a surprising bond in recent months and talk regularly about the progressive policy ideas the Massachusetts senator put at the forefront of her campaign .
Biden already has adopted her proposed bankruptcy law overhaul .
And now , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elevating the nuts-and-bolts of governing , some Democrats see Warren ’ s policy credentials as an asset to the ticket .
A Biden-Warren pairing would mean both Democrats on the ticket are white and in their 70s .
Biden is 77 , and Warren is 70 .
Harris is the lone black contender who has won statewide office , notable experience given Biden ’ s emphasis on wanting a partner “ ready to be president.
” She and Biden have also demonstrated a comfortable manner with each other in online fundraisers .
Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal justice , but some black progressives view her background as a prosecutor skeptically .
One contender whose standing does appear to have fallen is Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who was a prosecutor years ago in the county that includes Minneapolis .
During that period , more than two dozen people — mostly minorities — died during encounters with police .
While the people with knowledge of Biden ’ s vetting process did not rule Klobuchar out , she is widely viewed among Democrats with close ties to the Biden campaign as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events .
Barrow reported from Atlanta .
Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe and Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report .

Bill Barrow And Julie Pace - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Jacksonville’s history complicates Republican convention

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - When Republicans descend on Jacksonville , Florida , to officially renominate President Donald Trump for a second term , it will be a well-choreographed affair that will unfold against the backdrop of a backdrop of a military town , a bastion of conservatism and a must-win battleground state .
When he accepts his party ’ s nomination in late August for another White House bid , the president will be doing so amid the political and racial divisions deeply ingrained in his host city .
“ I think Jacksonville will take a lot of people by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a complicated city , “ said Alan Bliss , the chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Historical Society .
“ I think it ’ s been seen as inflexibly and uncritically conservative , “ he said .
“ Jacksonville has been seen as having clung uncritically and inflexibly to its ideas of its past.
” It is a place still coming to terms with its Southern heritage while trying to become a more cosmopolitan place in the shadows of glitzier Miami , with its world-famous beaches , and better-known Orlando , home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The city ’ s sprawling metropolitan region is home to 1.5 million Floridians , nearly a third of them black and about a tenth Latino .
It lies just south of Florida ’ s border with Georgia , and about 290 miles ( about 467 kilometres ) north of the president ’ s Mar-a-Lago compound in Palm Beach .
The Republican National Committee picked Jacksonville for the political spectacle after North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper , a Democrat , wouldn ’ t give in to the president ’ s insistence that large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Friday , Florida announced its highest one-day spike in COVID-19 cases — with 1,900 new cases the day before — but officials said they will take necessary precautions during the August convention .
The city , which openly campaigned for the right to host the president and the political convention , had to overcome concerns that it could host a major event .
When the city hosted the Super Bowl in 2005 , it had to use cruise ships as floating hotels to expand its inventory of rooms .
Routine convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but splashier events will take place in Jacksonville , one of Florida ’ s largest cities best known for its professional football team , the Jacksonville Jaguars .
It is home to one of the country ’ s most important seaports , as well as the largest Navy base in the Southeast .
Jacksonville has long been known as a bastion of conservatism , but in recent years it has become more diverse politically .
While it remains a Republican stronghold , it ’ s not always as reliable as it once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its first black mayor , a Democrat .
Five years later , Trump narrowly won Duval County .
But two years ago , black Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum got more of the county ’ s votes than now-Gov .
Ron DeSantis , a close Trump ally .
“ Jacksonville has made a few strides , but Jacksonville still has not shown that it wants to deal with some of its problems , especially the race problems it needs to deal with , “ said Rodney Hurst , 76 .
Sixty years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of young black men and women who had just dispersed from a peaceful protest at a downtown lunch counter when a mob of whites began indiscriminately clubbing African Americans in downtown Jacksonville .
The day is now remembered as Ax Handle Saturday .
“ They swung at me , and I had no choice but to run , ” recalled Hurst , who was 16 when the mob came charging at him with clubs .
The anniversary of that day will be remembered in a public square across City Hall — on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 27 made-for-television address .
The commemoration will be held a mile away from the convention , in a park named for Civil War veteran Charles C. Hemming , after he donated a towering Confederate monument in the park in 1898 .
Earlier this week , the city removed the monument in the cloak of darkness amid protests across the country decrying racism and deadly police force against blacks .
The city ’ s mayor , Lenny Curry , vowed to remove other monuments , as statues across the South and elsewhere were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If our opinions and our policies don ’ t evolve , then we ’ re not growing and we are stagnant , ” said Curry , a former chair of the Republican Party of Florida .
A spokesman for the president said the campaign was mindful of the city ’ s racist past .
Paris Dennard , an RNC adviser for black media affairs , called the president a “ champion ” for the black community .
“ While we can not erase some of the darkest moments of our nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , learn from them , fight for justice and a more perfect union for every American .
That is exactly what President Trump has done , ” Dennard said .

Bobby Caina Calvan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Virus deepens Argentina’s economic crisis as poverty soars

BUENOS AIRES , Argentina - As they wait out quarantine in a cramped , windowless room , Natividad Benítez brings her six children all of their meals from the soup kitchen where she earns $ 133 a month , barely enough to cover her rent and a few extra monthly costs .
Since the new coronavirus came to Argentina , the priest who employs her , the Rev .
Juan Isasmendi , has gone from serving 350 meals a day to 7,000 , feeding residents of a poor Buenos Aires neighbourhood where economic activity has all but stopped due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help I don ’ t know what would become of me , ’ ’ she said .
“ It ’ s impossible to go looking for work in this situation of isolation.
’ ’ The percentage of Argentines in poverty is expected to reach as high as 45 % this year as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens an already grave economic crisis .
The twin crises are presenting a grueling challenge to President Alberto Fernández , whose Peronist party was founded in the 1940s partly on the promise of caring for Argentina ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus was diagnosed , prompting quarantines and curfews lasting more than three months , Argentina was facing 50 % inflation , overwhelming debt and difficulty accessing credit in what economists call its worst crisis in almost two decades .
“ Does anyone think I dreamed of an economy paralyzed by a quarantine ?
’ ’ he said recently .
“ I want a country that produces , that ’ s on its feet.
’ ’ Several economists have cautioned that even after Fernández lifts anti-virus measures , it will be difficult to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak pre-epidemic levels .
The World Bank foresees a 7.3 % contraction in Argentina ’ s gross domestic product this year , one of the worst recessions in Latin America .
Child poverty and deprivation among indigenous people are growing even faster , and beyond the poorest neighbourhoods in Argentina ’ s cities .
Mirta González , who lives with her two children in a middle-class Buenos Aires neighbourhood , recently travelled to a soup kitchen run by the Santa María Madre del Pueblo parish in the neighbourhood where Natividad Benítez lives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleaner due to the impact of the coronavirus and the measures to stop it .
“ I ’ m doing badly , ’ ’ she said .
“ I can ’ t provide food or clothing for my children .
I ’ m ashamed to come here , but I don ’ t have any other solution.
” One of the world ’ s biggest producers of soy , wheat and other foodstuffs is facing a hunger problem .
Social Development Minister Daniel Arroyo told The Associated Press that the number of Argentines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has gone from 8 million to 11 million .
Such social benefits have been one of the trademarks of Peronism and Fernández has had to increase aid on a variety of fronts — from cash aid for food purchases to budget assistence to provinces , cities and a national network of churches and aid groups with a long record of providing aid during past crises .
Arroyo said Peronists saw the moment as one of “ great responsibility and great challenge.
’ ’ “ Argentina has a history of falling and getting back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cristian Mosqueira , a homeless man who sleeps in a Buenos Aires plaza , said , “ I ’ d ask the president to help those who really need it ... one day the peope won ’ t be able to take it anymore .
”

Almudena Calatrava - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Q&A: What’s next for Seattle protesters’ ‘autonomous zone’?

SEATTLE - For nearly a week , people opposing police brutality and racial injustice have turned a Seattle neighbourhood into ground zero for their protests , creating a carnival-like atmosphere with speakers and drum circles near a largely abandoned police station .
While protesters say it shows how people can manage without police intervention , it ’ s drawn scorn from President Donald Trump , who has repeatedly threatened to “ go in ” to stop the “ anarchists “ he says have taken over the liberal city after officers withdrew to ease tensions .
Washington ’ s governor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have rebuked Trump and say local officials are trying to find a peaceful resolution following demonstrations that turned violent last weekend .
In the latest twist , a U.S. judge on Friday ordered Seattle police to temporarily stop using tear gas , pepper spray and flash-bang devices to break up largely peaceful protests .
A look at what ’ s going on in Seattle : WHAT IS THE “ CAPITOL HILL AUTONOMOUS ZONE ” ?
It stretches for several blocks in the densely packed Capitol Hill neighbourhood just east of downtown Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near a police station Monday and largely left the building .
It came after officers used tear gas , pepper spray and flash-bang devices last weekend to disperse demonstrators they said were assaulting them with projectiles .
Signs along the sidewalks proclaim “ You are entering free Capitol Hill ” and “ No cop co-op.
“ Throughout the day , speakers use microphones to discuss their demands .
Artists have painted a blocklong “ Black Lives Matter ” mural on the street .
Many businesses are still open .
While there are makeshift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people walk in and out freely .
And some officers have been back during the week to check on the police station .
WHAT DO PROTESTERS WANT ?
They come from a variety of groups and interests , ranging from Black Lives Matter organizers to labour and neighbourhood groups .
Most want the police precinct to be turned into a community centre and much of the department ’ s funding to be redirected to health and social services .
“ What you see out here is people coming together and loving each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Black Lives Matter .
“ I see people coming from different walks of life ... learning from each other.
” WHAT IS TRUMP SAYING ?
In a series of tweets , Trump has taunted Gov .
Jay Inslee and Mayor Jenny Durkan and said Seattle had been taken over by “ anarchists.
” “ These Liberal Dems don ’ t have a clue .
The terrorists burn and pillage our cities , and they think it is just wonderful , even the death .
Must end this Seattle takeover now !
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he ’ s pushed for a stronger response to protesters nationwide .
Following last weekend ’ s unrest , the protests in Seattle have been largely peaceful .
In a Thursday interview with the Fox News Channel , the president said , “ If we have to go in , we ’ re going to go in .
These people are not going to occupy a major portion of a great city.
” In response , Durkan said it would be “ unconstitutional and illegal to send military to Seattle.
“ Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the Capitol Hill precinct wasn ’ t hers and she was angry about it .
In a video message to officers this week , she also reiterated that police had been harassed and assaulted during protests .
“ Ultimately , the city had other plans for the building and relented to severe public pressure , ” Best said .
Durkan said in a statement that she decided to remove the barriers around the station in an effort to deescalate tensions .
Best said in an interview Friday on “ Good Morning America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel for a short period , then it became unsafe for officers to go back .
Police initially said protesters in the “ autonomous zone ” had harassed and intimidated residents and businesses but later eased off those statements and said they had no concrete evidence of that .
While Best said she supports free speech , “ this is not that.
“ The police chief said Friday that officials were working to get officers back into the precinct , stressing the “ need to have officers responding to calls in a timely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s taking place , we ’ re not able to do so in a timely way.
” She says police want to ensure they ’ re responding to community concerns , keeping people safe and making their response “ proportionate to what we ’ re addressing.
“ On the first weekend of protests in late May , there was widespread destruction downtown as people smashed storefront windows and stole merchandise .
Last weekend , police used tear gas to disperse crowds on Capitol Hill that they said had become unruly , soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of tear gas .
Some City Council members and other elected officials say authorities overreacted , and both Durkan and Best have faced calls to resign .
The new court ruling added to the criticism , saying a Black Lives Matter group that sued this week made a strong case that the indiscriminate use of force during largely peaceful protests is unconstitutional .
The federal judge said weapons like tear gas and pepper spray fail to target “ any single agitator or criminal “ and are especially problematic during the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want a repeat of last weekend ’ s violence and tweeted that she visited the Capital Hill area Friday to speak with organizers about moving forward .
Associated Press photographer Ted Warren contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Manhunt underway after Mississippi deputy shot, killed

MENDENHALL , Miss .
- Mississippi law enforcement are searching for an escaped inmate in the shooting death of a @ @ @ @ @ deputy .
The deputy was shot Friday afternoon and flown to a hospital , WAPT-TV @ @ @ @ @ later died .
The deputy ’ s name was not immediately released .
The shooting @ @ @ @ @ centre in Mendenhall , WJTV-TV reported .
Further details were not immediately released .
Law @ @ @ @ @ Stevens Blackwell , an escaped inmate believed to be involved in the shooting .
Blackwell @ @ @ @ @ considered armed and dangerous .
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call @ @ @ @ @ , 911 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-8477 .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--With the search for 2 kids at an end, a community mourns

BOISE , Idaho - Within a few hours , a garden of mementos grew outside the rural crime scene .
Pinwheels , flowers and stuffed animals dotted a fence near where police found remains believed to belong to two children in a bizarre case that has captured attention around the world .
For police , the grisly discovery this week marked a significant break in a monthslong investigation into what happened to Joshua “ JJ ” Vallow , who was 7 when he vanished in September along with his 17-year-old sister Tylee Ryan .
For relatives , who said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heartbreak was magnified .
For cluster of small Idaho towns , it was the denouement of one mystery and the start of another : Where are JJ and Tylee ?
Right here , and yet irretrievably gone .
Why are they gone ?
That may never be fully answered .
“ I never thought it would come to this — I didn ’ t think they were dead , ” said Timanee Olsen , a specialty cookie baker who has closely followed the case and after hearing about the bodies , planned a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Rexburg .
“ It ’ s just sparked a lot of sadness in our town.
“ The children ’ s mother , Lori Vallow Daybell , has been in jail since February on felony child abandonment and other charges .
Her new husband , Chad Daybell , was charged with concealing or destroying the bodies after police searched his rural property Tuesday .
The remains have yet to be formally identified , but family members told news outlets that they belong to JJ and Tylee .
“ We are filled with unfathomable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stolen from us , and only hope that they died without pain or suffering , ” the families wrote in the statement .
Kay and Larry Woodcock , JJ ’ s grandparents , worked for months to keep the search for kids in the limelight .
With this week ’ s discovery , they have withdrawn to grieve .
“ The family is not doing any interviews right now , ” said Felicia Dewall , who is acting as their spokeswoman .
“ They ’ re asking everybody to kind of respect that.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with its ties to the mysterious deaths of the Daybells ’ former spouses and the couple ’ s doomsday beliefs .
It began with Lori Daybell ’ s brother shooting and killing her estranged husband , Charles Vallow , in suburban Phoenix last summer in what he asserted was self-defence .
Vallow was seeking a divorce , saying Lori believed she had become a god-like figure who was responsible for ushering in the biblical end times .
Her brother , Alex Cox , died in December of an apparent blood clot in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death , Lori and the children moved to Idaho , where Chad Daybell lived .
He ran a small publishing company , putting out many fiction books he wrote about apocalyptic scenarios loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .
He also recorded podcasts about preparing for biblical end times , and friends said he claimed to be able to receive visions from “ beyond the veil.
” He was married to Tammy Daybell , who died in her sleep last October of what her obituary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicious when Chad Daybell married Lori just two weeks later , and they had Tammy Daybell ’ s body exhumed in December .
The results of that autopsy have not been released .
Police began searching for Tylee and JJ in November after relatives raised concerns .
Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about the children ’ s whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho .
They were found in Hawaii months later .
Investigators haven ’ t released any new details since the remains were found .
The bodies were sent to Boise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not clear when those results will be released .
“ It is the most horrendous outcome to the craziest nine-month mystery that I ’ ve ever heard of , ” said Olsen , who organized the vigil with a friend .
“ Those kids deserved better , and we ’ re going to do everything we can to get those kids justice.
” Olsen said hundreds of people have indicated they want to attend .
She arranged to have the vigil in a parking lot in Idaho Falls , close to the town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would provide enough space for people to feel connected while remaining socially distant .
“ It ’ s taken our town and turned it upside down .
It ’ s all you hear about all day long , and you don ’ t need to know them to feel affected by it — it ’ s in the air , ” she said .
“ We ’ re just doing our best to stick together , especially in the hard times .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Lab in Ecuador’s capital forced to halt coronavirus testing

QUITO , Ecuador - A major laboratory in Ecuador ’ s capital closed and halted processing coronavirus tests Friday because technicians didn ’ t have basic supplies like tubes , pipettes , masks and gloves needed to safely analyze the specimens .
The Biotechnology Institute at Quito ’ s Central University had been expected to receive and process tens of thousands of tests but its director said only 5,150 could be done before running out of equipment .
“ We can ’ t process any more tests because of a technical failing , ” Lucy Baldeón said .
Ecuador is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic in Latin America .
As major cities like Quito begin to reopen , authorities have insisted on the need to increases testing .
But those efforts have been complicated by corruption scandals , delays in acquiring tests and now shortages of essential lab materials .
“ We have the tests and we can ’ t use them , ” city councilman Bernardo Abad said .
“ They were purchased but the city didn ’ t prepare.
” The Central University lab is one of two contracted directly by Quito officials to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The other has not yet begun processing specimens .
The Ministry of Public Health operates its own labs and conducted 16,379 tests in Quito from March to May .
That testing is expected to continue , though to date has fallen short of what many believe is needed in the city of 2.7 million people .
Ecuador has done 133,458 molecular and rapid COVID-19 tests in all , according to the health ministry , and nation ’ s per capita rate trails far behind countries like Chile and Peru that have greatly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute managed to stay in operation the last two weeks by collecting supplies from other university departments .
They were averaging around 320 tests a day before running out of lab materials .
“ A lot of energy was put into acquiring the tests , in getting them , but the logistics to process the amount the city needs … wasn ’ t done , ” councilwoman Luz Elena Coloma said .
Prosecutors in Ecuador have opened 45 corruption cases related to suspicious practices in acquiring medical equipment to confront the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guayaquil earlier this month in connection with the probe .
Investigators found 5,000 masks and 2,000 test kits in his home .
Quito ’ s health secretary resigned in late May after prosecutors opened an investigation indicating possible overcharging in the purchase of 100,00 molecular COVID-19 tests .
Ecuador was one of the first nations in Latin America to see a surge in virus cases .
In the coastal city of Guayaquil hospitals reached maximum capacity in early April and turned away many patients who later died in their homes .
More recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit capacity has been stretched as cases continue to rise .
The Biotechnology Institute ’ s director faulted city officials for their preparations .
“ The city didn ’ t calculate well the capacity for how many could be processed , ” Baldeón said .
“ They had no idea or no technical input .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Experienced judge assigned to officers’ cases in Floyd death

MINNEAPOLIS - The cases of the four Minneapolis police officers who face charges in the death of George Floyd have been assigned to a Hennepin County judge who has experience as both a defence attorney and a prosecutor .
Judge Peter Cahill has been assigned to oversee the cases of Derek Chauvin , J. Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao .
All four are scheduled to appear before him at 12:15 p.m. on June 29 , according to a court filing Friday .
Defence attorneys have 10 days to file a request to remove Cahill as the judge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaces him and they could not remove his replacement , the Star Tribune reported .
Earl Gray , Lane ’ s attorney , told The Associated Press he wouldn ’ t think of removing Cahill .
When asked if all four officers will face trial together or ask to be tried separately , Gray said that issue hasn ’ t been discussed yet , but it will be now that a judge has been assigned .
Attorneys for Chauvin and Kueng had no comment .
Messages left with Thao ’ s attorney were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a black man who was handcuffed , died May 25 after Chauvin , a white officer , used his knee to pin Floyd to the ground .
Chauvin , who kept his knee on Floyd ’ s neck even after Floyd stopped moving , has been charged with second-degree murder , third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Lane , Kueng and Thao have been charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter .
All four officers have been fired .
Cahill began his career in the county public defender ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also worked for 10 years in the county attorney ’ s office , serving as the top advisor to Sen. Amy Klobuchar when she was the county ’ s head prosecutor .
He has been a judge since 2007 and has experience in high-profile cases .
He has also served as the county ’ s chief judge .


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Manager at California casino tests positive for virus

CABAZON , Calif. - A manager at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Southern California has tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ said Friday .
The manager doesn ’ t have symptoms or direct contact with guests @ @ @ @ @ to report to work until medically cleared to do so , the resort said in @ @ @ @ @ employees who interacted with the manager haven ’ t reported any symptoms but they are @ @ @ @ @ and are also staying away from work for now .
The casino reopened in late @ @ @ @ @ temperature checks .
It ’ s located in the community of Cabazon , about 15 @ @ @ @ @ from Palm Springs .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms @ @ @ @ @ especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause pneumonia and @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-12--Pop open a bottle, California wine tasting rooms reopening

SAN DIEGO - California wineries started uncorking their bottles and welcoming people back to their tasting rooms Friday as the state ’ s $ 145 billion tourism industry gears up with hotels , zoos , museums and aquariums also allowed to reopen .
With COVID-19 cases in the state still growing , the tourism industry is trying to balance how to implement safety measures to control a pandemic without ruining the fun .
Hotels will limit people lounging by pools and nix breakfast buffets for now .
There will be no double-decker safari buses packed with tourists rolling through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that draw crowds .
The zoo instead is using its buses to hold moving shows that will glide past people standing on green circles to keep them 6 feet ( 2 metres ) apart .
Every visitor over the age of 2 will be required to wear face coverings .
Wine tasting rooms also are encouraging masks and making room for physical distancing .
Many are requiring appointments for tastings .
Gavin Newsom was the nation ’ s first governor to issue a statewide stay-at-home order on March 19 .
He gradually started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail stores and restaurants to reopen .
He soon added churches and hair salons with restrictions .
Stay-at-home orders are estimated to have cost the state economy $ 72 billion in revenue from tourism and more than 600,000 hospitality jobs , according to Visit California , the state ’ s tourism marketing organization .
The list of businesses cleared to reopen Friday included movie theatres , bars and gyms and is the most expansive yet , though counties have the ultimate say on which stores and services can open their doors .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still climbing .
On Friday , California ’ s department of health reported 141,983 cases and 4,943 deaths .
The White House has recommended states see a 14-day downward trajectory before easing restrictions .
California ’ s cases have continued to tick up since May 30 , when the state ’ s seven-day average was at 2,321 cases compared to a seven-day average of 2,726 as of Friday , according to the COVID Tracking Project .
Those who have tested positive include a manager at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May with required masks and temperature checks .
Another 11 employees who interacted with the manager are being tested , the Press-Enterprise of Riverside reported Friday .
Health officials are monitoring at least 10 counties because of concerns about the virus .
Some areas are choosing to go at a slower pace than what the governor has greenlighted .
San Francisco reopened outdoor restaurant dining on Friday .
Hotels there will not receive tourists until August .
Jennifer Bennett , co-owner of Zazie , said she was “ thrilled “ to see tables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us got into the hospitality business to pass out to-go bags through a window , “ she said .
“ So it ’ s great to see people actually enjoying themselves and eating off real plates and not landfill.
” Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. said the tourism industry is ready for the challenge .
Hotels are using electrostatic sprayers and LED technology to clean , like at Pendry Hotel in San Diego , which also placed rowers and fitness equipment in rooms for guests to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Diego ’ s famed zoo , are going slowly .
On Friday , it opened to only employees and volunteers and their families .
Next week , members and donors can visit and then on June 20 it will open to the public .
Volunteers armed with disinfectant will stand ready to wipe down railings as visitors return to see the animals , many of which had babies while the zoo was closed .
There will be no behind-the-scene tours nor opportunities for tourists to feed the rhino or giraffes .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do our part to fight the spread of COVID for sure , but we also have to balance that with the interest in reopening , “ said zoo director Dwight Scott .
“ People need to be outdoors and active and to have a peaceful experience , “ he said .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia , and death .
Some museums , like the USS Midway in San Diego , will be checking everyone ’ s temperatures .
Visitors also will be required to follow established one-way routes on the aircraft carrier , which reopens July 1 and has installed more than 170 hand-sanitizer stations and plastic glass barriers between sinks and urinals in the bathrooms .
South Lake Tahoe said Friday that it ’ s ready for tourists but advises people “ to go big on distancing , masks matter , plan to change plans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , expect closures , and if sniffles stay home.
“ Disneyland is seeking permission to reopen July 17 , though theme parks are not cleared to reopen yet nor are concert venues , night clubs and nail salons .
Associated Press writers Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento , Juliet Williams and Haven Daley in San Francisco , John Antczak and Robert Jablon in Los Angeles and Amy Taxin in Orange County contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--Outdoor recreation businesses hit hard by pandemic

DENVER - Outdoor recreation businesses have been hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic , from blows to manufacturing , to big drops in retail sales to the closure of parks and campgrounds , resulting in what a new national survey says has been a large number of furloughs and layoffs .
Of the businesses surveyed , 88 % reported laying off or furloughing employees , according to the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable , which represents 32 trade associations .
The survey , released last week , also found that 94 % of the businesses have seen decreased sales .
About 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more compared to a year ago .
About 95 % of the respondents have experienced a drop in revenue and 26 % of those have seen revenue slide 50 % or more .
Twenty-one national outdoor recreation trade associations , covering about 23,000 businesses with nearly 2 million employees , responded to the survey , done in conjunction with the Oregon State University Outdoor Recreation Economy Initiative .
“ It ’ s something that maybe not every industry has seen throughout their supply chain like we have , from the products coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where people use the products being closed , ” said Jessica Wahl , the roundtable ’ s executive director .
Manufacturing plants in Asia , where many of the products are made , shut down when the pandemic swept through that part of the world .
Outdoor retailers in the U.S. then closed their doors .
And state and national parks made campgrounds and other facilities off-limits or closed entirely .
Rocky Mountain National Park started a phased opening in late May after closing to the public March 20 because of coronavirus concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offices are reopening with limited services available .
Group picnic areas and playgrounds are still closed .
Outdoor recreation had been one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy , Wahl said .
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis in the Commerce Department said outdoor recreation accounted for 2.2 % — $ 427.2 billion — of the gross domestic product in 2017 and grew by 3.9 % , compared to 2.4 % for the overall economy .
Although the current situation is dire , Wahl said things she ’ s hearing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies give her hope that outdoor businesses are “ already seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
” Wahl said recreation vehicle rentals and boat sales are starting to rise .
State wildlife agencies are reporting increases in fishing license sales .
“ What I ’ m hearing from businesses is that nothing will be able to undo the harm of three months of complete closures , ” Wahl said .
However , outdoor recreation could be a vehicle for helping bring back the economy as state and national parks , fishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Wahl noted that it ’ s believed to be more difficult to transmit COVID-19 outside provided that people follow health guidelines .
The number of visits to Colorado state parks in May appear to support Wahl ’ s belief that with other entertainment venues still closed or limited , the great outdoors has become even more of a draw .
A total of 1.9 million visits to parks statewide were logged in May , compared to 1.6 million in May 2019 .
“ We are seeing quite a bit of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Travis Duncan , Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman .
While he hesitated to speculate about the reason for the higher numbers , Duncan said an obvious difference from last year is that a lot of other activities have been curtailed because of the coronavirus .
While outdoor recreation can provide relief for people tired of staying at home , Wahl acknowledged that social distancing isn ’ t so easy in certain settings , such as raft trips or guided backcountry treks .
She said the recreation roundtable is working on a set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commercial rafting companies in Colorado are trying to get their bearings — and customers back — as they navigate the COVID-19 realities .
Bill Dvorak , co-owner of Dvorak Expeditions in Nathrop , said a majority of the people who booked trips before the pandemic cancelled .
“ I had to refund a lot of money , which is not easy in this kind of business , ” Dvorak said .
The company has reduced its staff to six employees from 12 .
So far , Dvorak said he ’ s making more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who want to go out on their own than he is on commercial trips .
“ I really think at the best , we ’ ll have the same kind of year that we did in the droughts of 2002 and 2012. Business was off 50 % then , ” Dvorak said .
However , Dvorak added that he remains hopeful .
The water on the Arkansas River is good , he said .
And heavy , wet snow that fell in the mountains Monday should keep the water flowing nicely , @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--Asia Today: India passes 300,000 cases with single-day high

NEW DELHI - India reported more than 11,000 new coronavirus infections on Saturday , another single-day high for the country , as it passed the grim milestone of 300,000 cases .
The Health Ministry reported 11,458 new cases , driving the toll to 308,993 , the fourth-highest in the world .
It also reported 386 deaths , raising the number of fatalities to 8,884 .
India ’ s caseload has jumped by about 100,000 in a week , coinciding with the reopening of shopping malls , houses of worship and restaurants .
The government had imposed a nationwide lockdown in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital , most public hospitals are full , and crematoriums and graveyards are struggling to manage a rash of bodies .
New Delhi ’ s government has projected that cases in the capital area alone could expand to more than half a million by late July , and is considering taking over luxury hotels and stadiums to convert into field hospitals .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : BEIJING LOCKS DOWN COMMUNITIES : The Chinese capital has locked down 11 residential communities near a wholesale food market to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing officials said Saturday that 45 workers at the Xinfadi market tested positive for the coronavirus , though they showed no symptoms .
That was in addition to an earlier announcement of seven people with symptoms who had visited or worked at the market .
Forty environmental samples taken at the market also tested positive , city officials said .
The Beijing News newspaper said in a social media post that Communist Party members and volunteers were being organized to shop for food and other daily necessities for the affected residents .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locally transmitted infection in more 50 days , reversed some recent moves to relax coronavirus restrictions .
SOUTH KOREA REPORTS 49 NEW CASES : South Korea reported 49 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday , most of them in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , where health authorities have been struggling to slow transmissions linked to entertainment and leisure activities , church gatherings and low-income workers who couldn ’ t afford to stay home .
The country has confirmed a total of 12,051 cases and 277 deaths .
Authorities said 44 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the greater capital area , which is home to half of the country ’ s 51 million people .
The head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has pleaded with residents to stay home over the weekend , saying there was “ high concern ” that increased public activity would lead to a massive circulation of the virus .
— HONG KONG ’ S OCEAN PARK REOPENS : Hong Kong ’ s Ocean Park reopened after more than four months amid virus fears .
Measures to guard against COVID-19 include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 9,000 guests per day for the first two weeks .
The park requests all guests to wear a mask and undergo temperature checks before entering .
Hand sanitizers are also being distributed .
The animal and nature-themed attraction combines pandas , penguins , roller coasters and other rides , and has been a Hong Kong icon since 1977 .
Even before the pandemic , Ocean Park was on the slide , begging the government for more money to survive .
At the end of May , lawmakers agreed to give it 5.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million ) to stay afloat for a year .


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--5 dead in latest flooding in southern China rainstorms

BEIJING - Rainstorms have killed five more people in a southern Chinese region already reeling from heavy flooding over the past week .
The government of Zunyi city , south of the metropolis of Chongqing , said Saturday that five people had died and eight others were missing after storms that began late Thursday night .
A statement on the government ’ s website said at least 13,000 people had been evacuated , more than 2,000 homes damaged and multiple sections of roads and three bridges destroyed in the city in Guizhou province .
Earlier storms left 13 dead in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Seasonal flooding regularly strikes the lower regions of China ’ s major river systems , particularly those of the Yangtze and the Pearl to the south .
More than 200,000 people have been forced to seek shelter and economic losses are estimated at more than $ 500 million , the Ministry of Emergency Management said earlier in the week .
Guangxi ’ s crucial tourism sector , already hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic , has been set back further by the floods .
The region is home to the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ karst rock formations .
Authorities have sought to mitigate flooding through the construction of dams , such as the massive Three Gorges structure on the Yangtze .


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--Far-right activists gather in London despite police warning

LONDON - Several hundred people , including far-right activists , have gathered to demonstrate in central London ’ s Parliament Square despite police warnings to stay home to contain the coronavirus .
Dozens gathered around the statue of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the Cenotaph war memorial , both boarded up .
Officials fear far-right activists will seek confrontation with anti-racism protesters Saturday under the guise of protecting statues .
Paul Golding , leader of the far-right group Britain First , said activists have turned out to “ guard our monuments.
” “ I am extremely fed up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two consecutive weekends of vandalism against our national monuments , ” Golding told the Press Association .
Monuments around the world have become flash points in demonstrations against racism and police violence after the May 25 death of George Floyd , a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed a knee to his neck .
In Britain , the protests have triggered a national debate about the legacy of empire and its role in the slave trade .
A statue of slave trader Edward Colston was hauled from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Bristol on Sunday and dumped in the harbour .
In London , Churchill ’ s statue was daubed with the words “ was a racist.
” Police have imposed strict restrictions on Saturday ’ s protests in a bid to avoid violent clashes .
Authorities also fenced off other statues in Parliament Square , including memorials to Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln .
Police Commander Bas Javid urged people not to gather in large groups at all because of the coronavirus .
But if they must , he said activists have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the streets by 5 p.m. or risk arrest .
He said that while protesters last weekend were largely peaceful , a minority was “ intent on disorder ” and that resulted in assaults on police and violent behaviour .
Dozens were arrested last weekend and a police horse was pictured bolting past the crowds amid the chaos .
A Black Lives Matter group in London said it was calling off a planned protest on Saturday because the presence of far-right activists would make it unsafe , though some anti-racism demonstrators are still @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--Paris braces for march for racial justice, against police

Paris police ordered the closure of freshly reopened restaurants and shops along the route of a march Saturday against police brutality and racism , fearing possible violence .
The march between the Place de la Republique in eastern Paris and the city ’ s main opera house is expected to be the biggest of several demonstrations around France this weekend inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S .
The Paris police chief ordered merchants and city officials to clear sidewalks along the march route of anything that could be set on fire or used by troublemakers against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 people remain banned in France because of virus containment measures .
The Paris march was organized by supporters of Adama Traore , a French black man who died in police custody in 2016 in circumstances that remain unclear despite four years of back-and-forth autopsies .
They ’ re demanding “ justice for Adama and all victims of police.
” France has seen several demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death in the U.S , and they ’ ve been overwhelmingly peaceful , though some have seen scattered clashes between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected Saturday in Marseille , Lyon and other French cities .
In the wake of Floyd ’ s death and the global protests it unleashed , the French government is under growing pressure to address long-running accusations of excessive violence by police , particularly against minorities .
Researchers have documented racial profiling by French police , and investigations were opened recently into racist comments in private Facebook and WhatsApp groups for police officers .
The interior minister promised this week to stamp out racism and announced a ban on police chokeholds during arrests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own demonstrations Friday , saying they ’ re being unfairly labeled as racist because of a few extremist officers , and that they don ’ t have enough tools to deal with violent suspects .
After meeting with union representatives , the interior minister said Friday night that police will start experimenting with expanded use of stun-guns in the future , despite concerns about their safety .


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--Fire on French nuclear submarine extinguished after 14 hours

PARIS - After a 14-hour battle , firefighters extinguished a blaze that broke out on a French nuclear submarine during renovation work .
The Defence Ministry said no one was injured , and insisted the risk of radioactivity released by the fire is “ zero ” because the vessel ’ s nuclear fuel and all its weapons had been removed before the renovations began in January .
But it took 100 firefighters from three different emergency services as well as specialized submarine teams more than 14 hours to put out the blaze , the ministry said .
It is unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire broke out Friday morning in the Mediterranean naval port of Toulon , and was extinguished after midnight , the ministry said in a statement Saturday .
All workers and sailors aboard the submarine when the fire broke out were safely evacuated , the regional maritime authority said .
Local newspaper Var-Matin published images of white smoke rising from the port , and reported that some of those aboard fled via the submarine ’ s torpedo holds .
The submarine , named Perle , is the most recent of France ’ s six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service in 1993 , the official said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--China sentences Australian man to death for drug smuggling

BEIJING - An Australian man has been sentenced to death in southern China for drug smuggling .
Cam Gillespie was @ @ @ @ @ Intermediate People ’ s Court said in a one-sentence statement on its website .
All @ @ @ @ @ confiscated , the statement said .
It did not provide any details of the charges @ @ @ @ @ , a state-owned newspaper in Guangzhou city , reported Saturday that Gillespie had been caught @ @ @ @ @ pounds ) of methamphetamine in his checked baggage in December 2013 for a flight departing @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--Thousands gather for Black Lives Matter rallies in Australia

SYDNEY , Australia - Protests went ahead in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in far-flung parts of Australia on Saturday against the advice of government and health authorities but on a significantly smaller scale than the previous weekend , when tens of thousands rallied in cities along the east coast .
The biggest demonstration was in Perth , the Western Australia state capital , where the Australian Broadcasting Corp. estimated that 5,000 people gathered to honour George Floyd and remember indigenous Australian people who have died while in custody .
Floyd , a black man , died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck .
His death has prompted weeks of protests in the U.S. and around the world with the same theme : Black Lives Matter .
The threat of rain and and lack of a city council permit meant the Perth rally didn ’ t reach the expected 8,000-15,000 people organizers had hoped would attend .
Hannah McGlade , a human rights lawyer and activist , called for an independent investigation into indigenous deaths in custody and rejected calls from politicians for people not to gather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us not to come .
They told us to be silent .
We will not be silent , “ McGlade said .
Western Australia state Premier Mark McGowan had urged organizers to postpone the event , saying “ this is about trying to save people ’ s lives.
” A man in his 30s who attended the rally in Melbourne last weekend later tested positive for the coronavirus , heightening concerns about a potential second wave in Australia just as the federal and state governments are easing restrictions .
Western Australia COVID-19 regulations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering , although police weren ’ t enforcing social distancing fines and organizers offered face masks and hand sanitizer to protesters on Saturday .
The nationwide day of protests started in the far north , with more than 1,000 people gathering in City Park in Darwin , which has the highest proportion of Aboriginal people of Australia ’ s state capitals .
Police in the North Territory issued a statement saying the event was peaceful “ and allowed community members to express their views in a safe environment.
“ Sharna Alley , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowd in comments broadcast by Sky News Australia : “ We ’ re tired of the injustices .
We ’ re tired of the brutality against our people in so-called protective custody .
We really want to know , when will it stop.
” Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders comprise 2 % of Australia ’ s adult population but 27 % of the prison population .
They are also the most disadvantaged ethnic minority in the country and have higher-than-average rates of infant mortality and poorer overall health , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of education and employment than other Australians .
Refugee activists held small rallies in Sydney , Melbourne and Brisbane to protest the detention of asylum seekers , despite warnings from police saying anyone attending the Sydney protest risked being fined and arrested .
An estimated 70 protesters were outnumbered by police at Sydney ’ s Town Hall .
Police , including some mounted on horseback , counted protesters as they gathered and dispersed groups of more than 20 .
New South Wales state Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Willing said the Sydney protests were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take whatever action we need to take to ensure that the COVID health order is abided by and that the community is kept safe .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--18 people killed in separate attacks in Afghanistan

KABUL - Two separate attacks in Afghanistan have killed at least 18 people amid a wave of violence across the country , local Afghan officials said on Saturday .
A local police chief in western Ghor , Fakhrudin , said Taliban insurgents stormed a police checkpoint late Friday night and killed ten police officers .
He added that one policeman was wounded and another one was still missing after the attack in the remote village in the Pasaband district .
The police official blamed the Taliban for the attack who have a strong presence in the area , especially in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not commented on the attack in Ghor .
Meanwhile in the eastern Khost province , unknown gunmen targeting a former warlord killed at least eight people in the province ’ s Ali Sher district , said Adel Haider , spokesman for the provincial police chief .
The police spokesman said that the target of the attack was among the dead — Abdul Wali Ekhlas , a candidate in last year ’ s parliamentary elections who didn ’ t win a seat .
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks in Khost province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Afghanistan with most of the attacks claimed by the local Islamic State group affiliate .
On Friday , a bomb explosion inside a mosque in the capital , Kabul , killed at least four people , including the prayer leader .
The United States blamed the IS affiliate for a horrific attack last month on a maternity hospital in the capital that killed 24 people , including two infants and several new mothers .
The IS group , which reviles Shiites as heretics , has declared war on the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked Sunni Muslim mosques .


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--Despite risks, Greek islands keen to reopen to tourists

MYKONOS , Greece - Mykonos ’ newest bar-restaurant , Pelican , seemed to appear from nowhere .
Tables , coffee machines , light fittings , music mixers and staff wearing matching black face masks were still being slotted into place as Greek visitors trickled in at the start of a long holiday weekend .
Owner Vasilis Theodorou says he ’ s in a hurry to get back to business .
Heavily reliant on tourism , the country officially opens to foreign arrivals Monday .
Its hopes are pinned on prime destinations like the islands of Mykonos , Rhodes , Corfu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ferry services have already resumed and direct international flights will start July 1 .
Greece has gambled on a decision to relax COVID-19 health inspections at ports and airports to try to avoid another crippling recession , having only recently emerged from a painful financial crisis .
“ Business will be 80 % down ( this year ) .
So we ’ re waiting for the 20 % , and we ’ re happy because we know that ’ s what it will be , ” Theodorou said .
“ No matter how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , it won ’ t be more than that .
We expect that tourists from central Europe will come first , and hopefully Americans at a later stage .
They are our best customers.
” Timely and strictly enforced lockdown measures have so far kept the infection rate in Greece low and the death toll below 200 .
But reopening means islands — many with only basic health facilities and previously sheltered from the outbreak on the Greek mainland — will again be receiving visitors from around the world far in excess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Konstantinos Koukas told the AP that islanders feel prepared and have clear government guidelines .
“ We want to open back up and we are heading into the 2020 season with optimism , ” he said .
“ But we are fully aware that ... ( it ) will be nothing like the season in 2019 — and hopefully nothing like the season in 2021.
” An island that to many epitomizes high-life and hedonism , Mykonos would normally look very different in early June .
Its winding whitewashed streets would be packed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the bars , eyeing luxury storefronts and competing with crowds from cruise ships for a restaurant table .
VIP watchers have spotted pop star Katy Perry and soccer great Cristiano Ronaldo among a large crop of celebrities seen here in recent summers .
This year , beaches are empty , rented cars fill fenced-off lots , and most stores remain padlocked .
Stray cats and the island ’ s mascot , a large , light pink pelican , roam the streets for company .
Mosaic artist Irene Syrianou has kept her workshop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We watch the news and hope for the best , ” she says , cracking pieces of marble into chips with a hammer .
“ Nearly all my customers are American , whether it ’ s buying pieces of art , making orders online , or attending classes I give during the summer , ” she said , before adding with a chuckle : “ So it ’ s going to be a tough year .
But I ’ m an artist and I ’ ve gone hungry before.
” The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the left-wing Syriza main opposition party , which argued tougher controls should be kept in place , with authorities only permitting travel to those recently tested in countries of origin .
Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias Friday insisted that a safety net had been built for the islands — with connections to each other and to mainland hospitals for testing and health evacuations .
The network of doctors and support staff will be deployed with the help of more than 100 mobile units in cars and speed boats , and backed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil authorities .
The health ministry will also have 11 futuristic-looking “ transit capsules ” that can be used for patients heading to intensive care facilities .
“ Each island will be attached to a fully equipped mainland hospital , ” Kikilias said .
Greece ’ s gamble follows a decade of tourism growth and increasing reliance on the industry , with annual visitor numbers more than doubling since 2010 to 34 million last year and revenue up 80 % to some 18 billion euros ( $ 20.2 billion ) .
During many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the brink of bankruptcy and exit from the euro currency bloc , while Greeks endured harsh economic austerity in return for three international bailouts .
Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis , once Greece ’ s top official for tax and revenues , said Friday that the country is determined to support its tourism industry .
“ We ’ re sending a clear message to the world ’ s travelling public that we won ’ t take a step back , either in health safeguards or in opening up the country.
” ___ Iliana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gatopoulos at http : //www.twitter.com/dgatopoulos


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--Police: Man turned away from Texas bar shoots, wounds 8

SAN ANTONIO - A man who was turned away from a bar in Texas shot and wounded at least eight people in the parking lot , police said .
Police were searching for the gunman , who fled the scene late Friday night , San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said at a briefing early Saturday .
The gunman was part of a small group that left a bar in northern San Antonio and walked across the street to Rebar , a large nightspot that often has live music and DJ performances .
The group was turned away at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” McManus said .
The police chief said one of the members of the group responded by saying , “ Don ’ t you know who I am ?
I ’ m a UFC fighter from California.
” That man then walked back to his car across the street , got a long rifle , walked back to the Rebar parking lot and opened fire , McManus said .
The victims were five women and three men between the ages of 23 and 41 .
Their exact conditions weren ’ t immediately known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at local hospitals , where they took themselves .
The most serious injury was suffered by someone who was shot in the back , he said .
Two others were grazed but didn ’ t accept treatment , the police chief added .
Although the shooter remained at large , McManus said he didn ’ t believe there was any risk to the area .
Further details weren ’ t immediately available .
Rebar is about 2 miles ( 3.2 kilometres ) southeast of San Antonio International Airport .
A call to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not answered .


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--In Zimbabwe, people with albinism struggle against prejudice

HARARE , Zimbabwe - Each time Yvonne Gumbo , who has albinism , and her friends get together for a picture , she insists on being in the centre .
“ I tell them I make the picture beautiful because I am special , ” she told The Associated Press at her home in Zimbabwe ’ s capital , Harare , recently .
“ I have two different colours while they have one .
I am black .
I am white , “ she said , smiling .
” Who else can make the picture more beautiful ?
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way of fighting back against the deeply rooted myths and prejudices faced by people with albinism in Zimbabwe , where they are often ostracized , laughed at and pejoratively referred to as “ white people ” among other names .
While much of the world is engrossed in the race-related outrage over the death of George Floyd in the United States , Zimbabwe ’ s young people with albinism are fighting prejudices against the colour of their skin .
In nearby Malawi and Tanzania , many people with albinism are killed because their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ luck .
No such killings have been reported in Zimbabwe , which has about 70,000 people with albinism out of a population of about 15 million .
Some people stare , whistle or verbally abuse those with albinism when they walk along the streets .
Some believe sleeping with them can cure HIV .
Many others treat albinism as a curse .
But for Gumbo , none of that bothers her anymore .
These days she carries an aura of confidence she admits was absent during the first two decades of her life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life two years ago .
The stigma had gotten to me that most times .
I felt I wasn ’ t as human as the others .
I am now making up for those lost years , ” Gumbo said .
She said she only started making friends after she finished school , where she had been treated as an outcast by fellow students and even teachers .
“ I was very quiet and afraid .
Now my former classmates are shocked at how talkative and assertive I have become , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her membership in support groups .
Such programs include an annual Miss Albinism and Mr Albinism pageant , although it has been put on hold this year due to coronavirus restrictions .
“ We have to focus on success , not pity , ” said Brenda Mudzimu , founder of the Miss Albinism Trust , which runs the pageant .
The trust also offers career guidance workshops and support sessions for people with albinism .
“ Right now we have albinos who are doctors , nurses … success stories on the frontline of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to talk about them to inspire others , ” Mudzimu said .
However , the economic downturn caused by the restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19 means that many people with albinism are struggling to put food on the table , let alone afford essential items such as sunscreen , skin lotions and other medications .
The Zimbabwe Albino Association , a representative group , has been lobbying parliament to enact a law making it mandatory for government to provide free skin lotions to people with albinism .
Joyce Mutenje used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who all have albinism , by washing laundry and household cleaning for traders at a busy border town before the lockdown .
But now the border trade has stopped and Mutenje has run out of money to get skin cream for her children .
“ This is all that ’ s left , ” said Mutenje , holding two small tubes of lotion .
She hopes to make it last for two weeks by telling the children to put the lotion only on their faces .
Obey Machona , a 21-year-old media studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he is an advocate of “ taking back control of our lives as albinos.
” He said he used to support himself and his unemployed mother with part-time photography jobs .
Now those gigs have dried up due to the lockdown and items such as skin lotion have become a luxury .
“ What good is skin lotion when the stomach is empty ?
” he asked .


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--France has millions of unsold face masks after virus crisis

PARIS - The French praised the altruism of their prized textile and luxury goods companies when production facilities got diverted from churning out the latest fashions to making cloth masks designed to protect the general public from the coronavirus .
Now , the companies that helped France avoid a feared shortage of virus-filtering face wear for everyday use say they need help unloading a surplus of 20 million masks .
They asked the French government for assistance promoting and finding buyers for the unsold output of the industry ’ s national effort .
Hundreds of textile and clothing manufacturers answered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of masks superior to homemade versions .
President Emmanuel Macron last month sported a military-tested model embroidered with the tri-colour national flag to advertise the “ Made in France ” masks .
Yet within weeks , demand dried up for the domestically produced masks that sold for a few euros at supermarkets and pharmacies or were available in bulk for free distribution by businesses and local governments .
Manufacturers and the government acknowledged that many suppliers and consumers still opted for cheaper disposable face masks from Asia .
“ They were more readily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trendy underwear brand Le Slip Francais ( The French Brief ) , told French public radio service RFI .
Gibault sees the slump as a marketing and distribution problem .
The washable , specially engineered masks produced by his company and others saw “ a very strong and immediate demand ” before the excess accessories piled up in warehouses and factories .
“ Not everyone necessarily knew about what was available around them , and the public didn ’ t necessarily know where or what to buy , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ government was slow to validate their masks as effective in filtering out small particles , which slowed their ability to get to market before people were allowed to start emerging from their homes and needed masks in stores or on public transportation .
A group of industry representatives got time with two junior government ministers this week to discuss the surplus masks , as well as broader concerns about the health of fashion , textiles and luxury goods makers amid the economic fallout of the pandemic and in the long term .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pledged the government ’ s help to spread the word to distributors , local governments and other potential customers about the environmental and employment benefits of the French masks and finding buyers at home and abroad for the surplus stock .
Agnes Pannier-Runacher , state secretary to France ’ s economy minister , told French broadcaster RTL that the government ’ s objective “ is to convince large buyers to switch from single-use masks to reusable washable textile masks.
” Gibault and French Textile Industry Union President Yves Dubief agreed to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , the French textile industry has managed to mobilize and redirect its productive apparatus on our territory in order to provide the French durable textile masks with guaranteed filtration in sufficient quantities , “ Pannier-Runacher said .
” This impressive effort is to be commended .
It must now be long-term and be given support.
“ The French Textile Industry Union was the first to sound the alarm in early June on this problem of surplus .
“ The demand was such that no one had anticipated such a brutal halt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched , production does not stop with a snap of the fingers , ” Dubief told French magazine Challenges .
Some French companies were disgruntled because it was the French government that urged many of them to get into mask-making and to increase capacity so the country would produce 5 million masks a day that could be sold or given to the general public , local governments and corporations by mid-May .
The knitwear manufacturer behind the mask Macron flashed during a school visit at the beginning of May , Chanteclair , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s came from .
Owner Thomas Delise also has many unanswered questions .
The French government said this week that part of the joint industry-government mission will be “ to support the sector in adjusting its production capacities to collective needs in masks over the next few months.
” For his part , Delise thinks that blocking large imports with trade barriers might help what ails his company .
“ We don ’ t know how the pandemic will evolve .
We don ’ t know which instructions the government will give , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of equipment the professionals will want .
So today , yes , we have a surplus stock of 600,000 masks and it obviously has an impact on my company .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--Spike in deaths in Darfur points to virus’ invisible spread

CAIRO - In the sprawling refugee camps of Darfur , the war-scarred western region of Sudan , officials say the elderly are falling sick and dying at astonishing rates .
In North Darfur ’ s provincial capital of El Fasher , some say they scroll through a dozen death announcements each day : Another old friend , relative , community leader lost with dizzying speed .
Doctors in the region ’ s few functioning hospitals report an influx of patients with symptoms like a lost sense of taste , breathing troubles and fevers .
The official causes of their untimely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medical personnel believe the coronavirus is spreading unchecked and untracked through Sudan ’ s most marginalized territory , where medical facilities are few and far between and where years of conflict have left some 1.6 million people crammed into refugee camps .
Nationwide , Sudan has reported 6,879 coronavirus infections and 433 deaths , according to the Health Ministry .
Of those , 193 cases and 54 fatalities have been confirmed across Darfur — a figure experts believe is a vast undercount .
Since the beginning of the pandemic , public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus will take a disastrous toll on the world ’ s most vulnerable regions , particularly refugee camps , where social distancing , even hand-washing , prove impossible .
“ People in the camps are suffocating , they can ’ t breathe , ” said Mohamed Hassan Adam , director of Abushouk displacement camp in North Darfur .
Just a corner of the camp saw 64 unexplained deaths in one month , he said .
His four neighbours , all in their sixties , grew feeble and vanished one by one .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is no way to tell what happened , “ he said .
Authorities are scrambling to curb the spread of contagion amid a fragile democratic transition after massive protests last year toppled longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir .
“ We are in the eye of the storm , ” said Ashraf Issa , spokesman for the U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur , referring to the country ’ s exponential surge in infections .
Sudan ’ s health care system is in disarray after years of war and sanctions .
Dire shortages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by medical workers as infections rise in their ranks .
A drastic undersupply of drugs and hard currency forces the sick to purchase essential medicine out of pocket .
A lack of fuel has made it increasingly difficult for doctors and patients to reach hospitals .
“ These are the problems that Sudan faces everywhere , but in Darfur it is more severe , ” said Dr. Babikir El Magboul , director of the Health Ministry ’ s Emergency and Epidemiology Department .
“ It ’ s like a separate continent.
” Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and weakened by infectious diseases like malaria and acute watery diarrhea .
At Abushouk camp , each bathroom is shared by dozens of people .
Around the territory , markets and mosques — along with a growing number of funerals — continue to draw crowds .
Darfur , with a population of 9 million , has only around 600 health facilities , or one per 15,000 people .
With facilities scattered over an area the size of Spain , residents in rural areas must travel long distances to reach one .
Doctors say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few dozen beds , two or three ventilators and cheap gowns and surgical masks for protection equipment .
Before a new testing centre opened this month in Nyala , South Darfur , testing was centralized in one laboratory in the capital , Khartoum , which processes just around 270 samples each day .
Health workers in Darfur say that results can take a week to come through .
To fill the gap , some local doctors are working to grasp the virus ’ toll .
When El Fasher saw a spike in over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks , officials launched an investigation .
Dr. Taher Ahmed , deputy dean of El Fasher University ’ s medical college , attributed around 50 fatalities to COVID-19 , but said it was still likely an undercount .
Doctors in West and Central Darfur provinces also reported an unusual increase in deaths .
Dr. Abdullah Adam , a radiology doctor , said he knew of 47 acquaintances who died the past month after showing coronavirus symptoms in villages around Kabkabiya , near El-Fasher .
Among them were two of his uncles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost a brother and sister in the same week .
Some camps in the north saw 10 to 15 people a day dying the past week , compared to the normal rate of 5 to 10 a month , said Adam Regal , spokesman for a local organization that runs some camps .
“ We ’ re losing a whole generation , ” said Gamal Abdulkarim Abdullah , director of Zam Zam camp .
He said he documented 70 dead the past week .
“ The sharp mortality increase in Darfur is mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Dr. El Magboul .
Amid the pandemic , people with other illnesses are struggling to find treatment .
Yousef Saleh , the 70-year-old leader of El Fasher ’ s Great Mosque , died earlier this month because he couldn ’ t receive his usual diabetes care .
Darfur ’ s violent past has bred distrust that further corrodes government health efforts .
Conflict flared in the territory when African minority rebels launched a revolt in 2003 over oppression by al-Bashir ’ s Arab-dominated government .
Al-Bashir waged a brutal counterinsurgency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The trauma remains even after al-Bashir ’ s fall .
Camp residents think the coronavirus is a conspiracy to “ keep people in their homes where the old regime can come and kill them , ” said Abdullah , Zam Zam ’ s director .
Hassan Adam of Abushouk scoffed when asked whether people call the government hotline to report suspected cases .
“ The government barely knows we exist , ” he said .
It hasn ’ t helped that local authorities have clamped down on reporting .
After two female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortality rate in El Fasher and lack of protective equipment for doctors , they were promptly harassed and threatened with arrest by a military officer , according to the Darfur Journalist Association .
Many saw the incident as an ominous sign .
“ When people are in the dark , they don ’ t take things seriously , ” said Dr. Abdullah Adam .
“ I fear the worst is yet to come .
”

Isabel Debre And Sam Magdy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--World joins US protests but leaders restrained about Trump

BERLIN - People have taken to the streets of Berlin , London , Paris and other cities around the world to demonstrate in support of Black Lives Matter protesters in the United States and to vent anger over President Donald Trump ’ s response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota .
But at the top , the leaders of traditional allies of the United States have taken pains to avoid criticizing Trump directly , walking a fine line to reconcile international diplomacy with domestic outrage .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau let silence speak for itself when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcibly clear peaceful protesters outside the White House to make way for a Trump photo-op at a nearby church , standing pensively at his lectern apparently mulling his answer for more than 20 seconds before answering that Canada also suffered from “ systemic discrimination ” — never mentioning the American president .
“ We need to be allies in the fight against discrimination , we need to listen , we need to learn , and we need to work hard to fix , to figure out how we can be part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel sidestepped questions from ZDF public television about Trump last week , saying the killing of Floyd was “ really , really terrible .
Racism is something terrible , and society in the United States is very polarized.
” When pressed , she conceded that Trump ’ s “ political style is a very controversial one ” but would go no further when asked if she had confidence in him .
A combination of factors are at work , including diplomatic courtesy but also pragmatism based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another four years in November , said Sudha David-Wilp , deputy director of the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund think-tank .
“ It wouldn ’ t be proper for his peers to criticize , especially when it ’ s very obvious that they are concerned that the United States is going through an incredibly difficult time — you have the triple whammy of an economic depression , health crisis and now , of course , social unrest due to questions of racism , ” she said .
But she said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Merkel , who “ are seen as defenders of liberal democracy , and President Trump has trampled on many of the values that undergird liberal democracy , such as the protection of minorities , such as the freedom of assembly , such as the freedom of the press.
” Merkel ’ s verbal gymnastics could have been anticipated — in more than 14 years as chancellor , she has steered clear of ever critiquing allied world leaders — but even leaders who typically support Trump , like Hungary ’ s Viktor Orban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed silent on this issue .
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who has sought to cultivate close ties with Trump , called Floyd ’ s death “ appalling ” and said people have a “ right to protest to make their feelings known about injustices such as what happened to George Floyd ” but urged peaceful demonstrations .
Britain has seen several protests turn violent , and last weekend demonstrators in Bristol toppled the statue of a 17th-century slave trader .
They also spray-painted an iconic statue of former Prime Minister Winston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a racist.
” Asked Wednesday in Parliament to name Trump ’ s good qualities , Johnson stuck to generalities .
“ Mr .
Trump , he has , amongst many other things , he is president of the United States , which is our most important ally in the world today , ” Johnson said .
“ Whatever people may say about it , whatever those on the left may say about it , the United States is a bastion of peace and freedom and has been for most of my lifetime.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has in the past steered clear of criticizing Trump specifically but has been vocal in speaking out against policies like the wine tariffs introduced by the administration , has not made a public appearance since Floyd was killed on May 25 .
Floyd died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped responding .
Three days later , another black man writhed on the street in Paris as a white police officer pressed a knee to his neck during an arrest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , with growing pressure on the government to address accusations of brutality and racism within the police force .
Macron ’ s office said the president is closely monitoring the events in France and the United States but “ he did not wish to speak for the moment.
” He ’ s expected to address the nation Sunday but his office did not give further details .
A few leaders have spoken out more strongly , like Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez , who criticized the response to the protests in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in parliament last week for an explicit response on Floyd ’ s killing .
“ I share and stand in solidarity with the demonstrations that are taking place in the United States , ” he said .
And Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg told the country ’ s NTB news agency last week that she was “ deeply concerned about what is happening in the United States.
” “ The fundamental challenge of making minorities feel part of a society is essential .
We must all work with that , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridge the gap .
It is not good for any society to be as deeply divided as the United States is now.
” Ghana ’ s President Nana Akufo-Addo said last week that it “ can not be right that , in the 21st century , the United States , this great bastion of democracy , continues to grapple with the problem of systemic racism.
” And South African President Cyril Ramaphosa noted the “ naked racism in the United States , ” calling the protests a turning point .
Neither mentioned Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not weighed in , but Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the situation in the U.S. “ ridiculous.
” “ I would like to believe that before showing their zeal in protecting the rights of the ‘ suppressed ’ and ‘ dissenters ’ in other countries , U.S. authorities will start to scrupulously observe democratic standards and ensure the freedoms of their citizens at home , ” she said .
Sylvie Corbet in Paris , Jill Lawless and Sylvia Hui in London , Aritz Parra in Madrid , Jan M. Olsen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--UN chief shocked at Libya mass graves in recently freed town

TANZANIA , Tanzania - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep shock late Friday at the discovery of mass graves in Libyan territory recently recaptured from forces commanded by Khalifa Hifter , and called for a transparent investigation .
The U.N. chief also called on Libya ’ s U.N.-supported government to secure the mass graves , identify the victims , establish the causes of death and return the bodies to next of kin .
He offered U.N. support in carrying it out , U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said .
“ The secretary-general once again reminds all parties to the conflict in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law and international human rights law , ” Dujarric said .
The United Nations said earlier Friday that at least eight mass graves have been discovered , mostly in the town of Tarhuna , a key western town that served as a main stronghold for Khalifa ’ s east-based forces in their 14-month campaign to capture the capital Tripoli .
The discoveries have raised fears about the extent of human rights violations in territories controlled by Hifter ’ s forces , given the difficulties of documentation in an active war zone .
Philippe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Middle East and North Africa , said the group was working to verify the mass killings .
“ We want to be able to go in , or have the U.N. go in , and collect evidence of potential war crimes and other atrocities ... so eventually a process takes place where justice can be served , ” he said .
Last week , militias allied with the U.N.-supported government in Tripoli recaptured Tarhuna , some 65 kilometres ( 41 miles ) southeast of the Libyan capital , their latest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of Hifter ’ s gains .
Earlier , the government said it regained control of all of Tripoli ’ s entrance and exit points and Tripoli airport .
Fathi Bashagha , the interior minister in the U.N.-supported government , said earlier this week that authorities were documenting evidence of alleged war crimes in Tarhuna , noting that preliminary reports indicated dozens of victims found in the city ’ s mass graves had been buried alive .
Bashagha also said that special investigative teams uncovered a shipping container in Tarhuna full of charred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed powerful militias loyal to Hifter for “ heinous crimes.
” A feared Hifter-allied militia called al-Kaniyat , notorious for its targeting of dissenters , had controlled the town .
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker told reporters on Thursday he was “ troubled ” by reports that Tripoli forces had discovered bodies of civilians , in addition to land mines and other explosive devices in territory retaken from Hifter ’ s forces .
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 when a civil war toppled long-time dictator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The country has since split between rival administrations in the east and the west , each backed by armed groups and foreign governments .
Forces under Hifter launched an offensive trying to take Tripoli in April 2019 , and the crisis in the oil-rich country had steadily worsened as foreign backers increasingly intervened despite pledges to the contrary at a high-profile peace summit in Berlin earlier this year .
Hifter ’ s offensive is supported by France , Russia , Jordan , the United Arab Emirates and other key Arab countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey — which sent troops and mercenaries to protect the capital in January — as well as Italy and Qatar .
The U.N. political mission in Libya said it convened a meeting with a delegation from Hifter ’ s forces on June 3 and another meeting Tuesday with a delegation from the U.N.-supported government .
Guterres hopes that a cease-fire will be agreed soon , Dujarric said .
Schenker said he sees the escalating proxy war between Russia and Turkey in Libya as a challenge to regional stability , as well as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for peace and end to foreign intervention.
” Libya is teetering on the brink of a new escalation as Tripoli militias wage a campaign to recapture the coastal town of Sirte , which would provide access to the country ’ s vast oil fields under Hifter ’ s control .
The intensified fighting has forced nearly 24,000 people to flee their homes in the last week , according to U.N. humanitarian officials .
Despite intensified diplomatic activity to bring the sides to the negotiating table , Turkey appears keen to shore up its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Turkey ’ s navy and air force conducted exercises in the Mediterranean Sea near Libya , officials said , an apparent show of backing for Tripoli .
The Turkish military said the drill was meant to test and develop Turkey ’ s ability to command and execute long-distance operations .
A government official , speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations , said the manoeuvrs took place in international waters and airspace off Libya ’ s coast .
The military said 17 warplanes , based in the central Turkish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frigates took part in Thursday ’ s “ Open Sea Training.
” The drill lasted for eight hours and took place along a 1,000 kilometre ( 625 mile ) -route from the Turkish coast and back .
Turkey ’ s escalating support , including armed drones and thousands of Syrian mercenaries , signals its desire to gain more leverage in the eastern Mediterranean .
Ankara signed a maritime deal last fall with the Tripoli-based government that would grant it access to an economic zone across the Mediterranean , despite the objections from regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey has said it will begin exploring for natural resources there within months .
Fraser reported from Ankara , Turkey .
Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Isabel DeBre in Los Angeles contributed to this report .

Edith M. Lederer And Suzan Fraser - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-13--Lives Lost: Weatherman built career on skills learned in war

PORTLAND , Maine - Robert Fleury knew he wanted to serve his country when he was a teenager , so he signed up for one of the most remote assignments in World War II — tracking the weather for the U.S. Navy in the frigid Aleutian Islands off Alaska .
He would later parlay the skills he learned in Quonset huts along the Bering Sea into a decades-long career with the National Weather Service .
In Portland , Maine , where he and his wife moved after the war , the friendly , good-natured Fleury would take it in stride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was teased by town golfers after it rained on their game .
“ He would engage everyone with a funny little smile , “ Bob Fleury said of his father .
Like thousands of other veterans and elderly people in nursing homes around the country , Fleury was isolated from his family and friends when he died at 94 from the coronavirus .
He had been healthy and independent into his 90s and even overcome bladder cancer , but a fall had complicated his medical condition .
He died April 21 at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the site of a devastating outbreak that claimed 11 residents and one spouse in just a month .
EDITOR ’ S NOTE : This is part of an ongoing series of stories remembering people who have died from coronavirus around the world .
Fleury ’ s passing was difficult for his four sons because they couldn ’ t be at his bedside and say a proper goodbye like they had when their mother Patricia Fleury had died in 2011 .
Still , at their homes in four states , they celebrated their dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hunting and a good martini .
“ When my mother passed away , we were all there .
This was just completely different , “ said Bob Fleury of Liberty Hill , South Carolina .
He said his dad was seldom alone in life .
Weather was his work , but golf was his passion and he shared it with family and friends with a wry sense of humour .
One of his favourite moves on the golf course was to knock over a sign just as an opponent was about to tee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the joke many times and said it ultimately improved his concentration and made him a better golfer — his dad ’ s goal the whole time .
Robert Fleury wasn ’ t always the most outgoing person , but he was unfailingly kind and took pride in his active lifestyle .
He was stocky with powerful legs — a build his son said resembled a football player more than a golfer .
As his dad grew older , he also enjoyed running and playing squash and racquetball .
“ He was very active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fleury of Hixson , Tennessee .
“ I think that ’ s why he lived so long.
” Robert Fleury fell into the weather business almost by accident when he signed up for military duty in his teens .
He had a choice of two lines when he enlisted — one said “ submarine service ” and another offered work on a Navy weather ship .
He and a friend decided the weather ship sounded safer .
As an aerographer ’ s mate in World War II , Fleury and colleagues used ropes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they made their way between huts in the Aleutians .
After the war , he spent more than 30 years as a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Portland , Maine .
The job included doing live radio broadcasts from what is now Portland International Jetport but was then a tiny municipal airport .
His work and passion for golf sometimes collided when he failed to forecast a rainstorm .
“ Of course they picked on him , “ Bob Fleury said about locals who heard his father ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say ‘ Hey Bob , what ’ s the weather going to be like tomorrow ?
’ They ’ d honk at him and say , don ’ t you know it ’ s gon na rain ?
” Robert Fleury was born in New York City and met his future wife when they were growing up in Queens and shared a circle of friends who spent their days at Coney Island .
They were married for 67 years , beginning as teenagers just before he went off to war .
They moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the weather service offered him a spot in either Portland or Caribou in the state ’ s rural far north .
They had four sons , five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren .
His happiest days were the ones when he could take his boys and springer spaniels out duck hunting , sometimes in the marshes of Scarborough , said another son , Ronald Fleury of Portland , Maine .
Doing the things he loved seemed to contribute to his long life .