thetorontostar--2020-05-18--Democrats: Fired watchdog was looking into Saudi arms sale

WASHINGTON - Congressional Democrats say the State Department watchdog fired by President Donald Trump last week was investigating possible impropriety in a massive arms sale to Saudi Arabia last year , adding new questions to the watchdog ’ s abrupt dismissal .
Democrats said Monday that ousted Inspector General Steve Linick was probing how the State Department pushed through a $ 7 billion Saudi arms sale over congressional objections .
Democrats previously suggested the dismissal might have been tied to Linick ’ s investigation of allegations that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo may have improperly ordered staff to run personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissal late Friday comes amid broader concerns over Trump ’ s removal of inspectors general at various departments .
Trump has said he had lost confidence in those fired but has not given specific reasons , which lawmakers from both parties have criticized .
Pompeo told The Washington Post on Monday that he had recommended to Trump that Linick be removed because he was “ undermining ” the State Department ’ s mission .
He would not address specifics except to say it was not in retaliation for any investigation .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or my recommendation rather , to the president rather , was based on any effort to retaliate for any investigation that was going on , or is currently going on , ” Pompeo told the Post , adding that he did not know if Linick ’ s office had been looking into possible impropriety on his part .
Under Secretary of State for Management Brian Bulatao told the Post that confidence in Linick had begun to wane after leaks to the media last year about an IG investigation into political retaliation against career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that report was critical of several political appointees for having acted against career officials deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump .
Trump confirmed Monday that he fired Linick at Pompeo ’ s request .
“ I have the absolute right as president to terminate .
I said , ‘ Who appointed him ?
’ And they say , ‘ President Obama.
’ I said , look , I ’ ll terminate him , ” Trump said at the White House .
Rep. Eliot Engel , the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fired before the completion of the Saudi investigation .
Engel had called for that probe after Pompeo in May 2019 invoked a rarely used provision in federal law to bypass a congressional review of arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates .
“ His office was investigating — at my request — Trump ’ s phoney declaration of an emergency so he could send weapons to Saudi Arabia , ” said Engel , D-N.Y. “ We don ’ t have the full picture yet , but it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed out before this work could be completed.
“ He called for the State Department to turn over records related to Linick ’ s firing that he and the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey , had demanded on Saturday .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was “ alarming ” to see reports that the firing may have been in response to Linick ’ s investigation into the Saudi arms deal .
In a letter to Trump , she demanded an explanation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as required .
But Pelosi said it was essential that he provide “ detailed and substantial justification for the removal ” before the end of a 30-day review period .
Meanwhile , Trump ally Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , who has pushed for the protection of inspectors general , renewed a call for the White House to explain the dismissals of Linick and the earlier ouster of intelligence community watchdog Michael Atkinson .
Grassley said Congress intended that inspectors general only be removed when there is clear evidence of unfitness , wrongdoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office .
“ An expression of lost confidence , without further explanation , is not sufficient , “ Grassley said .
Over the weekend , congressional aides had suggested that the dismissal may have been prompted by a probe into allegations that Pompeo had ordered a staffer to pick up take-out food , collect dry cleaning for him and his wife , and care for their dog .
Trump said he was unconcerned by the allegations and unfamiliar with any investigations by Linick into Pompeo .
“ They ’ re bothered because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog ?
” Trump said .
“ I ’ d rather have him on the phone with some world leader than have him wash dishes.
“ The president defended the Saudi weapons sales , saying it should be as “ easy as possible ” for other countries to buy U.S. weaponry so they don ’ t get them from China , Russia and other nations .
“ We should take the jobs and take the money , because it ’ s billions of dollars , ” Trump said .
While problematic , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of severe consequence against Pompeo if proved correct .
A finding of impropriety in the Saudi arms sales could be more serious .
Engel and other congressional Democrats were appalled when Pompeo notified Congress of the decision to use an emergency loophole in the Arms Export Control Act to move ahead with sales of $ 7 billion in precision guided munitions , other bombs and ammunition and aircraft maintenance support to Saudi Arabia , along with the United Arab Emirates and Jordan , without lawmakers ’ approval .
The law requires Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , giving the body the opportunity to block the sale .
But the law also allows the president to waive that review process by declaring an emergency that requires the sale be made “ in the national security interests of the United States.
” In his notification , Pompeo said he had made the determination “ that an emergency exists which requires the immediate sale ” of the weapons “ in order to deter further the malign influence of the government of Iran throughout the Middle East region.
” It came as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over congressional objections , notably following the killing of Jamal Khashoggi , a U.S.-based columnist for The Washington Post , by Saudi agents in October 2018 .


thetorontostar--2020-05-18--3 Gulf Coast states get $88 million for fisheries flooding

NEW ORLEANS - Three Gulf Coast states are getting more than $ 88 million in fisheries disaster funds for damage from last year ’ s flooding , which included an unprecedented two openings of a spillway west of New Orleans .
“ These funds will help industries and individuals recover from this disaster , and build resilience for the future , “ U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross , who declared a fisheries disaster in September , said in a news release Monday .
The total includes $ 58.3 million for Louisiana , $ 21.3 million for Mississippi and $ 8.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garrett Graves of Louisiana said in a separate statement .
“ After waiting an entire year , we finally have a chance to right some of the wrongs caused by last year ’ s high river event , “ Graves said .
“ South Louisianans know the disaster process all too well and for years they have been victimized by cumbersome bureaucracy.
” A state report in November said Louisiana alone lost $ 256 million because heavy rains in the Midwest kept the Mississippi River at flood stage for extended periods and forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The spillway diverts polluted river water into brackish Lake Pontchartrain , which drains into the Mississippi Sound .
The fresh water dramatically reduced the sound ’ s salinity last year , affecting Alabama and Mississippi fisheries and causing toxic algae blooms that closed all of Mississippi ’ s beaches .
“ These funds are welcome news for the many fishermen who suffered through last year ’ s unprecedented opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway , but our state deserves a long-term solution to disasters like these , “ U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
He and U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo , also a Republican , said they are working to change the way federal fisheries disasters are evaluated and approved .
“ I am also pushing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider alternatives to opening the Bonnet Carré Spillway so that we can minimize the risk of these disasters in the future , ” Wicker said .
Mississippi has been pushing to have the Morganza Floodway used as an alternative to the Bonnet Carré , which was created to protect New Orleans ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The floodway , which starts west of Baton Rouge in Pointe Coupee Parish , sends water into farmland and campsites in the Atchafalaya Basin if floods threaten Baton Rouge and New Orleans .

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thetorontostar--2020-05-18--Troopers allege Kwethluk man fired at village police officer

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - A 19-year-old Kwethluk man is in custody after troopers say he staged several rifles inside the local public safety building , activated the village fire alert system and fired on a village police officer , authorities said Monday .
Troopers say in a release Bryan Nicolai was being held without bail at the jail in Bethel after the Saturday incident .
Online court records did not list any charges against Nicolai on Monday .
Troopers say after he got inside the building , he broke into the village public safety officer ’ s office and put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staged several rifles .
When an officer approached , troopers say he aimed a rifle and pulled the trigger but the weapon didn ’ t fire .
He went to grab another gun while the officer ran for cover , troopers say .
They allege he shot multiple times in the general direction of the officer with the other rifle .
A community member with a rifle arrived on scene and talked Nicolai into surrendering , troopers say .
Troopers have recommended Nicolai face attempted murder , weapons misconduct and other charges .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--China says boy picked by Dalai Lama now a college graduate

BEIJING - China said Tuesday that a boy who disappeared 25 years ago after being picked by the Dalai Lama as Tibetan Buddhism ’ s second-highest figure is now a college graduate with a stable job .
Very little information has been given about Gedhun Choekyi Nyima or his family since he went missing at age 6 shortly after being named the 11th Panchen Lama .
China , which claims that Tibet is part of its territory , named another boy to the position , Gyaltsen Norbu , who is rarely seen and is believed to spend most of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewed as a political figure under Beijing ’ s control and shares none of the Dalai Lama ’ s global fame .
Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Gedhun Choekyi Nyima “ received free compulsory education when he was a child , passed the college entrance examination and now has a job.
“ Zhao said neither the now-31-year-old man or his family wishes to be disturbed in their “ current normal lives.
” No other details were given .
The tussle between Beijing and the Dalai Lama , who fled into exile in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future of Tibetan Buddhism , which still commands heavy sway over the people of the Himalayan region that China says has been its territory for centuries but which many Tibetans believe was largely independent .
Tibet ’ s self-declared government-in-exile in India marked the 25th anniversary of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima ’ s disappearance by calling on Beijing on Sunday to account for his whereabouts .
“ China ’ s abduction of the Panchen Lama and forcible denial of his religious identity and right to practice in his monastery is not only a violation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of human rights , ” the Tibetan parliament in northern India , known as the Kashag , said in a statement .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also issued a statement on Monday calling on China to “ immediately make public the Panchen Lama ’ s whereabouts and to uphold its own constitution and international commitments to promote religious freedom for all persons.
“ The Dalai Lama named the original Panchen Lama with the help of Tibetan lamas trained in reading portents and signs .
China claims the reincarnate can only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golden urn , a method it used to pick its own candidate under the control of the officially atheistic ruling Communist Party .
Traditionally , the Panchen Lama has served as teacher and aide to the Dalai Lama , Tibetan Buddhism ’ s highest leader who is now 84 and is accused by Beijing of seeking independence for Tibet .
The Dalai Lama denies that and says he advocates greater autonomy for the region .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Gov’t to lose majority Thai Airways share in restructuring

BANGKOK - Thailand ’ s Cabinet has approved reducing the government ’ s stake in financially troubled Thai Airways International to under 50 % as part of a reorganization plan to be submitted to bankruptcy court .
The airline will lose its status as a state enterprise with the reduction in the 51 % share held by the Finance Ministry .
Thai Airways is carrying an estimated debt burden of almost 300 billion baht ( $ 9.4 billion ) .
It ran up losses of 12 billion baht ( $ 374.3 million ) in 2019 , 11.6 billion baht in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Transport Ministry will submit a list of prospective business rehabilitation planners for Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to choose from , Saksayam announced at a press conference after the weekly Cabinet meeting .
The planner will be responsible for drafting a plan to be submitted to the Central Bankruptcy Court within a year .
The plan will also be submitted to U.S. courts , Saksayam said , a standard practice for big multinational companies .
The airline initially sought a 54 billion baht ( $ 1.7 billion ) bailout loan from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus crisis .
It is not clear when its flights will resume .
The government last week extended to the end of June a ban on arrivals on international passenger flights , ruling out their immediate resumption .
“ This is the time for Thai Airways to be x-rayed to see what mistakes they have made and correct them , ” Saksayam said .
“ The prime minister helped the firm once in 2015 .
And if Thai Airways had strictly followed the plan , we should not be here today.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , when Prayuth was serving a first term as prime minister in a military government established after a coup .
The airline was already deeply in debt and needed to cut loss-making routes , reconfigure its fleet and get rid of staff through attrition .
It is almost certain to cut staff , fleet and flights under any new reorganization plan .
The airline was founded in 1960 as a joint venture between Thailand ’ s domestic carrier , Thai Airways Company , and SAS , Scandinavian Airlines System , which sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s shares were listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1991 .

Busaba Sivasomboon - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Rwanda orders release of young women jailed over abortions

KIGALI , Rwanda - Rwanda ’ s president has pardoned and ordered the release of 50 young women who were jailed for having or assisting with abortions .
Justice Minister Johnston Busingye said the women released Tuesday were the last to be freed .
Last year , President Paul Kagame ordered the release of 52 women .
Kagame also informed the cabinet Monday that a total of 3,596 inmates had been granted “ conditional release ” from prison .
The government is trying to reduce the number of inmates to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion was illegal in Rwanda with a prison sentence for anyone who had an abortion or helped in terminating a pregnancy .
The new law says abortion is allowed in cases such as rape , forced marriage , incest or instances where the pregnancy poses a health risk .
The law requires that abortions be carried out only after consultation with a doctor .
But Sylvie Nsanga , a prominent women ’ s rights advocate , said the requirement to consult a doctor and seek a parent ’ s consent remains a challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get support for an abortion in Rwandan culture .
There are no doctors in rural areas and travelling far from a village to look for one can carry a stigma , she added .
“ It means girls will continue to get pregnant , abort , be imprisoned and then get pardoned by the president , ” Nsanga told The Associated Press .
“ There should be move conversation about the penal code that prohibits health professionals such as midwives from providing abortions .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--EasyJet reveals ‘sophisticated’ hack of customer details

LONDON - U.K.-based budget airline easyJet says that “ highly sophisticated ” hackers have accessed the email addresses and travel @ @ @ @ @ customers .
It also said Tuesday that its “ forensic ” investigation found that the @ @ @ @ @ people were accessed .
It added that all affected customers will be contacted in the @ @ @ @ @ there was “ no evidence “ that the personal information has been misused .
“ @ @ @ @ @ the incident , it has become clear that owing to COVID-19 there is heightened concern @ @ @ @ @ for online scams , “ said easyJet Chief Executive Officer Johan Lundgren .
Lundgren apologized @ @ @ @ @ said every business must continue to “ stay agile to stay ahead of the threat @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque to reopen after Muslim holiday

JERUSALEM - The Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem , the third holiest site in Islam , will reopen next week after the conclusion of a major holiday , following weeks of closure aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus , authorities said Tuesday .
The Islamic endowment overseeing the site under Jordanian custodianship had taken the unprecedented step of closing it to worshippers in March as other major holy sites were shuttered across the Middle East .
The endowment said that “ in light of the relative decline of the spread of the virus ” it would reopen the site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan , which will begin this weekend and last for three days .
“ A mechanism and procedures regarding lifting the suspension ” will be announced later , it added .
The raised esplanade is home to the Al-Aqsa mosque and the iconic golden Dome of the Rock .
It is also the holiest site for Jews , who refer to it as the Temple Mount because it was the location of the first and second Jewish temples in antiquity .
The site has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict , and perceived encroachments by Israeli authorities and hard-line Jewish groups have ignited clashes on a number of occasions .
Israel says it has no intention of changing the status quo at the site .
The site is in east Jerusalem , which Israeli seized in the 1967 war and later annexed in a move not recognized internationally .
The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state .
Israel and the Palestinian Authority imposed sweeping lockdowns in mid-March aimed at containing the virus , limiting travel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close .
Many of the restrictions have been lifted in recent weeks as the rate of new infections has declined .
Israel has reported more than 16,600 cases and around 270 deaths , with more than 13,000 of the patients having recovered .
The Palestinian Authority has reported around 390 cases and two fatalities , with around 340 people having recovered .
The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , who recover within a few weeks .
But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness or death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with underlying conditions .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Missouri execution would be first since pandemic began

O ’ FALLON , Mo .
- The pause in U.S. executions during the coronavirus pandemic likely will end Tuesday with the scheduled lethal injection of a Missouri inmate for slaying an elderly woman nearly three decades ago .
Walter Barton , 64 , would be the first person executed in the U.S. since Nathaniel Woods was put to death in Alabama on March 5 .
Soon after that , efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus shut down the U.S. economy and led to strict limits on social distancing , including inside prisons .
Three states have put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
Republican Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson said Monday that he had not heard anything to make him reconsider the execution , which he said would “ move forward as scheduled.
” A federal appeals court on Sunday overturned a 30-day stay of execution granted by a judge two days earlier .
Barton ’ s attorney has asked for a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court .
Gladys Kuehler operated a mobile home park in the town of Ozark , Missouri , near Springfield .
In October 1991 she was found dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beaten , sexually assaulted and stabbed more than 50 times .
Barton has long said he was innocent , and his case has been tied up for years due to appeals , mistrials and two overturned convictions .
Other states , including Ohio , Tennessee and Texas , have postponed executions after attorneys argued that pandemic-related closures prevented them from securing records or conducting interviews for clemency petitions and court appeals .
Attorneys also expressed concerns about interacting with individuals and possibly being exposed to the virus .
And , they ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes placing prison workers and witnesses in close proximity to each other , could lead to spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in the prison housing Missouri ’ s execution chamber in Bonne Terre , about 60 miles ( 97 kilometres ) south of St. Louis .
Missouri Department of Corrections spokeswoman Karen Pojmann said everyone entering the prison will have their temperatures checked and will be offered face coverings .
Witnesses will be divided into three rooms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other journalists and state witnesses , and people there to support Barton .
No relatives or other supporters of the victim plan to attend , Pojmann said .
Barton often spent time at the mobile home park that Kuehler operated .
He was with her granddaughter and a neighbour on the evening of Oct. 9 , 1991 , when they found Kuehler dead in her bedroom .
Police noticed what appeared to be blood stains on Barton ’ s clothing , and DNA tests later confirmed it was Kuehler ’ s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he pulled Kuehler ’ s granddaughter away from the body .
The granddaughter first confirmed that account but testified that Barton never came into the bedroom .
A blood spatter expert at Barton ’ s trial said the three small stains likely resulted from the “ impact ” of the knife .
In recent court filings , Barton ’ s attorney , Fred Duchardt Jr. , cited the findings of another blood spatter expert .
Lawrence Renner examined Barton ’ s clothing and boots and concluded the killer would have had far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurors recently signed affidavits calling Renner ’ s determination “ compelling ” and saying it would have affected their deliberations .
The jury foreman said that based on the new evidence , he would have been “ uncomfortable ” recommending the death penalty .
“ I don ’ t know how anybody could look at the evidence now and convict him , ” Duchardt said .
The last execution in Texas , the nation ’ s busiest capital punishment state , was Feb. 6 .
Seven executions that were scheduled since then have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had some connection to the pandemic while the seventh was related to claims that a death row inmate is intellectually disabled .
The next execution in Texas is set for June 16 .
Officials have instituted a process requiring witnesses to be be subject to the same screening required of prison employees before entering the facility , Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jeremy Desel said .
The screening involves questions based on potential exposure to the coronavirus and health inquiries .
Texas ’ death chamber is not a heavy traffic area and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison in Huntsville , and it is constantly cleaned , Desel said .
AP reporter Juan Lozano in Houston contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--India and Bangladesh brace for strong cyclone

NEW DELHI - A strong cyclone was moving toward India and Bangladesh on Tuesday as authorities tried to evacuate millions of people while maintaining social distancing .
Cyclone Amphan is expected to make landfall on Wednesday afternoon , and forecasters warned of extensive damage from high winds , heavy rainfall , tidal waves and some flooding in crowded cities like Kolkata .
The cyclone had winds of 220-230 kilometres per hour ( 136-142 miles per hour ) and is forecast to weaken before landfall around India ’ s West Bengal state and Bangladesh .
It is the second super cyclone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay of Bengal , said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra , India ’ s meteorological chief .
The first of that classification was the devastating 1999 cyclone in Odisha state that left nearly 10,000 people dead .
“ This type of cyclone can be disastrous .
...
It is completely unsafe , ” Mohapatra said .
Videos and photos from the eastern Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha showed some families along the coast or flood-prone areas being evacuated to cyclone shelters .
Some carried bags with their belongings , and all had their face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went from village to village warning people of the incoming cyclone .
“ Evacuations are necessary , ” warned Mohapatra , pointing out that tidal waves could move 25 kilometres ( 15 miles ) inward , along the many rivers that criss-cross the Bengal delta .
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has also warned that the cyclone could flood vast swaths of southwestern and southern Bangladesh .
Amphan ’ s winds were whirling 700 kilometres ( 435 miles ) from its eye as it approached land .
It ’ s forecast to pass between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India ’ s West Bengal state and Hatiya Island in Bangladesh with a weaker wind speed of 165 to 175 kph ( 102-108 mph ) .
Several districts in West Bengal will feel the brunt of the storm , said Mohapatra .
Flooding is a risk in Kolkata due to crowding and poor drainage , and the storm surge could raise river levels in the Bengal delta , he said .
Fishing trawlers and boats in Bay of Bengal have been asked to take shelter until further notice .
Before reaching the Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Odisha state and evacuations have begun in the region , officials said .
After reaching land , the cyclone is expected to move away fast and weaken by Thursday .
The eye of the storm is likely to pass through the Sunderban mangrove forests , one of the largest tracts of mangrove forests in the world .
The forests are likely to absorb some of the cyclone ’ s impact , officials said .
Bangladesh ’ s junior minister for disaster management and relief , Enamur Rahman , said he ordered local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and makeshift structures to take more than 5 million people to safety before the cyclone crosses the region .
Debasis Shyamal , a fisherman in Digha , said evacuations had yet to start , but people were staying indoors .
“ We are mentally prepared for the cyclone , but there are some concerns about social distancing , ” he said .
Alam reported from Dhaka , Bangladesh .
Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report .

Aniruddha Ghosal And Julhas Alam - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Biden hires former Harris aide to help with Latino outreach

WASHINGTON - Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign is bringing on the granddaughter of civil rights leader César Chávez as a senior adviser to help with Latino outreach and building out its operation in the states .
Some Latino leaders have criticized the Biden campaign , saying it ’ s not doing enough to reach out to the key demographic group .
The new adviser , Julie Chavez Rodriguez , previously worked as co-national political director on California Sen. Kamala Harris ’ s presidential campaign and was her California state director before that .
She also served in the Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s engagement with LGBT , Latino , veteran , youth , education , labour and progressive leaders .
She ’ s joining Cristóbal Alex , a former president of the Latino Victory Fund , who serves as Biden ’ s senior adviser for issues involving Hispanic voters .
Biden is viewed with skepticism by some Latinos for his ties to deportation policies during the Obama administration .
He struggled with Latino outreach throughout the Democratic presidential primary , facing pro-immigration protesters , and last November his most senior Latina aide quit the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hadn ’ t focused enough on Latino voters .
Indeed , Latino voters strongly sided with Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primary .
But the Biden campaign has ramped up its outreach to Latinos in recent weeks .
Earlier this month , Biden held an online event with the League of United Latin American Citizens at which he focused on the poor conditions experienced by workers at meatpacking plants , many of whom , he noted , are black or Latino .
His campaign is reportedly working on a multimillion-dollar outreach plan focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden also spoke with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as she was named to a unity task force aimed at bridging the gap between Biden and Sanders supporters .
Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast , “ Ground Game .
”


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--UN: Civilian casualties by Taliban, Afghan forces rising

KABUL - The United Nations on Tuesday called for an immediate reduction of violence in Afghanistan , warning that civilian casualties at the hands of both the Taliban and Afghan security forces are on the increase .
The U.N. mission also expressed concern about stepped-up attacks and brutality of the Islamic State group .
A horrific attack last week at a maternity hospital in the Afghan capital has not been claimed by any group , but the United States said it bears all the hallmarks of Afghanistan ’ s IS affiliate — targeting the country ’ s minority Shiites in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have repeatedly attacked in the past .
The Taliban denied involvement in the maternity hospital attack , which killed 24 people , including two infants and several new mothers .
The U.N. report blamed the Taliban for killing or injuring a total of 208 civilians last month and also said that operations by Afghan forces in April had killed or injured 172 civilians .
Civilians are often caught in the crossfire of the fighting and Afghan forces say they are targeting the insurgents , not civilians , in anti-militant operations .
Taliban spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tweet and blamed “ blind airstrikes and artillery fire by U.S. and internal forces “ for the casualties .
“ Parties have committed to finding a peaceful solution and should protect the lives of all Afghans and not jeopardize people ’ s hope for an end to the war , ” said Deborah Lyons , the U.N. chief ’ s special representative to Afghanistan .
She added that “ intra-Afghan peace negotiations need to start as soon as possible.
“ The U.N. ’ s call for an end to violence comes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zalmay Khalilzad , began another round of talks with the Taliban to press them to start talking to the newly reconciled Afghan political leadership in Kabul and implement an immediate reduction in violence , said the U.S. State Department .
Khalilzad , who is the architect of a U.S.-Taliban deal signed in February , has been trying to salvage the agreement and jump-start intra-Afghan negotiations between the Taliban and the Kabul government .
A power-sharing agreement on Sunday between President Ashraf Ghani and his rival , Abdullah Abdullah , ended months of wrangling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S.-Taliban peace deal , which calls for negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan leaders , can start .
The Taliban have said a permanent cease-fire would be on the agenda but have been critical of repeated delays in the promised prisoner release , which is to be completed before talks begin .
The U.S. State Department statement said Khalilzad would meet with the Taliban in Qatar , where the insurgents maintain a political office , and would “ press for steps necessary to commence intra-Afghan negotiations , including a significant reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kabul .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who said in March that the U.S. would cut $ 1 billion in U.S. aid to Afghanistan unless Ghani and Andullah resolved their differences , has bemoaned the time lost to their bickering .
“ The United States remains committed to supporting the desire of the Afghan people and the international community for a political settlement that ends the 40-year conflict and ensures Afghanistan never again serves as a platform for international terrorism , ” the State Department statement said .
The U.S.-Taliban deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NATO troops , but only if the Taliban live up to their end to battle other militant groups , such as the Islamic State affiliate .
The increasingly brutal IS attacks seem to have given urgency to U.S. efforts to get the Taliban into a co-ordinated battle against the group .

Kathy Gannon And Rahim Faiez - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Lesotho’s prime minister resigns after pressure over murder

MASERU , Lesotho - Lesotho ’ s Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has resigned after losing a struggle with leaders of his party who wanted him out over allegations of his involvement in the 2017 murder of his estranged wife , Lipolelo .
The 80-year-old Thabane had said he would go at the end of July , but rivals in his All Basotho Convention party reached a deal with the main opposition Democratic Congress to form a new government in the southern African nation .
A Council of State meeting on Monday advised King Letsie III to swear in Finance Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the king ’ s senior private secretary , Monehela Posholi .
That left Thabane no choice but to leave in a historic smooth transfer of power without a no confidence vote or elections .
“ The time to retire from the great theatre of action , take leave from public life and office has finally arrived , ” Thabane said in a televised address Monday .
He asked citizens to give his successor the “ utmost support.
” Thabane served as prime minister from 2012 to 2015 and from 2017 to now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was pushed out by opponents allegedly for failure to deliver on electoral promises .
Despite his requests to regional Southern African Development Community mediators , Thabane leaves without any guarantees from immunity from prosecution for the 2017 murder .
Thabane had filed for divorce from Lipolelo when she was shot dead near her Maseru home on the night of June 14 , 2017 .
The attack occurred just two days before Thabane was sworn in for his second stint as prime minister .
His current wife , Maesaiah , who is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Thabane asked the constitutional Court to stop the courts from trying him for the crime while he remained in office .
His retirement means he could now stand trial .
Among Majoro ’ s immediate tasks as prime minister will be to pass the budget and revive the economy .
Despite confirming only one case of the coronavirus , Lesotho ’ s economy has taken a massive hit due to the global slowdown .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Ceremony marks 10th anniversary of quashing of Thai protests

BANGKOK - A group of former demonstrators gathered in Thailand ’ s capital on Tuesday to remember those killed when soldiers violently ended a months-long anti-government protest 10 years ago .
Around 50 people died when troops , firing live rounds and backed by armoured vehicles , stormed barricades to drive out thousands of protesters known as the Red Shirts .
They had occupied part of the city ’ s central business district to try to force out a government they considered illegitimate .
The fatalities included a nurse who was shot in the grounds of a temple as she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who participated in the protest attended Tuesday ’ s memorial event , led by Red Shirt chairman Jatuporn Prompan .
There was little sign of politics and no rousing rhetoric .
Instead , the atmosphere was solemn and subdued .
The mourners gave gifts to Buddhist monks and then knelt while the monks chanted prayers .
Under pressure from the government , commemorations of the killings have dwindled in size in recent years .
The Red Shirt movement is also no longer the force it once was .
Restrictions on large-scale gatherings are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Some supporters said they would hold commemorations online .
The army attack on the Red Shirt encampment on May 19 , 2010 , ended a massive sit-in that had paralyzed Bangkok ’ s central business district for three months .
Firing live rounds , soldiers stormed through the camp ’ s barricades and pursued fleeing protesters .
The situation had turned increasingly violent , with around 40 people dying in previous clashes in the run-up to the final assault , most of them unarmed demonstrators .
But several soldiers died too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying the Red Shirts had an armed faction .
The incident remains bitterly divisive .
On Tuesday , Jatuporn said there has been no justice for either side and the issue has been left to fester .
“ All the families of fallen heroes face the same sadness , with no difference among the more than a hundred lives lost , whether they were civilians or officials , ” he said .
“ There should have been a thorough investigation , autopsies and trials , otherwise their deaths are meaningless.
” The demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it step down .
Most supported ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra , who had been ousted by the army in 2006 .
Administrations loyal to Thaksin were then forced out by court rulings that many considered to be judicial coups .
No one has ever been charged over the deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--UK jobless claims surge by record amount as pandemic hits

LONDON - Unemployment claims in Britain jumped by a record amount in April to their highest level since the 1990s , underscoring the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the economy despite programs being put into place to keep workers on payrolls .
Jobless claims surged by 856,000 in April to 2.1 million , the highest since 1996 and an increase of 69 % from the month before , the Office of National Statistics said Tuesday .
The figures covered only the first weeks of the lockdown , said Jonathan Athow , deputy national statistician for economic statistics at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was , economists suggested it could have been much worse .
The government created a job retention program to prevent millions of people from being laid off by effectively putting them on the government payroll .
“ The fact unemployment hasn ’ t already shot up far higher given the huge fall in GDP and temporary closure around a quarter of businesses is a good result for the government , which reflects the 7.5 million people on its furlough scheme that may otherwise have been made redundant , ?
said Andrew Wishart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government wage support scheme is due to ask employers to share costs from August , so job losses could accelerate if employers decide that their businesses can ’ t survive and give up .
Among the sectors hit hardest were hospitality and construction .
Job vacancies also dropped sharply , with the number of empty posts falling by 170,000 to 637,000 , in the three months to April compared with the previous quarter .
The unemployment rate was at 3.9 % in March , the last month for which full labour market statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise toward 10 % by the fall .
Economist Kallum Pickering of Berenberg bank said that would mean an increase in the number of unemployed workers to around 3.3 million from about 1.35 million in March – far exceeding the previous peak of 2.7 million in October 2011 in the wake of the financial crisis .
An unemployment rate peak of 10 % would still be well below the rate in the U.S. , where the jobless rate hit 14.7 % already in April and is forecast to rise further .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Asian shares rise, Europe falling amid hopes for vaccine

TOKYO - European shares have opened lower after a rally on Wall Street fueled by optimism over a potential vaccine for the coronavirus ran out of steam .
France ’ s CAC 40 slipped 0.6 % in early trading to 4,471.87 , while Germany ’ s DAX lost 0.4 % to 11,010.30 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 edged down 0.6 % to 6,014.68 .
U.S. shares were set for declines , with Dow futures falling 0.4 % to 24,415.0 .
S & P 500 futures were also down at 2,937.12 , down 0.4 % .
A report that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for initial public offerings revived caution over the potential for more friction between the U.S. and China .
Dispiriting economic data also cast a shadow as trading got underway in Europe .
But in Asia the mood was upbeat after the drug company Moderna said it had promising results from a coronavirus vaccine .
Japan ’ s benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.5 % to finish at 20,433.45 .
Australia ’ s S & P/ASX 200 jumped 1.8 % to 5,559.50 .
South Korea ’ s Kospi was up 2.3 % to 1,980.61 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.9 % to 24,388.13 , while the Shanghai Composite edged up 0.8 % to 2,898.58 .
That was “ the biggest mood booster for markets , given the fact that the lingering coronavirus implications remain the single biggest issue holding back the market from recovery and a contributor to other risk factors including U.S.-China tensions , ” Jingyi Pan of IG said in a commentary .
Massachusetts-based Moderna saw its stock jump 20 % in New York trading Monday .
A safe , effective vaccine for the new coronavirus would help reinforce confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Experts have warned , however , that development of such a vaccine will likely take many months , and possibly years .
Investors also have been encouraged by remarks over the weekend from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell , who expressed optimism that the U.S. economy could begin to recover in the second half of the year .
Once the outbreak has been contained , he said , the economy should be able to rebound “ substantially.
” Benchmark U.S. crude oil added 70 cents to $ 32.52 a barrel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a barrel Monday .
Brent crude , the international standard , rose 5 cents to $ 34.86 a barrel .
The U.S. dollar inched up to 107.47 Japanese yen from 107.31 yen on Monday .
The euro rose to $ 1.0952 from $ 1.0920 .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--2017 video shows Georgia officer tried to tase Ahmaud Arbery

SAVANNAH , Ga. - A video released Monday shows police in Georgia attempting to search Ahmaud Arbery ’ s parked car in 2017 and when he refuses to let them and begins to walk back to the vehicle an officer tries to use a stun gun on him .
The video , first obtained by The Guardian , shows Arbery refusing Glynn County police when they ask to search his Toyota and as he walks toward his vehicle he is told “ don ’ t reach the car ” and “ keep your hands out your pockets.
” The officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use it , but it malfunctions and Arbery is told to get down on the ground , which he does .
When Arbery questions why the cops are bothering him he ’ s told that the area is known for drugs , a suggestion that agitates Arbery who said he is not on drugs and to check his “ s—- !
” Officers then proceed to check him for weapons while clarifying this action was not a search , but a check .
In a police report , also obtained by The Guardian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parked when confronted by officers , was free to go but could not take his vehicle because his license was suspended .
The report said that after he left the scene they noticed Arbery ’ s passenger side window was open and that they smelled what they believed to be marijuana and noticed a bag with a leafy substance inside .
Calls and emails to the Glynn County Police Department and Abery ’ s family attorney Benjamin Crump have not been returned .
Arbery was killed Feb. 23 after a pursuit by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gave chase after seeing the 25-year-old black man running in their subdivision .
More than two months passed before Gregory McMichael , 64 , and Travis McMichael , 34 , were jailed on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault .
A judge from outside the coastal Georgia community where Arbery was fatally shot has been appointed to preside over trial proceedings of the two men charged with Arbery ’ s murder , including one defendant with close ties to law enforcement .
Court documents filed in Glynn County show that Superior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the case after all five judges in the legal circuit where Arbery was killed recused themselves .
Walmsley is based in Savannah , about 70 miles ( 110 kilometres ) north of where the slaying occurred just outside the port city of Brunswick .
Gregory McMichael , a retired investigator for the local district attorney , told police he thought Arbery was a burglar .
He said Arbery attacked his son before he was shot .
Arbery ’ s mother , Wanda Cooper-Jones , has said she believes her son was merely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges and a cellphone video of the shooting leaked shortly before the May 7 arrests fueled national outrage over Arbery ’ s death .
Last week , defence attorneys for the McMichaels cautioned against rushing to judgment .
They said they soon plan to seek a preliminary hearing from a magistrate judge in Glynn County at which new details might be revealed .
They also plan to ask that the McMichaels be released from jail on bond pending trial .
That decision will now fall to Walmsley .
No court hearings had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McMichael worked as an investigator for the local district attorney for more than two decades before he retired last year .
Attorneys for Arbery ’ s family and others have blamed the delay in arrests in part on the elder McMichael ’ s ties to local law enforcement .
The McMichaels weren ’ t charged until after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was brought into the case in early May .
Meanwhile , three district attorneys have passed on prosecuting the case , which now resides with the district attorney of Cobb County @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Rubio steps in to lead Senate Intelligence Committee

WASHINGTON - Florida Sen. Marco Rubio will temporarily become chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee , Republican leaders announced , taking charge of the panel at a time of turnover and tension in the nation ’ s intelligence community .
Rubio will replace North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr , who said last week that he would step aside after federal agents examining his recent stock sales showed up at his home with a warrant to search his cellphone .
Friday was Burr ’ s last day in the position .
Along with House and Senate leaders and the top Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rubio will now have access to some of the highest-level secrets in Congress as part of a small “ Gang of Eight ” that receives the most sensitive information .
A former Republican presidential candidate who eventually endorsed Donald Trump in 2016 , he has also worked with Democrats on the panel on its investigation into Russian election interference and other matters .
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner , the top Democrat on the panel , said in a statement Monday that Rubio “ has been a great partner on intelligence and national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to working with him .
Rubio ’ s promotion comes amid repeated tension between the White House and the intelligence community .
Trump has fired , ousted or moved aside multiple officials in the last year , including the inspector general of the intelligence community , Michael Atkinson , who triggered the beginning of impeachment proceedings last year when he tried to warn Congress about a call between Trump and the president of Ukraine .
Trump has also repeatedly questioned the intelligence agencies ’ conclusions that Russia attempted to interfere in the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclusion in a report last month — including that Russia had a preference for Trump — and Rubio has repeatedly warned that Russia could try again .
The Senate panel ’ s report “ is another stark reminder of the threat foreign adversaries pose to our elections and the need to remain vigilant as we approach election season this November , ” Rubio said after the report was released .
The new chairman ’ s first official act will be a closed-door committee vote Tuesday to approve the nomination of Texas Rep. John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ratcliffe would replace former DNI Dan Coats , who left the post last summer .
A close ally of Trump ’ s , Richard Grenell , is currently in the acting position .
Rubio has focused much of his Senate career on foreign policy , particularly Russia and China , and he is a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations panel .
He is also the chairman of the Senate small-business committee , where he has been negotiating relief measures during the coronavirus pandemic .
In announcing Rubio ’ s appointment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Mitch McConnell did not say whether he would keep the small-business gavel .
McConnell said that Rubio is a “ natural choice ” and that congressional oversight was needed “ to keep partisan bias and political interference “ out of intelligence matters .
“ His care for our nation ’ s security , advocacy for our values and interests , and vigilance toward threats have earned a national reputation , ” McConnell said .
“ On subjects ranging from China and Russia to Iran and North Korea to tyranny and unrest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been on the case for years.
” Rubio issued a short statement thanking McConnell for the post .
“ I am grateful to Leader McConnell for his confidence in me to lead the Senate Intelligence Committee during Senator Burr ’ s absence from the chairmanship , ” he said .
“ The committee has long been one that conducts its work seriously , and I look forward to continuing that tradition.
” The Justice Department is investigating whether Burr exploited advance information when he unloaded as much as $ 1.7 million in stocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic caused markets to plummet .
Burr , who will remain on the committee , has denied any wrongdoing .

Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Carrier sidelined by coronavirus heads back to sea this week

WASHINGTON - The USS Theodore Roosevelt will return to sea later this week , nearly two months after the ship was sidelined in Guam with a rapidly growing coronavirus outbreak , U.S. officials said as the crew finished final preparations to depart .
In an interview from the aircraft carrier , Navy Capt .
Carlos Sardiello said Monday the ship will sail with a scaled-back crew of about 3,000 , leaving about 1,800 sailors on shore who are still in quarantine .
Those include up to 14 sailors who recently tested positive again , just days after getting cleared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 reappearance in the sailors adds to the difficulty in getting the ship ’ s crew healthy again , and fuels questions about the quality of the testing and just how long sailors may remain infected or contagious .
Sardiello would not discuss timelines or planned operations .
But other U.S. officials said the ship is expected to leave in the next few days , and if all goes well it will conduct naval operations in the Pacific region for some period of time before heading home to San Diego .
The officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss military operations .
Asked about the possibility the ship will be able to conduct missions after its two-month layoff in Guam , Sardiello expressed confidence .
“ Do I have a crystal ball ?
I do not .
But I think we have set the conditions for a high probability of success , and we ’ re going to go to sea and do our mission , ” he said .
The Roosevelt has been at the centre of a widening controversy that led to the firing of the ship ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navy secretary and an expanded investigation into what triggered the outbreak and how well top naval commanders handled it .
More than 1,000 sailors on the ship have tested positive over the past two months , and the entire crew has had to cycle through quarantine on shore before being allowed to reboard .
Preparing to go back to sea has been an intense process , requiring sailors to go through mandated preparations and training to ensure all the systems are working and that troops are ready despite the added requirements of masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other virus-related restrictions .
Sardiello said they were able to get special black neck gaitors for the flight deck crew , because wearing regular masks wouldn ’ t be safe .
And they ’ ve set up one-way corridors , spaced out berthing for the crew members , and are keeping mess halls open longer so fewer sailors are there at any one time .
Once at sea , the crew will conduct carrier qualifications for the flight-deck crew , including fighter jet take-offs and landings .
After about two weeks , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick up healthy sailors who have finished quarantine and then return to sea .
“ We ’ re at the time where expect the unexpected and deal with it .
There ’ s no good news .
There ’ s no bad news .
It ’ s COVID and we don ’ t understand it completely , “ said Sardiello .
“ We ’ re executing according to plan to return to sea , and fighting through the virus is a part of that.
” As of Monday , 14 sailors had tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 others who came in contact with them were sent ashore for quarantine .
All 14 had previously tested positive for the virus and had gone through at least two weeks of isolation .
Before they were allowed to go back to the ship , all had to test negative twice in a row , with the tests separated by at least a day or two .
The sudden reappearance of the virus reflects a broader puzzle for health and science experts .
It may suggest that the test wasn ’ t given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t in the nasal passages but was still elsewhere .
There also are questions about whether the virus level can sometimes be too low for detection .
Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Daniel Wright said a few sailors who work for him were among those who tested positive again .
“ They were obviously discouraged at first , ” Wright said in an interview from the Roosevelt , adding that one sailor had just returned to the ship , had unpacked and was eager to get back to work .
” The nice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have little to no symptoms at all and are just waiting for that final check in the box with a clean bill of health so they could join the rest of the crew.
“ Wright said that while things were difficult in the early days of the outbreak , morale is better now as sailors look forward to getting back to sea , wrapping up their deployment and heading home .
“ Half the crew would , I ’ m sure , be happy to just sail straight home to San Diego once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
But he added that this is some sailors ’ first deployment and some sailors ’ last , so “ to be able to finish something that they started back in January — it ’ s a good milestone for all of us to shoot for.
” After the outbreak was discovered and the ship docked in Guam , more than 4,000 crew members went ashore for testing and quarantine , while about 800 remained on the ship to protect and run the high-tech systems , including the nuclear reactors that run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sailors were methodically brought back on board , while the others who had remained went ashore for quarantine .
Sardiello , a former Roosevelt captain , was abruptly sent back to the ship in early April to take command after Capt .
Brett Crozier was fired for urging his commanders to take faster action to stem the virus outbreak onboard .
After a preliminary review last month , Adm. Mike Gilday , the Navy ’ s top officer , recommended that Crozier be reinstated as ship captain .
But the Navy decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which effectively delays a decision on Crozier ’ s reinstatement , is supposed to be done by the end of the month .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Trump’s use of malaria drug likely to be welcomed in India

NEW DELHI - President Donald Trump ’ s declaration that he was taking an antimalarial drug of dubious effectiveness to help fend off the coronavirus will likely be welcomed in India .
Trump ’ s previous endorsement of hydroxychloroquine catalyzed a tremendous shift in the South Asian country , spurring the world ’ s largest producer of the drug to make much more of it , prescribe it for front-line health workers treating the virus and deploy it as a diplomatic tool , despite mounting evidence against using the drug for COVID-19 .
Trump said Monday that he was taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration , however , has cautioned against using it outside of hospitals because of the risk of serious heart problems .
Suhhil Gupta , a pharmacist in New Delhi , said Tuesday that Trump ’ s announcement shouldn ’ t carry any weight in India .
“ He ’ s not a pharmacist .
His statements are not relevant to the field , ” Gupta said .
Still , India ’ s policy on the decades-old drug , used to prevent malaria and treat lupus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump tweeted in March that the drug , used together with an antibiotic , could be “ game changers ” in the fight against the pandemic .
India ’ s health ministry quickly approved it as a prophylactic for health care workers and others at high risk of infection , and as a treatment for critically ill patients .
Officials in Mumbai even drew up a plan to administer hydroxychloroquine to thousands of slum dwellers as a preventive measure against the virus .
Indian health officials have declined repeated requests for comment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last of which occurred May 11 .
The rules say that drugs such as hydroxychloroquine be used only after a rigorous scientific and ethical review , continued oversight by an ethics committee and ensuring informed consent — none of which happened with HCQ , according to Dr. Amar Jesani , a medical ethics expert .
The Mumbai proposal was ultimately shelved amid questions of the ethics of administering HCQ , as the drug is known , without first subjecting it to clinical trials .
Still , the Indian government has recommended more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 rules for emergency use of untested drugs , Jesani said .
India initially banned HCQ exports , but lifted the ban after Trump threatened “ retaliation.
” At the same time , India ’ s government ordered manufacturers to ramp up production from 1.2 million to 3 million pills a month — causing company shares to skyrocket .
From the U.S. to Australia , sales jumped .
Officials have even said that Indian plantations could increase the growing capacity of cinchona trees , whose bark contains the compound quinine , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1860s .
Quinine can also be made synthetically .
The Indian government itself purchased 100 million HCQ pills , according to government data , to distribute to states and donate to countries including Afghanistan , Myanmar and the Dominican Republic .
India is the world ’ s largest producer of generic drugs , a fast-growing industry that has brought down pharmaceutical prices globally .
During the HIV/AIDs crisis , India played a similar role as in the coronavirus pandemic , boosting global supplies of life-saving drugs .
The problem this time , experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is based on a flimsy study , with little to no evidence that it prevents or treats COVID-19 .
Still , a sharp rise in demand has reduced supplies for patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis .
India ’ s hurried guidance has also impeded scientific trials that could determine whether the benefits of taking HCQ outweigh the risks .
“ We should do a trial .
I think that is the right way to come to answer on this question .
But the ( government ) made our job harder , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has proposed a trial .
Meanwhile , evidence against using HCQ for the coronavirus is growing .
A U.S. study of 368 patients in veterans ’ hospitals , the largest study yet examining HCQ ’ s value as a coronavirus antidote , found no benefits and even more deaths among those given the drug .
The Indian government ’ s own assessment of 19 drugs found that HCQ wasn ’ t the most promising .
A task force noted that while HCQ was readily available , the strength of scientific evidence for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With more than 101,000 cases and 3,163 deaths , the coronavirus hasn ’ t yet overwhelmed India ’ s limited health care system .
But that ’ s starting to change in some hot spots as a stringent weeks-long nationwide lockdown begins to ease , allowing for greater mobility of the country ’ s 1.3 billion people .
Nowhere is this clearer than in Maharashtra , the coastal state in central India bearing a third of India ’ s virus caseload .
The state ’ s medical education and research agency has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and clinics , according to court records .
Agency chief Dr. Tatyarao P. Lahane said protocols set by India ’ s government were being followed and declined to answer further questions .
Dr. Shriprakash Kalantri of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Maharashtra said the government was recommending HCQ for “ off label , ” or unapproved , use , meaning that patients must be told that “ there is a small but significant risk that it might harm you.
“ “ If there is no evidence backed by solid clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodies pushing this drug and giving an impression to the public that this is a magic bullet and this is your last hope ?
” Kalantri said .
Associated Press writer Biswajeet Banerjee in Lucknow , India , contributed to this report .

Emily Schmall And Aniruddha Ghosal - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Billionaire Saudi banking tycoon dead at 79, family says

RIYADH , Saudi Arabia - Billionaire Saudi businessman Saleh Abdullah Kamel , who founded the banking and real estate conglomerate Dallah Albaraka Group , has died , according to relatives quoted in the kingdom ’ s media .
He was 79 .
People close to Kamel told The Associated Press he died at the Dr. Samir Abbas Hospital in the city of Jiddah , where he was taken after suffering a heart attack early on Tuesday .
Kamel ’ s business empire grew from its humble beginnings in the late 1960 ’ s — at the same time that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly develop and in need of homegrown companies to build roads , highways and cities .
Over the years , the business expanded to tens of thousands of employees and today includes subsidiaries and stakes in a range of businesses , such as the operation and maintenance of airports and roads , tourism , trade , trucking and transportation , telecommunications , media , agriculture , poultry and health care .
Kamel ’ s son and the CEO of Dallah Albaraka Group , Abdullah Kamel , was quoted in the state-linked Okaz newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayers will be held Tuesday afternoon in Mecca ’ s Grand Mosque , which has been closed to visitors amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The fact that his funeral prayers are being permitted at the mosque , which is home to Islam ’ s holiest site , reflects Kamel ’ s prominence and stature in Saudi Arabia .
Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV network said Kamel , who was born in Mecca but based in Jiddah , was instrumental in helping build many of the kingdom ’ s ports and major projects .
He served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the General Council for Islamic Banks and the Jiddah Chamber of Commerce .
He once owned a significant stake in Saudi broadcaster MBC , which owns and operates Al-Arabiya .
His life , however , was not without controversy .
Following the 9-11 attacks , he and other prominent Saudi businessmen and princes were sued on charges of financing the attacks .
The lawsuits were dismissed by the U.S. District Court of New York in 2005 .
The Wall Street Journal had reported at the time that U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to transactions by suspected al-Qaida members .
However U.S. officials gave no indication that Kamel or his son , Abdullah , knowingly aided al-Qaida or other militant groups .
Kamel was also reportedly swept up in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’ s anti-corruption purge in 2017 .
The unprecedented Saudi crackdown saw the country ’ s top princes and businessmen detained at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh , with many forced to sign over billions of dollars in assets .
The sweep , which was conducted largely in secret behind closed doors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was widely criticized by international rights groups .
Across Muslim countries and at home , Kamel was heavily involved in philanthropy and charity .
A multi-million dollar donation in 2010 established the Abdallah S. Kamel Center for the Study of Islamic Law and Civilization at Yale Law School in the U.S. Associated Press writer Aya Batrawy in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Iran sentences couple to death over money laundering

TEHRAN , Iran - A special anti-corruption court in Iran has sentenced a couple to death on money laundering and other charges , the judiciary said Tuesday .
The couple — Najva Lasheidaei and her husband Vahid Behzadi — are said to have smuggled hard currency and laundered $ 200 million , said judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili .
Authorities also confiscated nearly 300 kilograms of gold from the couple and said they had bought 6,700 cars from Saipa , one of top two automakers of the country .
In connection to the Saipa part of the charges , the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azizi to five years in prison each , as well as Mehdi Jamali , a former CEO of Saipa , to seven years in prison .
Both lawmakers represent the city of Zanjan , about 300 kilometres ( 187 miles ) northwest of the capital , Tehran .
Under Iranian law , the couple can appeal the verdicts within 20 days .
Their lawyers were not reachable for comment .
Iran is struggling to battle corruption , including among its lawmakers .
Last week , Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed the trade and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen car prices skyrocket by more than 60 % .
Iran ’ s constitutional watchdog barred some 90 lawmakers from running for reelection in February ’ s parliamentary elections , accusing an unspecified number of them of corruption .
In 2019 , a court sentenced Rouhani ’ s brother and close confidante of the president , Hossein Fereidoun , to five year prison term for financial misconduct .
The charges date back to 2016 , and were brought by hard-liners who dominate the country ’ s judiciary .
Iran has been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and imposed crippling trade sanctions on Iran .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Iraq military: Rocket hit Baghdad Green Zone, minor damages

BAGHDAD - A rocket struck Baghdad ’ s heavily fortified Green Zone , the seat of Iraq ’ s government , early on Tuesday morning , according to an Iraqi military statement , the first attack on the area since a new prime minister was sworn in earlier this month .
The Katyusha rocket hit an empty house , causing minor damages .
The Green Zone is where government buildings and foreign embassies are located .
A preliminary investigation indicated the rocket was launched from the nearby Al-Idrisi neighbourhood on Palestine Street , the statement said .
An Iraqi official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Embassy , without elaborating .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations .
Previous attacks have frequently targeted the U.S. presence in Iraq , including the embassy and Iraqi bases hosting American troops .
The U.S. has blamed Kataib Hezbollah , an Iraqi militia group backed by Iran , of perpetrating the attacks .
The new administration of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi , who came to power earlier this month , is preparing for a strategic dialogue with Washington , expected to take place next month .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-operation between both countries .
The issue of militias acting outside of state control is also expected to be on the agenda .
Al-Kadhimi ’ s government , meanwhile , is scrambling to address a severe financial crisis brought on by falling oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Mexico City virus deaths triple official toll, group says

MEXICO CITY - A registry of death certificates in Mexico City suggests there were 4,577 cases where doctors mentioned coronavirus or COVID-19 as a possible or probable cause of death , more than three times the official death toll in the city .
The federal government acknowledges only 1,332 confirmed deaths in Mexico City since the pandemic began , less than a third as many as the investigation revealed .
The additional 3,245 deaths in Mexico City , if they are confirmed or added to official counts , would push the national death toll from the 5,666 reported by federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new deaths reported nationwide Tuesday was the second-highest single-day death toll so far , and the national increase in new cases — 2,713 — was the highest one-day rise to date .
The number of deaths among medical personnel increased by one-third in the last week , reaching 149 , more than half of them doctors .
Medical personnel constitute 11,394 infections , one-fifth of all cases nationwide .
But Mexico City , with 9 million residents , has been the hardest hit area of the country , and where official death counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The anti-corruption group Mexicans Against Corruption said in a report Monday that it got access to a database of death certificates issued in Mexico City between March 18 and May 12 .
It showed that in explanatory notes attached to 4,577 death certificates , doctors included the words “ SARS , ” “ COV2 , ” “ COV , ” “ Covid 19 , ” or “ new coronavirus.
” The virus ’ technical name is SARS-CoV-2 .
The notes the group counted included terms like “ suspected , ” “ probable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus in the deaths .
In 3,209 of the certificates , it was listed as a suspected contributing factor along with other causes of death , like pneumonia , respiratory failure , septic shock or multiple organ failure .
Only 323 certificates list confirmed coronavirus as a cause of death ; 1,045 other death certificates listed COVID-19 but didn ’ t specify if it was suspected or confirmed .
The group did not say how it accessed the database , which was kept by local courts .
But it noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during that March 18-May 12 period .
Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum has acknowledged there are more deaths than have officially been reported , and has said a special team of epidemiologists will review the death figures .
“ What we are saying now is that in addition to those with a positive COVID test , are there more ?
Yes , there are more , ” Sheinbaum said Tuesday .
“ When is that going to be made public ?
According to Mexican standards this will definitely have to happen and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to comply with the standards concerning the review of the medical certificates.
” Mexico performs relatively few tests ; only about 150,000 have been carried out so far in a nation of about 125 million people .
Federal officials acknowledge some victims have died without being tested and have pledged that cases in which death certificates mention coronavirus as a possible or probable cause of death will eventually be added to official death toll .
But they have suggested those “ suspected ” cases were only about a tenth of test-confirmed deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reacted angrily to new reports in the past that claimed Mexico was undercounting its deaths on the federal level , and the annti-corruption group ’ s report was unlikely to please him .
He has criticized the group the past for allegedly opposing his policies and representing business interests .
He has mockingly called it “ Mexicans For Corruption.
” Sheinbaum repeated that mocking term Tuesday and claimed there were efforts to create a split between her administration and the federal government .
Both she and López Obrador belong to the Morena party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Claudio X. Gonzalez , a lawyer , activist and the son of a prominent business magnate .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Court throws out major literacy ruling in Detroit schools

DETROIT - A federal appeals court on Tuesday threw out a groundbreaking decision that said Detroit students had a constitutional right to education and literacy , just days after Michigan ’ s governor settled the case by agreeing to seek millions from the Legislature to improve education .
The 6th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals set aside an April decision by one of its panels , a rare step .
But the deal reached by Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer still will stand , a lawyer for students said .
Detroit students claimed poor conditions in schools had made learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , judges Eric Clay and Jane Stranch said there ’ s a constitutional right to “ access to literacy , ” even if the U.S. Supreme Court has never declared it .
The full 6th Circuit has the power to scratch a decision and hear arguments again with multiple judges if a case “ involves a question of exceptional importance , ” according to its rules .
“ It ’ s not a legally binding decision anymore , ” said Evan Caminker , co-counsel for students and the former dean at University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Whitmer , a Democrat , said she was settling the case .
She agreed to ask the Republican-controlled Legislature to spend at least $ 94.4 million for literacy programs in the Detroit district and take other steps .
The seven plaintiffs would also share $ 280,000 for their own education .
The lawsuit began when Gov .
Rick Snyder , a Republican , was in office .
The 6th Circuit ’ s intervention “ does not affect the settlement , ” Caminker said .
“ The settlement is a binding agreement between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response from Whitmer ’ s office to a request for comment .
Opinions by the 6th Circuit set legal precedent in federal courts in Michigan , Ohio , Tennessee and Kentucky .
The opinions also can be cited by lawyers and judges in federal courts around the country .
Caminker said the governor agreed to settle the case because there was momentum in favour of the students after the decision by Clay and Stranch .
“ The community was pleased with the decision .
It was the right time for the governor to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--UN official warns of escalating Libyan war citing foreigners

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The top U.N. official in Libya warned Tuesday that the war in the North African country will “ intensify , broaden and deepen ” because of increasing foreign intervention and the influx of weapons , military equipment and mercenaries to both sides .
Acting U.N. special envoy Stephanie Williams said the escalation will have “ devastating consequences for the Libyan people ” who are “ getting lost in the mix , their voices crowded out.
” She urged the U.N. Security Council to apply “ consistent and credible pressure on those regional and international actors that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video briefing to the council came a day after forces allied with Libya ’ s U.N.-supported government wrested control of a key military base on the outskirts of the capital , Tripoli .
from eastern-based forces under commander Khalifa Hifter that have been trying to capture the city of 2 million people since April 2019 .
Loss of the al-Waitya airbase in Tripoli ’ s southwestern desert reaches was a heavy setback for Hifter ’ s forces .
In a statement late Tuesday , Hifter ’ s military command announced that its fighters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tripoli ’ s southern reaches over the last days of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan .
The withdrawal , it said , would expand the buffer zone around the besieged capital to allow families to visit each other safely in celebration of the Eid al-Fitr festival May 23 .
Hifter ’ s forces urged Tripoli militias that support the government to do the same “ to avoid bloodshed ” during the holiday .
There was no immediate response from the Government of National Accord based in the capital .
But Col. Mohamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces , appeared to dismiss the cease-fire proposal , tweeting that “ there is no red line ” and “ any target that poses a threat ... will be bombed without exception.
” Hifter ’ s push on Tripoli has led mainly to a stalemate but the loss of the al-Waitya airbase in Tripoli ’ s southwestern desert was a heavy setback .
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 , when a civil war toppled long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi , who was later killed .
The country has since split between rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , each backed by armed groups .
The turmoil in the oil-rich country has steadily worsened as foreign backers increasingly intervene — despite pledges to the contrary at a high-profile peace summit in Berlin earlier this year .
Williams called on Berlin participants to urgently back a halt to the inflow of military support from abroad , which violates a U.N. arms embargo .
Turkey has sent armoured drones , air defences to prop up the embattled Tripoli government while Hifter ’ s forces are backed by the United Arab Emirates , Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ links to extremist groups , meanwhile , are fighting on both sides .
Libya ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Taher Al-Sunni told the council that government forces captured a number of Russian-made air defence systems at the al-Waitya airbase on Monday , destroyed UAE armoured vehicles , and found tons of high-tech weapons .
“ And before that , we shot down several long-range drones made in China , ” he said .
Al-Sunni said government forces and their allies have also killed and captured UAE-recruited mercenaries from Chad , Sudan and Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wagner Group .
The escalation in fighting comes despite increased international pressure on both sides to return to negotiating a political settlement and to halt the violence over concerns about the spread of the coronavirus .
Libya has reported at least 65 cases of COVID-19 , including three deaths .
But Tripoli-based Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord Fayez Sarraj vowed after Hifter ’ s forces were routed from the airbase on Monday to “ liberate all cities and regions ” in Libya .
Ambassador Al-Sunni went further , telling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the efforts to defeat the aggressor will continue with all our might and by all means to extend the state authority over all the country.
” The Libyan envoy accused Hifter of rejecting every peaceful solution and delegating himself “ as the ultimate rule and tyrant of the country , “ stressing said his “ hands are stained with the blood of the innocent.
” “ Those who have been betting on him have lost their bet , ” Al-Sunni said .
“ He has taken himself out of any dialogue for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s why the government is now calling on Hifter ’ s supporters to put down their weapons and surrender , “ and side by our nation so we can end this cycle of conflict and sit for dialogue and reconciliation.
” During the council meeting , Acting British Ambassador Jonathan Allen and U.S .
Ambassador Kelly Craft called for a halt to the transfer of military equipment and personnel to Libya , singling out Wagner Group mercenaries .
U.N. experts monitoring sanctions against Libya said in a report obtained by AP earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided by the private Russian security company to support Hifter have acted “ as an effective force multiplier.
” “ Wagner Group activities continue to exacerbate the conflict , “ the UK ’ s Allen said .
Alluding to Russia and the U.N. arms embargo resolution against Libya , he added : “ I want to urge all Security Council members to abide by the resolutions of this council , which they themselves have voted for.
” Russia ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council Moscow is concerned about reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said : “ We believe the supply of arms and mercenaries should be stopped.
” Nebenzia said the Russian government has no legislation controlling private military companies and accused the U.N. experts of basing their findings on “ sources of dubious quality , ” and of “ deliberate falsifications ” about weapons , with the aim of “ discrediting Russia ’ s policy in Libya.
” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre contributed to this report


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--US extends heightened border enforcement during coronavirus

WASHINGTON - A Trump administration policy of quickly expelling most migrants stopped along the border because of the COVID-19 pandemic was indefinitely extended Tuesday , with a top U.S. health official arguing that what had been a short-term order was still needed to protect the country from the virus .
The order issued by Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , authorizes Customs and Border Protection to immediately remove migrants , including people seeking asylum , as a way to prevent the potential spread of the virus while in custody .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial 30-day order in March , and it was extended for another month in April .
The new version notably has no fixed end date , though it says the CDC will review public health data every 30 days to ensure it is still necessary .
Administration officials have defended the policy amid criticism from human rights advocates who say the U.S. is using health as a pretext to deny people the right to seek asylum and to enact immigration policies aimed at appealing to supporters of the president in an election year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to protect our health , it ’ s to sow division and advance his political agenda , “ said Andrea Flores , deputy director of immigration policy for the American Civil Liberties Union .
Under the policy , CBP has been sending Mexican and Central American migrants they encounter along the southwestern border back to Mexico in about two hours .
It is turning people from other countries over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for rapid repatriation , removing people who might have remained in the country for months , or even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Rights First , a nonpartisan human rights organization , said the CDC order has already been used to block and expel thousands of asylum-seekers to dangerous places .
“ This new extension of the CDC order will end U.S. refugee and child protections at the border indefinitely , endangering rather than saving lives , ” said Eleanor Acer , the group ’ s senior director for refugee protection .
“ There is little doubt that the Trump administration will wield this indefinite ban to expel and block asylum-seekers and children for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration is no longer in office.
” The U.S. is also quickly expelling migrants encountered entering across the northern border with Canada , though there are far fewer than along the southwest .
Acting U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf said in announcing the extension that the restrictions were one of the most critical tools his department has to “ prevent the further spread of the virus and to protect the American people , DHS front-line officers , and those in their care and custody from COVID-19.
” The previous order was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new one would remain in effect until “ the danger of further introduction of COVID-19 into the United States has ceased to be a serious danger to the public health.
” He also noted that vaccines and treatment for the virus were still months away and that cases were increasing in the U.S. , Canada and Mexico .
Canada , Mexico and the U.S. shut their borders by mutual agreement to nonessential traffic in March to help control the spread of the virus .
Trump followed that up in April with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. for 60 days in an effort to limit competition for jobs amid the economic collapse from the outbreak .
The president has long advocated restrictions on both legal and illegal immigration and has raised concerns for years about foreigners competing with American citizens for jobs .
But he denied he was using the virus to make good on a long-standing campaign promise during an election year .
Also Tuesday , the Trump administration asked a federal appeals court to allow it to terminate an agreement that places limits on the detention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flentje told a panel of the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in California that “ repeated border crises that are driven by irregular family migration ” required the government to adopt new rules and replace what ’ s known as the Flores settlement .
In court filings , lawyers for migrants said ending the agreement would give ICE new powers to detain children and parents indefinitely and “ eviscerate their right to a neutral review of whether they are eligible for release.
” Associated Press writer Nomaan Merchant contributed to this @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Cuomo: Some hospital visits, Memorial Day gatherings OK

NEW YORK - COVID-19 patients will be allowed visitors in some New York hospitals and small Memorial Day ceremonies will be allowed .
In New York City , online schooling will continue through the summer for some 177,700 public school students .
Here are the latest coronavirus-related developments in New York : Sixteen hospitals in New York state will allow visitors as part of a pilot program addressing the heartbreak of COVID-19 patients suffering while isolated from their families and friends .
Cuomo said visits under the two-week pilot program will be time-limited .
Visitors will need to wear protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and symptom checks .
Strict visitation rules were adopted to check the spread of the virus , but they have resulted in painful scenes of patients relying on phones or tablets for emotional conversations with loved ones .
“ It is terrible to have someone in the hospital and then that person is isolated , not being able to see their family and friends , ” Cuomo said .
Nine of the hospitals participating are in New York City , with the rest spread out around the state .
Cuomo made the announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline .
There are an average of 335 new hospitals admissions a day .
There were 105 new deaths recorded Monday .
New York will allow Memorial Day ceremonies with up to 10 people despite statewide lockdown rules , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday .
Ceremonies marking the Monday holiday with 10 or fewer people will be allowed by the state , but at the discretion of local governments , Cuomo said .
Nonessential gatherings have been barred in New York since March , but the governor said honouring the sacrifices of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Localities can also stage vehicle parades , which have become more popular during the pandemic .
“ This is important to many , many families all across this state , ” the governor said at his daily briefing .
“ It ’ s important to the veterans that they be recognized , and I think we can do that , and I think we can do it safely.
” A Cuomo aide said the rule applies to traditional activities like wreath layings and that social distance rules will still apply .
Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Civil Liberties Union , said Cuomo appears to be talking about selectively applying the state ’ s gathering prohibition , which would be clearly unconstitutional .
“ He ’ s welcome to support people who want to salute veterans , but people who want to criticize veterans are also entitled to have demonstrations , or people who have any other message , ” Dunn said .
New York officials have been gradually relaxing lockdown rules since the peak of the outbreak .
Cuomo said that Albany and the surrounding Capital Region are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions Wednesday , which would make it the seventh region to start opening in upstate New York since last week .
New York City remains under the economic lockdown along with Long Island and the mid-Hudson Valley , which includes the city ’ s northern suburbs .
SCHOOL YEAR STRETCHES INTO SUMMER FOR 1 IN 6 NYC STUDENTS New York City ’ s virus-disrupted school year will extend into the summer for 177,700 youngsters , or about one in six students in the public school system , Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer where unprecedented learning can happen , ” de Blasio said at his daily coronavirus briefing .
School buildings have been closed since March 16 in New York City , the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States , and efforts to move instruction online were hampered by the fact that many students lacked devices for connecting to their virtual classrooms .
De Blasio said 284,000 Internet-enabled devices have been delivered to students who needed them .
Instruction will be online in the summer as well , but de Blasio has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to school buildings in September .
Summer school will be five days a week for high school students and four days for children in grades 3 through 8 , Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza said .
It will include virtual field trips and one-on-one check-ins with guidance counsellors and social workers .
The six-week summer session will be either required or suggested for students at risk of being held back , Carranza said .
There are at least 102,000 students who will be required to participate in the online summer session if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next grade , a city Department of Education spokeswoman said .
That ’ s more than double to 44,000 students who were required to attended summer school in 2019 .
De Blasio said he will urge state lawmakers to pass legislation providing line-of-duty death benefits to the families of New York City employees who died of COVID-19 .
“ We need to take this weight off the shoulders of the families of these valiant New Yorkers , ” said de Blasio , who said 270 city employees have died of the virus so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local elected officials have been pushing for the death benefit .
“ We are glad that Mayor de Blasio has finally come around to recognizing the heroes of this crisis.
, “ Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said in a statement.v ” But it ’ s a long way from a press conference to legislation , so we will hold our applause until we see something in writing.
” De Blasio said the benefits should go to the survivors of all city employees , not just uniformed service members .
The city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers and school paraprofessionals .
De Blasio said he did not know how much it would cost to provide the benefit .

Marina Villeneuve, Karen Matthews And Michael Hill - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--Palestinian leader declares end to agreements with Israel, U.S.

RAMALLAH , WEST BANK—Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday declared an end to all agreements and understandings with Israel and the United States , according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa .
Abbas ’ statement came in response to Israeli plans to annex settlements and the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank , which could move forward quickly after Israel ’ s new government was sworn in .
“ The Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine are absolved , as of today , of all the agreements and understandings with the American and Israeli governments , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency meeting .
The leader added that this would include security arrangements .
Abbas has threatened similar moves in the past , but has not implemented them .
He added that Israel would now have to “ shoulder all responsibilities and obligations in front of the international community as an occupying power over the territory of the occupied state of Palestine , ” according to Wafa .
The United States , as a “ primary partner with the Israeli occupation government , ” will be “ fully responsible for the oppression of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel ’ s new government plans to annex settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank , in accordance with U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s Middle East plan .
The plan , released in late January , was widely criticized , and Palestinians have rejected it out of fear it will recognize Israeli claims to parts of the West Bank that they want for a future state .
The U.S. plan said some 30 per cent of the occupied West Bank should become part of Israel under any future peace deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been boycotting the U.S. government since Trump unilaterally recognized Jerusalem as Israel ’ s capital in late 2017 .
Israel ’ s acting prime minister , Benjamin Netanyahu , began his fifth term in office Sunday .
The coalition deal signed by Netanyahu , of the right-wing Likud , with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz , who is set to take on the role of prime minister in November 2021 , states that Netanyahu may ask the cabinet and parliament to vote on annexation as early as July 1 .
Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War .
The Palestinians claim the territories for their own state , with East Jerusalem as its capital .


thetorontostar--2020-05-19--2017 video shows Georgia officer tried to stun Ahmaud Arbery

SAVANNAH , Ga. - More than two years before he was fatally shot in a Georgia subdivision , Ahmaud Arbery had a tense confrontation in a public park with police officers who attempted to use a stun gun on him after Arbery angrily protested being bothered and refused to let them search his parked car .
“ You bothering me for nothing !
” Arbery tells one of the Glynn County police officers whose body camera recorded the encounter on Nov. 7 , 2017 .
Arbery was killed Feb. 23 by a white father and son who armed themselves and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man running down their street .
More than two months passed before a video of the killing emerged , sparking an outcry .
Gregory McMichael , 64 , and Travis McMichael , 34 , were then jailed on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault .
Attorneys for Arbery ’ s parents said Tuesday that the body camera video from 2017 shows Arbery being harassed by the same police department that declined to arrest his killers .
The McMichaels were taken into custody after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 2017 encounter , officer M. Kanago writes that he pulled up behind Arbery ’ s car parked in an open field at a public park because it was a “ known area for drugs and other criminal activity.
” First obtained by The Guardian , the video released Monday shows Arbery repeatedly declining when an officer asks to search his Toyota .
A backup officer arrives , and tells Arbery “ don ’ t reach the car ” and “ keep your hands out your pockets.
” This second officer then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arbery raises his hands out to his sides .
The device just clicks loudly ; the officer later says it malfunctioned .
Arbery complies with orders to get on the ground , and he goes to his knees .
At the beginning of the encounter , Arbery hands over his driver ’ s license and asks the first officer on the scene why he ’ s being bothered .
When he ’ s told that the area is known for drugs , Arbery becomes angry .
“ Criminal activity ?
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
What the f—- you talking about ?
” The first officer pats him down looking for weapons .
“ I ’ m not searching you .
I ’ m checking you for weapons , ” he says , adding : “ You don ’ t have any warrants.
” Absent probable cause or a court-issued warrant , police generally aren ’ t allowed to search a parked car without permission .
Arbery was not arrested or charged with any crimes .
S. Lee Merritt , an attorney for Arbery ’ s mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arbery being harassed by police .
“ The same reason that Ahmaud Arbery was killed was the same reason he was stopped in that park .
It was the criminalization of blackness itself , “ Merritt said at a news conference .
” They saw a black man alone in the park and said , ‘ You know what , this appears suspicious.
’ ” Officer Brandon Kondo , a Glynn County police spokesman , said the department “ is not issuing any statements regarding the Ahmaud Arbery case , or previous interactions.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia Bureau of Investigation , which is handling the shooting investigation .
In the police report , the first officer on the scene wrote that as Arbery , bare-chested beneath an open coat , became angry , “ I observed veins popping from his chest which made me feel that he was becoming enraged and may turn physically violent toward me.
” As the officer calls for backup , the body camera video shows Arbery shouting at him : “ You hit me with that s—- , bitch , you gon na be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stun him , Arbery and the officers seem to calm down .
On his knees , Arbery says : “ So in the park chilling , then , that ’ s a crime ?
” “ Well , when it ’ s way back here ... it ’ s kind of weird , ” one of the officers replies on the body camera footage .
“ We don ’ t see cars sitting out here that often.
” The officers let Arbery go about eight minutes after the encounter began .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t drive off in his car because he has a suspended license .
He walks away .
Two law enforcement experts who reviewed the video for The Associated Press said they saw no blatant abuses by the officers .
It ’ s possible the attempt to stun him was justified by Arbery ’ s aggressive behaviour , though his anger also seems understandable , said Nirej Sekhon , a Georgia State University law professor who studies policing .
“ He ’ s there in the park and if we take him at his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason not to — he ’ s trying to have a moment to himself and being questioned by police is aggravating , ” Sekhon said .
Maria Haberfeld , a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York , said she would have liked to see the officers act a bit more “ calm and collected , ” but added that “ they acted by the book.
” Police also released video Tuesday of Arbery ’ s Dec. 1 , 2017 , arrest outside a Brunswick Walmart store on shoplifting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered to lie face-down while being handcuffed .
Court records show Arbery pleaded guilty to trying to steal a television and was sentenced to five years on probation .

Russ Bynum And Kate Brumback - The Associated Press