thetorontostar--2020-10-11--The Latest: Delta’s remnants raise inland flood, storm risks

NEW ORLEANS - The Latest on Delta ( all times CDT ) : COLLEGE PARK , Md .
— Rain from post-tropical cyclone Delta is saturating states across the Deep South , Tennessee Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States .
The Weather Prediction Center says in a 4 a.m. advisory that the once-major hurricane is expected to drop 3 to 6 inches ( 8 to 15 centimetres ) of rain on parts of Georgia , the Carolinas and Virginia .
Flash , urban and small stream flooding is forecast for those states , with the Calcasieu and Vermillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderate to major river flooding in the coming week .
The system is located early Sunday roughly 65 miles ( 105 kilometres ) east-northeast of Tupelo , Mississippi , and about 120 miles ( 190 kilometres ) south-southwest of Nashville , Tennessee .
Maximum sustained winds are around 30 mph ( 45 kph ) and expected to weaken over the next several hours .
Delta is forecast to dissipate over central Appalachian states by Sunday night .
Forecasters say a few brief tornadoes are possible in the Carolinas on Sunday .
ATLANTA — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in parts of the Southeast , prompting flash flood and tornado warnings in the Atlanta area and other parts of Georgia .
There were no immediate sightings of any confirmed tornadoes but fallen trees and other storm damage were reported .
WSB-TV reported one of the storms on Saturday heavily damaged a homeless shelter in Covington , east of Atlanta .
One of the station ’ s reporters visited the site and said the storm punched holes in the roof of the Rainbow Community Center .
The report said about 20 men eating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be housed overnight in a nearby gymnasium .
Elsewhere , emergency officials said low-lying roads in parts of Atlanta and its suburbs were inundated by heavy rains and there were reports of downed trees .
BATON ROUGE , La .
— Gov .
John Bel Edwards spoke in Jennings after flying over the damage from Hurricane Delta .
He told southwest Louisiana residents on Saturday , a day after Delta ’ s landfall : “ We ’ re going to work as hard as we can as fast as we can to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
As if Hurricane Laura wasn ’ t enough.
” He added : “ We have tens of thousands of Louisianans today who are hurting , and we need to lift them up both in prayer , but also by our deeds.
” The governor says still no deaths have been reported from the storm .
But he continued to urge people to be cautious in their recovery work and in their use of generators .
Seven of the 32 deaths attributed to Laura came the day that hurricane struck weeks ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon monoxide poisoning from generators .
“ Laura was much more destructive in terms of the wind damage .
... but there was more water from this one , ” Edwards said .
MIAMI — The remnants of Hurricane Delta are now spreading rain and winds across parts of Mississippi , Arkansas and Alabama as the tropical depression heads inland .
The National Weather Service said Saturday afternoon that between 3 and 6 inches ( 7 and 15 centimetres ) of rain could fall in spots around the Southeast in coming hours , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolated minor river flooding .
Places in the forecast path of the storm include the Appalachian region of far northeast Georgia , the western Carolinas and western Virginia .
Forecasters say parts of northern Alabama and the Tennessee Valley into the MidAtlantic region could see between 1 and 3 inches of rain ( 2.5 and 7.6 centimetres ) of rainfall from the remnants .
Delta crashed ashore Friday evening in southwest Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane and then began weakening quickly over land .
MIAMI — A handful of counties in Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities of Montgomery and Atlanta , are under a tornado watch until Saturday evening .
The National Weather Service said the watch was in place until 9 p.m. local time .
A tornado watch means weather conditions are favourable for tornadoes .
A warning means a tornado has been indicated or seen on a weather radar .
Delta stormed ashore late Friday as a Category 2 hurricane , but has weakened significantly since .
The centre of the storm hit land at 6 p.m. Friday near Creole , Louisiana , with top winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Delta is the 10th named storm to hit the continental United State this year , breaking a century-old record .
MIAMI — A hurricane that swept ashore in Louisiana less than 24 hours ago has weakened to a tropical depression and is bringing heavy rain to western Mississippi .
The National Hurricane centre says maximum sustained winds of what was once Hurricane Delta were clocked at 35 mph ( 55 kph ) at around 10 a.m. local time Saturday .
Delta was centred about 65 miles ( 105 kilometres ) north-northwest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northeast at 16 mph ( 26 kph ) .
Hurricane Delta made landfall as a Category 2 storm in southwestern Louisiana .
The centre of the storm hit land at 6 p.m. Friday near Creole , with top winds of 100 mph ( 155 kph ) .
Delta is the 10th named storm to hit the continental United State this year , breaking a century-old record .
LAKE CHARLES , La .
— A Louisiana parish heavily hit by Hurricane Delta is experiencing rising waters from heavy rain .
Sheriff Tony Mancuso of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles were overturned on Interstate-10 westbound and said area residents who evacuated should not be in a rush to return .
He said the situation remains “ dangerous.
” Still , he said anyone who can not afford to be gone for more than several days can head back , but with caution .
He said people just need “ to use some good common sense.
” He said rising water is the biggest problem , and areas prone to flooding have been flooded .
MIAMI — Tropical Storm Delta is sliding over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several inches of rain in the state .
Maximum sustained winds were at 40 mph ( 65 kph ) Saturday morning , according to the National Hurricane Center .
The system is expected to further weaken to a tropical depression later in the day .
Delta is centred about 45 miles ( 70 kilometres ) east of Monroe , Louisiana .
The storm is forecast to continue moving to the north-northeast over parts of Mississippi and into the Tennessee Valley through Sunday .
MIAMI — Wind speeds associated with Tropical Storm Delta are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana and Mississippi .
The National Hurricane Center says in its Saturday morning update that maximum sustained winds are at 45 mph ( 75 kph ) .
That ’ s down significantly from when the storm came ashore Friday evening as a Category 2 hurricane with top winds of 100 mph ( 155 kph ) .
All watches and warnings for Delta were discontinued in the 4 a.m. advisory .
Forecasters say the system will continue its path over northern Mississippi Saturday morning and into the Tennessee Valley throughout the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday for eastern Mississippi , Alabama , the Florida Panhandle , and western and central Georgia , forecasters said .
MIAMI — Delta has been downgraded from a once powerful hurricane to a tropical storm as it moves inland across the U.S. South .
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Delta came ashore Friday evening in southwest Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane but quickly weakened and has become a tropical storm as it moves inland .
By Saturday morning , it had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph ( 95 kph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving to the north-northeast on a track across central and north Louisiana that is expected to continue through Saturday morning .
The system is expected to become a tropical depression later Saturday as it moves across northern Mississippi into the Tennessee Valley .
Power outages in Louisiana and neighbouring Texas neared 600,000 homes and businesses early Saturday , according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us .
Almost 40,000 outages were reported in Mississippi .
Hurricane Delta is driving further inland as strong winds continue to hammer the southwest Louisiana coast .
The National Hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 8 p.m. CDT about 20 miles ( 35 kilometres ) east-northeast of Lake Charles , the main city in the region .
Maximum sustained winds have dropped to 85 mph ( 140 kph ) and forecasters say Delta is expected to weaken to a tropical storm in coming hours as it heads deeper into the South .
The hurricane centre warns heavy rainfall remains a threat in parts of Louisiana through Saturday as the storm crosses the state .
It says that could lead to major river flooding .
Additional flooding is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi Valley , according to the forecast .
LAKE CHARLES , La .
— The mayor of Lake Charles in southwest Louisiana says tarps that were put up to protect buildings damaged six weeks ago by Hurricane Laura are now flying off in Hurricane Delta ’ s strong winds .
Mayor Nic Hunter told The Associated Press tarps were being ripped away from rooftops .
He was hunkered down in a secure location in downtown Lake Charles .
“ Tarps are being blown off all throughout the city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made landfall Friday evening as a Category 2 hurricane .
He added : “ I ’ m in a building right now with a tarp on it and just the sound of the tarp flapping on the building sounds like someone pounding with a sledge hammer on top of the building .
It ’ s pretty intense.
“ He said piles of unsecured debris from Laura are also being tossed about in Delta ’ s high winds .
He said some of the debris was moving into the streets and floating in water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Category 1 storm as it moves inland along Louisiana ’ s southwestern coast .
Delta made landfall as a Category 2 storm about 6 p.m. Friday near Creole , with top winds of 100 mph ( 155 km/h ) .
An hour later , its wind speed had dropped to 90 mph ( 145 km/h ) .
The storm was about 25 miles ( 40 kilometres ) west-southwest of the town of Jennings and moving north-northeast at 14 mph ( 22 km/h ) .
Delta blew ashore in an area where devastation remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused at least 27 deaths in late August .
Hurricane Delta has made landfall as a Category 2 storm in southwestern Louisiana .
The centre of the storm hit land at 6 p.m. Friday near Creole , with top winds of 100 mph ( 155 km/h ) .
Delta blew ashore in an area where devastation remains widely evident from Hurricane Laura , which caused at least 27 deaths in late August .
Piles of wreckage could go flying and many homes remain unrepaired , with only blue tarps on rooftops to withstand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delta is the 10th named storm to hit the continental United State this year , breaking a century-old record .
The above item has been updated to correct that Delta ’ s maximum winds were 100 mph at landfall .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Flooding in Cambodia leaves at least 11 dead

PHNOM PENH , Cambodia - Flooding in Cambodia has killed at least 11 people since the beginning of the month @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Seasonal rains were made worse by a tropical storm , which caused flash @ @ @ @ @ week , said Khun Sokha , a spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management @ @ @ @ @ , 10 have reportedly drowned in floodwaters and one was killed by lightning , he @ @ @ @ @ have been evacuated to higher ground , he said .
On Friday , Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ to mobilize assistance to those affected .
The Department of Public Works and Transportation on @ @ @ @ @ that were inundated in two worst-hit provinces in the country ’ s northwest , Battambang @ @ @

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thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Pakistan cleric killed in apparent sectarian attack

KARACHI , Pakistan - Gunmen riding on a motorcycle shot and killed a religious scholar who belongs to a little-known branch of Islam in Pakistan ’ s bustling city of Karachi , police said on Sunday .
The killing of Maulana Adil Khan was immediately condemned and seen as an attempt to trigger sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites in the country .
Prime Minister Imran Khan termed it “ an attempt by India to create sectarian conflict across the country , ” though no immediate evidence was given that India was behind the attack .
Khan is the son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who founded the grand seminary , Jamia Farooqia , decades ago .
The seminary adheres to the Sunni Muslim teachings of the Deobandi sect , whose scholars have been the target of killings in the past .
Khan held a doctorate in religious studies , received training in his father ’ s seminary and had taught in Malaysia .
Police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said the cleric and his driver were both killed in the attack Saturday evening , which took place in the middle class neighbourhood of Shah Faisal Colony .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s vehicle stopped in front of a busy shopping area , gunmen opened fire targeting the driver before firing three bullets that struck Khan ’ s head , neck and chest .
The three attackers then fled on the back of a shared motorcycle .
Khan was rushed to a private hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival , said the hospital ’ s spokesperson Anjum Rizvi .
Police said the driver died before reaching a government hospital .
Pakistan has a history of sectarian enmity between Sunni and Shiite extremists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lives , including those of religious scholars .
Counter-terrorism police officer Raja Umar Khitab said the attack appeared to be a “ conspiracy to trigger sectarian violence .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--India cases cross 7 million as experts warn of complacency

NEW DELHI - India ’ s confirmed coronavirus toll crossed 7 million on Sunday with a number of new cases dipping in recent weeks , even as health experts warn of mask and distancing fatigue setting in .
The Health Ministry registered another 74,383 infections in the past 24 hours .
India is expected to become the pandemic ’ s worst-hit country in coming weeks , surpassing the U.S. , where more than 7.7 million infections have been reported .
The ministry also reported 918 additional deaths , taking total fatalities to 108,334 .
The number of people who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in South and Southeast Asia — from India to Vietnam and Taiwan — compared to European countries and the United States , said Dr. Randeep Guleria , a government health expert .
“ We have been able to keep the curve rise slow , but I do agree that we have not been able to get it to move aggressively down .
That ’ s related to our population density , diversity of our country and socioeconomic challenges in our country , ” said Guleria , referring to India ’ s burgeoning population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say though that India ’ s death toll may not be reliable because of poor reporting and health infrastructure and inadequate testing .
India aims to provide vaccines to 250 million people by July 2021 , Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said last week .
He said that the government was planning to receive 450 million to 500 million vaccine doses and would ensure “ equitable access ” .
India saw a steep rise in cases in July and added more than 2 million in August and another 3 million in September .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus spread since mid-September , when the daily infections touched a record high of 97,894 .
It ’ s averaging more than 70,000 cases daily so far this month .
India has a high recovery rate of 85 % with active cases below 1 million , according to the Health Ministry .
Health officials have warned about the potential for the virus to spread during the upcoming religious festival season , which is marked by huge gatherings in temples and shopping districts .
A crucial factor will be people wearing masks and maintaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kalantri , a hospital director in the village of Sevagram in India ’ s worst-hit western Maharashtra state , said that people in his village had stopped wearing masks , maintaining distance or washing their hands regularly .
He added that the sick were still being brought in to his hospital .
India ’ s meagre health resources are poorly divided across the country .
Nearly 600 million Indians live in rural areas , and with the virus hitting India ’ s vast hinterlands , experts worry that hospitals could be overwhelmed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ good behaviour in terms of physical distancing and masks , maybe by early next year we should be able to come to a new normal .
COVID-19 will not finish but it will be under reasonable control with travel and other things becoming much more easier and people relatively safer , ” said Guleria .
Retired virologist Dr. T. Jacob John said there was increasing tendency among Indians not to wear masks or maintain distancing .
Social media have compounded the problem by propagating misinformation and fake cures .
“ And the result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fed up and have started making their own conclusions , ” John said .
Nationwide , India is testing more than 1 million samples per day , exceeding the World Health Organization ’ s benchmark of 140 tests per 1 million people .
But many of these are antigen tests , which look for virus proteins and are faster but less accurate than RT-PCR , which confirm the coronavirus by its genetic code .
With the economy contracting by a record 23.9 % in the April-June quarter , leaving millions jobless , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions that were imposed in late March .
The government in May announced a $ 266 billion stimulus package , but consumer demand and manufacturing are yet to recover .
A large number of offices , shops , businesses , liquor stores , bars and restaurants have reopened .
Restricted domestic and international evacuation flights are being operated along with train services .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Guard in custody after man dies in shooting at protests

DENVER - A private security guard working for a TV station was in custody Saturday after a person died from a shooting that took place during dueling protests in downtown Denver .
The shooting took place shortly before 3:50 p.m. in Civic Center Park after a man participating in what was billed a “ Patriot Rally ” sprayed mace at another man , the Denver Post reported .
That man then shot the other individual with a handgun near the courtyard outside the Denver Art Museum , according to a Denver Post journalist who witnessed the incident .
The man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby hospital , where he died an hour later , the KUSA TV station said .
The KUSA TV station said on its website that it had contracted the private security guard who was arrested in connection with the shooting .
“ It has been the practice of 9NEWS for a number of months to hire private security to accompany staff at protests , ” the station said .
Denver Police Department Division Chief Joe Montoya told the Post that police could not confirm the shooter ’ s or the victim ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started as a verbal altercation .
Two guns were found at the scene , Montoya said , as well as a mace can .
The Patriot Rally was one of two rallies taking place about the same time in the park .
A counter-protest called “ BLM-Antifa Soup Drive ” took place nearby .
The right-wing Patriot Rally protesters gathered in the park ’ s amphitheatre and occasionally chanted patriotic songs and held up banners , the Post reported .
Protesters at the left-wing “ BLM-Antifa Soup Drive ” held up flags and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they gathered in the middle of the park , several hundred feet from the barricaded-off amphitheatre , the newspaper added .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Graham, Harris share spotlight as Barrett hearings begin

WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans are vowing a quick confirmation for President Donald Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee , as the party — undeterred by coronavirus infections or other distractions — rushes to put conservative Judge Amy Coney Barrett on the high court before the Nov. 3 election .
The process starts Monday with hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee .
The hearings are likely to be a hybrid of in-person questioning and some participation via video after three GOP senators — including two on the committee — contracted the virus .
The GOP-led panel has held more than 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Mitch McConnell continues his drive to confirm conservative judges .
The hearings have all had a combination of in-person and remote questioning .
Some outside groups have pushed for Democratic senators to boycott the Barrett hearings to protest the accelerated confirmation process and remind voters of Republicans ’ refusal to consider President Barack Obama ’ s Supreme Court nominee in 2016 , but those pleas were ignored .
Still , some Democrats have refused to meet with Barrett and the hearings are likely to be contentious , although not as explosive as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kavanaugh , who was confirmed .
Unable to block Trump ’ s pick on their own , Democrats argue that Barrett ’ s confirmation would threaten protections of the Affordable Care Act — a focus that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has embraced and many Democrats see as a winning message .
The court will hear a case challenging the constitutionality of Obama ’ s health care law just after the election , adding to the urgency of the issue .
Senators to watch as the four-day hearings kick off at the Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process that will include days of televised hearings , Graham will be in the national spotlight , a position he has said may benefit his own political standing .
Graham is locked in a tight race for reelection against Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison that has featured record-breaking fundraising and accusations of hypocrisy .
Graham said four years ago that a judicial nominee should not be approved just before a presidential election , adding that voters should “ use my words against me ” if he changed his mind .
“ How good is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a debate last week .
Graham said Barrett “ is going to be confirmed because the president has the constitutional authority to do it.
” He called Barrett a “ buffer to liberalism ” and said he hoped she “ won ’ t be treated like Kavanaugh.
” Graham ’ s fiery 2018 defence of Kavanaugh helped cement the senator ’ s close relationship with Trump and generated renewed support from conservatives .
Graham ’ s actions also riled up liberals , who are now pouring millions of dollars into Harrison ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator .
As top Democrat on the Judiciary panel , the veteran Feinstein will lead questioning of Barrett , although she may cede the spotlight to fellow California Sen. Kamala Harris , a committee member and the party ’ s vice-presidential nominee .
At 87 , Feinstein is the oldest sitting senator , and some Democrats worry she may have lost some of her effectiveness as a questioner .
Feinstein still faces criticism for her comments during Barrett ’ s 2017 confirmation hearing to be a federal judge .
Feinstein had joined Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her Roman Catholic faith , but then went further by telling Barrett , then a Notre Dame law professor , that “ when you read your speeches , the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you.
’ ’ Republicans have seized on Feinstein ’ s question to accuse Democrats of criticizing Barrett ’ s faith — a charge Democrats vigorously deny .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said there ’ s no “ religious litmus test ” for a judge , nor any truth to the idea that Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Not a single Democrat will make these attacks or make personal , religious beliefs an issue , ’ ’ Schumer said .
Feinstein led Democrats in calling on Barrett to provide any missing materials from a questionnaire she completed for her confirmation .
Barrett signed a 2006 newspaper ad sponsored by an anti-abortion group in which she said she opposed “ abortion on demand ” and defended “ the right to life from fertilization to the end of natural life.
” The ad was not included in materials Barrett provided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats asked the Justice Department to explain the omission and confirm whether other materials were left out .
Harris , Joe Biden ’ s running mate in the presidential election , will again be in the spotlight as Democrats question a Trump nominee for the Supreme Court .
Harris , a former prosecutor and state attorney general , earned high marks from Democrats for her aggressive questioning of Kavanaugh in 2018 .
Those hearings , at which Harris played a starring role , drew more than 20 million viewers .
Successful questioning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but missteps could risk harming Democrats ’ chances of winning an election they now lead in national polls .
“ I think there ’ s probably more pressure on Kamala to actually engage ... in a political way than ever before just because of the fact that she ’ s on the ticket “ with Biden , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said .
In a sign of the heightened scrutiny , Vice-President Mike Pence tried to get Harris to reveal whether she and Biden support expanding the Supreme Court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the question at their debate , focusing instead on Republicans ’ decision to move forward to fill the current vacancy so close to an election .
Hawley , a conservative and outspoken critic of the Supreme Court ’ s Roe v. Wade decision upholding abortion rights , has led GOP efforts to warn Democrats to refrain from criticizing Barrett on the basis of her Catholicism .
Hawley specifically cited Feinstein ’ s comments about Barrett ’ s faith during her 2017 nomination hearing for a Chicago-based appeals court post .
“ I call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic caucus to publicly reject Sen. Dianne Feinstein ’ s egregious personal attacks on Judge Barrett ’ s Christian faith during her previous confirmation hearings , and to pledge you will abstain from that kind of anti-Catholic , anti-Christian , anti-faith vitriol in the hearings to come , ” Hawley wrote in a letter to Schumer last month .
“ You owe it to the country.
’ ’ Democrats call Hawley ’ s comments off-base .
No Democrat has criticized Barrett ’ s religion since her nomination was announced late last month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic presidential nominee ’ s former Senate seat , Coons was among the first Democrats on the Judiciary panel to meet with Barrett , although he did so by phone because of the pandemic .
Coons said he would attend the hearings in person , although other members with health concerns will likely ask questions over video .
The remote aspect “ increases the likelihood that we ’ re sort of speaking past each other , ” Coons said , and is a key reason “ we should not be racing ahead with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC that he has been reading Barrett ’ s opinions and law articles , “ and I ’ m increasingly convinced that she ’ s even more conservative than ( former ) Justice ( Antonin ) Scalia , for whom she clerked on the Supreme Court , and she has demonstrated a willingness to reverse long-settled precedent.
’ ’ Voters should remember that Trump has said the reason he is “ pressing for her to be seated before the election was so that she could participate in decisions about the election , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she could help overturn the Affordable Care Act , ’ ’ Coons said .
“ A vote for Judge Barrett is a vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act , ’ ’ he said .
” That ’ s what I ’ ll be trying to lay bare in the upcoming hearings.
’ ’ Lee and Tillis both contracted the novel coronavirus and are in self-quarantine as the hearings approach .
Both attended a Sept. 26 Rose Garden ceremony in Barrett ’ s honour that seems to have been a major spreader of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to participate in at least some of the confirmation hearings remotely but believes he will be cleared to return to the Capitol in person for an expected Oct. 22 committee vote on her nomination .
Tillis , like Graham , is in a tight reelection race and pledged to support Trump ’ s nominee even before Barrett ’ s name was announced .
He said he does not have symptoms and could join hearings in person later in the week .
Democrats have warned that appearing in person could put other senators and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham to require COVID-19 testing of all senators .
Lee , a conservative who has praised Barrett , has said he expects to be “ back to work in time to join my colleagues in advancing ” her nomination .
Hirono , one of the most liberal members of the Senate , said she will focus on the health care law and possible consequences of a more conservative Supreme Court rolling back reproductive rights or overturning Roe v. Wade .
In just three years on the 7th Circuit , Barrett has twice argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court precedent , Hirono said .
“ Amy Barrett has a history of anti-choice advocacy and a demonstrated lack of respect for precedent , ’ ’ Hirono said , adding that Barrett “ is being pushed on to the Supreme Court just in time for the November 10th hearing on the Affordable Care Act , where she ’ ll be expected to be among those who strike the Affordable Care Act down .
That leaves millions and millions of families totally in the cold in regard to health care .
’ ’


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Thousands in Los Angeles protest hostilities against Armenia

LOS ANGELES - Thousands of people protested Sunday in Los Angeles to condemn Azerbaijan and Turkey ’ s role in hostilities against Armenia in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region .
The protest came as Azerbaijan and Armenia accuse each other of violating a cease-fire deal , brokered by Russia , that took effect at noon Saturday .
The deal stipulated that the truce should pave the way for talks on settling the conflict .
Crowds gathered in front of the Turkish Consulate in California ’ s largest city Sunday afternoon , waving Armenian flags , chanting and toting signs that said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other messages .
Earlier , groups gathered along streets , with some climbing on top of cars to wave the banners .
The demonstrations appeared to be largely peaceful .
Southern California is home to the largest Armenian population in the United States and an East Hollywood neighbourhood was designated Little Armenia in 2000 .
The recent bout of fighting between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces started Sept. 27 and left hundreds of people dead in the biggest escalation of the decades-old conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh since a separatist war there ended in 1994 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia .
Armenians refer to it as Artsakh .
Turkey is supporting Azerbaijan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently said “ our Azerbaijani brothers are now waiting for the day they will return to their land.
” As protestors gathered Sunday , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted in support , also attaching a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from a group of mayors across the country urging the United States to help deescalate tensions in the conflict .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be respected , “ Garcetti tweeted .
“ We need our national leadership to step up ( and ) help bring peace to the region .
Turkey must disengage.
” Thousands blocked freeways recently in the Los Angeles area , and assembled in front of the buildings of CNN and the Los Angeles Times and demonstrated outside the Azerbaijan Consulate , the Los Angeles Times previously reported .
Several Armenian Americans have returned to the region to volunteer for their home country .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Black man who police led by rope sues Texas city for $1M

GALVESTON , Texas - A Black man who was led by a rope by two white officers on horseback has sued a southeast Texas city and its police department for $ 1 million , saying he suffered humiliation and fear during his arrest .
A lawsuit filed last week in Galveston County district court on behalf of Donald Neely , 44 , alleged the officers ’ conduct was “ extreme and outrageous , ” both physically injuring Neely and causing him emotional distress , news outlets reported , citing the court documents .
Photos of the August 2019 encounter showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rope linked to handcuffs — reminiscent of pictures showing slaves in chains .
Neely , who was homeless at the time , was sleeping on a sidewalk when he was arrested for criminal trespass and led around the block to a mounted patrol staging area .
In body-camera video , one officer could be heard twice saying that leading Neely by rope down city streets would look “ bad.
“ The lawsuit accused the city and the department of negligence , and stated that the officers should have known Neely would consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rope “ as though he was a slave.
” “ Neely felt as though he was put on display as slaves once were , ” the lawsuit stated .
In a statement at the time , Police Chief Vernon Hale called the tactic a “ trained technique and best practice in some scenarios.
“ However , he said he believed his officers “ showed poor judgment , ” adding that the department since changed its policy to prevent use of the technique .
A Texas Rangers investigation determined the officers didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal trespass charge was dismissed in court .
His lawsuit also alleges malicious prosecution connected to the charge .
City officials declined to comment on the lawsuit to news outlets .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Democrat’s praise of strict gun law roils Kansas Senate race

TOPEKA , Kan. - Republicans on Sunday circulated a video of the Democrats ’ candidate for an open U.S. Senate seat in Kansas praising strict Australian gun laws that she said “ took them all away ” to undercut her campaign as a political moderate in what ’ s been an unexpectedly tough red-state race for the GOP .
Democrat Barbara Bollier ’ s spokeswoman accused Republican Roger Marshall ’ s campaign of being “ duplicitous “ in highlighting the video from an Oct. 3 “ lawn chair chat ” at a Kansas City-area park .
Bollier ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that included moments in which Bollier said she supports the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protecting gun rights and recalled hunting with her father .
The race appears to be close between Marshall , a two-term congressman for western and central Kansas , and Bollier , a Kansas City-area state senator who was a lifelong moderate Republican before switching parties late in 2018 .
As the GOP fights to keep its 53-47 majority in the Senate , Marshall and his supporters have attacked Bollier on issues that favour Republicans in much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both a 2 1/2-minute video clip provided to The Associated Press by the Marshall campaign and longer audio from Bollier ’ s show that she noted that an adult daughter lives in Australia and praised a law there that in the 1990s forced owners of 700,000 guns to sell them to the government as “ this amazing thing.
“ “ They have no guns .
They don ’ t allow them .
They just took them all away , ” Bollier told her audience .
“ And you know what ?
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that Australia imposes licensing and training requirements for gun owners .
Kansas law allows adults to carry weapons openly , and it allows them to carry concealed firearms without a permit — a policy Bollier opposed as a legislator when it was enacted in 2015 .
“ Who thinks you can just go out and have a gun ?
Seriously , ” Bollier said .
“ You can ’ t drive a car without training .
You can ’ t basically do anything without some kind of training .
This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began circulating , Bollier tweeted Sunday afternoon : “ I do not support gun confiscation .
I never have .
I never will.
” Republicans have not lost a Senate race in Kansas since 1932 , but Bollier has flooded the airwaves with ads that have included testimonials from former GOP state lawmakers .
The race had seen a Kansas record of $ 32 million in advertising as of last week , with Marshall and his allies being outspent , according to the media advertising firm Advertising Analytics .
Bollier ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with outside groups paying for about $ 8 million more .
Nearly 90 % of the roughly $ 14.5 million in ads for Marshall were covered by outside groups , with the Marshall campaign spending about $ 1.5 million , according to Advertising Analytics .
Bollier ’ s remarks on guns first were reported Sunday by The Washington Free Beacon conservative site .
Marshall ’ s campaign manager , Eric Pahls , texted a 36-second excerpt to The Associated Press .
He later provided a link to a longer video clip with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question from a woman who said she recently bought a handgun and was “ completely disturbed ” by how easy it was for her one to buy one and carry it concealed .
“ This may sound good to Bollier ’ s donors in San Francisco , but to Kansans , this is disqualifying , ” Pahls said in a later text .
“ Even among Democrats , forced gun confiscation is an alarming concept.
” Bollier spokeswoman Alexandra De Luca provided nearly eight minutes of audio from the event , which included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes before the question that led Bollier to praise Australian gun laws .
Bollier said she still has one of her father ’ s shotguns but called gun violence a public health crisis .
“ Roger Marshall and his allies in Washington want to take Barbara ’ s comments completely out of context for their political benefit , “ De Luca said in a statement .
“ She knows we can protect the rights of gun owners and keep our communities safe.
” But Pahls suggested that Bollier ’ s comments in support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scripted talking points ” and that with off-script answers to questions , “ she exposes herself for the radical leftist that she is.
” Pahls also suggested Bollier ’ s staff ended the event shortly afterward because “ she got off her rehearsed talking points.
” De Luca called it “ an outright lie , ” then provided 32 minutes of audio from the event .
It showed that she began wrapping up about a minute later — after answering a final question and saying she supports background checks for gun purchases .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--The Latest: Louisiana officials announce 2nd death in storm

NEW ORLEANS - The Latest on Delta ( all times CDT ) : Louisiana officials have announced a second death from Hurricane Delta .
A 70-year-old woman in Iberia Parish died in a fire likely caused by a natural gas leak following damage from the storm , the state Department of Health said Sunday .
Gov .
John Bel Edwards said earlier Sunday that an 86-year-old man from St. Martin Parish died in a fire that started after he refuelled a power generator in a shed .
Delta made landfall Friday evening in southwest Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It came weeks after Hurricane Laura battered the same region .
Laura claimed 32 lives , though only seven of the deaths came the day that the hurricane struck .
Many others were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from generators .
Gov .
John Bel Edwards said Sunday an 86-year-old man from St. Martin Parish died in a fire that started after he refuelled a power generator in a shed .
The governor said it didn ’ t appear that the man had let the generator cool down before refuelling it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 19-year-old tourist from Illinois drowned after being caught in a rip current unleashed by the remnants of Delta in the Gulf Coast .
Delta made landfall Friday evening in southwest Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane and then began weakening quickly over land .
It came weeks after Hurricane Laura battered the same region .
Laura claimed 32 lives , though only seven of the deaths came the day that the hurricane struck .
Many others were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from generators .
DESTIN , Fla. — A 19-year-old tourist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescued after they were caught in a rip current unleashed by the remnants of Hurricane Delta in the Gulf Coast .
The Okaloosa County Sheriff ’ s Office said Sunday that witnesses went in to help the tourists in Destin , Florida , but also struggled with the rough waves before they were rescued by lifeguards .
Witnesses told the sheriff ’ s office that the pair of tourists got pulled out by a rip current Saturday and the young man was overtaken by waves .
The teenager , Dakota Pierce , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was later pronounced dead at an emergency room .
The other swimmer , a 22-year-old Illinois man , was rescued and taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center .
Delta made landfall Friday evening in southwest Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane and then began weakening quickly over land .
LAKE CHARLES , La .
— Nearly 370,000 customers in Louisiana are without power because of Hurricane Delta .
The Louisiana Public Service Commission on Sunday released its latest outage figures from the storm .
In hard hit Cameron Parish , nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power .
Utility trucks could be seen driving westward along I-10 in the early morning hours , as crews worked to restore electricity .
Gov .
John Bel Edwards was scheduled to provide an update on the storm ’ s impacts later in the day before meeting with officials in Allen and Evangeline parishes .
Delta stormed ashore Friday evening in southwest Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane and then began weakening quickly over land .
COLLEGE PARK , Md .
— Rain from post-tropical cyclone Delta is saturating states across the Deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States .
The Weather Prediction Center says in a 4 a.m. advisory that the once-major hurricane is expected to drop 3 to 6 inches ( 8 to 15 centimetres ) of rain on parts of Georgia , the Carolinas and Virginia .
Flash , urban and small stream flooding is forecast for those states , with the Calcasieu and Vermillion river basins in Louisiana in danger of moderate to major river flooding in the coming week .
The system is located early Sunday roughly 65 miles ( 105 kilometres ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 120 miles ( 190 kilometres ) south-southwest of Nashville , Tennessee .
Maximum sustained winds are around 30 mph ( 45 kph ) and expected to weaken over the next several hours .
Delta is forecast to dissipate over central Appalachian states by Sunday night .
Forecasters say a few brief tornadoes are possible in the Carolinas on Sunday .
ATLANTA — Remnants of Delta have triggered heavy rainstorms in parts of the Southeast , prompting flash flood and tornado warnings in the Atlanta area and other parts of Georgia .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tornadoes but fallen trees and other storm damage were reported .
WSB-TV reported one of the storms on Saturday heavily damaged a homeless shelter in Covington , east of Atlanta .
One of the station ’ s reporters visited the site and said the storm punched holes in the roof of the Rainbow Community Center .
The report said about 20 men eating dinner inside got out safely and will be housed overnight in a nearby gymnasium .
Elsewhere , emergency officials said low-lying roads in parts of Atlanta and its suburbs were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports of downed trees .
BATON ROUGE , La .
— Gov .
John Bel Edwards spoke in Jennings after flying over the damage from Hurricane Delta .
He told southwest Louisiana residents on Saturday , a day after Delta ’ s landfall : “ We ’ re going to work as hard as we can as fast as we can to get everybody ’ s lives right side up again .
As if Hurricane Laura wasn ’ t enough.
” He added : “ We have tens of thousands of Louisianans today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lift them up both in prayer , but also by our deeds.
” The governor says still no deaths have been reported from the storm .
But he continued to urge people to be cautious in their recovery work and in their use of generators .
Seven of the 32 deaths attributed to Laura came the day that hurricane struck weeks ago .
But many others were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from generators .
“ Laura was much more destructive in terms of the wind damage .
... but there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edwards said .
MIAMI — The remnants of Hurricane Delta are now spreading rain and winds across parts of Mississippi , Arkansas and Alabama as the tropical depression heads inland .
The National Weather Service said Saturday afternoon that between 3 and 6 inches ( 7 and 15 centimetres ) of rain could fall in spots around the Southeast in coming hours , raising the risk of flash flooding and isolated minor river flooding .
Places in the forecast path of the storm include the Appalachian region of far northeast Georgia , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say parts of northern Alabama and the Tennessee Valley into the MidAtlantic region could see between 1 and 3 inches of rain ( 2.5 and 7.6 centimetres ) of rainfall from the remnants .
Delta crashed ashore Friday evening in southwest Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane and then began weakening quickly over land .
MIAMI — A handful of counties in Alabama and Georgia , including those encompassing the cities of Montgomery and Atlanta , are under a tornado watch until Saturday evening .
The National Weather Service said the watch was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A tornado watch means weather conditions are favourable for tornadoes .
A warning means a tornado has been indicated or seen on a weather radar .
Delta stormed ashore late Friday as a Category 2 hurricane , but has weakened significantly since .
The centre of the storm hit land at 6 p.m. Friday near Creole , Louisiana , with top winds of 100 mph ( 155 kph ) .
Delta is the 10th named storm to hit the continental United State this year , breaking a century-old record .
MIAMI — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than 24 hours ago has weakened to a tropical depression and is bringing heavy rain to western Mississippi .
The National Hurricane centre says maximum sustained winds of what was once Hurricane Delta were clocked at 35 mph ( 55 kph ) at around 10 a.m. local time Saturday .
Delta was centred about 65 miles ( 105 kilometres ) north-northwest of Jackson , Mississippi , and was moving northeast at 16 mph ( 26 kph ) .
Hurricane Delta made landfall as a Category 2 storm in southwestern Louisiana .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 p.m. Friday near Creole , with top winds of 100 mph ( 155 kph ) .
Delta is the 10th named storm to hit the continental United State this year , breaking a century-old record .
LAKE CHARLES , La .
— A Louisiana parish heavily hit by Hurricane Delta is experiencing rising waters from heavy rain .
Sheriff Tony Mancuso of Calcasieu Parish told KPLC-TV early Saturday that vehicles were overturned on Interstate-10 westbound and said area residents who evacuated should not be in a rush to return .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said anyone who can not afford to be gone for more than several days can head back , but with caution .
He said people just need “ to use some good common sense.
” He said rising water is the biggest problem , and areas prone to flooding have been flooded .
MIAMI — Tropical Storm Delta is sliding over northern Louisiana with weakening winds after dropping several inches of rain in the state .
Maximum sustained winds were at 40 mph ( 65 kph ) Saturday morning , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system is expected to further weaken to a tropical depression later in the day .
Delta is centred about 45 miles ( 70 kilometres ) east of Monroe , Louisiana .
The storm is forecast to continue moving to the north-northeast over parts of Mississippi and into the Tennessee Valley through Sunday .
MIAMI — Wind speeds associated with Tropical Storm Delta are decreasing as the system moves inland over Louisiana and Mississippi .
The National Hurricane Center says in its Saturday morning update that maximum sustained winds are at 45 mph ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down significantly from when the storm came ashore Friday evening as a Category 2 hurricane with top winds of 100 mph ( 155 kph ) .
All watches and warnings for Delta were discontinued in the 4 a.m. advisory .
Forecasters say the system will continue its path over northern Mississippi Saturday morning and into the Tennessee Valley throughout the rest of the weekend .
The threat for tornadoes remains Saturday for eastern Mississippi , Alabama , the Florida Panhandle , and western and central Georgia , forecasters said .
MIAMI — Delta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurricane to a tropical storm as it moves inland across the U.S. South .
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Delta came ashore Friday evening in southwest Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane but quickly weakened and has become a tropical storm as it moves inland .
By Saturday morning , it had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph ( 95 kph ) .
Forecasters say the storm is moving to the north-northeast on a track across central and north Louisiana that is expected to continue through Saturday morning .
The system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later Saturday as it moves across northern Mississippi into the Tennessee Valley .
Power outages in Louisiana and neighbouring Texas neared 600,000 homes and businesses early Saturday , according to the tracking website PowerOutage.us .
Almost 40,000 outages were reported in Mississippi .
Hurricane Delta is driving further inland as strong winds continue to hammer the southwest Louisiana coast .
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Delta was centred at 8 p.m. CDT about 20 miles ( 35 kilometres ) east-northeast of Lake Charles , the main city in the region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mph ( 140 kph ) and forecasters say Delta is expected to weaken to a tropical storm in coming hours as it heads deeper into the South .
The hurricane centre warns heavy rainfall remains a threat in parts of Louisiana through Saturday as the storm crosses the state .
It says that could lead to major river flooding .
Additional flooding is possible elsewhere this weekend around the central Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi Valley , according to the forecast .
LAKE CHARLES , La .
— The mayor of Lake Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put up to protect buildings damaged six weeks ago by Hurricane Laura are now flying off in Hurricane Delta ’ s strong winds .
Mayor Nic Hunter told The Associated Press tarps were being ripped away from rooftops .
He was hunkered down in a secure location in downtown Lake Charles .
“ Tarps are being blown off all throughout the city , ” Hunter said by phone after Delta made landfall Friday evening as a Category 2 hurricane .
He added : “ I ’ m in a building right now with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sound of the tarp flapping on the building sounds like someone pounding with a sledge hammer on top of the building .
It ’ s pretty intense.
“ He said piles of unsecured debris from Laura are also being tossed about in Delta ’ s high winds .
He said some of the debris was moving into the streets and floating in water .
Hurricane Delta has weakened to a Category 1 storm as it moves inland along Louisiana ’ s southwestern coast .
Delta made landfall as a Category 2 storm about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top winds of 100 mph ( 155 km/h ) .
An hour later , its wind speed had dropped to 90 mph ( 145 km/h ) .
The storm was about 25 miles ( 40 kilometres ) west-southwest of the town of Jennings and moving north-northeast at 14 mph ( 22 km/h ) .
Delta blew ashore in an area where devastation remains widely evident from Hurricane Laura , which caused at least 27 deaths in late August .
Hurricane Delta has made landfall as a Category 2 storm in southwestern Louisiana .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 6 p.m. Friday near Creole , with top winds of 100 mph ( 155 km/h ) .
Delta blew ashore in an area where devastation remains widely evident from Hurricane Laura , which caused at least 27 deaths in late August .
Piles of wreckage could go flying and many homes remain unrepaired , with only blue tarps on rooftops to withstand the fury of yet another hurricane .
Delta is the 10th named storm to hit the continental United State this year , breaking a century-old record .
The above item @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s maximum winds were 100 mph at landfall .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--‘We can’t lose our momentum:’ Louisiana vows to rebuild

LAKE CHARLES , La .
- Back-to-back hurricanes in the space of six weeks left parts of Louisiana blanketed Sunday with tarpaulins , mangled metal and downed power lines — but not necessarily despair .
Utility crews fanned out across the battered southwestern part of the state to restore electricity in the wake of Hurricane Delta , and residents began returning home along roads lined with debris and houses missing roofs .
Some were grateful that the damage was not as bad as it could have been .
A 70-year-old woman in Iberia Parish died in a fire likely caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Hurricane Delta , the Louisiana Department of Health said Sunday .
Louisiana officials also blamed the death of an 86-year-old man on the hurricane .
The St. Martin Parish resident died in a fire that erupted after he refuelled a generator in a shed , Gov .
John Bel Edwards said .
He said it didn ’ t appear the generator had cooled down before the man refilled it .
A third storm-related death was reported in Florida , where a 19-year-old tourist from Illinois drowned after getting caught in a rip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
Roughly 350,000 customers in Louisiana remained without power two days after Delta blew ashore near the town of Creole with winds of 100 mph ( 155 kph ) , slamming a part of the state still recovering from Hurricane Laura ’ s 150 mph ( 241 kph ) onslaught on Aug. 27 .
Laura was blamed for 32 deaths , many of them caused in the storm ’ s aftermath by carbon monoxide poisoning from generators .
The remnants of Delta , meanwhile , dumped heavy rain on parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The storm was also blamed for washing out a railroad track and causing the derailment of a freight train in the Atlanta area that sparked a small fire and briefly forced some residents from their homes .
Two crew members were taken to a hospital for observation and later released .
Clair Hebert Marceaux lost her home in Cameron Parish , Louisiana , during Hurricane Laura and said the community was hard at work on rebuilding when Delta struck .
“ We can ’ t lose our momentum , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utter devastation ” in the area .
Marceaux , who was born and raised in Cameron Parish , is the director of the community ’ s busy port , which hosts fleets of shrimp and crab boats and serves as a key link in the region ’ s oil and gas industry .
Vessel traffic was halted until port authorities and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers could take stock of the damage .
Sunken boats , utility poles and other flotsam filled waterways .
“ We are still in an assessment phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be limping along as best as we can.
” Lynn Nguyen and her four children fled to Fort Walton , Florida , ahead of the storm and returned home to Abbeville , Louisiana , on a circuitous route to avoid flooded roads .
Her home was spared major damage , though a fence was flattened .
“ For the most part , I ’ m just glad I still have a job and a roof over my head , ” said Nguyen , who works at a seafood market .
Earnestine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out Delta in their Lake Charles home , damaged by Laura .
As the wind rustled the roof tarp above them , they grabbed it through the hole in the ceiling and held on tight .
Water poured in , flooding their den .
“ We fought all night long trying to keep things intact , ” Milton said .
“ And with God ’ s help we made it.
” After blowing ashore , Delta moved over Lake Charles , a city where Laura damaged nearly every home and building .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Laura were still in shelters as of Sunday , Edwards said .
Roughly 850 people were in shelters because of Delta .
Before Friday ’ s storm , the streets of Lake Charles were already lined with mountains of debris from the previous hurricane — soggy insulation , mouldy mattresses , tree limbs , twisted metal siding , ruined family treasures .
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter estimated hundreds of already damaged homes took on water from Delta , which dumped more than 15 inches ( 38 centimetres ) of rain on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 25th named storm of an unprecedented Atlantic hurricane season , was the 10th to hit the mainland U.S. this year , breaking a record set in 1916 , Colorado State University researcher Phil Klotzbach said .
The floodwaters surged up the Wesley family ’ s front yard , and they were terrified it would pour inside , but it stopped short of the door .
It carried with it bags of trash and muck , swept up from their neighbours ’ piles of debris from the prior storm .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Milton said .
“ We ’ ve never seen it flood so bad out here , to the point I could have swam out here last night , that ’ s just how deep it was.
” Calvan reported from Tallahassee , Florida ; Associated Press contributors include Sudhin Thanawala and Sophia Tulp in Atlanta ; Gerald Herbert in Lake Charles ; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge ; Seth Borenstein in Kensington , Maryland .

Rebecca Santana, Stacey Plaisance, Alanna Durkin Richer And Bobby Caina Calvan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--French police station attacked with fireworks, metal bars

PARIS - Dozens of people attacked a police station outside Paris early Sunday with blasts of fireworks and metal bars , damaging several police cars , officials said .
No one was injured .
It was the latest action among numerous attacks against police officers , and sometimes firefighters , that Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin says are a sign that France is growing “ savage.
” Last week , two police officers in civilian clothes were pulled from their vehicle in a Paris suburb and shot multiple times with their own guns .
One officer remains in serious condition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ police unions on Thursday to quickly find ways to protect officers , the interior minister said on a visit Sunday night to Champigny-sur-Marne , east of Paris .
“ The police are the ( French ) Republic and the Republic is the police , ” he said .
He said the attack was another sign of the “ great savageness ” he claims is undermining French values .
He linked the attack to a police crackdown on drug dealers and , using street language , said it was aimed at ” smashing cops.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a housing project with 10,000 inhabitants .
An official of the union , Unite SGP Police , Rocco Contento , said on BFMTV that the housing project is the hub of drug trafficking in the Val de Marne region , where Champigny is located .
Darmanin said he wants to add an amendment to a security bill defining fireworks as a type of arm and ban their sale , including on the internet .
In the early hours of Sunday , a gang of about 40 people showered the police station in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other projectiles , Paris police headquarters , which is in charge of the region , said in a tweet .
Attackers also used metal bars to smash five police cars .
Three windows of the station were broken .
Fireworks are now routinely used by gangs to head off police in neighbourhoods known for drug trafficking .
Firefighters on rescue missions also come under attack .
“ The little bosses impress no one and don ’ t discourage us in our fight against drugs , ” the interior minister tweeted earlier .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still trying to find the three men who shot two police officers last week after pulling them from their car and disarming them in an industrial section of the town of Herblay , in the Val d ’ Oise northwest of Paris .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Case against man linked to extremist group could be near end

COLLEGE PARK , Md .
- Federal prosecutors and defence attorneys may be close to resolving the criminal case against a Maryland man whom the FBI linked to a violent white supremacist group , a court filing says .
In Friday ’ s status report , Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Windom said efforts to resolve the case against William Bilbrough IV have been “ slowed somewhat ” by defence attorneys ’ ability to confer with their jailed client and “ the timing of facility mail , ” an apparent reference to the jail .
“ The parties expect disposition in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If no such disposition is achieved , the parties propose setting a deadline for an additional status report ( on Nov. 9 ) , “ Windom wrote .
Bilbrough ’ s attorney , Robert Bonsib , declined to comment Sunday on the status of the case or WIndom ’ s court filing .
Bilbrough , of Denton , Maryland , was 19 when FBI agents arrested him and two other men in January as part of a broader investigation of The Base .
Authorities said the three men were members of the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overthrow of the U.S. government and replace it with a white supremacist regime .
Authorities in Georgia and Wisconsin also arrested four other men linked to The Base .
U.S. Army veteran Brian Mark Lemley Jr. , of Elkton , Maryland , and Patrik Mathews , a former Canadian Armed Forces reservist , pleaded not guilty in Maryland to federal charges including transporting a firearm and ammunition with the intent to commit a felony .
Bilbrough pleaded not guilty to charges that he helped transport and harbour Mathews , who is accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang hasn ’ t set a trial date for the case .
Lemley and Mathews discussed “ the planning of violence ” at a gun rights rally in Richmond , Virginia , in January , according to prosecutors .
Lemley and Mathews also face separate but related federal charges in Delaware , where they shared a home .
A closed-circuit television camera and microphone that investigators installed in the home captured Lemley talking about using a thermal imaging scope affixed to his rifle to ambush unsuspecting civilians and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I need to claim my first victim , ” Lemley said on Dec. 23 , according to prosecutors .
“ And the thing is you ’ ve got tons of guys who ... should be radicalized enough to know that all you got ta do is start making things go wrong and if Virginia can spiral out to ... full blown civil war , ” Mathews said , according to prosecutors .
Bilbrough , who worked as a pizza delivery driver and lived with his grandmother , is the only defendant in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges .
A prosecutor has said Bilbrough participated in early discussions about travelling to Richmond but had tried to distance himself from the group shortly before his arrest .

Michael Kunzelman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Trump claims he’s free of virus, ready for campaign trail

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Sunday declared he was ready to return to the campaign trail despite unanswered questions about his health on the eve of a Florida rally meant to kick off the stretch run before Election Day .
His impending return comes after the White House doctor said he was no longer at risk of transmitting the coronavirus but did not say explicitly whether Trump had tested negative for it .
The president insisted he was now “ immune ” from the virus , a claim that was impossible to prove and added to the unknowns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m immune , ” Trump said in an interview on Fox News Channel ’ s “ Sunday Morning Futures.
” “ The president is in very good shape to fight the battles.
” In a memo released Saturday night by the White House , Navy Cmdr .
Dr. Sean Conley said Trump met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for safely discontinuing isolation and that by “ currently recognized standards ” he was no longer considered a transmission risk .
The memo did not declare Trump had tested negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests — like the PCR test cited in the doctor ’ s statements — detect virus in swab samples taken from the nose and throat .
Some medical experts had been skeptical that Trump could be declared free of the risk of transmitting the virus so early in the course of his illness .
Just 10 days since an initial diagnosis of infection , there was no way to know for certain that someone was no longer contagious , they said .
His return to full-fledged rallies will be in Florida on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president facing stubborn deficits in the polls .
The Trump campaign and White House has not indicated that any additional safety measures will be taken to prevent the transmission of the virus among those travelling on Air Force One , at the event site or at rallies scheduled for Pennsylvania and Iowa later in the week .
Campaign officials have signalled that Trump will be travelling nearly every day the rest of the campaign , and sometimes making more than one stop , an aggressive schedule for a 74-year-old who was hospitalized just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again dominating the national discourse , the Trump campaign has released an ad featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci praising the president ’ s leadership — but the nation ’ s leading infectious disease expert on Sunday objected to being included .
“ The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context , ” Fauci said in a statement , adding that he was talking broadly about public health officials ’ response to the pandemic .
“ In my five decades of public service , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tim Murtaugh , Trump campaign communications director , responded by saying that “ these are Dr. Fauci ’ s own words ” and said they were praising the administration ’ s response .
On Sunday , Trump asserted in a tweet that he had “ total and complete sign off from White House Doctors ” to fully return to the campaign trail , insisting he can no longer spread the disease to others and was impervious to getting sick again .
That ’ s far from certain , and Twitter later flagged his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s evidence that reinfection in unlikely for at least three months even for those with a mild case of COVID-19 , very few diseases leave people completely immune for life .
Antibodies are only one piece of the body ’ s defences , and they naturally wane over time .
“ Certainly it ’ s presumptuous to say it ’ s a lifetime , ” said Dr. Albert Ko , an infectious disease specialist and department chairman at the Yale School of Public Health .
As to whether Trump could still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House appeared to be following CDC guidelines for when it is appropriate to end isolation after mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 .
But Ko cautioned that those who have had severe cases of the diseases should isolate for 20 days .
He noted that Trump was treated with the steroid dexamethasone , which is normally reserved for patients with severe COVID .
Dr. Marc Lipsitch , an infectious disease expert at the Harvard School of Public Health , said the doctor ’ s letter does not provide enough information to be assured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
He noted that Trump ’ s use of steroids could prolong viral shedding so the CDC ’ s 10-day standard may or may not apply .
“ It is a judgment call , ” he said .
The White House memo followed Trump ’ s first public appearance since returning to the White House after being treated for the coronavirus at a military hospital .
Hundreds of people gathered Saturday afternoon on the South Lawn for a Trump address on his support for law enforcement from a White House balcony .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he emerged on the balcony to address the crowd on the lawn below , his first step back onto the public stage with just more than three weeks to go until Election Day .
He flouted , once more , the safety recommendations of his own government days after acknowledging that he was on the brink of “ bad things ” from the virus and claiming that his bout with the illness brought him a better understanding of it .
His return was a brief one .
With bandages visible on his hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump spoke for 18 minutes , far less than his normal hour-plus rallies .
He appeared healthy , if perhaps a little hoarse , as he delivered what was , for all intents and purposes , a short version of his campaign speech despite the executive mansion setting .
“ I ’ m feeling great , ” Trump told the crowd , before declaring that the pandemic , which has killed more than 210,000 Americans , was “ disappearing “ despite signs of surging cases in several states .
In either an act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials organized the event just steps from the Rose Garden , where exactly two weeks ago the president held another large gathering to formally announce his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
That gathering is now being eyed as a possible COVID-19 superspreader as more than two dozen people in attendance have contracted the virus .

Jonathan Lemire And Hope Yen - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Ex-Kentucky Dem Party chief, lawmaker McBrayer dies at 83

LEXINGTON , Ky. - Terry McBrayer , a political power broker in Kentucky as a lawmaker and a Democratic Party leader whose influence reached beyond the state , has died .
He was 83 .
The Lexington law firm that McBrayer founded in 1963 in Greenup said in a statement that he died Sunday after a long battle with cancer .
McBrayer was a longtime Democratic National Committee member .
He led the Kentucky campaign for President Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996 .
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Kentucky , said in a statement that “ for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a force of nature in Kentucky politics .
When Terry set his mind on a goal , he refused to be outworked .
That ’ s how a lawyer from Greenup built a national reputation and a lasting legacy.
” “ We may have come from different sides of politics , but we shared a deep love of our Commonwealth and a determination to help it succeed .
Terry was always ready to extend kindness , even to political rivals.
” McBrayer earned degrees from Morehead State University and the University of Louisville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Kentucky House from 1966 until 1976 .
He ran for governor in 1979 , losing in the primary to John Y .
Brown Jr. “ I was in awe of him before I got into politics , ” former Kentucky House Speaker Jeff Hoover said on Twitter .
“ As a legislator , we became friends and shared many conversations about politics , law practice , and life , most recently few months ago .
Friend .
Great Kentuckian .
He will be missed.
” Funeral arrangements were pending Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sister and five grandchildren .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Iran-backed militias offer truce for US pullout from Iraq

BAGHDAD - Iraqi militias backed by Iran have agreed to temporarily halt attacks targeting the American presence in Iraq , on the condition that U.S.-led coalition troops withdraw from the country in line with a parliamentary resolution , three militia officials said Sunday .
The militia officials spoke to The Associated Press just hours after a roadside bomb targeted a convoy that was transporting equipment for the U.S.-led coalition , damaging one vehicle , an Iraqi army statement said .
The attack on a highway south of Baghdad prompted questions over whether such a truce could hold across all militia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocket attacks targeting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad — located inside the heavily fortified Green Zone — have become a frequent occurrence and have strained ties between Washington and Baghdad .
The militia factions offered a truce and will refrain from targeting the U.S. in Iraq , including the embassy , on the condition that all American-led forces withdraw within an “ acceptable timeframe , ” said Mohammed Mohie , a spokesman for the powerful Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah .
“ If it does not withdraw , the resistance factions will resume their military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , ” he said .
Two other factions from different Iran-backed groups echoed Mohie ’ s comments , without specifying a length for the truce , and said it was open-ended .
They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give statements .
Iraqi lawmakers voted in January on a non-binding resolution to oust U.S.-led coalition troops from the country , following a Washington-directed drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis outside Baghdad ’ s international airport .
The militia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks of tensions .
The Trump administration has warned Iraq ’ s leadership it would close the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad if the militia groups were not contained .
American officials have said that while it was a serious threat , it was not an imminent ultimatum .
In September , the Trump administration shortened a crucial sanctions waiver required for Iraq to import Iranian energy .
The U.S. has blamed Iran-backed militia groups , in particular Kataib Hezbollah , for perpetrating attacks on the American presence in Iraq .
On Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — believed to include an array of Iran-backed militia groups such as Kataib Hezbollah , Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Harakat al-Nujaba — issued a statement announcing “ the cessation of its operations against foreign , especially American forces and interests in Iraq.
” Mohie , the militia spokesman , said : “ The truce came after major personalities intervened and mediated in order to persuade these factions to stop the bombing operations until the end of the American election .
...
These were messages that these personalities conveyed.
” Last week , Jeanine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , held a meeting with Abdulaziz al-Muhammadawi , known as Abu Fadak , the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Forces and a commander of the Kataib Hezbollah .
The PMF is a state-sanctioned institution encompassing an array of militia groups , some of which are Iranian-backed .
Two Iraqi militia commanders said it was during this meeting with Abu Fadak that an agreement was reached for a cease-fire for at least two months , in return for a scheduled U.S. withdrawal to be determined at a later date .
The commanders spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not allowed to brief the media .
The militias ’ truce announcement coincided with an apparent shift in U.S. rhetoric , after Iraqi officials have said any U.S. Embassy closure would isolate Iraq from the world .

Qassim Abdul-Zahra And Samya Kullab - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Funeral held for Arkansas detective who was fatally shot

PINE BLUFF , Ark .
- An Arkansas police officer who was fatally shot last week was remembered by officials , friends and family for his dedication to his job and community .
The funeral for Pine Bluff Detective Kevin Collins , who was killed Monday in an exchange of gunfire at a hotel during an investigation , was held Saturday at the Pine Bluff Convention Center .
Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington said Collins , 35 , was a “ commanding force and a gentle giant ” known for his professionalism , diligence , vision and determination .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver and escort , was like an extension of her family .
She said he “ could not stand to see wrong and not put forth the effort to make it right.
” Pastor Matt Mosler said Collins worked as a security guard at the New Life Church campus in Pine Bluff , and he could often be found holding babies and encouraging teens .
“ Kevin became part of the family — an indispensable part of our family , ” Mosler said .
Authorities have said police officers were met with gunfire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hotel .
Collins was killed and another officer was wounded .
Keshone Quantarious Smith , 19 , who was wanted on a murder charge in Georgia , was arrested on suspicion of capital murder in Collins ’ death .
He remained in jail Sunday in Arkansas , where he was denied bail .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Average US gas price falls to under $2.25/gallon

CAMARILLO , Calif. - The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline fell half a penny over the past two weeks @ @ @ @ @ per gallon .
Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said Sunday prices may @ @ @ @ @ coming days as hurricanes pummel the Gulf Coast , impacting oil production .
Still , @ @ @ @ @ gasoline because of the pandemic means there is plenty of petroleum available for motorists .
@ @ @ @ @ price for regular-grade gas is in the San Francisco Bay Area at $ 3.36 per @ @ @ @ @ is in Houston at $ 1.78 per gallon .
The average price of diesel in @ @ @ @ @ $ 2.50 a gallon , down a penny from two weeks earlier .


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--GOP US. Rep. Bost of Illinois tests positive for COVID-19

CARBONDALE , Ill. - U.S. Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois has tested positive for COVID-19 , the latest lawmaker now confirmed to have the virus .
The Republican whose district covers most of deep southern Illinois tested positive late Thursday , according to a statement from his office Friday .
He had experienced “ a mild cough and a rapid loss of both taste and smell , ” prompting him to take the test .
“ We are taking this situation seriously and will continue to serve the people of Southern Illinois while doing our best to ensure their health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
“ I will provide additional updates in the days ahead and am anxious to get back to work as soon as I make a full recovery.
” In recent days , White House staff and a growing number of lawmakers have tested positive , including Democratic Rep. Salud Carbajal of California and Sen. Ron Johnson , a Wisconsin Republican .
Bost said he ’ ll quarantine and postpone his public schedule as he isolates and that the staff members he ’ s been in contact with will do the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to constituents he had met with in recent days .
Bost said he has consulted with the Capitol ’ s attending physician .
Bost , a former state legislator , was first elected to the U.S. House in 2014 .
He is now seeking a fourth term .
Illinois reported 2,727 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday , the fifth consecutive day with a daily tally over 2,000 .
The Illinois Department of Public Health also reported nine additional deaths from the disease .
Overall , Illinois has reported 319,150 confirmed COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Brazil cops hunt alleged crime boss after release rescinded

RIO DE JANEIRO - Police in Sao Paulo mounted a hunt Sunday for the purported leader of one of Brazil ’ s biggest criminal organizations who went on the run after being freed from prison the previous day on a judge ’ s order that was revoked a few hours later .
André Oliveira Macedo , the alleged chief of the PCC crime gang , was being held following his arrest in September 2019 on charges of organizing large shipments of cocaine to Europe .
Marco Aurélio Mello , one of 11 justices on Brazil ’ s Supreme Court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed Macedo to leave a Sao Paulo prison on the ground his detention awaiting trial had exceeded the time allowed by law .
Hours later , the president of the high court , Luiz Fux , suspended the decision and ordered the immediate return of Macedo to prison .
Authorities provided no details on the search for Macedo .
The PCC is one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Brazil , with international influence .
Sao Paulo state Gov .
Joao Doria criticized the order releasing Macedo , calling it “ an @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Twitter flags Trump’s tweet about now being ‘immune’ to virus

President Donald Trump on Sunday pitched what he called his postinfection immunity to COVID-19 as an advantage over Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Twitter , though , took issue with a Trump post on the subject , flagging it as a rules violation for “ spreading misleading and potentially harmful information related to COVID-19.
” Trump tweeted that after “ a total and complete sign off from White House doctors ” late Saturday , its “ very nice to know ” that he can ’ t get or give the virus .
Earlier , in a lengthy interview on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morning Futures , ” Trump said that “ Once you do recover , you ’ re immune , so you don ’ t have a president who has to hide in his basement , like his opponent , ” in a dig at Biden .
“ It looks like I ’ m immune for , I don ’ t know , maybe a long time , maybe a short time , it could be a lifetime , nobody really knows — but I ’ m immune , ” Trump said , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Centers for Disease Control said in guidance last month that the agency “ does not know if someone can be reinfected with COVID-19 , ” but also said there were no confirmed reports of reinfection within three months of initial infection .
That suggested that recovery from the novel coronavirus may be like other similar diseases that offer some level of immunity .
Sunday ’ s effort was the latest by the president to spin his bout with the virus — which has killed over 214,000 Americans — as a political advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Military Medical Center , Trump argued his treatment was like going to “ school ” to learn about the disease .
His allies argued it would help him better communicate to those impacted by the virus .
But polls suggest that the infection of the president , first lady , and more than two dozen close associates in recent weeks has only reinforced concerns among voters who disapproved of the president ’ s handling of the virus .
A Washington Post-ABC News poll released Sunday showed the former vice president with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump among likely voters , with just 41 per cent of those surveyed giving the president positive marks for his handling of the outbreak .
Trump has announced an aggressive return to the campaign trail following his convalescence , beginning with a rally Monday night in Orlando , Florida .
He ’ s expected to visit Pennsylvania on Tuesday and Iowa on Wednesday for campaign events .
“ I passed the highest test , the highest standards , and I ’ m in great shape , ” Trump said Sunday .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel fantastically , I really feel good .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Supreme Court pick Barrett draws on faith, family for Senate

WASHINGTON - Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett vows to be a justice “ fearless of criticism ” as the split Senate charges ahead with confirmation hearings on President Donald Trump ’ s pick to cement a conservative court majority before Election Day .
Barrett , a federal appeals court judge , draws on faith and family in her prepared opening remarks for the hearings , which begin Monday as the country is in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic .
She says courts “ should not try ” to make policy , but leave those decisions to the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she would bring “ a few new perspectives ” as the first mother of school-age children on the nine-member court .
Trump chose the 48-year-old judge after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , a liberal icon .
“ I have been nominated to fill Justice Ginsburg ’ s seat , but no one will ever take her place , ” Barrett says in her remarks to the Senate Judiciary Committee .
The Associated Press obtained a copy of her statement on Sunday .
Barrett says she has resolved to maintain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Justice Antonin Scalia , who was “ devoted to his family , resolute in his beliefs , and fearless of criticism.
” Republicans who control the Senate are moving at a breakneck pace to seat Barrett before the Nov. 3 election , in time to hear a high-profile challenge to the Affordable Care Act and any election-related challenges that may follow the voting .
Another reason for moving quickly : It ’ s unclear whether the election results would make it harder to confirm Barrett before the end of the year if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House and Democrats were to gain seats in the Senate .
California Sen. Kamala Harris , the Democratic vice-presidential nominee who is also a committee member , plans to participate remotely from her Senate office due to coronavirus concerns , her spokesman said Sunday .
Harris and other key Democrats said the hearings should not move forward without plans to test people attending , including senators , for coronavirus .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York told the AP that the committee ’ s chairman , Sen. Lindsey Graham , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be tested ” for COVID-19 before the hearing begins because he has been exposed to those with the disease .
Graham told Fox News Channel ’ s “ Sunday Morning Futures ” that he took a test last week .
“ I am negative , ” he said , adding that “ anybody that has a concern about showing up can virtually interview Judge Barrett .
She will be there .
I will be there .
... We ’ re going to work safely.
” The hearings are taking place less than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump the chance to entrench a conservative majority on the court with his third justice .
Democrats have pressed in vain to delay the hearings , first because of the proximity to the election and now the virus threat .
No Supreme Court has ever been confirmed so close to a presidential election .
The country will get an extended look at Barrett over three days , beginning with her opening statement late Monday and hours of questioning Tuesday and Wednesday .
Barrett is telling senators that “ courts are not designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our public life.
” “ Policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches , ” she said in the prepared remarks .
“ The public should not expect courts to do so , and courts should not try.
” A mother of seven , she also says she uses her children as a test when deciding cases , asking herself how she would view the decision if one of her children were the party she was ruling against .
“ Even though I would not like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision was fairly reasoned and grounded in the law ?
” she says .
A Catholic , she says she believes in the “ power of prayer , “ and she thanks those who have reached out with messages of support .
Ordinarily , she would get to show off her large family .
But the White House event announcing her nomination , in which most of the audience did not wear masks , has been labeled a “ superspreader ” for the coronavirus .
More than two dozen people linked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracted COVID-19 since then , including Republican Sens .
Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Mike Lee of Utah , both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee .
Barrett and her family went maskless at the event .
Barrett and her husband , Jesse , tested positive for the virus earlier this year and recovered , two administration officials have said .
Tillis and Lee both said they hoped to be recovered and be present for the hearing .
Democrats already were enraged that Republicans are moving so quickly after their actions four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scalia died in February 2016 , before that year ’ s election , and President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to take his place .
The Senate did not grant Garland even a hearing , much less a vote .
Outside groups are pushing Democrats to make a strong case against what they call an illegitimate confirmation so close to the election , when people are already voting in some states .
“ The Democrats have a very strong hand to play politically , even if they do not have the votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fallon , executive director of Demand Justice , which advocates against right-leaning nominees .
“ The public is with them that this shouldn ’ t happen before the election.
” Democrats have made clear that they will press Barrett on health care , especially with the imminent Supreme Court arguments , and abortion , among other issues where her vote could push the court further to the right .
“ I intend to , and I think everybody else on the Democratic side , will focus on the fact that she is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in time for the Nov. 10 hearing on the Affordable Care Act , ” Sen. Mazie Hirono , D-Hawaii , said .
“ That leaves millions and millions of families totally in the cold in regard to health care.
“ Barrett also is the most openly anti-abortion Supreme Court nominee in decades and her vote could provide a majority to restrict if not overturn abortion rights .
She also has voiced skepticism about some gun control laws .
Sen. Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. , pointed to a dissenting opinion Barrett wrote last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonviolent crimes to own guns .
Federal law currently has a blanket prohibition on gun ownership by convicted felons .
“ She is extreme on this issue , ’ ’ Blumenthal said at a news conference .
Republicans will highlight Barrett ’ s belief in sticking to the text of laws and the original meaning of constitutional provisions , both Scalia trademarks as well .
Her personal story also will be a frequent topic of conversation when Republicans are asking questions .
“ She has proven a mom really can do anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said after meeting with Barrett last week .
Associated Press writers Matthew Daly in Washington and Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento , California , contributed to this report .

Mark Sherman, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick And Mike Balsamo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-11--Appeals court grants stay to Texas AG in mail-in ballot case

AUSTIN , Texas - A federal appeals court issued a temporary order that blocks Texas counties from setting up multiple drop-off locations for mail-in ballots .
The 5th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals on Saturday granted Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ’ s request for an emergency stay of a federal judge ’ s injunction that blocked GOP Gov .
Greg Abbott ’ s order limiting counties to just one ballot drop-off location during early voting for the November elections .
U.S. District Judge Robert Pittman on Friday said Abbott ’ s order was unconstitutional .
Abbott ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail ballot drop-off site per county , no matter its size , which the judge said likely violates the right to vote .
The appeals court must still decide if it will grant a longer-lasting stay .
The order from Abbott dramatically reduced the number of places in Texas where voters could drop off mail ballots during early voting and most heavily impacted the state ’ s largest cities , which are also Democratic strongholds .
The move brought swift accusations of voter suppression from Democrats and voting rights groups , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which filed a lawsuit .
Republicans say the reduction in drop-off sites is necessary to ensure election security .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Georgia lynching marker removed after more vandalism

HAHIRA , Ga. - A Georgia historical marker at the spot of a gruesome lynching has been removed after a new round of vandalism , officials said .
The removal of the Mary Turner and the Lynching Rampage marker last week was announced Sunday by The Mary Turner Project .
Its co-ordinator , Mark Patrick George said the marker had been shot at and hit several times by an “ off road vehicle.
” George said the group and the Georgia Historical Society decided to remove the marker before it was completely broken off .
The sign will be stored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed .
The marker , dedicated to the 13 victims of lynching in Lowndes and Brooks counties in May 1918 , which it describes as “ one of the deadliest waves of vigilantism in Georgia ’ s history , “ has been vandalized before .
In 2018 , the sign was riddled with bullet holes for the second time in five years .
It ’ s unclear whether authorities are trying to find the vandals .
Representatives of both sheriff ’ s offices said Monday that they had no information to share about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years old and eight months pregnant when she raised an outcry over the lynching of her husband , Hayes Turner .
A mob seeking retribution for the killing of a white farmer by another man strung her up by her heels .
The marker ’ s text reads , in part : “ Near this site on May 19 , 1918 , twenty-one year old Mary Turner , eight months pregnant , was burned , mutilated , and shot to death by a local mob after publicly denouncing her husband ’ s lynching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were ever brought against known or suspected participants in these crimes .
From 1880-1930 , as many as 550 people were killed in Georgia in these illegal acts of mob violence , ” the marker reads .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--2 Stanford economists win Nobel prize for improving auctions

STOCKHOLM - Two American economists won the Nobel Prize for improving how auctions work , research that underlies much of today ’ s economy — from the way Google sells advertising to the way telecoms companies acquire airwaves from the government .
The discoveries of Paul R. Milgrom and Robert B. Wilson , both of Stanford University , “ have benefitted sellers , buyers and taxpayers around the world , ” the Nobel Committee said .
Wilson was once Milgrom ’ s Ph.D. adviser , and the two also happen to be neighbours .
Reached by phone at his home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news of their win “ in a strange way.
” “ I got a knock at my door from Bob Wilson , ” he told The Associated Press .
Milgrom , 72 , said students , friends and colleagues had long suggested he and Wilson , 83 , might be due for the prize .
“ It ’ s nice to have their respect but their affection as well , ” he said .
Technically known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel , the award was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered one of the Nobel prizes .
The two men tackled the tricky problem of making auctions work efficiently .
The committee said Wilson ’ s work showed “ why rational bidders tend to place bids below their own best estimate of the common value.
” The effects of their work can be seen all around .
“ Online advertising is sold at auction , “ said David Warsh , who tracks economic research at his blog Economic Principals .
“ That Google was able to adopt the method so quickly and seamlessly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his competitors and their students.
’ ’ The work is about more than money .
Some governments , for example , auction off the right to pollute in hopes of reducing emissions ; cleaner companies can resell unneeded rights to dirtier ones , creating a financial incentive for companies to make their operations greener .
“ The objective is not always to maximize the revenue for the seller but also can have a societal objective , “ said Nobel Committee member Ingrid Werner .
One problem in auctions is the so-called winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vying to purchase , say , fishing rights , they have to make bids without knowing what the price of fish will be in the future .
They begin to worry that they will only prevail by overpaying , and they can respond by scaling back their offers .
The problem is especially acute when some bidders have more information than others .
A solution to the curse , Wilson and Milgrom ’ s research showed , is for the seller to provide as much information as possible before the bidding begins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value of the item being sold .
They also tackled the “ snake in the grass strategy , ” Wilson said .
This involves a company keeping its interest in the item being sold secret for most of the auction and then making the winning bid at the last minute .
“ It ’ s like sniping an eBay auction , ” Wilson told the AP , adding that they designed rules that force bidders to reveal their interest earlier on .
Their research has had a big impact on the telecommunications industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government to use publicly owned radio frequencies for everything from mobile phone calls to internet payments .
Before the 1990s , the U.S. government essentially conducted “ beauty contests ’ ’ to hand out the frequencies , letting companies make their case for getting the licenses .
The approach encouraged aggressive lobbying but didn ’ t raise much money for the Treasury .
In 1994 , the U.S. government turned to auctions .
Milgrom and Wilson ( with help from Preston McAfee , now at Google ) designed an auction format in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one go .
That format discourages speculators from buying up frequencies in a specific geographic area and then reselling them to big telecommunications companies seeking to patch together national or regional networks .
The auction raised $ 617 million — selling frequencies that previously were handed out for virtually nothing — and became a model for countries from Canada to India .
The format has also been used to auction off electricity and natural gas .
Wilson said that he thought the time for winning a Nobel Prize had already passed .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning of his win , Wilson struggled to think of a recent auction he himself had participated in .
But then added : “ My wife points out to me that we bought ski boots on eBay.
” Wilson described Milgrom as “ sort of the genius behind all of this auction work.
” Milgrom developed a more general theory of auctions .
Americans have figured prominently among this year ’ s Nobel winners .
Leaving aside the peace prize , which went to the U.N. ’ s World Food Program , seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Goran Hansson , secretary-general of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences who announced the award , said that reflected American investment in research after WWII .
“ And we ’ ll see how that trend may change , “ he added .
Last year ’ s award went to two researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a third from Harvard University , for research into efforts to reduce global poverty .
The award comes at a time of dramatic economic upheaval that few economists could have predicted last fall : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , governments have closed borders , imposed lockdowns and ordered other measures , triggering a sharp dip in business activity .
Wilson said that , given the ongoing pandemic , he had no immediate plans for what to do with his share of the the 10-million krona ( $ 1.1 million ) cash prize that comes with the award , along with a gold medal .
“ Probably I ’ ll just save it for my wife , my children , ” he said .
Last week , the Nobel Committee awarded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the liver-ravaging hepatitis C virus .
The prize for physics honoured breakthroughs in understanding black holes , and the chemistry prize went to scientists behind a powerful gene-editing tool .
The literature prize was awarded to American poet Louise Glück .
The World Food Program won the peace prize for its effort to combat hunger .
Jordans reported from Berlin , Wiseman from Washington .
Associated Press writers Desiree Seals in Smyrna , Georgia , and David Runk in Grosse Pointe Farms , Michigan , contributed to this report .
Read more stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press at https : //www.apnews.com/NobelPrizes

David Keyton , Frank Jordans And Paul Wiseman - The Associated Press