thetorontostar--2020-09-10--Judges: Trump can’t exclude people from district drawings

ORLANDO , Fla. - Saying the president had exceeded his authority , a panel of three federal judges on Thursday blocked an order from President Donald Trump that tried to exclude people in the country illegally from being counted when congressional districts are redrawn .
The federal judges in New York , in granting an injunction , said the presidential order issued in late July was unlawful .
The judges prohibited Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross , whose agency oversees the U.S. Census Bureau , from excluding people in the country illegally when handing in 2020 census figures used to calculate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the judges , the presidential order violated laws governing the execution of the once-a-decade census and also the process for redrawing congressional districts known as apportionment by requiring that two sets of numbers be presented — one with the total count and the other minus people living in the country illegally .
The judges said that those in the country illegally qualify as people to be counted in the states they reside .
They declined to say whether the order violated the Constitution .
“ Throughout the Nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the apportionment of Congress — in the language of the current statutes , the ‘ total population ’ and the ‘ whole number of persons ’ in each State — have included every person residing in the United States at the time of the census , whether citizen or non-citizen and whether living here with legal status or without , “ the judges wrote .
Opponents of the order said it was an effort to suppress the growing political power of Latinos in the U.S. and to discriminate against immigrant communities of colour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s roads , parks and other public amenities and should be taken into account for any distribution of federal resources .
The lawsuits challenging the presidential order in New York were brought by a coalition of cities , civil rights groups and states led by New York .
Because the lawsuits dealt with questions about apportionment , it was heard by a three-judge panel that allows the decision to be appealed directly to the U.S. Supreme Court .
The judges agreed with the coalition that the order created confusion among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2020 census , deterring participation and jeopardizing the quality of the census data .
That harm to the census was a sufficient basis for their ruling and they didn ’ t need to rely on the speculation that a state would be hurt by possibly losing a congressional seat if people in the country illegally were excluded from apportionment , the judges said .
The head count of every U.S. resident , which which helps determine the distribution of $ 1.5 trillion in federal funding as well as apportionment , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of September .
“ This is the most blatantly unconstitutional act I ’ ve ever encountered in years litigating the federal government , “ Dale Ho , director of the ACLU ’ s Voting Rights Project , one of the group ’ s that challenged the order , said in an interview .
New York Attorney General Letitia James noted that the federal court in New York also had ruled against the Trump administration in its failed attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census .
That case went to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from being added .
“ The courts have ruled in our favour on every census matter in the last two years and continually rejected President Trump ’ s unlawful efforts to manipulate the census for political purposes , “ James said .
After Trump issued the order in July , around a half dozen lawsuits around the U.S. were filed by states , cities , immigrant advocates and civil rights groups challenging its legality and constitutionality .
The New York case is the first to get a ruling , but there are other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t address that could be addressed in the other court cases .
Those include whether the order violated governmental administrative procedures and whether the Census Bureau will have to use a statistical method to calculate who is in the country illegally .
The Supreme Court has ruled that method , sampling , can ’ t be done for apportionment numbers .
The lawsuits said there was no reliable method for counting people in the U.S. illegally and the order would have diminished the accuracy of the census .
An analysis by Pew Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas would end up with one less congressional seat if people in the country illegally were excluded from apportionment .
Alabama , Minnesota and Ohio would each keep a congressional seat they most likely would have lost if the presidential order were enforced , according to the Pew analysis .
The Commerce Department didn ’ t respond to an emailed inquiry .


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--Gold Star families fault Trump on alleged ‘loser’ remarks

SALEM , Mass .
- Two Gold Star families criticized disparaging remarks President Donald Trump allegedly made about veterans and those serving in the military while recalling the memories of their sons Thursday .
The families of Pfc .
John Hart and Lance Cpl .
Travis Desiato — both Bedford natives who were killed serving in Iraq — spoke out in front of the Hart-Desiato Bridge , which was dedicated in honour of the two in 2018 .
Trump has fought allegations he made offensive comments about fallen U.S. service-members , including calling World War I dead at an American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ suckers ” in 2018 .
The comments were first reported by The Atlantic and confirmed by The Associated Press .
Joseph DeSiato , father of Travis , said his son and John were motivated to join the military following the 9-11 attacks .
“ We , the Harts and the Desiatos , are outraged and offended but more deeply saddened that the president called them losers and suckers , “ DeSiato said .
“ They could have gone off to college .
They had plans .
They had dreams .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the values of our nation and to defend it from those who would take it down.
” He said Gold Star families “ should never have to read the president of the United States has ridiculed our sons ’ and daughters ’ decision to stand up and serve in the U.S. military.
” Alma Hart , John ’ s mother , said she was worried that Trump ’ s alleged comments may discourage others from serving .
“ Think of what his ugly words signal to the next generations , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American citizens , be confident our military is being used for significant moral and constitutional ends if the commander in chief thinks of them as ‘ suckers.
’ ” At a White House news conference on Monday , Trump called the story a “ hoax ” and said : “ I ’ m not saying the military ’ s in love with me .
The soldiers are.
” He added , “ The top people in the Pentagon probably aren ’ t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-09-11--The Latest: Relatives, Trump, Biden gather to mark 9-11

NEW YORK - The Latest on the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terror attacks ( all times local ) : ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE — President Donald Trump and the first lady observed a moment of silence aboard Air Force One at 8:46 a.m. , marking the moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center 19 years ago .
Some reporters travelling with the president were invited to join the couple in the plane ’ s conference room .
The president was en route to Shanksville , Pennsylvania , where he is scheduled to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the hijacked Flight 93 crashed in a field , killing all on board .
Trump ’ s 2020 Democratic rival , Joe Biden , will be visiting the site late Friday .
NEW YORK — The chime of a bell at the World Trade Center memorial plaza has signalled the start of commemorations of the 19th anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks .
New York is observing a citywide moment of silence to mark the moment a hijacked plane struck the Trade Center ’ s north tower .
Five more moments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They recognize the moments when other aircraft struck the second tower , the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field , and when each Trade Center tower collapsed .
A dispute over coronavirus precautions means there are two commemorations in New York Friday .
At the official ceremony on the memorial plaza , organizers concerned about bringing too many people together are playing a recording of people reading the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks .
At a simultaneous ceremony up the street , loved ones will continue the tradition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WASHINGTON — Vowing to never forget the nearly 3,000 people who died on 9-11 , President Donald Trump headed on Friday to Shanksville , Pennsylvania .
His Democratic challenger Joe Biden was travelling to New York , saying that he will be taking a break from politics to mark the anniversary of the 9-11 attacks .
Trump tweeted that the United States is honouring a commitment made in 2001 to always remember the nearly 3,000 “ innocent Americans who were senselessly killed.
” Biden told reporters before boarding a plane in Wilmington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign has taken its advertising down and won ’ t be holding any press conferences .
The former vice-president plans to visit Shanksville later in the afternoon .
NEW YORK — Kathy Swift , 61 , arrived early to the Tunnel to Towers ceremony .
Swift , of Jersey City , wore a T-shirt honouring her brother Thomas Swift , who was 30 and working for Morgan Stanley when he died in the South Tower .
A dispute over coronavirus-safety precautions is leading to two simultaneous remembrances Friday , one at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trade Center and another on a nearby corner , held by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation .
Another brother , Patrick Swift , will be among the readers .
“ We ’ ve still got ta come , ” Kathy Swift said .
“ We still have to remember ...
The whole country ’ s going downhill .
It ’ s one thing after another , and now with the COVID .
I ’ m glad they ’ re still having this , though , Tunnel to Towers.
“ On the anniversary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner and a member of the Advisory Board of Donald J. Trump For President Inc. , issued the following statement on behalf of the Campaign : “ Today we honour the memories of the nearly 3,000 Americans who perished on September 11 , 2001 at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists .
Those Americans will be forever remembered .
Nor shall we forget the extraordinary heroism of our first responders and the ordinary Americans who gave everything to save others on that terrible day .
We are also eternally grateful to the brave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces who sacrificed their lives in defence of our freedom and flag since then.
” Americans are set to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks with tributes altered by the coronavirus .
President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden both plan to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania Friday , though not at the same time .
In New York , a dispute over coronavirus precautions is leading to separate remembrances .
The National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum cancelled its tradition of having relatives read the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will offer a recording instead to those gathered at the World Trade Center site .
Some victims ’ relatives felt the change robbed the observance of its emotional impact .
A different 9-11 group , the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation , set up a simultaneous ceremony .
Vice-President Mike Pence plans to attend both events .
Biden will also attend the main New York observance before heading to Pennsylvania .


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Trump, Biden commemorating 9-11 at Flight 93 memorial

WASHINGTON - As the nation marks the 19th anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks in the midst of another unfolding tragedy , the men vying to lead the nation next year will pay their respects at the same memorial — without crossings paths .
President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , will both be travelling to rural Shanksville , Pennsylvania , Friday , where the hijacked Flight 93 crashed in a field , killing everyone on board .
While Trump will speak at the site ’ s annual memorial ceremony held Friday morning , Biden will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after attending the 9-11 Memorial & Museum ’ s annual commemoration at Ground Zero in New York , along with Vice-President Mike Pence .
While Trump and Biden ’ s visits will not overlap , the day will nonetheless bring the two candidates the closest they ’ ve been in months .
And though the candidates and country will be focused on the commemorations , the political significance of their visits to Shanksville is hard to ignore , with Pennsylvania a crucial battleground state .
Trump won there by less than one percentage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope they can return it to their column in less than two months .
Still , Biden insisted that he would steer clear of politics on a national day of mourning .
“ I ’ m not gon na make any news today .
I ’ m not gon na talk about anything other than 9-11 , “ he told reporters .
” We took all our advertising down , it ’ s a solemn day , and that ’ s how we ’ re going to keep it , OK ?
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force One and his campaign did not respond to questions about whether it intended to halt ads as well .
Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik issued a statement on the campaign ’ s behalf honouring the memories of those who died , as well as first responders and “ the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in defence of our freedom and flag since then.
” The National Park Service , which co-hosts the annual Flight 93 memorial event , had originally said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimize the spread of the coronavirus .
The agency had been planning a 20-minute “ Moment of Remembrance ” without a keynote speaker or musical guests .
Instead , the name of each passengers and crew member was to be read aloud with the ringing of the “ Bells of Remembrance , ” according to the agency ’ s website .
But after Biden and then the White House announced their plans , the website was updated to reflect a new schedule that included remarks from Trump and the Secretary of the Interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the president is grappling with fallout from a new book by veteran journalist , Bob Woodward , which has refocused attention on Trump ’ s handling of the virus .
In interviews , Trump admitted to Woodward that had played down the threat posed by the virus this winter , even though he knew how deadly it was .
In 2016 , the 9-11 memorial events became a flashpoint in the campaign after then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton abruptly left the Ground Zero 9-11 ceremony and was caught on tape stumbling and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a van .
Trump also spent the day in New York and paid his own visit to the memorial in lower Manhattan .
Pence on Friday will be attending the National September 11 Memorial & Museum ’ s 19th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony with Biden , along with a second event , the Tunnel to Towers Foundation ’ s September 11th Memorial Ceremony .
Friday will mark Trump ’ s second time observing the 9-11 anniversary in Shanksville , where he made remarks in 2018 .
Biden spoke at the memorial ’ s dedication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 2,200-acre Flight 93 National Memorial marks the spot in rural Pennsylvania where the hijacked flight crashed , killing all 40 people on board .
Three other planes hijacked that day were crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon .
Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks .

Jill Colvin, Alexandra Jaffe And Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Rights group asserts ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero was forcibly taken

JOHANNESBURG - Paul Rusesabagina sounded strained .
The man who inspired the film “ Hotel Rwanda ” for saving people from genocide but is now accused of terrorism in Rwanda was speaking to his family for the first time since being paraded in handcuffs on Aug. 31 .
But something was wrong .
With Rwandan authorities listening in , it was clear Rusesabagina wasn ’ t allowed to speak openly on the phone call , said Brian Endless , part of the international team trying to defend him .
It remains a mystery how Rusesabagina disappeared from a trip to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody in a country his family says he would never return to voluntarily .
“ Paul briefly mentioned boarding a plane on the call , but this was strained and he cut off the discussion immediately after .
We have no idea if this was Paul speaking freely or coerced , ” Endless told The Associated Press .
In comments to the BBC , he said Rusesabagina mentioned waking up on the plane to find himself in Rwanda ’ s capital , Kigali .
Endless said Rwandan officials also attended a meeting between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizen and U.S. permanent resident .
The uncertainties around his arrest have led Human Rights Watch to assert that the 66-year-old Rusesabagina , long an outspoken critic of the Rwandan government , was “ forcibly disappeared.
” In a statement released late Thursday , the organization said Rwandan authorities should urgently explain how he was apprehended and taken to the East African country .
“ The fact that Rwanda did not pursue Rusesabagina through lawful extradition proceedings suggests the authorities do not believe their evidence or fair trial guarantees would stand up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so opted to circumvent the rule of law , ” the group ’ s Central Africa director , Lewis Mudge , said .
Rusesabagina ’ s legal team , which has not been able to speak with him , believes he boarded a private plane operated by GainJet , which has been used by the Rwandan government and has an office in the capital , Kigali .
The legal team points to publicly available flight records .
It is not clear what the flight plan or passenger list say , and GainJet ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a request for comment .
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates , home of the Dubai city-state , have not responded to questions .
Human Rights Watch asserted that “ Rusesabagina was in the custody of the Rwandans or their proxies as of the night of Aug. 27 but his detention was not acknowledged by the Rwandans until Aug. 31.
” Rwandan President Paul Kagame in a nationally televised interview Sunday indicated that Rusesabagina might have been tricked into boarding a plane to a country he hasn ’ t lived in since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” Kagame said , suggesting that “ he brought himself — even if he may not have intended it.
” Rusesabagina became famous for protecting more than 1,000 people as a hotel manager during Rwanda ’ s 1994 genocide in which some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed .
For his efforts he was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 .
But Rwandan authorities accuse him of supporting the armed wing of his opposition political platform , which has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks inside Rwanda .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 in which he expresses support for the National Liberation Front and says “ the time has come for us to use any means possible to bring about change in Rwanda , as all political means have been tried and failed.
” Rusesabagina in the past has denied funding rebel groups and said he was being targeted over his criticism of Kagame ’ s government and alleged rights abuses .
Rwanda ’ s government has changed its account of Rusesabagina ’ s arrest and has not allowed him access to legal counsel of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Rights Watch said .
The group for years has documented cases of critics of Rwanda ’ s government being killed overseas , apprehended under unclear circumstances or dying behind bars .
“ In Rwanda , history over the past 20-plus years shows that there is unfortunately a wide variety of things that the Rwandan government can do beyond prison , ” said Endless , a U.S.-based professor .
“ We are very concerned that Paul could be disappeared at any time or could suffer a health crisis manufactured by the Rwandan government.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied alleged abuses , and its supporters point to the country ’ s widely praised development and stability since the genocide .
Rusesabagina has not appeared in court .
His file was handed over to prosecutors on Wednesday .
Rwandan law says a suspect can be in provisional detention for 15 days , renewable for up to 90 days .
Rwanda ’ s prosecutor general , Aimable Havugiyaremye , told the AP that Rusesabagina is still being interrogated and a court date is yet to be announced .
Rusesabagina ’ s legal team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations special rapporteur on torture , and the office is “ moving forward with their procedures , ” Endless said .
The office told the AP it could not comment .


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Poll: Pandemic takes toll on mental health of young adults

PHOENIX - The coronavirus pandemic has taken a harsh toll on the mental health of young Americans , according to a new poll that finds adults under 35 especially likely to report negative feelings or experience physical or emotional symptoms associated with stress and anxiety .
A majority of Americans ages 18 through 34 — 56 % — say they have at least sometimes felt isolated in the past month , compared with about 4 in 10 older Americans , according to the latest COVID Response Tracking Study conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago .
Twenty-five per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fair or poor , compared with 13 % of older adults , while 56 % of older adults say their mental health is excellent or very good , compared with just 39 % of young adults .
In the midst of the pandemic , young adults are navigating life transitions such as starting college and finding jobs , all without being able to experience normal social activities that might be especially essential for people who are less likely to have already married and started their own families .
Some young people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recession , and older members of the group are already experiencing their second .
Christina Torres , 32 , a middle school teacher in Honolulu , had to postpone her June wedding and was not able to travel to her grandmother ’ s funeral in California because of the pandemic .
She misses being able to deal with stress by going to the gym and getting together with friends .
“ And so it ’ s hard to not feel really hopeless sometimes , especially because the numbers keep going up , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger Americans also consistently show higher rates of psychosomatic symptoms , like having trouble sleeping , getting headaches or crying , compared to other age groups .
The likelihood of experiencing such symptoms decreases with age .
The results are surprising because people who are considered most at risk normally report more mental health symptoms , and older adults are more likely to become seriously ill from the coronavirus , said Tom Smith , who has directed NORC ’ s General Social Survey since 1980 .
The numbers also contrast with stories about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , seemingly unafraid of the risk pose by the virus , he said .
One possible explanation could be that young adults have less experience dealing with a public health crisis , said Smith , 71 , who grew up being told not to play in the dirt because of the risk of contracting polio .
“ This experience facing a pandemic is completely new for most younger adults , ” he said .
Torres thought some of the hardship her generation is experiencing now could be attributed to their lack of historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generation .
“ So it kind of feels like , oh my God , can this get any worse ?
When is it going to get better ?
“ she said .
” It doesn ’ t feel like it ’ s going to get better.
” Young adults also face constant exposure to social media , which could make negative feelings about the virus even worse .
The survey found that frequently watching , reading or talking about the virus is consistently linked with higher rates of negative mental health symptoms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at North Carolina State University studying remotely after being sent home because of virus cases at the school , said social media provided daily reminders of COVID-19 .
“ In some ways social media has added to my stressors , yes .
Just the information overload that ’ s unavoidable on social media platforms can be distracting , ” he said .
The survey found 67 % of young adults , but just 50 % of those older , say they have at least sometimes felt that they were unable to control the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of 18 to 34 year olds say they have felt difficulties piling up too high to overcome , compared with 33 % of older adults .
In Arizona , Desiree Eskridge , 17 , decided to study remotely in California for her first year at Northern Arizona University partly because she did not want to risk spreading COVID-19 to her family , which is prone to sickness .
She also worried she would get sick and have to pay back a student loan for a semester she could not finish on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandparents ’ house so she could still be more on her own .
She relies on friends who are living on campus and taking the same classes to explain things she did not quite understand during lectures and has to schedule extra Zoom appointments with her professors for additional help .
“ It ’ s extremely stressful , but me being home makes it a little easier because I can do it all in my own time and my own space and I don ’ t have to be in this new environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over , ” she said .
Associated Press writer Colleen Slevin in Wheat Ridge , Colorado contributed to this report .
Kelleher reported from Honolulu .
The survey of 2,007 adults was conducted July 22-August 10 with funding from the National Science Foundation .
It uses a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points .

Cheyanne Mumphrey And Jennifer Sinco Kelleher - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--US consumer prices rose 0.4% in August as energy moderated

WASHINGTON - U.S. consumer prices rose 0.4 % in August as energy prices moderated after big gains in the previous @ @ @ @ @ Department reported Friday that the August increase in the consumer price index followed a 0.6 @ @ @ @ @ and June as prices rebounded following the virus-related shutdowns in earlier months .
The slowdown @ @ @ @ @ in energy costs , which were up 0.9 % last month following gains of 5.1 @ @ @ @ @ % in July .
Food costs edged up a modest 0.1 % in August after @ @ @ @ @ July .
The report painted a picture of continued moderation in inflation with prices up @ @ @ @ @ year ago .
Core inflation , which excludes the volatile food and energy components , @ @ @ @ @ and 1.7 % over the past 12 months .

Martin Crutsinger - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--The Latest: Thai soccer team member tests positive for virus

BANGKOK — Health officials in Thailand say a 29-year-old player from Uzbekistan who is a member of the Buriram United Football Club has tested positive for the coronavirus .
Dr. Yong Poosvorawan , an expert from Chalulongkorn University , said Friday that there is a high chance that the player , whose name was not released , contracted it outside of Thailand .
The incubation period for the disease can sometimes be longer than 14 days .
Dr. Sophon Iamsirithaworn , director of the Communicable Disease Control Department , said the team ’ s 44 players and staff have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player , who has shown no symptoms , was admitted to a Bangkok hospital .
The player arrived in Thailand a month ago and tested negative three times during his initial 14-day quarantine period in Bangkok ending Aug. 27 .
He travelled to the northeastern province of Buriram , and then tested positive on Sept. 8 ahead of the planned season opener .
The other Buriram personnel tested negative , but the team ’ s match for this Sunday was postponed , as were matches of two teams with which they warmed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became Thailand ’ s first locally transmitted coronavirus case shortly after the country marked 100 days without one .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — Schools that are mostly Black , Latino favour starting online , which could worsen inequalities in education — Americans are commemorating 9-11 with tributes that have been altered by coronavirus precautions — In Peru , where virus has been particularly deadly , Indigenous people turn to ancestral remedies — Myanmar bans flights , travel from its largest city Yangon as virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title defence with victory over Houston Texans before socially distanced crowd HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : ANKARA , Turkey — Turkey is getting tough on people who flout self-isolation rules despite testing positive for the coronavirus .
An Interior Ministry circular sent to the country ’ s 81 provinces on Friday said people caught leaving their homes despite isolation orders will be quarantined and supervised at state-owned dormitories or hostels .
The circular said they would also be penalized for breach of a law regulating infectious diseases and quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which officials say has overtaken Istanbul as the nation ’ s coronavirus hotspot — civil servants will start work at varying hours of the day to ease overcrowding on public transportation .
The measures come as the number of daily COVID-19 cases and fatalities have jumped to levels last seen in May —before restrictions in place to curb the spread of the virus were eased .
Turkish media have reported several cases of COVID-19 positive people ignoring orders to isolate at home to attend weddings and other social gatherings .
LONDON — An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus will finally be launched in England and Wales on Sept. 24 , months later than the British government had hoped .
The Department of Health and Social Care said in a statement that trials in the London district of Newham and on the Isle of Wight , off the southern coast of England , had shown that the app is “ highly effective when used alongside traditional contact tracing to identify contacts of those who have tested positive for coronavirus.
” Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the app ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said it will help to contain the virus “ at a critical time.
” Businesses including pubs , restaurants , hairdressers and cinemas are being urged to download and print a poster with the special scanning code .
Customers can then scan the app on their smartphones on arrival at various venues .
The app was once touted as a game-changer , but it has been beset by problems partly linked to conflicting smartphone networks .
The other U.K. nations , Scotland and Northern Ireland , have launched their own separate apps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have announced the shutdown of a 250-bed COVID-19 hospital which was set up months ago in the country ’ s northwest amid increasing fatalities and infections from the coronavirus .
The medical facility for handling COVID-19 patients was set up at Lady Reading Hospital in the city of Peshawar after Pakistan reported its first confirmed case in February .
Hospital spokesman Mohammad Asim said Friday they recorded 270 deaths and handled thousands of patients since April .
He said currently they had only nine COVID-19 patients who will be moved to a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals in Pakistan also plan to convert special COVID-19 wards of hospitals into other medical facilities .
The announcement comes hours after the government reported one of the fewest five fatalities from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours , raising hopes that Pakistan is on the right path to fully containing the new virus despite having a fragile health system .
PRAGUE — The number of people infected with the coronavirus is surging in the Czech Republic , setting a record for the second time this week .
The Health Ministry says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,382 on Thursday .
In the two previous days , the number of infected in one day surpassed 1,160 .
In reaction to the spike , the Czech Republic has returned to mandatory wearing of face masks in interior spaces .
The Czech Republic has had a total of 32,413 COVID-19 cases and 448 people have died , according to government figures on Friday .
BANGKOK — Myanmar on Friday reimposed tough measures to control the spread of the coronavirus , banning travel out of the country ’ s biggest city , Yangon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both measures , announced just hours before taking effect , will be in place until Oct. 1 .
An upsurge in coronavirus cases that began in August in the western state of Rakhine has since spread to other parts of the country .
Health authorities had already ordered partial lockdowns in 29 of Yangon ’ s 44 townships , and roadblocks were set up Friday closing some smaller streets in the city .
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi , the country ’ s de facto leader , said in a televised speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might appear too restrictive , if they are strictly obeyed for two or three weeks , the outbreak would be under control .
The Health Ministry on Friday announced 115 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 , bringing the total to 2,265 , including 14 dead .
Until the latest outbreak , Myanmar appeared to have largely been spared from the pandemic , having recorded just 353 virus cases as of the beginning of August .
LISBON , Portugal — Portugal ’ s president says the United Kingdom ’ s decision to require quarantines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country is unfair and punishes tourism-dependent regions .
Portugal , which is seeing a steady increase in coronavirus infections , was put back on Britain ’ s quarantine list on Thursday , three weeks after it had been taken off it .
British transport secretary Grant Shapps said the 14-day self-isolation rule only applies to those arriving from mainland Portugal , excluding the Azores or Madeira .
“ We have a certain feeling of unfairness because we don ’ t close our doors to entries , ” Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcaster RTP .
“ There are other countries that have much more difficult and complicated situations.
” He said the decision punished regions like Algarve , in the south , which is a magnet for tourists from Britain and where the spread of the virus is lower than in big cities .
Tourism , which accounts for 15 % of Portugal ’ s gross domestic product and roughly 9 % of its jobs , has taken a big hit from border restrictions .
Portugal has reported more than 62,000 cases , including 1,852 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DELHI — India edged closer to recording nearly 100,000 coronavirus cases in 24 hours as it ordered retesting of many people whose first results were from a less reliable testing method that ’ s being widely used .
According to the Health Ministry , India recorded another spike of 96,551 cases in the past 24 hours , taking its caseload to 4.56 million .
It also reported on Friday another 1,209 deaths , taking total fatalities to 76,271 .
It also said some negative rapid antigen tests should be redone through the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus tests that looks for the genetic code of the virus .
The retesting order applied to people who had negative results but had fever , coughing or breathlessness , or people who developed those COVID-19 symptoms within three days of their negative test results .
Using the rapid antigen , or viral protein , tests has allowed India to dramatically increase its testing capacity to more than 1.1 million a day , but the quicker , cheaper test is less reliable and retesting is often recommended .
The directive was meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undetected and to check the spread the disease among their contacts .
SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea ’ s daily count of new coronavirus cases is under 200 for a ninth straight day , continuing a downward trend in fresh infections for the country .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday the 176 cases added in the previous 24 hours took the national tally to 21,919 , with 350 deaths .
South Korea ’ s daily caseload was above 400 in late August , with clusters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants and other spots , mostly in the Seoul metropolitan area .
The outbreak has gradually slowed after authorities imposed stronger social distancing rules .
Health official Yoon Taeho says the government believes the country ’ s caseload is in general on a downward trajectory though he urges people to keep trying to reduce face-to-face contacts with others and follow social distancing guidelines .


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Spain imprisons ex-colonel for Jesuits slain in El Salvador

MADRID - A court in Spain on Friday sentenced a former Salvadoran colonel to 133 years in prison for the @ @ @ @ @ in El Salvador more than three decades ago .
Spain ’ s National Court ruled @ @ @ @ @ a former colonel who served as El Salvador ’ s vice minister for public security @ @ @ @ @ 1979-1992 civil war , was responsible for the 1989 “ terrorist assassinations.
” Montano , @ @ @ @ @ wheelchair as judges read the verdict , imprisoning him to 26 years , eight months @ @ @ @ @ of the deaths .
The verdict can be appealed .
The U.S. extradited Montano to @ @ @ @ @ his trial earlier this year , Montano denied having taken part or ordered the massacre @ @ @ @ @ of eight people in the campus of the Central American University .
Five of the @ @ @ @ @ , including one of the leading minds behind the so-called Liberation theology , Rev .
@ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Russian schools open with classroom, cafeteria precautions

MOSCOW - Russian children have returned to schools after attending classes online since the coronavirus pandemic swept the country in @ @ @ @ @ another spike in cases , all teachers underwent mandatory virus tests before primary and secondary @ @ @ @ @ .
Temperature checks are conducted each morning and and school schedules were amended to reduce @ @ @ @ @ at the same time .
Authorities also limited how many children can be together in @ @ @ @ @ is also limited .
Masks in schools are not mandatory for all of Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ some provinces are requiring both students and teachers to wear them .
Children with a @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus will be quarantined for two weeks .
Parents have the option of keeping @ @ @ @ @ online .


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Moroccan police: IS cell dismantled, was plotting attacks

RABAT , Morocco - Moroccan authorities say police arrested five people suspected of plotting suicide bombings and being part of @ @ @ @ @ the Islamic State group .
One suspect set off an explosive as police moved in @ @ @ @ @ cities , and one officer was injured when another suspect attacked him , according to @ @ @ @ @ Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations cited by the state news agency MAP .
Authorities seized @ @ @ @ @ pressure-cookers loaded with nails , ammonium nitrate and other chemicals suspected of being used for @ @ @ @ @ , the statement said .
The police operations were carried out in Tangiers , Tiflet @ @ @ @ @ The statement said the suspects were in the “ advanced stages ” of plotting suicide @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 1,000 Moroccans are believed to have joined IS between 2013 and 2017 @ @ @ @ @ Syria and Iraq .
Moroccan authorities carry out periodic sweeps of terrorism suspects .


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--France tries forcing change on Lebanon’s politicians

BEIRUT - During his visit this month , French President Emmanuel Macron gave Lebanon ’ s politicians a road map for policy changes and reform , set deadlines for them to take action and told them he ’ d be back in December to check on progress .
It was a hands-on approach that angered some in Lebanon and was welcomed by others .
And it revived a bitter question in the tiny Mediterranean country : Can Lebanese rule themselves ?
Lebanon ’ s ruling class , in power since the end of the civil war in 1990 , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the ground .
Heading a sectarian system that encourages corruption over governing , the elite have enriched themselves while investing little on infrastructure , failing to build a productive economy and pushing it to the verge of bankruptcy .
Anger over corruption and mismanagement has come to a peak after the giant Aug. 4 explosion at Beirut ’ s port , caused by the detonation of nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that politicians allowed to sit there for years .
Nearly 200 people were killed and tens of thousands of homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the port on Thursday , only further traumatizing and frustrating Beirutis .
Poet and journalist Akl Awit wrote in An-Nahar newspaper that he strongly opposes outside interference , but the political elite brought it on themselves .
“ This is a class that does not care about law , constitution , judiciary , morals , conscience , earthquakes or even about bankrupting people , ” he wrote .
“ This class only wants to stay in power.
“ Some worry that even outside pressure can not force reform on politicians , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and perhaps eventual accountability .
“ They are known to give empty promises whether to their people or the international community , ” said Elias Hankash , a legislator from the right-wing Kataeb party who resigned from parliament following the port explosion .
“ Regrettably maybe President Macron does not know whom he is dealing with.
” Resistance to reform can be startling .
In 2018 , a France-led conference pledged some $ 11 billion in aid to Lebanon .
But it came with conditions of reforms , including audits and accountability changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrupt patronage engines .
Politicians were unable to pass the reforms to unlock the desperately needed money .
Late last year , Lebanon ’ s economic house of cards collapsed into its worst financial crisis in decades .
The local currency has crashed , throwing more than half the country ’ s 5 million people into poverty .
In his Sept. 1 visit , Macron came in with a strong push for change .
He met with officials from the eight largest political groups .
They were given a so-called “ French Paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ draft program for the new government ” on everything from how to deal with the coronavirus , to investigating the port explosion , rebuilding the port , fixing the electricity sector and resuming talks with the International Monetary Fund .
It reminded many of the nearly three decades when Syria dominated Lebanon — particularly of Rustom Ghazaleh , the late Syrian intelligence general who ran day-to-day affairs in the country and would often summon its politicians to his headquarters in the border town of Anjar .
Syria ’ s domination ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the assassination for former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri .
During those years , Syrian intelligence agents were known to drive around Beirut and Lebanon in French-made Peugeot cars .
One meme that circulated on social media after Macron ’ s visit showed photos of him and Ghazaleh grinning over a Peugeot .
“ This time , the owner of the car factory himself came .
The big boss came to form a government , ” it read .
On Wednesday , authorities met one key demand by Macron , launching a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bank to know how billions of dollars were wasted .
The factions also quickly agreed to name Lebanese-French citizen Mustapha Adib , Lebanon ’ s ambassador to Germany , as the new prime minister .
But already , there appear to be delays in negotiating a new Cabinet , despite a Monday deadline that Macron said Lebanese politicians agreed on to form the government .
In the past it has taken months to form governments as factions bargain over who gets which ministries .
Joe Macaron , a fellow at the Arab Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the position Syria once had to dictate policies — there are other outside players to take into account .
“ The French role largely depends on the co-operation of both the U.S. and Iran , ” he said .
Since 2005 , Lebanon ’ s politics have been divided between a U.S.-backed coalition and another supported by Iran and Syria led by the militant Hezbollah .
Disagreements sometimes led to street clashes — but they always managed to agree on splitting financial gains .
On Tuesday , the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah for their links to the militant group .
It also said both are involved in corruption .
While some Lebanese criticize Macron ’ s interference , others yearn for the days when Lebanon was a French protectorate after World War I until independence in 1943 .
More than 60,000 signed a petition after the blast to return to French mandate for 10 years .
Macron dismissed the idea .
Since the port blast , international officials , including Macron , Italy ’ s prime minister and Canada ’ s foreign minister have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implement reforms to receive financial assistance .
Many dignitaries toured the Beirut neighbourhoods most damaged in the blast , something no senior Lebanese official has done , apparently fearing residents ’ fury .
“ The only state that is not interfering in Lebanon ’ s affairs is the Lebanese state , ” goes one joke making the rounds .
Hankash , the lawmaker who resigned , said the ruling class has “ shown they can not run the country on their own .
( It ) has proven to be an immature authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tens of thousands of Lebanese joined nationwide protests that tried — but so far failed — to end their grip on power .
Macaron , of the Arab Center in Washington , said corruption will continue unless there is real reform .
“ Preventing the oligarchy from running the show seems wishful thinking at this point unless the Lebanese people defy the odds by forcing a new reality .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Hungary’s Viktor Orban says he is rooting for Trump victory

BUDAPEST , Hungary - Hungary ’ s prime minister said Friday that he is rooting for the reelection of U.S President Donald Trump because what he represents “ is good for Central Europe.
” Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he was in his kitchen when Trump called him Thursday evening and they had a long talk about the pandemic situation in the United States , the U.S. electoral outlook and bilateral issues .
“ What the president represents is good for Central Europe , which is why we are rooting — at least me , personally — for him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday on state radio .
In July 2016 , Orban became the first European national leader to publicly endorse Trump ’ s presidential candidacy .
At the time , Orban , who was elected for a third consecutive term , and fourth overall , in 2018 on the back of a ferocious anti-immigrant campaign , said he preferred Trump because of his anti-terrorism proposals and his opposition to “ democracy export.
“ The Hungarian government is facing proceedings in the European Union for allegedly undermining the bloc ’ s democratic values and rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedoms , minority rights , the electoral system and academic and religious freedoms .
Orban also said Friday that it was increasingly common for national leaders to speak informally on the phone and build personal relationships instead of relying on formal diplomatic contacts .


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--US remembers 9-11 as pandemic changes tribute traditions

NEW YORK - Americans are commemorating 9-11 with tributes that have been altered by coronavirus precautions and woven into the presidential campaign , drawing both President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden to pay respects at the same memorial without crossing paths .
In New York , victims ’ relatives began gathering Friday morning for split-screen remembrances , one at the Sept. 11 memorial plaza at the World Trade Center and another on a nearby corner , set up by a separate 9-11-related organization .
The Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation objected to the memorial ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatives read the names of the dead , often adding poignant tributes .
Memorial leaders said the change for the 19th anniversary of the attacks was a coronavirus-safety precaution .
Kathy Swift arrived early at the alternative ceremony , wearing a T-shirt honouring her slain brother , Thomas Swift , who worked in finance .
“ We still have to remember , “ said Swift , 61 .
“ The whole country ’ s going downhill .
It ’ s one thing after another , and now with the COVID .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , though.
” Trump and Biden are both headed — at different times — to the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville , Pennsylvania .
Trump is speaking at the morning ceremony , the White House said .
Biden plans to pay respects there in the afternoon after attending the observance at the 9-11 memorial in New York .
Meanwhile , Vice-President Mike Pence is also due at ground zero — and then at the Tunnel to Towers Foundation ceremony , where he and his wife , Karen , are to read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anniversary of 9-11 is a complicated occasion in a maelstrom of a year , as the U.S. grapples with a health crisis , searches its soul over racial injustice and prepares to choose a leader to chart a path forward .
Still , 9-11 families say it ’ s important for the nation to pause and remember the hijacked-plane attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the trade centre , at the Pentagon in Washington and near Shanksville on Sept. 11 , 2001 , shaping American policy , perceptions of safety and daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings .
Friday will mark Trump ’ s second time observing the 9-11 anniversary at the Flight 93 memorial , where he made remarks in 2018 .
Biden spoke at the memorial ’ s dedication in 2011 , when he was vice-president .
The ground zero ceremony in New York has a longstanding custom of not allowing politicians to speak , though they can attend .
Biden did so as vice-president in 2010 , and Trump as a candidate in 2016 .
Although the candidates will be focused on the commemorations , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hard to ignore : Pennsylvania is a must-win state for both .
Trump won it by less than a percentage point in 2016 .
Around the country , some communities have cancelled9-11 commemorations because of the pandemic , while others are going ahead , sometimes with modifications .
The Pentagon ’ s observance will be so restricted that not even victims ’ families can attend , though small groups can visit the memorial there later in the day .
At the New York memorial , thousands of family members are still invited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recording of the names from speakers spread around the vast plaza , a plan that memorial leaders felt would avoid close contact at a stage but still allow families to remember their loved ones at the place where they died .
But some victims ’ relatives felt the change robbed the observance of its emotional impact .
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation arranged its own , simultaneous ceremony a few blocks away , saying there ’ s no reason that people can ’ t recite names while keeping a safe distance .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Light , a pair of powerful beams that shine into the night sky near the trade centre and evoke its fallen twin towers .
The 9-11 memorial initially cancelled the display , citing virus-safety concerns for the installation crew .
After the Tunnel to Towers Foundation vowed to put up the lights instead , the memorial changed course with help from its chairman , former Mayor Mike Bloomberg , and Gov .
Andrew Cuomo .
Tunnel to Towers , meanwhile , arranged to display single beams for the first time at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the years , the anniversary also has become a day for volunteering .
Because of the pandemic , the 9-11 National Day of Service and Remembrance organization is encouraging people this year to make donations or take other actions that can be accomplished at home .
Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe in Wilmington , Delaware , and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed .

Karen Matthews And Jennifer Peltz - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Turkey tells EU to stop ‘blindly’ backing Greece in standoff

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkey called on European Union countries on Friday to abandon a policy of “ blindly ” taking the side of EU members Greece and Cyprus in a tense standoff over energy search rights in the eastern Mediterranean .
Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy also urged Greece to take steps to reduce tensions , including by backing a NATO initiative that aims to reduce the risk of armed conflict and withdrawing warships that are monitoring the activities of a Turkish research ship — which itself is accompanied by Turkish warships .
NATO allies Greece and Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assert competing claims over energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean .
Turkish survey vessels and drill ships continue to prospect for gas in waters where Greece and Cyprus claim exclusive economic rights .
Turkey accuses Greece of trying to grab an unfair share of maritime resources and Cyprus of disregarding the rights of Turkish Cypriots on the ethnically-divided island .
Aksoy ’ s statement was in response to a meeting of the leaders of seven southern European countries which on Thursday urged Turkey to end its “ unilateral and illegal activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume dialogue to ease tensions .
In their final statement , the leaders of France , Greece , Cyprus , Malta , Italy , Spain and Portugal reaffirmed their “ full support and solidarity with Cyprus and Greece ” who they say are facing Turkey ’ s “ confrontational actions.
” Meeting in Corsica , France , the leaders also warned that the EU is ready to develop a list of further sanctions at a summit later this month unless Turkey ends its unilateral activities and engages in dialogue .
Aksoy called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lacking a legal basis.
” “ The EU and the other countries that signed the declaration should abandon their one-sided and biased attitudes that they blindly pursue under the guise of solidarity , ” Aksoy said .
“ Solidarity can occur with the side which is right .
There can be no solidarity with the wrongful side .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Central European leaders discuss Belarus, fighting COVID-19

WARSAW , Poland - The prime ministers of four central European countries were meeting Friday to discuss the political crisis over a disputed presidential election in Belarus , relations with Russia and fighting COVID-19 as they gear up for a European Union summit later this month .
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was to brief his counterparts from the Czech Republic , Slovakia and Hungary on his talks in Warsaw this week with Belarusian opposition leaders , including opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya .
Belarus has seen a month of street protests against the results of the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely believed to have been rigged .
Official results gave authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term with 80 % of the vote , but protesters dispute the count and are demanding he step down after 26 years in office .
The prime ministers of Europe ’ s Visegrad Group nations meeting in Poland ’ s eastern city of Lublin plan to discuss the best forms of support for Belarusian civic society .
Other subjects on their agenda include fighting the spread of the coronavirus , limiting the pandemic ’ s negative effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jointly with other EU nations .
A summit of the 27-member EU is scheduled for Sept. 24-25 in Brussels .
Poland currently holds the rotating presidency of the so-called Visegrad 4 .


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Barrymore sets high standard in her models as talk show host

NEW YORK - Drew Barrymore is setting a high standard for herself as she joins the world of daytime talk show hosts on Monday .
She wants to emulate David Letterman and Howard Stern as interviewers .
Both men became media stars through their comedy — ironic for Letterman , crude for Stern .
Yet each man , as their careers lengthened , became particularly skilled at disarming guests to get beyond stilted “ what have you been up to lately ” conversations .
“ We ’ re all human beings on this planet going through our lives and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to connect through that , ” Barrymore said .
“ We don ’ t have to poke .
I ’ m not looking to mess someone over .
But at the same time , I just like to go in beneath the layers .
I can ’ t stand the surface .
I ’ ve never lived in that space.
” “ The Drew Barrymore Show , ” retrofitted for the coronavirus era , is being distributed by CBS Television .
It will air live at 9 a.m. in cities like New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at 2 p.m. in Chicago , Dallas and San Francisco and others .
Several bold-faced names will help the 45-year-old actress through her crucial first week : Reese Witherspoon , Jane Fonda , Charlize Theron , Tyra Banks and , on the first show alone , former co-stars Cameron Diaz , Lucy Liu and Adam Sandler .
Letterman and Stern developed their skills through years of hard work .
For Barrymore , the hope is that likability and the audience ’ s familiarity with a star they ’ ve watched grow up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E.T.
” will give her the chance to learn by doing .
Bill Carroll , a veteran television consultant and expert in the syndication market , said he ’ s impressed that Barrymore is shooting high .
“ It ’ s good to look at modeling yourself after someone who is an unconventional interviewer , ” he said .
“ Both of these men turned out to be excellent but unconventional in the way they approach things.
” Kelly Clarkson ’ s recent success has given hope to people trying to get into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
CBS ’ promotion of Barrymore ’ s show hearkens back to her appearance with Johnny Carson as a little girl in the 1980s , a reminder to viewers that they know her .
Yes , some may regard Barrymore as slightly loopy and hippie-dippie ( “ we ’ re all human beings on this planet ” ) , but it ’ s more endearing than annoying .
The daughter of actor John Barrymore went through drug rehabilitation at an age most people worried about braces , as well as three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public spotlight .
She starred in movies like “ The Wedding Singer ” and “ 50 First Dates , ” playing big-hearted characters it ’ s impossible to root against .
She ’ s had memorable moments as a talk show guest , like in 1995 when she danced on the table and flashed Letterman , her secret crush .
“ Everyone my age has grown up with her , ” said Elaine Bauer Brooks , head of development for CBS Television .
“ She lives her life in front of all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistakes and her wins and she ’ s kind of owned them all along the way .
There ’ s a warm feeling about her and a sense of wanting her to win.
” Barrymore , who most recently produced and starred in the Netflix series “ Santa Clarita Diet , ” said the time was right to try a talk show .
She ’ ll have a schedule that ’ s a better fit for a single mom raising two girls than most entertainment jobs .
Her show will originate from New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It will air live in the morning to be responsive to what is going on in the world , but that ’ s only to a point .
She ’ ll concentrate on celebrity , self-help and comedy segments and leave politics to others .
“ I find politics extremely alienating to one side or the other , depending on who ’ s watching , ” she said , “ and I don ’ t want to make people feel not welcomed here or judged or disliked.
” Makers of “ The Drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fly to COVID-19 .
There won ’ t be a studio audience , although they will try to link to an audience at home electronically .
Through technology , Barrymore will be able to interview a guest who seems to be sitting in a comfy chair across from her , even if they ’ re actually across the country .
Barrymore described herself as a “ naughty ” talk show guest through the years for avoiding the pre-show interview , where guests discuss in advance the seemingly spontaneous stories they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Barrymore prized true spontaneity — “ I like to go in blind and play because life is just too short not to ” — but now she ’ ll be on the other side .
And , yes , her staff will conduct pre-show interviews .
It ’ s helpful to know how far someone will be willing to go in addressing certain topics , she said .
“ I ’ ve had all my stuff out there , and I know how raw and vulnerable it feels , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make people feel that way .
But I do want to talk about stuff .
I ’ m not shy .
I haven ’ t had the luxury of being shy in my life .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Suicide bomber kills 2, wounds 6 outside mosque in Somalia

MOGADISHU , Somalia - A Somali police officer says a suicide bomber attacked a mosque in the southern port city @ @ @ @ @ ended , killing two people .
Sahal Nur told The Associated Press that the bomber @ @ @ @ @ the gate of the mosque as worshippers were leaving after prayers .
Six people were @ @ @ @ @ Abdinasir Ali , a local official , said the bomber appeared to be targeting the @ @ @ @ @ of commerce , who was wounded .
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for @ @ @ @ @ the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group often carries out such attacks .
Attacks on mosques are uncommon @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--George R.R. Martin can’t build castle library in New Mexico

SANTA FE , N.M. - “ Game of Thrones ” author George R.R .
Martin won ’ t be able to build a seven-sided , castle-style library at his compound in Santa Fe that drew objections from neighbours .
The city ’ s Historic Districts Review Board on Tuesday denied a request to allow Martin to exceed the building height limit in the historic district where he lives , the Santa Fe New Mexican reported .
The project included a roof deck and an elevator tower .
“ It is a medieval castle , and I don ’ t understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this style , ” board member Frank Katz said .
Mark Graham lives south of the property and said residents couldn ’ t “ support having a castle in the neighbourhood.
” “ With the notoriety of Mr. Martin and ‘ Game of Thrones , ’ we absolutely fear that our neighbourhood will become the next treasure hunt , that his fans will be looking to find the castle that ’ s in the middle of Santa Fe , ” Graham said .
Officials also denied a similar proposal early this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ height and style standards and didn ’ t fit in with the character of the historic district .
Alexander Dzurec with the architecture firm Autotroph Inc. filed the application for the height exemption and said Tuesday that the library was intended to house “ a very sizable collection ” of literature and “ other collectibles.
” More than 40 neighbours had signed a letter urging the Historic Districts Review Board to reject the request .
Guy Gronquist signed the letter and read it at the meeting , saying the architect had gone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing medieval-style structures in Santa Fe.
” But those buildings aren ’ t surrounded by houses , he said .
“ The fact remains that the proposed building is still a prominent castle in the middle of a residential neighbourhood in Santa Fe , ” the letter said .
“ It WILL BE VISIBLE .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Belarusian leader set to visit Russia as protests continue

KYIV , Ukraine - Belarusian authorities detained scores of demonstrators Friday while seeking to end more than a month of protests against the country ’ s authoritarian president , who is set to visit Russia to help shore up his hold on power after 26 years in office .
Protesters in Belarus have spent a month denouncing the results of the country ’ s Aug. 9 presidential election as rigged and demanding the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko from the sixth term he won .
Facing criticism from the West , Lukashenko has worked to cement ties with his main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is set to head to Russia on Monday for talks with President Vladimir Putin .
Some expect Belarusian authorities to take tougher actions against protesters ahead of the meeting .
At least nine protesters were detained Friday outside a court in Belarus ’ s capital , Minsk , as they rallied in solidarity with industrial workers defending their right to launch a strike .
Police detained more protesters in the cities of Vitebsk , Gomel and Baranovichi , according to the Viasna human rights centre in Minsk .
“ The threats and detentions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend , ” the head of the centre , Ales Bialitski , said .
“ Lukashenko would very much like to show the Kremlin that the protests are abating and he controls the situation , but so far repressions have had the opposite effect.
” The post-election protests have attracted the biggest crowds on Sundays , when up to 200,000 people have flooded the streets of the capital .
Another protest is set for this Sunday .
After a brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators in the initial days after the vote drew international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian authorities have sought to squelch the dissent by targeting top activists .
Prosecutors have launched a criminal probe against top members of the Coordination Council created by the opposition to push for a new election , accusing them of undermining national security .
All of the council ’ s senior members except for Nobel Prize-winning writer Svetlana Alexievich have been either jailed or forcibly expelled from the country .
Unidentified people attempted Wednesday to enter Alexievich ’ s apartment in Minsk , and diplomats from several European Union nations gathered there to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening .
A leading member of the opposition council , Maria Kolesnikova , remained in jail after resisting her forcible expulsion from Belarus on Tuesday .
She alleged that officers of the nation ’ s state security agency abducted her and threatened to kill her and pushed for a criminal probe into their actions .
The United States and the European Union have criticized Belarus ’ election as neither free nor fair and urged Lukashenko to engage in talks with the opposition , which he has rejected .
Amid Western criticism , Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has a union agreement with Belarus envisaging close political , economic and military ties .
Putin has said he stands ready to send police to Belarus if protests turn violent , stoking fears that Moscow could move to annex its neighbour .
In an interview with Russian television stations earlier this week , Lukashenko ruled out a full merger of Belarus and Russia but spoke in favour of closer integration .
Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report .
Follow all AP stories on the developments in Belarus at https : @


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Pompeo says Afghan negotiations likely to be ‘contentious’

ISLAMABAD - Much anticipated negotiations between Afghanistan ’ s warring parties are likely to be “ contentious , ” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Friday , but are the only way forward if Afghans are to find peace after decades of relentless conflict .
Pompeo made his comments en route to the Middle Eastern State of Qatar , where intra-Afghan negotiations are to begin Saturday , a day mostly reserved for ceremony before the hard task of hammering out a road map for a post-war Afghanistan begins .
The negotiations were laid out in a peace deal Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doha on Feb. 29 aimed at ending the war and bringing U.S. troops home ending America ’ s longest conflict .
“ We expect Saturday morning , for the first time in almost two decades , to have the Afghans sitting at the table together prepared to have what will be contentious discussions about how to move their country forward to reduce violence and deliver what the Afghan people are demanding — a reconciled Afghanistan with a government that reflects a country that isn ’ t at war , ” Pompeo said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump made the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan a promise before the 2016 presidential election .
In the countdown to this November ’ s presidential polls , Washington has ramped up pressure to start intra-Afghan negotiations .
At a news conference Thursday , Trump called the talks “ exciting ” and said Washington expected to be down to 4,000 troops by November .
Even though delays have plagued the start of talks , Washington began withdrawing some of its 13,000 troops after the Feb. 29 deal was signed .
Withdrawal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the success of intra-Afghan negotiations but rather the commitment made by the Taliban in the deal to fight terrorists groups that could threaten the U.S. and its allies .
U.N. envoy to Afghanistan Deborah Lyons called the talks possibly “ the start of something truly momentous.
“ She called for a reduction of violence as Afghanistan waits to reach a permanent cease-fire .
Pompeo in his comments made it clear the U.S. was ready to return soldiers to Afghanistan if it saw a threat emerging and the Taliban reneged on their commitments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envoy Zalmay Khalilzad have refused to give specifics on commitments made by the Taliban , citing security concerns .
“ Our commitment to reduce our forces to zero is conditioned on them executing their obligations under the agreement ( which is ) so very clear about their responsibilities with respect to terrorist activity taking place in Afghanistan , “ Pompeo said .
But Pompeo warned of spoilers to peace , citing recent targeted killings in Afghanistan and an attempted assassination earlier this week of Afghan vice-president Amrullah Saleh .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come down to acceptable levels , ” he said .
The Afghan delegation left the capital late Friday afternoon for Doha and it included Abdullah Abdullah , who heads the High Council for National Reconciliation , the powerful umbrella group that will oversee the negotiation team headed by former intelligence chief Mohammed Masoom Stanikzai .
Abdullah ’ s appointment to head the council was part of a power sharing deal with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani , ending a dispute over results of the controversial presidential election the year before .
A Taliban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because he was not authorized to address the media , said Friday that a final six prisoners held by the Kabul government arrived late Thursday in Doha .
The six were among 5,000 Taliban prisoner the U.S. peace deal called on the Afghan government to free before the start of negotiations .
The Taliban were required to free 1,000 government and military personnel .
Prisoner releases were a big reason for a delay in the start of talks and the last six were believed to have been held because both Australia and France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Doha clears a final hurdle to the start of talks .
Even as Afghans prepared for negotiations , the violence continued Friday .
At least two civilians and two soldiers were killed by a bomb hidden on a motorcycle in eastern Khost province , a Defence Ministry statement said .
The bomb exploded near a wedding .
Separately , six Afghan soldiers were killed when their outpost in eastern Afghanistan was targeted , a second ministry statement said .
No one took immediate responsibility for the attacks , though both Taliban and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern Afghanistan .
The IS affiliate headquarters is in eastern Nagarhar province .
Although no U.S. or NATO soldiers have died since the signing of the U.S. deal with the Taliban , relentless attacks have been staged against Afghan military outposts killing scores of Afghan soldiers .
The Taliban have also charged that Taliban prisoners freed by the government have been attacked as they returned home and others were attacked in their homes .
Associated Press writer Rahim Faiez in Kabul , Afghanistan contributed to this report


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Chiefs nix headdresses, war paint to start NFL season

MISSION , Kan. - The roughly 17,000 fans of the Kansas City Chiefs who filed into Arrowhead Stadium for a masked and socially distanced start to the NFL season Thursday found themselves thrust into the middle of the nationwide discussion about social injustice .
The Super Bowl champions had already prohibited fans from wearing headdresses or war paint amid a push for more cultural sensitivity .
And along with the NFL , the Chiefs had planned a series of videos and other on-field demonstrations in the lead-up to the NFL season that were designed to highlight systemic racism and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by some fans during the national anthem that lit up social media as the game played out .
The Houston Texans remained in the locker room during the anthem , and fans booed them when they emerged from the tunnel at its conclusion .
The booing continued as the two teams walked to midfield and shook hands , their interlocked arms stretched from one end zone to the other during what was supposed to be a moment of silence .
“ The moment of unity I personally thought was good .
The booing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texans defensive end J.J. Watt said after the Chiefs emerged with a 34-20 victory .
“ I don ’ t fully understand that .
There was no flag involved , there was nothing involved with that besides two teams coming together to show unity.
” Nationwide calls to address racial issues have become more prevalent since George Floyd died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into the handcuffed Black man ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes during an arrest .
Four officers were fired and have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protests have continued to grip the nation .
Players from both teams discussed how they would handle pregame in the weeks leading up to the opener .
The Chiefs chose to stay on the field for the national anthem while the Texans decided to remain in the locker room .
“ We had a few player meetings and let everybody know that we had their back , ” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said .
“ You know , you can go ahead and whatever you feel is the right decision in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s back , and you have your brother ’ s support on this team .
We made sure everybody was comfortable in that area.
” Still , the booing by some fans became the dominant story line on social media as the game played out .
“ I didn ’ t really hear the booing .
I didn ’ t notice that , ” Texans coach Bill O ’ Brien said .
“ I just I thought that that was a nice thing to do .
So I ’ m not sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were just booing us because we had just come on the field as the visiting team .
But yeah , I thought that that was a very nice gesture.
” Meanwhile , the move to rein in Native American imagery by the Chiefs has been seen as a good first step , but it also has frustrated some of the franchise ’ s longtime fans , including some who were in the stands as the team became the first to take the field in front of a crowd — albeit a smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
“ I think it ’ s a little overboard , but I mean , we ’ ve got to listen to the rules , ” said Kory Noe , who owns a car lot in Stafford , Missouri .
“ I ’ m a big fan of the tomahawk chop .
It ’ s just been the Chiefs ’ signature song since they started and it ’ s going to be hard not to do it if they take it away.
” In fact , the Chiefs are pushing a subtle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaints that it ’ s racist .
The plan is for cheerleaders to use a closed fist instead of an open palm to signal the beating of a drum .
The team typically has a celebrity or other guest of honour beat a large drum before the start of the game .
“ We ’ ve started to work and started some discussions about trying again to educate and make people aware of the sacred position of the drum in the American Indian culture , but also that it ’ s seen as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Chiefs president Mark Donovan said “ It ’ s easy to latch onto that , say , ‘ OK , it ’ s kind of the heartbeat of the stadium , too.
’ ” The changes in Kansas City came after several professional franchises , including the Cleveland Indians in Major League Baseball , have been pushed to drop racist imagery .
The biggest victory for supporters of Native Americans may have come before the start of the football season , when the Washington franchise dropped Redskins as its nickname .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with having ( a headdress ) and doing the face paint and everything , because you ’ re not a part of their culture , ” said Jackson Allen , a 24-year-old sales rep from Springfield , Missouri .
“ It ’ s offensive .
I can see the problem.
” The Chiefs have worked with tribes for the past six years to distance themselves from imagery that could be considered racist .
Each season , a game is dedicated to Native American heritage .
Students at nearby Haskell Indian Nations University in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who demanded changes .
“ Using this mascot and having this fan base of predominantly white people wearing face paint and headdresses and doing the tomahawk chop , and it energizes them and gives them this sense of power , and then thinking there is nothing wrong with doing that is just mind boggling to me , “ said William Wilkinson , a 22-year-old business major from Madison , Wisconsin , who is Navajo , Cherokee , Mandan , Hidatsa and Arikara .
Wilkinson also said the Chiefs should change their nickname , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it is named in honour of H. Roe Bartle .
The philanthropist and two-term Kansas City mayor , whose nickname was “ Chief , ” was instrumental in helping to relocate the team from Dallas .
Ty Rowton , a self-described superfan who goes to games as the X-Factor , often attends with a foam Arrowhead on his head , beads and a cape signed by players .
But he has made one change to his costume : Instead of face paint , Rowton affixed duct tape with Bible verses to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s changes are an overreaction and that the Chiefs should keep the tomahawk chop , call it “ something that gets us riled up together and that we do as one .
It has never been meant to be disrespectful.
” Gaylene Crouser , executive director of the Kansas City Indian Center , said it ’ s wrong to use “ a race of people as a mascot.
” “ It has always been swept under the rug , “ she said , ” but because the Washington team was leaned on so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now some of the other ones are starting to feel the heat .
I hope this is the beginning of the end of this acceptable racism .
”

Heather Hollingsworth And Dave Skretta - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--‘There was no fighting this fire,’ California survivor says

BERRY CREEK , Calif. - John Sykes built his life around his cabin in the dense woods of Northern California .
He raised his two children there , expanded it and improved it over time and made it resilient to all kinds of disaster except fire .
So when the winds started howling Tuesday and the skies became so dark from smoke that he had to turn on his lights at midday , he didn ’ t hesitate to leave it all behind in an instant before any evacuation order .
With the disaster two years ago in nearby Paradise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deadliest and most destructive fire in modern state history , still fresh on his mind , Sykes got his wife and a friend into his car and left with only a change of clothes each .
“ All I could do is look in the rear view mirror and see orange sky and a mushroom cloud and that told me it was hot and to keep going , ” Sykes said Friday .
“ It was a terrifying feeling.
” Berry Creek was largely destroyed in what has become the deadliest fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already shattered California records for the most area burned — more land than the state of Connecticut — and recorded the largest fire of all time in the state .
Five of the top 10 biggest blazes in state history are still burning and fire season often gets worse in the fall .
At least 10 people were killed , including Josiah Williams , 16 , who couldn ’ t escape the flames .
“ He was alone , terrified and ran for his life , “ his mother , Jessica Williams , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son was a good , smart , caring young boy that died alone and it kills me thinking about what he was going through.
” Neighbouring Oregon and Washington also have been besieged and air pollution is a major problem across the West .
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown said Friday “ dozens of people ” are missing from the large wildfires that have burned across the state .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom toured the fire-ravaged region Friday and strongly asserted that climate change was evident and pledged to redouble efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The debate is over around climate change .
Just come to the state of California , observe it with your own eyes , ” he said , citing the hottest August in state history , 14,000 dry lightning strikes in three days , record-breaking temperatures , drought and millions of dead trees .
The immediate good news , he said , was the weather was beginning to co-operate , with winds settling down and the possibility of modest rain .
Bill Connelly , a Butte County supervisor , said about 90 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 6,000 people in that area got out .
“ It ’ s just as devastating as Paradise , ” he said , referring to the town 10 miles ( 16 kilometres ) away that had 26,000 residents when it was destroyed .
“ It would be worse than Paradise if there were that many people living there.
” About 20 people were hospitalized with burns ; others broke limbs in the panic to flee , Connelly said .
Fire officials have estimated that more than 2,000 homes and other buildings were destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued Friday for 16 people missing in the rugged mountains 125 miles ( 200 kilometres ) northeast of San Francisco .
Berry Creek , which began as a stage coach stop during the California Gold Rush , was among the hardest hit communities .
A bar , laundromat and two stores are gone .
All that remained of a gas station were a pair of pumps and a sign listing prices .
The school and volunteer fire station — with the engine still inside — were destroyed .
“ There was no fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Those who tried to fight it are probably not here.
” Most homes were reduced to smouldering piles of ash , twisted metal and blackened appliances , but others escaped unscathed .
Chimneys poked from the rubble and burned out cars and pickup trucks dotted the landscape .
Scorched utility poles and fallen wires lined the roads .
Sykes , who became emotional several times describing his ordeal , said he has located all but two friends .
Some dunked into ponds , others jumped into Lake Oroville , a massive reservoir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , he said .
Sykes , a former logger and construction worker , had never evacuated his home during a fire before but said he was too old at 68 to stay put .
Plus , he had to look after his wife Janet , the “ love of my life , ” and a close friend who has been ill and lived with them since her husband died six months ago .
He didn ’ t want them to be trapped on the road leading out of town the way people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were 5 miles ( 8 kilometres ) miles down the road heading to safety , a friend called to say that the home he left behind on Wood Smoke Way was burning .
Melley reported from Los Angeles .
Associated Press writer John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report .

Brian Melley And Terence Chea - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Bahrain becomes latest Arab nation to recognize Israel

WASHINGTON - Bahrain on Friday agreed to normalize relations with Israel , becoming the latest Arab nation to do so as part of a broader diplomatic push by President Donald Trump and his administration to further ease the Jewish state ’ s relative isolation in the Middle East and find common ground with nations that share U.S. wariness of Iran .
Trump announced the agreement on the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks following a phone call he had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrain ’ s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brief joint statement marking the second such Arab normalization agreement with Israel in the past two months .
The announcement came less than a week before Trump hosts a White House ceremony to mark the establishment of full relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates , something that Trump and his Middle East team brokered in August .
Bahrain ’ s foreign minister will attend that event and sign a separate agreement with Netanyahu .
“ There ’ s no more powerful response to the hatred that spawned 9-11 than this agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
Friday ’ s agreement is another diplomatic win for Trump less than two months before the presidential election and an opportunity to shore up support among pro-Israel evangelical Christians .
In addition to the UAE deal , Trump just last week announced agreements in principle for Kosovo to recognize Israel and for Serbia to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem .
But , it is a setback for Palestinian leaders , who have urged Arab nations to withhold recognition until they have secured an independent state .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once-unified Arab support — one of the few cards they still held as leverage against Israel — since Trump began pursuing an unabashedly pro-Israel agenda .
“ This is another stab in the back of the Palestinian cause , the Palestinian people and their rights , ” said Wasel Abu Yousef , a senior Palestinian official .
“ It is a betrayal of Jerusalem and the Palestinians ... We see absolutely no justification for this free normalization with Israel.
” In their joint statement , Trump , Netanyahu and King Hamad called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace in the Middle East.
” “ Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability , security , and prosperity in the region , “ they said .
Like the UAE agreement , the Bahrain-Israel deal will normalize diplomatic , commercial , security and other relations between the two countries .
Bahrain , along with Saudi Arabia , had already dropped a prohibition on Israeli flights using its airspace .
Saudi acquiescence to the agreements has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner noted that the agreement is the second Israel has reached with an Arab country in 30 days after having made peace with only two Arab nations — Egypt and Jordan — in 72 years of its independence .
“ This is very fast , ” Kushner told The Associated Press .
“ The region is responding very favourably to the UAE deal and hopefully it ’ s a sign that even more will come.
” Netanyahu thanked Trump .
“ It took us 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Arab country and the third , but only 29 days between the third and the fourth , and there will be more , ” he said , referring to the 1994 peace treaty with Jordan and the more recent agreements .
Bahrain ’ s foreign ministry welcomed the deal and said that Hamad had praised U.S. efforts to establish security and stability in the Middle East , according to the official news agency .
Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa , a prominent Bahraini adviser to the king and the former longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agreement boosts the region ’ s security and prosperity .
“ It sends a positive and encouraging message to the people of Israel that a just and comprehensive peace with the Palestinian people is the best path and is in the true interest of their future and the future of the people in the region , ” he wrote .
In a nod to the Palestinians , the joint statement said the parties will continue efforts “ to achieve a just , comprehensive , and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full potential.
” The agreement makes Bahrain the fourth Arab country , after Egypt , Jordan and the UAE , to have full diplomatic ties with Israel .
Other Arab nations believed to be on the cusp of fully recognizing Israel include Oman and Sudan .
The region ’ s power player , Saudi Arabia may also be close to a deal .
Like the UAE , Bahrain has never fought a war against Israel and doesn ’ t share a border with it .
But Bahrain , like most of the Arab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Israel in the absence of a Palestinian peace deal .
And , although the Israeli-UAE deal required Israel to halt contentious plans to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians , the Bahrain agreement includes no such concessions .
While the UAE ’ s population remains small and the federation has no tradition of standing up to the country ’ s autocracy , Bahrain represents a far-different country .
Just off the coast of Saudi Arabia , the island of Bahrain is among the world ’ s smallest countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ square miles ) .
Bahrain ’ s location in the Persian Gulf long has made it a trading stop and a naval defensive position .
The island is home to the U.S. Navy ’ s 5th Fleet and a recently built British naval base .
Bahrain is acutely aware of threats posed by Iran , an anxiety that comes from Bahrain ’ s majority Shiite population , despite being ruled since 1783 by the Sunni Al Khalifa family .
Iran under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi had pushed to take over the island after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1970 overwhelmingly supported becoming an independent nation and the U.N. Security Council unanimously backed that .
Since Iran ’ s 1979 Islamic Revolution , Bahrain ’ s rulers have blamed Iran for arming militants on the island .
Iran denies the accusations .
Bahrain ’ s Shiite majority has accused the government of treating them like second-class citizens .
The Shiites joined pro-democracy activists in demanding more political freedoms in 2011 , as Arab Spring protests swept across the wider Middle East .
Saudi and Emirati troops ultimately helped violently put down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has cracked down on all dissent , imprisoned activists and hampered independent reporting on the island .
While the Obama administration halted the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Bahrain over human rights concerns , the Trump administration dropped that .
Associated Press writers Deb Riechmann in Washington , Aya Batrawy in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Ilan Ben Zion and Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Collins won’t say in debate who she’ll vote for in November

PORTLAND , Maine - Democrat Sara Gideon sought to link Republican Sen. Susan Collins , of Maine , with President Donald Trump during their first debate Friday night , and she demanded several times that Collins say whether she ’ ll vote for him — a dare Collins wouldn ’ t take .
Collins , who has said she didn ’ t vote for Trump four years ago , brushed off the question , saying voters are more interested in talking to her about issues than who she supports in the presidential race .
“ Let me say this : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Maine need my advice on whom to support for president , ” Collins said .
But Collins was critical of Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic after the president acknowledged on tape months ago , to journalist Bob Woodward in comments only recently released , that he deliberately played down the danger .
“ I believe that the president should have been straightforward with the American people .
The American people can take hard facts .
He had an obligation as president to be straightforward , ” Collins said .
Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and long enjoyed a reputation as a moderate who reached across the partisan aisle , is facing the toughest campaign of her career , and Democrats view unseating her as key to retaking control of the Senate .
In attack ads , Democrats have been hammering away at her votes for Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court and for Trump ’ s tax breaks .
Collins was forced during the debate to defend her support for Kavanaugh , saying she has supported judges nominated by Democrats and Republican over the years as long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precedent and the rule of law .
But Gideon , the speaker of the Maine House , said many of the federal judges nominated by Trump were incompetent .
“ What we have seen over the past four years is a concerted effort to change the face of the judiciary , and we have seen nominees come from this president that are unqualified and not fit to be judicial nominees .
Yet Sen. Collins has voted , as of this week , for 170 of them , ” Gideon said .
Turning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have voted for Chief Justice John Roberts , nominated by Republican President George W. Bush .
Collins voted to confirm him in 2005 .
Gideon said she would have to “ fully study ” the issue to answer the question , to which Collins responded , “ She ’ s ducking the question.
” Two independents , businessman Max Linn and educator Lisa Savage , also sought to make their mark during a fast-paced discussion that covered topics including health care , green energy , the environment , the pandemic and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity , Linn came across at times like a carnival barker , touting his website and “ bombshell announcements ” while ignoring questions .
Asked by the moderator to stay on topic , he retorted , “ Request denied !
” Savage , meanwhile , told Mainers that because of ranked choice voting , they could select her without fear of her being a spoiler and thus promote issues of the “ Green New Deal ” and climate change and demilitarization .
The voting system , adopted by Maine voters in 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ballot .
It incorporates extra voting rounds , the elimination of last-place finishers and reallocation of votes to ensure a majority winner .
All four of the candidates decried the role of money in the race , which is already the most expensive in Maine history .
Gideon already has raised more than $ 24 million , compared with more than $ 16 million for Collins , according to the latest campaign finance reports .
That doesn ’ t include $ 3.8 million for Gideon that was crowdsourced by critics of Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate was sponsored by News Center Maine , which operates TV stations in Portland and Bangor , along with the Portland Press Herald and Bangor Daily News .
There was no audience because of the pandemic .
Both sides expect there to be several more debates before Election Day .
Gideon originally suggested five debates , and Collins has agreed to six after proposed debates in each of Maine ’ s 16 counties .


thetorontostar--2020-09-11--Farmers hold out at seized Mexican dam as tensions build

MEXICO CITY - Hundreds of farmers continued to hold a remote dam in northern Mexico on Friday as time was running out for the country to catch up on payments and avoid breaching a 1944 water treaty with the United States .
Mexico ’ s National Water Commission warned that farmers who took over a dam in the border state of Chihuahua earlier this week damaged the facility ’ s controls , with just about six weeks to go before an Oct. 24 deadline for handing over a massive amount of water that Mexico owes the United States .
Asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with one of its main dams seized by protesters who are blocking any further releases , Blanca Jimenez , the head of the National Water Commission , said that “ the situation looks very complicated.
” The operations director of Mexico ’ s federal electricity commission , which uses the La Boquilla dam to generate power , said protesters had set fire to the generators ’ controls and machine room .
Carlos Morales said the farmers doused the equipment with diesel fuel and apparently set it alight .
He estimated damages at around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take three months to repair .
Assistant Public Safety Secretary Ricardo Mejia said the demonstrators had shown an “ attitude of insurrection ” and that they — and opposition party legislators who supported them — could face charges equivalent to sedition , rioting and sabotage .
Mejia said the conflict could be benefiting drug cartels that operate in Chihuahua , by seeking to force the National Guard and other law enforcement forces out of the area .
“ This only benefits the criminals , ” Mejia said .
The conflict not only set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. debt , but also threatened water releases for local farmers .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador tried to explain to Mexicans Friday why the water must be released to the United States , which in return gives Mexico four times more water from the Colorado River farther west under the treaty .
Concern was building that if the farmers refuse to budge , the National Guard would be sent in again and there could be violence .
The farmers say they ’ re worried about having enough water for their crops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dam Tuesday , they closed the valves that were releasing water from the reservoir .
Overnight , power to the La Boquilla dam was cut and there were reports that cellphone service there had also dropped , making activists suspect a move by authorities to evict them could be imminent .
López Obrador said he believes the protest is driven more by politics than water concerns .
He said the farmers should be told , “ There is no lack of water , they won ’ t run out of water , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this cycle.
” He again expressed condolences for a woman killed Tuesday after National Guard troops had withdrawn from the dam following a clash with protesters .
The National Guard has said four vehicles began following guardsmen who were transporting three detainees Tuesday night .
The National Guard said shots were fired from the vehicles and troops returned fire .
A woman was killed and a man seriously wounded .
The woman was buried Friday .
In late July , demonstrators in Chihuahua burned several government vehicles , blocked railway tracks and set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest the release of water from local dams to pay the U.S .
The expansion of water-hungry crops has meant that Mexico has used 71 % of the northward-flowing Conchos River , while under the treaty it should use only 62 % of the water , letting the rest flow into the Rio Bravo , also known as the Rio Grande , for use by U.S. farmers .
The amounts are determined over five-year cycles ; the current cycle ends in October .
In the past , Mexico has delayed payments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf of Mexico would create occasional windfalls of water .
But while Hurricane Hanna made landfall in Texas in July , the storm ’ s rains did not reach far enough inland to fill dams in Chihuahua .
The U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission , which oversees compliance with the treaty , said in a statement earlier this week that “ what happened at Boquilla Dam is unfortunate for everyone involved.
” According to its accounting , Mexico still owes 318,498 acre-feet ( 392.6 million cubic meters ) to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Oct. 24 .
That leave almost an entire year ’ s normal water contribution to be paid in about a month and a half .
The water commission said that “ at this point , it would be premature to say what would happen if Mexico ends the current cycle with a shortfall .
”