thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Typhoon lashes South Korea after battering Japanese islands

SEOUL , Korea , Republic Of - A powerful typhoon damaged buildings , flooded roads and knocked out power to thousands of homes in South Korea on Monday after battering islands in southern Japan , killing one person and injuring dozens of others .
The Korea Meteorological Administration said Typhoon Haishen was passing over waters off the eastern coastal city of Sokcho on Monday afternoon after barrelling through South Korea ’ s southern and eastern regions .
The typhoon was weakening , with its maximum winds measured at 108 kilometres ( 67 miles ) per hour after blowing at 144 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning , and was forecast to be downgraded to a tropical storm within six hours .
Japanese disaster management officials in Kagoshima said a woman in her 70s died of a head injury after falling into a roadside ditch while evacuating from a coastal town as Haishen lashed southwestern Japan over the weekend with strong winds and rain .
Japan ’ s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said at least 38 other people were injured , five of them seriously .
Schools and department stores were closed in Hiroshima and other cities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by the typhoon was less than feared because it took a path farther from the coast and weakened more quickly than expected , officials said .
In South Korea , more than 100 homes were destroyed or flooded , while cars struggled to navigate flooded roads in Ulsan and other coastal cities such as Busan , Sokcho and Gangneung .
Emergency workers scrambled to clean up toppled trees and damaged traffic signs , buildings , port facilities and other structures .
At least one person was missing after getting swept away by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a limestone mine in the eastern coastal town of Samcheok .
Another person was found dead in Busan , but officials said it wasn ’ t immediately clear whether the death was caused by the typhoon .
At least five people were hurt , including one in Busan who sustained light injuries after a car flipped over in strong winds , the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said .
The storm also destroyed or sank around 80 fishing boats , and caused generating turbines at two nuclear reactors in the southeastern city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leakage of radioactive materials was detected .
Hundreds of flights in and out of the southern island province of Jeju and across the mainland were cancelled .
Some bridges and railroad sections were shut down , thousands of fishing boats and other vessels were moved to safety , and more than 2,600 residents in the southern mainland regions were evacuated due to the possibility of landslides and other concerns .
Workers as of Monday afternoon had restored power to 49,643 of the 75,237 households that lost electricity in the southern mainland areas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sea god ” in Chinese , plowed through Okinawa and other southern Japanese islands over the weekend .
Traffic was still paralyzed in places , bullet train service was suspended and most domestic flights in and out of airports in southwestern Japan were cancelled Monday .
Regional officials in Miyazaki said rescue workers were looking for four people missing after a mudslide hit the mountainous village of Shiiba earlier Monday .
A fifth person who was rescued at the site was seriously injured .
Electricity was restored to thousands of homes in Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still without power .
Nearly 4 million people in Japan were still advised to evacuate as of Monday afternoon .
The storm by late Monday was expected to reach North Korea ’ s northeastern region , which was battered by Typhoon Maysak last week , inflicting further pain on an economy ravaged by U.S.-led sanctions , border closures from the coronavirus pandemic and chronic food shortages .
North Korean TV aired video of widespread flooding in the eastern coastal city of Wonsan and nearby Tongchon , but the country ’ s state media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by Haishen .
The North ’ s state media earlier said leader Kim Jong Un visited typhoon-stricken areas , fired a top regional official for poor readiness , and promised to send 12,000 workers from Pyongyang to help with recovery efforts .
The North said Maysak destroyed more than 1,000 houses and inundated public buildings and farmland .
Maysak damaged roads and buildings and left at least one person dead in South Korea .
In addition , a livestock cargo ship sank off Japan ’ s coast as Maysak passed .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one body was recovered before the search was halted because of Haishen .
An aerial search resumed later Monday after Haishen passed the area .
The ship was transporting 5,800 cows from New Zealand to China .

Kim Tong-Hyung And Mari Yamaguchi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--China says Indian forces crossed border, fired warning shots

BEIJING - China said Indian forces crossed into territory it holds along their disputed border and fired warning shots at a Chinese patrol in a move it called a “ serious military provocation ” and a violation of their agreements .
The nuclear-armed rivals have been engaged in a tense standoff in the cold-desert Ladakh region since May , and their defence ministers met Friday in Moscow in the first high-level direct contact between the sides since the standoff began .
China ’ s western military command said the incursion occurred Monday along the southern coast of Pangong Lake in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After shots were fired , Chinese forces took “ necessary measures to stabilize and control the situation , ” the command said , in the statement citing spokesman Zhang Shuili .
It demanded the Indian forces withdraw and investigate the move to open fire .
There was no word of casualties on either side .
Late last month , India says its soldiers thwarted the Chinese military ’ s moves “ to change the status quo ” in violation of a consensus reached in past efforts to settle the standoff .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged to have occurred on the southern bank of Pangong Lake , a glacial lake divided by the de facto frontier and where the India-China faceoff began in early May .
The standoff escalated to a medieval , nighttime clash June 15 that was the deadliest conflict in 45 years between the nuclear-armed rivals .
According to Indian officials , Chinese troops atop a ridge at the mouth of the narrow Galwan Valley threw stones , punched and pushed Indian soldiers down the ridge at around 4,500 metres ( 15,000 feet ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed , including a colonel .
China did not report any casualties .
The disputed and undemarcated 3,500-kilometre ( 2,175-mile ) border between India and China , referred to as the Line of Actual Control , stretches from the Ladakh region in the north to the Indian state of Sikkim .
The nuclear-armed Asia giants fought a border war in 1962 that also spilled into Ladakh and ended in an uneasy truce .
The two countries have been trying to settle their border dispute since the early 1990s , without success .
India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separated it from disputed Kashmir in August 2019 , ending its semi-autonomous status .
The move further strained the relationship between New Delhi and Beijing , which raised the issue at international forums including the U.N. Security Council .
In a symbolic move , India banned some Chinese-owned apps , including TikTok , about two weeks after the deadly clash , citing privacy concerns that it said pose a threat to India ’ s sovereignty and security .

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thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Last 2  journalists working for Australian media leave China

CANBERRA , Australia - The last two journalists working for Australian media in China have left the country after police demanded interviews with them , the Australian government and Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported on Tuesday .
ABC ’ s Bill Birtles and The Australian Financial Review ’ s Michael Smith landed in Sydney after flying from Shanghai on Monday night , ABC reported .
Both had sheltered in Australian diplomatic compounds in recent days .
Chinese police arrived at Birtles ’ doorstep last week , demanded he submit to questioning and told him he was banned from leaving the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese officials negotiated for the travel ban to be lifted if Birtles spoke to police .
The journalists left after Australia revealed last week that Australian citizen Cheng Lei , business news anchor for CGTN , China ’ s English-language state media channel , had been detained .
Foreign Minister Marise Payne confirmed that her government had provided consular support to the two journalists to assist their return to Australia .
“ Our embassy in Beijing and Consulate-General in Shanghai engaged with Chinese government authorities to ensure their wellbeing and return to Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Australia ’ s travel warning of the risk of arbitrary detention in China “ remains appropriate and unchanged , ” she added .
ABC new director Gaven Morris said Birtles was brought back to Australia on the Australian government ’ s advice .
“ This bureau is a vital part of the ABC ’ s international newsgathering effort and we aim to get back there as soon as possible , ” Morris said in a statement .
“ The story of China , its relationship with Australia and its role in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of great importance for all Australians and we want to continue having our people on the ground to cover it , he added .
Birtles told reporters at Sydney airport that his departure was a “ whirlwind and ... not a particularly good experience.
” “ It ’ s very disappointing to have to leave under those circumstances and it ’ s a relief to be back in a country with genuine rule of law , ” Birtles said .
Smith said at the airport he had felt “ a little bit ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s so good to be home , so happy , I can ’ t say any more at the moment , it ’ s such a relief to be home , so really happy , ” Smith said .
“ It was a complicated experience but it ’ s great to be here , ” he added .


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Trump: Pentagon leaders want war to keep contractors ‘happy’

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Monday that top Defence Department leaders want to keep waging wars in order to keep defence contractors “ happy.
” Trump continues to fight allegations that he made offensive comments about fallen U.S. service-members , including calling World War I dead at an American military cemetery in France “ losers ” and “ suckers ” in 2018 .
The Atlantic first reported on the anonymously sourced allegations .
At a White House news conference Monday , Trump repeated his claim that the story was a “ hoax ” and said : “ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in love with me .
The soldiers are.
” However , he added , “ The top people in the Pentagon probably aren ’ t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.
” Trump ’ s relationship with military brass has been strained since he threatened this summer to use the Insurrection Act to provide troops for law enforcement during the protests after George Floyd ’ s death .
Gen. Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Staff , has also expressed regret for walking with Trump through Lafayette Square in what turned out to be a photo op during the protests .
Defence Secretary Mark Esper , whom Trump appointed , was defence contractor Raytheon Co. ’ s chief Washington lobbyist before he became Army secretary in 2017 .


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Trump supporters rally near Portland and at Oregon Capitol

SALEM , Ore. - Hundreds of people gathered Monday afternoon in a small town south of Portland for a pro-President Donald Trump vehicle rally — just over a week after member of a far-right group was fatally shot after a Trump caravan went through Oregon ’ s largest city .
Later , pro-Trump supporters and counter-protesters clashed at Oregon ’ s Capitol .
Vehicles waving flags for Trump , the QAnon conspiracy theory and in support of police gathered about noon at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City .
The rally ’ s organizers said they would drive to toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most left the caravan before that .
A smaller group of members of the right-wing group the Proud Boys went on to Salem , where a crowd of several dozen pro-Trump supporters had gathered .
At one point Monday afternoon , the right-wing crowd rushed a smaller group of Black Lives Matters counter-demonstrators , firing paint-gun pellets at them .
There were skirmishes , and the Black Lives Matter group dispersed shortly after local police arrived on the scene .
Organizers of the earlier vehicle rally said they did not plan to enter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Oregon City is about 20 miles ( 32 kilometres ) south of Portland .
On Aug. 29 Aaron “ Jay ” Danielson , a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer , was killed in Portland after a pro-Trump caravan went downtown .
Trump supporters fired paint ball canisters at counter-demonstrators , who tried to block their way .
Danielson ’ s suspected killer , Michael Forest Reinoehl , was fatally shot by police Thursday .
Reinoehl was a supporter of antifa — shorthand for anti-fascists and an umbrella description for far-left-leaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late May after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and have continued for more than 100 days .
A fire started outside a police precinct on Portland ’ s north side resulted in about 15 arrests during protests Sunday night into Monday morning , police said .
Demonstrators protesting police brutality began marching about 9 p.m. Sunday and stopped at the North Precinct Community Policing Center , the site of several volatile protests in recent months .
Officials warned demonstrators against entering the precinct property , saying they would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after arriving , the crowd began chanting , among other things , “ burn it down , “ police said .
Some in the group lit a mattress on fire .
Most of those arrested were from Portland .
Others were from San Francisco ; Sacramento , California ; Mesa , Arizona ; and two from Vancouver , Washington .
Charges included interfering with an officer , resisting arrest , reckless burning and possession of a destructive device .


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--The Latest: Trump questions Pentagon leaders’ motives

MILWAUKEE - The Latest on Election 2020 ( all times local ) : President Donald Trump said Monday that top Defence Department leaders want to keep waging wars in order to keep defence contractors “ happy.
” Trump continues to fight allegations that he made offensive comments about fallen U.S. service-members , including calling World War I dead at an American military cemetery in France “ losers ” and “ suckers ” in 2018 .
The Atlantic first reported on the anonymously sourced allegations .
At a White House news conference Monday , Trump repeated his claim that the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I ’ m not saying the military ’ s in love with me .
The soldiers are.
” However , he added , “ The top people in the Pentagon probably aren ’ t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.
” Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is continuing his broadsides against Trump during a virtual town hall with AFL-CIO union members .
Biden called the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losers ” and suckers ” un-American .
And he said Trump would “ never understand ” why Americans serve .
“ He ’ ll never understand you , he ’ ll never understand us , he ’ ll never understand our cops , our firefighters , because he ’ s not made of the same stuff , ” Biden said .
He told the union members : “ You live by a code , an American code .
It sounds corny but it ’ s real : honour , duty , country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a code of lies , greed and selfishness.
” Biden marked Labor Day with a visit with union leaders at the AFL-CIO ’ s Pennsylvania headquarters in Harrisburg .
An attorney representing the family of Jacob Blake says Sen. Kamala Harris ’ visit with the family Monday was “ inspirational and uplifting.
” Attorney Ben Crump says Blake joined in the conversation by phone from his hospital bed .
Blake remains hospitalized after being shot in the back seven times by a white Kenosha police officer while authorities were trying to arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paralyzed .
Crump says Harris , the Democratic vice-presidential candidate , spoke individually with each family member about how they were handling the shooting and urged them to take care of their physical and mental health .
Crump says Blake told Harris he was proud of her , and Harris told Blake that she was also proud of him and the way he was working through his pain .
“ Jacob Jr. assured her that he was not going to give up on life for the sake of his children , ” Crump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about policy changes she and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will seek , and encouraged family members to continue to use their voices to help end systemic racism .
President Donald Trump says he ’ s expecting a strong rebound in the third quarter , with a good economic report coming out just in time for the November election .
He held a Labor Day news conference to talk up the economy ’ s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and to run down his Democratic opponent , Joe Biden .
Trump claims Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy.
” The U.S. economy has been steadily rebounding from its epic collapse in the spring as many businesses have reopened and rehired some laid-off employees .
Yet the recovery is far from complete .
Only about half the 22 million jobs that vanished in the pandemic have been recovered .
Vice-President Mike Pence says the Trump administration stands with law enforcement , and there is no excuse for the violent unrest that has been seen in many American cities .
During a Monday speech in La Crosse , Wisconsin , Pence talked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to manufacture a safe vaccine for the coronavirus .
He also spoke about protests that have been happening in Kenosha , after a police officer shot Jacob Blake , leaving him paralyzed .
Pence did not mention Blake by name .
He said police use of excessive force would be investigated , but there is no excuse for “ rioting.
” He said violence against citizens and property must stop now , and that a Trump administration would never defund police departments .
Pence also spoke about the race to create an effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while Biden has said there is no miracle , America is “ in the miracle business ” and he said there would be a safe , effective vaccine for COVID-19 before the end of the year .
Joe Biden is willing to take a coronavirus vaccine — as long as scientists say it ’ s OK .
Speaking to reporters after a campaign stop in Lancaster , Pennsylvania , Biden said first he ’ d want to see what the scientists said about any potential vaccine .
But he said he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if if would cost him the election by helping President Donald Trump .
Biden also called for “ full transparency on the vaccine , ” warning that Trump ’ s repeated misstatements and falsehoods with respect to the virus are “ undermining public confidence.
” He said he ’ s worried that “ if we do have a really good vaccine people are going to be reluctant to take it .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Naked with ‘spit hoods’ on, protesters decry Prude’s death

ROCHESTER , N.Y. - Naked except for “ spit hoods ” in a reference to the killing of Daniel Prude , several protesters sat outside Rochester ’ s police headquarters Monday morning to push for police accountability , local news outlets reported .
Photos and video showed roughly a half-dozen demonstrators , naked or in minimal clothes and some with “ Black Lives Matter ” written on their backs , sitting silently with their hands behind them , on a rain-slicked street outside the city Public Safety Building .
The Democrat & Chronicle reported that after a time , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars .
Meanwhile , President Donald Trump tweeted that Rochester was among cities that had “ bad nights , ” while Mayor Lovely Warren commended activist leaders , police and community elders on a night of calm protest Sunday .
Prude , a 41-year-old Black man , died after police found him running naked in a street March 23 , put a hood over his head to stop him from spitting , then held him down for about two minutes until he stopped breathing .
He died a week later after he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Joe Prude , had called 911 seeking help for Daniel Prude ’ s unusual behaviour .
He had been taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation earlier that night but was released after a few hours , his brother told officers .
His death sparked outrage after his relatives on Wednesday released police body camera video and written reports they obtained through a public records request .
Seven police officers were suspended Thursday , and state Attorney General Letitia James said Saturday she would form a grand jury and conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death .
Warren and Police Chief La ’ Ron Singletary have faced calls for their resignations over the delay in releasing details of Prude ’ s death .
Police union officials have said the officers were following their training .
Protesters have demanded police accountability and legislation to change how authorities respond to mental health emergencies .
Protesters gathered in a Rochester park Monday evening for a sixth consecutive night of demonstrations .
Free The People ROC released a statement Monday saying marches will continue until Warren and Singletary resign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are fired and prosecuted , and the Rochester Police Department is stopped from responding to mental health calls and defunded .
Sunday night , police said more than 1,000 protesters marched to the Public Safety Building .
Previous nights ’ demonstrations intensified into clashes between police and protesters , with officers dousing activists with a chemical spray and firing what appeared to be pepper balls to drive them from barricades around the headquarters building .
At points , fireworks were shot off and a bus stop was set ablaze .
Local media said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when community elders served as a buffer between protesters and police .
The Police Department said no arrests were made .
“ Last night the world saw the true spirit of Rochester , ” Warren said in a statement , adding that she had told the police department Sunday “ to adopt a smaller and more restrained posture.
“ Trump , however , mentioned Rochester in a Monday morning tweet about cities he said “ all had bad nights ” and were “ weakly run by Radical Left Democrat Governors and Mayors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged people to ignore Trump ’ s comments , accusing him of trying “ to bait people to act with hate and incite violence that he believes will benefit him politically.
” This summer , Trump has repeatedly portrayed Democratic mayors as weak leaders who have let their cities be overrun by violence and disorderly protests , casting himself as the president of “ law and order ” who will protect the country from chaos .
Shootings , killings and other crimes have increased this summer in cities including New York , Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower than it has been in years past .
Trump has sought to tie street violence to protests .
Criminal justice experts say the crime spikes defy easy explanation in a year with historic unemployment and a pandemic that has killed more than 180,000 people .


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Scorched earth: Record 2 million acres burned in California

SHAVER LAKE , Calif. - Wildfires have burned a record 2 million acres in California this year , and the danger for more destruction is so high the U.S. Forest Service announced Monday it was closing all eight national forests in the southern half of the state .
After a typically dry summer , California is parched heading into fall and what normally is the most dangerous time for wildfires .
Two of the three largest fires in state history are burning in the San Francisco Bay Area .
More than 14,000 firefighters are battling those fires and dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heat wave brought triple-digit temperatures to much of the state during Labor Day weekend .
But right behind it was a weather system with dry winds that could fan fires .
The state ’ s largest utility , Pacific Gas & Electric , was preparing to cut power to 158,000 customers in 21 counties in the northern half of the state to reduce the possibility its lines and other equipment could spark new fires .
Randy Moore , regional forester for the Forest Service ’ s Pacific Southwest Region that covers California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision would be re-evaluated daily .
Campgrounds at all national forests in the state also were closed .
“ The wildfire situation throughout California is dangerous and must be taken seriously.
“ Moore said .
“ Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behaviour , new fire starts are likely , weather conditions are worsening , and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire.
” Lynne Tolmachoff , spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection , or Cal Fire , said it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record for acreage burned when September and October usually are the worst for fires because vegetation has dried out and high winds are more common .
The previous high was 1.96 million acres burned in 2018 .
Cal Fire began tracking the numbers in 1987 .
While the two mammoth Bay Area fires were largely contained after burning for three weeks , firefighters struggled to corral several other major blazes ahead of the expected winds .
Evacuation orders were expanded to more mountain communities Monday as the largest blaze , the Creek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forest in Central California .
It was one of many recent major fires that has displayed terrifyingly swift movement .
The fire moved 15 miles ( 24 kilometres ) in a single day and burned 56 square miles ( 145.04 square kilometres ) .
Debra Rios wasn ’ t home when the order came to evacuate her hometown of Auberry , just northeast of Fresno .
Sheriff ’ s deputies went to her ranch property to pick up her 92-year-old mother , Shirley MacLean .
They reunited at an evacuation centre .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t reach my little ranch , ” Rios said .
“ It ’ s not looking good right now .
It ’ s an awfully big fire.
” Mountain roads saw a steady stream of cars and trucks leaving the community of about 2,300 on Monday afternoon .
Firefighters working in steep terrain saved the tiny town of Shaver Lake from flames that roared down hillsides toward a marina .
About 30 houses were destroyed in the remote hamlet of Big Creek , resident Toby Wait said .
“ About half the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ Words can not even begin to describe the devastation of this community.
” A school , church , library , historic general store and a major hydroelectric plant were spared in the community of about 200 residents , Wait told the Fresno Bee .
Sheriff ’ s deputies went door to door to make sure residents were complying with orders to leave .
Officials hoped to keep the fire from pushing west toward Yosemite National Park .
The Creek Fire had charred more than 114 square miles ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaking out Friday .
The nearly 1,000 firefighters on the scene had yet to get any containment .
The cause had not been determined .
On Saturday , National Guard rescuers in two military helicopters airlifted 214 people to safety after flames trapped them in a wooded camping area near Mammoth Pool Reservoir .
Two people were seriously injured and were among 12 hospitalized .
Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Rosamond , the pilot of a Chinook helicopter , said visibility was poor and winds increasingly strong during the three flights he made into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on night-vision goggles to search for a landing spot near a boat launch where flames came within 50 feet ( 15.24 metres ) of the aircraft .
The injured , along with women and children , took priority on the first airlift , which filled both helicopters to capacity , he said .
“ We started getting information about how many people were out there , how many people to expect , and that number kept growing .
So we knew that it was a dire situation , ” Rosamond said .
Rosamond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was one of the most difficult flying missions in his 25 years as a military pilot .
Record-breaking temperatures were driving the highest power use of the year , and transmission losses because of wildfires have cut into supplies .
Throughout the holiday weekend , the California Independent System Operator that manages the state ’ s power grid warned of outages if residents didn ’ t reduce their electricity usage .
But none had occurred by late Monday afternoon .
Pacific Gas & Electric warned it might cut power starting late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some of the state ’ s largest and deadliest fires in recent years have been sparked by downed power lines and other utility equipment .
PG & E received criticism for its handling of planned outages last year .
The utility said it has learned from past problems , “ and this year will be making events smaller in size , shorter in length and smarter for customers.
” In Southern California , crews scrambled to douse several fires that roared to life in searing temperatures , including one that closed mountain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evacuation of the historic Mount Wilson Observatory .
Cal Fire said a blaze in San Bernardino County called the El Dorado Fire started Saturday morning and was caused by a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby ’ s gender .
In eastern San Diego County , a fire destroyed at least 10 structures after burning 16 square miles ( 41.44 square kilometres ) and prompting evacuations near the remote community of Alpine in the Cleveland National Forest .
California has seen 900 wildfires since Aug. 15 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of thousands of lightning strikes in mid-August .
There have been eight fire deaths and more than 3,300 structures destroyed .

Marcio Jose Sanchez And Christopher Weber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--US couple found dead in well in northern Mexico

MEXICO CITY - Authorities have identified bodies found in a well in northern Mexico as two missing tourists from the United States , officials said Monday .
The Baja California state prosecutor ’ s office said in a statement that the victims were identified as retirees Ian Hirschsohn and Kathy Harvey .
Their disappearances were reported to authorities Sept. 2 , the statement said .
Investigators searching an unpopulated area south of Ensenada spotted human remains at the bottom of the well the following day .
They were recovered Friday and Saturday , the statement said .
No information regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided .
The case remains under investigation .
Authorities did not provide their hometowns , but local media reported they both lived in southern California .
Meanwhile , at the southern end of the Baja Peninsula , the Baja California Sur state prosecutor ’ s office said the body of 65-year-old Craig Harrison was found on the beach in Cabo Pulmo Saturday evening .
An autopsy determined that he had been stabbed in the chest before ending up in the ocean .
Harrison , a citizen of South Africa and Canada who settled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 29 .
According to his real estate website , Harrison settled in Cabo San Lucas in 1997 after working as an accountant and a wine importer in Canada .


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--2 tropical storms, Paulette and Rene, form in the Atlantic

MIAMI - Two tropical storms formed Monday in the Atlantic Ocean , including Rene , which took shape off the coast of West Africa .
The U.S. National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for the Cabo Verde Islands , saying Rene would produce tropical storm-force winds and heavy rainfall across the island country Monday night and Tuesday morning .
Rene was moving over Boa Vista Island on Monday night .
The storm was travelling west-northwest at 12 mph ( 19 kph ) .
Its maximum sustained winds were 40 mph ( 65 kph ) .
Rene is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on record , breaking the previous record of Rita , which formed Sept. 18 , 2005 .
Tropical Storm Paulette formed earlier in the day in the central Atlantic , far from land .
Forecasters said Paulette ’ s maximum sustained winds were 40 mph ( 65 kph ) with modest strengthening expected over the next few days .
The storm was centred about 1,220 miles ( 1,965 kilometres ) west of the Cabo Verde Islands and moving northwest at 3 mph ( 6 kph ) .
It is not currently a threat @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--2 women drop sex abuse case against Costa Rica ex-president

SAN JOSE , Costa Rica - Two women who had lodged sexual abuse complaints against Nobel Peace Prize laureate and @ @ @ @ @ Arias have withdrawn those complaints .
The prosecutors office said Monday that “ the two @ @ @ @ @ the criminal process.
” The decision to drop the complaints means that a court could @ @ @ @ @ that it appears prosecutors have no other evidence to rely on in the case .
@ @ @ @ @ for the victims ’ decisions .
Rafael Rodríguez , a lawyer for former Miss Costa @ @ @ @ @ filed one of the complaints , said he could not comment on the decision to @ @ @ @ @ said “ for us , this is over on the legal level.
” The other @ @ @ @ @ text messages seeking comment .
In 2019 , Arias met with prosecutors to give a @ @ @ @ @ complaints against him which alleged sexual assault and sexual abuse in 2014 and 2015 .
@ @ @ @ @ denied the first accusation when it surfaced earlier that year .


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Harris meets Blakes, Trump goes on attack in Labour Day blitz

HARRISBURG , Pa. - Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump spent Monday diminishing each other ’ s credentials on the economy and understanding of the American worker as the presidential campaign entered its final , post-labour Day stretch .
While workers live by an “ American code , “ Biden said Trump “ lives by a code of lies , greed and selfishness ” as he met with labour leaders in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , a key swing state .
Trump , meanwhile , tried to put the halting economic recovery under the best light in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , would “ destroy this country and would destroy this economy.
” Labor Day typically marks the unofficial start to the fall campaign season as candidates accelerate their activity for the final sprint to Election Day .
Both campaigns reflected that urgency Monday , as Harris and Vice-President Mike Pence each campaigned in Wisconsin , a state Trump narrowly won in 2016 .
The events played out against the background of the pandemic , which has upended campaigning and pushed Biden and Harris in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election activity online .
While the health of the American economy and status of workers were dominant Labor Day themes , both campaigns also focused on recent protests that have roiled Wisconsin and the rest of the nation after police shot Jacob Blake , a Black man , in Kenosha last month .
Harris , the first Black woman on a major party presidential ticket , met privately with Blake ’ s family at the Milwaukee airport after arriving in the state , where she spoke with Blake by phone from his hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud of him and individually spoke to each of his family members , in person and on the phone , urging them to take care of their physical and mental health , Blake ’ s lawyers said in a statement .
Biden met with Blake ’ s family during a visit to Wisconsin last week .
Trump did not during a trip of his own last week , instead meeting with law enforcement and business owners whose property had been damaged during protests .
Nor did Pence , who touched on the protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he toured an energy facility .
“ We will have law and order in every city in this country for every American of every race and creed , ” Pence said .
Out on the trail , signs of the pandemic were evident .
While Pence didn ’ t speak with a mask on , workers from the power company he toured did as they stood behind him .
Harris was careful not to stray far from blue “ X ” marks taped on the floor to encourage social distancing as she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training facility .
While supporters gathered outside the candidates ’ stops , they had minimal interaction with members of the public beyond the people invited to their events .
After meeting with Black business owners , Harris greeted a crowd of about 50 supporters outside as she left , removing her mask briefly while telling them , “ We have to get this done , I need your help in Milwaukee.
“ She noted in-person absentee voting begins in the state on Oct. 20 , which is her birthday .
Harris also met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she said her day of campaigning was focused on “ the dignity of work and the dignity of human beings.
“ Biden spoke to a small group of labour leaders in a backyard in Lancaster , where he criticized Trump for “ refusing to deal with the problems that affect ordinary people “ and called for strengthening unions .
His campaign announced endorsements from the Laborers ’ International Union of North America , the International Union of Elevator Constructors and the National Federation of Federal Employees , collectively representing hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at an AFL-CIO virtual town hall with union President Richard Trumka , Biden called Trump ’ s alleged remarks about fallen soldiers being “ losers “ and “ suckers ” un-American and said Trump would never understand why Americans serve .
Trump has denied the remarks .
“ He ’ ll never understand you , he ’ ll never understand us , he ’ ll never understand our cops , our firefighters , because he ’ s not made of the same stuff , ” Biden said .
Earlier in the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of handling the coronavirus and reviving the economy and pledged his own “ undying loyalty to the American worker.
“ He boasted of adding more than 10 million jobs since May , without mentioning that ’ s only about half of the jobs lost since the pandemic began .
He also said the unemployment rate “ plunged “ to 8.4 % .
It was a sharper decline than many economists expected from the prior month , but economists broadly view the latest report as evidence that further economic improvement will be sluggish .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately collapse the economy.
“ The day marked Harris ’ first solo foray onto the campaign trail for in-person events since she became Biden ’ s running mate nearly a month ago .
Biden himself has stepped up his campaigning over the past week , travelling to Pittsburgh and Kenosha and holding two news conferences .
Aides say to expect both Biden and Harris to increase their campaigning for the remaining weeks .
Polls consistently show the economy as an issue at the top of voters ’ minds .
A strong economy that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection has now become a potential liability , brought down by the coronavirus .
Biden says Trump has had an inadequate response to the pandemic , resulting in more loss of life and jobs than necessary .
The U.S. economy has been steadily rebounding from its epic collapse in the spring as many businesses have reopened and rehired some laid-off employees .
Yet the recovery is far from complete .
Only about half the 22 million jobs that vanished in the pandemic have been recovered .
Economic inequalities also appear to have widened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionately while affluent Americans have lost fewer jobs and even benefited from rising stock and home prices .
Ronayne reported from Sacramento , California , and Nasir reported from Milwaukee .
Associated Press writer Amy Forliti contributed from Minneapolis .

Noreen Nasir, Alexandra Jaffe And Kathleen Ronayne - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Authorities: Gunmen sought after deputy shot; vest saved him

DALTON , Ga. - Authorities searched Monday for two Texas fugitives accused in the shooting of a deputy in Dalton , Georgia .
Dalton Potter , 29 , fired numerous gunshots at Whitfield County Sheriff ’ s Deputy Darrell Hackney from inside his vehicle , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Monday .
Hackney was struck , but his ballistic vest saved him , the GBI said in a statement .
Authorities described Potter as “ armed and dangerous.
” Potter had been hauling a stolen trailer and was pulled over by deputies before the gunfire happened around midnight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned fire , but Potter made his getaway by driving south on Interstate 75 .
He wrecked the truck and escaped into the woods on foot , the GBI said .
The stolen trailer was found along the southbound lanes of I-75 , near the Whitfield-Gordon county line , the agency said .
State agents were searching for him , saying he ’ s considered armed and dangerous .
Potter is facing a charge of aggravated assault on the deputy , GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said Monday afternoon .
The GBI later said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fugitive — Jonathan Hosmer , 47 — who they said was also involved in the shooting .
Authorities said charges were pending against Hosmer , who was spotted on surveillance footage taken near the site of the truck crash .
They did not immediately release additional details about Hosmer ’ s involvement .
Dalton is about 90 miles ( 145 kilometres ) northwest of Atlanta .


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Independent qualifies to challenge DA in Ahmaud Arbery case

BRUNSWICK , Ga. - A Georgia prosecutor who has faced criticism over her handling of the investigation into the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery will face electoral opposition in November .
Independent candidate Keith Higgins has qualified for the ballot to run against incumbent Republican District Attorney Jackie Johnson .
No Democrat qualified for the race , meaning Johnson was initially without opposition for another four-year term in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit , a southeast Georgia jurisdiction that includes Appling , Camden , Glynn , Jefferson Davis and Wayne counties .
Higgins tells The Brunswick News that more than 6,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He only needed 3,526 after a judge cut signature amounts required statewide because of COVID-19 .
Johnson was first appointed to the office in 2010 .
Arbery was fatally shot last Feb. 23 when a white father and son armed themselves and pursued the unarmed 25-year-old Black man , who was running in their neighbourhood , according to authorities .
More than two months passed before Gregory McMichael and his son , Travis McMichael , were charged with felony murder and aggravated assault .
A third man , William “ Roddie ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who authorities say had joined in their pursuit of Arbery and recorded the cellphone video of the shooting , also was subsequently charged with murder .
All three men remain jailed , awaiting trial .
Gregory McMichael had been a longtime investigator for Johnson ’ s office .
Johnson recused herself , but handed the case off to a second district attorney .
One county commissioner in Glynn County has claimed that officers were hesitant to arrest the McMichaels after the DA ’ s office told them it wasn ’ t necessary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a “ vicious lie ” and denied wrongdoing The second prosecutor , George Barnhill , decided no charges were necessary .
Barnhill was eventually removed over his own conflict of interest — his son works for Johnson and had prosecuted an earlier case against Arbery .
Both Barnhill and Johnson are now being investigated by federal authorities .
Barnhill also denies wrongdoing After video of Arbery being shot emerged , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case .
They arrested both McMichaels on charges of aggravated assault and murder May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Higgins has refrained from directly criticizing Johnson ’ s handling of the Arbery case , but admits many more people wanted to sign his qualifying petition after the McMichaels were arrested .
“ There was a period of time where we felt discouraged and down about it and wondered how this was going to be possible , ” Higgins said .
“ Then God showed me how .
Come May 8 , I couldn ’ t answer the phone fast enough .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Trump open to inquiry into DeJoy and campaign contributions

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump says he ’ s open to an investigation of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy following published reports that former employees of DeJoy , a major donor to Trump and other Republicans , said they felt pressured to make campaign contributions to GOP candidates .
The president also said Monday that DeJoy should lose his job if campaign finance irregularities are uncovered while describing the GOP fundraiser as a “ very honest guy.
” Trump replied “ sure , sure ” when asked at a news conference whether he would support an investigation into DeJoy .
DeJoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S .
Postal Service changes that some fear will slow delivery of mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 elections .
Asked if DeJoy should lose his job if a campaign finance scheme is uncovered , Trump replied : “ Yeah , if something could be proven that he did something wrong , always .
Always.
” The Washington Post reported online Sunday that several ex-employees of DeJoy ’ s former business , New Breed Logistics , said DeJoy or his aides urged them to make political contributions .
Others told the newspaper that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reimburse for the contributions .
Such an arrangement would be illegal .
Monty Hagler , a spokesperson for DeJoy , told the Post that DeJoy was unaware that any workers felt pressure to make donations .
Hagler also said DeJoy believes he has always complied with campaign fundraising laws and regulations .
DeJoy was put in charge of the Postal Service in June after a career in logistics and set in motion a series of policy changes that have delayed mail and sparked concern over the agency ’ s ability to process a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to coronavirus fears .
The House Oversight Committee recently subpoenaed DeJoy for records about widespread mail delivery delays that have pushed the Postal Service into the political spotlight .
He has appeared before Congress twice in recent weeks to testify about the changes , some of which he said he has put on hold until after the elections .

Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Black woman to lead police force reeling from Breonna Taylor

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - For the first time , a Black woman will lead Kentucky ’ s Louisville Metro Police Department , which has been been heavily criticized since officers fatally shot Breonna Taylor in March .
Mayor Greg Fischer announced on Monday that Yvette Gentry will serve as interim chief of the department , according to The Courier-Journal .
Gentry is a former Louisville Metro Police deputy chief who retired from the force in 2014 .
She will be the first woman and the third African American to serve as chief of the Louisville Metro Police .
Interim Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of September after four months in the role .
Schroeder took over on June 1 when Fischer fired longtime Chief Steve Conrad after learning officers did not have body cameras turned on during the fatal police shooting of the owner of a popular West End eatery .
Gentry ’ s appointment comes at a low point in relations between police and Black residents in Louisville .
Protesters have marched for more than 100 consecutive days since Taylor , a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician , was shot and killed as officers attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her apartment .
Protesters want serious changes to the city ’ s police and other systems they say have perpetuated systemic racism .
Taylor ’ s death is under investigation by the FBI and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron , who is expected to announce in coming weeks whether criminal charges will be brought against the officers .
Authorities have said the officers fired back after Taylor ’ s boyfriend started shooting at them .
In an emotional speech after Monday ’ s announcement , Gentry addressed residents of the West End neighbourhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 100 days of protest over racial injustice since Taylor ’ s death .
“ I ’ m not here just to help you unboard your beautiful buildings downtown , ” she said .
“ I ’ m here to work with you to unboard the community that I served with all my heart in west Louisville , that was boarded for 20 or 30 years.
” She said the past four months have been tough on police officers as well as on protesters , adding that it ’ s tough “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I will just say : That is just a glimpse of how a lot of people have been feeling for a long time , and we can ’ t go back , ” Gentry said .
“ I think our city is at a point of reckoning that only truth can bring us out of .
Only truth can break us out ; only truth can take away darkness.
” Gentry told the newspaper in an interview that she doesn ’ t want to be the permanent police chief — and didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When you live in Louisville , and you raise your kids here , like I do , and your family ’ s here , I want that chief to be successful , ” said Gentry , a Louisville native .
“ So , even though I wasn ’ t interested in the full-time job , I realized that somebody has to stand in the gap.
” Fischer is expected to name a new leader by the end of 2020 .
In an interview , Gentry acknowledged that improving community relations , reducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be an easy task , but said she ’ s in as “ good a position as anyone could be.
” “ Being a Black woman , and a veteran and a former police officer , when you ’ ve worn all the hats of people who are out here , wanting to be heard , and you ’ ve worked in a place where you ’ ve tried to be heard and didn ’ t necessarily feel like you were , I just feel like I have that type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Gentry said .
“ People are just so far apart .
And maybe , I can be in the middle and I can bridge it.
“


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--Jacob Blake, rare survivor at centre of police protests, starts telling his own story

KENOSHA , WIS.—Demonstrations against police violence have been filled with the chants of victims ’ names : George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Tamir Rice , Eric Garner .
In recent days , a new name — Jacob Blake — has been called out in protests across the country .
In that list , though , Blake , a Black man who was repeatedly shot in the back by a white police officer in Kenosha , is also set apart .
Unlike so many of the people who have become grim symbols for a movement , Blake survived and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Your life — and not only just your life , your legs , something that you need to move around and move forward in life — could be taken from you like this , man , ” Blake says from his hospital bed , snapping his fingers for emphasis , in a video released over the weekend .
In the video , he speaks publicly for the first time about what happened to him .
His injuries are severe , and his family says he was paralyzed from the waist down in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video , which was recorded by an activist from New York who distributed it on social media , Blake describes his injuries , which he says left him with staples in his back and stomach .
“ Every 24 hours , it ’ s pain — it ’ s nothing but pain , ” Blake says .
“ It hurts to breathe ; it hurts to sleep .
It hurts to move from side to side .
It hurts to eat.
” Shermaine Laster , the activist , said he had showed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being treated and was meeting Blake for the first time .
For demonstrators seeking broad changes to American policing , the prospect of Blake ’ s presenting the public with a personal voice to his experience was encouraging .
“ My son is gone , ” said Monique West , whose 18-year-old son , Ty ’ Rese West , was shot and killed in 2019 by a police officer in Racine County , not far from Kenosha .
“ He ’ s not here to tell nothing .
There ’ s only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the person that ’ s gone.
” A Kenosha officer , Rusten Sheskey , fired seven times on Aug. 30 at Blake , who was trying to get into a car .
The shooting was captured by a neighbour on a disturbing video that quickly drew outrage on social media .
It set off sometimes destructive demonstrations in Kenosha and quickly became a topic in the presidential race , drawing visits from President Donald Trump and Joe Biden .
Cortez Rice , a nephew of George Floyd , the man who was killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Blake ’ s own words about what had happened to him would hold a unique value .
“ Jacob ’ s got the chance — he ’ s going to get to speak , ” Rice said .
Gregory Bennett Jr. organized a community event Sunday in Kenosha at which state lawmakers heard demands from residents for change .
A seat was left empty for Blake at the event — a reminder , organizers said , that he might yet be a voice for needed reform .
Without such survivors , Bennett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It would have been swept under the rug , ” Bennett said .
“ There ’ s people whose family members have been shot and killed here in this city , and guess what ?
You never see a news camera or nothing.
” To be sure , others who became symbols of abuse at the hands of police have survived to tell their stories .
Rodney King , who was beaten by Los Angeles police officers in 1991 , and Abner Louima , who was tortured by New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to describe what had been done to them .
King , who died in 2012 , and Louima , who started a real estate business in Florida , largely tried to move on .
Of people shot at by officers from the nation ’ s 50 largest police departments between 2010 and 2016 , about two-thirds survived , according to data obtained by Vice News .
“ There ’ s an invisibility to it , ” Frank Edwards , an assistant professor of criminal justice at Rutgers University , said of people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those survivors are charged with crimes and rarely draw public attention or speak publicly about their cases .
“ They fear retribution if they do speak , ” he said .
What role Blake will choose to play in demonstrations remains to be seen .
He still faces significant medical challenges , and one of his lawyers has said that his walking again would be a “ miracle.
” Blake also is contending with legal charges .
By video conference from his hospital bed , Blake pleaded not guilty Friday to three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual assault count .
The charges were filed in July .
On the day Blake was shot , the woman who reported the assault called 911 , saying that Blake was at her home .
Kenosha police said they were trying to arrest Blake when the shooting occurred .
The trial in that case has been scheduled for November , although it could be delayed .
Ben Crump , a civil rights lawyer who is representing Blake and has represented families of many Black people killed by police , said Blake was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what had happened to him and what that might mean in the months ahead .
“ He hasn ’ t been able to fully grasp what a symbol he has become , ” Crump said , adding that Blake was mostly focused on making sure that his young children — three of whom witnessed the shooting — are not traumatized and that they understand that he will emerge from this .
“ The way he ’ s trying to be a strong Black father for his children is the way that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this movement , ” Crump said .
Porche Bennett , an organizer with Black Lives Activists Kenosha , or BLAK , said Sunday that there would be no pressure on Blake to publicly take up their cause or to become an outspoken advocate for the movement .
“ We know we ’ ve got his support , ” she said .

Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs - The New York Times


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--California fire sparked by device to reveal baby’s gender

LOS ANGELES - A couple ’ s plan to reveal their baby ’ s gender went up not in blue or pink smoke but in flames when the device they used sparked a wildfire that burned thousands of acres and forced people to flee from a city east of Los Angeles .
The fire prompted evacuations in parts of Yucaipa , a city of 54,000 , and the surrounding area .
Water-dropping helicopters were brought in but the fire has proven stubborn — it grew to 11.5 square miles ( 30 square kilometres ) by Monday morning and more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimal containment .
No homes have burned and no injuries reported .
It ’ s the latest in what has become a lengthy list of tragedies at events where typically smoke , confetti , balloons or other colored objects are used to reveal the soon-to-be-born child ’ s biological sex — pink for girls and blue for boys .
Sometimes the made-for-social-media gatherings are spectacles and include explosives and even guns , and at least one had deadly consequences .
The fire started Saturday morning at El Ranch Dorado Park , a rugged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners .
In summer the park ’ s tall natural grasses dry out and turn golden , and when combined with the San Bernardino Mountains in the distance , provide a popular backdrop for family photos and videos .
Wildfires have burned more than 2 million acres in California this year , setting a state record even as crews battled dozens of growing blazes Monday in sweltering temperatures .
The unidentified couple chose the location to reveal their baby ’ s gender .
They were accompanied by their young children and had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Capt .
Bennet Milloy of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .
The family went into a field and fired off the device , which quickly ignited 4-foot ( 1.2 metre ) grasses , Milloy said .
Conditions were perfect for a fire to spread quickly — triple-digit temperatures , low humidity , dry vegetation and a stiff breeze .
Surveillance video showed the couple frantically race to their vehicle to retrieve water bottles to try to extinguish the flames .
It was futile and they called 911 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire like this with a water bottle , ” Milloy said .
“ They had no chance after it started.
“ Firefighters arrived within minutes and the distraught couple told them what happened and provided their own photos and video to aid the investigation , Milloy said .
“ It ’ s a pretty tragic situation , “ he said .
“ Obviously this was supposed to be a happy event.
” The couple could be liable for the cost of fighting the fire and criminally charged with misdemeanour or felony counts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was accidentally started by an off-duty Border Patrol agent who shot a target filled with an explosive blue powder .
The fire burned 47,000 acres ( 73 square miles ) and caused $ 8 million in damages , Agent Dennis Dickey was charged with a misdemeanour and sentenced to probation .
Last year , a homemade explosive used to reveal a baby ’ s gender killed 56-year-old Pamela Kreimeyer in Knoxville , Iowa .
The device was meant to spray powder but instead blew up like a pipe bomb .
Kreimeyer , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) away , died instantly when debris struck her head .
Milloy said some devices used to reveal genders are harmless but others contain chemicals that produce heat and can spark fires .
He said the device used Saturday will be tested to determine what it contained .
Milloy didn ’ t know the colour it emitted .


thetorontostar--2020-09-07--COVID-19 vaccine latest flashpoint in White House campaign

WASHINGTON - The prospect of a vaccine to shield Americans from coronavirus infection emerged Monday as a point of contention in the White House race as President Donald Trump accused Democrats of “ disparaging ” for political gain a vaccine he repeatedly has said could be available before the election .
“ It ’ s so dangerous for our country , what they say , but the vaccine will be very safe and very effective , ” the president pledged at a White House news conference .
Trump levelled the accusation a day after Sen. Kamala Harris , the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not trust his word ” on getting the vaccine .
“ I would trust the word of public health experts and scientists , but not Donald Trump , ” Harris said .
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden amplified Harris ’ comments Monday after he was asked if he would get a vaccine for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
Biden said he ’ d take a vaccine “ tomorrow ” want to see what the scientists have to say , too .
Biden said Trump has said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true , I ’ m worried if we do have a really good vaccine , people are going to be reluctant to take it .
So he ’ s undermining public confidence.
“ Still , the former vice-president said , “ If I could get a vaccine tomorrow I ’ d do it , if it would cost me the election I ’ d do it .
We need a vaccine and we need it now.
” The back-and-forth over a coronavirus vaccine played out as three of the candidates fanned out across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional start of the two-month sprint to the election .
Harris and Vice-President Mike Pence campaigned in Wisconsin and Biden went to Pennsylvania .
Trump added the news conference to a schedule that originally was blank .
Harris , a California Democrat , said in a CNN interview broadcast Sunday that she would not trust a coronavirus vaccine if one were ready at the end of the year because “ there ’ s very little that we can trust that ... comes out of Donald Trump ’ s mouth.
” She argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is focused on getting reelected .
Trump dismissed her comments as “ reckless anti-vaccine rhetoric “ designed to detract from the effort to quickly ready a vaccine for a disease that has killed nearly 190,000 Americans and infected more than 6 million others , according to a count by Johns Hopkins University .
“ She ’ s talking about disparaging a vaccine so that people don ’ t think the achievement was a great achievement , ” Trump said , answering reporters ’ questions as he stood at a lectern placed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the mansion .
“ They ’ ll say anything , ” he said .
Trump insisted he hasn ’ t said a vaccine could be ready before November , although he said so repeatedly and as recently as Friday .
The president then proceeded to say what he had just denied ever saying .
“ What I said is by the end of the year , but I think it could even be sooner that that , ” he said about a vaccine .
“ It could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually could be before November.
” Under a program Trump calls “ Operation Warp Speed , ” the goal is to have 300 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine in stock by January .
He has spent hundreds of billions of dollars on what amounts to a huge gamble since vaccine development usually takes years .
Concerns exist about political influence over development of a vaccine , and whether one produced under this process will be safe and effective .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government ’ s top infectious-disease expert and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force , told CNN last week that it is unlikely but “ not impossible ” that a vaccine could win approval in October , instead of November or December .
Fauci added that he ’ s “ pretty sure ” a vaccine would not be approved for Americans unless it was both safe and effective .
Stephen Hahn , commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration , has said the agency would not cut corners as it evaluates vaccines , but would aim to expedite its work .
He told the Financial Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate “ to approve a vaccine before clinical trials were complete if the benefits outweighed the risks .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , meanwhile , has given assurances that Trump “ will not in any way sacrifice safety ” when it comes to a vaccine .
And executives of five top pharmaceutical companies pledged that no COVID-19 vaccines or treatments will be approved , even for emergency use , without proof they are safe and effective .
Some concerns were sparked by a letter dated Aug. 27 in which Dr. Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention , asked governors to help government contractor McKesson Corp. make sure vaccine distribution facilities are up and running by Nov. 1 .
Redfield did not say a vaccine would be ready by then .
Three COVID-19 vaccines are undergoing final-stage , or Phase 3 , clinical trials in the U.S. Each study is enrolling about 30,000 people who will get two shots , three weeks apart , and then will be monitored for coronavirus infections and side effects for anywhere from a week to two years .


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--Iranian TV: British-Iranian dual national faces new charge

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran ’ s state television , citing an unnamed official , announced Tuesday that British-Iranian dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is facing a new charge .
The report did not elaborate beyond saying that Zaghari-Ratcliffe appeared Tuesday morning before a branch of the country ’ s Revolutionary Court in Tehran , where she was first sentenced to prison on murky espionage charges in 2017 .
Calls to Zaghari-Ratcliffe ’ s attorney and the court were not immediately returned .
The new indictment comes as Britain and Iran negotiate the release of some 400 million pounds ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a payment the late Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi made for Chieftain tanks that were never delivered .
The shah abandoned the throne in 1979 and the Islamic Revolution soon installed the clerically overseen system that endures today .
Authorities in London and Tehran deny that Zaghari-Ratcliffe is linked in any way to the repayment deal .
Zaghari-Ratcliffe this spring was granted temporary release from prison due to the coronavirus pandemic after serving nearly all of her five-year sentence , raising hopes she would soon return home to Britain .
Iran has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst-affected country in the Middle East .
Since then , it has reported more than 391,000 cases and 22,542 deaths .
Tens of thousands of inmates were released as Iran tried to curb the spread of the virus in its crowded prisons .
Zaghari-Ratcliffe ’ s case has stirred tensions between Iran and Britain , where on Tuesday her local London lawmaker , Tulip Siddiq , tweeted confirmation that Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been taken to court and would face another trial on Sunday .
“ I know many people are concerned about her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated when we have more information , ” Siddiq wrote .
Iran does not recognize dual nationalities , so detainees like Zaghari-Ratcliffe can not receive consular assistance .
A U.N. panel has described “ an emerging pattern involving the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of dual nationals ” in Iran , which Tehran denies .
Analysts and family members of dual nationals and others detained in Iran say hard-liners in the Islamic Republic ’ s security agencies use the prisoners as bargaining chips for money or influence in negotiations with the West .
Zaghari-Ratcliffe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when trying to return to Britain with her toddler daughter in April 2016 .
Her family insists she had travelled to Iran to visit family , vigorously denying the charges that she was plotting the “ soft toppling ” of Iran ’ s government .
At the time , Zaghari-Ratcliffe worked for the Thomson Reuters Foundation , the charitable arm of the news agency .
Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell and Isabel DeBre in Dubai , United Arab Emirates contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--Officers capture 1 of 2 fugitives after Georgia deputy shot

DALTON , Ga. - Law officers have apprehended one of two Texas fugitives wanted after a Georgia deputy was shot during a traffic stop , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Tuesday .
Jonathan Hosmer , 47 , is in custody , and Dalton Potter , 29 , remains at large , the agency said in a statement .
The gunfire happened around midnight Monday in Dalton , Georgia , when Potter fired numerous gunshots at Whitfield County Sheriff ’ s Deputy Darrell Hackney from inside his vehicle , the GBI said .
Hackney was struck , but his ballistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Authorities described Potter as “ armed and dangerous.
” Potter had been hauling a stolen trailer and was pulled over by deputies around midnight when he opened fire , authorities said .
Hackney and another deputy returned fire , but Potter made his getaway by driving south on Interstate 75 .
He wrecked the truck and escaped into the woods on foot , the GBI said .
The stolen trailer was found along the southbound lanes of I-75 , near the Whitfield-Gordon county line , the agency said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault on the deputy , GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said Monday afternoon .
The GBI later said they were searching for a second Texas fugitive — Hosmer — who they said was also involved in the shooting .
Authorities said charges were pending against Hosmer , who was spotted on surveillance footage taken near the site of the truck crash .
Dalton is about 90 miles ( 145 kilometres ) northwest of Atlanta .


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--Rights group: Myanmar army deserters confirmed atrocities

BANGKOK - Two soldiers who deserted from Myanmar ’ s army have testified on video that they were instructed by commanding officers to “ shoot all that you see and that you hear ” in villages where minority Rohingya lived , a human rights group said Tuesday .
The comments appear to be the first public confession by soldiers of involvement in army-directed massacres , rape and other crimes against Rohingya Muslims in the Buddhist-majority country .
More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar to neighbouring Bangladesh since August 2017 to escape what Myanmar ’ s military called a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rohingya insurgent group in Rakhine state .
Myanmar ’ s government has denied accusations that security forces committed mass rapes and killings and burned thousands of homes .
The group Fortify Rights , which focuses on Myanmar , said the two army privates fled the country last month and are believed to be in the custody of the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands , which is examining the violence against the Rohingya .
Asked about the two soldiers , an ICC spokesman said Tuesday that “ We have no new persons under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed to be acting on orders from senior commanders to ‘ exterminate all ( Rohingya ) , ’ to ‘ shoot all that you see and that you hear , ’ and to ‘ kill all ’ Rohingya in specific areas , ” Fortify Rights said in a statement .
The Associated Press has not seen the videos and was not able to independently corroborate the account of the two soldiers ’ testimony released by Fortify Rights .
U.N. agencies and human rights organizations have extensively documented atrocities carried out against the Rohingya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court of Justice agreed last year to consider a case alleging that Myanmar committed genocide against the group .
The court ’ s proceedings are likely to continue for years .
Myanmar has long considered Rohingya Muslims to have migrated illegally from Bangladesh , even though their families have lived in Myanmar for generations .
Nearly all have been denied citizenship since 1982 , effectively rendering them stateless .
They are also denied freedom of movement and other basic rights .
The videos were filmed in July by the Arakan Army , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an armed conflict with the government , Fortify Rights said .
It said the men arrived at Myanmar ’ s border with Bangladesh in mid-August and asked Bangladesh authorities for protection .
Bangladesh officials then notified the International Criminal Court about their presence , and said they are no longer in Bangladesh , according to Fortify Rights .
It said Privates Myo Win Tun , 33 , and Zaw Naing Tun , 30 , who served in separate Light Infantry Battalions , gave “ the names and ranks of 19 direct perpetrators from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as six senior commanders in the Myanmar Army whom they claim ordered or contributed to atrocity crimes against Rohingya , including a lieutenant colonel , a colonel , and three captains.
” It said Myo Win Tun admitted involvement in killing Rohingya women , men , and children , as well as rape .
Zaw Naing Tun confessed to killings , burying bodies in mass graves , and other crimes , it said .
“ These confessions demonstrate what we ’ ve long known , which is that the Myanmar Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a specific and centralized command structure , ” Fortify Rights chief Matthew Smith said in the statement .
“ Commanders control , direct , and order their subordinates in all they do .
In this case , commanders ordered foot soldiers to commit genocidal acts and exterminate Rohingya , and that ’ s exactly what they did.
” Under the legal doctrine of command responsibility , higher-ranking officers are held responsible for heinous acts carried out by those serving under them .
That the men described similar activities in different areas also “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-ordination , and intent to commit genocide , ” Fortify Rights said .
It said the video confessions appeared to be credible because their content is consistent with other evidence previously unearthed by the group and other investigators , such as the U.N.-empowered Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar .
The International Court of Justice is the U.N. ’ s top court .
It settles disputes between nations and does not prosecute individuals .
The International Criminal Court , which seeks to hold individuals responsible for crimes , has not issued any public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both courts are based in The Hague in the Netherlands .


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--China, India accuse each other of border moves, firing shots

BEIJING - India and China accused each other on Tuesday of making provocative military moves and firing warning shots along their disputed border despite talks on ending the escalating tensions .
China said Indian forces on Monday crossed into territory it holds and fired warning shots at a Chinese patrol in what it called a violation of their agreements .
India denied that and said Chinese soldiers tried to surround one of its forward posts in a “ grave provocation ” and also fired warning shots .
China described it as the first exchange of fire between the countries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been engaged in a tense standoff in the cold-desert Ladakh region since May , and their defence ministers met Friday in Moscow in the first high-level direct contact between the sides since the standoff began .
China ’ s western military command said the incursion occurred Monday along the southern coast of Pangong Lake in an area known in China as Shenpaoshan and in India as Chushul .
The two countries ’ local military commanders have held several rounds of talks to defuse the tense standoff .
After shots were fired , Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and control the situation , ” the command said in a statement citing spokesman Zhang Shuili .
It demanded the Indian forces withdraw and investigate the move to open fire .
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian repeated that Indian troop were the first to shoot .
He said it was the first exchange of fire between the sides since 1975 , despite the increasing tempo of recent clashes .
“ We , the Chinese side , has been been stressing repeatedly that the two sides should peacefully settle our differences through dialogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either side , “ Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing .
Col. Aman Anand , an Indian army spokesman , said China continues “ provocative activities to escalate ” tensions and called the Chinese military statement an attempt to mislead domestic and international audiences .
Anand said the Chinese soldiers tried to surround an Indian military post and fired a few shots in the air when the Indian soldiers “ dissuaded ” them .
He said Indian troops “ exercised great restraint.
” He accused China ’ s military of “ blatantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while engagement at military , diplomatic and political level is in progress.
” There was no word of casualties on either side .
Late last month , India said its soldiers thwarted Chinese military ’ s moves “ to change the status quo ” in violation of a consensus reached in past efforts to settle the standoff .
In turn , China accused Indian troops of crossing established lines of control .
The activities last month and on Monday were alleged to have occurred on the southern bank of Pangong Lake , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontier and where the India-China face off began on its northern flank in early May .
The standoff escalated to a nighttime clash on June 15 that was the deadliest conflict in 45 years between the countries .
According to Indian officials , Chinese troops atop a ridge at the mouth of the narrow Galwan Valley threw stones , punched and pushed Indian soldiers down the ridge at around 4,500 metres ( 15,000 feet ) .
India said 20 of its soldiers were killed , including a colonel .
China did not report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,500-kilometre ( 2,175-mile ) border between India and China , referred to as the Line of Actual Control , stretches from the Ladakh region in the west to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh in the east .
China also claims all of Arunachal Pradesh as its territory .
The Asia giants fought a border war in 1962 that also spilled into Ladakh and ended in an uneasy truce .
They have been trying to settle their border dispute since the early 1990s , without success .
India unilaterally declared Ladakh a federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August 2019 , ending its semi-autonomous status .
The move further strained the relationship between New Delhi and Beijing , which raised the issue at international forums including the U.N. Security Council .
In a symbolic move amid soaring tensions , India has banned scores of Chinese-owned apps , including TikTok , citing privacy concerns that it said pose a threat to India ’ s sovereignty and security .


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--UN detects virus cases in Syrian refugee camp in Jordan

AMMAN , Jordan - The U.N. refugee agency said on Tuesday it has confirmed two coronavirus cases in the Azraq camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan , which is home to more than 36,000 people who have fled their country ’ s civil war .
They are the first infections to be detected among Syrians living in refugee camps in Jordan .
The UNHCR said the two patients have been transferred to quarantine facilities and their neighbours have been isolated as more testing is carried out .
More than 5.5 million Syrians have fled the country since the war broke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in neighbouring countries where they often live in close quarters and struggle to make ends meet .
Coronavirus lockdowns have taken a heavy toll on the region ’ s economies , making it even harder for refugees to find work .
Azraq is home to some 36,000 Syrian refugees , while the larger Zaatari camp in Jordan houses around 80,000 .
Jordan hosts a total of more than 650,000 Syrian refugees , most of whom live outside of camps .
At least four Syrian refugees living outside the camps in Jordan have tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is the first confirmed case of coronavirus in refugee camps in Jordan , ” the UNHCR said in a statement .
“ It is a reminder that everyone has been affected by this epidemic , and solutions must be addressed through international solidarity and co-operation.
” Experts and aid agencies have warned of potentially catastrophic outbreaks in the world ’ s refugee camps , where sanitation is often poor and social distancing is nearly impossible .
Over 70 million people worldwide have fled their homes because of war and unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in refugee camps and informal settlements .


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--Shark kills surfer on Australia’s Gold Coast tourist strip

CANBERRA , Australia - A shark fatally mauled a surfer on Tuesday on Australia ’ s Gold Coast city tourist strip in a rare attack off a beach protected by shark netting , officials said .
The man , aged in his 50s , was was brought to shore by fellow surfers and lifeguards at popular Greenmount Beach with leg injuries , Queensland state Ambulance Service supervisor William Houghton said .
Paramedics determined he was already dead on the beach , he said .
The death is only the second fatal shark attack off one of Queensland ’ s 85 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nets and drum lines since as early as 1962 , the state government said .
The last fatal shark attack off a Gold Coast beach , 24 of which are now netted , was in 1958 .
Shark nets are suspended from floats and run parallel to beaches .
They are 186 metres ( 210 feet ) long and 6 metres ( 10 feet ) deep .
Sharks can swim under the nets and around their ends .
No details were immediately available about the shark .
A Senate inquiry in 2017 found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than good .
The Senate committee said nets give beachgoers a false sense of security while entangling and killing protected marine species including whales and turtles .
Australia ’ s last fatal shark attack was north of the Gold Coast near Fraser Island on July 4 .
A 36-year-old spear fisherman died hours after he was bitten on a leg .
A 60-year-old surfer was killed by a 3-meter ( 10-foot ) great white shark at an unprotected beach south of the Gold Coast near Kingscliff on June 7 .
This story has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected beaches are across the state and not just on the Gold Coast .


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--House to investigate DeJoy possible campaign law violations

WASHINGTON - House Democrats said Tuesday they will investigate whether Postmaster General Louis DeJoy encouraged employees at his business to contribute to Republican candidates and then reimbursed them in the guise of bonuses , a violation of campaign finance laws .
Five people who worked for DeJoy ’ s former business , New Breed Logistics , say they were urged by DeJoy ’ s aides or by DeJoy himself to write checks and attend fundraisers at his mansion in Greensboro , North Carolina , The Washington Post reported .
Two former employees told the newspaper that DeJoy would later give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s not illegal to encourage employees to contribute to candidates but it is illegal to reimburse them as a way of avoiding federal campaign contribution limits .
Rep. Carolyn Maloney , who chairs the House Oversight Committee , said in a statement Tuesday that if the allegations are true , “ DeJoy could face criminal exposure — not only for his actions in North Carolina , but also for lying to our Committee under oath.
” She was referring to DeJoy ’ s testimony before her committee last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repaid executives for contributing to Trump ’ s campaign .
Maloney urged the Board of Governors of the U.S .
Postal Service to immediately suspend DeJoy , whom “ they never should have selected in the first place.
” Monty Hagler , a spokesperson for DeJoy , told the Post that DeJoy was unaware that any workers felt pressure to make donations .
Hagler also said DeJoy believes he has always complied with campaign fundraising laws and regulations .
President Donald Trump said Monday that DeJoy , a major donor to Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if campaign finance irregularities are uncovered .
DeJoy already faces unrelated scrutiny from Congress for U.S .
Postal Service changes that some fear will slow delivery of mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 elections .
DeJoy was put in charge of the Postal Service in June after a career in logistics and set in motion a series of policy changes that have delayed mail and sparked concern over the agency ’ s ability to process a flood of mail-in ballots expected this fall due to coronavirus fears .
The House Oversight Committee recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery delays that have pushed the Postal Service into the political spotlight .


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--Trump supporters rally near Portland and at Oregon’s Capitol

SALEM , Ore. - Hundreds of people gathered Monday afternoon in a small town south of Portland for a pro-President Donald Trump vehicle rally — just over a week after member of a far-right group was fatally shot after a Trump caravan went through Oregon ’ s largest city .
Later , pro-Trump supporters and counter-protesters clashed in Oregon ’ s Capitol city of Salem .
Vehicles waving flags for Trump , the QAnon conspiracy theory and in support of police gathered at about noon at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City .
The rally ’ s organizers said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the caravan before that .
A smaller group of members of the right-wing group the Proud Boys went on to Salem , where a crowd of several dozen pro-Trump supporters had gathered .
At one point Monday afternoon , the right-wing crowd rushed a smaller group of Black Lives Matters counter-demonstrators , firing paint-gun pellets at them .
Videos on social media showed right-wing protesters chasing , tackling and assaulting left-wing protestors with weapons , their fists and with pepper spray , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Paintballs were also fired between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American flag on the steps of the Capitol , right-wing protesters charged counter-protesters , leaving several of them injured , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Right-wing protesters made a second rush later , tackling and beating at least one person , leading to two arrests , the media outlet said .
Organizers of the earlier vehicle rally in Oregon City said they did not plan to enter Multnomah County , where Portland is located .
Oregon City is about 20 miles ( 32 kilometres ) south of Portland .
In Portland on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city park and demonstrated peacefully , KOIN TV reported .
“ Teacher unions are part of the labour movement , and I feel like it ’ s really important for people who are members of a union to step up and say , ’ Our labour supports Black Lives Matter and we are ready to organize in support of systemic change , ’ ” educator Joanne Shepard told the TV station .
On Aug. 29 Aaron “ Jay ” Danielson , a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer , was killed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump supporters fired paint ball canisters at counter-demonstrators , who tried to block their way .
Danielson ’ s suspected killer , Michael Forest Reinoehl , was fatally shot by police Thursday .
Reinoehl was a supporter of antifa — shorthand for anti-fascists and an umbrella description for far-left-leaning militant groups .
Demonstrations in Portland started in late May after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and have continued for more than 100 days .
A fire started outside a police precinct on Portland ’ s north side resulted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Monday morning , police said .
Demonstrators protesting police brutality began marching about 9 p.m. Sunday and stopped at the North Precinct Community Policing Center , the site of several volatile protests in recent months .
Officials warned demonstrators against entering the precinct property , saying they would be trespassing and subject to arrest .
Shortly after arriving , the crowd began chanting , among other things , “ burn it down , “ police said .
Some in the group lit a mattress on fire .
Most of those arrested were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco ; Sacramento , California ; Mesa , Arizona ; and two from Vancouver , Washington .
Charges included interfering with an officer , resisting arrest , reckless burning and possession of a destructive device .


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--Flurry of tests as COVID hits Greece’s biggest migrant camp

ATHENS , Greece - A major testing and contact-tracing operation at Greece ’ s largest migrant camp on the eastern island of Lesbos has so far detected 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the overcrowded facility ’ s 12,500 residents , authorities said Tuesday .
Health and migration ministry officials said medical teams have carried out 1,600 tests for the coronavirus at the Moria facility — initially designed to hold 2,800 people — and another 400 will follow over the next few days .
The camp has been quarantined until Sept. 15 , with a police cordon to enforce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Notis Mitarachi said late Monday the infections were all linked with one Somali man who left the camp after being granted asylum in Greece , went to Athens but failed to find work and housing there and returned to Moria .
Health officials weren ’ t immediately able Tuesday to confirm that the virus had been spread by the one man .
Rights groups and charities working with migrants have repeatedly criticized Greece for the living conditions in Moria , which consists of a main camp surrounded by a sprawling tent city .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials focused on preventing COVID-19 outbreaks at the cramped eastern Aegean Sea island camps , quarantining people who arrive on smugglers ’ boats from Turkey and testing for the virus before allowing them into the camps .
The strategy worked until last week , when the Somali man returned to live in a tent outside the main camp .
Mitarachi said in Monday ’ s interview with private Alpha TV that the incident strengthened the government ’ s resolve to eventually build closed island centres for asylum-seekers , where entry and exit would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , and that is why we need closed centres that will provide more space for each asylum-seeker , ” he said .
“ People who are granted asylum must leave the centres ” after being given formal refugee status , he said .
Minor COVID-19 outbreaks have also been recorded in some mainland camps , which , however , are much smaller than the island facilities and where it ’ s harder for the virus to spread unchecked .
Lockdown measures during the first phase of the pandemic and tighter monitoring of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from which most asylum-seekers enter the European Union country — have substantially reduced migratory flows into Greece .
According to U.N. figures , about 12,000 people have entered Greece so far this year .
For the whole of 2019 , total arrivals were 75,000 .
Mitarachi said that this summer , for the first time , the number of migrants arriving in Greece was smaller than the number of those leaving the country — either through relocation programs to other EU countries or by being deported after being refused formal refugee status .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic-induced recession , as it was starting to recover from a 10-year financial crisis , and unemployment is around 17 % .
“ The truth is that our country is not an attractive destination for migrants and refugees as far as the job market is concerned , ” Mitarachi said .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Nicholas Paphitis - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--Eurozone economic slide during pandemic revised to 11.8%

FRANKFURT - The economy of the 19 countries that use the euro shrank by 11.8 % in the second quarter @ @ @ @ @ record and slightly less than originally reported , according to updated figures .
Official data @ @ @ @ @ agency Eurostat trimmed the fall in production from the 12.1 % figure first reported on @ @ @ @ @ quarter , running from April through the end of June , was marked by the @ @ @ @ @ aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus across Europe .
The toughest restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ such as bars and restaurants came in April and have since been gradually eased .
@ @ @ @ @ was the deepest since figures started being compiled in 1995 .
Governments have deployed large-scale @ @ @ @ @ measures that will swell deficits but have helped cushion some of the worst effects of @ @ @ @ @ economy isn ’ t expected to reach pre-virus levels until 2022 at the earliest , @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-08--Bring in the experts: It’s time to secure your home network

Not all that long ago , managing your home network ’ s security didn ’ t involve much more than installing an antivirus program on your PC .
If only it were still so simple .
It ’ s no long just about protecting the computer on which you may be working from home and the laptops the kids may be using as online school starts .
Odds are good you ’ ve got a few other internet-connected devices around the house -- phones , tablets , game consoles , maybe a “ smart ” TV or thermostat or refrigerator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toy or security camera or video-streaming gadget or voice-activated digital valet .
The average U.S. home now has 11 such devices , according to Deloitte , many of which are vulnerable to hacking .
If you don ’ t want cyber cat burglars traipsing across them , potentially spreading malware or ransomware as they go , you ’ ll want to secure your entire home network .
WHAT ARE THE RISKS ?
Home networks are a major target for cybercriminals , who use innocuous smart gadgets as stepping stones to loot data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-opt these simpler devices into much larger “ botnets ” that can be used to wreak havoc across the internet .
On average , one in three internet connections from home networks are made through devices other than computers or phones , so there ’ s lots of opportunity for mischief if you don ’ t lock your virtual windows to the networked world .
You can do it yourself , but that can be a lot of work , and the potential consequences of any mistakes could be significant .
For most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for a network-protection service , whether offered by your internet provider or another business .
Though it will cost you .
HOW DOES THIS WORK ?
Think of your home network as a bunch of cans tied to each other with strings .
Those are all your in-house devices and the data they share with each other .
Now picture each of those cans tied to thousands of other strings outside your home .
They are data connections your devices routinely make to other devices on the global internet .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all those connections .
We need help .
A good network-security service sets up firewalls to block unwanted data traffic , but it doesn ’ t stop there .
Since firewalls are imperfect , it will also monitor network traffic using artificial intelligence to detect unusual patterns .
It keeps an eye on both your devices and malicious internet domains , alerting you to potential threats and blocking suspicious websites .
Typically , you ’ ll be able to configure your security and respond to alerts from a laptop or phone .
Providers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from connecting to your home gadgets .
Parents can also often use these services to set rules on the websites kids can visit and limits on screen time .
HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST ?
IS IT WORTH IT ?
Internet providers now frequently offer security suites if you rent your modem or router from them .
From Comcast , it costs $ 14 a month .
Verizon charges fiber-optic FiOS subscribers $ 25/month but provides it for free with its premium gigabit plan .
If you recently bought your own router , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then a subscription .
Or you can buy a separate service or standalone security appliance .
Figure on paying about $ 100 a year .
“ Most consumers don ’ t have the necessary knowhow as to how to secure their home network , ” says Michael Philpott , a connected-home analyst with the Omedia tech research firm .
“ The only real option is to have a central solution that can monitor all connected devices.
” Philpott says he ’ s personally happy to pay a little extra for the peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the service provided by your broadband provider or the maker of your router .
Is the software easy to set up and to use ?
Check which security firm supplies the underlying security tools ; Bitdefender , F-Secure , McAfee and Trend Micro are among industry leaders .
It ’ s also possible to buy network-security kits directly from security companies , though you ’ ll typically pay more for an extra monitoring device you ’ ll add to your network .
These often include anti-malware software for computers and phones .
Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two separate “ virtual ” home networks.
” Reserve one for work computers and networked data storage and use the other for smart TVs and speakers .
I ’ M NOT AFRAID OF TINKERING .
WHAT CAN I DO MYSELF ?
You ’ re going to need to roll up your sleeves and get educated if you want to harden your home network ’ s security on your own .
Even then , if you do any kind of sensitive work at home it probably pays to shell out for extra protection .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get you started .